AS you make your way into the new week, check out these photos from the weekend’s Valley Bottom Rio Trio presented by Alamosa Parks and Recreation and SLV GO!. We also have race results and a really cool video recap. The event drew 125 participants and their cheering sections to Alamosa. They came from Durango, Colorado Springs, parts of New Mexico and elsewhere to ride and run along the Rio Grande trails and to paddle three miles of the river itself.
Here are more items to start your week:
1. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades coming to Alamosa schools
Alamosa School District was awarded a $7.6 million BEST grant to improve heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) in its schools and for asbestos abatement at Ortega Middle School. The school district was notified of the award last Friday. Alamosa Schools will contribute around $2.4 million in federal American Rescue Plan ESSER III funding as matching money to meet the total cost of nearly $10 million to complete HVAC projects at Alamosa High, Ortega Middle School, and the two Alamosa Elementary buildings.
“The requested BEST Grant project is focused solely on addressing safety and health concerns in each classroom at every school within the district,” said Alamosa Superintendent Diana Jones. “The use of the ESSER III funds in conjunction with the BEST Grant will provide quality air circulation and HVAC for all school buildings in the district. We are thrilled to be able to provide safe air quality for our staff and students.”
The state board of education awards BEST grants to improve health, safety, security and technology in Colorado’s public schools.
2. Too dry for fireworks
As anticipated, the city of Alamosa and its sponsor San Luis Valley Federal Bank have canceled the scheduled July 4 fireworks out of an abundance of caution for the persistent drought conditions impacting the Valley. The bank issued this statement explaining the decision: “We’ve been happy to provide our financial support for the show for so many years, but given the dry conditions and fire risks, our Board of Directors decided we should not sponsor the show this year. We look forward to continuing our support in the future.”
3. Latest inductees into the Adams State Educators Hall of Fame:
Adams State has always been a teacher’s college, and continues to produce outstanding teachers and administrators. It also recognizes the lifelong accomplishments of the teachers it produces through its Educators Hall of Fame which can be found inside McDaniel Hall on campus. The university held its 10th Annual Adams State University Educators Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the Class of 2021 and Class of 2022 on June 7. Here is a list of the most recent inductees, including posthumously, Dennis Lopez, Adams State Class of 1974 and 1978.
4. Coming Sunday
San Luis Valley residents really like where they live. They just wish the Valley had more water, fewer drugs, and better-paying jobs. Local voters also dislike – really, really dislike – a plan to buy water in the Valley for export to Front Range cities and suburbs. These are some of the main conclusions from the first SLV Rural Poll of Valley voters by Alamosa Citizen.
We’ll give a full presentation to the data this Sunday at AlamosaCitizen.com. Watch for it.
5. Mixing music and podcasting
Matt Wellman and Erin Lehman from the Alamosa Live Music Association (ALMA) stopped by our podcast studio to talk about this summer’s Sundays at Six live concert series at Cole Park. ALMA will present eight concerts this summer beginning on Sunday, June 26. Matt and Erin take us through the Sunday lineup as well as give their take on the growing live music scene across Alamosa and the San Luis Valley. Take a listen.
TOP PHOTO by C. Claire Lara