LISTEN TO LOCAL NEWS
REVIEW FINDS BLM’S HORSE AND BURRO GATHERS HUMANE
A review of the BLM’s wild horse and burro gathering process is complete. The BLM’s operation in Nevada earlier this year was reviewed after a judge shut the operation down following a complaint by citizens that the helicopter being used for the gather was flying too close to some of the animals. While those conducting the review found improvement could be made, they also found that the BLM’s operation was humane. The gathers are done to manage the size of wild horse and burro herds. The BLM will make some changes to their procedures when it comes to helicopter involvement. Those include clarifying what actions are appropriate for the pilot, and offering training or classes regarding those expectations. You can view the full report by clicking here.
FIREFIGHTERS CAN’T SAVE MAYBELL HOME
Firefighters weren’t able to save the home of a Maybell man yesterday afternoon. The mobile home went up in flames at around 2, when the owner tried thawing his pipes with a propane heater. Nobody was hurt in the blaze, but the home was a total loss. Firefighters say they don’t recommend using an open flame to thaw pipes in your home. They say heat wrapping your pipes before they freeze is the best way to keep water flowing into your home.
MOFFAT COUNTY SHERIFF HOLDS MEETING ON SEXUAL PREDATOR
Moffat County Sheriff Tim Jantz addressed a large crowd at the Center of Craig last night, regarding a sexually violent predator who has moved to Moffat County. The sheriff was accompanied by representatives from other law enforcement and members of the legal community, as he explained the situation that brought 49 year old Dale Waite to the county, and what is expected of him while he is here. Waite was convicted in California nearly 30 years ago on sexual assault charges. He has since been paroled, reoffended, reincarcerated, and now paroled again. Jantz went over the restrictions Waite faces, as well as the expectations he has from the community, discouraging vigilante acts. Waite is registered as a sexual offender.
STEAMBOAT SCHOOLS RECEIVE HIGHEST ACCREDITATION RATING
The Steamboat School Board has received the highest rating for performance by the state. The Colorado Department of Education ranks schools based on performance indicators, the result of which can affect each district’s accreditation rating. There were 18 districts in the state that received the “Accredited with Distinction” rating, Steamboat being one of them. The rating means the district meets or exceeds statewide attainment on the performance indicators, and is required to adopt and implement a Performance Plan. Districts rated “Accredited”, such as Hayden, Rangely, Meeker and Soroco, must also come up with a Performance Plan. Moffat County was rated “Accredited with an Improvement Plan”, meaning district officials have improvements to make in certain areas. More details are available here.
ALMANAC PREDICTS MILDER WINTER THAN LAST YEAR
The Old Farmer’s Almanac is shedding a little light on what kind of weather the U-S will see this year. The Almanac, which has been published since 1792, doesn’t have much to say about the Rocky Mountains, but does say this winter, on average, will be warmer than last year, with periods of very cold temperatures. No drought relief is expected in the south and southeast, although those in the north and northeast should expect above average precipitation. The Almanac says most will see a white Christmas, especially in the Northeast, the Heartland, the High Plains and the Intermountain Regions.
NEWT GINGRICH CONSERVATIVE FRONT RUNNER IN COLORADO
A new survey of Republican voters in Colorado shows former House Speaker Newt Gingrich as the clear front runner. Thirty-seven percent of those surveyed by Public Policy Polling said they’d pick Gingrich if the state caucus were held at this point. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney only got support from 18 percent of those polled. No other single candidate earned double digits and 16 percent remain undecided.
STUDY FINDS COLORADO 9TH HEALTHIEST STATE IN THE NATION
United Health Foundation crunched the numbers and determined Colorado ranks No. 9 in overall health. By studying obesity rates, diabetes patients, children in poverty, smoking cessation, premature deaths, preventable hospitalizations, pollution levels and cardiovascular deaths,America’s Health Rankings determined Colorado has the lowest obesity rate in America. The study also determined the low levels of pollution, the lower prevalence of obesity and the low prevalence of diabetes in Colorado all contributed to its overall rank of No. 9. However, this study did not find only good news about Colorado. Of all Coloradan adults, 21.4 percent of them are obese. That number has increased 360,000 people in the past decade. Smoking adults decreased from 19.8 percent to 16 percent, but 609,000 adults still smoke in Colorado. Diabetes patients increased from 4.8 percent to 6 percent. In the past decade, the percentage of children in poverty increased from 10.9 percent to 18.5 percent.
BILL TO LIMIT FEDERAL REGULATIONS PASSES HOUSE COMMITTEE
A bill has been introduced in the House to stem the creation of new federal regulations. The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny, or REINS, Act would require proposed regulations that would have an economic impact of $100 million or more to be approved by Congress before implementation. The Obama Administration says there are more than 200 proposed regulations that would fall into that category. It’s estimated that small businesses spend about $10,500 every year to comply with federal regulations. That, of course, leads to higher consumer costs, reduced wages, and reduced hiring. The measure was approved by a house committee yesterday.
In high school sports:
Today:
In basketball:
Rangely’s girls play at Duchesne at 7:30.
The Meeker boys host their shootout with Rangely and Little Snake River Valley attending.
The Steamboat boys and girls host their shootout, with Moffat County attending.
Tomorrow:
In basketball:
The Meeker boys continue their shootout with Rangely and Little Snake River Valley attending.
The Little Snake River Valley girls go to the Little Six Tournament in Rawlins.
The Steamboat boys and girls continue their shootout with Moffat County attending.
In wrestling:
Moffat County goes to the Union Duals.
Rangely goes to the Roosevelt Duals.
