The Midwestern University (MWU) Graduate Medical Education (GME) Consortium is an ACGME-accredited Sponsoring Institution for nine residency programs and one fellowship located across four hospitals and one clinic an ACGME-accredited Sponsoring Institution stands out with its unique offering of nine ACGME-accredited Residency Programs and one ACGME-accredited Fellowship Program spread across four hospitals and one multispecialty clinic offer a diverse learning experience in rural and urban areas making our Consortium a unique and attractive choice for your medical education Each participating site offers a unique and enriching clinical experience Our Sponsoring Institution supports a quality clinical learning environment in each program Our trainees can expect a stimulating educational environment with exposure to a diverse scope and volume of patients and will participate in a comprehensive curriculum Graduates will be well-prepared for autonomous practice in rural The MWU GME Consortium is focused on osteopathic principles and practices and the development and support of clinical rotations and fellowship programs are committed to a quality learning environment under the guidance of exceptional program directors and faculty focusing on delivering quality patient care in our communities Midwestern University has been educating Osteopathic Physicians since 1900 and meeting the needs of the education continuum requires the development of quality training programs The MWU GME Consortium is integral to the Midwestern University academic communities governed by laws defining its distinct mission The current organizational structure of the MWU GME Consortium is unique because it includes two Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) Osteopathic Medical Schools: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) located on the Downers Grove Campus in Illinois and Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) The MWU GME Consortium structure is a unified academic community in two regions providing comprehensive services and support to ensure the success of the postdoctoral training programs Under the aegis of the MWU Governing Board each campus oversees its separate geographical region for postdoctoral training programs MWU GME Consortium Designated Institutional Official Interprofessional EducationExecutive Director MWU | Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Manipulative Medicine Residency Behavioral SciencesBehavioral Health Consultant The MWU GME Consortium Ombudsperson is a resource for trainees to report and raise training-related concerns confidently in a safe space Access to the content is restricted and requires a password.  Confidential Reporting Form The policies and procedures pertaining to the MWU GME Consortium and Programs can be found on New Innovations and connected with the latest developments and opportunities within our GME community Thank you for your interest in our Residency and Fellowship Programs Please contact programs directly for any inquiries — Five Mountain Vista High School students were honored for their quick-thinking and bravery after they rescued two people who were trapped in a crashed car at a busy Douglas County intersection in January Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly awarded all five students with the Sheriff's Commendation Award at the school on Thursday Kasper Skonieczny and Ousmane Balde were waiting at a red light on their way to school on the bitter cold morning of Jan when temperatures had dropped below zero degrees which was at the intersection of Wildcat Reserve Parkway and Poston Parkway which ended with one of the cars flipping onto its roof in the intersection Before first responders arrived or any other drivers had even reacted the group ran toward the overturned SUV and helped to ease the driver and passenger Amadou Bah said he remembered every driver around them stopping as the car tumbled in the intersection "We all just started getting out and running," he said Ibrahima Bah said he was thankful they were there to help and Abdulai Bah stressed that sometimes you need to take a risk to help somebody in need "They risked their own safety to ensure the well-being of others in their community acting quickly to assist the victims despite not knowing the full extent of the danger at the scene," the sheriff's office said in a press release "A cell phone video from the incident captured their heroic efforts reflecting their willingness to put others before themselves in the face of uncertainty." "They understood that people's lives were potentially at risk and they were there when it mattered most," he said but because they felt that it was the right thing to do." they briefly spoke with the teens before telling them to wait in the safety of their car as deputies worked around the crash scene The sheriff's office released body-worn camera footage from the scene showing the students standing near the overturned car and explaining what had happened You can watch that full body-worn camera video below as provided by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Weekly first heard about the incident from the school