Editorials - The Journal

Our View: Thank you, Rep. Barbara McLachlan

Our next representative of House District 59 will have big shoes to fill. Barbara McLachlan has served us very well for the maximum eight years – our only representative in this district to ...

Our view: ‘Yes’ to upcoming ballot questions

Vote ‘yes’ on Amendment K Amendment K to the Constitution would give election officials an additional week to process issue signature petitions and require publicizing ballot measures 30 da...

DATE: Oct 1, 2024 | CATEGORY: Editorials

Our view: We look forward to Montezuma-Cortez schools’ continued improvement

A few words of praise for the improved state scores earned by the schools in Montezuma-Cortez RE-1, as reported in the Sept. 18 issue of The Journal. The scores for two elementary schools ar...

DATE: Sep 24, 2024 | CATEGORY: Editorials

Our view: ‘Yes’ to Cortez Fire Protection District’s half-cent sales tax

The Cortez Fire Protection District, which serves the majority of Montezuma County and participates in support agreements for the four smaller districts and Mesa Verde National Park, is aski...

DATE: Sep 17, 2024 | CATEGORY: Editorials

Our view: Are four-day weeks shortchanging students?

How much time should students spend in the classroom each week? And each day? We are among those who believe that the four-day week creates a larger teacher and administrator hiring pool and...

DATE: Sep 3, 2024 | CATEGORY: Editorials

Our View: Boarding school research could only go on with Indigenous families’ input

There was an undeniable charge in the air on that sunny morning in May 2022 at Fort Lewis College, when Gov. Jared Polis signed into law HB22-1327, directing History Colorado to investigate ...

DATE: Aug 7, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Our View: Russian prison didn’t squelch Gershkovich’s journalistic spirit

The image of newly freed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich lifting his mother, Ella Milman, off the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Thursday says it all. The relief...

DATE: Aug 4, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Our View: Mideast escalation prioritizes qualities for next U.S. president

After a dizzying couple of weeks for the U.S. presidential race, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have found sure footing. Buoyed by renewed energy emanating from fans, they are confidently le...

DATE: Aug 2, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Our View: Cortez fire sales tax would benefit beyond boundaries

Imagine the consequences throughout the Southwest of a massive fire just west of Mesa Verde National Park. Infrastructure, public and private properties, farms, ranches and businesses torche...

DATE: Jul 31, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Our View: Holding hope for Planned Parenthood or new clinic with local control

Sad news that Planned Parenthood in Durango is planning to close indefinitely, suspending clinic services on Sept. 6. The national nonprofit and its well-loved local employees are known for ...

DATE: Jul 28, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Our View: Library law, local policies to curb book banning arrive on time

It’s nice to know that Durango Public Library just put more muscle into its policies, aligning with Colorado’s recently passed SB24-216, the Standards for Decisions Regarding Library Resourc...

DATE: Jul 26, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Our View: Biden showed much grace, a fine leadership quality, in stepping aside

In deciding not to seek reelection, President Joe Biden has shown much grace, an admirable quality in a leader that’s too often underrated. Before he came to grips with reality, Biden often ...

DATE: Jul 24, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Bluejays won their Homecoming game, 48-0, on Friday

Gavin Frost, Frankey Montoya, Zye Kuenzler and Vince Lopez all took part in the 3A Region 1 golf tournament on Monday at Conquistador Golf Course

Bluejays win 48-0 on Thursday night

About 1,000 sheep move along down Buck Highway during the annual event on Saturday

Photos: 250 people march in Farmington to honor Navajos killed in Chokecherry MassacreMore than 250 people marched Saturday morning in downtown Farmington to commemorate the 50 years since the brutal slayings of three Navajo men by three white teenage boys. The march was followed by a ceremony honoring the families of the victims at the Totah Theater.

More than 250 people marched Saturday morning in downtown Farmington to commemorate the 50 years sin...

Airplane crashes southwest of Chimney Rock National Monument; one injuredPlane took off from Animas Air Park in Durango

A small plane crashed Tuesday afternoon about 5 miles southwest of Chimney Rock National Monument, the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.A pilot and a passenger safely evacuated the aircraft and were able to walk to a nearby house for assistance, the Sheriff’s Office said. One of the occupants needed medical assistance, according to a news release issued by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.The crash was reported at 12:03 p.m. on private property near Colorado Highway 151 and Forest Service Road 613 in southwest Archuleta County.The cause of the crash remained under investigation as of Tuesday evening.Photos of the downed plane show relatively minor damage. The nose of the plane is buried in a hillside and the right wing is heavily damaged. The tail number traces back to Gregg Flying Service in Durango.

Flight-tracking software showed the airplane taking off about 10:15 a.m. from Animas Air Park but showing no arrival time at a final destination airport.The plane traveled southeast past Durango-La Plata County Airport and dipped into New Mexico for a bit before heading north over Navajo Reservoir. The plane then made a U-turn near Chimney Rock National Monument before flying south again along Highway 151. The flight path abruptly ends near Sheep Canyon and the Piedra River.

The aircraft is listed as a 1978 Cessna 172N fixed-wing, single-engine plane with four seats, according to an FAA registry. A man who answered the phone at Gregg Flying Service said one occupant suffered injuries, including a possible broken arm and leg.When asked if the plane was associated with Gregg Flying Service, the man hung up the phone. When a reporter called back, the phone was hung up again.shane@durangoherald.com

Plane took off from Animas Air Park in Durango