2023 Ark Valley Voice News Nugget on KHEN

Hear the AVV News Nugget every Thursday 9:45am on KHEN, 106.9 MHz on your radio dial. Catch up on past News Nuggets below.

December 28, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Central Colorado Conservancy completes a conservation easement on the Lewis Ranch in Chaffee County.
Central Colorado Climate Coalition has decided to hang it up at the end of the year.
The Colorado Supreme Court voted last week to remove former President Donald Trump from the Colorado primary ballot for violating Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Lauren Boebert, currently US Representative for Colorado’s 3^rd Congressional District, announced that she is planning to claim-jump the GOP primary race in Colorado’s 4^th
Ark Valley Voice’s donor-match campaign from our local community had raised $14,000 towards its goal of $15,000 by December 31st.

December 21, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Salida City Council reviewed the Short-Term Rental taxes and fees.
Colorado Supreme Court issued a ruling that former President and presumed GOP candidate Donald Trump is disqualified from the state’s 2024 election ballot.
Monday, December 18^th, wildlife officials released five gray wolves into a remote forested area in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.
Ark Valley Voice’s donor-match campaign had raised $13,000. We are looking to raise $15,000 by December 31^st.

December 14, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Salida City Council voted to approve Ordinance 2023-16, approving modifications to certain parcels in the South Ark Neighborhood area of the Vandaveer Ranch property.
The Chaffee Board of County Commissioners voted, to approve a designation of financial support of “up to $1 million” for the public infrastructure that will be required for the development of what is now known as the South Ark Neighborhood.
Colorado Supreme Court in a 4-3 decision agreed with Fremont County Judge Caitlin Turner that it was within her authority to reduce a first-degree murder charge against a criminal defendant based on the conduct of the 11th Judicial District Attorney’s Linda Stanley’s Office.
Linda Stanley is already under investigation for allegedly violating several rules of professional conduct, including her failure to ensure that her office meets its obligations to disclose evidence.
As of Wednesday, December 13th, the Ark Valley Voice’s donor-match campaign has hit the two-thirds mark.

December 7, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Salida Interim City Administrator Christy Doon has emerged as the sole candidate for the City Administrator position.
Princeton Geothermal LLC (MPG) conducted a meeting Thursdayto provide additional information to the public regarding their proposed geothermal power development in Maxwell Park.
In state news, wolves are finally, officially, on their way back to Colorado.
Today is Pearl Harbor Day, 82 years after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the United States into World War II, we mark Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
Tonight at 6:00 p.m. – the Longfellow 4th Grade Choir Musical at Longfellow Elementary School.
And on Saturday, December 9, the public is invited to come see “A Very Bewnie Nutcracker.”

November 30, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

The new Salida City Council was sworn in on November 21st.
The Buena Vista Board of Education swore in four of its five new members on November 27th.
Aristata CEO Carlin Walsh made an appearance at the (BoCC) to discuss the disrupted internet service.
Henry Kissinger has died.
The Town of Buena Vista (BV) set up their Christmas tree.
The Ark Valley Voice is launching a donor-match campaign.

November 16, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

The Chaffee County Public Health Department’s community mobile health clinic was closed in Salida on Monday, November 13^th, because of a physical assault on a public health employee.
The Polis administration and the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) launched the first round of applications for the Geothermal Energy Grant Program on Tuesday.
On Saturday, November 18, the folk-rock band Heavy Diamond Ring will be hosting a release party at The Lariat in Buena Vista for their new album, “All Out of Angels.”
The Ark Valley Voice is launching a donor-match campaign. We are looking for $15,000 by December 31st from our local community.

November 9, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

2023 Salida and Buena Vista election results
2023 Colorado State election results
The Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting
The Salida City Council met on Tuesday evening
Veterans and military members, residents and non-residents, can visit any Colorado state park for free

November 2, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Colorado 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley is now facing a disciplinary complaint filed with the Colorado Supreme Court.
Republican Congressman Ken Buck has decided not to seek re-election in the November 2024 election.
Salida Fire Chief Doug Bess announced his retirement as of October 31^st.
Chaffee County Clerk and Recorder Lori Mitchell says that anyone who has not received their mail-in ballot for the November 7^th election must take action now.
The documentary “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire” – is playing at the Salida SteamPlant tonight, Thursday, Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

October 26, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Ballot Question 300 would overturn the short-term rental tax and fee structure passed just last year with Ballot Measures 2A and 2B.
Proposition HH, called “the most complicated ballot proposal facing voters in years”, has generated much debate and controversy.
Ballot Question II, proposition EE, tobacco taxes for Colorado preschool programs.
The federal judge in the case of Darren Patterson Christian Academy v. Roy has granted a Motion for Preliminary Injunction.
Fantasy Faire will be in Salida this Saturday, October 28th, in Alpine Park.
The Westcliffe Center for the Performing Arts presents a steampunk-themed production of the play Gaslight at the historic Jones Theater.

