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The Prowers Journal Site Has Moved

The Prowers Journal Site Has Moved

The Prowers Journal website has been permanently moved to a new hosting company.  Please go to theprowersjournal.com to access the most up to date news in Prowers County.  Don’t forget to update your bookmarks to reflect this change. To better serve you, the Prowers Journal has upgraded its website.  The site offers a new, more streamlined appearance making it easier to find the news that is important to you.  The site also includes additional features such … Read entire article »

Filed under: Agriculture, Art, Business, Business of the Week, Chamber/Local Business, Churches, City, College, Commissioners, community, County, Economy, Education, Employment, Energy, Entertainment, Events, Featured, Festival, Granada, Health, History, Holly, Lamar, Law Enforcement, Letters to the Editor, Media, News, Notice, Obituary, Police Reports, Politics, Public Safety, Recreation, School, Sports, The Journal Alert, Tourism, Transportation, Utilities, Weather, Wiley, Youth

LUB Reviews Financials, Approves Scholarship Renewals

LUB Reviews Financials, Approves Scholarship Renewals

The Lamar Utility Board reported that Year to Date electric sales through May of this year were 4.2% lower than the same time last year.  Residential, commercial and industrial customer sales were off 5% and irrigation loads were down approximately 16% compared to the same time last year.  Total operating revenues for 2012 are $4,426,444 and total operating costs are $3,414,759.  Net income for the Lamar Light Plant is at $715,961, Year to Date.  Compared … Read entire article »

Filed under: Agriculture, Business, community, Employment, Energy, Featured, Lamar, News, Public Safety, Utilities, Youth

Motel Lodger’s Tax Proposed to Lamar City Council for November Ballot

Motel Lodger’s Tax Proposed to Lamar City Council for November Ballot

Lamar voters should decide this November to approve a proposed lodgers or pillow tax on motel room rentals.   As outlined during the city council work session on Monday, July 9, by Shawna Hodge, Lamar Main Street Director, and Pat Palmer, President of the Prowers Lodging Tax Panel, the proposed tax will levy a simple $2 fee on each motel or Bed & Breakfast room rented in the City of Lamar.   The fee, Hodge explained, will … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, Chamber/Local Business, Commissioners, community, County, Economy, Energy, Entertainment, Events, Featured, Holly, Lamar, News, Recreation, Tourism, Utilities, Weather

Planned July 11th Power Outage for Holly

Planned July 11th Power Outage for Holly

Town of Holly Administrator Marsha Willhite annouced Monday, July 9, that an electric power interruption is scheduled for Wednesday, July 11 which will affect only certain areas of the Holly system. The planned interruption is necessary to facilitat the installation of a substation regulator.  Those customers who reside or do business in the following areas will be affected by the outage: North of Park Street to the Buffalo Canal, between Eighth Street and CR 35. Between Park Street … Read entire article »

Filed under: Agriculture, Business, City, community, Economy, Energy, Featured, Holly, News, Notice, Public Safety, Utilities

State Drought Assessment

State Drought Assessment

June 2012 Drought Update for Colorado from Colorado Water Conservation Board—  The persistence of above temperatures throughout the state continues to exacerbate persistently dry conditions on the west slope and parts of the eastern plains.  Some areas of the state have received good June precipitation.  However, high temperatures and winds have decreased the beneficial moisture.  Municipalities are reporting increased demand and decreasing storage volumes.  Some have implemented restrictions.  Evapotranspiration rates are at, or near, all time … Read entire article »

Filed under: Agriculture, Business, community, County, Economy, Energy, Featured, Health, News, Public Safety, Recreation, Weather

Light Plant Makes Additional Storm Damage Insurance Claims

Light Plant Makes Additional Storm Damage Insurance Claims

  The Lamar Utility Board held a brief meeting this past Tuesday, June 26 before adjourning into executive session to receive legal advice regarding WildEarth Guardian litigation and legal questions pertaining to the Lamar Repowering project.  Board members awarded several bids:  $115,048 to Altec Industries for a 2012 Bucket Truck with an aerial device; $29,326 for wooden replacement poles to Bell Lumber & Pole; $76,990 to Western United for steel poles and $12,778 for deadend assemblies for … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, community, Economy, Energy, Lamar, News, Public Safety, Utilities

Lamar Administrator Search Down to Final Five

Lamar Administrator Search Down to Final Five

Interim Lamar City Administrator Steven Rabe told the council that five finalists for the permanent city administrator position have been made aware of their status. Seven persons were given phone interviews on June 18 and 19 by Rabe, and based on those interviews, plus additional information on the candidates, five are being forwarded to the council for its consideration. The five are: Carlo Pilgrim of Boothbay, Maine, Fred Ventresco of Wilmington, Vermont, Eric Strahl of … Read entire article »

