Columnists - The Durango Herald

Golombek: Building the workforce of tomorrow begins today

In 1887, Colorado became one of the first states to pass a law officially creating Labor Day. The holiday was established to recognize the contributions of workers and the critical role they...

DATE: Sep 4, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

James: My reading addiction

Have you ever had any licks to the head? I’m not talking about the ones where you bump your head in a doorway or on the underside of the coffee table. I’m talking abo...

DATE: Sep 4, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

In-laws refuse to attend party away from home

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married for 26 years. We have a daughter, 25, who recently graduated from college. We will have a small gathering of close friends and family to cel...

DATE: Sep 4, 2017 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

What to do if your vacation is disrupted by a terrorist attack

Julie Hanahan had just checked into the Citadines Las Ramblas, an apartment hotel along Barcelona’s famous La Rambla pedestrian mall, when she heard shouting and sirens. “People w...

DATE: Sep 3, 2017 | CATEGORY: The Travel Troubleshooter

Adopted brother unaware of his origin

DEAR ABBY: My brother was adopted at birth through an agency, but he was never told. He’s in his mid-50s now. We have no other siblings. Our parents never felt my brother was emotionally...

DATE: Sep 3, 2017 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Green chile season is here, but they aren’t the hottest peppers

There are times during the year when your senses get the best of you: the sight of the first snow, the sound of coyotes while camping or the taste of fruit picked right from the tree. ...

DATE: Sep 2, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Sullivan: Muzzling hate speech is not the way to fight it

“One of the problems with defending free speech,” the celebrated author Salman Rushdie said, “is you often have to defend people that you find to be outrageous and unpleasant and disgusting....

DATE: Sep 2, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Smith; Durango, and nation, hoped war’s end near

With the shock of the second atomic bomb being dropped, Americans wondered how much longer Japan could hold out. Surrounded by naval ships, relentlessly bombed, and defeated thro...

DATE: Sep 2, 2017 | CATEGORY: Duane Smith

Pray: Bi-partisan health plan deserves consideration

On Thursday, Govs. John Hickenlooper, John Kasich and six other governors released a plan to stabilize the private insurance market, to reinforce requirements under the Affordable Care Act ...

DATE: Sep 2, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Westendorff: Mesa will carry our county fair legacy forward

It has been a couple of weeks now, but I’m still feeling nostalgic for the La Plata County Fair, which is a highlight for me as a resident and a county commissioner. This year’s ...

DATE: Sep 2, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the Chair

Williams: Sportsmen can thank themselves for the attack on public lands

“I’m a Teddy Roosevelt conservationist,” declares Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Really? Roosevelt pushed and ultimately signed the Antiquities Act of 1906 that gave presidents the authority...

DATE: Sep 2, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Everything you wanted to know about money

I’ve been doing a lot of driving lately. Since I returned to Durango in June, I’ve driven to Minnesota, Denver and Wyoming, where we watched the eclipse. Driving also means liste...

DATE: Sep 2, 2017 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy