Regional News - The Durango Herald

Colorado awarded $12.6 million federal grant to plug methane-emitting oil and gas wells

The U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency are giving a $12.6 million boost to Colorado’s efforts to reduce methane emissions by plugging older, low-producing oil ...

DATE: Aug 24, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

The Blotter, Aug. 21-22

Durango Police Department Thursday 6:26 p.m. A man who was allegedly drunk and harassing people at a Marathon gas station, 1680 Main Ave., was arrested for public intoxication. 2:09 ...

DATE: Aug 23, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

These Colorado Democrats got a chance to help VP Harris from the DNC stage while boosting their national credentials

Getting a speaking slot at a presidential national convention is a big deal – for rising political stars, it can be a chance to shine on a whole new level. Remember the 2004 Democratic Natio...

DATE: Aug 23, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Colorado, U.S. Department of Justice sue RealPage over alleged price-fixing scheme to drive up rent

The federal lawsuit says RealPage controls as much as 80% of the national market for landlord revenue management software, giving it outsize power to “subvert competition” and distort the free market to the detriment of renters

DATE: Aug 23, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

The Blotter, Aug. 20

Durango Police Department Tuesday 2:02 p.m. A business requested contact about a burglary in the 900 block of Main Avenue. 4:02 p.m. Someone reported a juvenile female profusely sweating in ...

DATE: Aug 21, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

The Blotter, Aug. 19

Durango Police Department day day La Plata County Sheriff’s Office Monday 6:48 a.m. Two horses were walking in the middle of the road on County Road 125 headed toward the ...

DATE: Aug 20, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Colorado lawmakers again urge IRS not to tax TABOR refunds

Federal agency has twice backed off plans to tax refunds

DATE: Aug 19, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

At age 20, these Coloradans represent their parties at national conventions

Democrat Reilly Jackson and Republican Weston Imer advance a Gen Z perspective as young delegates

DATE: Aug 19, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

How scammers target your biggest financial asset – your home

Real estate agent offers tips on how to avoid falling prey to scams

DATE: Aug 19, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Does Colorado’s ‘rolling coal’ law stop drivers from pouring black smoke into the air?

People have (illegally) engineered their vehicles to spew a unique brand of exhaust

DATE: Aug 19, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

The Blotter, Aug. 9-15

Durango Police Department Thursday 7:12 p.m. A woman who was allegedly under the influence and “not alert” fell from a wall and hit her back near the Durango Lodge, 150 East Fifth St. ...

DATE: Aug 18, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

Colorado senators talk national election, highlight priorities for the rest of the session

John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet had key policy goals get caught up in political whirlwind of campaign issues

DATE: Aug 18, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Photos: People’s MarchAbout 300 people take to the street on Saturday in Durango

About 300 people take to the street on Saturday in Durango

Photos: Fort Lewis College basketballWomen’s and men’s basketball teams take on South Dakota Mines

Women’s and men’s basketball teams take on South Dakota Mines

Photos: Wrestling at Durango High SchoolDurango High School boys wrestling beat Bayfield High School Tuesday night

Durango High School boys wrestling beat Bayfield High School Tuesday night

Photos: Where there's smoke there's firefightersDurango firefighters take advantage of the old River City Hall building for training

Durango firefighters take advantage of the old River City Hall building for training

Photos: Durango plays Montezuma-Cortez in boys, girls high school basketballDurango girls and boys basketball teams defeat Montezuma-Cortez at DHS

Durango girls and boys basketball teams defeat Montezuma-Cortez at DHS

Year in photos: A look back at Southwest Colorado in 2024Each year brings some of the new and some of the old – breaking news and cherished traditions. It is the people, their emotions, different cultures and varied forms of entertainment that make for impactful images. Add to that Southwest Colorado’s gorgeous scenery, abundant wildlife and range of weather events, and you have the makings for stunning photos. We hope you enjoy Photo Editor Jerry McBride’s photos from 2024.

Each year brings some of the new and some of the old – breaking news and cherished traditions. It is...

Montezuma County DA Christian Hatfield charged with DWICharges come 16 weeks after crash near Farmington, New MexicoMontezuma County District Attorney Christian Hatfield was charged Friday with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs 16 weeks after he crashed his SUV on U.S. Highway 64 outside Bloomfield.The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office charged Hatfield, 59, with petty misdemeanor charge of DWI and an open container in connection to the Aug. 30 single-car crash.The charges come after results from a blood test by the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory showed alcohol and a drug in Hatfield’s body after the crash.