resource officer at Mountain Vista High School and wanted to thank and honor the teens' actions "These students displayed qualities far beyond their years: Courage despite the unknowns and despite the rush of traffic all around them and despite the dangers they may have faced with a flipped over vehicle in a busy intersection," Weekly said at the school on Thursday "They didn't wait for somebody or an adult to come and take charge." Watch the full ceremony honoring the teens at Mountain Vista High School in the video below They exemplify what it means to be good people "I am proud to recognize them for their incredible actions.” The sheriff explained that the two family members in the crashed car were unable to make the Thursday ceremony but provided gift cards for each of the students as a token of their appreciation Take a break from the bad news and explore all of the good happening around Colorado in Denver7's positive news stories below The Fossil Ridge football team simply ran into a juggernaut routing the SaberCats 49-14 in the Colorado Class 5A playoffs Friday night in Highlands Ranch Golden Eagles star quarterback Austyn Modrzewski continued his historic season and career tossing two more TD passes and leading scoring drives on the first six possessions A much-anticipated showdown between Colorado's most prolific quarterbacks this season was one-sided from the jump Fossil Ridge QB Nick Kubat threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown on the second drive and Mountain Vista opened up a 28-0 lead in the first quarter with a running clock in place for the entire second half Jakhai Mack had the pick-six interception and a receiving TD for Mountain Vista Jack Blais added two scores on the ground and threw for another on a trick play to Sean Conway Kubat hit Harley Schmidt for a passing touchdown in the first half and found Luke Garvin for a fourth-quarter score The SaberCats ended their season at 7-5 (4-1 league) recovering from a slow start to win six of seven games before Friday's loss Fossil Ridge won a 5A playoff game for just the second time in program history last week Kubat and the offense set numerous team records in head coach Chris Tedford's second season unbeaten into the playoffs for the first time in school history The Golden Eagles (11-0) have now won their 11 games by an average of 47.4 points The 35-point margin of victory actually tied for the "closest" game Mountain Vista has played this season Mountain Vista and Modrzewski will host No 7 Fairview in the 5A quarterfinals next week Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan Sign In Join now Colorado is home to some of the highest elevation towns in the United States offering breathtaking views and a unique way of life These mountain communities sit thousands of feet above sea level where thin air and rugged terrain shape daily living From historic mining towns to modern ski resorts life at high altitude comes with both challenges and rewards Visitors and residents alike enjoy outdoor adventures Let’s explore some of the highest elevation towns in Colorado and what makes them special Alma is the highest incorporated town in Colorado and the entire United States this small community was founded during the gold and silver mining boom of the 1800s it serves as a gateway to several fourteeners The town has a laid-back atmosphere with a strong appreciation for outdoor activities Alma remains a favorite stop for hikers and history buffs alike Leadville is one of Colorado’s most iconic high-altitude towns Once one of the largest silver boomtowns in the country it now attracts visitors for its outdoor recreation and historic charm Leadville also hosts the annual Leadville Trail 100 a legendary ultramarathon that challenges even the toughest athletes the town proudly preserves its past while embracing modern adventure Monte Vista offers a mix of high-altitude living and agricultural charm It is best known for the Monte Vista Crane Festival where thousands of sandhill cranes migrate through the region each spring The town’s location provides stunning views of the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains Monte Vista is ideal for those who appreciate wide-open spaces and natural beauty It’s a great destination for birdwatchers Fairplay is known as the real-life inspiration for the hit TV show South Park with South Park City Museum showcasing its rich history Fairplay is a hub for outdoor activities like hiking It also hosts the annual Burro Days festival celebrating Colorado’s mining past with burro races and festivities Fairplay’s quirky charm makes it a memorable stop in the Rockies Gunnison is a high-elevation town with a strong college presence the town is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts It’s also the gateway to the stunning Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park The town has a tight-knit community and a relaxed vibe making it a favorite for those looking for mountain living without the crowds Whether exploring the nearby Blue Mesa Reservoir or taking in the stunning alpine scenery Crested Butte has transformed into a world-class ski and mountain biking destination Known