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On Nov. 19, more than a year after being charged with the crime, Jean Collier pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $43,000 from the Saguache Chamber of Commerce. Collier had been the bookkeeper and treasurer of the chamber since 2016. The guilty plea allows Collier to avoid a jury trial.  The negotiated plea deal also clears Collier‘s boyfriend, Brian Strauss, of any charges. Chamber funds were used for household bills in their shared home, as well as restaurant meals. Strauss was originally charged with “Class Five” felonies of fraud and embezzlement, but these charges have been dropped. Sentencing for Collier is scheduled...

In a tense but ultimately conciliatory meeting, the Crestone Board of Trustees voted to lift the stop work order on Crestone Peak Community Housing’s (CPCH) Living Wisdom Village (LWV) project six weeks after it was issued. The town issued a stop work order in early September 2024 amid concerns that LWV’s 5-foot setbacks did not meet the town’s zoning regulations. The CPCH board insisted that despite the town’s 20-foot setback zoning regulation, the LWV Planned Unit Development was granted an exception, which the town approved. "We don't feel like we're at any fault," said Kirsten Schreiber, CPCH’s board chair. "I understand...

by Matt Lit Saguache County election results saw incumbent Tom McCrackin returned to his seat on the Saguache County Board of County Commissioners. Incumbent Commissioner Lynne Thompson was also voted back in.  Saguache County voters numbered 3,388 out of the 4,716 registered voters, a 71.84% turn out.  McCrackin, D, received 1,708 votes beating out his opponent, Marcus Weir, R, who received 1,507  votes in the District 1 race. District 1 includes. Democrat Thompson edged out opponent Jason Ensz, R, with 1,612 votes to his 1,458 votes for District 2.  In other results, District Attorney Anne Kelly ran unopposed and received 1,896 votes.  Saguache County...

The Crestone-Baca Community Alliance (CBCA) is moving forward with its plan to build a community center. Recent monthly meetings and surveys have pointed to a need and goal of making plans a reality.  The following information was provided by CBCA for its upcoming meeting Sept. 28, 2 p.m. at the Baca POA Hall on T-Road.  Agenda items to include (see zoom meeting options bottom of page) Brief Welcome. Background Topics Crestone Baca Community Alliance The community center vision; Youth Program initiative. Questions for the meeting group Why are you here? Leadership team, other contribution, Important information? Just to observing?  Follow this link for the survey: www.greenerdestiny.tech/cbca Getting updates on what's occurring...

By Matt Lit.This story was updated 8/03/2024 at 4:24 p.m. Aug. 3, 2024–Crestone-Baca–A Saguache County Sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a suspect July 25 on Camino Baca Grande, near the Baca Fire Station.  On July 29, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation identified the suspect as 40-year-old Jonathan Wood, of the Baca.  The deputy’s body camera footage, released by the Sheriff’s Office Aug. 2, showed him approach Wood, who was walking southeast along the road. The deputy attempted to talk to Wood. Wood was carrying bundles on a 4-foot piece of copper plumbing pipe. While the deputy addressed Wood, Wood brought the pipe from...

By Nancy Telos with Matt Lit Earlier this afternoon a man was allegedly shot by Saguache County Sheriff’s deputies near the Baca Fire Station. There are conflicting statements, though witnesses stated they saw the still-unidentified man brandishing a pipe and fighting with a deputy along Camino Baca Grande and Baca Grant Way.  Emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene within minutes.  The Saguache County Sheriff’s Office has declined to comment stating, “It is still under investigation.” The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is participating in the investigation and events leading up to the shooting.  Camino Baca Grande remains closed to through traffic. There is...

Gaelic, African, and Broadway melodies will mix with Mozart’s “Ave Verum” and other choral pieces in a performance by the Valley Community Concert Choir (VCCC) on Friday evening, May 3,at 7 p.m. at the Colorado College Baca campus auditorium.  The Choir, which has a collaborative relationship with Adams State University’s Music Department (where it rehearses), has been singing in the Valley since its founding in 1997. The VCCC is making its first appearance since closing for the Covid pandemic in 2020. The Choir performed five of its pieces on April 19 along with the ASU Chamber Choir in Richardson Hall...

3/14/24 A planned meeting tonight to discuss traffic, parking, and other congestion issues at the Great Sand Dunes National Park (GSDNP) was cancelled due to inclement weather. The meeting was scheduled to take place at the Baca National Wildlife Refuge. There are no immediate plans to reschedule the meeting, although public comment is still welcomed online.  The rumors of a proposed northern route to the Sand Dunes through the Baca Grande using Liberty Road are false, according to GSDNP Supervisor Andrea Compton. The rumors appear to have started in a Grimes Report e-newsletter penned by Sara Grimes and sent to the...