COL (R) Michael Foster Named 2025 Ranger Hall of Fame Inductee
—WESTCLIFFE, Colorado
by SDC Sentinel Staff
May 2, 2025
COL Michael Foster. Purple Heart and Outgoing Change of Command Ceremony, 1st Ranger Battalion, July 2012, Savannah, Georgia. Photo courtesy of the Foster Family
Following a distinguished Army career, local Army Ranger COL (R) Michael Foster has been selected for the 2025 Ranger Hall of Fame. Formed in 1992, the Ranger Hall of Fame (HOF) serves the exclusive purpose of honoring and preserving the contributions of America’s most extra-ordinary Rangers. Members of the Ranger HOF include noble warriors like Ranger and Medal of Honor recipient COL Ralph Puckett, General Stanley McChrystal, and General Colin Powell as well as honorary inductee President Abraham Lincoln. 1
Westcliffe’s COL Michael Foster will join their ranks with his induction into the storied Ranger Hall of Fame on Wednesday,
June 25, 2025. “This honor reflects years of sacrifice, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to the Ranger Creed.
[Hall of Fame] inductees represent the very best of the Ranger spirit, exemplifying unparalleled leadership, dedication, and valor throughout their careers, ” stated a post from the US Army
Airborne Ranger Brigade. 2 Continue reading COL (R) Michael Foster Named 2025 Ranger Hall of Fame Inductee→
Westcliffe Planning Commission Votes No on Multifamily Rezoning
in Shadow Ridge Subdivision
—WESTCLIFFE, Colo. by Gia Mc Nerney, Reporter
— Mailboxes on Mineral Road for the local people approved. Application for rezoning 2 lots in the … subdivision from single family to Multifamily denied. —
The regular monthly meeting of the Westcliffe Planning Commission was held on August 7th, 2024 at 3 p.m. in Patterson Hall. A quorum of Trustees was present, and proceedings commenced. Everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance with pride. Next visitors were recognized, and the agenda was agreed to. Continue reading August 7th Westcliffe PC Mtg: No on Multifamily Rezone in Shadow Ridge→
Michael John McCarty, a cherished father and resident of Westcliffe, Colorado, passed away on November 17, 2023.
Michael found serenity in retirement, living peacefully in his log cabin alongside his loyal dog, Shadow. His memory will be lovingly honored by his daughter and son, who reside in Denver. Michael’s kind spirit and warm presence will be deeply missed
by all who knew him.
Tyrese Von Dale Moore, 24, passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2024, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Tyrese was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, on January 6, 2000, the
son of Dawn Markel and Daniel Moore, Jr.
Throughout Tyrese’s life, he loved many things but above all his biggest accomplishment was being a full-time father to his beautiful daughter, Zayla Michelle Moore. In his free time, he enjoyed gardening and working out. He had many hobbies and businesses including Sangre De Cristo Locksmith and Moore Spore Store. He was a mycologist and had developed alternative therapies to help those struggling with mental and physical issues as well as people struggling with addiction. Tyrese was a loving and kind man with many friends and family from every walk of life. He loved without judgment or prejudice.
He was proceeded in death by his father, Daniel Moore Jr. (2023); his grandmother, Tina Moore (2013,) and his brother, Artadius Moore (2024).
He is survived by his daughter, Zayla Michelle Moore; his mother, Dawn (Montgomery) Markel; his brothers, DeAndre (Carissa) Hedrick, Ethan Moore, Daytryan Moore and Lyrik Ruane; sisters, Tesa Moore (Arlo Garner), Holly Dilbeck, Madison Atkins and Sawyer Barkley; grandparents, Dexter and Brenda Hedrick and great grandmother, Audrey Hedrick along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.
There will not be a public visitation as cremation has been chosen. Services will be held at New Resurrection Church, 1500 Forrest St., Hutchinson, KS 67501 on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Charles R. Crumble Sr. presiding. A butterfly release will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery following the service. Please bring your bikes and cars. Wear casual clothes, or whatever is comfortable. Let’s do it big for Tyrese’s final ride to paradise. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the “Zayla Michelle Moore Trust Fund” and can be sent to Hutchinson Funeral Chapel, 300 E. 30th Ave., Hutchinson, KS 67502.
