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Monday March 23 2020
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Welcome To The 35th Issue of the Valley Beat!
Our Third Free Issue!
Message from the editor
Message from the editor:
We are living in very uncertain times. There is a lot of fear out there, both founded and
unfounded. I will do my absolute best to make sure that The Valley Beat (TVB) remains
unbiased, 100 percent factual, and dependable.
Over the previous 33 issues, we have tried to show how much you, our subscribers and
advertisers are valued and appreciated. 'My goal in creating TVB was never to become wealthy.
It was to do what I love, while bringing news to the people of my community, each week.
Because of this, after prayer, I have decided that during the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19,
I will be publishing the next month of issues online for everyone to view FREE-OF-CHARGE. 'I
will also not be asking for advertisers to make payments. 'Existing subscribers will receive an
extra month FREE. The same will be extended to my valued advertisers that have paid months in
advance.
I believe that this is a small way that I can give back to our community.
We are a strong, resilient people. We will make it through this crisis stronger, if we all work
together.
Please share far and wide, so that your family and friends have access to the local news. We
publish Monday mornings each week.
May God bless each and every one of you and your families, always!
With gratitude,
- by Tracy Ballard
We are living in very uncertain times. There is a lot of fear out there, both founded and
unfounded. I will do my absolute best to make sure that The Valley Beat (TVB) remains
unbiased, 100 percent factual, and dependable.
Over the previous 33 issues, we have tried to show how much you, our subscribers and
advertisers are valued and appreciated. 'My goal in creating TVB was never to become wealthy.
It was to do what I love, while bringing news to the people of my community, each week.
Because of this, after prayer, I have decided that during the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19,
I will be publishing the next month of issues online for everyone to view FREE-OF-CHARGE. 'I
will also not be asking for advertisers to make payments. 'Existing subscribers will receive an
extra month FREE. The same will be extended to my valued advertisers that have paid months in
advance.
I believe that this is a small way that I can give back to our community.
We are a strong, resilient people. We will make it through this crisis stronger, if we all work
together.
Please share far and wide, so that your family and friends have access to the local news. We
publish Monday mornings each week.
May God bless each and every one of you and your families, always!
With gratitude,
- by Tracy Ballard
All the latest on closures, services, and assistance available in our community during the pandemic
As everyone is already aware, we are in the midst of a global pandemic called, COVID-19. This has caused widespread panic, confusion, fear, and uncertainty. Businesses have been shut down and millions are temporarily out-of-work. Custer County is not immune to the rapidly changing information that seems to be coming out every hour. We at The Valley Beat, will strive to keep you informed via FaceBook on our page, as well as in our weekly publication.
Locally, the following governmental entities are closed to the public. The Towns of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe, The Custer County Courthouse and their offices. Last week, the courthouse was closed after the county’s first presumed case of COVID-19 was identified. What does a presumed case mean? The person exhibited symptoms of the virus and tested negative for Influenza A and B. All persons that came in contact with this individual were notified and have been quarantined for 14 days. The Custer County Combined Courts ONLY will be open for limited hours, beginning today, Monday, March 23, for legal matters coming before the court. All other county entities such as the Landfill, Custer County Road and Bridge, Custer County Public Health, Custer County Sheriff’s Office, and Search and Rescue, are currently open. Custer County VSO, John Carroll has asked veterans that are seeking his assistance, to please call him at 719-783-9470, to make an appointment. He has closed the building to meetings so he can keep veterans as safe as he can.
On orders passed down from Colorado Governor, Jared Polis, the following businesses have been shut down effective last week. All non-essential businesses are closed. What is the difference between an essential business and a non-essential business? Banks, USPS, Pharmacies, Grocery Stores, and Hospitals are all considered essential. Salons, retail, massage parlors, tattoo shops, are all considered non-essential businesses. If they close during this health crisis, it will not be life or death for anyone during their temporary closure. The hardship will be felt by these business owners, so persons are encouraged to purchase gift certificates, pay for services that may have been cancelled, and when the crisis is under control, support these businesses as best we can. Also hit hard are restaurants, bars, clubs, and the travel industry. Local restaurants have been offering take out from their establishments and citizens have been very supportive by ordering meals from them. You are also encouraged to buy gift certificates from them to use at a later date.
Schools in the state have also been ordered closed until at least April 17. Teachers have been contacting families over the last several days to explain what distance learning will look like and what students can expect. The district has been in constant contact with the community informing them of all the changes that have occurred over the last week. Students will still be able to receive breakfast and lunch, as normal, provided by the school. More information will be reported as it becomes available. You may also call the school at 719-783-2291. Buses will be delivering these meals to pupils at designated drop-off locations. All meetings, sports, arts, etc, are cancelled as well.
