Taken from SUN files of
June 26, 1925
Commencing tomorrow and continuing for three days, the Spanish-Americans of Arboles and vicinity will conduct a three-day celebration in honor of San Pedro. The committee consists of David Quintana, Kelly Duran and Patricio Martinez, and numerous races, dances and other sports events have been arranged.
An important decision was rendered yesterday afternoon by Judge W. N. Searcy in the district court, when he declared unconstitutional the act of the Colorado legislature, passed Feb. 25, 1925, which provided for a tax upon livestock brought by non-residents into Colorado from adjoining states for grazing purposes. The case was brought by District Attorney Jacobson and Assistant Noland on behalf of the People of the State of Colorado against R.C. Whitney who was alleged to have driven stock into Colorado without paying the tax. A motion to quash the indictment was entered in behalf of the defendant by Attorney B.B. Russell, and this motion was sustained by Judge Searcy’s ruling.
In an interview this morning, Judge Searcy stated that he felt the present law as merely a variation of similar ones that previously have been passed by the Colorado legislature. They have been held unconstitutional by the Supreme court of the state as making an unlawful discrimination against citizens of other states, and the present law will probably suffer a like fate.
Taken from SUN files of
June 23, 1950
One of the largest forest fires ever had in this area, which burned more than 600 acres, was under control Monday, although mopping-up operations still continue. According to Rod Blacker, District Ranger, while the definite cause of the fire is unknown, it is believed that it was started from either a cigarette or an abandoned camp fire. The fire broke out Thursday morning, according to reports from the Durango Forest Service and was not brought under control until late Sunday or early Monday. The fire started just above the old CCC camp on the north side of the Blanco area and burned over many acres of timber, brush and quakies. At one time over 300 men were engaged in combating the blaze. The rough country made it extremely difficult to use machinery in the fight and much of the equipment used had to be packed up.
The fire danger is acute in all mountain areas and local residents should take every precaution to avoid another such catastrophe as the Blanco Basin fire.
Taken from SUN files of
June 26, 1975
Snowfall on Wolf Creek Pass went over the 800 inch mark for the season last week. Four inches of snow at the East Side Highway Camp brought the total fall for the winter to 801 inches.
This is a record that may stand for many years. The previous high record was 619 inches the winter of 1972-73. The winter snow season ends on Wolf Creek Pass on June 30 and it is not now likely that the total fall for the winter will be increased.
This is the third winter since 1959 that snowfall on Wolf Creek Pass has exceeded 600 inches. The other record years were 1965-66 with 603 inches and 1972-73 with 619 inches. Official records on Wolf Creek have been kept since 1959.
Prior to that time there was no regular or official system of measurement of snowfall. A total fall of 80 feet, five inches is a record that should stand for many years.
Taken from SUN files of
June 22, 2000
Rain is on the horizon for Pagosa Country. No one knows if the anticipated ethereal showers will trickle from the sky in inconsequential dribbles or descend in a volume sufficient to negate the need for water rationing and fire bans.
Local citizens still need to be careful with water consumption, according to Carrie Campbell, general manager of the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District.
“If we don’t get enough rain in the next week or 10 days, the threat of mandatory rationing will still be with us,” Campbell said. “People have been great about saving water, but the threat isn’t over. The water at the spillway at Hatcher and Stevens reservoirs is about 13 inches below the top. So far, voluntary rationing is working.”
Hearts were lightened last week by the first measurable rain on Pagosa Country since May 17.
Friday’s rainfall was the first measured during June and the first reported in town since May 17 when 0.10 of rain fell.