Filed under: Agriculture, Business, community, Employment, Energy, Entertainment, Events, Featured, Festival, Health, Holly, Lamar, Law Enforcement, News, Police Reports, Public Safety, Recreation, Utilities, Weather

Hourieh Accepts Superintendent Position at LUB, Recaps Latest Storm Damage

Hourieh Accepts Superintendent Position at LUB, Recaps Latest Storm Damage

  The agenda for the June 12, 2012 Lamar Utility Board meeting was pushed back to the next regularly scheduled meeting, June 26.  There weren’t sufficient board members available to form a quorum and no action could be taken on the agenda, although there was an informal discussion on some subjects that did not require a board vote.  It was noted that during the last executive session conducted by the board, members offered interim Light Plant … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, community, Economy, Employment, Energy, Featured, Lamar, News, Public Safety, Utilities

Alta Vista Charter School Receives National Recognition for Sustainable Design

Alta Vista Charter School Receives National Recognition for Sustainable Design

  Denver, CO (June 7, 2012) – SLATERPAULL Architects and JHL Constructors, Inc. announce that Alta Vista Charter School (AVCS) in Lamar, Colorado has been named as the first project in the state to attain the Verified Leader certification by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) as a healthy, high performance, green school.  CHPS is a national organization dedicated to optimizing K-12 learning environments and improving student performance and the entire educational experience by building … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, community, Economy, Education, Energy, Featured, Health, Lamar, News, Public Safety, Recreation, School, Utilities, Weather, Youth

Weekend Storm Clean Up Continues in Lamar ( additional pix)

Weekend Storm Clean Up Continues in Lamar ( additional pix)

Clean up efforts got underway in earnest on Sunday, June 3, following the damage from Saturday’s severe thunderstorm which produced winds in town and at the Lamar Airport at 66mph.     Power was knocked out to a portion of south Lamar, mostly between Savage Avenue and West Cedar Street. Electricity was restored by emergency crews from Lamar Light and Power by around 7:30 Saturday evening, although repair operations extended until almost midnight.   Interim Light Plant Superintendent, … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, community, County, Energy, Featured, Lamar, News, Public Safety, Recreation, The Journal Alert, Utilities, Weather

ARPA/Repowering Project Letter of Support from Area Mayors

ARPA/Repowering Project Letter of Support from Area Mayors

The Lamar City Council recently ratified Mayor Roger Stagner’s signature on a letter in support of ARPA’s efforts to put the Repowering Project back on line.  The coal fired plant has been out of operation since early 2011.  It is not currently able to produce electricity at full capacity, or achieve full output without exceeding the limitations of the state-granted air quality permit.  ARPA and the Lamar Utility Board have been involved in litigation with WildEarth Guardians, a group concerned with … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, community, County, Economy, Employment, Energy, Holly, Lamar, News, Utilities

Economic Growth and Jobs Tops List of Needs Among Commissioner Candidates

Economic Growth and Jobs Tops List of Needs Among Commissioner Candidates

Developing jobs, protecting and preserving water, improving county roads and bridges, asserting commissioner rights, attracting business…these were the main topics of discussion during a Prowers County Commissioners candidate’s forum sponsored by Voices of Southeast Colorado, Thursday, May 31.  Perhaps three dozen residents and all seven candidates vying for two Prowers County Commissioner seats this November attended the forum.  The candidates took questions from the audience and presented opening remarks at the outset.  While some candidates have held … Read entire article »

Filed under: Agriculture, Business, City, Commissioners, community, County, Economy, Education, Employment, Energy, Featured, Granada, Health, Holly, Lamar, News, Politics, Recreation, Utilities, Wiley, Youth

Lamar Light Plant Took $125,260 Equipment Hit from April Tornado

Lamar Light Plant Took $125,260 Equipment Hit from April Tornado

  The April 27 tornado in Prowers County caused $125,260.33 in equipment damage for Lamar Light and Power.  The figures were presented by interim Light Plant Superintendent Houssin Hourieh during the May 29 meeting of the Lamar Utilities Board.  The City of Lamar’s insurance carrier, CIRSA has been given the cost of damages for reimbursement.  The five wind turbines were given a satisfactory clean-bill-of-health by the Light Plant inspection crew during their semi-annual maintenance and inspection.  No … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, County, Economy, Energy, Featured, Holly, Lamar, News, Public Safety, Utilities

