LISTEN TO LOCAL NEWS
LOUISIANA MAN ARRESTED FOR ROBBING BANK IN MEEKER
A Louisiana man was arrested in connection with yesterday’s bank robbery in Meeker. Jock Thacker was arrested by Rio Blanco County deputies shortly after the robbery, after a citizen reported a man fitting the description of the robber lurking behind a local business. The description had been phoned to every Meeker citizen through the county’s reverse 9-1-1 system. Thacker reportedly got out of Mountain Valley Bank with an undetermined amount of money, but was apprehended shortly after the robbery. Police say he was not armed, but it’s not clear if all of the money was recovered. Mountain Valley Bank in Meeker will be closed until further notice.
NORTHWEST COLORADO BULL SALE IS TOMORROW IN HAYDEN
The Northwest Colorado Bull sale is tomorrow in Hayden. Nearly 50 bulls from the Western Slope will be sold at auction. The bulls are said to be top-quality, and their sales bring tax dollars to Routt County. Viewing of the animals starts at 9. There will be a lunch provided by the Routt County CattleWomen at 11, and the sale starts at 1 at the Routt County Fairgrounds in Hayden. The auction is being presented by the CSU Routt County Extension, the Routt County CattleWomen, and the Community Agricultural Alliance.
EDUCATION SUPPORT GROUP COLLECTING BOOKS FOR SUMMER READING PROGRAM
The Friends of Moffat County Education is collecting books for their summer reading program. The group will have representatives standing at the intersection of Victory Way and Finley Lane in Craig today, collecting books for children. The group says they would like to send each child home from school this summer with 10 books. To do that, they need to collect about 13,000 books. They’re only about half way there now, and are trying to make a big push before the end of the school year. Monetary donations will also be accepted. If you can’t make it by the drop-off point between 11 and 7 today, you can still drop books off in designated boxes at Walmart and K-Mart in Craig.
OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY REVIEWS RECOMMENDATIONS
The state task force that has been looking at jurisdictional conflicts over oil and gas drilling regulations is recommending more collaboration between the state and local governments. The group met for the final time yesterday and concluded that there was no need to pass new laws now. The task force was convened by Gov. John Hickenlooper. It’s also recommending that drillers be encouraged to meet with local officials early in the application process and that communication be improved between state oil and gas commission and local governments. Since so many of the proposed solutions are voluntary, representatives of local governments and the industry fear many of their conflicts could end up being settled in court and the Legislature.
4-H HOEDOWN BARN DANCE TAKES PLACE TONIGHT IN HAYDEN
The 4-H Scholarship Foundation is holding a fundraising barn dance in Hayden tonight. The 4-H Hoe Down Barn Dance will feature a steak dinner, dancing, and an auction. The dancing will be to live music by Sundog, a country-rock band. The money raised goes towards college scholarships. The Hoe Down will be held at the Granary at Yampa Valley Feeds in Hayden. It starts at 5:30 and tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for kids 10 and under.
CRAIG HOT SHOTS READY TO SHOW OFF NEW FACILITY
The Craig Hotshot Crew is ready to show off their new facility. The crew will hold an open house next week. The new 6,000 square foot facility includes a training classroom, a workout room, an equipment area, offices, a saw shop and more. Hotshots are highly trained firefighters that travel the country helping with major wildfires. Craig’s 22 man crew is the only hotshot crew based in Colorado. The Open House will be Tuesday from 10 to noon at the new facility on Center Street.
STATE LAWMAKERS APPROVE BUDGET
Colorado House lawmakers approved a $7.4 billion general fund budget that keeps funding for schoolchildren at the same level as last year, returns a property tax break for seniors, and increases tax incentives for film production in the state. The vote was nearly unanimous yesterday with only one lawmaker out of 65 voting no. The budget heads to the Senate, which could debate it next week. The budget also includes a retooling of the governor’s energy office, $3 million to increase tax incentives for film production, and the closure of a solitary confinement prison in southern Colorado. An improving economy made it easier for lawmakers to agree on what appeared to be tough choices, most notably the tax exemption for seniors. Schools also don’t face cuts, unlike recent years.
HICKENLOOPER SIGNS ANIMAL ABUSE BILL INTO LAW
A Colorado bill aimed at helping abused animals find homes faster was signed in to law yesterday afternoon. Officials say the bill is designed to minimize the stress placed on seized animals and is directly aimed at hoarding cases. Lawmakers say a typical hoarding case places stress on rescuers from organizations like the Colorado Humane Society and the Denver Dumb Friends League. They could be responsible for caring for rescued animals for up to six months before a case goes to court. With this new law, the case would go before a judge within 30 days. Investigators have to deal with thousands of animal cruelty cases per year. Out of those, there are about 300 types of impound cases that would be affected by the new law.
SENATE GIVES INITIAL APPROVAL TO “BUY AMERICAN” ACT
Yesterday, the Senate gave initial approval to Senate Bill 4, the Buy American Act. The bill provides an incentive to companies bidding on state contracts to purchase American-made goods. The Buy American Act creates a preference for companies that are able to certify that their materials, provisions, and supplies were manufactured in the United States. The legislation is intended to promote American-made goods, create American Jobs, and stimulate Colorado industry. The manufacturing industry currently employs 125,000 Coloradans. Through the Buy American Act, The Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration is directed to develop rules for administering and verifying a contractor’s preference eligibility. The bill will now be heard for a final vote on the Senate floor.
In high school sports:
Yesterday:
In boys lacrosse:
Steamboat beat Aspen.
Today:
In baseball:
Rangely is home against Union at 3:30.
In girls soccer:
Steamboat goes to Palisade at 6:30.
Moffat County is on the road to Eagle Valley at 4.
Rangely hosts Roaring Fork at 4.
In girls lacrosse:
Steamboat hosts Battle Mountain at 11:30.
In track:
Moffat County, Rangely, Meeker, and Soroco go to Coal Ridge at 1.
Tomorrow:
In baseball:
Moffat County is on the road for a double header at Delta. The first game starts at 11.
Rangely hosts a double header with Meeker. The first game starts at 11.
In girls soccer:
Steamboat goes to Delta at 11.
In girls lacrosse:
Steamboat hosts Fruita Monument at 11:30.
In boys lacrosse:
Steamboat is on the road to Valor Christian at 2.
In track:
Steamboat heads to Rifle.
Soroco, Meeker, Hayden and Rangely run at Glenwood at 9.
