Local First – The Durango Herald

Local First

Georgia Landeryou

Position: Herald Staff Writer

Email: glanderyou@durangoherald.com

Tyler Brown

Position: Herald Staff Writer

Email: tbrown@durangoherald.com

David Albright

Position: Herald Staff Writer

Email: dalbright@durangoherald.com

Christian Burney

Position: Herald Staff Writer

Email: cburney@durangoherald.com

Locals supporting locals – An idea to embrace this holiday season

A few weeks ago, I read a Letter to the Editor in The Durango Herald questioning the almost fanatic adoration that many Durangoans hold for our little neck of the woods, especially as compar...

DATE: Nov 24, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local First

A quest for purpose: How pro cyclist became Durango jeweler

‘No one’s going to come save you … It’s your job to make it better.’

DATE: Aug 8, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local First

Do you know your farmer?

I grew up in a rural part of northwest New Jersey and remember summers spent “grocery shopping” at Godlewsky’s Farm like it was yesterday. As kids, I remember my mom would load us in the bac...

DATE: Aug 3, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local First

Membership in organizations matters

I fondly remember my first membership to an organization. I was 10 and saved up money from babysitting and my allowance. It was the 1980s and before the internet was readily available, so a...

DATE: May 27, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local First

The Power of Local

By Doug McCarthy, Healthcare Advocate, Local First I was recently asked what I love about La Plata County. In addition to the amazing outdoor recreation opportunities we enjoy, I am delighte...

DATE: Apr 30, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local First

Winery moves into former Irish Embassy basement in Durango

Business offers eight homemade wines

DATE: Nov 28, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local First

Farmington Makers Market winds up with major turnout

Southwest Apple and Chile Fest closes arts and crafts season

DATE: Oct 5, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local First

Corralling health care costs

Health insurance is something we don’t like to think about until we need it. And then we want it to pay for what we need. Unfortunately, life is a lot more complicated than that. Health insu...

DATE: Aug 5, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local First

It’s Indie Week

It is Independent’s Week. For most, that means celebrating the founding of the United States, but here at Local First, it also means celebrating our local, independently-owned businesses. W...

DATE: Jul 8, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local First

La Plata Impact Fund driven by local businesses

When local business owner Jonny Radding approached Local First Foundation about launching the La Plata Impact Fund, he had just finished reading the book “Let My People Go Surfing,” written ...

DATE: Jun 10, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local First

Parking a top concern as public comments on designs for Main Avenue

Study to examine space supply citywide

DATE: May 19, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local First

It’s time to move your money

When most of us think about living the “local first” way, we envision shopping at one of our favorite local retailers, visiting the farmers market for fresh produce from a nearby farm or cho...

DATE: May 13, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local First

Photos: Funeral procession for Cortez Police Sgt. Michael MoranHundreds of law enforcement vehicles escort the body of Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran

Hundreds of law enforcement vehicles escort the body of Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran

PHOTOS: Fort Lewis basketball teams entertain Adams StateFLC men win 100-80 on Tuesday, women lose 76-56

FLC men win 100-80 on Tuesday, women lose 76-56

Hundreds attend Candlelight vigil for Cortez police Sgt. Michael Moran

Skyhawks score 41 points off turnovers Monday at Whalen Gymnasium

Snowstorm moves through the areaThe season’s first big snowstorm causes problems for drivers and makes for a winter wonderland

The season’s first big snowstorm causes problems for drivers and makes for a winter wonderland

Photos: Singing with SantaSanta Claus makes his first appearance in Durango

Santa Claus makes his first appearance in Durango

Snow descends on DurangoForecasters say storm could dump 6 inches in Durango area

A fall storm that moved into Southwest Colorado Friday morning was expected to dump 6 inches of snow in the Durango area – more than weather forecasters had initially predicted.Snow started falling about 9:15 a.m. Friday and intensified shortly before 11:30 a.m., blanketing parks, vehicles and the hilltops overlooking the city. Roads became slick about 2:30 p.m. As of 4 p.m., the Durango Police Department had responded to six crashes, in addition to a few stranded motorists.U.S. Highway 160 at County Road 44 near Mancos Hill was closed from around 4 p.m. to just after 6 p.m. because a vehicle carrying an “oversized load” had spun out and blocked both the eastbound and westbound lanes, according to Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes.“Right now our officers are able to keep up with the crashes that are coming in,” said Cmdr. Nick Stasi, with the Durango Police Department. “As always with winter weather, we remind drivers to slow down and give extra space for the cars in front.”Snow started accumulating very fast as the day went on, making it “challenging for plow operators to keep up,” according to CDOT.

