Columnists - The Durango Herald

Fluoridated water integral to everybody’s health

Just when you think you’ve recovered from the sugar crash of Halloween, the parade of pumpkin pies, sweet potato casserole and cranberry dressing show up to prolong your sweetened holiday st...

DATE: Nov 5, 2016 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

It takes all of us to keep high school graduation rates up

Great news – the high school graduation rate in the United States has risen again! It is at an all-time high of 83.2 percent (U.S. Department of Education), and an analysis of pe...

DATE: Nov 5, 2016 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Fourth term for FDR as war dragged on

One of the big questions of the day was President Roosevelt running for yet another term. He had already passed what had been the understood as the traditional two-term limit. No...

DATE: Nov 5, 2016 | CATEGORY: Duane Smith

A love letter to a long-gone presidential campaign

I arrived in rural, Southwest Colorado in 2008. Straight away, I was thrown into intensive campaign field organizer training. Storytelling was central to training as an organizer. ...

DATE: Nov 5, 2016 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

Innocence lost: 57 silent years is too many

Pre-election coverage has left me with headaches, a queasy stomach and unexpected jags of tears. I know why: weeks of sexual harassment allegations, accusations, denial and excus...

DATE: Nov 5, 2016 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Our empowered community invests in itself

She watched with amazement as the hand opened and closed on its own. It sounds like the beginning of a spooky tale with Halloween near, but in reality, it happened at the incredi...

DATE: Nov 5, 2016 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

Fort Lewis College offers up feast for ears and eyes

I can’t believe how quickly this semester is flying by and that November is here. Although thoughts of Thanksgiving break are looming at Fort Lewis College, we have a feast of wonderful item...

DATE: Nov 3, 2016 | CATEGORY: View from the Fort

‘Into the Inferno’ Herzog’s cultural, philosophical take on volcanoes

“Into the Inferno,” a new documentary by Werner Herzog, features something that many science-themed documentaries lack – humanity. Don’t get me wrong – series like “Cosmos” do a m...

DATE: Nov 3, 2016 | CATEGORY: Swimming Against the Stream

For growers, it was a glorious year in Southwest Colorado

Come November, I traditionally write the “end of the year” or “season in review” column. I lament on the dry winter, the cold spring, the brutally hot summer and even the sneaky end-of-the-s...

DATE: Nov 2, 2016 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

‘Silent suicide’ raises many questions worth exploring

If a competent elder refuses food, water or essential medical treatment and dies as a direct result, is that death a suicide? When a colleague brought up the topic recently, I rea...

DATE: Nov 2, 2016 | CATEGORY: Coroner's Report

Disposal of our bodies: What to do after we die?

November is the cruelest month. People I loved have died in November, and with Halloween and Dia de los Muertos just past, it seems fitting to think about the macabre and our bodies dying. W...

DATE: Nov 2, 2016 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Fly fishing for tiger trout a win-win

I have been known to cast a fly at most anything. However, the tiger referred to in the title is not a fly fisherman-eating mammal, but a fish, a trout no-less. Until three weeks...

DATE: Nov 2, 2016 | CATEGORY: Flies & Lies

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.