as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado,” the town bursts with color every summer as meadows fill with vibrant blooms Its historic downtown is lined with colorful buildings making it a top spot for backcountry skiing and snowboarding Crested Butte offers endless adventure for nature lovers Victor is a well-preserved mining town that still carries the charm of the Old West and many of its historic buildings remain intact today The surrounding landscape is filled with remnants of old mines offering a glimpse into Colorado’s mining past Hiking trails around Victor lead to stunning views of the region’s rugged terrain the town’s rich history and quiet setting make it a hidden gem in the Rockies but it’s packed with adventure and charm Sitting near several major ski resorts like Breckenridge and Keystone it’s a perfect base for winter sports enthusiasts The town’s lively Main Street is lined with shops Lake Dillon offers plenty of water activities With its central location and stunning mountain backdrop Frisco is a year-round favorite for visitors San Luis has a deep cultural and historical significance it remains a small but vibrant community with strong Spanish heritage The town is home to the famous Stations of the Cross Shrine a stunning religious and artistic landmark Its location in the San Luis Valley offers breathtaking mountain views and a peaceful rural atmosphere Whether exploring its history or simply enjoying the surrounding landscapes San Luis is a special place with a unique character The town is a popular stop on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad a scenic train ride through breathtaking alpine scenery Silverton showcases its rich mining heritage through old buildings and museums The nearby backcountry is a paradise for extreme sports including heli-skiing and off-road adventures Its high elevation and remote location make it a true mountain escape Breckenridge is one of Colorado’s most famous mountain towns known for its world-class ski resort and lively atmosphere it has evolved into a top destination for both winter and summer recreation The town’s charming historic district is filled with boutique shops hiking and mountain biking trails weave through the scenic landscape Whether you’re hitting the slopes or exploring the town’s vibrant culture Telluride is a high-altitude haven for outdoor lovers the town has a thriving arts and music scene including the famous Telluride Film Festival Its world-class ski resort attracts visitors from around the globe offering incredible runs and breathtaking views hiking trails lead to waterfalls and scenic overlooks Whether skiing in the winter or attending a festival in the summer Telluride is an unforgettable mountain town Georgetown is a charming historic town known for its preserved Victorian architecture and scenic train rides on the Georgetown Loop Railroad The surrounding mountains offer excellent hiking and wildlife spotting opportunities Its small-town charm and convenient location make it a perfect day-trip destination With a mix of history and outdoor adventure Visiting the highest elevation towns in Colorado means breathtaking views The thinner air at high altitudes can make physical activities more challenging These towns offer a unique mix of rich history all surrounded by some of the most stunning landscapes in the country High elevations can cause altitude sickness and take it easy on your first day to allow your body to adjust If you plan on hiking or engaging in outdoor activities start with easy trails before attempting more difficult ones Sun exposure is stronger at higher altitudes so wearing sunscreen and protective clothing is important Planning ahead ensures a safe and enjoyable experience Living in one of the highest elevation towns in Colorado comes with fresh air the high-altitude lifestyle comes with challenges and the chance to live among some of the most beautiful scenery in the country The highest elevation towns in Colorado offer a unique blend of breathtaking scenery Whether you're visiting for the outdoor activities or considering a move to higher ground these towns provide a one-of-a-kind experience From crisp mountain air to stunning landscapes life at high altitude is both beautiful and challenging making it an unforgettable part of Colorado’s charm Climate change and the parks National Parks in Crisis Effective Saturday, February 15, 2025, the superintendent of Denali National Park and Preserve has authorized opening the Denali Park Road (the Park Road) to the Mountain Vista Rest Area (mile marker 12) for travel by private vehicles and commercial vehicles with permits Visitors should expect to encounter snow and ice on shaded sections of the Park Road and are encouraged to check the weather before arriving at the park and to come fully prepared for changes to access on short notice Mid-winter offers enjoyable conditions for visiting the park as there is good snow coverage for winter recreational activities coupled with longer days The Mountain Vista Rest Area is an ideal location for viewing Denali as well as heading out further into the park via snowshoes or dog sleds (dog musher trailhead is