Over the years, J.R. Ford has quietly worked to develop a private commercial venture in Archuleta County that — upon fulfillment — will profoundly benefit the local community and environment. Now, with real progress apparently at hand, his incredibly “green” concept is about to become reality.

There will be a meeting of the Archuleta County Farm Bureau at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Extension Building at the fairgrounds.

The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District has switched online bill payment service providers.

A leaking roof at the Pagosa Springs Elementary School, which led to the school closing last Friday, is being repaired, but questions remain regarding the contractor’s responsibility for damages caused by the roof.

Faced with a $1.35 million budget shortfall for the 2010-2011 school year, officials of Archuleta School District 50 Joint will propose what some may consider drastic cost-cutting measures at next Tuesday’s school board meeting.

Following is the Pagosa Springs High School Honor Roll for the first semester.

Area high school students Mele LeLievre (Pagosa Springs), Julia Nass (Durango), Ethan Pearson (Ignacio) and Lisa Wickman (Bayfield) have been selected to participate in the National Rural Electric Youth Tour to Washington D.C. hosted by La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) and The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

As a full-time employee at Pagosa Mountain Hospital (PMH), Bart Plumbley, RN, addressed the Upper San Juan Health Service District Board of Directors Tuesday night and offered a review of hospital staff achievements last year. Overall, his “Quality Performance Annual Report 2009” showed competent compliance in most areas.

In response to the growing interest in local renewable electricity generation projects, La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) is set to host quarterly public informational meetings.

During these challenging economic times, La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) encourages high school seniors within LPEA’s service territory to apply for comprehensive scholarships offered by the electric cooperative: the LPEA Scholarship (four-year) and LPEA/John Voelker Memorial Scholarship (two-year). Deadline for application is March 1, 2010.

The University of Denver Four Corners Master in Social Work Program will host an informational session and open house Saturday, Jan. 30, from 9:30-11 a.m.

The Pagosa Springs Area Association of Realtors (PSAAR) released its 2009 year-end statistics earlier this week and, as anticipated, the numbers reflect a sluggish real estate market. Nevertheless, association president Lisa Reeves insists all is not doom and gloom, and 2010 may well show real improvement.

The local economy continues to show a flat trend, as a report released last week indicated that November sales tax revenue receipts were down 7.03 percent from the same month last year and that receipts are down 8.6 percent overall year-to-date.

With Archuleta School District 50 Joint facing a budget shortfall that could surpass $1 million in the next year, one idea that has been floated to save money includes going to a four-day school week.

The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) has released its list of 2010 contract awards for various capital improvements. The included projects are components of the district’s long-term 2055 water and sewer Capital Improvement Plans, the work of which employs several local and regional contractors and consultants.

The Southwest Land Alliance (SLA) is honored to announce the December 2009 closings of the 1,788-acre Fallview Conservation Easement on the Catspaw Ranch on the Upper Navajo River above the Town of Chromo, and the 86-acre El Rancho de Los Luceros on the San Juan River south of Pagosa Springs near Trujillo.

A bullying incident on a Pagosa Springs Junior High School wrestling team trip resulted in arrest warrants issued and executed on two students.

Though the Upper San Juan Health Service District is still compiling 2009 year-end data, a general statistical recap suggests Pagosa Mountain Hospital (PMH) remains a beehive of activity, despite low inpatient admissions.

As most Archuleta County residents know by now, millions of dollars have gone into renovating Stevens Field over the past five years, with the federal government picking up much of the tab.

The San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD) will enter 2010 with an approved budget reflecting anticipated increases in revenue and expenses over 2009. And, according to an attached Budget Message for 2010, “ ... no increase in the mill levy is expected for the 2010 tax year.”

As the economy continues its downward orientation, community programs helping families in need are on the rise.

The State of Colorado has awarded the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) a $48,700 grant to help implement a critical portion of the district’s 2008 Water Conservation Plan.

The Board of Directors of Citizens Bank of Pagosa Springs announced Monday that Daniel C. Aupperle has resigned as president and CEO effective Dec. 31. Mr. Aupperle is leaving to pursue other opportunities, although he has agreed to stay with the bank as a consultant for an indefinite period of time.