Lamar Council Authorizes Letter of Support for ARPA, New Van for Library

Lamar Council Authorizes Letter of Support for ARPA, New Van for Library

  Lamar Mayor, Roger Stagner, signed a letter of support as requested by the City of La Junta, asking the City of Trinidad, an ARPA member, to reconsider its lawsuit against Arkansas River Power Authority. The letter also asks that efforts be made by ARPA and member cities, to find mutually acceptable solutions to the Lamar Repowering Project at this time. The Lamar City Council approved a motion authorizing Mayor Stagner’s signature on the letter, which … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, community, County, Economy, Education, Energy, Entertainment, Featured, Holly, Lamar, Law Enforcement, News, Public Safety, Recreation, Transportation

Lamar Rotary Hosts Ducky Dash Winners

Lamar Rotary Hosts Ducky Dash Winners

  “We earned about $7,200 from the Ducky Dash sales,” said Mike Renkin of the Lamar Rotary this past Thursday.  Renkin was referring to the Rotary’s annual Ducky Dash race held Sunday during Lamar Days activities.  Tickets are sold for the fundraiser and prizes awarded to the first three ducks that pass the finish line in the Lamar Canal.  Jana Weimer won $750 for having her duck place first; Franco Northrup won $500 and Deloach’s Water won third … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, College, community, County, Economy, Education, Energy, Entertainment, Lamar, News

LUB Assesses Tornado Damages

LUB Assesses Tornado Damages

  The April 27 tornado depleted Lamar Light and Power’s inventory with needed replacements for the electrical distribution system.  Interim Light Plant Superintendent Houssin Hourieh said power was finally restored to the entire service area after 16 hours.  The tornados knocked down or damaged 16 steel poles, 29 wooden poles, 11 pole mount transformers, 40 cross arms, two circuit closers and a two-way radio repeater.   There were sufficient materials in stock to cover most of the repairs, … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, College, community, County, Economy, Education, Energy, Granada, Holly, Lamar, News, Public Safety, Utilities, Weather, Wiley

Council Investigates Energy Efficiency Plan for Municipal Buildings

Council Investigates Energy Efficiency Plan for Municipal Buildings

  The council approved an agreement for a utility easement for a right of way for water lines which are not located in a public right of way.  The easement agreement from private landowners was needed to build the new line which will provide service to Prowers Medical Center along Kendall Drive.  The installment of new water lines is the fourth phase of a water infrastructure improvement plan initiated by the city several years ago.  The … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, community, Economy, Education, Energy, Featured, Lamar, News, Police Reports, Public Safety, Recreation, Transportation, Utilities, Youth

Nolder, PCDI Earn State Economic Development Awards

Nolder, PCDI Earn State Economic Development Awards

Economic Development Council of Colorado Presents Annual Awards at Spring Conference in Estes Park  The Economic Development Council of Colorado, the professional association of economic developers in Colorado, presented its annual awards for excellence at its Spring Conference in Estes Park on Friday, April 27th. The awards luncheon recognized five categories of winners including Volunteer of the Year, Small and Large Communities of the Year, Rookie of the Year and the Economic Development Achievement Award, presented … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, community, County, Economy, Education, Employment, Energy, Granada, Holly, Lamar, News, The Journal Alert, Wiley

ARPA Files Notice of Intent to Sue Trinidad over Breach of Fiduciary Duties

ARPA Files Notice of Intent to Sue Trinidad over Breach of Fiduciary Duties

The Arkansas River Power Authority (ARPA) notified the City of Trinidad April 30 it intends to file a lawsuit against Trinidad for a breach of fiduciary duties. ARPA recently discovered that Trinidad legal counsel has been assisting the environmental group Wildearth Guardians (WEG) with its lawsuit against ARPA.   Although Trinidad has complained that ARPA has been sued in two separate lawsuits by WEG, it now appears that Trinidad’s representatives have been communicating and providing legal … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, City, community, Economy, Employment, Energy, Lamar, News, Utilities

Position Statement from City of Trinidad Re: ARPA Mediation

Position Statement from City of Trinidad Re: ARPA Mediation

ARPA Wants More Money and More Time— ARPA Management and Some Board Members Want 18 More Months of Conversion to Natural Gas  April 24, 2012 Denver, Co. – Two days of mediation with a Court-appointed mediator ended Friday, with no resolution for the Lamar Repowering Project (LRP) that has yet to produce electric power in compliance with the law.  Representatives from the City of Trinidad, Colorado met all day Thursday and Friday with ARPA lawyers, managers and … Read entire article »

Filed under: Business, community, Economy, Energy, Lamar, News, Utilities

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