The pattern of July continues in the week ahead with more cloudy days and chances for light afternoon rain. For hay growers that means keeping a watchful eye toward the skies as they race to get another cut completed in the fields. Temperatures are remaining at historical norms, high 70s to lows 80s. Here’s more from around the San Luis Valley:

1. DA details corruption concerns with Costilla County Sheriff’s Department

Officer badge over a blue tinted mountain area

District Attorney Anne Kelly raised serious concerns that she has with the Costilla County Sheriff’s Department in an extraordinary special meeting July 9 with Costilla County Commissioners. During the 1 hour, 18 minute session, Kelly articulated her concerns around missing evidence, failure to properly use bodycams as required by Colorado law, and allegations of drug use among sheriff’s staff and the assisting of drug dealers in the county, among other issues. “I have never said ever that I do not trust a police agency and I do not trust the Costilla County Sheriff’s Office,” Kelly said. Costilla County Sheriff Danny Sanchez was first sworn into office in January 2019 and re-elected in November 2022. He and deputies were present at the meeting. More this week on AlamosaCitizen.com.

2. Alamosa County plans for growth

Alamosa County is set to adopt a new comprehensive master plan that plans for growth specifically in unincorporated East Alamosa, the Mosca corridor, and along West Hwy 160. The county commissioners are expected to take up the master plan at its meeting on Wednesday, July 23, said County Administrator Roni Wisdom. The “Imagine Alamosa” county master plan calls for exploring a centralized water system in Mosca and ongoing discussions with the East Alamosa Water & Sanitation District on expanding the service boundary area to serve additional properties. “The complicated nature of water availability has and will continue to guide growth, and it has the potential to change the community character if gone unmanaged.” More this week on AlamosaCitizen.com.

3. The meaning of Joe Vigil

Credit: “Chasing Excellence: The Remarkable Life and Inspiring Vigilosophy of Joe I. Vigil.” by Pat Melgares

As he traveled the nation and the world teaching and coaching, Joe Vigil was always proud to be from Alamosa. He grew up on Ninth Street, his mom, Melinda, worked downtown at Kavley’s, he built a family home on Carroll Street and he never forgot his roots. “It was a testament to who he was. It’s also a testament to the community that raised somebody like that. He was proud to be from here,” said Damon Martin. The legendary coach died at age 95 at his home in Arizona on Saturday. As his biographer Pat Melgares said, “He’s the one that we all thought could beat death, the one that will live forever, and in our minds he will.” Here’s more on his passing.

4. Weekend recap: Manassa Pioneer Days

Credit: The Citizen

Here’s something Joe Vigil definitely would have appreciated and applauded. The Manassa Pioneer Days 5K run keeps getting bigger even after nearly five decades from its first start. The 48th annual community run drew 561 entries and 499 actual finishers on Saturday, July 19, the largest field to date, beating last summer’s field of 474 runners. Josh Snyder toured the course in 18:49.0 as the overall winner. Elizabeth McQuitty ran the course in 19:01.6 as the top female runner. Full results Monday on AlamosaCitizen.com

5. The Valley Pod: Renovating Alamosa’s historic courthouse

Valley-Wide Health has the old Alamosa County Courthouse and courtyard undergoing major renovation by Nunn Construction. We get behind the scenes at the historic property with Brett Props, the site foreman and project engineer, and construction superintendent Bobby Hampton in Episode 251 of The Valley Pod.

6. Field Report: San Francisco Lakes

In this outdoor field report it’s a beautiful Sunday nature hike to San Francisco Lakes in the Rio Grande National Forest above Del Norte. We’d love to see an outdoor report from you. Send us material to info@alamosacitizen.com.

7. Spread the word: Free training for builders

Team of engineers working together in a architect office.

Builders and inspectors who work in the San Luis Valley are invited to a free in-person training with Shums Coda Associates on Aug. 19. There will be two four-hour sessions – the first on “Manual J, S, and D” standards from 8 a.m. to noon; and an afternoon training from 1-5 p.m. on “The Complete Thermal Envelope” to take a deep dive on air sealing, moisture management, insulation, and fenestration. The registration form is here. The two trainings will be held at the Alamosa County administration building, 8900-A Independence Way, in Alamosa. For questions ​​email: hope.medina@shumscoda.com or andre.jaen@shumscoda.com.