LISTEN TO LOCAL NEWS
GRUBBA CHARGED WITH DUI, BUT NOT FOR INJURIES TO TYLER PIKE
Loveland police say when former Craig resident Tyler Pike left a moving vehicle early in the morning of New Year’s Day, he did so of his own accord. Toxicology results for Krystal Grubba, the driver of the vehicle, showed her blood alcohol level was above the legal limit at the time, and police have charged her with driving under the influence, but she will not be charged for the injuries Pike sustained. Pike is recovering from serious head injuries at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland. He was in a medically induced coma for a few days, but doctors have allowed him to wake, and his family says the recovery is slow but steady. They say he is still heavily sedated, but showing positive signs.
MOFFAT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEET WITH TRANSMISSION LINE TEAM IN DENVER
The Moffat County Commissioners recently made a trip to Denver to visit with the Rapid Response Transmission Team about how to fast-track transmission lines that will soon be built in Northwest Colorado. The transmission lines will start in Wyoming, and pass through Moffat County on the way to other states. The county’s Natural Resources Director, Jeff Comstock, was also there. The team is made up of representatives from various state and federal agencies, and is looking for the fastest way to implement the project. Comstock says the problem is, since the last transmission lines were built in the area, there have been numerous changes in land management plans, as well as the start-up of new special interest groups. The Commissioners said their main message to the team was to honor local land use plans already in place. Even with the fast-track plan, the project isn’t likely to get started until sometime in 2014.
MOFFAT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPOINT BOARD MEMBERS
The Moffat County Commissioners appointed citizens to various boards yesterday, something they do every January as certain board terms expire. In some of the most notable moves, the commissioners replaced Missy Bonaker with Gary Ellgen on the Memorial Hospital Board. They also replaced Keri Moe with Chris Gamble on the Moffat County Tourism Association Board. Commissioner Tom Mathers attempted to replace Bryce Jacobson on that same board, but his motion failed. Some boards still have openings. The CAPS board, the Finance Corporation Board, the Land Use Board, the Library Board, the Planning and Zoning Board, and the Employee Retirement Board all have at least one open seat. Applications for those boards are being accepted at the courthouse.
DOLA FUNDS MAY HELP OFFSET SHADOW MOUNTAIN IMPROVEMENT COSTS
The Department of Local Affairs is getting ready to start handing out energy impact grants again, but the money will be far short of what the program used to provide. While the money available for the grants used to be in the $100 million range, the next grant cycle will have a guaranteed $10 million, although positive economic outlooks may allow the state to provide an additional $7 million. Local governments use that money for improvement projects. Moffat County would like a chunk of the money to help offset the costs of renovating curbs and gutters, and overlaying the streets in the Shadow Mountain area. The Commissioners say whether or not the money comes through, the project will move forward. If they don’t get DOLA funds, they’ll have to find another way to pay for it. Commissioner Tom Gray says the county has been saving up for this project for years, so there will be no delay in getting started. The City of Craig may replace water and sewer lines under the street before the overlay project is done. While the County owns the land in Shadow Mountain, the City owns the water and sewer lines under the streets.
FORMER MAYBELL URANIUM MINE WORKERS COULD RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR ILLNESSES
The U.S. Department of Labor says people who worked at uranium mills in Grand Junction, Maybell, Nucla, Naturita, Rifle, Slick Rock and 10 other locations could be eligible for compensation if they suffer from radiation-related illnesses. The department listed the mills on a report that advises government officials, attorneys and others that employees of the affected mills are eligible. The qualifications are limited to specified dates of work on environmental-remediation efforts.
OPENING DAY AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE
Republican House Speaker Frank McNulty says his party will work on reducing regulations on businesses and emphasized they will not budge on eliminating a property tax break for seniors like Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper wants. Hickenlooper says the state can’t afford the whole tax break. McNulty said yesterday in his opening day speech that government doesn’t create jobs and regulations on businesses must be eased. He acknowledged the session will be difficult but said he believes both parties can collaborate. But remarks from party leaders only highlighted divisions. McNulty called for lawmakers to press for scaling back growing Medicaid spending. Democratic House Leader Mark Ferrandino said in his speech that’s not possible. He says Democrats will push for tax credits to invest in business start-ups and give universities money for technology research.
STATE DEMOCRATS STILL TRYING TO GIVE IN-STATE TUITION TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Colorado democrats are trying again to grant in-state tuition to illegal immigrants who graduated from state high schools. Democratic Sen. Michael Johnston of Denver introduced the legislation yesterday. Five previous attempts have failed but lawmakers have made modifications over the years to make the proposal more appealing to Republicans. This time the bill would give colleges the option to opt-out of giving illegal immigrants in-state tuition. The out-of-state tuition rate can be three times more expensive than the in-state rate. Supporters of the legislation say the higher rates illegal immigrant students have to pay is a roadblock to education. Republicans say the bill incentivizes illegal immigration. About a dozen states have similar tuition legislation for illegal immigrants, including Illinois, Kansas andTexas.
In high school sports:
Yesterday:
In basketball:
Moffat County’s boys and girls both lost to Grand Junction High School.
Today:
In basketball:
Rangely welcomes Little Snake River Valley. The girls play at 4 and the boys at 5:30.
In wrestling:
Meeker travels for a dual with Grand Valley.
Tomorrow:
In basketball:
Little Snake River Valley goes to Saratoga. The girls tip-off at 4:30 and the boys at 6.
Rangely hosts Soroco. The girls play at 5:30 and the boys at 7.
Meeker is home against Plateau Valley. The girls play at 5:30 and the boys at 7.
Steamboat hosts Battle Mountain. The girls start at 6 and the boys at 7:30.
The Hayden boys head to West Grand.
Moffat County is home against Eagle Valley. You can catch those games live on (93-7/102-3) KRAI with the pregame at 5:45. The girls tip-off at 6 and the boys at 7:30. You can also listen on-line at krai.com.
In wrestling:
Rangely welcomes Soroco and Meeker.
Moffat County goes to the Green River tournament.
In hockey:
Steamboat hosts Aspen at 6:30.
In alpine skiing:
Steamboat hosts an event at Howelson Hill.
