Denver- January saw the Pacific jet stream finally begin to shift southward; by mid January it had positioned itself over southern Wyoming and northern and central Colorado bringing much needed precipitation to basins west of the Continental Divide. In a reversal of conditions earlier this season, basins east of the Divide saw very little snowfall during this period. Unfortunately these storms were not enough to boost the statewide snowpack significantly.

by Bill Knowles
WALSENBURG — Delivering a statement to the city’s finance committee Monday, Feb. 7, Mayor Larry Patrick tied the economic development of Walsenburg to the growth of the Northlands District.

by Susan Simons
HUERFANO — On Saturday, Jan. 27 in the meeting room of the La Veta Library, Rod House officially expanded his one-man Occupy La Veta movement to a general assembly of approximately 36 folks from all around the county.
He emphasized that the Occupy movement has never been about the notions of one person; Occupy has no leaders, no hierarchy, no spokespersons. Instead, Occupy is all about statements that arise from general assemblies where people find consensus and a common voice. Occupy is about the welfare of the 99%.

by Kathy Doolittle
WALSENBURG — An evening meal was shared at the John Mall High School cafeteria that included the current school board members and some of the John Mall High School staff. The regularly scheduled board meeting convened shortly afterwards.
Retirement letters were read and accepted with heavy hearts. Those leaving are Gardner teacher Elizabeth Schneider, John Mall art teacher Linn Baker, and Gardner special ed teacher Linda Jardine.