“The results show that at the time of the blood draw, which was approximately eleven hours after the time of the crash due to medical issues, were 0.05 g/100 ml of Ethanol and 0.04 mg/L of Zolpidem (Ambien). Both Ethanol and Ambien are Central Nervous System Depressants,” the law enforcement report states.Two vials of blood were taken from Hatfield at 1:33 p.m. Aug. 30, which was more than 12 hours after the crash occurred about 1 a.m. Those vials were received by the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory at 10:26 a.m. Oct. 11, which was six weeks after the crash, according to records from the lab.An investigation into the blood warrant by The Journal newspaper in Cortez, Colorado, showed that the blood sample sat in a refrigerator at the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office until Oct. 3, because paperwork to send it to the state laboratory was not processed.“I think it’s a non-prosecutable case because of all the errors made by law enforcement,” said Arlon Stoker, a high-profile defense attorney secured by Hatfield to fight the charges.

The charges made by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office are “based on the observations made by law enforcement officers on scene and the presence of intoxicating drugs and liquors in Christian's blood,” according to the report that was given to The Journal by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.Amanda Lavin, legal director for NMFOG, assisted The Journal in accessing public records from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in Aztec. The records had been redacted, leaving out Hatfield’s name and information about the blood warrant filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court.Public records requests by The Journal and the Tri-City Record went unresolved for 14 weeks.The Journal requested body camera footage and lapel camera video on Sept. 3.The Tri-City Record requested any and all warrants, investigative reports and laboratory reports as well as photos, lapel cam videos and dash cam videos on Oct. 23.On Dec. 9, Lavin made the same requests.

The Journal received access to photos and videos in an email on Dec. 19, and Lavin, after making a legal argument for unredacted information, received the full report Dec. 19 and was advised that charges would be forthcoming.The report detailing the crash states that Hatfield was found “unresponsive and barely able to stand” about 1 a.m. Aug. 30 near the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and County Road 5099.Investigators and medics noted a “pungent” odor of alcohol coming from Hatfield, and investigators found “an open 12-ounce can of Mexican Lager with residual liquid inside,” an “empty wine glass,” and a “bottle of Ambien prescribed to Christian,” according to the report.The affidavit for search warrant for blood submitted by sheriff’s deputy Avery Killifer states he had an “opinion that the defendant was driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance.” The deputy “placed the defendant under arrest” at the time, but Hatfield was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center, because of “extensive injuries.”A summons was issued for Hatfield, and an arraignment is set for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 8 in Aztec Magistrate Court.

Charges come 16 weeks after crash near Farmington, New Mexico

Photos: Wreaths Across America honors fallen veteransDurango residents on Saturday honor those who served their country

Durango residents on Saturday honor those who served their country

Photos: Skyhawks men’s and women’s basketball Fort Lewis College men’s and women’s basketball lost to Regis on Saturday

Fort Lewis College men’s and women’s basketball lost to Regis on Saturday

Demons defeat Bobcats 62-47 on Friday at DHS

Colorado awarded $12.6 million federal grant to plug methane-emitting oil and gas wells

The Blotter, Aug. 21-22

These Colorado Democrats got a chance to help VP Harris from the DNC stage while boosting their national credentials

Colorado, U.S. Department of Justice sue RealPage over alleged price-fixing scheme to drive up rent

The Blotter, Aug. 20

The Blotter, Aug. 19

Colorado lawmakers again urge IRS not to tax TABOR refunds

At age 20, these Coloradans represent their parties at national conventions

How scammers target your biggest financial asset – your home

Does Colorado’s ‘rolling coal’ law stop drivers from pouring black smoke into the air?

The Blotter, Aug. 9-15

Colorado senators talk national election, highlight priorities for the rest of the session

Videos & Photos

Search Directory Plus

Most Popular

Most Recent

Ballantine Communications, Inc.

Contact Us

Find Us

Videos & Photos

Search Directory Plus

Most Popular

Most Recent

Ballantine Communications, Inc.

Contact Us

Find Us

Subscribe

Newsletter Signup