Citizens are encouraged to remain at home and only go out in public if it is absolutely necessary. We have all heard the message loud and clear to “wash your hands.” As someone that worked in the nursing field for 28 years, I can tell you without a doubt, washing hands is paramount to staving off illness. Also, please remain calm. Custer County Public Health and the Office of Emergency Management have been doing a phenomenal job of keeping us all updated on the latest information available. If you have any questions, you are encouraged to visit the county website at: www.custercountygov.com. There is a link there to see the declarations, as well as information manuals that have been put together, that will answer many of the questions you may have on how to keep you and your family safe. Each Friday, they do an online press conference to update the community on the latest regarding the virus. If the need arises, they will do more.
This is in no way a complete listing of the closures at the present time. You are encouraged to call a particular business to find out if they are open or closed. People are encouraged to work-from-home if their employers allow it. According to public health experts, in order to minimize the exposure, we need to stay home. If you are feeling sick, do not go out. If you have symptoms of the virus, call your doctor, do not go to the emergency room. Do not be alarmed as the numbers of infected persons increases, because it will. More people are tested which is causing the increases. What the experts are looking to see is a leveling off of the numbers. It will get worse, before it gets better.
Christy Morrell, owner of Belle’s BBQ in Westcliffe, is putting a food order together for local Custer County residents. Morrell was concerned about the shortage of groceries in the community. Last week, she spoke with her distributor and was given the go to do a big order. A list of available grocery items was made available on FaceBook in the Custer County Colorado Community Bulletin Board page. Restaurants are also encouraged to place an order as well. Morell has a love for her community and does not want to see anyone go without food. She has emphasized that she does not want to step on what the grocery store does and she does not want to take away business from the restaurants. Orders may be placed until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. Volunteers will get everything ready for delivery on Friday morning for distribution. Social distancing and safe sanitizing will be followed. If a person is in quarantine and needs their order delivered, that can be arranged as well. For more information, call Tracy at 719-285-3333 and I will get you in touch with Morrell.
Finally, we are all one community and in this together. If you are in need of help, please reach out and ask. There are citizens that have volunteered to assist others. I am also available to help and can also get you in contact with someone that is available if I cannot be. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
- by Tracy Ballard
Locally, the following governmental entities are closed to the public. The Towns of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe, The Custer County Courthouse and their offices. Last week, the courthouse was closed after the county’s first presumed case of COVID-19 was identified. What does a presumed case mean? The person exhibited symptoms of the virus and tested negative for Influenza A and B. All persons that came in contact with this individual were notified and have been quarantined for 14 days. The Custer County Combined Courts ONLY will be open for limited hours, beginning today, Monday, March 23, for legal matters coming before the court. All other county entities such as the Landfill, Custer County Road and Bridge, Custer County Public Health, Custer County Sheriff’s Office, and Search and Rescue, are currently open. Custer County VSO, John Carroll has asked veterans that are seeking his assistance, to please call him at 719-783-9470, to make an appointment. He has closed the building to meetings so he can keep veterans as safe as he can.
On orders passed down from Colorado Governor, Jared Polis, the following businesses have been shut down effective last week. All non-essential businesses are closed. What is the difference between an essential business and a non-essential business? Banks, USPS, Pharmacies, Grocery Stores, and Hospitals are all considered essential. Salons, retail, massage parlors, tattoo shops, are all considered non-essential businesses. If they close during this health crisis, it will not be life or death for anyone during their temporary closure. The hardship will be felt by these business owners, so persons are encouraged to purchase gift certificates, pay for services that may have been cancelled, and when the crisis is under control, support these businesses as best we can. Also hit hard are restaurants, bars, clubs, and the travel industry. Local restaurants have been offering take out from their establishments and citizens have been very supportive by ordering meals from them. You are also encouraged to buy gift certificates from them to use at a later date.
Schools in the state have also been ordered closed until at least April 17. Teachers have been contacting families over the last several days to explain what distance learning will look like and what students can expect. The district has been in constant contact with the community informing them of all the changes that have occurred over the last week. Students will still be able to receive breakfast and lunch, as normal, provided by the school. More information will be reported as it becomes available. You may also call the school at 719-783-2291. Buses will be delivering these meals to pupils at designated drop-off locations. All meetings, sports, arts, etc, are cancelled as well.