October 19, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Ballot Packets for the 2023 election were mailed on Monday, October 16.
A flyer at an October 15th candidate forum for the Buena Vista Board of Education election featured three candidates for office – Montana Brown, John Martin, and current member Brett Mitchell – all taking a stand against accommodations for transgendered students as well as state social studies standards, and espousing abstinence-based sex education and what they call “parents’ rights”.
A freight train derailment north of Pueblo around 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, October 15th closed I-25 in both directions.
Friday, October 20th in Westcliffe is a steampunk-themed production of the play Gaslight at the Jones Theater.

October 12, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is now the lead agency for investigations related to Suzanne Morphew.
On Wednesday, October 11th, U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and John Duarte (R-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to permanently authorize Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding.
Colorado Appeals Court rules that public libraries are not legally allowed to reveal the identities of people who request the removal of certain books.
Salida Council for the Arts’ October 12th creative mixer is set for 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Paquette Gallery at the SteamPlant.

October 5, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Salida City Election Candidate Forum co-sponsored by Truth Has a Voice Foundation/Ark Valley Voice and the League of Women Voters of Chaffee County was held last night, Wednesday, October 4th, at the Touber Building.
The League of Women Voters of Chaffee County is once again offering its Election 411 guide in advance of the November 7th election – www.vote411.org.
The Salida School District Board of Directors election has been canceled and the five candidates were re-appointed by acclamation.
Buena Vista voters will be electing school board members. There are five total seats open on the board for Districts 1, 3, 4, and two at-large seats.
Darren Patterson Christian Academy v. Roy case will receive a hearing which begins this morning in the United States District Court, for the District of Colorado.
Chaffee County Community lost one of its leading lights last Thursday morning, September 28th, when long-time resident Reverend Forrest Whitman passed away at his home. There will be a memorial gathering at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 8 at A Church, in Salida.

September 18, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced the positive identification of human remains as Suzanne Morphew of Chaffee County.
A Salida City Election Candidate Forum co-sponsored by Truth Has a Voice Foundation/Ark Valley Voice and the League of Women Voters of Chaffee County has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 4.
The Chaffee County Community Foundation announced on Tuesday, September 26^th that it has awarded 30 local nonprofit organizations with $49,000 in funding from the Fall grant cycle.
The Bureau of Land Management for the Royal Gorge Region is preparing two prescribed burns, scheduled to take place between October, 2023 and April, 2024.

September 21, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

On Monday, September 18th, Salida High School, Salida Middle School, Horizons Exploratory Academy, and Colorado Mountain College were put into a lockdown status per the request of the Salida Police Department.
City of Salida’s Attorney has decided that the City is going to do nothing about Danny Taylor, the gunman toting an AR-15 in the heart of downtown Salida.
At its work session on September 18th, the Salida City Council held budget hearings and discussed financing options and changes to the construction contract for the new fire station.
SolVista Health is sponsoring a free screening of the documentary “Mountain in My Mind 2: Mental Health in the Ski Industry”, at the Salida SteamPlant on Friday, September 22nd.

September 14, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Eleventh Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley officially moved to “quash all warrants regarding the charges” against Roberta Rodriquez, former Executive Director of The Schoolhouse in Poncha Springs.
On Wednesday, September 13th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $4 million grant award for the construction of a new recycling center and waste transfer station in Chaffee County.
The Buena Vista Board of Trustees approved an updated agreement between the town and the schools for a Law Enforcement School Partnership Program.
Saturday, September 16 is the Salida Airport’s Air Show at Harriet Alexander Airport.

September 7, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

City of Salida has announces candidates for positions on City Council, Mayor, and Treasurer.
Buena Vista School Board announces slate of candidates.
An armed individual who has taken to stalking the corner of F and First Streets in Salida on Sundays has been causing a stir in the community.
Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center votes to build a Hospice and Hospitality House/Employee Housing complex.
Continental Divide Trail Coalition will be hosting a plant identification and foraging walk.

August 31, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Colorado’s Reinsurance Program news and funding
IRS changes TABOR refund rules
Final South Ark Neighborhood presentation
Pearl Theater Buena Vista applies for historic designation
BV Trustees discussed Proposition 123
Great BV Duck Race on Saturday

August 24, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Chaffee Board of County ratifies a purchase agreement for a building at 7420 US Hwy 50 in Salida.
The Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation held a forum to discuss federal funding coming for broadband infrastructure
The apartment complex at D and First Streets in Salida is being demolished.
The Chaffee Housing Authority is going ahead with financing plans for Jane’s Place.

August 17, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

City of Salida upcoming elections
Short-Term Rental taxes and fees
HICCUP (Honesty in Chaffee County Under Protest)
Chaffee Board of County Commissioner (BoCC) comments on elections
BoCC also recognized Chaffee County 4-H’er Quinn Lewis

August 10, 2023 – Elliot Jackson AVV Podcaster

Chaffee Board of County Commissioners discusses a geothermal energy project
Buena Vista (BV) Board of Trustees voted to approve Brian Berger as the new Buena Vista Town Administrator
The Chaffee Housing Authority confirms the Colorado State Housing Board awarded $1,287,000 Jane’s Place
Chaffee Recreation Council has released its 2023 report, outlining progress toward implementing the Chaffee County Outdoor Recreation Management Plan