Hotchkiss

The Telluride fire district is taking to voters for a mill levy increase in May, and if approved, the ballot measure would add $3.6 million in revenue annually, reports the Telluride Daily Planet. Hotchkiss Town Trustee Patricia Medina was arrested on a DUI vehicle accident, the North Fork Merchant Herald reported Tuesday evening. Crews in Montrose are stacking 54 already completed hotel rooms, or modular units, into place on the new Fairfield by Marriott hotel at the Colorado Outdoors complex, the Daily Sentinel reported. Ouray County elected officials are seeking a pay raise in the next election cycle due to high cost of living, according to the Ouray Plaindealer. County commissioners voted to pursue a salary increase for commissioners, clerks, treasurers and assessors by almost 18% and sheriffs by around 14%, effective after the next election cycle for each official. Republican lawmakers in some parts of our region are pushing to limit what books children can access in schools and public libraries. The Mountain West is seeing more snow than it has in years…which means more powder-hungry skiers and snowmobilers heading for the backcountry.

The Telluride fire district is taking to voters for a mill levy increase in May, and if approved, the ballot measure would add $3.6 million in revenue annually, reports the Telluride Daily Planet. Hotchkiss Town Trustee Patricia Medina was arrested on a DUI vehicle accident, the North Fork Merchant Herald reported Tuesday evening. Crews in Montrose are stacking 54 already completed hotel rooms, or modular units, into place on the new Fairfield by Marriott hotel at the Colorado Outdoors complex, the Daily Sentinel reported. Ouray County elected officials are seeking a pay raise in the next election cycle due to high cost of living, according to the Ouray Plaindealer. County commissioners voted to pursue a salary increase for commissioners, clerks, treasurers and assessors by almost 18% and sheriffs by around 14%, effective after the next election cycle for each official. Republican lawmakers in some parts of our region are pushing to limit what books children can access in schools and public libraries. The Mountain West is seeing more snow than it has in years…which means more powder-hungry skiers and snowmobilers heading for the backcountry.

Western Colorado is fortunate to be surrounded by a variety of talented musicians. Today on the show we highlight some of those local voices both in conversation and song. Tune in to hear Bracken Creek, David Starr, Hillery McCalister, Bill O'Brien, Ben Bentele and Mama Lingua.

Representative Matt Soper defeated Democrat AliceMarie Slaven-Edmond for House District 54. Soper gained nearly 74% of the vote in the district. In House District 58 incumbent Marc Catlin of Montrose defeated Democrat Kevin Kuns by 11 percentage points. Grand Junction Republican businessman Rick Taggart soundly defeated Democrat Damon Davis for House District 55 in Mesa County by 26 percentage points. Delta County voters approved Ballot Measure 5B with nearly 55% in favor. The measure extends a bond issue for Delta County Joint School District 50J. Eligible Montrose County voters approved the measure,while eligible voters in Gunnison County turned down the bond issue.

Many ranchers in the West see wolves as a threat to their livestock, and livelihood. But one ranch family was inspired by wolves to rethink the way they manage their land. Ashley Ahearn saddled up for the Mountain West News Bureau to tell their story, and open a three-part series on women ranchers. Plus, we hear a clip of Rain & Shine from Calla Rose Ostrander about the iconic sandhill crane.

Many ranchers in the West see wolves as a threat to their livestock, and livelihood. But one ranch family was inspired by wolves to rethink the way they manage their land. Ashley Ahearn saddled up for the Mountain West News Bureau to tell their story, and open a three-part series on women ranchers. Plus, we hear a clip of Rain & Shine from Calla Rose Ostrander about the iconic sandhill crane.

Town councils not only represent citizens, they have significant influence in shaping the direction of municipalities. Board of trustees elections are coming up on April 5th in towns within KVNF’s listening area, including Paonia, Hotchkiss, Crawford, Cedaredge, and Norwood. Kate Redmond reports. Plus, as the Biden Administration speeds up the transition away from fossil fuels to combat climate change, many battles between conservationists and business interests are being waged over federal lands. For our Rocky Mountain Community Radio collaboration, Will Walkey reports from KHOL in Wyoming, where millions of acres and thousands of livelihoods are at stake.

Town councils not only represent citizens, they have significant influence in shaping the direction of municipalities. Board of trustees elections are coming up on April 5th in towns within KVNF’s listening area, including Paonia, Hotchkiss, Crawford, Cedaredge, and Norwood. Kate Redmond reports. Plus, as the Biden Administration speeds up the transition away from fossil fuels to combat climate change, many battles between conservationists and business interests are being waged over federal lands. For our Rocky Mountain Community Radio collaboration, Will Walkey reports from KHOL in Wyoming, where millions of acres and thousands of livelihoods are at stake.

This week on Local Motion, we listen to the audio version of a documentary that played a variety of film festivals over the past year before premiering on Rocky Mountain PBS last weekend. KVNF freelance reporter and Western Colorado University professor Chad Reich is a multimedia producer who runs Laccolith Media. His film is called “A Monolithic Folly: Fracking Colorado’s North Fork Valley.” It chronicles those who will be adversely affected by fracking on land above Paonia and Hotchkiss.

Last year's shooting of an Austin woman by Delta County Sheriff's Deputy Nolan Davis left lingering questions, like why the Deputy's mother was in the car on that fateful day. The family of Paige Pierce is now bringing a civil suit in State Court against the deputy and his supervisor. Kate Redmond reports. Plus, on the anniversary of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, how is national polarization playing out in local classrooms? Matt Hoisch with KOTO in Telluride checked in with government teachers in San Miguel County to see what it’s like teaching about our country in divided times.