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(CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo.) — The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said a driver intentionally caused a rollover crash when they told deputies they needed to urgently use the restroom and forced a vehicle off the road. Deputies said on Thursday, May 25 at around 7 p.m. the Sheriff’s Office received a call about a rollover […]

On May 25, 2023, at 1900 hours the Chaffee County Communications Center received a call of a rollover vehicle accident with injuries at MM135 on U.S. Hwy 285, NB. The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado State Patrol responded to the location and found a green sedan resting on its top on the east side of the roadway. The vehicle was occupied 1 time and passersby helped the driver get out of the vehicle. It was soon determined that a second vehicle was involved in the accident. This vehicle was located sitting on the SB shoulder of the roadway. Investigators soon learned that this accident was not in fact an accident and that it was intentional. With this information the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office assumed responsibility for the criminal investigation and any charges that were to be filed.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced Watershed NP, Inc., will receive a $979,222 Brownfields Cleanup Grant, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to clean up the 5,450-square-foot former McGinnis Gymnasium at 113 North Court Street in the City of Buena Vista, Colorado. EPA’s award for the Buena Vista project is among six Brownfields grants totaling nearly $4.78 million announced today for cleanup and revitalization projects in communities across Colorado.

The Buena Vista Board of Trustees will conduct a regular meeting tonight, May 23rd, beginning at 7 pm. The board will consider adopting an ordinance which would implement a 120-day moratorium on the acceptance and processing of new subdivision applications. The board may choose to adopt an ordinance that also includes a moratorium on the acceptance of new annexation petitions requiring water.

SALIDA, Colo. (KKTV) - A stuffed animal named Sparkles is home after a big adventure!. Sparkles was accidentally left behind when her family was visiting Salida recently. “We live in Woodland Park,” said mom Lyndsay Knopp. “... We stopped in town, ate at Mo’s, and walked around town and landed at the park. My daughter was carrying her favorite furry friend, Sparkles.

Over 200 people participated in the Billy Cordova Memorial Park 5K & Family Fun Run & Walk, raising over $5,500 for the park fund. The community came together, including firefighters, first responders, police, volunteers, children, walkers, runners, and business sponsors.

This morning, Chaffee County Road and Bridge Department announced that it plans to reopen Cottonwood Pass, CR 306, for the Season by Friday, May 26. Both Chaffee County and Gunnison County Sides of the Pass will be Opened. Chaffee County Road & Bridge Department will be working in concert with...

Local favorite AJ Fullerton will be performing on the stage for a series of free dinner shows from Sunday to Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday. A.J. Fullerton is a Roots, Rock, & Blues artist who grew up listening to a variety of artists such as Mississippi John Hurt, Taj Mahal and Albert Collins.

Leftover Salmon will play on The LAWN at Surf Hotel during the annual Paddlefest weekend in Buena Vista, Colorado from May 26th to 28th. The event will also serve as the official Grass Roots album release party, and each day Leftover Salmon will play a few sets on The LAWN.

The Colorado Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that Independence Pass will open at noon on Thursday between Aspen and Twin Lakes. CDOT is expecting heavy traffic along mountain highways over Memorial Day weekend to kick off the summer season. To help improve traffic flows, CDOT said it will suspend all construction and maintenance projects from noon on Friday until May 30. Emergency operations will be the only exception.

The Buena Vista Demons’ baseball season comes to an end tonight after losing to the Holyoke Dragons 4-3. The Demons end their season 19-6 setting a new record for games won in a season. Highlights are brought to you by Salida Ace Hardware. I have been blessed to work...

Thunderstorm chances continue to decrease as we head into the Memorial Day Weekend. As temperatures warm, flows will continue to increase in rivers and streams. Salida and Buena Vista will see a high of 75. A low of 47. The San Luis Valley can expect a high of 73, a...

Those local students who desire to pursue a career in medicine should be aware that the following scholarship awards are available through the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center Foundation and the application deadlines are coming up in June. Charles J. Forster Scholarships. Two scholarships of $2,500 each will...

Thunderstorm chances are gradually decreasing heading into the Memorial Day Weekend. As temperatures warm, flows will continue to increase in rivers and streams. Salida and Buena Vista will see a high of 75. A low of 47. The San Luis Valley can expect a high of 73, a low of...

Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH) is pleased to welcome Janice Brunner to the position of Home Share Coordinator. Janice is a graduate of University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Gerontology. She brings over 20 years of experience working with older adults from leading meaningful recreational activities as an Activities Director in a nursing home, a Volunteer Ombudsman, a Senior Services Coordinator for the Area Agency on Aging and a Long-Term Care Case Manager for Medicaid. Janice has also assisted family and friends with memory issues and brings meaningful personal experience being a caregiver and has recently been trained as an Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator. She is knowledgeable of the resources in Chaffee County and passionate about assisting and empowering older adults to live their best life. Janice hopes to continue to expand the Home Share program, matching providers with available homes with those seekers looking for a meaningful housing opportunity that includes reduced rent.

A good chance of showers and thunderstorms will be possible today. Thunderstorm chances will gradually decrease to isolated to scattered by the end of the week. Salida and Buena Vista will see a high of 71. A low of 45. The San Luis Valley can expect a high of 65,...

Age Strong Chaffee, a coalition comprised of community agencies and members dedicated to the health, wellness, and happiness of our older adult community, announced this week that its 2023 Embracing Aging Expo will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 8 at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds, 10165 County Road 120, Poncha Springs.

As we paddle and hike and bar-b-que our way through this Memorial Day weekend, there are veterans and their families among us who cannot forget the significance of this holiday. Nor should we. We have at least a few local events that honor our veterans and the public is invited — in fact encouraged — to attend and honor the sacrifices of our military.

Buena Vista Trustee Mark Jenkins resigned on May 10, leaving a vacancy for his remaining term. The town has announced that it is in the process of filling the vacancy by appointment. Letters of Interest and the required questionnaire (see below) must be submitted to Town Clerk Paula Barnett, by 5:00 p.m. Monday, June 19, 2023.

After living in Michigan, where ticks are common, Darin Radatz hoped his move to Colorado would be a much-needed break from the insects. “My first couple years here, I never saw a single tick and I'm spending multiple months every summer all throughout the Colorado Trail,” said Radatz, the field operations manager for the Colorado Trail Foundation, which helps maintain the 567-mile trail between Denver and Durango.