Citizens are encouraged to remain at home and only go out in public if it is absolutely necessary. We have all heard the message loud and clear to “wash your hands.” As someone that worked in the nursing field for 28 years, I can tell you without a doubt, washing hands is paramount to staving off illness. Also, please remain calm. Custer County Public Health and the Office of Emergency Management have been doing a phenomenal job of keeping us all updated on the latest information available. If you have any questions, you are encouraged to visit the county website at: www.custercountygov.com. There is a link there to see the declarations, as well as information manuals that have been put together, that will answer many of the questions you may have on how to keep you and your family safe. Each Friday, they do an online press conference to update the community on the latest regarding the virus. If the need arises, they will do more.
This is in no way a complete listing of the closures at the present time. You are encouraged to call a particular business to find out if they are open or closed. People are encouraged to work-from-home if their employers allow it. According to public health experts, in order to minimize the exposure, we need to stay home. If you are feeling sick, do not go out. If you have symptoms of the virus, call your doctor, do not go to the emergency room. Do not be alarmed as the numbers of infected persons increases, because it will. More people are tested which is causing the increases. What the experts are looking to see is a leveling off of the numbers. It will get worse, before it gets better.
Christy Morrell, owner of Belle’s BBQ in Westcliffe, is putting a food order together for local Custer County residents. Morrell was concerned about the shortage of groceries in the community. Last week, she spoke with her distributor and was given the go to do a big order. A list of available grocery items was made available on FaceBook in the Custer County Colorado Community Bulletin Board page. Restaurants are also encouraged to place an order as well. Morell has a love for her community and does not want to see anyone go without food. She has emphasized that she does not want to step on what the grocery store does and she does not want to take away business from the restaurants. Orders may be placed until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. Volunteers will get everything ready for delivery on Friday morning for distribution. Social distancing and safe sanitizing will be followed. If a person is in quarantine and needs their order delivered, that can be arranged as well. For more information, call Tracy at 719-285-3333 and I will get you in touch with Morrell.
Finally, we are all one community and in this together. If you are in need of help, please reach out and ask. There are citizens that have volunteered to assist others. I am also available to help and can also get you in contact with someone that is available if I cannot be. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
- by Tracy Ballard
Star Festival Update
With the rapidly evolving efforts to combat COVID-19 and without a crystal ball to know which way this is all going to go with each passing week, we wanted to share the thought process regarding making the go or no-go decision for the Sangre Star Festival in June.
We feel it prudent to assess the situation in April and depending where that stands, we will determine whether to make a decision by April 20 or wait another month until May 20. It seems details change daily so we don’t want to jump the gun to reschedule the Sangre Star Festival if we don’t have to. We very much want the show to go on with the ideal scenario to carry on as planned in June and have one heck of a Star Festival. No matter what happens, the Milky Way will always be there!
In the meantime, we have secured a new date of August 7, 8, 9, 2020 as an alternate weekend IF it will be absolutely necessary to cancel the June solstice weekend. We have selected this date to coordinate with one of the brightest meteor showers of the year—the Perseids Meteor Shower! The peak will be on the night between Aug 11–12 so everyone looking up over the weekend should still be able to catch shooting stars.
We fully realize a change of date may not work out for everyone who is involved or has purchased a ticket to attend. We will refund the ticket purchase if you choose not to donate the ticket price to the STEM Scholarship Fund. We hope you may consider supporting the Scholarship Program as we would be most grateful for your contribution.
Festival souvenir tee shirts have been ordered so they will be available to anyone who has purchased a tee or would like to purchase a tee. Only 300 people on the entire planet will have this limited edition, glow-in-the-dark souvenir tee shirt!
We will keep everyone posted each month. Let us all hope life gets back to normal and we can celebrate summer and our dark skies in June! As my Mom always said, “this too shall pass.” Stay healthy! Thank you for your understanding.
- Deb Adams
Star Festival Endeavor Commander
Memo on COVID-19 from the WCCHD
COVID-19 Update - March 19, 2020
West Custer County Hospital District (WCCHD) aka the “Clinic” and “EMS” Is taking the outbreak of COVID 19 very seriously. We are following the recommended guidelines from the CDC. Please refer to their website for the updated information. (cdc.gov) We are working with Public Health make sure we are following all the expected guidelines.
Clinic
We have initiated some new programs to reduce the risk for our patients.
This is an evolving situation and we will be making changes as necessary. If you have any reservations about your appointment, please feel free to contact us and we will answer any of your questions – (719) 783-2380
West Custer County Hospital District (WCCHD) aka the “Clinic” and “EMS” Is taking the outbreak of COVID 19 very seriously. We are following the recommended guidelines from the CDC. Please refer to their website for the updated information. (cdc.gov) We are working with Public Health make sure we are following all the expected guidelines.
