Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
The Star · Fort Collins, CO
Nearby: Fort Collins, COGulf County has spent time discussing the rules surrounding short-term vacation rentals. The Port St. Joe Star reported that county commissioners considered practical concerns, including whether emergency responders could enter certain rental properties when an owner was far away. It is easy to frame that conversation as a contest between property rights and regulation. There is another question worth asking alongside it: how does a place welcome visitors without forgetting the people who live beside the rental all year? A guest may arrive for a weekend to enjoy the coast. A neighbor stays through the ordinary school weeks, the storm preparations, the quieter business seasons, and the evenings when a street needs to be a home rather than a destination. The two do not have to be enemies. But their needs do have to be seen honestly. Jesus gave a practical shape to neighborly love in Luke 10:30–37.
Brainerd Dispatch · Loveland, CO
Nearby: Loveland, COIsaiah Santos has had a big week. The Katy, Texas, senior turned 18 on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, the four-star small forward signed with the Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball program. Santos is the lone member of the Gophers' 2027 recruiting class, but he’s a highly regarded piece. He is ranked 47th in the nation, per ESPN’s Next 100, and checks in at 59th in 247Sports’ Composite. Here are seven things to know about Santos, head coach Niko Medved’s assessment and the Gophers’ recruiting process during this cycle. ‘Powerful’ Santos is listed at 6 feet 5 and 210 pounds; he uses all of that to play a physical, athletic, high-energy brand of basketball. During his junior year at Seven Lakes High School, he averaged 22.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game and was named the all-Greater Houston boys basketball player of the year for the 2025-26 season. “Isaiah is a powerful wing who plays with a high motor,” head coach Niko Medved said in a statement Wednesday.
Western Nebraska Observer · Greeley, CO
Nearby: Greeley, COA Look Back In The Observer’s Archives 110 YearsAgo November 9, 1916 TWO SMALLFIRES IN KIMBALL EARLYMONDAYMORNING Kimball had two small fires Sunday night and Monday morning. The first time the fire company was called to the P. Nelson place north of the U. P. tracks. The fire proved to be in a pile of straw near the barn. Very little damage was done. Monday morning the company was called to the rear of the Toggery store where Mr. Lindberg and others were battling with a lively gasoline blaze. Mr. Lindberg had been cleaning some furs in a machine. A spark was generated by the machine causing the gas to ignite. By the time the fire boys arrived the few men present had the fire almost extinguished. 100 YearsAgo November 11, 1926 OLD SETTLERS FORM CLUB The Kimball Lions club entertained the old timers of this section of 40 years or more at luncheon Tuesday at the Presbyterian church. There were twenty in attendance. Several absent answering the invitation, sending regrets. Dr.
High Country News · Estes Park, CO
Nearby: Estes Park, COIn September, members of the HCN staff and board gathered in Estes Park, Colorado, to reconnect and reset after another year of hard work. The aspen leaves were going gold on the hillsides, elk lumbered about the grounds, and there was even a dusting of snow up high one morning. The gathering started with the board’s fall business meeting, where we heard from the management team about our 2027 budget. We’re projecting a spending increase from roughly $4.3 million this year to a little over $4.4 million next. The most significant bumps will come in payroll, taxes and benefits, which make up 58% of our expenses for the year, and the budget for freelance writers and photographers, which constitutes another 14% of our annual spending. We’ll pay for all of this with a combination of donations, grants and “earned revenue,” including subscriptions and ad sales. Mia Axon, our acting director of philanthropy, noted that HCN’s financial strength springs from the generosity of our readers.
Sentinel Colorado · Ward, CO
Nearby: Ward, COAURORA | Former Aurora Mayor Bob LeGare announced today he will seek the Ward VI seat on the Aurora City Council in next year’s city council election. LeGare said he sees a city facing myriad issues that can benefit from his longtime experience and willingness to work collaboratively with fellow lawmakers. “Experience taught me that council members can disagree strongly and still treat one another, and the public, with respect. Ward VI deserves a representative who can get to work on day one,” LeGare said in a statement. “Aurora deserves a council that uses all the experience available to it. That’s what I hope to contribute.” Current Ward VI Councilmember Francoise Bergan is term limited. The city council election is next November, and so far, the only other official announcement has come from Omar Montgomery, who has announced in the race for Aurora mayor.
