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KRAI HOLIDAY DRIVE BOASTS 13^TH YEAR OF SUCCESS

The KRAI and 55 Country Holiday Drive was another huge success this year.  For two days, volunteers collected donations outside the Centennial Mall in Craig. Over 2 tons of food, over 1,000 toys, and several gifts for seniors were collected, and cash donations exceeded $24,000. 100% of what was collected stays in Moffat County, and benefits Advocates Crisis Support Services, the Interfaith Food Bank in Craig, Christmas for Kids, and Christmas for Seniors.  Over 100 pictures from our 2011 Holiday Drive can be seen in the galleries above.

CRAIG JURY FINDS 2010 DEATH AN ACCIDENT

Nick Peroulis of Craig has been found not guilty of careless driving resulting in death.  Nearly a year ago, Peroulis’ truck struck 34-year old Justin Bliss while Bliss was walking along the side of Highway 40 on the west side of Craig.  However, a jury last week found that the death was not the fault of Peroulis, and instead an accident.

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB NAMES VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR

The Boys and Girls Club’s Cowboy Christmas was held Saturday night.  The night is a fundraiser for the club, but also honors residents for their volunteer work.  Moffat County High School student Kadie Scott was chosen as the Club’s 2011 Youth of the Year.  David and Julie Dempster were named Man and Woman of the Year, for their volunteer efforts throughout the community.  Janet Sheridan was named volunteer of the year, and Kruse Bulders was named Business of the Year.  The night also featured dinner, dancing, simulated gambling, and live and silent auctions.

STEAMBOAT SKI AREA OPENS MORE TRAILS ON MOUNTAIN

The Steamboat Ski Area opened top to bottom terrain over the weekend.  The resort is reporting an 18-inch base at mid mountain, and a 19 inch base at the summit.  Ski area officials have been making snow to add to the natural powder that has fallen, and they got a boost with the weekend snow storm.  Saturday, the resort opened top to bottom skiing, but there are still areas that remain closed.  Officials hope to use snow making equipment to help get the rest of the mountain open by sometime next week.

BLM TO HOST PUBLIC MEETING ABOUT EMERALD MOUNTAIN TOMORROW

The Bureau of Land management will hold a public meeting tomorrow night in Steamboat.  They BLM wants to discuss with residents their plan to implement new supplemental rules for the Emerald Mountain Special Recreation Management Area.  Those rules include a seasonal closure, leash rules for pets, day-use stipulations, and overnight camping restrictions.  The Bureau will also discuss new trails, maintenance, and user conflicts.  The meeting will be held at the Bud Werner Memorial Library at 5:30 tomorrow night.

SENIOR PROPERTY TAX BREAK AT HEART OF STATE BUDGET TALKS

Colorado budget negotiations next year will center on whether to restore a senior citizens property tax break as Republicans drive the debate toward cutting Medicaid spending.  Republicans control the House and they’ve indicated they won’t pass the legislation required to follow Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper’s proposal to eliminate a $98.6 million property tax break for seniors, which is scheduled to be reinstated next year.  Hickenlooper says the state can’t afford the tax break.  State lawmakers have done away with the voter-approved tax break during tight budget years in the past.  Republicans are urging Hickenlooper to explore waivers from Medicaid spending requirements.  Hickenlooper says that’s not possible because the new federal health care law prevents states from restricting eligibility. The bad economy has prompted higher enrollment and costs.

STATE ISSUES WORLD WAR 2 VETERAN PLATES

The state will release a new license plate next month.  Starting in January, World War 2 veterans can get plates honoring their service.  Veterans must prove their service.  Their service exempts them from the $25 plate fee.  The plates come out January 3rd and can be ordered at any Department of Motor Vehicles Office.

In high school sports:
Over the weekend:
In basketball:
The Moffat County girls beat Union and Uintah at the Uintah classic, but lost to Wasatch.
The Steamboat boys and girls beat Roaring Fork Friday and Basalt Saturday.
The Hayden girls won the Meeker Shootout, beating Cedaredge, Palisade and Grand Valley.

In wrestling:
Steamboat’s Cole Sittig placed 4^th at the Middle Park Tournament.

In ice hockey:
Steamboat fell to Fountain Valley Friday and Kent Denver Saturday.

Bad Dogs Wrestling  took 11 wrestlers to Castle Rock on Saturday to take place in the first Tour of America King of the Mountain at the Douglas County Events Center. The tournament featured wrestlers from over 15 states including Georgia, California, Wisconsin to name a few, representing 89 teams in the one day event. The little team from Craig showed the competition that Moffat County Wrestling is on the return to prominence by finishing with 4th place in the Intermediate team rankings and 7th in the Middle School division. Leading the way in the individual results was Shandon Hadley with his first National event championship in the 128 pound class and Mikinzie Klimper  placing second at 112 pounds in the Middle School Division.  In the Intermediate Division Daniel Caddy finished a strong second place at 70 pounds with Luke Pleasant finishing fourth in the 60 pound bracket.
The Tour of America series features a Rookies class that allows new wrestlers to compete in a large venue on the same mats as the top talent in wrestling. In this class two new Bad Dogs, Tyler Fortune wrestling in 56-57 pound Intermediate division and Ty Pinnt in the 71-76 pound Novice division both finished with first place medals.

Complete TOA King of the Mountain results:
Rookie Bantam Division (born 2004-2005)
55-57 lbs
Colton Burke 0-2

Intermediate Division (born 2002-2003)
60 lbs
Luke Pleasant   4-2   2 pins    4th Place
Dagan White     0-2
Laadan Rothermund   0-2
70 lbs
Daniel Caddy   2-1    2nd Place

Rookie Intermediate Division
56-57 lbs
Tyler Fortune  3-0   2 pins    1st Place

Rookie Novice Division (born 2000-2001)
71-76 lbs
Ty Pinnt 3-0    3 pins     1st Place

Middle School Division (born 1997-1999)
70lbs
Drew Rothermund   0-2
91 lbs
Devlyn Mosman    0-2
112 lbs
Mikinzie Klimper   2-1     2 pins     2nd Place
128lbs
Shandon Hadley     3-0     1pin       1st Place