Pine River Times News - The Durango Herald

Family member tests positive for COVID-19 in Bayfield School District

Potentially exposed students attend primary and intermediate schools

DATE: Sep 15, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

What will La Niña mean for winter in Southwest Colorado?

Climatological pattern favors below-average snowfall in region

DATE: Sep 15, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

Republican candidate Boebert touts free market in health care

Democratic opponent Mitsch Bush defends Affordable Care Act

DATE: Sep 15, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

Misleading election mailer concerns Colorado officials

La Plata County clerk and recorder says residents do not need to request mail-in ballot

DATE: Sep 14, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

Moon tree lands in Durango

Native Stuart Roosa brought 500 tree seeds to space on Apollo 14 mission

DATE: Sep 14, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

Durango-La Plata County Airport numbers down from 2019

Despite decreases, area benefits from relative strength of air travel to Rocky Mountains

DATE: Sep 13, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

Pine River Valley grassroots initiative receives grant for senior services

COVID-19 accentuates challenges to aging in place

DATE: Sep 13, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

Former employee sues Los Pinos Fire in Ignacio for discrimination

Case to be tried in federal court

DATE: Sep 11, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

Gov. Polis selects new La Plata County judge

Anne Woods, 33, has served as local public defender for 5 years

DATE: Sep 11, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

Photo: Making (Highway 550) connections

DATE: Sep 11, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

Local fire districts honor Sept. 11 fallen firefighters with stair climb

First responders complete five laps on steps leading to Fort Lewis College

DATE: Sep 11, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

Highly invasive aquatic weed discovered in the Animas Valley

Concerns raised about Eurasian watermilfoil spilling into Animas River, Lake Nighthorse

DATE: Sep 11, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

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

Photos: Durango, Farmington girls basketball face off at DHSFarmington came away with a 49-45 win

Farmington came away with a 49-45 win

Photos: Running up an appetite on Thanksgiving

Photos: Durango High School footballDHS football takes a loss in the second round of playoffs

DHS football takes a loss in the second round of playoffs