news
TWO WHEELS INSTEAD OF FOUR - One of the photographs in the LiveWell PhotoVoice project suggested replacing seldom used parking spaces (here in Downtown Montrose) with bike lanes to encourage commuting to work and school. (Photo by Julie Barton)
Jan 02, 2013 | 0 
| 1 
| 
| 1 |
Following creative photojournalism work from some Montrose and Olathe residents, as well as some Vista Charter School students, a plan to improve healthy lifestyle options in the two communities is...
HANLEY RINK - The Town of Telluride, San Miguel County and Telluride Film Festival are partnering to retrofit the Town Park Pavilion and Hanley Rink into a multi-use facility that can double as an indoor theater and concert venue. (Photo by Brett Schreckengost)
Dec 31, 2012 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 |
The Telluride Town Council must decide in January whether to postpone some elements of the Pavilion project in order to stay under-budget.
LOCAL FRIEND, NATIONAL HERO – Neil Armstrong, who died on Aug. 25, at the Telluride Regional Airport in 2009, flanked by (left to right) Airport Manager Rich Nutall, Board of Directors President John Micetic, and Telluride Visitor Services Director Scott McQuade. Armstong cut the ribbon at ceremonies for the completion of Phase 1 of the airport’s improvement project. (File photo)
Dec 31, 2012 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 |
The family and friends of Neil Armstrong and the Telluride Foundation have created a Neil Armstrong Scholarship Fund to honor the achievements and character of the late American hero and astronaut ...
MONTROSE COUNTY PRIDE - A large gathering of Montrose County employees watched a presentation by Corinne Schearer on Thursday, Dec. 20, during the first annual all county staff meeting at Friendship Hall. (Photo by William Woody)
Dec 30, 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 |
Montrose County administration officials are working to develop a new identity for the coming new year, emphasizing a high level of professionalism, fiscal responsibility and leadership accountabil...
Dec 30, 2012 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 |
Formal protests poured in to the BLM over oil and gas leases slated for the auction block in February.
Dec 29, 2012 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 |
Mayors Against Illegal Guns will provide written support to Senator Dianne Feinstein’s efforts to renew an expired ban on assault weapons. Telluride Mayor Stu Fraser is one of them.
RETIRED GENERAL H. NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF at Telluride's Fourth of July Parade in 2005. (File photo by Brett Schreckengost)
Dec 28, 2012 | 0 | 5 |
| 5 |
Retired Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who died on Dec. 27, is remembered in Telluride as an activist/philanthropist.
VENTURE ACCELERATORS - Jesse Johnson, right, and Paul Major, in front of the offices of the Telluride Foundation, where they're embarking on a new form of entrepreneurial philanthropy with the Telluride Venture Accelerator. (Photo by Brett Schreckengost)
Dec 28, 2012 | 0 | 6 |
| 6 |
Many Telluride residents have long dreamed of a more diverse economy, one not entirely dependent on tourism and construction, so that families might live here more comfortably and sustainably.
DR. TED DICKENSON died at his home, in Montrose, on Jan. 20. (Courtesy photo)
Dec 28, 2012 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 |
From San Miguel County Judge Sharon Shuteran to Montrose’s Dr. Ted Dickinson to Montrose and Ouray County stalwart Dave Wood, the tri-county region lost some of its most beloved citizens this year.
CLOSING TIME - After 40 years, Montrose institution Jeans Westerner closed its doors. Here, employee Amanda Thurston readied inventory in preparation for the store's liquidation. (File photo)
Dec 28, 2012 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 |
Last year was another round of musical chairs for more than a few local businesses.
Dec 28, 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 |
Here's a look back at some of the most memorable quotes found in The Watch Newspaper in 2012.
NOW ARRIVING - Along with completing a merger with the Telluride Tourism Board, the Telluride Montrose Regional Air Organization was able to secure new flights in and out of Montrose Regional Airport including flights from Oakland, Calif. and Phoenix, Ariz. serviced by low-cost carrier Allegiant Air. Local government representatives from around the region attended a ceremony when it was announced that Allegiant Air would be coming to MJT. (File photo)
Dec 27, 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 |
The region’s air program secured new service in summer and winter, including a new low-cost carrier, as it underwent organizational changes.
