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Gov. Hickenlooper and his entourage will be visiting the Ouray School on the same afternoon as preschool graduation.
The BLM announced last week that it had completed its Ridgway Comprehensive Trail Management Plan, opening the way for new mountain bike trails.
New state tax legislation has Montrose and Olathe School District officials re-examining district funding plans to improve technology and school performance.
Paonia-based Citizens for a Healthy Community will soon begin monitoring the region’s air quality – to establish a baseline before large-scale drilling and fracking move in.
Ongoing drought, and the threat of water calls, has spurred the creation of a new Ouray County Water Users Association to speak as one for upvalley users.

BUILDING OPTIMISM – Tom How (left) and Daniel Key of Sjoden Wood Designs worked on a new home in the Cobble Creek Golf Community Tuesday morning. The spec home is being built under the direction of contractor Bert Welz, who said he’s optimistic for the region’s construction trade. (Photo by William Woody)
With new project starts on the upswing across the region, a sense of optimism is growing that construction may be on the rebound after slumping for more than five years.

A MAP of the Idarado Mine tailings, east of Telluride, where the production company is proposing to construct a temporary main street set approximately 350’-by-125’ in size. The specific area is located within the large rectangle. (Courtesy image)
The San Miguel County Commissioners expressed concern on Wednesday as the proposal must be acted upon quickly.

GROWTH INVESTMENT – Students took advantage of a "living classroom" at the Telluride School's new Grow Dome this spring. The Dome, which will be open to the public for tours Wednesday, May 22, was funded in part by a Telluride Medical Center's Physical Education Program (PEP) grant. (Courtesy photos)
Telluride Schools’ new grow dome is a living classroom, as well as a source of fresh produce.
An independent audit of the Montrose County Road and Bridge Department finds poor management, unsatisfactory work environment, and favoritism.
Chief Leo Rasmusson’s resignation was effective immediately, leaving the department without a leader for the time being.
A Lawson Hill employee got a rare glimpse of one of the high country’s most elusive predators last week, when a mountain lion was spotted on the pedestrian trail that winds through this wooded sub...
The upcoming Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride will, among other things, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first successful American expedition to Mount Everest, in 1963.
Energy analyst Randy Udall (brother of Sen. Mark Udall) has agreed to be the keynote speaker at Transition OurWay’s Green Energy Expo June 1.
‘ROUND THE ROUNDABOUT – Traffic flowed through the temporary roundabout on Wednesday morning as Williams Construction crews began to working on the new, permanent roundabout at Society Turn. Delays of up to 10 minutes are possible though this week and into the next week as crews follow up the switch with demolition of the existing intersection, equipment crossing, etc. Weather is always a factor and could delay progress at times. “The speed limit on the single-lane roundabout is 25 mph,” CDOT Project Engineer Lorna Alexander said. “It’s very important that motorists keep their speeds low and drive with extra caution, as the detour roundabout is directly adjacent to our work zone – we want to maintain safety for both workers and motorists.” ( Photo by Brett Schreckengost)
Telluride’s town council is considering action on a Traffic Calming Work Plan devised by a task force that focusses on the problem of speeding vehicles in town.
Questioning the work it does, and whether or not Montrose County will have a voice in the organization, the Montrose Board of County Commissioners is hesitant to provide $5,000 in funding to the Pu...
Keith Meinert of Ouray and Terry Rhoades of Silverton are vying for the chance to represent District Seven on the San Miguel Power Association board of directors.
ANGLER INN Sous Chef Spencer Graves (from left to right), Owner Ian Wick, Front of House Manager Andrew Dolese, and Executive Chef Mike Alagna stood for picture in front of the new bar. The lodge, which had for decades housed the illustrious Blue Jay Lodge and Café, located near Placerville, opened for dinner May 1 – and has been busy ever since.(Photo by Brett Schreckengost)
The Angler Inn, a new Down Valley restaurant, blends elevated dining with simple foods and a relaxed atmosphere.
All classes of real property, with the exception of agricultural land, experienced a decrease in value between June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2012.
Last week, Ouray County plow operators cleared the Camp Bird Road all the way up to iconic Yankee Boy Basin, and this week they finished opening up County Road 31 to Red Mountain Town.
The Delta-Montrose Electric Association Board of Directors appears to be at odds with the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association over the electric wholesale provider’s new rate structure...
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)
