Columnists - The Durango Herald

A year in review

As December nears its end, we are grateful for the blankets of snow covering the mountains as we take in the stillness before the new year. While we cannot begin to understand the true impac...

DATE: Dec 24, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local First

Alternatives to building bigger jails aren’t a partisan issue

If you know someone is a Republican or Democrat, then you might assume you know exactly where they stand on whether local jails need to be expanded. But if recent experience in the rural, so...

DATE: Dec 24, 2021 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Relative obsessed with parentage

DEAR ABBY: I am married to a wonderful man who has a teenage son, “Teddy,” from a previous relationship. I have no children of my own. I love them both and have no resentments about or issue...

DATE: Dec 23, 2021 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Records of 2021, Part One: Records 10 to 6

Most full-time, professional musicians are always productive. The pandemic and time off the road for full-time touring musicians was great for music fans who are always on the lookout for so...

DATE: Dec 23, 2021 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Late mother’s lifestyle surprising

DEAR ABBY: I was never close to my mother-in-law, “Agnes.” She always came across as very religious and morally upright. She recently died of dementia. It came on so fast that there were thi...

DATE: Dec 21, 2021 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

In the 21st century, where does a mountain man go?

Dear Action Line: Recent stories have discussed a rise in campers living in the national forest. There has been a travel trailer parked in a U.S. Forest Service campground in La Plata Ca...

DATE: Dec 20, 2021 | CATEGORY: Action Line

Conservation gains across Four Corners mark the new year

After a whirlwind year, it’s time to take stock of some conservation gains over the past 12 months. We often ride a teeter-totter of conservation policy, down one year, up the next, but ove...

DATE: Dec 18, 2021 | CATEGORY: Thinking Green

Have a COVID dog? It’s time to drop the excuse and start the training

Recently, I watched as a dog cowered away from a woman who was attempting to say hi. The dog's owner apologized and said the dog was a COVID puppy. This is a new phrase implying the dog has ...

DATE: Dec 17, 2021 | CATEGORY: From the Humane Society

Wrapping up a busy 2021

What a year 2021 was. While things were better in 2021, I really look forward to truly entering a new normal in our work for businesses in the heart of Durango. Here is a summary of the Busi...

DATE: Dec 17, 2021 | CATEGORY: What's Up Downtown

Educator feels home-school past carries stigma

DEAR ABBY: I was home-schooled K-12. I now have multiple master’s degrees and work for a public school. I returned to my hometown and, with hard work and dedication, have moved up the career...

DATE: Dec 17, 2021 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Neighbor’s past shocks new friend

DEAR ABBY: I recently learned my neighbor shot and killed her two young kids (14 and 2) more than 20 years ago and served only half of her prison sentence – six years. The newspaper said she...

DATE: Dec 16, 2021 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Spend a Winter’s Night with DeVotchKa

The state of Colorado can hang its hat on being purveyors of “the Denver Sound.” An indie-rock subgenre that flies below the radar, it’s a scene obscure enough to remain overlooked and even ...

DATE: Dec 16, 2021 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

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.