Photo Credit Madeleine Ahlborn
SNOW or no snow, there are 5 local shopping days till Christmas. We hope you have a merry one.
Welcome to Monday. All the forecasts leading into Christmas and beyond show ongoing drought, above average temperatures and below average precipitation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) new seasonal drought outlook through March 31, 2022 shows drought persisting throughout the southwest.
For the Upper Rio Grande Basin and the unconfined aquifer that could spell more trouble. Storage in the unconfined aquifer is at its lowest level in nearly a decade. What’s troubling to the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and to its staff and board of managers is the unconfined aquifer dropping in October and November below its September reading. Usually during this time of year, when there’s less irrigation and water being used on the Valley’s ag side, the unconfined aquifer will naturally recharge. Now there’s growing concern going into a dry January.
There is a slight hope for some Christmas Eve snow from the Pueblo National Weather Service forecast but Christmas Day looks crisp and sunny.
Alamosa Holiday Parade warms the night
Great turnout Saturday night of several hundred people along Alamosa’s Main Street for the annual holiday of lights parade. Staged by Alamosa RoundUP, the parade showcased dozens of vehicles and semi trucks decked out in lights. Check out the photo gallery.
Announcement expected this week
on new Alamosa County Administrator
Alamosa County Commissioners have an Alamosa County Administrator appointment on their agenda for Thursday’s meeting. Roni Wisdom, who joined Alamosa County in 2019 as controller, is one of two finalists. The other is Carle Tarnutzer of Monte Vista. Both candidates were interviewed last week.
ICYMI, last week
Adams State Trustees heard about serious morale issues at their meeting last Friday. “When I spoke earlier and said faculty were agitated, I underspoke. They are angry. They are very, very angry,” Adams State Faculty Trustee Beth Bonnstetter told the board. Here’s the full report.
Also, did you miss Alamosa County Commissioner Mike Yohn’s surprise announcement from last Thursday? Read here about his decision not to run for re-election in 2022.
More Motorway demolition prep this week
Cooley & Sons last week began preparation work for the demolition of the old Motorway building. They started taking out windows and other interior demolition and preparation is continuing this week. Expect the building itself to get torn down shortly after Christmas.
Adams State graduates its Fall 2021 Class
Adams State celebrated its Fall Commencement Ceremony on Saturday with Armando Valdez, new state director for the USDA Rural Development, serving as the commencement speaker. Here’s a photo gallery by Linda Relyea from the ceremony.
“Today’s cheer is for you, your hard work, your leadership, and your followership in your journey of learning, growth, enhancement and refinement,” Valdez said to the graduates.
“Part of your responsibilities are to be ambassadors to the world on behalf of Adams State University. Take this as additional confidence in your talents, skill sets, ideas, creative approaches, logical and analytical evaluations, and your ability to help others and cultivate relationships.”
Mathew Burcin, molecular and cellular biology major, delivered the class message. He related his experience to his tough climb up Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental United States. “Now my story of climbing Whitney serves to represent our academic story, you all get to hike to the top with me,” he said.
Photos by Linda Relyea
Boys & Girls Clubs gets a gift
Finally, and certainly not least, the Alamosa Woman’s Citizenship Club and American Legion joined forces to purchase and install a first-ever flag pole at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley on Friday, Dec. 17. Here’s a video and our story from the event.
