Changes will be coming next summer to the main thoroughfare in Hotchkiss. The town council heard a presentation during its Sept. 9 meeting from several Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) team members on the proposed construction.
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Paonia Town Council made a significant change to public comments during its notoriously long board meetings. The new change came about during the Aug. 10 meeting when the board agreed to amend the agenda regarding public input for the Aug. 24 meeting.
The defense and prosecutors agreed on a few points Thursday: Matthew Burge, the Paonia man shot last year, was “very lucky” to have survived and the shooter was Henry Russell.
Charter Communications hosted a Spectrum Internet Assist event with the Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia on Sept. 9. During the event, Spectrum presented $2,000 to Blue Sage Center for the Arts for the purchase of technology devices to further their exploration and creativity of digit…
Paonia town council entertained a lengthy discussion on a proposed citizen’s initiative put forth by former trustee Bill Brunner and citizen Constantine Hirchfield.
The 20th annual Mountain Harvest Festival in Paonia scheduled for Sept. 23-26 will be dedicated to the late Rick Stockton and Bill Bishop, two of the popular fall festival founding fathers.
A new mural and bench help to make Paonia’s downtown more inviting. The fantasy themed mural near town hall is one of the latest pieces produced by local Mural Militia artists Nelle Ramsey and Sienna Reese.
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Mark your calendar for the 20th annual Mountain Harvest Festival in Paonia Sept. 23-26, 2021.
Paonia’s sprawling Mountain Harvest Festival launches its 20th anniversary celebration with the literary arts event of the season. This year’s “Harvest of Voices” reading is set for Sage Alley, a new venue associated with the nonprofit Blue Sage Center for the Arts. The Blue Sage itself is l…
Yuri Chicovsky is an independent filmmaker, photographer, musician, poet, world traveler, outdoorsman and former golf pro — and he’s good at all of it. But when Yuri teaches memoir for seniors, he declares, “I’m doing the work that was put before me.”
The old Hotchkiss High School continues to transform as eager students fill the hallways of the new North Fork High School in Hotchkiss. New signage is up, dirt work on the stadium is underway and the football team will rock some rad looking helmets. The new score clock will soon be up and r…
Paonia Chief of Police Neil Ferguson resigned his position effective Sept. 17. Ferguson made his public announcement during the Aug. 24 town council meeting.
The Blue Sage Center for the Arts will be hosting the Ivalas Quartet on Friday, Sept. 10.
In the 1980s, the North Fork Ambulance Association purchased some of the first auto extrication tools for local fire districts, including Hotchkiss Fire. Over the last four decades, Hotchkiss firefighters have augmented that initial donation with thousands of hours of extrication training, a…
“I’ve been writing forever,” Mary Bachran says of her writing history. “I wrote my first official (piece) when I was 12 years old.”
As the graduates of 2021 start on their journey to further their education to reach their goals, the Hotchkiss Elks Lodge #1807 would like to announce the recipients of the following individual scholarships through funds provided by Clem Audin Jr. and Evelyn Audin Endowment Fund and the Colo…
The Crawford Town Council met for a regular evening meeting on Aug. 18. The agenda included discussions of an ordinance to regulate the development of a recreational vehicle enterprise which proposes to establish an RV park north of the North Fork town.
Creamery Arts CenterThe Shaman Art Show will continue through the month of August. This show is sponsored by Hotchkiss’ Shamanic Center. Art by Janet Warne will be on display in the Peach Gallery through the end of the month as well.
Western Slope Conservation Center has been diligently tracking the GMUG National Forests Draft Forest Plan and Draft Environmental Impact findings released to the public on Aug. 13.
Paonia Town Council took a third look at an ordinance that will effectively change the distance for some businesses which offer alcoholic beverages. Town Attorney Bo Nerlin had to clarify that though the board had discussed the ordinance at least twice, it had not been formally introduced.
Sunshine DeHerrera plans to be a chef when she grows up. After a COVID exposure at camp sidelined many of the young cooks who would normally prepare lasagna for a Kids’ Pasta Project dinner, the blond 10-year-old wielded her spoon like a pro as she supervised novice adult volunteers layering…
On Aug. 14, the North Fork Valley Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation held its 10th annual fundraising banquet at Zack’s BBQ in Hotchkiss.
The highlight of the Aug. 12 Hotchkiss Town Council meeting was the dual swearing-in ceremony of new Marshal Scott Green and Deputy Marshal Julia Thompson.
The first draft of Colorado’s Legislative redistricting map has a number of North Fork citizens scratching their heads. Among those expressing concerns with the preliminary maps is Citizens for a Healthy Community Executive Director Natasha Leger.
All Delta County students will be heading back to school on Aug. 16 and for those attending the new North Fork High School there’s an extra bonus. The combined Hotchkiss/Paonia high school has introduced its new logo for the North Fork Miners.
While recent monsoonal moisture has been a welcome relief for drought-stricken North Fork Valley, residents in Hotchkiss need to continue to conserve water. That message came late during a special water work session held by the town council last week.
The Paonia skatepark project gained town council approval to remain near its original location in Town Park with plans to move it slightly north where the old baseball diamond sat.
Arts for All recently received a $10,000 grant to purchase 26 practice marimbas to be placed at the new North Fork High School and K-8 schools in Paonia and Hotchkiss.
