This is Lisa Sperl. I am writing this to let you know I am still a resident of Lake City, just commuting to work at Lake School in Gunnison, working as an Educational Assistant.I know many of our friends thought I already moved out and were surprised to see me around. My boys and I consider this place the best place on earth in spite of having travelled to many different countries. Lisa SperlLake City NEVER MISS A STORY SUBSCRIBE!
Amanda Hartman has come to my rescue three times in the past couple of years.In June of ’24, I had a kidney stone attack at 2am. Worst pain I ever had. Thought I was gonna die. She and her crew showed up at our house and drove me to Gunnison Valley Hospital.On September 1, 2024 my house burned down. I was pacing back and forth on Gunnison Avenue, looked up and there was Amanda. She put her hands on my shoulders, calmed me down, and told me what I needed to do. “The firefighters have this. There’s nothing you can do here. You and Tracy need to get your dogs and move away from the smoke and chaos.”Then last December I had a seizure. Blurry vision, dizziness, slurred speech. The good folks at the med center got me stabilized, but said I needed to go to Gunnison for some tests. Guess who showed up? Amanda.This is all to say that Amanda (and her entire family) are the best of us. Whether they are dishing out ice cream or rescuing those in need, the Hartmans are a perfect culture fit for our community. Respectfully,Mike CoffinLake City NEVER MISS A STORY SUBSCRIBE!
Everything you need to know about me can be found here in our small town. This is where I found my heart, where I found my peace and space enough to build a life.That summer job that first brought me here quickly became 30 years and counting. I have family that keep me busy, friends that keep me entertained, and enough challenges for mind and body to keep me young.I have more than flowery language going for me. I have a wide sea of experience, especially within the Town. I worked my way from ski lift operator to Public Works Director. I have served the Town as Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission and as Secretary of the Historic Preservation Commission. I have also served as Chair of the Public Library Board, served on the Lake City Fire Rescue Board, as a firefighter and EMT, and general grunt at so many events over the years. I have a degree in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University. This degree is designed for government and non-profit organizations, a degree built for a small town like Lake City.I understand what it takes to make Lake City work – selfless volunteers and people willing to show up for each other. It takes people ready to roll up their sleeves and get down to work. And it takes people who listen, as I am doing. I have just begun speaking with people about their concerns and am getting some amazing feedback. I have always believed that we are smarter together, and I will find ways to integrate what I am already hearing from you.Please don’t forget to vote April 7. Democracy only works when we participate. Jodi LinseyLake City NEVER MISS A STORY SUBSCRIBE!
by Schuyler Denham Hinsdale County Republican Party held its 2026 caucus and county assembly last Saturday, March 7, in Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on Bluff Street.Attendance was nearly 60 residents, including a handful of observers.County Party Chair Diane Bruce called the meeting to order at promptly 1 p.m. and business began after the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation.In addition to Bruce, the other officers were Michael Murphy, Vice-Chair, and Wes Williams, the Secretary-Treasurer.The credentials committee recognized 50 attendees – those Republicans who had been registered at least 22 days in the precinct – as eligible to participate in the proceedings.Bruce acknowledged how Hinsdale County was simpler to run as it has only one precinct and, thus, one assembly; some counties have over 100. [While Hinsdale County has the fewest number of registered voters in the state, Mineral and San Juan counties have fewer Republicans than Hinsdale’s 292.]Following eligibility verification, delegates were elected to the Hinsdale County Assembly that……… Seven Delegates to Hinsdale County Dems’ Assembly Expressing varying degrees of dissatisfaction with the present national political situation, all seven registered Hinsdale County Democrats attending last Saturday afternoon’s Caucus were named Delegates to present platform resolutions and vote in the county party’s ensuing Assembly.Democrats with three observers, town mayoral candidate Jodi Linsey, New York college student Silas Fox remotely, and Jesse Kendall, were warmly greeted by returning party chairperson Jennifer Rightsell who wryly noted “It’s been an interesting year. Maybe the only way we’re going to get through this is with a good sense of humor.”Both Rightsell and returning party secretary Grant Houston were unanimously re-elected as Hinsdale Party Democratic Chairperson and Secretary for both the 31-minute Caucus and 10-minute Assembly which were held at Lake City Public Library.In addition to Rightsell and Houston, Becky Vickers, Mary Nettleton, Carol Robinson, Bill Stewart, and Henry Woods were selected as Assembly Delegates.Woods, a past Democratic county party chair, enthusiastically proposed two Hinsdale County…… READ BOTH ARTICLES IN FULL SUBSCRIBE!
Snow depth and water content above Lake City remain at dismal, near-record low levels with median 1991-2020 levels on the Upper Lake Fork and elsewhere in Hinsdale County on Upper Rio Grande and Upper Piedra in the county’s South End, ranging from 54 to 60 percent of long-term median.Closest to home, Natural Resources Conservation Service’s 11,560’ Slumgullion Pass SnoTel site registers just 57 percent of 1991-2020 median with meager 24” snow depth on Tuesday, March 10, equivalent to 6.6” snow/water content.No surprise to winter recreationalists this winter, traditionally snowy Slumgullion Pass only reached 30” snow depth at the SnoTel site on one day February 21 — last month and then steadily dropped to 28” depth February 22-24, and 24” compacted snow ranging 6.3-6.4” water equivalency March 2-6.As of Tuesday this week, Slumgullion snow remained 24” depth with slightly elevated 6.6” water content.Similarly dismal up valley at Wager Gulch on the upper Lake Fork near Carson, snow depth was 18”, 4.3” snow/water equivalent February 23-24 but has incrementally decreased, 16”depth February 25-March 2, and now Changes in Natural Resources Conservation Service’s precipitation median from February 28, above, to March 8, upper right: Gunnison drainage from 68 to 65 percent median and red-shaded Arkansas now below 50 percent of norm as result lack of moisture, temperatures, and wind. 15” snow with 4.4” water as of March 10.Mid-county on the Upper Rio Grande, the 11,580’ elevation Beartown snow measuring site is marginally better at 60 percent of median, 25” snow depth on February 9 and now increased to 34” depth, 10.6” water on March 10.Weminuche Creek in far south Hinsdale County, 10,730’ elevation, is at 54 percent of median, the site recording 22” snow depth/4.9” snow/water February 9, increasing to 28” depth with 8.1 snow/water content as of Tuesday this week.Newly appointed Gunnison Basin Round Table member Bruce Heath has a regional perspective and expresses concern with not only local snow conditions but the southwest U.S. region as a whole, Colorado River at record ebb and, consequently, Lake Mead Reservoir on the Arizona-Nevada border just 32-33 percent of capacity.The reservoir’s low capacity will undoubtedly have a negative impact on downstream water users, California and lower water appropriation Arizona, where it is now confirmed that electric generation is endangered because reservoir dams such as Hoover Dam were not designed for generation with such low water levels. STAY IN TOUCH Subscribe TODAY!
