April 23, 2026
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Since its launch in January 2024, Senior Connections has quickly become a vital part of our community. The program is led by Brooke Jones, Public Health Senior Coordinator, and is supported largely by a dedicated group of volunteers.In just over a year, Senior Connections has achieved several meaningful milestones:Bi-monthly lunches bring together between 50 and 90 seniors, depending on the season, creating opportunities for connection and community.Silver Sneakers classes are held twice weekly and remain extremely popular. The seasonal Walking Strong program takes place on Mondays at Memorial Park, and this year will expand to include exercise stations.Free movie showings are offered throughout the year at the Mountaineer Theatre, along with regular presentations and games that keep participants engaged and active.In June, Debra from the Matterhorn will host a hanging basket sale, generously donating a portion of proceeds to support Senior Connections.Through a partnership with Region 10, volunteers assist seniors with transportation and household chores—services that make a real difference in daily life.A cosmetologist/esthetician visits twice a month, with appointments often fully booked, reflecting the demand for these services.One of the most impactful developments has been the partnership with Malenda McDonald at the Medical Center. Lake City now has a physical therapist available three days a week—an invaluable resource for our senior population.Senior Connections was also featured on National Public Radio this past spring, highlighting the program’s growing impact.Senior Connections continues to evolve, working to meet the needs of seniors in Lake City and strengthen the sense of community for all involved. We are grateful for the continued support from our community, partners, and volunteers who make this program possible. Cheryl TateLake City
by Jodi Linsey Hinsdale County Commissioners were kept busy with their regular meetings and special meetings in April, with their regularly scheduled workshops and meetings on April 1 and April 15, and two additional special meetings pertaining to Hinsdale County EMS on April 8 and 14.Since the February 26 dismissal of Amanda Hartman there have been numerous communications from then Chief Paramedic Brad Jones and EMS Director Katherine Heidt to the Commissioners, which resulted in a tense meeting with Heidt on April 8. Jones resignation on April 9, and a contentious special meeting on April 14 with the Commissioners, Director Heidt, Medical Director Avery MacKenzie, and a large audience on Zoom and in person.The first special meeting occurred on April 8, dealing with three updates to Heidt’s job description and duties. Following a reminder from Commissioner Borchers that all employees of Hinsdale County were subject to periodic updates to their job descriptions, Heidt was asked to comment on the revisions regarding her duties.Her only response was to refer them to previously submitted remarks.The other special meeting was held following the resignation of Jones, and the lone agenda item was to discuss Hinsdale County EMS.Commissioners invited Heidt and Medical Director MacKenzie to attend to discuss the reduction of the local EMS service from Advanced Life Support (ALS) to Basic Life Support (BLS). There were no conclusions as to how to move forward from this move.Heidt presented a letter for the consideration of the Commissioners and audience (WORLD, April 17).Due to the uncertainty of Brad Jones’ relationship with Hinsdale County EMS, Commissioners Robert Hurd, Kristie Borchers, and Greg Levine removed him as the Alternate County Representative to the Gunnison Hinsdale Combined Emergency Telephone Service Authority (GHCETSA) at the April 1 meeting.This partnership operates the regional 911 dispatch center for Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties.At the next regular meeting on April 15, Commissioners appointed to the alternate position Undersheriff Jordan Kaminski, newly returned to service at Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Department. In other county news was an update at the April 1 meeting about the All Hazards Team. County Financial Director Lynn McNitt reported that they have wrapped up all of the 2025 accounts and have had three invoices paid thus far in 2026.McNitt also reported the county has received the 2024 distribution of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding, amounting to $159,000, to be split evenly with Hinsdale County School District. These Title I funds are made available through the U.S. Forest Service for the maintenance of roads and schools in counties with large amounts of Federal lands that do not pay property taxes.Good news for fishermen and women ready to take to Lake San Cristobal is confirmation Commissioner Levine has completed training to conduct boat inspections for invasive aquatic species. He plans to fill in when needed, such as during the shoulder seasons when there is not a regular schedule ofPuebloinspectors.A milestone in the creation of an Early Childhood Coalition is the formation of the inaugural Board of Directors. Lily Virden, representing Wee Care; Tara Anderson of Silver Thread Public Health District; Corrine Jaegar representing the Hinsdale/Gunnison Early Childhood Coalition; and Kayla Gowdy, parent of a Wee Care student.Among the other topics addressed at the regular workshop on April 1 was the new State requirement for a Wildfire Resiliency Code, which will be analyzed before adoption. Also presented was a tour of the updated Flood Risk Draft Map presented by Deputy Assessor Sarah Tubbs.Commissioners received a request from County Veterans Affair Officer Mike Harrington to add two men to the Hinsdale County Veteran’s Memorial located in the park by the Courthouse. Edwin ‘Ed’ Nettleton and Francis James ‘Bud’ Weems both served their country and the Lake City community and will have that service enshrined.A potential Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Town of Lake City and Hinsdale County regarding the efforts to implement the Comprehensive Housing Plan was discussed.In previous discussions between the two entities, it was determined that each would pursue funding to hire a Housing Coordinator to begin implementing the plan, including identifying sustainable funding sources and developing protocols for each aspect of the plan.The IGA under discussion would cover this initial contract and launch of the plan.News from the transfer station is that organic debris, such as brush and tree trimmings, are now less expensive to dispose of, so as to promote fire mitigation by homeowners and contractors. The previous cost was $12.75 per yard and is now $6.35 per yard. This debris will either be chipped on site or will be burned if the conditions allow. Borchers stated that “This is the single most important thing a homeowner can do to protect themselves.”
Hinsdale County Commissioners held a Special Workshop on Tuesday, April 21 to discuss the possibility of contracting with Reuben Farnsworth of Rockstar Education and Consulting to assist Hinsdale County EMS through a transition period following the resignation of Chief Paramedic Brad Jones.Hinsdale Commissioners Kristie Borchers and Robert Hurd attended the meeting in person, Commissioner Greg Levine attending the workshop remotely via Zoom.EMS Director Katherine Heidt was also present in the meeting room, while EMS Medical Director Dr. Avery MacKenzie and Rueben Farnsworth attended virtually. Following introductions, Farnsworth recited an impressive list of qualifications and accomplishments, most relevant to the discussion being his decades of experience working on the Western Slope as a Paramedic and his experience educating Basic and Advanced EMTs.MacKenzie stated she has worked with Farnsworth for many years and seemed pleased the Commissioners were contemplating bringing him in to support the Hinsdale EMS system.Responding to comments and questions from the Board, Farnsworth noted he had already consulted with Heidt about shared priorities, with the number one priority being to make sure Hinsdale County has good solid coverage over the upcoming summer season.He went on to talk about ideas to get the current EMT students on the verge of graduating the practical experience they need to qualify for their certification.Farnsworth indicated he is contemplating how to grow relationships with regional partners and develop some type of paramedic sharing program that could benefit a number of the smaller systems in the mountain region. The first order of business, he said, is to move Hinsdale from BLS (Basic Life Support) to ALS (Advanced Life Support) as quickly as possible.Commissioners and MacKenzie went back and forth with ideas as to the scope of work they will want from Farnsworth but left much to be hammered out in Executive Session on Wednesday, April 22, including compensation.In the early afternoon special meeting and workshop on April 22, following the board’s regular meeting in the morning, Commissioners hosted Farnsworth in person during an executive session held for the purposes of negotiation.Before adjourning the meeting, Borchers announced there will be another special meeting commencing 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 29, to review the potential contract.