IT'S YOUR MONEY: The IRS Love Letter

Celebrate the exceptional contributions of your favorite teachers through the inaugural Golden Apple of La Plata County Award! If your child is eligible for early access to kindergarten or first grade for Ignacio School District 11-JT, make sure your application is in by April 1st. Ignacio Youth Services offers a variety of programs designed to connect middle and high school students with their community and the outdoors. And we have your back for last-minute Super Bowl snacks. By Hannah. This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and The Payroll Department.

Purgatory Mountain Resort is hosting an early Valentine's celebration as part of its Elevation Series. The City of Durango's reporting tool, See Click Fix, received 660 requests in its first year, with top requests ranging from abandoned vehicles to snow removal, and the city's code enforcement team responds to requests within an hour. The Durango La Plata County Airport reported a record year in passenger traffic, with an 8.7 percent increase over the previous record set in 2021, indicating growth in leisure travel, and construction on the terminal development program is underway. And we have your back for Super Bowl snacks this weekend. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts and Tafoya Barrett & Associates.

Scottish photographer David Yarrow is one of the best-selling fine art photographers in the world. His photos sell for millions of dollars at auction. Yet, Yarrow still returns to the American Southwest regularly, inspired by its wide array of subjects, or “characters,” as he calls them. Yarrow partners with Sorrel Sky Gallery, where his work is currently on display. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts and Tafoya Barrett & Associates.

Durango’s High Noon Rotary has announced its 2024 scholarship application is now open, with scholarships ranging from $500 to $2000 available for both academic and vocational pathways. A new platform has launched to connect students with work placement opportunities. Sponsored by the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, the new Career Launch Southwest platform is looking for businesses and organizations to add to its postings! And join in with the conversations for events for the sesquisemiquincentennial commemoration - yes, that is a real word - with the America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Sky Ute Casino.

Durango, along with Purgatory Resort, is set to host a YETI Natural Selection DUEL during the first stage of the 2024 Natural Selection Tour. The brainchild of snowboarder Travis Rice, the Natural Selection Tour showcases the world’s top riders competing at venues around the world. Durango is one of two completely new sites for the tour this season. Natural Selection DUELS feature six mountain locations, where head-to-head competition between two top riders will decide who moves on to the next stages in the 2024 Natural Selection Tour. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

In Towaoc, a recently built greenhouse known as the Growdome, built by Growing Spaces, is now growing fresh food for the Ute Mountain Ute Senior Center. Funded by the San Juan Basin Area Agency for Aging, additional indoor growing spaces are being built at Senior Centers across the region to engage the community and provide fresh produce for the elderly. By Ilana Newman. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and FASTSIGNS Durango.

A grant from the Colorado Energy Office will allow the City of Durango to double the number of e-bike rebates for 2024. Speaking of bikes, make sure yours is ready to go, or try out the Way to Go Durango app for the annual Winter Bike-to-Work Day this February. And make sure your peace signs are polished and your headbands are tightened for Peace, Love, and Snowdown this weekend! By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Serious Texas BBQ.

Longtime Ignacio High School Basketball Coach Lee Larson is recognized for his successful career at the helm of the I.H.S. basketball team. The Bobcats’ retired coach is now a member of the Ignacio High School Coaches Wall of Fame. Larson took the Bobcats to back-to-back State Championships, winning the 1988 state title. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Tafoya Barrett & Associates.

Throughout the years, the geothermal wells pumping heated water have bubbled up in the Animas Valley before cycling back down to the underground aquifer. Durango Hot Springs, purchased in 2019 and renamed from Trimble Hot Springs, has incorporated the natural flow cycle into the management of its soaking pools, all the while practicing a sustainable method of water treatment, creating a better soaking experience and giving back to the Animas Valley. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Kroegers Ace Hardware.

The Ignacio Community Library invites you to join the second annual fundraising gala, Denim and Diamonds, featuring local art, artists, and food. With winter in full swing, the Repair Cafe has moved to the first Saturday of the month to keep library staff, volunteers, and participants safe. With the recent snowfalls, Ignacio School District 11-JT is asking parents and guardians to make sure contact information is up to date in the event of a snow day, and packets for Town Board seats are available for pick-up at Town Hall for the April municipal election. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and 2180 Lighting and Design Studio.

Alpine Bank celebrated its 50th anniversary by giving back to the communities of Colorado, distributing a total of $426,500 to 355 nonprofits chosen by its employees, including 14 in the Durango area. The bank, founded in 1973 by Bob Young, has a longstanding commitment to philanthropy, today seen in action through the Loyalty Debit Card program, which contributes 10 cents to a fund for local causes with every use. In commemoration of the $55 million raised through the program, Alpine Bank provided each employee with $500 to donate to a nonprofit of their choice for the anniversary celebration. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.