She was a cute little girl growing up in her father’s world. A world of heavy equipment and large vehicles. As soon as Aspen could reach the controls she was learning to operate some of them. At the age of fifteen she was actively helping out as much as she could. As she matured her interest in equipment and heavy machines grew until it became part of her.
Aspen Baltzly is a home grown product of the valley who went to the local school. After graduation she went on to WyoTech to take up what she loved best, working with big equipment. She studied and earned her credentials as a Diesel Mechanic and has an AA degree in Business Management. She also took courses in welding. All this training and years of hands-on experience makes her eminently qualified to run her new business which was only formed late last month.
Today the twenty six year old daughter of Brad Baltzly, Aspen, has started a business that is in great need in Custer County. A towing service. And so, BALTZLY TOWING LLC was born. Her tow truck is an International 2300 wrecker style vehicle with a boom that sports dual winches. It is fully equipped with a stinger and wheel lift which means she can handle any situation including roll overs. In fact, she already came to the rescue of a propane truck that broke down a few days ago.
When not out doing towing jobs Aspen helps her Dad run equipment in the excavation business. Aside from her extensive experience in hauling she also has a hazmat endorsement on her CDL. This is one truly capable, ambitious young lady willing to do the hard work it takes to become successful. She has filled a much needed niche in Custer since we had lost our towing services a couple of years back. For all that time those who had car problems and needed a tow had to wait for the service to be provided from Penrose. At night and in the cold weather that can be one very long wait. Take note, then, in case you ever need the help. Aspen is there for you. Just call BALTZLY TOWING LLC at 719-458-9929. That number is available 24 Hours daily. The Email address is baltzlytowing@gmail.com
On Facebook you can reach Aspen at Baltzly Towing LLC.
Chud’s Pizza Gets Liquor License, Round MountainWater District update and SO Quarterly Updates, Trustees Interview Candidates for Town Manager by Becky Olson
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Town of Westcliffe convened as scheduled on Monday, October 17, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. in Patterson Hall. A quorum of Trustees was present and proceedings commenced after recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
After the consent agenda was unanimously approved, the Trustees proceeded to the only item of old business and voted unanimously to approve a liquor license for Chud’s Pizza on Second Street. Moving into new business, the Trustees unanimously voted to grant conditional approval for installation of a mailbox cluster for the town homes at 9 Granada Court, which is contingent upon a signed agreement stipulating responsibilities for maintenance of the mailboxes being delivered to Mayor Wenke for his signature by November 1st. Consideration of a request to waive the building permit fee for an addition to the Fire Department continues to be tabled until the department submits more information to the Trustees. Continue reading October Westcliffe Town Mtg→
Round Mountain Water:
“Something Really Bad Is Going to Happen” No More New Water Taps After December 31st?
by George Gramlich
We have been remiss with not getting into this situation sooner and we apologize for that. And it is a big deal. As most everybody knows, the Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District (RMWSD) has had some problems the last few years with their wells and the waste treatment plant. We’ve seen some information on how they need to replace the waste treatment plant and that they don’t have the money to do it. So we asked Dave Schneider, RMWSD Operations Manager, to drop by and get us up-to-date on the issues. Continue reading Round Mountain Water: “Something Really Bad Is Going to Happen”→
“Thank God for Custer County!”
BoH Stands Tall: We Are Open and Free
We Will Not Comply
by George Gramlich, SDC Sentinel Editor,
News and Notations
–March 10, 2021
CUSTER COUNTY, Colo.
Last week’s vote by the Custer County Public Health Agency (BoH) board members to declare the county “normal” and refuse to follow the covid mandates and rules from our Denver overlords made shockwaves all over the state. And especially in the King Polis throne room. As seen below, the state bureaucrats were in an uproar and literally threatened Custer with retribution.
So, this BoH meeting of March 10, 2021, promised to be pretty hot. And hot it was.
The meeting was moved to the courtroom so the peasants could attend. (And attend they did.) Continue reading “Thank God for Custer County!” BoH Stands Tall: We Are Open and Free→
Freedom and Liberty Rally/March/Celebration Rocks Main Street In Silver Cliff and Westcliffe
By George Gramlich,
Commentary
When the two ladies trying to do the Independence Day Parade for our county were stymied and road blocked over the last six weeks by the two mask-worshipping County Commissioners and the Board of Health, they finally announced that they were withdrawing their application.
