Salida Daily Digest Friday, August 21, 2026
Ty's Take
The wildfire smoke that's been hanging over the valley for weeks is finally lifting, and that matters more than it sounds like it should. Air quality that bad wears on people in ways that don't show up in the official count, keeps kids off the fields and the elderly indoors, makes you wonder if you're doing your lungs any favors just breathing through the day. We're not out of the woods yet, not with late summer still ahead and the monsoons still unpredictable, but a few days of decent air and some moisture in the forecast is enough to let the whole county exhale. That's real news in a valley where half the calendar depends on clear skies and open water.
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Ark Valley Voice
Wildfire Conditions Across Chaffee County Appear to Abate
Chaffee County will move to Stage I fire restrictions starting Friday, August 21, following recent improvements in fire conditions. County Sheriff Andy Rohrich announced the change based on updated fire science data collected across the unincorporated area.
Ark Valley Voice received a $10,000 donation from a private family foundation, bringing its Christmas in July fund drive to $25,000 of a $30,000 goal. The news organization needs just $5,000 more to reach its fundraising target.
Buena Vista Trustees Continue Conversation About Short Term Rental Policy, Percentage Caps Per Zone
The Buena Vista Board of Trustees continued deliberations on short-term rental policy as a licensing moratorium nears its end. Staff will present a revised ordinance at the Tuesday, August 25 meeting, with trustees focused on setting percentage caps for non-primary licenses by zoning district.
Letter To The Editor: Exercising Rights, But Not Without Consequences
A letter to the editor questions societal limits on public behavior, specifically addressing Danny Taylor's weekly open carrying of an AR-15 rifle on local streets. The writer acknowledges Taylor's legal right while raising concerns about the broader implications for community standards.
Volunteers Needed For Salida Fiber Festival, Incentive Offered
The Salida Fiber Festival, happening in Riverside Park the weekend after Labor Day, is recruiting volunteers to fill nearly 80 of its 120 available shifts. Organizers are highlighting that most positions require just two hours and offering free drink tickets to all volunteers as an incentive.
Tickets on Sale for Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun by Sventastik Productions
Sventastik Productions has announced ticket sales for Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun, scheduled for early October at the Salida SteamPlant Theater. The production marks the theater company's next major show following their previous performances.
Letter to the Editor: A Leader Who Listens, and Focuses on Practical Solutions
A letter to the editor endorses P.T. Wood's reelection as Chaffee County commissioner, praising his listening skills and practical problem-solving approach. The writer argues that Wood's decades of local experience make him an effective leader during divisive times.
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The Mountain Mail
Shooting in Wellsville puts Steve Finch in hospital
Steve Finch, a longtime local resident, was shot in the back following a traffic dispute on County Road 7 in Wellsville around 10:30 p.m. on August 1 and remains hospitalized at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center. The Fremont County Sheriff's Office is searching for a male driver of a...
Salida Fiber Festival seeks volunteers
The Salida Fiber Festival is recruiting volunteers for its event the weekend after Labor Day in Riverside Park, with nearly 80 of 120 shifts still available. All volunteers receive a free drink ticket redeemable at the Beer Garden, which features beverages from Soulcraft, Dram, and Wood's High...
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