Southwest Colorado’s five major mountain passes were icy and snowpacked Friday afternoon. But all five remained open as of 4:15 p.m.The Pacific storm favored the southern and central Colorado mountains, said Dave Byers, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.“Durango looks like a 70% chance of getting 6 inches or more of snow by the end of tonight (Friday),” Byers said.He expected a half inch to three-quarters of an inch of moisture from the storm, which is up from the one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch that was predicted earlier this week. Meanwhile, the mountains could receive 1 to 2 feet of snow from the storm, he said.“In the last few days, it has really picked up,” Byers said. “The southern mountains are catching the brunt of it.”The snowy weather didn’t stop Liz Ferrill and her family from stopping by Cream Bean Berry for a Unicorn Sundae. “We thought it might be a festive way to celebrate,” said Ferrill, who was visiting from Snowmass, where the first snow occurred in September.For others, the snow provided the impetus they needed to swap out tires or purchase new snow tires. Andre Payne, a sales person at J/P Tire in Durango, said the phone began ringing shortly after 9 a.m. with people wanting to switch to snow tires.“We’ve been pretty busy,” he said.

It is not unusual for drivers to wait until they see the first snow and then want to swap out tires. The tire shop began advising customers to switch to snow tires about three weeks ago. Some people take the advice, other choose to wait.“We can always tell people what to do, but if you're not ready for it then you have to suffer the consequences of waiting two hours or maybe getting in an accident,” Payne said.Byers said Friday’s storm was the result of a southwest flow pulling moisture from Southern California, Arizona and the Gulf of California.As the moisture-laden atmosphere hits the San Juan Mountains, it wrings out the moisture, he said.Temperatures are expected to cool off as the storm makes its way out of the region this weekend. The highs this weekend will be in the upper 30s, and the lows could dip into the single digits, he said.“There’s still a northerly flow that is pulling cold air down out of Canada,” he said.Byers characterized Friday’s storm as a “shoulder storm” between summer and winter, but he said it is a sure sign that a regular track is settling in for Southwest Colorado.“We’re expecting regular storms … from now on, more into that winter pattern,” Byers said.Residents can expect mostly clear conditions through Wednesday, with clouds moving in the following day ahead of another storm that looks “very similar” to Friday’s storm, Byers said.shane@durangoherald.com; mhollinshead@durangoherald.com

Forecasters say storm could dump 6 inches in Durango area

PHOTOS: Turkey Trot returns to DurangoNearly 600 competitors ran before they gobbled down their Thanksgiving feasts on Thursday

Nearly 600 competitors ran before they gobbled down their Thanksgiving feasts on Thursday

PHOTOS: Durango faces Lutheran in 3A state football quarterfinalsDemons fall to Lions, 39-30, on Saturday

Demons fall to Lions, 39-30, on Saturday

PHOTOS: Fort Lewis basketball teams host doubleheaderThe men’s team beat Western New Mexico 87-68, while the women’s team fell in the final minutes to Northern New Mexico, 67-62

The men’s team beat Western New Mexico 87-68, while the women’s team fell in the final minutes to Northern New Mexico, 67-62

Locals supporting locals – An idea to embrace this holiday season

A quest for purpose: How pro cyclist became Durango jeweler

Do you know your farmer?

Membership in organizations matters

The Power of Local

Winery moves into former Irish Embassy basement in Durango

Farmington Makers Market winds up with major turnout

Corralling health care costs

It’s Indie Week

La Plata Impact Fund driven by local businesses

Parking a top concern as public comments on designs for Main Avenue

It’s time to move your money

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