Dec 27, 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 |
A settlement with objectors drastically reduced the scale of a proposed water storage system in the West End.
HISTORIC RENOVATION – Kunz Construction of Ouray has been hired to renovate the elegant and picturesque historic buildings at the 14 level of the Camp Bird Mine. A deal finalized in September, the newly formed Caldera Mineral Resources LLC, announced that it is poised to acquire Ouray’s most famous historic mine, and will attempt to bring it back into operation. (File photo)
Dec 27, 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 |
The historic Revenue-Virginius and Camp Bird mines are on their way to becoming active again in Ouray County.
AMENDMENT 64 - Colorado is now one of only two states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. The State Legislature, along with local governments, is working to implement the new amendment in regards to retail sales. (File photo)
Dec 27, 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 |
Local governments reacted differently to the passage of the controversial amendment to the Colorado Constitution.
Dec 27, 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 |
The sexual assault on a 13-year-old Norwood boy by three other Norwood boys at the State Wrestling Tournament last February and the divide it created in the local community is The Watch’s No. 10 st...
POST ELECTION PAY-UP - Days before the Nov. 6 presidential election, Montrose County Republican Vice-Chairman Bob Brown (right) shook hands with Montrose County Democratic Chairwoman Jayne Bilberry (left) betting who would win the election. Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney lost to President Obama and, as a result, Brown had to don a pro-Obama, pro-Democratic display at the corner of Main Street and Townsend Avenue on Nov. 9. (File photo)
Dec 27, 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 |
From the Presidential race to Senate and House races to local county commissioner races, the 2012 election brought little change.
RESURRECTED - Despite a Denver District Judge's ruling that a new public hearing must be held in order for Energy Fuels Inc. to acquire a radioactive materials license for a new uranium mill in the Paradox Valley, proponents of the mill still hold hope a new uranium industry will be resurrected in the West End of Montrose County. Undergoing a resurrection of its own, the historic Uranium Drive-In sign in Naturita was fully restored last year. (File photo)
Dec 27, 2012 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 |
If the issuance of a radioactive materials license for the proposed Piñon Ridge Uranium Mill seemed to signal the end of its approval process, 2012 signaled it’s restart.
WATER WORRIES - Rich Weber, under the watchful eye of his dog, Ace, working on his irrigation ditch in May. After a dry and warm spring, the Uncompahgre River Valley Water Users Assn. requested a call on its water rights. (File photo)
Dec 27, 2012 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 |
From fickle weather patterns in the winter to extremely hot and dry weather conditions in the summer, 2012 was a year of weather extremes that left their mark.
END OF THE BUILD-UP - Tyler Farrar of Team Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda crossed through the Stage 1 finish on main street in Telluride last August. Both Telluride and Montrose were host cities to the 2012 Pro Cycle Challenge after more than a year of preparations and build-up. (File photo)
Dec 27, 2012 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 |
First there was great anticipation in Telluride and Montrose. Then there was a debate over whether the Pro Cycle Tour was worth the effort.
photos
RATS’ NEST – A rack of demo bikes at last year’s Ridgway Area Trails (RAT) Festival in Hartwell Park. This year’s 3rd annual will again feature trail building and skills clinics, along with a new Friday beer-and-shorts film night at the Sherbino Theater. (Courtesy photo)
VOLUNTEER Linda Granzow worked twine through spent round casings at the Welcome Home Montrose Warrior Resource Center last week. (Photo by William Woody)
WARRIOR WIND CHIMES – Welcome Home Montrose staff Emily Smith painted ceramic part of wind chimes at the Welcome Home Montrose Warrior Resource Center last week. (Photo by William Woody)
BACK HOME IN TELLURIDE – members of Telluride’s Volunteer Fire Department helped move the Galloping Goose No. 4 back to its home next to the San Miguel County Courthouse on May 16. The railbus spent the last four years in Ridgway while it was refurbished. (Photo by Brett Schreckengost)
ROBERT JUSTIS (Courtesy photo)
