Salida Daily Digest Thursday, October 22, 2026
Ty's Take
Two weeks before an election, a small town's nerves are raw, and Salida is proving that rule holds in spades. A budget dispute between the mayor and treasurer has turned public, armed protesters showed up at a ballot drop box, and now the superintendent and mayor are locked in a fight over school resource officers. None of this is unusual for an election cycle, but it's worth noting that every one of these fights touches something real: how we spend money, who we let in our civic spaces, and how we keep our kids safe. The candidates forum gives voters a chance to separate the noise from actual positions on taxes and public safety. Pay attention to what they say. Better yet, pay attention to what they don't.
Sponsor Slot AvailableReach Salida Locals Every MorningGet your business in front of engaged local readers. Boat dealers, realtors, restaurants, contractors, home services your audience is reading this right now.Become a Sponsor
Ark Valley Voice
Salida Mayor and Treasurer Disagree Over How Budget Information Should Reach Council
Salida's city treasurer and mayor clashed publicly at an October 19 council meeting over how financial information should be shared with council members. The disagreement highlighted differing views on budget transparency and proper communication procedures within city government.
Proud Boys Confront Voters at Salida Ballot Drop Box After Circling No Kings Event
Four members of the Proud Boys, including known locals Christopher Welter and Danny Taylor, confronted voters near a ballot drop box in Salida on October 17 during the No Kings voting event. The group circled the event but did not bring firearms to the confrontation.
Our Voice: Shame, Shame, Shame on Trump and Putin
An opinion piece criticizes U.S. policy toward Ukraine, arguing that support for the Western democracy has been inadequate as Russia continues military aggression. The author calls out perceived failures in backing an ally under attack.
Musings: Our Fateful Election Two Weeks Away – Vote!
Thousands of communities held demonstrations combining No Kings protests with voter registration and early voting pushes as the midterm election approached. High early voting turnout in battleground states suggested strong voter engagement ahead of the election.
Five candidates for Chaffee County offices discussed property taxes, election security, public safety, and county budgets at an Ark Valley Voice forum on October 7. The candidates included Sheriff Andy Rohrich, Commissioner P.T. Wood, clerk and recorder candidate Sophia Gibb, assessor candidate...
Sponsor Slot AvailableReach Salida Locals Every MorningGet your business in front of engaged local readers. Boat dealers, realtors, restaurants, contractors, home services your audience is reading this right now.Become a Sponsor
The Mountain Mail
Commissioners approve mixed-use rezoning in Garfield
The Chaffee County Commissioners voted 2-1 on October 20 to approve rezoning seven parcels in Garfield from Residential Rural to Mixed Use Rural, allowing Shane Corrigan to develop a hostel and recreational accommodations near Monarch Pass. Neighboring property owners opposed the rezoning, citing...
Commissioners hear youth program updates, audit results
Chaffee County commissioners received updates on youth programs including the Southwest Conservation Corps and the county 4-H program during an October 19 work session. The SCC program involved high school students ages 14-18 in conservation work, including trail maintenance projects in partnership...
Inside the mayor and superintendent’s public feud over school resource officers
A conflict between Salida Mayor Justin Critelli and Superintendent David Blackburn escalated at recent school board and city council meetings over the school resource officer program. The dispute centered on the mayor's unauthorized student surveys regarding SROs and disagreement over who has...
No article content was provided for this index.
Rural News Wire is a daily local news digest for Salida and rural America. We aggregate and curate, original reporting belongs to the sources linked above. Support local journalism by visiting their sites.
Subscribe free to get this digest in your inbox every morning.