Associated Press New Mexico – The Durango Herald

Appeals court: Cowboys for Trump is a political committee

SANTA FE – A federal appeals court has turned away a constitutional challenge by the support group Cowboys for Trump and co-founder Couy Griffin to New Mexico election laws and registration ...

DATE: Feb 17, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

New Mexico social studies rule adds personal finance to K-12

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Public Education Department has issued a final rule structuring the K-12 social studies curriculum, adding personal finance after a letter-writing campaign. The new...

DATE: Feb 17, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

Solar project delays create hurdles for New Mexico utility

ALBUQUERQUE – A utility in sun-drenched New Mexico is struggling to get enough solar-generated electricity as it prepares to shut down a coal-fired power plant amid supply chain disruptions,...

DATE: Feb 17, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

New Mexico lawmakers OK crime bill, $500M in tax rebates

SANTA FE – New Mexico legislators approved about $500 million in tax rebates and a broad suite of crime-fighting initiatives Thursday at the end of the 30-day legislative session – as the st...

DATE: Feb 17, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

New Mexico legislators approve $1B state spending increase

SANTA FE – New Mexico’s Legislature approved a record-setting $1 billion annual budget increase Wednesday to bolster spending on public schools, Medicaid, public safety initiatives and an ar...

DATE: Feb 16, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

Legislature focuses on training, deterrence to fight crime

SANTA FE – New Mexico legislators have bundled together initiatives aimed at reducing violent crime and improving policing with an emphasis on police hiring and training as well as tracking ...

DATE: Feb 15, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

Santa Fe Police: Lawmaker drove at twice legal alcohol limit

SANTA FE – A New Mexico lawmaker caught drinking and driving late Sunday night during the state’s legislative session was intoxicated at more than twice the legal limit for alcohol, accordin...

DATE: Feb 15, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

Lawmakers approve $10,000 raises for many New Mexico teachers

SANTA FE – A measure that will increase minimum salaries for New Mexico teachers and counselors by as much as 22% cleared its final legislative hurdle late Monday with a unanimous vote in th...

DATE: Feb 15, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

Navajo Nation sues New Mexico county over redistricting map

FARMINGTON – The Navajo Nation is suing San Juan County over a recently adopted map that will determine political boundaries for the northwestern New Mexico county through 2030. The tribal g...

DATE: Feb 15, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

New Mexico may create database of missing Native Americans

SANTA FE – A bill that would help state prosecutors track and investigate unresolved reports of missing Indigenous people from New Mexico was endorsed Monday by the state Senate by a unanimo...

DATE: Feb 14, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

Prominent New Mexico lawmaker charged with drunken driving

SANTA FE – Prominent Democratic state Rep. Georgene Louis of Albuquerque has been arrested and charged with drunken driving, the Santa Fe Police Department said Monday. Louis, an attorney an...

DATE: Feb 14, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

Luján plans return to Senate in weeks for Supreme Court vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján, who is recovering from a stroke in January, says he plans to be back at work in “just a few short weeks” to vote on President Joe Biden's forthcoming Supreme Court nominee.

DATE: Feb 14, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

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

Appeals court: Cowboys for Trump is a political committee

New Mexico social studies rule adds personal finance to K-12

Solar project delays create hurdles for New Mexico utility

New Mexico lawmakers OK crime bill, $500M in tax rebates

New Mexico legislators approve $1B state spending increase

Legislature focuses on training, deterrence to fight crime

Santa Fe Police: Lawmaker drove at twice legal alcohol limit

Lawmakers approve $10,000 raises for many New Mexico teachers

Navajo Nation sues New Mexico county over redistricting map

New Mexico may create database of missing Native Americans

Prominent New Mexico lawmaker charged with drunken driving

Luján plans return to Senate in weeks for Supreme Court vote

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