The Prowers Journal

12/10/2025

Subject: URGENT: School Closure Notification for Tomorrow, December 11, 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This is an important message regarding the health and safety of our school community.

Due to a significant increase in illness, we are experiencing unusually high absentee rates among both students and staff. To help prevent further spread and allow time for deep cleaning of our facilities, we have made the decision to close school tomorrow, Thursday, December 11th.

Today, Wednesday, December 10th, school will finish as scheduled. However, we respect any parent's decision to pick up their student early today. If you wish to pick up your child before the regular dismissal time, please do so via the front office, or call the office at 719-829-4806 to release them.

Activities and Athletics Update:

All Junior High sporting events scheduled for tomorrow, December 11th and Friday, December 12th are cancelled. We will make efforts to reschedule those games at a later date.

We are actively working with coaches and staff to determine the status of Saturday, December 13th, events and anticipate those will take place as scheduled but will provide an update if anything changes.

High School Cheer and Wrestling activities will continue with expectations that athletes will be fever free.
We anticipate resuming normal operations on Monday, December 15th for Secondary students and Tuesday December 16th for Elementary (December 15th is Elementary testing day) but we will continue to monitor the situation closely and communicate any changes immediately.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our school community healthy.

Sincerely,

Erin Brophy
Wiley Superintendent

12/10/2025

Share the Spirit Foundation and Cornerstone Resource Center launch partnership to support local children

A new community partnership is stepping up to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local children. Cornerstone Resource Center and Share the Spirit Foundation have joined forces to provide children in need with something simple yet life-changing: a new pair of shoes. Cornerstone Resource Center’s mission is to strengthen and empower individuals and families by connecting them with resources and services that build confidence, skills, and stability. ...

  A new community partnership is stepping up to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local children. Cornerstone Resource Center and Share the Spirit Foundation have joined forces to …

12/10/2025

Announcing First Developer Partner for the Shovel Ready Program – Shamrock Homes

PEP and Shamrock Homes Partner to Launch First Shovel Ready Development in Lamar A story of hometown roots, shared vision, and the next chapter of growth for Prowers County Brooks O'Hearn, Shamrock Homes Acquisition Manager Brent Bates, PEP Project Coordinator Lamar, CO — Prowers Economic Prosperity (PEP) is proud to announce Shamrock Homes as the first official developer partner in the newly launched Shovel Ready Program (SRP)—marking a major milestone in the effort to accelerate commercial growth and long-term investment across Prowers County....

  PEP and Shamrock Homes Partner to Launch First Shovel Ready Development in Lamar A story of hometown roots, shared vision, and the next chapter of growth for Prowers County Brooks O’H…

12/10/2025

Edna Schwartz – March 19, 1943 – December 5, 2025

A graveside memorial service for longtime Lamar resident, Edna Schwartz will be held at 1:00PM on Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Wiley Cemetery in Wiley, Colorado with Pastor Paul Floyd of the High Plains Fellowship Church officiating. Edna was born on March 19, 1943 at Lamar, Colorado to Joseph and Eunice (Copeland) Smith and passed away on December 05, 2025 at the Lamar Legacy with her family by her side at the age of 82....

A graveside memorial service for longtime Lamar resident, Edna Schwartz will be held at 1:00PM on Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Wiley Cemetery in Wiley, Colorado with Pastor Paul Floyd of the Hi…

12/10/2025

Robert Hugh Randle – June 9, 1947 – December 8, 2025

A celebration of life for longtime Lamar, Colorado resident, Robert Hugh Randle, affectionately known to his family and friends as Bob, will be held at 10:00AM on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at the Peacock Family Chapel with Pastor Kathy Leathers of the Holly United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairmount Cemetery in Lamar. Visitation for Bob will be held from 12:00PM until 3:00PM on Monday, December 15, 2025 at the Peacock Family Chapel....

A celebration of life for longtime Lamar, Colorado resident, Robert Hugh Randle, affectionately known to his family and friends as Bob, will be held at 10:00AM on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at the …

12/10/2025

Shirley Pampus – October 2, 1939 – 2025

Shirley Pampus was born on October 2, 1939 in Lawrence, Kansas, and grew up in rural eastern Kansas, moving to Lamar in the spring of 1964. She loved living in Lamar and being part of the community. She was involved with many organizations over the decades, and especially enjoyed being a member of the Lamar Eagles Lodge. An avid reader, she greatly valued the Lamar Public Library, and she enjoyed trading books with her good friends who read the same authors as she did....

Shirley Pampus was born on October 2, 1939 in Lawrence, Kansas, and grew up in rural eastern Kansas, moving to Lamar in the spring of 1964. She loved living in Lamar and being part of the community…

12/09/2025

12/09/2025

Lamar RE-2 School Board meeting of December 8, 2025

The Lamar RE-2 School Board met on December 8, 2025. Not present at the meeting was Director Travis Hall as well as student board member Giada Nieschburg. Principal updates were presented by Brandon Adamson, Lamar Middle School, and Greg Eddy, Lamar High School. Adamson reported that the boys basketball teams had a total of 59 athletes and that all four teams are doing well. ...

The Lamar RE-2 School Board met on December 8, 2025. Not present at the meeting was Director Travis Hall as well as student board member Giada Nieschburg. Principal updates were presented by Brand…

12/09/2025

Lamar City Council meeting of December, 8, 2025.

Lamar City Council met for a regular meeting on December 8, 2025. Mayor Kirk Crespin apologized to the audience about the meeting starting a bit late due to a work session with CIRSA, the city’s insurance provider regarding public official liabilities. The work session served as both a refresher course for incumbent council members as well as informational for the two new council members. ...

Lamar City Council met for a regular meeting on December 8, 2025. Mayor Kirk Crespin apologized to the audience about the meeting starting a bit late due to a work session with CIRSA, the city’s i…

12/08/2025

City of Lamar honors 22 city employees with years of service awards at luncheon

Ted Vasquez, Superintendent of the Street Department is recognized for 44 years of service to the City as well as for receiving the City of Lamar Employee of the Year for 2025 by Mayor Kirk Crespin and City Administrator Mitch Hammes The City of Lamar honored 22 employees with Years of Service awards at a luncheon ceremony on December 8, 2025 at the Cultural Events Center. ...

Ted Vasquez, Superintendent of the Street Department is recognized for 44 years of service to the City as well as for receiving the City of Lamar Employee of the Year for 2025 by Mayor Kirk Crespin…

12/08/2025

Letter to the Editor – A Heartfelt Thank You to the Lamar Community for Another Memorable Thanksgiving

To the Editor: On November 27, 350-400 of friends, neighbors, and visitors gathered at The HOPE Center for the 10th annual Lamar Community Thanksgiving Luncheon. Once again, our community proved that when we come together, no one spends Thanksgiving alone or hungry. This free home-cooked meal complete with turkey and all the traditional fixings, and an unbelievable array of pies and dessert, would not have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of the people of Lamar and the surrounding area....

To the Editor: On November 27, 350-400 of friends, neighbors, and visitors gathered at The HOPE Center for the 10th annual Lamar Community Thanksgiving Luncheon. Once again, our community proved th…

12/07/2025

Congratulations, guys!