Pitch Palooza Packs House

The payroll department and Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado’s grant finalist, presented to a full house at Pitch Palooza on Tuesday, November 18th. Fort Lewis College appointed Sean Jacobowsky as the new director of athletics and the Durango Public Library seek submissions for a writing contest. You are watching the local news Roundup, brought to you by Durango Gelato Coffee and Tea, and Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steak Burgers. I am Sadie Smith, the payroll department and the Community Foundation. Serving Southwest Colorado awarded more than 19,000 to three finalists. At Pitch Palooza, an interactive grant making initiative. The finalists presented a 10 minute pitch to an audience of the organization’s staff and local community members. Attendees donated an additional 3000 to support the initiatives. Finalists included alternative horizons, which presented on recent shootings that involved victims trying to escape domestic violence. The organization supports survivors of domestic violence in La Plata and San Juan Counties. Another finalist, ROS four Corners Immigrant Resource Center presented on the immigration situation and its effect on a local afterschool program with decreased participation. The final presenter, the Warming Center, is a new initiative in partnership with Sacred Heart Parish Hall on fifth Avenue to provide a warm shelter for people experiencing homelessness. The warming center opens when temperatures fall below 15 degrees, but hopes to expand its services to open at higher temperatures. For more information, visit the Community Foundation. Serving Southwest Colorado website. Fort Lewis College named Sean Jacobowsky. As Director of Athletics effective mundane. November 17th, Jake Grabowski served as interim director. After former director, Travis Whipple left the position in August. Jacobowsky joined the FLC staff in 2022 and served as head, cross, country, and track and field coach, as well as Associate Director of Athletics for external relations. He brings more than 15 years of experience in higher education athletics to the role. To stay up to date on FLC athletics, visit go skyhawks.com. The Durango Public Library’s fourth annual page one writing contest will be open for submissions on January 1st through the 31st. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Maria’s Bookshop and have their writing featured on the page one radio program. Submissions must be one page or about 300 to 500 words of original work. The contest is open to all genres and local writers ages 14 and older. For submission details, visit the Durango Public Library website. Learn more about these and other stories online at Durango Local News. Thank you for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I’m Sadie Smith.