Clinic
We have initiated some new programs to reduce the risk for our patients.
- We are now screening Physical Therapy and Clinic patients at the entrances.
- We are creating a room with an outside door so patients can be seen without entrance to the clinic in their car or in the room with limited access to the clinic.
- We are initiating a telehealth program (which is visual and auditory visit) where a patient can have a virtual meeting with their provider. We hope to have this option for existing patients by March 26, 2020. We anticipate that we will be using telehealth for well patients.
- We have a telemedicine program set up where you can have an office visit set up with your provider over the phone. This would be for routine care and with existing patients.
- We have enhanced cleaning throughout the day in our treatment room, physical therapy and the waiting rooms and are doing a thorough cleaning at the end of every day.
- We are having front office staff and clinical staff fitted for a special respirator mask (N95). in addition, all EMS personnel are being fitted for a special respirator mask (N95).
- EMS is fully staffed, and we are following all the recommended guidelines.
This is an evolving situation and we will be making changes as necessary. If you have any reservations about your appointment, please feel free to contact us and we will answer any of your questions – (719) 783-2380
SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Colorado Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
DENVER – The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Colorado small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today.
SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. Jared Polis on March 17, 2020.
The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in all 64 Colorado counties.
“SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist Colorado small businesses with federal disaster loans. We will be swift in our efforts to help these small businesses recover from the financial impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19),” said Administrator Carranza.
SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process. Small businesses, private non-profit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since Jan. 31, 2020, may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.
“Small businesses are the fabric of our economy and their success is dependent on the ability to freely market products and services to communities across the state and world,” said SBA Regional Administrator Dan Nordberg. “Local small businesses are bearing the brunt of that impact and facing a severe decline in customer traffic. SBA’s top priority is to assist businesses adversely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and our Economic Injury Disaster Loans can be the working capital lifelines they need to weather this difficult time.”
These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.
“We are all concerned about the pressures our small businesses are facing in light of the Coronavirus outbreak. The SBA Colorado District Office stands ready to assist our small business owners by providing the assistance needed to confront this challenge,” said SBA Colorado District Director Frances Padilla. “I appreciate the tremendous support our agency is receiving from the state, our resource partners, local elected officials, chambers of commerce, and community leaders. This collaboration will continue for as long as critical resources are necessary.”
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hardofhearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 17, 2020.
For more information about Coronavirus, please visit: Coronavirus.gov.
For more information about available SBA resources and services, please visit: SBA.gov/coronavirus.
###
(Dan Nordberg serves as the SBA’s Region VIII Administrator and is based in Denver. He oversees the agency’s programs and services in Colorado, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming)
(Frances Padilla serves as the SBA’s Colorado District Director based in Denver. She oversees the agency’s programs and services in the state)
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. Jared Polis on March 17, 2020.
The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in all 64 Colorado counties.
“SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist Colorado small businesses with federal disaster loans. We will be swift in our efforts to help these small businesses recover from the financial impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19),” said Administrator Carranza.
SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process. Small businesses, private non-profit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since Jan. 31, 2020, may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.
“Small businesses are the fabric of our economy and their success is dependent on the ability to freely market products and services to communities across the state and world,” said SBA Regional Administrator Dan Nordberg. “Local small businesses are bearing the brunt of that impact and facing a severe decline in customer traffic. SBA’s top priority is to assist businesses adversely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and our Economic Injury Disaster Loans can be the working capital lifelines they need to weather this difficult time.”
These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.
“We are all concerned about the pressures our small businesses are facing in light of the Coronavirus outbreak. The SBA Colorado District Office stands ready to assist our small business owners by providing the assistance needed to confront this challenge,” said SBA Colorado District Director Frances Padilla. “I appreciate the tremendous support our agency is receiving from the state, our resource partners, local elected officials, chambers of commerce, and community leaders. This collaboration will continue for as long as critical resources are necessary.”
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hardofhearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 17, 2020.
For more information about Coronavirus, please visit: Coronavirus.gov.
For more information about available SBA resources and services, please visit: SBA.gov/coronavirus.
###
(Dan Nordberg serves as the SBA’s Region VIII Administrator and is based in Denver. He oversees the agency’s programs and services in Colorado, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming)
(Frances Padilla serves as the SBA’s Colorado District Director based in Denver. She oversees the agency’s programs and services in the state)
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.