located just past the Mountain Vista Rest Area The area has vault toilets and picnic shelters but other amenities—including additional picnic tables—may be under snow Travel beyond park headquarters (mile 3) will be weather dependent as plowing the road further west will be a lower priority during and after a snowstorm Visitors are encouraged to call the park information line at (907) 683-9532 for updated road and weather information The National Park Service expects to open the road to the Savage River (mile 15) in April The Bear Loop of the Riley Creek Campground is open for free camping on a first-come basis and campers can obtain water at the Murie Science and Learning Center The Denali kennels are open to the public Saturdays and Sundays Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below: National Parks Traveler is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer National Parks Traveler is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit media organization As if Colorado high school playoff football wasn't entertaining enough already Prepare for some offensive fireworks in the Class 5A second round when No 15 Fossil Ridge (7-4) this Friday at 7 p.m It's a matchup between Colorado's two most productive quarterbacks this season: Golden Eagles star Austyn Modrzewski vs Modrzewski is a highly touted recruit with the more storied career leading Colorado all-time in passing yards (over 11,000) touchdowns (140) and completions (776) as the state's 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year But Kubat has also emerged this season as a big-time dual threat for a SaberCats team that has been able to hang with some top-tier opponents the two lead all state quarterbacks in most major statistical categories Here's how these top Colorado QBs stack up entering their playoff showdown: The three-star South Dakota commit has been a four-year star culminating in an unbeaten regular season this fall with a stacked Mountain Vista squad Here are Modrzewski's regular-season stats (and Colorado rankings) Kubat has helped the SaberCats win six of their last seven games, including challenging unbeaten Fairview in a three-point road loss and throwing for 408 yards in the playoff opener vs. Mullen Here's how the Fossil Ridge quarterback stacks up stat-wise: LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a stabbing incident that took place in the 5100 block of Mountain Vista Street near Tropicana Avenue Authorities said a female victim was transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition The Mountain West Conference’s football roster will change significantly for the 2026 season when five teams will leave the fold to become full-time members of the rebuilding Pac-12 Conference Teams slated to make the move besides San Diego State University include Boise State All five teams will play one more season of MW games before officially joining the Pac-12 on July 1 Any bowl eligible teams from the group will have the opportunity to play both the 2024 and 2025 seasons as MW members in post-season competition 3 seed in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff field a total of five MW teams qualified for the 2024 bowl season 4-4 MAC) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Dec the MW has earned 133 bowl bids since 1999 and holds a 69-56 (0.552) all-time record Locals abound on the MW’s bowl-bound teams including former Granite Hills defensive lineman Damarrion White on Fresno State’s roster and Bonita Vista alumnus Dante Scott (defensive back) on Colorado State’s roster Boise State is represented by Torrey Pines alums Matt Lauter (tight end) and Marco Notaraini (linebacker) and edge Jayden Virgin-Morgan (Mt Carmel) while Lincoln alum Corey Thompson Jr Fresno State’s roster also includes Oceanside’s Kamron Beachem (tight end) Lincoln’s Nathan Acevedo (receiver) and Poway’s Ezra Christensen (defensive lineman) San Jose State’s roster includes San Marcos’ Emmett Brown (quarterback) Jalen Bainer (cornerback) and Zavion Reese (defensive back) Augustine’s Justin Stearns (defensive lineman) and Scripps Ranch’s Grant Norberg (tight end) Also on Colorado State’s roster are Madison’s Chris Jackson (defensive back) and San Marcos’ Dane Olson (receiver) The Lincoln Hornets earned the unanimous distinction as the San Diego Section’s No 1 football team during the 2024 season and did so while playing all their games on the road and attending off-campus practices The Hornets lived up to their billing by winning this year’s Division I-AA state championship title in their 14th road game of the season after defeating Pittsburg proved the ultimate road warriors and made the coaching staff That grit and determination went right down to the wire with UC Davis-bound senior Aden Jackson (1,462 rushing yards who rushed for 127 yards in last Friday’s state final The Hornets never trailed but the Pirates kept it close twice tying the game (7-7 and 14-all) and moving the score to 21-20 before missing a two-point conversion that could have sent the high-profile contest into overtime Sophomore Courtney Miller-Thompson (four catches 41 yards) and senior Isaiah Grant (two catches 119 yards) all recorded