Taken from SUN files of
January 2, 1925
While thawing frozen pipes with gasoline at the McPhee sawmill last Friday, one of the huge water tanks caught fire and was destroyed causing a loss of from $3,000 to $4,000.
Lawrence Sullenberger recently installed a fine new radio at his home at the sawmill near Juanita, and is now able to tune in on all stations of the North American continent. He has a fine antenna stretched across the canon, and as there are no other wires for miles around, a perfect reception is the result.
W.J. Nossaman, Samuel Houser and Jas. Fowler are engaged in prospect work, seeking the lower coal vein on the San Juan river above Turkey creek. They are driving a drift and have progressed about 50 feet, with a good indication of soon striking the coveted vein.
The school children can scarcely await Monday’s arrival in order that they many again take their places in school after the two weeks’ holiday vacation.
Taken from SUN files of
December 30, 1949
The plan for reorganization of the school districts in Archuleta County as drawn up by the County Committee for Reorganization and approved by the State Commissioner of Education will be voted upon by the residents of the districts affected Monday, the 16th of January.
Chairman of the Committee, H. Ray Macht announced this week that polling places would be located at the following schools: Pagosa Springs, Upper Piedra School, the Chromo School, and the Lower Piedra School in District Number 14.
The plan drawn up by the Committee calls for the reorganization of all the districts in the county into one district. District No. 15 and United District 11 would be exempted as they are already joint districts with La Plata County. The Upper Piedra District, which is located in Hinsdale County would also be included in the Archuleta County plan.
It has been pointed out that this plan would result in increased benefits for all school students in the county by way of better schools. It would also lower the levies in some districts. It would, however, result in a material increase in taxes in other districts.
Taken from SUN files of
January 2, 1975
Coldest morning of the winter was recorded on December 25th when the mercury dropped to 22 degrees below zero here in town. Towing chains and jumper cables were in big demand several mornings this week when the mercury slid to below zero readings. There have been several fender bender accidents, as well as several cars off in the ditch. Main highways are in good shape.
Four men were lodged in jail last Saturday morning after attempting to elude police officers who were investigating charges of disturbance and reckless driving. Town Police Officers Gallegos and Rivas pursued the men for eight miles before shooting out a rear tire to bring the vehicle to a stop. The four arrested face charges ranging from violation of the open container ordinance to resisting arrest and interfering with a police officer.
Taken from SUN files of
December 30, 1999
The Archuleta County Year 2000 budget is officially adopted and pretty much set in stone for the coming year. That fact does not please all of the elected officials, however.
Tension has usually existed between the county commissioners and other elected officials because Colorado law makes the commissioners responsible for establishing budget limits, even for the other elected officials.
This year has been no exception. The county commissioners officially adopted the coming year’s budget Dec. 14 at their regular meeting for that week.
Following the adoption, the other elected officials said they had not seen the final version before it was adopted, they complained about the process of budget adoption, and they complained of insufficient raises for their employees.
While explaining the budget, Commissioner Ken Fox noted that “department heads received the raises they requested.”
County Clerk June Madrid is one of those elected officials.
“They said they gave all the salaries we requested,” Madrid said. “What they didn’t say was they told us we couldn’t go over 2.9 percent on raises. Later on, when the excess revenue issue passed, I tried to go back and get more raises, but they told us no. Basically, they gave us what we asked for because we didn’t know we could ask for more. I still have three employees at the poverty level, earning less than $20,000 a year.”