The Daily Sentinel · Westminster, CO
Nearby: Westminster, COThe DS420 hearse, operated by Leverton & Sons, transported the princess from Westminster Abbey to Northamptonshire as millions around the world watched in September 1997.
South Dakota Searchlight · Cheyenne, WY
Nearby: Cheyenne, WYWhile Rapid City residents debate whether data centers belong in their backyard, a homegrown corporation is quietly anchoring some of the largest tech developments in the country — just across the state line. Back home, its South Dakota electricity customers face substantial rate increases. Meanwhile, Black Hills Corp. expects to earn $150 million annually by 2030 from supplying electricity to Google. That’s more than half the $291.6 million that Black Hills Corp. earned for shareholders in 2025. On Nov. 5, Google announced a $17 billion investment in a data center near Cheyenne, Wyoming. Rapid City-based Black Hills Corp., parent company of Black Hills Energy, has agreed to help power it. Black Hills plans to invest $1.8 billion in natural gas generating plants and coordinate electricity from other producers through a privately managed power system.
Montana Free Press · Cheyenne, WY
Nearby: Cheyenne, WYThe Air Force is exploring the reactivation of a north-central Montana nuclear missile field, roughly the size of Rhode Island, as part of the Department of Defense’s Sentinel project to replace the land-based arsenal of intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs. The area under consideration includes 50 missile silos that make up the 564th Missile Squadron, which spans the area between Dutton and Shelby and was officially deactivated in 2008. The proposed reactivation of the 564th has recently been included in a supplemental environmental impact statement being prepared by the Air Force. The proposal would be yet another expansion of the $140 billion Sentinel project, which has already seen delays and a pivot toward digging new silos after initially planning to use the original ones. A government review was ordered in 2024 after project costs grew by 81%. The U.S.
Arvada Press · Arvada, CO
Nearby: Arvada, COArvada Mayor Lauren Simpson announced that she is running for a second term. Photo by Rylee Dunn Three years after her historic election as Arvada’s first voted-in female mayor, Lauren Simpson has announced her intention to run for a second term in 2027. Simpson — who served as a District 2 city councilmember from 2019 to 2023 before her first mayoral election in 2023 — touted progress on homelessness, public safety and Arvada’s roadway network as major wins of her first term. During that time, the city team has also begun long-term work on improvements to Arvada’s water infrastructure, emergency response networks and Gold Strike Park. Simpson said that she is seeking a second term because of her love for the local community and desire to oversee the culmination of long-term projects, while maintaining Arvada’s “Mayberry-ish charm.” “I'm just Lauren, and I hope people know that I'm a resident of the city too,” Simpson said.
Arvada Press · Arvada, CO
Nearby: Arvada, COMonths after Silver Vines Winery announced the closure of its Arvada and Boulder tasting rooms, its owners have shared that the Olde Town staple will live on, about a mile from its former location. Kristin and Jeff Chayer, the latter of whom founded Silver Vines in 2011, said that in January 2027, the winery will open its production facility (located at 6340 W. 56th Avenue #5 in Arvada) for barrel tastings, chef-paired dinners, live music, and behind-the-scenes tours of the winemaking process. The Olde Town tasting room will close on Dec. 23. The facility on 56th Avenue has long been Silver Vines’ production facility, and the Chayers will spend the next few months transforming the space into an all-in-one winery and tasting room. Jeff said the “new chapter” will allow customers to see the entire winemaking process — and, in some cases, be a part of it. “We really want to show people how wine is made,” Jeff said.
Arvada Press · Arvada, CO
Nearby: Arvada, COLisa Feret. File photo With most of the ballots counted, unofficial results show Democrat Lisa Feret with a lead over Republican Kristopher Johnson, signalling that Feret will earn a second term as the District 24 Representative in the Colorado State House. Feret, a former Arvada City Council member, was first elected in 2024. As of returns tabulated by 12:20 a.m. on Nov. 4, Feret held 25,669 votes (64%), while Johnson held 14,215 (35%). Feret said she was looking forward to serving another term in the state house. “I couldn’t be more excited to serve this community for another two years,” Feret said. “I know we will be able to create real meaningful policy with the people we elected in Colorado. Now let’s get to work!” Feret also thanked Johnson for running what she called a “clean race.” “(I’m) Especially grateful for the ability to run a clean race, focused on issues and policy,” Feret said.
