Community – The Durango Herald

Fairgrounds Speedway weekend races to honor JD Minor, who died in June crash

The event will raise money for teen’s family and Hurst family

DATE: Jul 18, 2024 | CATEGORY: Community

Mancos couple and infant killed in collision near Moab

Family was traveling home from a softball competition

DATE: Jul 15, 2024 | CATEGORY: Community

Bar-D Wranglers’ Gary Cook performs following triple bypass surgery in June

Despite missing three weeks, musician didn’t wait long before returning to stage with Durango band Bar D Chuckwagon guitarist and vocalist Gary Cook and his family were preparing to go to di...

DATE: Jul 6, 2024 | CATEGORY: Community

One person is flown to hospital after crash on Colorado 184 outside Mancos

Crash occurs near scene of fatal crash last week

DATE: Jul 1, 2024 | CATEGORY: Community

Update: Candlelight vigil planned for Dolores student killed in crash

The vigil will honor Jesse “JD” Minor, who died on Tuesday

DATE: Jun 30, 2024 | CATEGORY: Community

Historic Cortez coloring book now available in town

The coloring book includes artwork from a plethora of local artists

DATE: Jun 28, 2024 | CATEGORY: Community

Dolores dog faces long recovery after severe abuse; suspect awaits trial

Dog suffers piercing head wounds, undergoes surgeries

DATE: Jun 20, 2024 | CATEGORY: Community

Photo: Making a new friend

Fifth annual BurroFest held Saturday in Mancos

DATE: Jun 15, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

Bob Banks’ vision and memory honored through Western Heritage Award

Rodeo arena in Montezuma County named after beloved community member

DATE: Jun 8, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo bonds people together

Sense of community at rodeo inspires Cortez business owners attending Friday’s event

DATE: Jun 8, 2024 | CATEGORY: Community

Sgt. Moran to be honored at upcoming Beyond the Call of Duty visit in Cortez

The traveling memorial will make a stop in Cortez on Sunday

DATE: Jun 7, 2024 | CATEGORY: Community

Montezuma School District providing free meals for local youths in summer

There is no cost to sign up for the program

DATE: May 29, 2024 | CATEGORY: Education

1
2
3
4
5
6
Next ›

Photos: ‘Mini Takes the States’ tour stops in DurangoHundreds of Mini Cooper vehicles occupy Fort Lewis College on Sunday; Participants began the journey in Albuquerque and will finish in Seattle

Hundreds of Mini Cooper vehicles occupy Fort Lewis College on Sunday; Participants began the journey in Albuquerque and will finish in Seattle

Photos: Boxing returns to DurangoAnimus on the Animas: 1st Annual Durango Boxing Classic at the Durango Main Mall on Saturday

Animus on the Animas: 1st Annual Durango Boxing Classic at the Durango Main Mall on Saturday

Photos and video: Going for the gold by devouring piesContestants try their best to win the Oscar’s Pie Eating Contest on Friday in Durango

Contestants try their best to win the Oscar’s Pie Eating Contest on Friday in Durango

Photo: Fireworks light the sky in DurangoDurango celebrates Independence Day on Thursday night

Durango celebrates Independence Day on Thursday night

Photos: Working with woodLocal craftsman uses wood joinery, rather than nails or screws to construct homes and other structures

Local craftsman uses wood joinery, rather than nails or screws to construct homes and other structures

2024 Fourth of July Parade draws crowd Thursday in downtown Durango

Photos: Downtown Durango hosts Fourth of July ParadeDowntown sidewalks were full for Thursday’s celebration

Downtown sidewalks were full for Thursday’s celebration

Durango Rotary Club, Parks and Recreation department host Independence Day events

Law enforcement conducts active threat training at Park Elementary SchoolResidents may see and hear police activity Thursday and Friday

Law enforcement agencies across Southwest Colorado sent officers to participate in active threat training this week at Park Elementary School in Durango. Those in the neighborhood can expect police vehicles parked on the premises, officers in tactical gear conducting exercises inside and outside the school, and signs advising that training is in progress. The sounds of shouting, airsoft weapons and the popping of a starter pistol will also be audible near the school, said Karla Sluis, spokeswoman for Durango School District 9-R.Sluis said that members of the school district’s safety department have gone door-to-door with flyers notifying residents around Park Elementary School about the training.

Hosted by the Durango Police Department and the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, this week’s voluntary training invited officers from law enforcement agencies across a five-county region of Southwest Colorado encompassing La Plata, Archuleta, San Juan, Montezuma and Dolores counties.

La Plata County Sheriff’s Office deputy Mike Latham, lead instructor for this week's training, said Wednesday and the first half of Thursday were mostly preparatory, teaching officers the school’s layout and devising scenarios, whereas the latter half of Thursday and Friday residents should anticipate some noise as active threat scenarios play out.

Latham said active threat training teaches officers proper protocol during active threat scenarios, especially in densely populated areas where they have become increasingly common.Park Elementary School is not the only Durango School District facility law enforcement has conducted active threat training. Latham said schools lend themselves well to this sort of training because, “It gives us all kinds of doors to work on, different rooms, different scenarios we can run. We can pretend it’s a mall with nice big corridors, we can even pretend it’s an outdoor area in the gymnasium.”Latham has participated in active threat training multiple times in the past and described the drills as exhilarating and nerve-wracking. He said one of the training’s main goals is teaching officers how to manage stress and remain calm with lives on the line.

“I take a pulse oximeter in the morning and get a baseline on their heart rates,” Latham said. “And sometimes, just before they’re about to engage a threat, I say ‘Timeout.’ Put it (the oximeter) on there, and their heart rate’s skyrocketed to 140, 150, 160 just in training.”

Latham said throughout his career active threat training has evolved to become safer for officers and fall in line with increasingly professional police standards.“When I first started we were just running into halls and rooms hoping for the best,” Latham said. “Now the tactic is still to get there, still stop the taking of lives, but tactics are much better than they were 20 years ago.”

Residents may see and hear police activity Thursday and Friday

Photos: Flower powerDurango Botanic Gardens holds 11th annual ‘Gardens on Tour’ on Saturday

Durango Botanic Gardens holds 11th annual ‘Gardens on Tour’ on Saturday

Fairgrounds Speedway weekend races to honor JD Minor, who died in June crash

Mancos couple and infant killed in collision near Moab

Bar-D Wranglers’ Gary Cook performs following triple bypass surgery in June

One person is flown to hospital after crash on Colorado 184 outside Mancos

Update: Candlelight vigil planned for Dolores student killed in crash

Historic Cortez coloring book now available in town

Dolores dog faces long recovery after severe abuse; suspect awaits trial

Photo: Making a new friend

Bob Banks’ vision and memory honored through Western Heritage Award

Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo bonds people together

Sgt. Moran to be honored at upcoming Beyond the Call of Duty visit in Cortez

Montezuma School District providing free meals for local youths in summer

Videos & Photos

Search Directory Plus

Most Popular

Most Recent

Ballantine Communications, Inc.

Contact Us

Find Us