touchdown catches while Oregon-bound senior quarterback Akili Smith Jr Smith passed for 172 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 40 yards and one TD Washington State-bound Jamar Searcy (196 rushing yards 67 receiving yards) scored all four Pittsburg touchdowns as the game’s dominant player Three section teams qualified for last weekend’s state bowl games Division IV champion El Capitan ended its season with an 11-4 record following a 48-7 loss to undefeated Carmel (15-0) in the Division 5-AA game while Division V champion Monte Vista (10-6) came up short to Toulumnne Summerville (14-1) in the Division 6-A championship game It didn’t exactly go the way that El Capitan High School head coach Ron Burner and Monte Vista head coach Ron Hamamoto would have liked but the El Capitan Vaqueros and Monte Vista Monarchs remain champions nonetheless in the eyes of their fans El Capitan emerged as this year’s Grossmont Valley League champion with a spotless 5-0 record before going on to claim the San Diego Section Division IV championship with a 17-14 win over the Westview Wolverines Nov The Vaqueros then defeated Victorville Silverado to capture the Southern California regional championship in Lakeside on Dec As for the Grossmont Valley League runner-up Monarchs they won the Division V section title with a 38-20 victory over second-seeded Bonita Vista Nov 30 at Southwestern College before continuing their magical postseason run with a 41-21 win over visiting Pasadena on Dec 7 to secure a Southern California regional championship The SoCal regional titles qualified both Grossmont Conference teams to play for state championships El Capitan finished runner-up in the Division 4-AA state final by a score of 48-7 against undefeated Carmel (15-0) in a game played last Friday at the Fullerton Union High School District Stadium to snap a marathon 10-game winning streak while Monte Vista saw its six-game winning streak end in a 38-21 loss to Toulumne Summerville (14-1) in the Division 6-A state championship game at the same site on Saturday seeded second in the Division IV section playoffs 12 seed in the Division V section playoffs “The last team in the playoffs is usually out quickly We not only won the CIF title but also won the Southern California Regional championship as our legs looked very tired in the state championship game High school players usually don’t play 16 games in a season so we are very proud that they lasted this long.” “It was a great run by a great group of hard-fighting and hard-working young men,” Burner said “They played to win and played their hearts out It was too bad they placed us against a team that was ranked 130 points higher than us and should have been a division or two higher We fought hard and in the end that just wasn’t enough “I am beyond proud of the way we played all season long and for their second-ever CIF title and second-ever ever Southern California Championship They have set the tone again for years to come “My last words to my team after the loss were “’Don’t be sad — you lost but be sad you are done playing football for the year and with this set of teammates.’” The Bears totaled 411 yards in total offense Monte Vista recorded just 84 rushing yards who had 14 carries for 76 yards to finish the season with the section single-season rushing record of 3,227 yards While Summerville’s game plan was to stop Villanuenva the Monarchs had to open up the passing game and that worked Junior Derrick Taylor and senior Dayon Bean combined to pass for 224 yards The Bears opened up a 10-point lead to start the game on a one-yard scoring run by Bryce Leveroos and a 22-yard field goal by junior Bryson Benites following a fumble recovery on defense Villanueva scored Monte Vista’s first touchdown on a two-yard run to make the score 10-7 But Summerville capitalized on the 75-yard pass completion to Larson to move ahead 17-7 the Monarchs displayed some grit by engineering a 63-yard drive capped b y a nine-yard scoring run by Taylor Summerville advanced the score to 38-17 with three unanswered touchdowns to start the second half before Bean scored on a three-yard run to punctuate a lengthy 70-yard drive with 49 seconds to play Junior Rahshawn Florence hooked up for 101 receiving yards to help pace the Spring Valley team It was the first state title for the Bears Gold Country finished with two state champions as Sonora won the Division 4-A title with a 52-34 victory over Southern California champion St Matthias in a game played concurrently in Long Beach El Capitan answered the Padres’ opening score with one of their own — a two-yard scoring run by junior Brody Copp (four carries But NorCal champion Carmel reeled off 41 unanswered points to win in a rout Carmel has won 25 of its last 26 games over the past two seasons The Padres finished the 2024 state championship game with 539 yards Senior Ashton Rees led Carmel with four touchdowns (two rushing two receiving) while senior Brooklyn Ashe caught two scoring passes Senior quarterback Hudson Rutherford completed four touchdown passes while scoring once via the ground El Cap signal-caller Brandt Parker was harassed most of the game completing 10 of 