Antonito Daily Digest Thursday, April 30, 2026
Ty's Take
The Surface Transportation Board's final call on rail abandonment hits different down here than it does in Denver or back East—we're not talking about some commuter line that nobody rode anyway, we're talking about the thread that ties this valley together, the Cumbres & Toltec and everything it means to a place where tourism and heritage aren't separate things, they're the same thing. Meanwhile, Xcel's preparing for power shutoffs that could leave folks in the dark when the weather turns mean, and you've got two struggling newspapers trying to survive by becoming one regional voice instead of two dying local ones. It's the same story playing out three different ways: everything's consolidating, everything's getting more fragile, and those of us who live here are watching the infrastructure that holds these old towns together get picked apart or folded into something bigger. The music and the theater and the community meetings will still happen—they always do—but they're happening in a San Luis Valley that's being remade whether it wants to be or not.
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Weather Alerts
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 30 at 12:39PM MDT until May 1 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches. * WHERE...Northwestern Fremont County Above 8500 Feet, Western Mosquito Range/East Chaffee County Above 9000 Feet, and Western Mosquito Range/East Lake County Above 11000 Feet. * WHEN...Until noon MDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Travel ...
Conejos County Citizen
Crys Matthews, acclaimed singer for the times, at Society Hall
Singer-songwriter Crys Matthews, a Nashville-based artist known for blending country, folk, and blues with socially conscious lyrics, will perform at Society Hall on Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. Matthews has earned recognition as one of the brightest voices in contemporary social justice music,...
Airness- an energetic comedy with a feel good message
Adams State University's Theatre Department is staging "Airness," a high-energy comedy about a group of friends competing in a national air guitar championship. The production balances physical comedy with genuine character dynamics, creating an entertaining show about friendship and finding...
Valley Courier, SLV Journal unite to form regional publication
The Valley Courier and San Luis Valley Journal have merged operations to create a single regional newspaper covering all six counties beginning April 29. The new publication will adopt a smaller format based on reader preferences, expand news coverage, and increase engagement across the entire...
Xcel Energy is preparing for extreme weather and may implement Public Safety Power Shutoffs beginning Wednesday to reduce wildfire risk. Customers in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties could lose power starting around 11 a.m., while western county residents may experience...
Surface Transportation Board makes final decision on rail abandonment
The federal Surface Transportation Board has approved Colorado Pacific Rio Grande Railroad's request to withdraw its abandonment notice for a 26.5-mile rail line between Monte Vista and South Fork. The decision ends a contentious process that began when local property owners opposed converting the...
Hurd meets with immigration advocates
Congressman Jeff Hurd met privately with immigration advocates in the San Luis Valley to discuss conditions at ICE detention facilities, following faith-based groups' demands for humane treatment of detained immigrants. The coalition raised concerns about substandard conditions at secret hold rooms...
Phil Weiser, a known fighter with a winning record
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, a candidate for governor, visited Adams State University to emphasize his commitment to showing up and listening to constituents across the state. Weiser highlighted his track record of engagement in rural communities as evidence he will fight for Coloradans...
Tierra Azul becoming a reality
The Tierra Azul housing development in Alamosa is taking shape after a year of progress, with the first phase of 137 residential units now under construction on what was recently empty land. The ambitious 412-unit project will include apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes over the next...
Lisa Morales returns to Society Hall
Grammy-nominated singer Lisa Morales, cousin of Linda Ronstadt, is returning to perform at Society Hall after establishing herself as a leading voice in Americana and bicultural music. Morales moves seamlessly between Spanish and English, delivering powerful songs about identity and female strength.
DA Anne Kelly: “It’s a new day”
Following indictments of the Costilla County Sheriff and four deputies, District Attorney Anne Kelly held a community forum where residents detailed years of dismissive and disrespectful encounters with law enforcement. The sheriff resigned and the county appointed Deputy Joe Smith as interim...
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