During that process at a Board of Health meeting one applicant mentioned that perhaps there might be a protest march instead which caused an uproar amongst the local, control freak, bureaucrats. Oh my, civil disobedience amongst the Custer County sheep herd! Baa, baa, baaaaaah. Little did they know.
Well, word started to spread via email, social platforms and word of mouth. It got so big the Sentinel put an announcement in the paper about it for several weeks: there WILL be an Independence Day protest march on July 4th and if you want to make a statement on freedom and liberty versus tyranny and oppression, be there.
And there it was!
photo by Jordan Benson
Around 9:15 a.m., July 4th, 2020, the patriots started rolling in. On and on and on. Since there was virtually no organizational control, the participants self-organized into lines of people, cars, trucks, motorcycles, huge semi-trucks, horses and ATVs all along Hermit Lane and every available space within hundreds of yards. The Hermit Lane line went all the way to Highway 69. Every inch of ground was covered with parked vehicles and trailers.
The participants gathered at the north end of Hermit Lane and connected with old friends and met new ones. Tons of veterans
networked with each other.
Pastor Zeller speaks to those gathered to march on Independence day and prays with them. Photo by Ashley Franklin
People came from all over Colorado with plenty of out-of-state plates observed (OMG! Out-of-state agitators!). And to our old redneck eyes, the sight of hundreds of AR15’s and similar man toys brought many tears of joy. The amount of hardware there was unbelievable. For 2nd Amendment fans, it was heaven.
About 9:50 a.m., local army veteran, Pastor Andrew Zeller, mounted the back of a Custer County Sheriff’s Office pickup truck that was there covering the event and delivered a stirring speech and a patriot-driven prayer that was extremely well received by the attendees.
A few minutes after that, Pastor Zeller led the parade down Main Street with a lovely young local lady, Madeline Ballard, next to him expertly handling a snare drum. Directly behind them was another local Pastor, Adrian Washington and his wife, Linda. A citizens’ color guard if you will. Then, off they went, by themselves, leading the joyous celebration of our nation’s independence. Ra ta ta, ra ta tat leading the march, the patriots proudly displaying our American flag. Beautiful.
photo by Jordan Benson
Behind them, waiting on Main Street were four beautiful semi-trucks who followed them, about 50 yards behind. Right after that, a whole army of patriots started the mile-long walk down Main Street.
Photo by Jordan Benson
Following the initial section, came a variety of participants with all kinds of vehicles plus a bunch of horse riders. It just didn’t stop. We estimate the parade was around two miles long with approximately 800 to 1,000 marchers. It took almost an hour to finish.
Lisa Caldwell and others on two, three and four wheels- Celebrating our Independence. Photo courtesy of Jordan Benson
Photo by Jordan BensonPhoto by Jordan BensonBill and Joanne Canda Photo by Jordan Benson
A special thanks to Commissioner Bill Canda who was the ONLY one of the three Commissioners who had the courage and patriotism to honor Independence Day in this march. He and his wife, Joanne, rode their beautiful white horses with Bill displaying a glorious American flag and Joanne passing out a special prayer for our country.
Commissioner candidate Kevin Day also participated as well as HD 60 candidate Ron Hanks. Kudos to all.
A special shout out to our Custer County Sheriff’s Office whose deputies and posse members provided a professional level of protection for the march. Also, kudos to our local Colorado State Police who showed up to help. Well done,
officers. We love you folks.
Many spectators said it was easily the biggest marching event to ever happen on Main Street. Local businesses did well before, during and afterward. They needed the boost after months of unneeded lock down. A big win for all.
Various national patriot news sites/blogs ran stories on the big pro-liberty protest march in little Westcliffe/Silver Cliff in the days afterward. It is the little county that still loves our country.
As expected, Colorado MSM ignored the biggest July 4th event in southern Colorado. They rather cover the left-wing freaks making a scene at one of our local historical statues. The only mention was a brief piece by KOAA news the a week before the event which local Peggi Collins deftly handled in an interview.
It was an astounding, inspirational event that lifted the veil of gloom, doom and out-of-control local and state government. There was hope and real smiles again. It was simply the most amazing day.
God Bless America and God Bless the patriots who made this event happen.
Freedom and Liberty first.