26 attempts for 113 yards with four interceptions Three East County teams won division titles and two went on to win regional championships what does the 2025 season hold at first glance It could be just as successful for many teams that kicked off the 2024 season “Almost everyone on defense will return next season,” Hamamoto said “We lose Alex Villanueva and most of our offensive linemen but our quarterback Derrick Taylor and leading wide receiver Rahshawn Florence return We also have some very talented sophomores and freshmen from our JV team I think the future looks good here at Monte Vista High School.” “We are most likely moving up to the Hills League Steele and Mount Miguel as our reward,” Burner offered Log in to leave a comment You can follow all of the CHSAA football games and get updated scores by tracking the SBLive Colorado High School Football Scoreboard We will have in-game score updates and all of the final scores from every corner of the state You can also search for full schedules and complete scores from all of your favorite teams Here's a guide to following all of the Colorado high school football action Friday night STATEWIDE COLORADO FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD CLASS 5A SCORES | CLASS 4A SCORES CLASS 3A SCORES | CLASS 2A SCORES CLASS 1A SCORES CLASS A - 6 MAN | CLASS A - 8 MAN  2024 COLORADO FOOTBALL SCHEDULES: FIND YOUR TEAM Can't make it to your favorite team's game but still want to watch them live? You can watch dozens of Colorado high school football games live on the NFHS Network: WATCH CHSAA GAMES LIVE ON NFHS NETWORK To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App | Download Android App -- Ben Dagg | @sblivesports BEN DAGG © 2025 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER 30 at Southwestern College before continuing their magical postseason run with a 42-21 win over visiting Pasadena on Dec El Capitan finished runner-up in the Division 5-AA state final by a score of 48-7 against undefeated Carmel (15-0) in a game played last Friday at the Fullerton Union High School District Stadium to snap a marathon 10-game winning streak while Monte Vista saw its six-game winning streak end in a 38-21 loss to Toulumne Summerville (14-1) in the Division 6-A state championship game at the same site on Saturday “My last words to my team after the loss were ‘Don’t be sad — you lost but be sad you are done playing football for the year and with this set of teammates.’” The Monarchs were done in by junior Bryce Leveroos who rushed for 169 yards and three touch¬downs and passed for 159 yards and a 75-yard catch-and-run to junior Luke Larson While Summerville’s game plan was to stop Villanueva Villanueva scored Monte Vis¬ta’s first touchdown on a two-yard run to make the score 10-7 Eleven East County teams qualified for the section’s tackle football playoffs Ten advanced to the division quarterfinals and six to the semifinals I think the future looks good here at Monte Vista High School.” BLACK MOUNTAIN – Gov. Roy Cooper visited the Swannanoa Valley Oct. 1 at Black Mountain’s Monte Vista Hotel in the wake of Helene Cooper spent around an hour meeting with residents handing out food and going down the line of people waiting for a hot meal The Monte Vista Hotel has been providing hot meals to Valley residents since Sept Elizabeth Bruce and Michael Bruce were at the hotel Oct. 1 looking for a meal. With no power all the food that was in the refrigerator became warm The Bruces said they lost power and water at their home Elizabeth Bruce said she was surprised to see Cooper visit the town but hopes he can see the need of the Valley but also the really devastating affected areas just to see how much devastation there really is.” Michael Bruce added that he hoped Cooper would see how much aid is truly needed to bring Black Mountain and the rest of the Swannanoa Valley back Cooper said he is working to bring needed supplies to the Valley and across Western North Carolina “We’re doing everything we can to get in supplies like water and food and we’re still in active search and rescue in many places,” Cooper said We’re pushing cellphone companies and power companies to turn back on service You don’t have any cellphone service here pretty obviously We want to make sure that people know that they can sign up for direct assistance from FEMA because we have a disaster declaration.” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joined Cooper on his trip to Black Mountain and said those looking for disaster relief can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 “We know people don’t have a lot of comms right now so we will be sending in disaster survivor assistance teams into Black Mountain,” Criswell said and it will upload when we get back to signal.” FEMA spokesperson John Mills said more than 11,000 North Carolina households have contacted FEMA for assistance so far He said FEMA started sending in the disaster survivor assistance teams in Fletcher and McDowell County on Oct 1 and that these teams will be in Black Mountain “soon.” Siblings Thomas McElwee and Melissa McElwee were waiting in line for food when Cooper visited who works at the Ingles warehouse