Archive for July, 2026
Joe Martinez – March 19, 1943 – July 3, 2026
Graveside services for Joe Martinez will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 10, 2026 at Bent County-Las Animas Cemetery, Elder Chapel in Las Animas, Colorado with interment to follow. Joe Martinez was born on March 19, 1943 in Las Animas, Colorado to Raymond and Barbara Martinez. He passed away on July 3, 2026 in […]
Aspen Acres fire: More than 260 structures damaged or lost as fire grows past 90,000 acres
Article from CPR News/Andrea Chaflin and Shanna Lewis A firefighting plane lifts off from the reservoir at Lake Pueblo State Park – photo by Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite More than 1,500 personnel are engaged in fighting the Aspen Acres fire burning in Southern Colorado. Fire authorities expect that number to rise to nearly 1,900. “This is […]
Lamar’s annual “Community Social” to be held July 10
The Annual Community Social event sponsored by the City of Lamar, Prowers Medical Center, and High Plains Community Health Center will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026 at the Willow Creek Pavilion next to the swimming pool. The event is free for everyone. An afternoon swim will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 […]
How trapshooting is teaching Colorado high schoolers gun safety
Students and adults take aim at an unseen hat belonging to an athlete on the Sterling High School Trapshooting Team who shot a “25 straight” — 25 clay pigeons in a row. The tradition is a rite of passage for young shooters, who say the sport gives them a sense of belonging. (Cheney Orr, Special […]
Letter to the Editor – “The Missing Agency in Hartman’s Dissolution – USDA’s Silence is the Real Story”
To the Editor: As the State of Colorado moves forward with dissolving the Town of Hartman, the public has been told a simple story: Hartman was “dysfunctional,” unable to hire a water operator, and unwilling to meet drinking water compliance requirements. That narrative is convenient, but it is not true. It leaves out the one […]
Tomasita Ruth Archuleta December 21, 1931 – July 2, 2026
Mass of Christian Burial for Ruth Archuleta will be held at 10:00 a.m. and Rosary at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, July 11, 2026 at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Fowler, Colorado. Interment will follow in Fowler Cemetery, Fowler, Colorado. Tomasita Ruth Archuleta, known to most as Ruth, passed away peacefully at her home in […]
Leo George Hainer – July 9, 1957 – December 15, 2025
Join us as we gather to celebrate the life, laughter and memories of George Hainer. A celebration of life will be held at 3:00PM on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at The LaMar at 219 South Main Street in Lamar. George loved a good potluck, so bring your favorite side dish or dessert and join us […]
Mary Lynn Gallegos – March 16, 1942 – June 27, 2026
Funeral services for Lynn Gallegos will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Las Animas, Colorado with Pastor Jonathan Busenitz officiating. Interment will follow in the Bent County-Las Animas Cemetery. Mary Lynn Gallegos, affectionately known as Lynn, passed away on June 27, 2026, at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in […]
City of Lamar Announces Wildfire Relief Donation Effort in Partnership with United Way of Southern Colorado
LAMAR, Colo. — As wildfires continue to impact communities across Southern Colorado and throughout the state, the City of Lamar is encouraging residents, businesses, and community partners to support relief efforts for families affected by these devastating fires. The City of Lamar has partnered with the United Way of Southern Colorado to launch a dedicated […]
Atmos Energy makes $1,000 donation to Tri-State 911 Tribute Foundation
Atmos Energy recently made a large donation to the Tri-State 911 Tribute Foundation. Shown at left presenting the $1,000 check to President-Elect Don Wilson is Atmos representative Richard Mestas, with other Atmos representatives Thomas Gomez and Kolby Palmer pictured at right.
Letter to the Editor — “Hartman Deserves Better Than Last‑Minute Governance”
For years, Hartman has lived with the consequences of institutional neglect. Our water system didn’t collapse because of a single mistake — it collapsed because agencies delayed action, withheld information, and treated our town as an afterthought until the crisis became impossible to ignore. That pattern didn’t just break our infrastructure. It broke trust, endangered […]
Juanita Ortiz – February 8, 1935 – July 1, 2026
A Mass of Christian burial for lifelong Granada, Colorado resident, Juanita Ortiz, will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado with Reverend Boniface Onjefu as celebrant. A rosary service will be held prior to the mass at 9:30AM at the St. Frances […]
Local students named to spring Dean’s Honor Roll at Wichita State University
WICHITA, Kan. (July 2, 2026) – Wichita State University has announced the names of more than 3,650 students who were on the WSU Dean’s Honor Roll for spring 2026. To be included on the dean’s honor roll, a student must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours) and earn at least a 3.5 […]
Low water levels close west boat ramp at John Martin Reservoir State Park; East ramp remains open
The west boat ramp at John Martin Reservoir State Park near Hasty, Colo., is closed to trailer-launched boats due to declining water levels. The west ramp remains open to hand-launched watercraft. The east ramp is open to trailered-boats and park staff recommend higher-clearance tow vehicles at that ramp. CPW Photo/Sami Colvin HASTY, Colo. – Ongoing drought conditions and […]
Ribbon cutting held June 17 for “Love, Mom Treasures Past & Present
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the community had the pleasure of welcoming Love, Mom Treasures Past & Present to the Lamar business community with a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony. Thank you to everyone that attended this special occasion to help celebrate our newest Lamar business and owners Jane and John Dykes. Stop in […]