The town of Hotchkiss and the Hotchkiss Community Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a meet n’ greet for Marshal Scott Green at 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Creamery Arts Center (165 W Bridge St.).
Nonprofits serving Paonia, Hotchkiss, Crawford and the surrounding communities are encouraged to apply to the West Elk Community Fund (WECF), a local community fund, managed by the Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF). Nonprofits must be a 501c3 or other qualified charitable entity s…
The public is invited to attend a free course in Mental Health First Aid from 4 -8 p.m. at the Paonia Library. The course is split into two classes on Aug. 11 and 12. Participants are asked to bring a meal to eat during each class.
The kids had a blast at this year’s Splash N’ Dash held July 31, at the outdoor North Fork Pool in Hotchkiss.
This Friday night should be a fun time in Hotchkiss as the BPOE Hotchkiss Elks #1807 host its grand reopening event. The lodge suffered extensive roof damage a few years back rendering much of the building off limits.
Paonia Town Council remained undecided on what to do with just over $16,000 in Coronavirus Relief Fund (CVRF) money following an update and a request by the town administrator to retain the remaining funds for additional business grants.
Trustees in Paonia unanimously approved rescinding the town’s local emergency disaster declaration that was first issued on March 23, 2020. Mayor Mary Bachran stated during the July 27 regular business meeting that since the governor has rescinded most of the public health orders and the tow…
The Town of Paonia recently held a work session with the North Fork Valley Airport Advisory Committee to discuss the future of the rural airport. The work season held on July 13 was called following a visit to the town board from Delta County Commissioner Wendell Koontz.
North Fork EMS has been awarded the State of Colorado EMTS Provider Grant to help it purchase a new ambulance and also to sponsor an Injury Prevention Program for the North Fork valley. This is a 50% matching fund grant and the pool of money comes from a $2 fee per vehicle registration in Colorado.
Friends of the late Judy Coyle celebrated her life and contribution to the North Fork Pool on July 17.
There was nothing brief about the first Paonia town council meeting in July. The meeting which wrapped up around 11 p.m. had to be extended several times due to lengthy public complaints, comments and questions regarding staff reports.
The U.S. solar industry is on the upswing, thanks to a pro-renewables presidential administration and increased concern over climate change.
New Hotchkiss Marshal Scott Green is busy meeting his new community and working hard to restore public trust in the town’s battered police department.
Weed control workshops available
The Hotchkiss Alumni Association recently announced its scholarship recipients.
The sound of chainsaws, heavy equipment and laughter can be heard along the river bottom south of the new Paonia K-8 school. Down by the river are a number of bright colored tents housing a trail crew from Western Colorado Conservation Corps (WCCC).
It’s been almost a year since Delta County agreed to “chip-in” $10,000 toward a skatepark in Paonia. Since that time planner and chief fundraiser Jay Canode has been busy finding the perfect location for his skater’s dream park.
It’s “go time” for retail/medical marijuana license applications for the town of Paonia. Applications were opened to potential business on July 5.
Nelson Rangell, internationally renowned recording artist, will be performing at Azura Cellars and Gallery at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7, as part of the Blue Sage Center for the Arts concert series.
Christy Hawk has been named the 2020 Colorado CattleWoman of the Year. Hawk was nominated for the prestigious honor by a fellow member of the Black Mesa CattleWomen.
The town of Hotchkiss has hired Scott Green as its new marshal. Green replaces Marshal Daniel Miller who stepped down last month following the dismissal of deputy Chad Lloyd and the arrest of deputy Kelsey Shumway.
Paonia United Methodist Women thrift shop invites the public to a cleaning out and going out of business one day event 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 24. Any number of items can be selected for free; however, monetary donations will be accepted.
Blue Sage happeningsEcstatic Dance will take place 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays in July. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for those 65 and older and students. Accompanied children are free. Blue Sage is located at 228 Grand Ave. in Paonia.
Scott Green has been hired as the new Hotchkiss Marshal. Green will replace outgoing Marshal Daniel Miller who retired last month. Green will relocate to Hotchkiss from Mead, Colorado and has 24 years of experience in law enforcement.
First Colorado National Bank Chairman and CEO Stan Park announced his retirement Friday, after 14 years of service. After a 39-year career overall in banking, Park said he is ready to spend time with his wife and family and explore new adventures.
Region 10 resources coming up
The 75th running of Paonia’s Cherry Days 5k featured more than 70 runners signing up to challenge the 3.2 mile course which began, and finished, at the Apple Valley Park in Paonia. Sixty-two runners finished the race (31 women and 31 men).
Quality health care and access to vital emergency medical service when needed is a part of what makes the North Fork valley such a special place to live. In 2018 the voters put the first public funding in place to sustain quality ambulance service in our valley.
Hotchkiss Elks recently presented its Beacon Grant for $2,500 to the Cleft of Hope Ministry, a non-profit Christian ministry that exists to serve anyone in need. The ministry’s main focus is to support first responders, veterans and their families by offering services and cabin stays that al…
With last year’s COVID cancellations in the rearview mirror, Paonia gears up for the 75th annual Cherry Days Festival July 2-4.
Along with Cherry Days activities comes the return of Cherry Days Royalty.
Get ready for some parade fun with the Cherry Days Independence Day parade.
Get ready to compete!
Paonia Mayor Mary Bachran evoked Resolution 2018-09 which prohibits open burning within the town. The announcement was made at the beginning of the June 22 town council meeting.