in Black Mountain said he spent his day helping clean the warehouse that had parts “completely filled with mud.” He said the grocery and shipping sections of the facility are “pretty nasty” and that workers got the call to come in and help clean Sept Employees are able to work five hour shifts cleaning The McElwees said their father had to be evacuated from their home because he is dependent on oxygen but the siblings said their father is safe in Mission Hospital and they were on their way to visit him after getting their meal at the Monte Vista the McElwee siblings said they aren’t sure “We’re going to see how much damage the house has,” Thomas McElwee said “If it’s too bad we’re probably going to have to do a claim on our insurance company to get a new roof because it’s pretty bad Melissa McElwee said she spent the day volunteering at a food distribution center and said while there are so many good donations there is a need for more fruits and vegetables she said she is grateful for any donations that come in Elizabeth Bruce said she is proud of the way the community has banded together during the response to Helene “We’re a small but mighty community,” Elizabeth Bruce said “It’s really unique and special what we have here I think everyone’s always willing to lend a helping hand help a neighbor out and I think right now we’re really experiencing what a true sense of community is.” Cooper said he was “grateful” to see the community response “We know that people are hurting and frustrated and we want to help as quickly as possible,” Cooper said “This has been an unprecedented disaster and we’re working to provide an unprecedented response local nonprofit assistance to try to help people as quickly as possible I’m also grateful that neighbors are helping neighbors just like I see today.” More: Helene in Swannanoa: 'Devastation' brings 'nightmares' for residents Karrigan Monk is the Swannanoa Valley communities reporter for Black Mountain News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kmonk@blackmountainnews.com LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio D3 and 5-AA — all opened play on Wednesday following first games in D5 (Monday) and D4 (Tuesday) Championship matches in all divisions take place March 1 Top seeds in each division are Del Norte (Open) High Tech High (D5) and Victory Christian Academy (5-AA) Castle Park (D5) and Marantha Christian (D5-AA) Check below for brackets of each division and a catchup of scores on the latest round a fun and free predictions game to forecast all the upcoming games the top division and only eight-team tourney has adopted the a Champions League-style format (two games rotating home sites and decided by cumulative score) MITCH STEPHENSMitch Stephens is a senior editor at SBLive Sports for California a state he's covered high school sports since 1984 He won multiple CNPA and CPSWA writing awards with the Contra Costa Times San Francisco Chronicle and MaxPreps.com before joining the SBLive staff in 2022 He's covered the beat nationally since 2007 You can reach him at mitch@scorebooklive.com Girls Soccer: Ralston Valley vs Mountain Vista Photo Credit: (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Sports Information) DENVER — Mountain Vista senior Riley MacDonald’s game-winning goal in the 99th minute struck just before the lightning flashed Wednesday night at CIBER Field on the University of Denver campus We’ve had a good run,” MacDonald said of the Golden Eagles’ undefeated season so far I think that showcased how many scoring chances we had Mountain Vista had numerous corner kicks and scrums in front of Ralston Valley senior goalie Margot Mulhern the Golden Eagles couldn’t hit the back of the net until early in the second overtime period “I crossed a (defender) and placed it in the corner,” MacDonald said MacDonald’s game-winning goal was followed by her teammates storming the field just before lightning to the southwest of the DU delayed the start of the second semifinal game by nearly 90 minutes “I felt like the word for this team is relentless,” Mountain Vista coach Theresa Echtermeyer said Mountain Vista senior Lily Boydstun has a handful of great scoring chances Mulhern made a handful of diving saves and if it wasn’t the goalie a defender for the Mustangs were able to clear balls that look destined for the back of the net “The defense for Ralston Valley was great,” MacDonald said Mountain Vista didn’t make it easy on the leading goal scorer in 5A this season Ralston Valley junior Raleigh Greason — 36 goals on the season — was held in check as the Mustangs were shutout for only the second time this season “You need to make sure someone is tight on the pressure and players off the ball are being smart,” Echtermeyer said of how Mountain Vista handled the leading scorer in 5A One of the best scoring chances for the Mustangs was a rocket of a shot from Greason in the first half that just sailed over the cross bar “They had more than one person on me,” Greason said of how Mountain Vista defended her “They know I’m top scorer and I’m going to have a target on my back.” it could have been the final game for Greason in a Mustang jersey She had already