LISTEN TO LOCAL NEWS
NATIONWIDE TEST OF EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM TO BE HELD TOMORROW
The first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will take place tomorrow. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are teaming together for the first ever nationwide test of the system that alerts the public in the event of an emergency. The test will determine broadcasters’ ability to carry out messages from the federal government. After the test, the federal agencies will review and decide what issues need to be addressed. Regularly scheduled radio and television programs will be briefly interrupted by the test. It will be held at noon tomorrow, and will last around 30 seconds.
FARM SERVICE AGENCY OFFERS HELP TO ROUTT COUNTY FLOOD VICTIMS
The USDA farm Service Agency is holding a sign-up for the Emergency Conservation Program for cost-sharing assistance for agricultural land owners who were affected by this summer’s flooding in Routt County. For land to be eligible, the disaster must create new conservation problems that, if left untreated, would impair or endanger land, materially affect the land’s productive capacity, and/or be so costly to repair that Federal assistance is needed to return the land to productive agricultural use. The practices covered by the program include removing debris from farmland, grading, shaping, re-leveling, and restoring permanent vegetative cover, restoring permanent fences, restoring conservation structures, and other emergency conservation measures. If you think you may qualify, you can call the Routt County Farm Service Agency Office. The number is 879-3225. The sign-up period lasts through December 30th.
LAWMAKERS OFFER ALTERNATIVES TO CLOSING RURAL POST OFFICES
State lawmakers have sent another letter to the Senate committee considering rural post office closures across the country, urging them to consider carefully which offices they close. This time, lawmakers are giving suggestions on ways to increase efficiency without taking postal service away from communities. The letter suggests, among other things, combining federal offices in some areas, while putting postal services in market places in other areas. They say by locating other federal offices inside a post office, or by putting a post office inside a supermarket or a bank, they can share overhead expenses. The letter also cautions against eliminating Saturday deliveries, saying businesses that rely on that service, may turn to other mailing resources, reducing the postal services revenue. The USPS has already announced the closure of the Phippsburgh post office, which Routt County Commissioners are appealing, and are considering closing offices in Taponas, Slater, Hamilton and Maybell.
ROUTT COUNTY HUNTER RESCUED FROM CLIFF
Routt County Search and Rescue rescued an injured hunter Sunday from a ledge on a cliff in the Walton Creek Drainage area. The man and his hunting partner were climbing down the cliff, when one of them fell and hurt his wrist. He was about 100 feet from the bottom of the cliff, when he decided he couldn’t go any further. His partner kept going and eventually walked out of the canyon, to find rescuers already preparing to look for the two. They had been called by one of the men’s wives that morning, because the two were overdue. Using ropes, the search team was able to get the other hunter down from the cliff, and to Yampa Valley Medical Center for treatment of his wrist.
MOFFAT COUNTY VETERANS PREPARE FOR FRIDAY CEREMONY AT HIGH SCHOOL
Veterans in Moffat County are getting ready for their annual Veterans Day presentation Friday at Moffat County High School. The entire day will be a history lesson for students. Representatives of the V.F.W., the American Legion, and the Daughters of the American Revolution will speak, the high school band will perform, and there will be a flag ceremony on the football field, all before lunch. After lunch, students will return to class for lessons about the military, the history of Veteran’s Day, and other related topics. Friday is also an early release day for Moffat County students.
ELKHEAD RESERVOIR TRAIL CLOSES UNTIL NEXT SUMMER
Visitors to Elkhead Reservoir are being asked to stay away from the Elkhead Reservoir Trail for a while. The trail has been closed for improvements. Crews will make repairs to the road and plant vegetation on the sides of the trail. The closure is in effect until next summer. Officials are asking that the public not use the trail until it re-opens.
