After two years of pandemic disruptions that closed schools and left many students struggling to keep up with their educations, Interim Cortez Superintendent Tom Burris wants the district to teach students how to be students again. This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto Outlet and FASTSIGNS

What started out as a memento commemorating her late husband has turned into a major art project that honors the Mancos Valley's ranching heritage. This story is sponsored by Ute Mountain Casino Hotel and the law firm of Downs, McDonough, Cowan and Foley

Anyone who has hunted for a rental in Montezuma County knows they're as rare as hen's teeth, and they're expensive, too. Attainable housing, especially housing for first-time homebuyers, also is out of range of the average wage-earner or family. Now, Montezuma County will tackle the issue with a $100,350 planning grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. This story is sponsored by Ute Mountain Casino Hotel and TruWest Auto

A Cortez Realtor says the real-estate industry should play a leadership role in building a healthy community by serving as a source of information and inspiration. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply Ace Hardware and Keesee Motors

For many kids, getting new school supplies is a fact of life, but others may not be so lucky. That's why the Montelores Early Childhood Council gives away more than 300 backpacks filled with supplies before school starts in August. This story is sponsored by the LOR Foundation and Big-O Tires

The Durango City Council reviews Lodgers Tax refund ideas and mulls ballot language for a possible tax question on the November ballot. Fort Lewis College receives a substantial grant that will cover four scholarships every year for the next 10 years, and the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally returns. This story is sponsored by Tafoya, Barrett & Associates and the law firm of Downs, McDonough, Cowan and Foley

The Mancos Common Press board of directors hopes to build a new workshop in a long-vacant lot next to the old Mancos Times newspaper building, and while they're at it, they plan to build three affordable-housing units on top. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motors and the law firm of Downs, McDonough, Cowan and Foley

Summer's flying by, and what some would consider the ending bookend to summer in Montezuma County, the county fair, is just around the corner. Also in this week's roundup, fishing limits lifted at Groundhog Reservoir. This story is sponsored by Big-O Tires and the LOR Foundation

Laura Harper began writing the script for a film about Rambo, her once-wild mustang who came from the Carracas Mesa. As she learned more about Rambo’s past, she found parallels between the horses and the evolution of New Mexico’s history, as well as her own life in the Southwest. The resulting film, “RAMBO of the Carracas Mesa,” ties together New Mexico history, wild horses, and everyday people to tell the story of the mustangs of San Juan County. This story is sponsored by Distil Beer Wine Spirits and SunRay Park & Casino

Accidental drowning is the leading cause of death among children 1 to 4 years old, second only to birth defects. But children can begin swim lessons as early as 6 months old. Find out what they learn. This story is sponsored by FASTSIGNS and TruWest Auto