Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Saturday, May 23, 2026
Ty's Take
There's a particular kind of trust that gets broken when a cop's credibility starts cracking in a small town—not just between that officer and the public, but in the whole system people depend on when things go sideways. Cases getting dismissed because of credibility issues surfaces the kind of problem that doesn't fix itself with time or reassignment; it fixes itself when everyone involved stops making excuses and asks hard questions about who's carrying a badge and why. This county's got enough real challenges without wondering whether the people sworn to handle them can be believed in court.
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Pagosa Springs SUN
Artemis fever? Join Sunday’s moongaze
Pagosa Springs is hosting an "Artemis Fever" moongaze event Sunday, May 24 at South Pagosa Park, inviting residents to view the moon through a high-magnification telescope and learn about NASA's historic Artemis II mission that recently sent astronauts farther from Earth than ever before. The crew,...
Cases dismissed after credibility issues with officer surface
Archuleta County has dismissed 33 criminal cases after credibility issues surfaced regarding former Sheriff's Deputy Jermal Ball, who was terminated on May 14 following an investigation revealing prior dishonesty allegations from his time with the Durango Police Department. The District Attorney's...
U.S. 160 reconstruction information
U.S. Highway 160 reconstruction work will resume Tuesday, May 26 after a Memorial Day weekend break, with striping operations planned weather permitting. The Lewis Street intersection closure will remain in place through late May or early June due to complex underground utility work requiring...
PAWSD board considers revenue shortfalls
The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District faces a significant revenue shortfall, with capital investment fee income tracking $628,000 below budget in 2025 and another $650,000 deficit projected for 2026, raising concerns about the district's ability to meet debt service requirements to its...
American Legion Post 108 will hold a Memorial Day service Monday, May 25 at 10 a.m. at the flagpole in Hilltop Cemetery to honor those who died serving the country. The Legion is also collecting old flags for retirement on Flag Day, June 14, and accepts donations at the Pagosa Fire Protection...
Local representatives gather for community conversation about potential ballot questions
Local leaders from Pagosa Springs Medical Center, Archuleta County, and Archuleta School District gathered at a community forum Wednesday, May 13 to discuss potential ballot measures voters may face in November, including a possible mill levy increase for the medical center and a school facility...
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Pagosa Daily Post
EDITORIAL: The Cost of Wildfire Preparations, Part Three
Sheriff Mike Le Roux is proposing a $750,000 wildfire mitigation project along Martinez Canyon that would be largely federally funded, arguing the investment is justified compared to the $2 million spent suppressing the August 2025 Oak Fire that burned only 75 acres. The scaled-back project would...
Archuleta County Proposed PreK-8 School Facility Lands on Waitlist for BEST Funding
Archuleta School District's proposed $126 million PreK-8 facility was placed on the waitlist for state BEST grant funding, ranking number one among projects that could receive money if awarded projects fail to secure local matching funds. The school board must now decide whether to ask voters in...
BORDERLANDS HEALTH: The Body Keeps the Fallout, Part One
A local writer explores the lasting health impacts of nuclear radiation exposure, connecting the 1945 Trinity atomic test in New Mexico to current health concerns in the borderlands region and reflecting on personal family experiences with the fallout's effects. The piece highlights how bodies...
READY, FIRE, AIM: Putting the ‘Hope’ Back in ‘Hopelessness’
A columnist recommends a TED Talk by psychologist Mohammad Vazifeshenas on finding hope through hopelessness, suggesting it offers perspective for those experiencing despair in troubled times. Despite the lecture being delivered in Farsi, the speaker's use of text and references provides insight...
EVIL MISTRESS: A Lifelong Affair with Music, Part Twenty-one
A longtime Pagosa Springs resident reflects on his 1991 arrival in the community with his wife, describing a serendipitous journey over Wolf Creek Pass that led them to purchase eight acres and settle into what would become their home. The piece captures the magical first impressions and chance...
INTEL FROM THE IVORY TOWER: Preventing Veteran Suicides on Memorial Day
Veteran suicide rates have doubled since 2002 and continue to climb, with financial stress and relationship problems cited as major contributing factors alongside mental health challenges, particularly as active-duty deaths exceeded 490 in 2024. Resources like the Veterans Crisis Line offer free,...
Pagosa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Considers Small Acts of Kindness
The Pagosa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship invites community members to participate in an Action Sunday event May 24 featuring rock painting to promote kindness and celebrate Pride Month, continuing the group's commitment to small acts of service. The fellowship also offers weekly Qigong classes,...
HIGHWAY 160 RECONSTRUCTION: Week of May 25-30
Highway 160 reconstruction resumes Tuesday, May 26 with striping operations planned on newly poured sections, while the Lewis Street intersection closure continues through late May or early June for underground utility work. The Hot Springs Boulevard intersection will close June 3-18 for joint...
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