Virus diseases - The Durango Herald

More cows are getting avian flu in Colorado. Officials are trying to stop it from spreading to humans

Colorado is seeing a rising number of highly pathogenic avian flu cases in cows. State officials told CPR Friday they’re working with the dairy industry to curb the spread. The first case in...

DATE: Jun 22, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Health officials raise alarm over West Nile cases

‘We have a lot of concerns,’ director of clinic and communicable disease says

DATE: Sep 13, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local News

La Plata County resident dies of West Nile virus

This was the state’s second death from the virus this year

DATE: Aug 21, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local News

State health department identifies case of West Nile virus in La Plata County

San Juan Basin Public Health offers guidance on how to mitigate contact with mosquitoes

DATE: Jul 22, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local News

Monkeypox cases remain low in La Plata County

San Juan Basin Public Health finds success stopping spread through communication, background monitoring

DATE: Oct 4, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

La Plata County resident dies with West Nile virus

Ten Coloradans have died so far this year with pathogen

DATE: Oct 4, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

West Nile virus cases in Colorado are up this year

Weather conditions likely contributing to the increase

DATE: Sep 9, 2022 | CATEGORY: Regional News

La Plata County reports its first case of monkeypox

Resident is receiving treatment for the virus

DATE: Aug 9, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

San Juan Basin Public Health amends public health advisory to align with CDC

As cases fall, agency moves to ease masking guidelines and shifts its pandemic response

DATE: Mar 5, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Gray fox in La Plata County tests positive for transmissible disease

Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds residents to vaccinate pets, avoid contact with wild animals

DATE: Feb 8, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

San Juan Basin Public Health adopts new CDC guidelines

Shorter isolation for positive COVID-19 cases and no quarantine for those boosted

DATE: Dec 29, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Montezuma County resident dies from West Nile virus

Statewide, virus has infected 155 people and killed eight

DATE: Oct 26, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Photos: Wrestling at Durango High SchoolDurango High School boys wrestling beat Bayfield High School Tuesday night

Durango High School boys wrestling beat Bayfield High School Tuesday night

Photos: Where there's smoke there's firefightersDurango firefighters take advantage of the old River City Hall building for training

Durango firefighters take advantage of the old River City Hall building for training

Photos: Durango plays Montezuma-Cortez in boys, girls high school basketballDurango girls and boys basketball teams defeat Montezuma-Cortez at DHS

Durango girls and boys basketball teams defeat Montezuma-Cortez at DHS

Year in photos: A look back at Southwest Colorado in 2024Each year brings some of the new and some of the old – breaking news and cherished traditions. It is the people, their emotions, different cultures and varied forms of entertainment that make for impactful images. Add to that Southwest Colorado’s gorgeous scenery, abundant wildlife and range of weather events, and you have the makings for stunning photos. We hope you enjoy Photo Editor Jerry McBride’s photos from 2024.

Each year brings some of the new and some of the old – breaking news and cherished traditions. It is...

Montezuma County DA Christian Hatfield charged with DWICharges come 16 weeks after crash near Farmington, New MexicoMontezuma County District Attorney Christian Hatfield was charged Friday with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs 16 weeks after he crashed his SUV on U.S. Highway 64 outside Bloomfield.The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office charged Hatfield, 59, with petty misdemeanor charge of DWI and an open container in connection to the Aug. 30 single-car crash.The charges come after results from a blood test by the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory showed alcohol and a drug in Hatfield’s body after the crash.

“The results show that at the time of the blood draw, which was approximately eleven hours after the time of the crash due to medical issues, were 0.05 g/100 ml of Ethanol and 0.04 mg/L of Zolpidem (Ambien). Both Ethanol and Ambien are Central Nervous System Depressants,” the law enforcement report states.Two vials of blood were taken from Hatfield at 1:33 p.m. Aug. 30, which was more than 12 hours after the crash occurred about 1 a.m. Those vials were received by the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory at 10:26 a.m. Oct. 11, which was six weeks after the crash, according to records from the lab.An investigation into the blood warrant by The Journal newspaper in Cortez, Colorado, showed that the blood sample sat in a refrigerator at the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office until Oct. 3, because paperwork to send it to the state laboratory was not processed.“I think it’s a non-prosecutable case because of all the errors made by law enforcement,” said Arlon Stoker, a high-profile defense attorney secured by Hatfield to fight the charges.

The charges made by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office are “based on the observations made by law enforcement officers on scene and the presence of intoxicating drugs and liquors in Christian's blood,” according to the report that was given to The Journal by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.Amanda Lavin, legal director for NMFOG, assisted The Journal in accessing public records from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in Aztec. The records had been redacted, leaving out Hatfield’s name and information about the blood warrant filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court.Public records requests by The Journal and the Tri-City Record went unresolved for 14 weeks.The Journal requested body camera footage and lapel camera video on Sept. 3.The Tri-City Record requested any and all warrants, investigative reports and laboratory reports as well as photos, lapel cam videos and dash cam videos on Oct. 23.On Dec. 9, Lavin made the same requests.

The Journal received access to photos and videos in an email on Dec. 19, and Lavin, after making a legal argument for unredacted information, received the full report Dec. 19 and was advised that charges would be forthcoming.The report detailing the crash states that Hatfield was found “unresponsive and barely able to stand” about 1 a.m. Aug. 30 near the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and County Road 5099.Investigators and medics noted a “pungent” odor of alcohol coming from Hatfield, and investigators found “an open 12-ounce can of Mexican Lager with residual liquid inside,” an “empty wine glass,” and a “bottle of Ambien prescribed to Christian,” according to the report.The affidavit for search warrant for blood submitted by sheriff’s deputy Avery Killifer states he had an “opinion that the defendant was driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance.” The deputy “placed the defendant under arrest” at the time, but Hatfield was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center, because of “extensive injuries.”A summons was issued for Hatfield, and an arraignment is set for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 8 in Aztec Magistrate Court.

Charges come 16 weeks after crash near Farmington, New Mexico