LISTEN TO LOCAL NEWS
TIPTON’S “ALL OF THE ABOVE” PROPOSAL GAINING SUPPORT IN HOUSE
Congressman Scott Tipton’s “All of the Above” energy proposal is picking up steam as it heads through the House. The House Natural Resources Committee gave it bipartisan support yesterday, moving it on to the full house. House Resolution 43-81 seeks to establish common sense steps to create an all-of-the-above energy plan for using federal lands to meet the country’s energy needs. It requires that all domestic sources including wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, oil, natural gas, coal, oil shale and minerals needed for energy development. While President Obama has also touted an all-of-the-above strategy, his ideas include more red tape and higher costs for producing fossil fuel energy. Tipton’s “Planning for American Energy Act encourages responsible energy development, without repealing any environmental regulations or review processes. If the resolution passes, the non-partisan Energy Information Administration will provide the projected energy needs of the country for the next 30 years to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture.
GROUP WILL HOLD FUNDRAISERS TO SAVE BUILDING IN YAMPA
The group Friends of Crossan’s M&A Market in Yampa are trying to save the building from deteriorating. The building was built in 1903 just before the railroad came through town, and plays an important part in the town’s history. A competing merchant bought the building in the mid ’60′s and closed it down, but the building still stands. Shelves are still stocked with original merchandise from the ’60′s and the calendar on the wall still hangs open to 1964. In 2006 the town of Yampa purchased it, and has since been contemplating how to preserve it. The Friends of Crossan’s board says they will be conducting 3 fundraisers this summer to raise enough money to match $150,000 in preservation grants. There has been no regular maintenance since the building was shut down nearly 50 years ago, and the renovations needed are extensive. The group is asking for help with either donations or volunteer work. For information on how you can help, email friendsofcrossans@gmail.com.
DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT OFFER FREE WEEKEND TO VETS AND THEIR FAMILIES
Dinosaur National Monument is offering veterans a free day at the Park this weekend. As a gesture of appreciation, the National Parks Service will allow veterans free entrance to all National Parks on Saturday, Armed Forces Day. The offer is extended to the families of veterans, as well. The free passes can be picked up at the park entrance station, but must show current ID, including proof of service. The passes include access to sites managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the BLM, the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Forest Service. Learn more by clicking here.
STEAMBOAT ART DEPOT PARKING LOT WILL CLOSE NEXT WEEK FOR RENOVATIONS
The Art Depot parking lot in Steamboat is getting repaved, which means it won’t be available for a couple of weeks. The work is scheduled to start Monday and will last until June 8th. The project includes a water main replacement and resurfacing of the parking lot. The public will not be allowed to park in the lot, with the exception of Memorial Weekend. Nearby alternatives include the lot across from the Bud Werner Memorial Library, and West Lincoln Parkway, which is adjacent to Dream Island. Parking is also allowed on certain stretches of13th Street.
SPECIAL SESSION ENDS WITH MINIMAL RESULTS
It’s another session ending for Colorado lawmakers, and they finished yesterday with little to show for returning to work. The legislature convened its first special session since 2006 just two days ago. Lawmakers were called back by Governor John Hickenlooper, who wanted them to reconsider a civil unions measure for same-sex couples. But the civil unions proposal failed in a Republican House committee Monday night, and many of the additional bills Hickenlooper asked lawmakers to consider also perished. Republican House leaders called the special session unnecessary, saying that two of the three bills that did pass could have been handled by being merged into other bills on the final day of the regular session, but Democrats refused, saying it wasn’t possible to merge either measure into existing bills. Bills that would have passed in the regular session died in the three-day special session: The Senate rejected a proposal to set a blood marijuana limit for drivers and a bill to create benefit-corporations died in the House.
SENATE COMMITTEE MEMBERS URGE FULL SENATE TO PASS FARM BILL
Members of the Senate Agriculture Committee are urging Senate leaders to take up the 2012 Farm Bill for consideration. Committee members drafted a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, urging them not to ignore a bill that will affect millions of Americans across the country. The bill recently passed out of committee with bipartisan support. The U-S Bureau of Economic Analysis says nearly 16 million jobs are tied to agriculture, and millions more are indirectly affected. According to a press release, the bill contains significant farm policy improvements and reforms, consolidates and streamlines programs, and reduces the national deficit by $23 billion dollars. The current farm bill expires in August.
OLYMPICS SPARK MEASLES CONCERNS
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued an alert yesterday to doctors around the state to be on the lookout for people with symptoms of the measles. They especially want urgent care centers, emergency departments and other doctor’s clinics to be on the watch for rashes and fevers that could be symptoms of the measles since people will be traveling to Europe this summer for the Olympics. Doctors say not only are there ongoing measles outbreaks in England right now, but athletes and supporters from other parts of the world where measles outbreaks are also occurring will be headed to England during the Olympics. This increases the chances of even bigger outbreaks during that time period. So the CDPHE wants doctors to keep a lookout for symptoms of a disease they probably haven’t seen much of before. Measles can spread fast, and those who aren’t vaccinated will have a tough time fending off the bad effects.
WYMAN MUSEUM OFFERS SUMMER CLASSES
The Wyman Museum in Craig will offer some new summer classes this year. This year the museum will offer residents the chance to learn sewing, art, pottery, and black smith skills. The age requirements and the class times will vary. Each class will have a project for the students to complete, and then take home. If you’re interested in any of the classes the museum is offering this year, call 824-6346.
In high school sports:
In track:
The state meet takes place today through Saturday at Jeffco Stadium in Denver.
In girls swimming:
5 Moffat County swimmers will participate at state tomorrow and Saturday in Thornton.
