The Pole

By now, you’ve probably heard of the Texas couple hiking with their infant daughter on the Purgatory Flats trail, north of Durango, who called for a search and rescue helicopter after spotting a mountain lion.

What hasn’t been addressed, however, is who ultimately paid for the flight out.

A little update from our friends in The Great White North, otherwise known as Silverton.

Back in June, we reported Silverton was headed toward yet another vote on whether to allow OHVs in town. Well, that happened Tuesday, and the results are in: OHVs will no longer be permitted to ride within town limits.

Next weekend, Fort Lewis College mountain bikers are going to party like it’s 1990. From Oct. 14-17, the USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships descend, quite literally, on Purgatory, home to the fabled 1990 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. 

Be on the lookout! Wildlife officials are urging people to use some extra caution after a mountain lion charged a hiker early one morning last week in Overend Mountain Park, on the west side of Durango.

Is it us, or is Durango appearing on a heck of a lot of “Best Of” lists recently? Whether it’s the “Best Small Town You’ve Never Heard Of” or “The Best Place to Ski, Mountain Bike, Raft and Ride A Historic Train All in One Day” – it seems every other day the powers that be are hyping up Durango and its small-town charms.

When Afghanistan once again fell into Taliban hands last month, Animas High School junior Maddy Glotfelty did not take the news sitting down. Glotfelty, a junior who is active with DEVO as well as Durango youth hockey, set about organizing a GoFundMe site to raise money to help women and girls under the oppressive regime, known for barring girls from attending school.

Over a decade ago, Luke Mehall drove The Freedom Mobile, a tattered and graffitied 1988 Mazda, to Durango with hopes of making a fresh start. His only “professional” contact were the editors of this fine newspaper, who offered a hundred bucks for a freelance story. 

In honor of its 25th year in business, Steamworks Brewing Co. said it’s going to donate $1,000 to 25 different local nonprofits.

Steamworks opened its doors Sept. 14, 1996, and remains one of Durango’s most popular brewpubs in a town that loves its beer. As a way to mark its milestone, the Steamworks brass asked its employees to submit the names of some nonprofits they valued and wanted to donate to.