LISTEN TO LOCAL NEWS
OBAMA REJECTS KEYSTONE XL OIL PIPELINE PROJECT
Word has come that President Obama has rejected the Keystone XL pipeline project that would have been built to transfer oil from Canada to the Gulf Coast. That has some lawmakers upset, stating the president is interfering in the creation of American jobs. Studies have shown the pipeline and its proposed route would not cause harm to the health and safety of the land, air, water, or people the project may come in contact with. The company building the pipeline even rerouted the project to avoid disturbing the Ogallala aquifer in the Nebraska Sandhills, a move that cost millions. The project was expected to create around 20,000 jobs in Colorado alone, and over 100,000 jobs throughout the nation. Congressman Scott Tipton said there is no real reason to oppose the project, and he and other lawmakers urged the president to reconsider during a hearing yesterday at the White House. The project is deemed “shovel ready” and only needs Obama’s approval to proceed.
JURY GETS CASE OF STEAMBOAT MAN ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER
The trial has ended for a Steamboat man accused of trying to kill his wife and himself in the summer of 2010. Robert Cash’s trial ended yesterday, and the jury started deliberating last night. Police reports say Cash and his wife were having marital problems, and that he shot her with a pistol while she was in bed. Thinking she was dead, police say Cash then went into another room and shot himself. Both lived, and now Cash is waiting for a jury to decide his fate. During the trial, Cash denied the attempted murder charge, saying shooting his wife was an accident. The jury continues their deliberations today.
CNCC’S PARKS LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM GETS ACCREDITED
Colorado Northwestern Community College is now one of only 9 Academies in the nation that is accredited to instruct the National Park Service Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program. The accreditation was approved by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia and the National Park Service. Those that represented CNCC at the accreditation awards ceremony in Annapolis Maryland were Academy Chief Ranger Nancy Wizner and Academy Lead Instructor Chris Congemi. You can call the college for more details about the National Parks Law Enforcement Training Program at CNCC.
MAINSTREET STEAMBOAT NEEDS LETTERS FROM RESIDENTS IN QUEST FOR AWARD
Mainstreet Steamboat needs help from the public for a contest put on by the National Main Street Center. The local group is trying to secure a Great American Main Street Award and has been named one of the 10 semi-finalists. Only 5 are awarded. At this stage, Mainstreet Steamboat must submit maps of the area, a video with interviews of people sharing their experiences downtown, and 30 letters of support from the community. Mainstreet Steamboat would like those letters to come from citizens who have had positive experiences with the Mainstreet Program. If you’d like to write a letter, you can send it to Mainstreet Steamboat. The address is Mainstreet Steamboat, P.O. Box 774611, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477.
A 2ND POT PROPOSAL MAY BE HEADED FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT
Another measure to legalize marijuana could be headed to Colorado ballots this fall. Pot activists went to the state title board yesterday for permission to start gathering signatures for a ballot measure to make the drug legal. It’s a more liberal proposal than the “Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol” measure currently awaiting clearance for inclusion on ballots. The measure under discussion yesterday would not limit the amount of marijuana a person could have, nor would it set an age limit for possession. The second version also states that marijuana would not be taxed, unlike the rival proposal. The second proposal comes from activists who argue the first proposal is too heavy-handed. Additional pot proposals are possible because of disagreements within the marijuana activism community.
LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES WILL ATTEND TOURISM DAY AT STATE CAPITOL
Monday is Tourism Day at the State Capitol. Senator Jean White, Representative Randy Baumgardner, and other state officials will join Colorado Tourism Office Director Al White in welcoming various tourism organizations to the state capitol to raise awareness of the benefits of promoting tourism, and to learn more about what the state is doing for the industry. State officials say tourism accounts for 138,000 jobs in Colorado, and visitor spending in 2010 totaled more than $14.6 billion. Statistics say without the tax revenue generated by tourism, a family of 4 would have to pay an extra $600 a year in taxes. Topics to be discussed include recent trends and developments in the industry, the positive effects tourism has on the state’s tax base, and what the future holds for the industry as a whole.
BILL WOULD MAKE COLORADO TOUGHEST IN THE NATION ON SCHOOL FOOD REGULATIONS
A bill before the state Legislature would give Colorado the nation’s toughest limits on unhealthy fats in school food. The bill would make margarine, vegetable shortening and other traditional trans fats off-limits. The ban would apply to school lunches, school breakfasts, a la carte side items and vending machines. If approved, the ban would be the nation’s most stringent. Many school districts have already moved away from trans fats in regular lunches, but the Colorado bill would also apply to breakfasts and after-school snacks served in schools. Sponsors say that high rates of childhood obesity call for extra measures to limit fats. But some say the ban goes too far.
OBAMA TO VISIT DENVER NEXT WEEK
According to a White House official, following President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, he will travel on a five-state, three-day swing across the country that will include Colorado. As part of the trip, Obama will travel to Denver on Jan. 26. The president will also visit Iowa, Arizona, Nevada and Michigan.
In high school sports:
Today:
In Wrestling:
Moffat County hosts a triangular with Steamboat and Palisade at 5.
Tomorrow:
In basketball:
Little Snake River Valley goes to Farson. The girls play at 6 and the boys at 7:30.
Steamboat hosts Palisade. The girls tip-off at 6 and the boys at 7:30.
Moffat County hosts Delta. The girls begin at 6 and the boys at 7:30.
Rangely travels to West Grand. The girls start at 2:30 and the boys at 4.
The Meeker boys host Vail Mountain at 6:30.
Soroco is home against Plateau Valley.
The Hayden boys are on the road to Debeque.
In Alpine Skiing:
Steamboat travels to Lake County.
In girls swimming:
Moffat County goes to the Jeffco Invite.
