Did you feel the earth shake as Heaven’s Gates opened and God called home an extraordinary man? Well, I felt it in every fiber of my being. That extraordinary man was my heart and soul for a little more than 54 years. That is a long time in Earth years. Of course, we know in our minds that we all belong to God, but our hearts still fight to hold on. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying he was a Saint, but he was as close as a mortal man can be. Continue reading Heaven’s Gate Opened – In Memory of John Penezic →

Donna Joan Kidder Coleman of Westcliffe, CO, passed away Saturday, December 4, 2021, while surrounded by loved ones at her son’s residence in Columbia, MO.

She was born November 8, 1932 – the same day Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President – in Rocky Ford, CO. She had recently celebrated her 89th birthday which marked her as one of the oldest in the Wet Mountain Valley.
Donna’s deepest loves were for Happy Coleman, her husband of 59 years, and her family. She was a ranch wife who loved the land, and took joy in the beautiful mountain valley where she lived. Her favorite color was the green of the pastures in the springtime, and her favorite scent was fresh cut hay.
She would tell you she didn’t have any hobbies, but Donna loved when friends and family would join her for a game of Scrabble or Upwords. If you were not one to enjoy word games, she would also gladly beat you in Dominoes or Triominoes. Donna looked forward to each Monday morning when she would be found at the local bowling alley with the girls. She was also an avid reader, and in her later years others were challenged to supply her with enough books to keep her busy.
Donna is survived by her husband, Miles “Happy” Coleman of
West-cliffe, CO, her children, Charles (Jonni) Paxton of Columbia, MO, Pamela (Robert) Smith of Greeley, CO, and Kenneth (Suzanne) Coleman of Westcliffe, CO. She is also survived by her sister, Evelyn Eakes of Cañon City, CO, and by 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Burton Kidder and Grace Edith McGinnis Kidder, two sisters, Marjorie Anne Kidder and Kathryn Celeste “K.C.” Kidder, her daughter, JoAnn Eileen Paxton Rocchio, and her granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Smith.
A viewing will be held Saturday, December 11th at 10 a.m. at Holt Funeral Home in Cañon City. The funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. with Dick Jones officiating. A graveside burial ceremony at Rosita Cemetery will immediately follow.
Arrangements are with Wilson Funeral Home in association with Holt Family Funeral Home in Cañon City.

by Tracy Ballard
The Custer County School Board of Education held a special meeting on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, for the purpose of seating the newly elected board members as well as voting on who would be holding positions, and on what committees each director would serve.

Immediately following the Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call, President Dr. Terre Davis began the Installation of the new board members: Jordan Benson, Tracy Broll, and Peggi Collins.
The following were elected to each office position: Jake Shy as President, Newell Woodbury will be Vice-President, and Tracy Broll will serve as Secretary/Treasurer.
President Shy accepted the gavel from outgoing president Davis and took control of the meeting. Superintendent Mike McFalls offered to explain the various Standing Committees and what each would entail.
The following appointments were made:
1. District/School Accountability (SAC/DAC)- Newell Woodbury
2. BOCES- Jordan Benson
3. FFA- Jake Shy
4. Legislative- Peggi Collins
5. Preschool Advisory/ CCKC- Tracy Broll

Next up was a Resolution to approve the new signers to be on all bank documents and checks. Those persons will be President Shy,
Secretary Broll, and Superintendent McFalls. Motion was made to approve by Collins and seconded by Benson. The were no objections and motion passed unanimously.
Theresa Kennedy, Business Manager for CCSD presented a request to the board for an approval for the Tax/Mill Levy Certification. After discussion, motion to approve pending the up-to-date numbers later this month. The Certification is due to be filed by December 15th, a date that Kennedy feels is way too close to the December 14th board meeting to vote on and file. Motion was made by Collins and seconded by Woodbury, and the motion passed without objection.
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. in the school library. Prior to that, a workshop will occur at 2:30 p.m. in the school admin. building. The public is invited to attend both meetings. No decisions will be made during the workshop, although more in-depth discussion occurs during the workshop.

by Bill Parker
December 1, 2021
Grand Junction, Colo.

Carolyn and I attended the Truth and Justice Rally in Grand Junction on Wednesday, December 1st. The purpose of the rally was to show support for Mesa County Clerk, Tina Peters, in her voting integrity battle with Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold. While it is difficult to estimate the size of the turnout, since people were dispersed around the front lawn of the old Mesa County Courthouse, I will say that about 200 – 300 people showed up.
Several rally speakers related their opinions on election integrity, described events in Mesa County and gave updates on reactions and responses to what occurred. Speakers included: Tina Peters, Sherronna Bishop, Ron Hanks and others. Continue reading December 1st Truth and Justice Rally in Grand Junction →