With snowstorms on the horizon, make sure to refresh where Durango’s snow routes are and check snow plow schedules with the City of Durango. Make sure that you and your students know how snow days are decided for Durango School District 9-R, and find answers to frequently asked questions online. And Southwest Conservation Corps are looking for folks willing to host corpsmembers for its programs this year. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts and The Payroll Department.

Since its inception in 2015, The Elhi Community Center has focused on supporting communities in Southwest Colorado. The organization has a clothing closet and provides space for many small businesses and programs. In 2024, ELHI hopes to broaden its reach and continue serving as a venue for events ranging from concerts to classes and various kinds of parties. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Kroegers Ace Hardware.

Durango School District 9-R invites the community to the grand opening of the Impact Career Innovation Center at Durango High School on January 24th. The City of Durango adopted the 2023 Multimodal Plan, which outlines community input-driven updates for an integrated transportation network, emphasizing expanded transit services and improved pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. El Pomar Foundation is accepting applications for its 2024 internship program, offering a 10-week paid internship for undergraduate students focused on philanthropy and leadership development, and La Plata Electric Association has approved a pass-through rate increase, effective January 1st, with recommendations to avoid peak usage fees by running appliances during off-peak hours. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and The Payroll Department.

The Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team heads into the new year on a roll, having won eight of their last ten games. The Skyhawks are relying on added depth and experience to improve their record in year three under Head Coach Taylor Harris. FLC faces a tough test in January, playing at home just twice with the rest of the games on the road. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Kroegers Ace Hardware.

Avalanche deaths reached near-record levels in Colorado during the 2022/23 winter season. Friends of the San Juans is doing its part to reduce that number this season by leading education and outreach efforts throughout the Four Corners. Despite low early-season snowpack, experts warn there is still a risk for slides. By Connor Shreve This story is sponsored by Keesee Motors and Southwest Health System

As of January 1st, 2023, San Juan Basin Public Health will close its doors (metaphorically), and La Plata and Archuleta counties will take over providing public health services to their communities. La Plata Public Health Department has been working over the past year to develop the new department, staff the offices, and ensure the continuation of public health in La Plata County. While essential services like health insurance assistance, emergency clinic services, and wastewater testing will continue uninterrupted, other services will see a slight “pause” while La Plata County Health Department officially takes over in the first couple of weeks of 2024. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Kroegers Ace Hardware

Every year, 11,000 people suffer injury from snow shoveling alone. With more snow, ice and colder temperatures comes a higher risk for drivers, pedestrians and pets. The Four Corners region has unique conditions that can increase certain risks. The Local News Network with the help of Visit Durango has gathered some tips to keep you safe, from the high desert to the high alpine. By Connor Shreve This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings

Durango Theatreworks, a sponsored program of Fort Lewis College’s theatre department, staged and recorded a radio play version of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic A Christmas Carol that ran from December 13 to December 17 at the FLC Mainstage Theatre. The recorded version of the radio play can be heard on Christmas Eve on KDUR 91.9/93.9 at 4PM and KPTE 92.9 The Point at 7PM. It will also be broadcast on Christmas morning on KKDG 99X at 10 AM. A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play was adapted for the stage and radio by Nathan Jerkins and was directed by Fort Lewis College Professor Michael McKelvey. The cast featured Matt Bodo, Conor Sheehan, Jenny Fitts-Reynolds, Mohriah James, Oliver Kennedy, Siena Widen, Hallie Denman, Kieran Peck, Melissa Mossinghoff, and Bella O’Bryan. After the Saturday night performance, the Christmas Carol cast members, along with director McKelvey, also performed a rollicking read through of a radio adaptation of another Christmas favorite, DieHard. Your Old Fashioned Die Hard Radiocast was also adapted by Nathan Jerkins. Durango Theatreworks was started nearly two years ago by Michael McKelvey in an effort to expand the capacity and community involvement of Fort Lewis College’s theatre offerings. Other Theatreworks productions include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Much Ado About Nothing, and Heathers the Musical, all which cast community members alongside Fort Lewis students. This will be the second year that the company has produced A Christmas Carol for the stage and the radio. By Jessica McCallum. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Serious Texas BBQ

Submit your nominees for the Design and Development Awards for outstanding projects in the community for 2023. The City of Durango has a new, more modern look to the website along with improved accessibility. On January 1st, San Juan Basin Public Health will officially hand the reins to La Plata County Public Health Department and Archuleta County Public Health Department, with a slight transition period and important notices. And Santa Rita Park is once again the location for dropping off your Christmas Tree this year. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings