LISTEN TO LOCAL NEWS
BLM SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON COAL LEASE SALE
The Bureau of Land Management is looking for public comments on a proposal to lease nearly 2,600 acres of federal coal reserves beneath BLM land in Rio Blanco County. The land is next to the Deserado Mine. Blue Mountain Energy, which operates the mine, has submitted the lease application, but the Bureau would like to hear from the public, before starting an environmental assessment. The lease would eventually be offered up at auction. Those who would like to comment, can do so by clicking here.
LAWMAKERS URGE FEDS TO HOLD OFF CLOSING RURAL POST OFFICES
Colorado lawmakers have again pushed for a moratorium on closing or consolidation of rural post offices, to give Congress time to address the U.S. Postal Services financial problems through comprehensive reform. The U.S.P.S. has already decided to close the Phippsburgh office, and spare the Maybell office. However post offices in Slater, Taponas, and Hamilton are still in limbo. Residents of smaller communities worry about the commute closing rural offices will create. In areas where winter driving can be treacherous, federal officials are being urged to consider resident safety when closing rural offices.
THREE PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR THEFT OF SUBWAY SAFE
Steamboat police have arrested three people suspected in a robbery at a Subway there. Police say 18-year olds Melissa Bauder and Catherine Schneegas and 21-year old Tom Hall were arrested after a safe at the sandwich shop was stolen. The three were caught on camera, and the safe was found at Hall’s home. Police say there was about $2,000 in the safe. The three face breaking and entering, and theft charges.
ELIZABETH OLDHAM SAYS SHE WON’T RUN FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Elizabeth Oldham will not run again for the 14th Judicial District Attorney. Oldham made the announcement over the weekend, saying her decision is firm. The district includes Moffat, Routt, and Grand Counties. Already, one of Oldham’s charges has announced he will run for the spot, Brett Barkey. He made his announcement shortly after Oldham made hers. The position will be voted on in the 2012 election. No other candidate has announced an intention to run at this time.
MEEKER SANITATION URGES RESIDENTS TO RETURN SURVEYS
Meeker’s Sanitation District is reminding residents to fill out and return the surveys recently mailed to them. The Sanitation District is studying their rate structure, and whether any adjustments need to be made. The district has contracted with Frachetti Engineering to do a Rate Study. One of the processes is to do a survey of every resident to establish what type of structure they already have. Residents should have already received their surveys. If not, you can get one by contacting the Sanitation District office. A model of what the rates should look like will be developed from the surveys.
JUDGE RULES AGAINST STATE IN SCHOOL FUNDING CASE
A Denver judge has ruled in favor of school districts and parents who sued Colorado contending that the state’s education funding methods are unconstitutional. The trial of Lobato vs. the State of Colorado lasted about a month. It started when Anthony Lobato felt the education available to his daughters in Center,Colo.was not equal to other districts. State officials warned that losing the lawsuit could have disastrous effects on Colorado’s finances because the State Legislature could be forced to allocate the majority of the budget to education to meet the plaintiffs’ demands. But Friday’s ruling is likely not the end of the 2005 lawsuit. Both sides have said they expect it to be appealed to the state Supreme Court. The plaintiffs argued that the state’s method of funding education is random and leaves poor students at a disadvantage. In her ruling, Judge Sheila Rappaport said, “The public school finance system is irrational, arbitrary, and severely underfunded.”
INTERFAITH FOOD BANK TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD BASKETS SOON
The Interfaith Food Bank in Craig is getting ready for its distribution of Holiday Baskets for the Christmas season. The baskets are put together from food donations throughout the year, however much of it was raised during the KRAI and 55 Country Holiday Drive. Those who would like to receive a basket need to sign up at the food bank by Friday. The food will be distributed December 21 from 9 to 11 in the morning. You can pick up the forms at the food bank, or call them. The phone number is 824-8965.
In high school sports:
Over the weekend:
In basketball:
At the Meeker Boys Shootout, Meeker beat Hayden Friday, then lost to Little Snake River Valley Saturday.
Also at the shootout, Rangely topped Crested Butte Saturday. And Hayden fell to Grand Valley Saturday.
At the Steamboat shootout, the Steamboat boys lost to D’Evelyn Friday, then
fell to Montrose Saturday.
The Steamboat Girls fell to Montrose Friday, and beat Green River Saturday.
Also at the Steamboat Shootout, The Moffat County girls lost to Fossil Ridge Friday, then fell to Castle View Saturday. The Moffat County boys fell to Green River Friday, then lost to Castle View Saturday.
In wrestling:
At a tournament in Soroco, Hayden placed 6 wrestlers, Soroco placed 3, and Steamboat placed three.
In hockey:
Steamboat lost to Resurrection Christian.
Today:
In basketball:
Steamboat goes to Aspen. The girls play at 5 and the boys at 6:30.
Tomorrow:
In wrestling:
Rangely goes to Duchesne, Utah at 6.
In basketball:
Rangely’s girls go to Altamont, Utah at 6:30.
