Voices of the Past: Lessons from the Land (Part 1)

Voices of the Past: Lessons from the Land (Part 1)

Author: The Local NEWS Network June 17, 2026 Duration: 2:24
Scott Perez grew up in farm country and spent nearly 50 years as a working cowboy. But it was his passion for oral history that led him to dig deeper into the agricultural past of Southwest Colorado — poring over old journals, talking to longtime residents, and uncovering the small, vivid details that bigger histories tend to overlook. In this episode, Scott shares what drew him to write for the Power of Place Magazine, why he believes local agriculture deserves protection, and what indigenou...

There's always more to the story than what fits in a bulletin or a column inch. Beyond the Headlines, from The Local NEWS Network, is a podcast that explores the human creativity and cultural texture behind the events shaping our area. We move past the initial facts to examine how local arts and community expression are intertwined with the news of the day. Each episode is a conversation that connects the dots between a city council decision and a mural project, or between a development plan and the fate of a historic theater. You'll hear from the artists, organizers, and everyday residents whose lives and work are directly impacted, providing context that transforms a simple headline into a richer narrative. This isn't just about what happened; it's about why it matters on a personal and cultural level, and what it reveals about the character of our community. Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded look at the forces and the faces that define where we live, finding the unexpected connections and artistic spirit that often go unreported in the daily rush.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 46

Beyond the Headlines
Podcast Episodes
Voices of the Past: Lessons from the Rails (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:23
Durango exists because of a railroad that almost went somewhere else. In this documentary, Jeff Johnson traces the arrival of the Denver and Rio Grande in Southwest Colorado — from General William Jackson Palmer's origin…
Voices of the Past: Lessons from the Rails (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:24
Jeff Johnson's connection to Durango began with a single train ride in 1973, when a family vacation turned into a lifelong calling. That trip aboard the narrow gauge to Silverton set him on a path of decades-long devotio…
Voices of the Past: Saving a Castle in the Clouds (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:28
High on the slopes of Galena Mountain at 12,500 feet, the Old Hundred Mine's 1908 boarding house stood as a testament to the audacity of Colorado's early miners — until decades of heavy snow and neglect brought two-third…
Voices of the Past: Saving a Castle in the Clouds (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53
Beverly Rich was born in Silverton in 1950 and has been involved with the local Historical Society since she was 14 — making her one of the most dedicated keepers of San Juan County's storied past. In her article, Rescui…
Voices of the Past: A Different Perspective (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:55
Native historian Johnny Valdez sheds light on a largely untold chapter of Colorado's history — the Brunot Agreement of 1873 and the treaties that transferred Ute ancestral lands to the United States government. Writing f…