LISTEN TO LOCAL NEWS
KRAI/55 COUNTRY HOLIDAY DRIVE IS UNDERWAY
The KRAI and 55 Country Holiday Drive is underway. Volunteers are gathered at the west entrance of the Centennial Mall in Craig, taking donations of non-perishable food, new and unwrapped toys, gifts for seniors and cash. The drive benefits Advocates Crisis Support Services, the Interfaith Food Bank in Craig, Christmas for Kids, and Christmas for Seniors. There will be live entertainment throughout the day by various community members and organizations, and Santa will be available to visit with the kids. Donations will be taken until 6 tonight, and again from 6 to 6 tomorrow.
SCHOLARSHIP DAY NETS OVER $63,000 FOR WINTER SPORTS CLUB
The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club made over $63,000 last week during Scholarship Day at the Steamboat Ski Area. The Ski Area traditionally holds Scholarship Day on opening day at the resort. Lift tickets are reduced and the proceeds go to the club to fill scholarship requests for those kids whose parents can’t afford their programs. The $63,445 marks the third most successful Scholarship Day in history. The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club offers training in all the various aspects of skiing and snow boarding, and is famous for turning out professional competitors, including Olympians, over the last 21 years.
POWER PROBLEMS TAKE KRAI-FM OFF THE AIR
A power problem took KRAI-FM off the air this morning. YVEA officials said the problem itself was minor, but the station was taken off the air for nearly an hour while crews fixed it. Officials said most people affected would have only noticed flickering lights. Nobody else lost power.
CRAIG/ MOFFAT E.D.P. NEEDS NEW DIRECTOR
The Craig/Moffat Economic Development Partnership is looking for a new director. Director Darcy Trask has accepted a position in Denver, working in economic development for the state. The director position has always been part-time, but the EDP is considering making it full-time. The EDP says the search for a new director will not interfere with their work in opening up the Business Incubator One-Stop Center next year. The goal is to expand small business and entrepreneurial programs by consolidating and increasing its economic gardening services in the new center, which will be housed in CNCC’s Bell Tower. Those interested in becoming the EDP’s new director can fill out an application now. For more information, click here.
BILL TO PREVENT E.P.A. FROM REGULATING FARM DUST HEADS TO FULL HOUSE
A bill to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating farm dust has advanced to the House floor. Colorado Representative Cory Gardner was one of those who voted for the bill. Gardner says the EPA is notorious for trying to implement back-door regulations. He says despite the EPA’s denial of regulating farm dust, they do admit that farm dust is part of the course particles in the air they do regulate. Gardner says that’s close enough, and is the reason for his vote. Other lawmakers apparently felt the same, as the measure was sent from the Energy and Commerce Committee to the full house on a 33 to 16 vote.
COLORADO METH PROJECT PROVIDES STATISTICS
According to the Colorado Meth Project, the majority of U.S. counties say meth is their most serious drug problem. The project has some statistics on their website that help put the problem in perspective. The U.S. Justice Department says the supply of meth in the U.S. is at its highest level in five years because of the Mexican cartels’ supply. Colorado ranks seventh in the country for total number of meth users who are 12 and older. 76 percent of all Colorado meth users began using it before they were 25. 43 percent started at age 17 or younger. The Colorado Meth Project says it is making a dent in these numbers. The group’s public service announcements, billboards and web outreach is educating the public.
NATIVITY DISPLAY OPENS IN CRAIG TODAY
The Interfaith Community Nativity Display opens today in Craig. The display features many various nativity scenes, some created by local residents. The group organizing the display is still accepting scenes, which will be displayed over the next three days. Public viewing is from 4 to 8 today and tomorrow, and from 9 to 2 Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Craig.
SUPREME COURT HEARS ARGUMENTS ON RESIDENT REQUESTED OIL AND GAS HEARINGS
The Colorado Supreme Court is considering whether residents have a right to demand a hearing on a proposal to drill for natural gas near a nuclear blast site in western Colorado. The court heard arguments yesterday from lawyers for the state and a Garfield County citizens’ group over who’s entitled to a public airing of the reasons for and against drilling. The state says a 2003 rule only entitles drillers, local governments and surface property owners to such hearings. But the Grand Valley Citizens’ Alliance says that conflicts with the state’s overall oil and gas regulations. They were broadened in 2007 to require more attention to drilling’s impacts on public health and the environment. The state says allowing anyone to request a hearing could bog down the process.
