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The EPA water treatment plant in Gladstone.

The EPA water treatment plant in Gladstone.

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Key Accomplishments since National Priorities Listing

News Staff
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Update provided by the Environmental Protection Agency Bonita Peak Since the Gold King Mine release in 2015, EPA has made it a priority to tackle the complex challenges at the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site.
SJDA First Silver donor

SJDA First Silver donor

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SJDA First Silver donor

News Staff
Thursday, August 7, 2025
San Juan Development announces they have their first Silver Sponsor for the Town Entryway Signage which is from the Coffee Bear owner Holly Huebner. A Silver Sponsor is a $1k donation towards the new town entry way signage. Thank you Holly for being the first to become a Silver Sponsor!
Photo credit DeAnne Gallegos Two Silverton locals making winter plans with the stack of firewood that San Juan Firewood has and is processing for locals who will need firewood soon.

Photo credit DeAnne Gallegos Two Silverton locals making winter plans with the stack of firewood that San Juan Firewood has and is processing for locals who will need firewood soon.

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Two Silverton locals making winter plans

News Staff
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Two Silverton locals making winter plans
Photo of Ernie Kuhlman on May 04 2024 when interviewed about Hardrockers. Photo by DeAnne Gallegos

Photo of Ernie Kuhlman on May 04 2024 when interviewed about Hardrockers. Photo by DeAnne Gallegos

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Hardrockers Holidays honors Ernie Kuhlman

Deanne Gallegos
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Hardrockers Holiday is going on its 51st year of the annual Hardrock mining competition and event this weekend over at Kendall Mountain Recreation Area Friday through Sunday Aug 8-10. One major change this year is the loss of one of its longest supporters, Ernie Kuhlman.

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Looking Back!

News Staff
Thursday, August 7, 2025
20 Years Ago Aug 5, 2005 Anyone reading the Durango Herald last weekend must think Silverton is exploding with growth.
Photo Courtesy of: San Juan County Historical Society Costumed characters on Blair Street involved in promotion of tourist business along the street. Group of six is posed on the porch of the structure at 1154 Blair, owned at the time by the Bairds. Left to right: Sarah (Sally) Waddington, Betsy Baird, Gregory Greene, Ralph O. Baird, “Tulsa Kid” (name not cited), Ray Irwin. Photographer was Herold Waddington. So ... who was the Tulsa Kid?

Photo Courtesy of: San Juan County Historical Society Costumed characters on Blair Street involved in promotion of tourist business along the street. Group of six is posed on the porch of the structure at 1154 Blair, owned at the time by the Bairds. Left to right: Sarah (Sally) Waddington, Betsy Baird, Gregory Greene, Ralph O. Baird, “Tulsa Kid” (name not cited), Ray Irwin. Photographer was Herold Waddington. So ... who was the Tulsa Kid?

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Way Back!

News Staff
Thursday, August 7, 2025
EUREKA SCHOOL. The school board, Monday night, purchased the Montague property on Snowden Ave., between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets. The property consists of two buildings, one of which will be converted into a primary department of the school. Consideration $1,800.

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In Brief

News Staff
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Asking for Patience: This Weeks paper was a little rough. Our editor Katey Fetch had an early delivery and that of course is priority over the newspaper. We scrambled and got it to print but some sections are taking a week break, and we will get back to regular business next week.
San Juan County Commissioner Pete McKay examines the Gold King 7 portal above Gladstone on Monday Aug 10 2015 photo by Farmington Times

San Juan County Commissioner Pete McKay examines the Gold King 7 portal above Gladstone on Monday Aug 10 2015 photo by Farmington Times

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The Gold King Mine Spill happened ten years ago

Deanne Gallegos
Thursday, August 7, 2025
On August 5th, 2015, the EPA caused an environmental disaster that sent 3 million gallons of orange water down Cement Creek, through the heart of Silverton and into the confluence of the Animas River from the Gold King Mine up in Gladstone.
Photo by Will Meyerriecks Silverton Standard & the Miner The plume of mine waste from the Gold King flows through Silverton on Wednesday afternoon Aug5.

Photo by Will Meyerriecks Silverton Standard & the Miner The plume of mine waste from the Gold King flows through Silverton on Wednesday afternoon Aug5.

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EPA: ‘We recognize we have lessons to learn’ (first ran 8_13_15)

Mark Esper
Thursday, August 7, 2025
The estimated 3 million gallons of mine waste that burst from an earthen bank at the Gold King and swept into Cement Creek on Wednesday morning, Aug. 5, tainted the Animas River and triggered disaster declarations throughout the region.
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