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BALLOON GLOW TIMING DISAPPOINTS ATTENDEES

The only disappointment expressed with this year’s Moffat County Balloon Festival was the balloon glow.  It wasn’t that the show was disappointing, but rather the timing.  Festival organizers promoted the glow as taking place at 9 Saturday night, but those who showed up just in time for the event were unhappy that it was already over, and some were even reimbursed for their trouble.  Organizer Melody Villard says they’ll make sure that doesn’t happen again next year, by scheduling it well ahead of the actual glow time.  She says by promoting the preparations for the glow, which she says can be as fascinating as the glow itself, people are more likely to show up early and they won’t miss it.  Over 1,100 people showed up to Loudy Simpson Park for the festival over the weekend.  You can see pictures in the gallery above.

ROLLOVER CRASH ON MOFFAT COUNTY ROAD 7 SENDS 3 TO HOSPITAL

A rollover crash on Moffat County Road 7 just after midnight Friday sent three people to the hospital.  According to the Colorado State Patrol, the 20-year old male driver is being investigated for driving under the influence, but no charges have been filed.  There were also two female teenagers in the car.  All three were taken to The Memorial Hospital in Craig.  The injuries to one of the girls were bad enough for her to be flown to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, however the nature of the injuries hasn’t been released.

MEEKER ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ARE DISPLACED

Elementary students in Meeker won’t start their school year in the district’s new building.  The school has been closed temporarily to repair structural bracing concerns.  In the meantime, kids will be attending the district’s various other buildings based on their grade levels.  Preschool, kindergarten, and first grade students will be housed at the district’s Administration building, second, third and fourth graders will have class in the north wing of the high school, and fifth graders will be at Barone Middle School.  To make room for the younger kids, the Administration offices will move to the basement of Richards Hall at Saint James Episcopal Church.  Officials say they hope the building will be ready for students to attend before the end of the school year.  The Meeker school year starts September 6th.  Open houses will be held at each of the different buildings on the 1st from 4PM to 8PM.  if you have questions, call the school district’s administration offices.

BLM RELEASES ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR OIL AND GAS LEASE SALE

The Bureau of Land Management has released its environmental assessment for parcels that are expected to be included in the agency’s February 9th oil and gas lease sale.  The public will soon have the opportunity to comment on the parcels, something the BLM has recently instituted into the process.  The public has always had the opportunity to protest a parcel being sold, however offering a chance to comment on the proposals gives the public a little more participation in the planning stages.  There will still be a protest period in November.  The public comment period will come during the environmental review, which has not yet been scheduled.  All parcels involved in the sale are managed by the Little Snake Field Office.

FIRE PREPAREDNESS LEVEL RAISED FOR ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION

The Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center has increased the wildfire preparedness level for the Rocky Mountain Region.  The region includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.  In Northwest Colorado the fire danger is considered very high, due to lack of moisture and high temperatures.  The preparedness level goes from a Level 2 to a Level 3, which means more resources are being made available to fight local wild fires that may get out of hand.

FOREST ACCESS ON RABBIT EARS CLOSED OFF DURING PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE

Those planning on playing in the Routt National Forest this weekend need to be aware that, due to the temporary closure of Highway 40 Saturday for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, access to some campgrounds will be closed off.  The closure is expected to take place between 10:30AM and 1:30PM Saturday. Forest officials say fortunately, most people who plan to visit the area will likely already be there by the time the closure happens.  There are alternate routes for those simply traveling in the area.  The Colorado Department of Transportation has posted those routes on the website.

BIKE TOUR IN STEAMBOAT WILL VISIT HISTORIC PLACES

The City of Steamboat is hosting a historic bike tour later this week.  The tour will stop at historic places in Steamboat, starting with the Depot, and ending at the Mesa Schoolhouse.  The total round trip for the tour is about 12 miles.  Refreshments will be available at the end of the tour, during the Mesa Schoolhouse’s Open House.  In accordance with the law, bike helmets will be required.  Those wanting to participate should meet at the Steamboat Depot at 10 Thursday morning.