verbally committed to Texas Tech University If Greason decides to graduate a semester early next winter she would enroll at Texas Tech and forgo her senior soccer season next spring “It’s just time and talking with my parents,” Greason said of her process making her decision “I’m going out there (Texas Tech University) for a camp this summer Greason had one of the most impressive seasons in recent Colorado history on the soccer pitch averaging nearly two goals per game in the highest classification “I’d love to come back and play for this program for one more year,” Greason admitted after the Mustangs fell short of advancing to the title game Either way I’m going to be happy with whatever I do.” No matter of Greason returns or not next season Ralston Valley coach Kamee Morwood has a strong core returning next year the double-overtime loss will sting for a while “They wanted to win,” Morwood said of her team Echtermeyer will be asking her team to rest up with a significant break of a week before the championship game next week on Wednesday “This has been a tough run for sure for anyone how has made it to this round It is a lot of games in a short period of time,” Echtermeyer said of the semifinal teams playing four games in nine days during the playoffs “We’ll get to rest know and see who comes out of this game (Heritage vs Rock Canyon).” it still took awhile for the first goal to come in the second semifinal Rock Canyon senior Gabby Beaudry’s long drive in the 49th minute found the back of the next to break the ice on the way to the Jaguars’ 3-0 victory over Heritage Senior Macey Williams added an insurance goal with a header off a corner for Rock Canyon (14-0-5) in the 53rd minute to extend the lead to 2-0 Senior Jocelyn Lyons put the icing on the cake in the 76th minute on a tough angle shot that hit the back of the net Heritage (12-3-3) had the run of play in the scoreless first half but the Jaguars were able to get it going offensively early in the second half Rock Canyon junior goalie Brenna Schoenfelder was brilliant in goal with the shutout victory 3 Rock Canyon to face off against top-seed Mountain Vista on Wednesday The Jaguars will attempt to get their hands on that elusive state championship Rock Canyon is a three-time state runner-up (2013 The Jaguars lost in the 5A state championship last year 1-0 against ThunderRidge Best known for the annual Sandhill Crane migration near the town Monte Vista is a quiet hamlet located in the San Luis Valley It isn’t just the wildlife that draws in visitors Bordered by the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the east and the San Juan Mountains to the west, Monte Vista is a hub for outdoor adventures Monte Vista offers several lodging options for travelers including a hotel attached to a drive-in movie theatre Find your home away from home with these hotels in Monte Vista Here are our choices for the top hotels in Monte Vista this hotel is a great home base for exploring all that the San Luis Valley has to offer Rest and relax in completely renovated guest rooms with crisp Choose from dozens of spacious rooms including Double Queen rooms and Single King Suites Enjoy basic in-room amenities such as a mini-fridge guests have access to the indoor heated pool and hot tub A truly unique lodging concept, the Best Western Movie Manor is a hotel attached to the historic Star Drive-in Guests of the hotel can enjoy the feature film from the comfort of their hotel room The movie season is from mid-May through mid-September Not all rooms have a direct movie view from the bed but all rooms do have tables and chairs for movie viewing Guests can choose from a variety of rooms ranging from one and two Queen-size beds to one King-size bed In-room basic amenities include a flat-screen T.V. A National Historic Landmark, the Monte Villa Hotel was built in 1932 and now offers guests a modern stay in Monte Vista The Monte Villa Hotel is located on 1st Street in downtown Monte Vista and is within walking distance of a few restaurants and cafes including Quincy’s Steak & Spirits This historic hotel features 40 remodeled modern rooms Guests enjoy basic in-room amenities such as a mini-fridge Choose from one Queen-size or one King-size bedroom option Your classic roadside motel, the Rio Grande Motel is a great choice for a budget-friendly option in Monte Vista Providing an ideal mix of value and comfort the Rio Grande Motel offers a Western-style charm that is unique and reminiscent of a cabin in the woods The Western and wildlife-themed rooms add to this hotel’s quirky ambiance The motel offers efficient units that feature cable TV Explore more of the San Luis Valley with a stay in one of these hotels in Monte Vista Jessica is a writer and photographer based in Denver She spends her time traveling the world and exploring the beautiful state of Colorado She has a passion for well-written stories gorgeous photography and bringing these two together When she is not working in the city you can find her in the mountains either hiking Connect with her on Instagram or Facebook @jlhindesign Copyright © 2025 · Free Colorado Travel Guide | Vacations, Travel and Tourism · All Rights Reserved