Columnists - The Durango Herald

State’s teacher shortage needs an effective plan for action

A superintendent from rural Colorado testified in the House a few weeks ago. She told a story of advertising for a math teacher for 18 months, without one applicant. Another woman told me sh...

DATE: Apr 29, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the State House

Brooks: Increasing loss of faith in civilization is ominous

Between 1935 and 1975, Will and Ariel Durant published a series of volumes that together were known as “The Story of Civilization.” They basically told human history (mostly West...

DATE: Apr 29, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

2017 brings new notices of property valuations

As an odd-numbered year, 2017 means that Colorado’s assessors report to property owners the value of all individual real estate properties in each county. Some time this month, t...

DATE: Apr 29, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the State House

Make this time of year safe for both people and bears

April: Make this time of year safe for both people and bears

DATE: Apr 29, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Daughter is in the doghouse after pets leave hairy mess

DEAR ABBY: When my daughter and her family come to visit, they are very messy. They have a 3- and a 4-year-old and two large, long-haired dogs. I can deal with the children’s messiness –...

DATE: Apr 29, 2017 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Music opportunities abound during FLC’s summer break

Summer break is upon us. The talented students of the music, art and theater departments have scattered across the country in seek of family, fun and jobs. The Community Concert ...

DATE: Apr 28, 2017 | CATEGORY: View from the Fort

Creating fire-adapted communities: It takes a village

This June marks the 15th anniversary of the Missionary Ridge and Valley fires and the fifth anniversary of the Weber and West Fork fires. Combined, these fires burned almost 200,000 acres. ...

DATE: Apr 28, 2017 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

What it means to be truly liberal on the abortion issue

Donald Trump has mastered the authoritarian act, and that’s how he attracted his brigade of humble followers. Some on the left seem to envy this ability to force obedience through threats an...

DATE: Apr 28, 2017 | CATEGORY: Froma Harrop

Teen struggles after heroin addiction claims dad’s life

DEAR ABBY: I’m 15. I lost my dad two months ago. I found him when I got out of the shower. He had overdosed on heroin. Heroin controlled Dad’s life ever since I was little, b...

DATE: Apr 28, 2017 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

The 5 “W’s” of the Durango Welcome Center

Who: The Durango Welcome Center is home to the Visitor Information Desk, the Durango Area Tourism Office, the Community Concert Hall ticket operation and the Fort Lewis College student recru...

DATE: Apr 27, 2017 | CATEGORY: A Take on Tourism

Home inspection: What can you expect the seller to fix?

The standard purchase contract has a number of contingencies that allows you to review documents and perform investigations within a specific period of time. One of the most important is you...

DATE: Apr 27, 2017 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate

For healthy food, seek out natural, simple ingredients

The choices we make about “healthy” foods to put in our cupboards rest with each of us, not on Food and Drug Administration. Yes, companies find ways to label food to make us th...

DATE: Apr 27, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office