Ikies residents denied loan to buy park | From the Newsroom

Beloved hospital staple retires after 47 years.

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I feel like we're swimming in news. So much is happening in Montrose, for better and for worse. Let's dive in with some good news! Congratulations to our 8th grade Olathe Middle School choir for sending five students to the Colorado All-State Middle School Choir! Zoe Ripley (Soprano II), Sebastian Gonzalez (Soprano I), Miley Cooper (Soprano I), Aspen Mueller (Soprano II) and Natalia Murray (Soprano II) made it into the state choir. Ripley, Cooper and Mueller also placed into All-State as 7th graders. It's been quite the semester for MCSD students as the district returned to a more "normal" routine. The district even opened a new school offering an alternative approach to learning and I was blown away after Principal Angelique Chavez offered me a tour a few weeks ago. Black Canyon High School just completed its first semester offering alternative options to education. The school is open to anyone grades 9-12th but prioritizes students who weren't as successful in the traditional classroom setting. On a more serious note, Ikies Mobile Home Park residents were denied a loan after a months-long endeavor to buy their park. Their attempt to become a resident-owned community (ROC) came after the owner announced his intent to sell the park, leaving residents insecure about future housing. They've since been working with organizations such as the Hispanic Affairs Project and Housing Resources to learn more about their residential rights and the responsibilities that come with owning a park. This likely won't be the last we hear about this kind of endeavor. ROCs are still a fairly new process in the country and state, but it's completely new for Montrose. Why is this important? Mobile homes were designed to offer one of the most affordable housing solutions for low-income and government subsidized individuals. Now, their financial and legal stability are under threat. You can read my initial story on Ikies here. Saying farewell to a beloved community hospital staple: Lucia Rodriguez retired last week at the age of 76, after 47 years at Montrose Regional Hospital. Yes, you read that right! 47 years. Lucia and her mother, Alice, in work uniforms at Montrose Regional Hospital. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, because her mother, Alice Paiz, retired from the hospital around the same age following a 31-year stint. Lucia worked in the hospital's environmental services department and was known for her personable demeanor, her love of people and their stories and for always going above and beyond for patients and staff. Congratulations Lucia on a well-deserved rest. Have a good night and stay warm, friends. - From the newsroom, Cassie QUICK LINKS Listen to our podcast Montrose Fresh, it's available everywhere podcasts are found including Apple, Pandora, Spotify and Amazon Music Remember those we've lost in our obituaries section View the letter to the editor. If you would like to submit a letter please email: editor@montrosepress.com Get today's weather forecast Check out our classifieds and explore the MDP e-editions Already a subscriber, but need to activate your digital account? Click here to create an account or call our office at 970-249-3444 and we'll get you all set up

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