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Commissioners believe current definition of mineral operation takes away their Special Use Permit authority if the operation has less than one acre of surface disturbance.

Jesse Permann
Montrose elementary schoolteacher Jesse Permann’s death from cancer plunges entire school into mourning.

MILL SITE - The Paradox Valley site where Energy Fuels, Inc. plans to build a uranium mill. (File photo)
After receiving comments from Montrose County Commissioners, the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment has established a Jan. 17 deadline for decision on the Paradox Uranium Mill license ...
Some rough impressions from a recent ski adventure in Europe.
Lindsey Walker Silverman is recovering at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction.

Participants in the 2009 Ridgway River Festival Junk of the Unc race. (File photo)
Got your Junk for the Unc? The homemade watercraft race highlights the June 26 Ridgway River Festival.
Are you wondering about your child’s developmental health, or whether or not her car seat is installed correctly? These services and much more, including Smokey Bear, will be featuring at the April...

WORDS IN MOTION – Western State College’s Jake Danna (left center) leads a slam poetry workshop in Gunnison. Several Montrose High School students attended the workshop. (Photo courtesy of Luke Mehall)
Performance poetry is gaining popularity and is a way to engage high school and college students in the English curriculum.
Mrs. Brandy’s Ridgway childcare center is hosting a family fun day fundraiser, May 1.

PATIO PERFECTION – For this weekend’s Pickin’ in the Park fundraising party on the patio, Chef Peter O’Brien will be serving up several hors d’oeuvres and drinks including (clockwise from left) a cheese and meat plate featuring Manchego cheese, salami and pears with Serrano ham; bloody marys; artichoke beignets; and beef tartar with avocado and tomato relish. (Photo by Gus Jarvis)
For just $15, support Pickin’ in the Park by attending a patio party at Smyth’s Pub and Chop House on Sunday.
Norwood’s fourth Habitat House is seeking a deserving family. Applicants may currently reside in San Miguel County, Ouray County, or in Rico.
Advance Your Career and Education This Summer

Mary ‘Helen’ Pilcher
Memorial services were held Monday for Mary ‘Helen’ Pilcher, who passed away last week in Montrose. She will be buried next to her husband at Telluride’s Lone Tree Cemetery.

Tommy the cat. (Photo by Karen James)
If the orange and white tabby cat known as Tommy were a guy, he might just be the perfect boyfriend.

SOUTHWEST COLORADO SERIES kids at Nationals Opening Ceremonies in Copper Mountain, wearing hats knitted by Molly Cooney (center, flanked by her brothers). (Photo courtesy Bebe Cooney)
Cooney clan claim high spots in overall combined rankings; Team Telluride makes its mark on National Snowboard scene.
Clark’s Market owner tells council that if he doesn’t receive a vested right extension, he won’t go through the expensive approval process again.

KENEEN MCNIVEN (right) teaches Anusara yoga classes in Telluride, Ridgway and Montrose. (Courtesy photo)
Retired chiropractor Keneen McNiven, owner of San Juan Om Yoga, teaches Anusara-style yoga in Montrose, Telluride and Ridgway.

BENEFIT DANCE BAND — The Ghost River Band will donate its talents to a big benefit dance for the American Cancer Society from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on April 30 at the Montrose Fairgrounds' Friendship Hall. The public is invited to the dance and kids' carnival as well as karaoke contests and a chance on a helicopter ride over Black Canyon. (Photo courtesy of Relay for Life Team City Market)
It’s a family night and everyone’s invited.

WHAT ABOUT MAMA? – About 30 people joined in a town hall-style discussion with the board of the Montrose Area Merchants Association on Monday. The 1,700 member group is trying to decide whether to dissolve or regroup now that city funding has dried up. (Photo by Beverly Corbell)
City attorney says MAMA still owes the city $60K.
photos

ALL AMERICA CITY MANAGER – Montrose City Manager Bill Bell flourished the award Sunday evening in Denver. Montrose was awarded the title of All America City this weekend. (Photo courtesy Scott Shine)
TELLURIDE ACADEMY STAFF – Gathered for a pre-season photo just prior to the Monday, June 10, launch of its 33rd Summer Season. (Courtesy photo)
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER – Trish Greenwood, Ridgway Elementary School’s new principal (here with husband Jim Nowak), is returning to the school where she began teaching, in 1989. (Courtesy photo)
HEALTHY FAWN – Leave them alone, even if they seem to be abandoned. They more-than-likely are not. (Photo courtesy of David Hannigan, Parks and Wildlife)
HIGH TIMES – The Gold Belt Theatre was part of the “small empire” of vice developed by the brothers Vanoli in late Victorian Ouray. The Ouray County Historical Society Evenings of History presentation next Tuesday (June 18) will look at artifacts from the Vanoli Block, and what it all means. (Courtesy photo)
BEN WAYNE LILLARD, 1957 - 2013
DIXIE KEITHLY, April 3, 1931 – June 9, 2013
TROUT LAKE is currently being drained in order for Xcel Energy, which owns the recreational area, to complete work on the output of the lake’s dam. (Photo by Brett Schreckengost)
AZTECA DANCERS will be in Ridgway this weekend. (Courtesy photo)
