Otero County

Results from Saturday's Democrat Caucuses in southeast Colorado.

The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin construction on an eight-mile segment of U.S. Highway 50 between Fowler and Manzanola in March which will cause a full closure of the road and a detour on to Highways 96 and 71.

The closure and detour for the $11 million project are set to begin March 16 as CDOT works to widen and lengthen a passing lane, repair bridges and rebuild the crumbling roadway. CDOT is closing the highway during construction period for the safety of workers.

A three-hour beef quality assurance class will be held at Otero Junior College, allowing participants to earn or renew their certification.

A meeting of the Lower Arkansas Valley Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council will be held January 21 at the Lamar Senior Opportunity Center, 407 East Olive in Lamar. Snacks will be served beginning at 11:00 a.m., with the meeting starting at 11:30 a.m. 

Otero County in southeast Colorado was rated the least livable in the state - at least among counties with populations over 10,000 people.

Billie Jean Gooden

May 30, 1934 - August 13, 2019

Billie Gooden, 85, of La Junta, passed away unexpectedly August 13, 2019, in Aurora. Billie was born on May 30, 1934, to Bill and Ruby Whitman, and was the second born of six daughters. She married her high school sweetheart, Tom Gooden, June 6, 1952, in Raton, New Mexico. He preceded her in death March 18, 2007. They had four children.

Ruth Ella Whorton 

January 28, 1941 - July 24, 2019 

Ruth Ella Whorton, 78, of La Junta, and more recently of Greeley, died Wednesday, July 24, at Garden Square Assisted Living and Memory Care Center in Greeley. Ruth was born in Kermit, Texas, January 28, 1941, to Edna Pauline (Thomas) Eagle and Melvin Greer Eagle. 

Author Kellen Cutsforth will be the featured speaker at the next meeting of the Bent's Fort Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association.

Employees Ryan Davis and Robby Froman are purchasing WW Feed and Supply in La Junta.

A wide variety of craft brew beer flavors will be available for tasting at the Arkansas Valley Brew Fest June 8 in La Junta.