Opening statements got underway Thursday in the trial of Justin Folley. The formerteacher and coach at Moffat County High School is charged with 10 felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child. Six men and eight women will sit on the jury, out of more than 200 prospective jurors who arrived for jury selection this week. The trial is expected to continue through Tuesday.
TheMoffat County Board of County Commissioners has publicly proclaimed their support for Twentymile Coal Mine’s application to lease an extra 3.7 million tons of federal coal. The Craig Press reports that the proposed lease would have a direct impact of $153 million dollars and support 269 jobs in Moffat and Routt Counties. A public comment period will be Dec. 21.
Dental health will get a boost, thanks to $3.4 million dollars given to 29 nonprofits in Colorado, including Northwest Colorado Health. The money comes from Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation. Locally, Northwest Colorado Health will be hiring a bilingual dental care coordinator.
Some cities on the Front Range, including Denver and Boulder, are tossing out marijuana convictions from people’s records. Boulder is doing it, and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock is considering it, for 10,000 people. But the District Attorney in Routt, Moffat, and Grand Counties says he won’t be doing that. Brett Barkey said in an email that he has no plans to wipe criminal records of minor marijuana-related convictions. Routt County Sheriff Garrett Wiggins says people convicted of marijuana crimes in the past were convicted when crimes like possession were still illegal.
A body was found at the Vail Pass Rest Area Thursday, which is along I-70. No word on who,or cause of death yet.
The 20th Annual KRAI Holiday Drive continues for its final day today. Here’s organizer Marci Marumoto.
Items needed include new and unwrapped toys, non-perishable foods, gifts for seniors, and supplies for Open Heart Advocates, and cash, of course. All donations will go to four Moffat County non-profits, which are Christmas for Kids, Christmas for Seniors, the Interfaith Food Bank, and Open Heart Advocates.
The deadlinefor the Holiday Exchange Market in Routt County is this Wednesday. Find outmore at Routt County United Way.org
The 5thAnnual Down Home Christmas Celebration is Saturday afternoon. Enjoy cookies,hot chocolate, s’mores, wagon rides, a candy cane hunt, make-your-own reindeer food, and an elfie selfie station. It’s from 2-6 p.m. Saturday afternoon atAlice Pleasant Park in downtown Craig, and it’s free.
The Elks National Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest is Saturday at Sandrock Elementary School in Craig. It’s for boys and girls, ages eight to 13, sponsored by theElks Lodge #1577. Each participant throws five practice throws and 25 regular free throws. Top shooters in each age group can advance to the district, state,and regional levels. The final round is nationals in Springfield, Mass. For details, call 970-620-0874.
For the weather, don’t forget to call the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline at 970-824-1918.
Law enforcement used a drone and K9s to find the second suspect, who was found in the water hiding under the banks of the Colorado River. The men arrested are 29-year-old Kyle Hallaran of Johnstown and 28-year-old Justin Davis of Loveland. Jeff Wilson with Steamboat Police says ten agencies worked together to make it happen.
A car went off the road and slammed into the gas pumps at the Maybell General Store in the town of Maybell Sunday night. Colorado State Patrol says 46-year-old Richard Burkhardt was the only one in the car, and he wasn’t hurt, and no drugs or alcohol was involved . Store owner Mary Schminkey says he was on his way to the Bay Area.
A car hit a pedestrian at about 1:45 in the morning Sunday. Craig Police want to know who did it. The person was dragged for a few blocks and then had to be taken to the hospital. A picture of the white 4-wheel drive looking car that the police are looking for is on the KRAI Facebook page and website. Call Craig Police at 970-826-2360 if you have any idea who might be involved.
