SOUTH FORK - A new festival is coming to South Fork this weekend and those who have tickets are in for a treat. The inaugural South Fork Wine and Chocolate Festival, hosted by the Town of South Fork and the Rio Grande Club and Resort, will feature fine wines from selected wineries and chocolate from professional artisans.

SOUTH FORK — South Fork voters approved a measure that increased the town’s sales tax by 2 percent and in the trustee election, Kevin Stickens held a slim lead, based on preliminary results released by South Fork Town Clerk Melanie Hart. The municipal election was held Tuesday, April 9.

There are 13 of Colorado's 26 byways designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation as America's Byways, which gives Colorado more national designations than any other state.

SOUTH FORK — Due to warmer weather in the past several days, the South Fork Chamber of Commerce made the difficult decision to cancel its inaugural Hockey on the Rio youth tournament.

SOUTH FORK — The South Fork Friends Foundation is kicking off a new fundraiser this holiday season and there will be a chance for the community of South Fork to give back on Dec. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is for dogs only and those interested can come and have their dog’s picture taken with Santa for a minimal donation that will go toward the South Fork Veterinary Clinic Pet Rescue.

RIO GRANDE COUNTY — Spooky season is just around the corner and there are several family friendly events planned for the western end of the San Luis Valley. With Halloween taking place on a Tuesday this year, most of the events will take place the weekend before.

SOUTH FORK — For the past year, South Fork Friends Foundation (SFFF) has been working to raise funding to install a 108-feet-by-115-feet poured concrete-rebar pad that will be a multi-functional platform for a basketball court and skateboarding pad in the summer and an ice rink in the winter.

ALAMOSA — Have you ever wanted to experience firsthand the magic and majesty of a universally beloved big band? Now's the chance for you and your family and friends to experience it live in Alamosa, when the Alamosa Live Music Association hosts the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Richardson Hall at Adams State University.

SOUTH FORK — News travels fast in the small mountain town of South Fork and a new restaurant has been the topic of discussion for several weeks now.

COLORADO SPRINGS — El Pomar Trustees approved $62,500 allocated to 11 nonprofit organizations and government entities in the San Luis Valley at the Foundation’s May Trustees meeting.

SAN LUIS VALLEY — With snow and mud conditions persisting late this summer season, local officials from several different organizations are urging people to “stay the trail” and to adhere to late-season road closures. Several areas remain closed because of mud and wet terrain.

MONTE VISTA — On Memorial Day, May 29, the Colorado Veteran’s Community Living Center at Homelake will be holding a public ceremony at 10 a.m. at the cemetery. Everyone is invited to attend.

CREEDE — The Creede Headwaters Music Festival was a hit in the summer of 2022 with a lineup that many thought could not be matched. Creede Headwaters Music Festival member Bob Holt has released the lineup for this year, and it looks to be as good, if not better. This year’s music festival will take place on the weekend of Aug. 26 and 27.

SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS — As spring approaches the higher country in the surrounding mountains throughout the San Luis Valley, local snowmobile guide and avalanche trainer Matt Entz gave some insight into what people can do to be safe and have fun in the back country this season and seasons to come.

WOLF CREEK — For the past 83 years, the Wolf Creek Ski Area has brought outdoor recreation to the San Luis Valley and surrounding areas, and not only do they get the most snow in Colorado, but they also offer top of the line services to snow hounds from all over the world.

SAN LUIS VALLEY — As part of an effort to complete a Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan per requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines, local officials have released another draft of the document for review by San Luis Valley leaders in the six counties included in the region.

The Ursid meteor shower runs from Dec. 17 to 26, and peaks on the night of Dec. 22. It's a ‘Welcome to Winter Meteor Shower’ with the longest night of the year on the 21st as winter begins. This will be a good shower with the New Moon on Dec. 23. We just need good weather.

WOLF CREEK PASS — An early November storm that dropped 20 inches of snow allowed Wolf Creek Ski Area to open Friday, Nov. 4, for the 2022-2023 ski season.

ALAMOSA — County commissioners gathered in Alamosa and via ZOOM on Oct. 24 for presentations and discussions about issues spanning counties across the San Luis Valley.

SAN LUIS VALLEY — As per the regulatory objection period for the purchase of the San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad through Chapter 11 bankruptcy court, an objection has been submitted by San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!) and is requesting a setting of a sale hearing before anything moves forward in the bankruptcy bid process.