Arvada Press · Arvada, CO
Nearby: Arvada, COThe Arvada Fire Protection District is asking voters to decide on a 1% sales tax hike to help with its funding. Courtesy photo With most of the ballots counted, unofficial results show voters are leaning towards rejecting Ballot Question 6C, a 1% sales tax increase to fund the Arvada Fire Protection District (AFPD). As of returns tabulated by 4 p.m. on Nov. 4, the ballot question had 32,256 votes for it (49.33%) and 33,130 votes against (50.67%). The last few rounds of results have seen the ballot measure’s slim margins hold steady, with a consistent advantage of about 800 votes in the negative direction. Arvada Fire Chief Kirk Lock said it was “unlikely” that results would flip back in the district’s favor.“Although results are not yet official, Issue 6C appears unlikely to pass,” Lock said.
Arvada Press · Arvada, CO
Nearby: Arvada, COHunter Bay’s storefront in Olde Town Arvada. Courtesy photo After 10 years of serving up coffee in Olde Town, Hunter Bay Coffee Roasters will close its Arvada location on Nov. 6, with the coffee shop citing rising costs, accessibility issues, and break-ins as reasons for closure. Hunter Bay will continue its wholesale operations and will “definitely be reopening another cafe” in the Denver metro area once they find a suitable space, according to owner Rob Young. Founded in 1991 in Missoula, Montana, Hunter Bay’s wholesale coffee products are stocked in national grocery chains including Costco, Natural Grocers, Sprouts, King Soopers, Safeway and more. The company moved its roasting operation out of the Olde Town location in January 2024 and relocated it to a 20,000 square-foot facility in Englewood.
Arvada Press · Arvada, CO
Nearby: Arvada, COA city employee examines a homeless encampment. Courtesy photo Arvada City Council took a look at the proposed Homelessness Action Plan at a workshop on Oct. 27 and recommended that the plan — which will govern how the city responds to homelessness through 2030 — move towards adoption with one key stipulation. Arvada has experienced perhaps its most successful year to date in terms of helping folks experiencing homelessness, as the city accomplished its stated goal of moving 65 individuals into permanent housing in September. As of Oct. 27, that figure has risen to 79 individuals who have gotten into permanent housing thanks to the city’s efforts.
Arvada Press · Arvada, CO
Nearby: Arvada, COLori Drienka (left) with Lisa Feret (right) at the Peace Pole in Olde Town. Courtesy photo Local business owner Lori Drienka recently installed two Peace Poles — one at her business, Eli Ashby Healing Arts/Carly’s Boutique, and another at her farmhouse nearby — which she hopes inspires “a little more kindness” in the local community. The Peace Pole movement began in Japan after World War II with the message “May peace prevail on earth.” Traditionally, Peace Poles have that message inscribed in different languages on all sides. Drienka held an unveiling ceremony for the Eli Ashby Healing Arts/Carly’s Boutique (located at 7401 Grandview Avenue) Peace Pole on Oct. 24, which featured drumming, speakers and a moment of quiet reflection. Drienka said she was inspired by a neighbor who had a Peace Pole when she was living in Coal Creek Canyon, and wanted to bring the message of unity to Arvada.
Arvada Press · Arvada, CO
Nearby: Arvada, COBusinesses across Arvada are struggling, and stakeholders within the city are getting involved to help out. Courtesy photo In the wake of recent high-profile business closures in Arvada, stakeholders within the city are ramping up efforts to support local businesses this November. The City of Arvada, Olde Town Arvada Business Improvement District (BID) and Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA) are teaming up to get the word out about Small Business Saturday, set for Nov. 28, and supporting local businesses in general. AEDA Executive Director Mike Tedesco said that times are tough for local businesses, and the organization is looking for ways to give them a boost this winter. “A lot of the smaller businesses are running pretty thin, and expenses are up, which means margins are down and they're looking toward this holiday shopping season,” Tedesco said.
