All Entries in the "Hot Topics" Category
Valco Property Annexed, 2014 City of Lamar Budget Adopted
The Lamar City Council passed the 2014 budget on second reading during the Monday evening meeting, October 28, as well as the ordinance to levy and collect taxes for fiscal year 2014. The council conducted a public hearing regarding the annexation of 108 acres into the city limits for the former Valco Ponds, now known […]
Abling will Stand Trial in the Murder of Rory Alba
The Colorado “Make my Day” law will not apply in the case of Lamar resident, Marla Abling. Abling is charged with first degree murder in the death of Rory Alba on January 23, 2013 in Lamar. Her public defenders presented the “Make my Day” scenario during a six day immunity hearing to dismiss the charges […]
ALCO Store in Lamar to Close
Abilene, Kan. (October 17, 2013) – ALCO Stores, Inc., has announced it will close its ALCO store in Lamar, Colorado. In making the announcement, Ricardo Clemente, Sr. Vice President for Store Operations, said, “The decision to close the store in Lamar was a difficult one. We have valued the opportunity to be a part of […]
Child Eats Medical Marijuana Food, Adult Charged
On September 28, 2013, officers from the Lamar Police Department, responded to the 400 block of Kendall Drive for a report of a young child under the influence of marijuana. Through an investigation involving the Prowers County Department of Social Services and the Lamar Police Department, it was determined that medicinal marijuana baked goods were […]
November Election Information, Ballot Questions
The November General Election mail-in ballot for Prowers County residents has been finalized by the Prowers County Clerk and Recorder’s office. Testing of the voting machines which will count the mail in ballots is being conducted in preparation for the returns which can be sent in by return mail or hand delivered to the Clerk’s […]
Two in Custody on Child Abuse Case
Media Release On Tuesday, October 15, 2013, detectives and officers from the Lamar Police Department responded to the 400 block of Kendall Drive, for a report of an infant suffering from child abuse. Officers observed numerous injuries to the child that were not consistent with the statements provided by the victim’s mother and her significant […]
City of Lamar August Sales Tax Revenue Report
Although City of Lamar sales tax revenue for August was off 1.52% for a loss of $3,870.60 compared to last year, the combination of Use Tax and other categories showed a year to date increase of 3.27% for a gain of $83,251.77 over last year. Sales Tax revenues since January 2013 are at […]
Gov Adds Prowers, Otero and Crowley Counties for Disaster Emergency
Gov. Hickenlooper Declares Disaster Emergency for Additional Eight Colorado Counties DENVER — Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013 — Gov. John Hickenlooper signed an Executive Order to declare a disaster emergency due to the flooding for an additional eight counties: Chaffee, Crowley, Gilpin, Lake, Lincoln, Otero, Park and Prowers. There are now a total of 24 […]
Letter to the Editor – The Elephant Story
Many years ago a group of villages needed some work done and after much discussion it was decided they would buy an elephant. When the elephant arrived many were excited to see him do the work, but it took a while for the elephant to become accustomed to its surroundings. But the villagers were very […]
September Rains Help Curtail Drought
Rains moving through the Great Basin system of Colorado in early to mid September brought extreme rainfall and flooding to the state, especially along the Front Range areas. Two to five inches of rain was recorded across the southwest, central and southeast mountains as well as southeast Baca County. The Pike’s Peak region […]
Jensen Brothers Brought to Court
Eric and Ryan Jensen of Jensen Farms in southeast Colorado were arraigned in U.S. District Court in Denver, Thursday, September 26, on misdemeanor charges for allegedly failing to use adequate preventive measures to clean their cantaloupes before shipping them for human consumption. The brothers could face maximum individual sentences of one year in prison […]
City Council Approves Amended Weed Ordinance
The City of Lamar’s agreement with Honeywell Building Solutions for energy and utility upgrades in municipal buildings is ending as work on the contract is being finalized. $288,973 in contingency funds was included in the contract and $67,015 was spent on some contingencies leaving a balance of $228,043. Other work termed ‘change orders’ was performed […]
Hickenlooper Holds Town Forum in Holly
Agricultural finances and drought impact dominated the discussion between Governor Hickenlooper and Holly residents this past Friday, September 20, during an Open Town Meeting at Holly Senior Center. At the outset, the governor explained he was using a set of crutches because of a hip problem, during his tour of portions of southeast Colorado. […]
Pedal the Plains, A Rolling Success
Sunny skies, mild temperatures and gentle winds all contributed to a perfect weekend for the Pedal the Plains event held in Lamar this past Friday and Saturday, September 20-21. Bike riders began arriving in Lamar from their starting point in Eads mid afternoon on Friday. Once they checked their bikes at the Lamar Community Building, […]
Commissioners Tour New Developments in Holly
The Prowers County Commissioners held their most recent board meeting at the Holly Senior and Community Center, Thursday, September 19. The commissioners periodically conduct their meetings in Wiley, Granada or Holly as part of their community outreach program. The commissioners took the occasion to formally greet Lance Benninghoff, recently hired as the county’s economic development […]
CDOT By-Passes the Lamar Reliever Route
Concerns over the potential economic impact of a Lamar Bypass, expressed this past summer by city and county officials as well as local business owners and citizens, has become moot in light of the Lamar Reliever Route being taken off the table for funding. Most of the money is going to the Front Range with […]
Granada Residents Discuss SECPA Utility Sale
Granada residents will decide in a special election next April, whether they wish to sell their electric utility system to SECPA, Southeast Colorado Power Association. Currently, the town purchases its power from SECPA and resells it to local customers. Selling the system back to SECPA would eliminate the town as a middle man. Richard Wilson, […]
Letter to the Editor: Lamar Reliever Route
Dear Editor: Concerning the proposed Lamar Reliever Route, some have claimed that a truck bypass would divert traffic from Main Street, and hurt downtown businesses. This is a valid concern, and should be taken seriously. I’m sure we can all agree that our long term economic well-being is tied to the federal highways that […]
Letter to the Editor (on 51st State Proposal)
Editor: I read with interest your report and your editorial on the meeting with the county commissioners regarding the 51’st state proposal. Are we supposed to believe it will all be good for us when we get rid of all those State of Colorado jobs and facilities in the counties and those stinky regulations […]
51st Colorado State Proposed to Prowers County Commissioners
A movement is underway in Colorado to develop a 51st state. Eleven counties out of the state’s 64 are entertaining the idea of a legal separation from Colorado to develop a state which offers greater rural representation for its residents versus the high population density along the Front Range cities. The Prowers County Commissioners met […]