Columnists - The Durango Herald

Kefalas: Open records enter the modern age

On June 1, Gov. John Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 17-040, “Public Access to Government Files,” into law. This new law, that takes effect Aug. 9, demonstrates Colorado taking a meaningful...

DATE: Jul 1, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

America’s opioid crisis may be larger than we know

Quaaludes were popular before my time, but I saw cocaine and methamphetamine sweep the country and witnessed a renewed taste for heroin. Now, we have the “opioid crisis” – an epi...

DATE: Jul 1, 2017 | CATEGORY: Coroner's Report

Done at last, what in the world was I thinking?

My quest to catch a fish on my fly rod in all 50 states was not a spur of the moment thought. It evolved slowly over a number of years. Before becoming a fly fishing guide, I had ...

DATE: Jun 30, 2017 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

Boy can’t resist playing with bullies

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 12-year-old boy with some generosity problems. When my neighborhood friends come to my house, I offer them some things (food, mostly) that are strictly of...

DATE: Jun 30, 2017 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

WIC program increasing access to healthy foods

Since 2002, San Juan Basin Public Health has housed the local Women, Infants and Children program with services available through clinics in Durango, Ignacio and Pagosa Springs. ...

DATE: Jun 30, 2017 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Are you eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery?

The Department of Veterans Affairs implemented the pre-need burial eligibility determination program to assist anyone who would like to know if they are eligible for burial in a VA national ...

DATE: Jun 30, 2017 | CATEGORY: Serving Veterans

Hot and dry, June is tough on our lawns

Just like I predicted: June was hot and dry. Fans and window air-conditioning units were turned on before we wanted to. Upstairs bedrooms were too hot to sleep in. The Animas Riv...

DATE: Jun 30, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Suicide rate among older men overlooked

DEAR ABBY: My elderly father’s dearest friend committed suicide yesterday. He shot himself in the head. The family wasn’t even aware that he was depressed. Dad has lost three wonderful f...

DATE: Jun 30, 2017 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Rebuilding the infrastructure of democratic values

WASHINGTON – If we have learned anything from the last few years in our politics, it is that civility is for suckers, that compromise is a sign of weakness, and that moderation of temperamen...

DATE: Jun 30, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Sullivan: In Donald Trump’s America, a new list of grievances

Shortly after Donald Trump was elected president, Amy Siskind took one of her occasional trips to Val-Kill, the Upstate New York home of former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. “I ne...

DATE: Jun 29, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Hewitt: The GOP’s last chance to avert single-payer

The iceberg approaches for the Senate GOP’s ship, but unlike with the Titanic, there is plenty of time to turn. Republicans slowed the engines and thus the speed by postponing a vote until a...

DATE: Jun 29, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Friedman: Trump is China’s Chump

HONG KONG – Having just traveled to New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, China, Taiwan and now Hong Kong, I can say without an ounce of exaggeration that more than a few Asia-Pacific busines...

DATE: Jun 29, 2017 | CATEGORY: Thomas Friedman

Photos: Thousands take to the streets for ‘No Kings’ march and rally in Durango

Photos: Navajo Trail OpenFriday was the first day of the Navajo Trail Open at Hillcrest Golf Club

Friday was the first day of the Navajo Trail Open at Hillcrest Golf Club

Photos: Durango Fire Protection District opens Station 2

Photos: Hundreds gather to honor fallen Bloomfield Police officer Timothy OntiverosA solemn procession stretched for blocks Monday morning along West Apache Street in Farmington – a display of unity, grief and honor for Bloomfield Police Officer Timothy Ontiveros, 32.About 7 a.m., a large contingent of law enforcement, motorcyclists, friends and grieving family prepared to embark on the motorcade to the 9 a.m. service at the Bloomfield High School football stadium to celebrate the life of the officer.