Members of the Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (CFVGA) met with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue this week at Sakata Farms to discuss the biggest challenges facing their farms. Also participating in the discussion were Governor John Hickenlooper and Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Don Brown.

"Securing qualified, legal labor for relatively short harvest seasons was by far the number one issue discussed with the secretary," said Robert Sakata, Sakata Farms, who is CFVGA president. 

The Lamar Community College Nursing department celebrated the accomplishments of their graduates with the time-honored tradition of the Nurse Pinning earlier this month.

The Nurse Pinning ceremony is a traditional rite of passage that each nursing student completes before entering the profession.  53 students were pinned including 20 from the Level I (Practical Nursing) and 33 from the Level II (Associate Degree in Nursing/Registered Nurse) programs.

There will be fun for the whole family at many Colorado Parks and Wildlife state parks as they celebrate the Colorado Public Lands Day on Saturday, May 19, with a variety of programs and events.

All programs and events are free with a $7 per day park pass or $70 annual pass.

Based on DNA evidence, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is confirming the bear killed by wildlife officers is the same bear responsible for attacking a young girl at her home in East Orchard Mesa early in the morning on Mother's Day.

The animal is described as a two-year-old male, cinnamon-colored black bear, weighing 150 pounds. The necropsy revealed the bear was in good body condition with no signs of diseases. Rabies testing was negative.

Legislation Will Study the Process of Including Amache in the National Park System  

Supply chain provider Savage Companies, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and grain and milling firm Bartlett and Company, based in Kansas City, Missouri, are pleased to announce the planned merger of their businesses to form a new combined entity, Savage Enterprises. Together, Savage and Bartlett have more than 180 years of experience providing transportation, logistics and materials management services for customers across multiple industries, with a focus on energy and agriculture. 

Cook time: 1 hour

Makes:   4 Servings 

Caramelizing Vidalia onions brings out complex and delicious flavors. Mushrooms add meatiness without significant calories. Add these to risotto made with brown rice - providing whole grains and a nutty flavor - and you have a deliciously healthful dish.

May 20 through May 27 is National Emergency Medical Service Week.  During this week, the Kiowa County Ambulance Service will be honoring volunteers that have stepped forward giving up quality time with their families to provide care for community members in their time of need.  The volunteers are few but dedicated and take care of the situations that come our way no matter what.  They are your everyday heroes.  You are all very much appreciated, thank-you for all you do.

The Kiowa County Hospital District and County Board met in regular session on March 27, 2018 at 6:35 p.m. at the Bransgrove Building Meeting Room. 

District Board members present were: Mary Eikner. Sylvia Shields, Cathryn Anderson, Priscilla Waggoner, and Robert Woods. 

County Board members present were: Lori Shalberg. John Negley, Craig Kerfoot Kim Harris. and Dennis Pearson. 

Others present: Shannon Dixon, Char Korrell, Deb Hill, Dawn Back, David Lenderts, and Beth Spady. 

A stream of blue-clad graduates entered a packed gym at the Lamar Community College Wellness Center for the college’s 79^thAnnual Commencement ceremony.  In just a short time, those students would become LCC alumni.

Dr. Linda Lujan, LCC President, opened the commencement with a brief welcoming address.  She remarked on the hard work of the graduates, congratulating them on all of they have accomplished.