Category Archives: News

A wildfire is burning about 16 miles southwest of Hayden. It’s the Indian Run fire, and at last check, it had burned 165 acres, with no containment. The fire is near Pagoda Peak in southwest Routt County, close to the Moffat County border. It’s burning on private and Bureau of Land Management land. Seventy firefighters from local fire protection districts and federal agencies are fighting the fire. No structures are at risk right now. The fire started Saturday night, after some lightning was seen in the area.

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Construction of a new terminal at Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden has been delayed until at least next year. There was only one bidder on the project and negotiations broke down earlier this month. The bid came in a lot higher and the two groups couldn’t reach a compromise. The airport has received a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the project, which has strict FAA requirements.

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The wastewater treatment plant in Craig got hit by lightning Sunday night. The Craig Press reports a near total electric failure at the plant. Crews will be cleaning up the mess for the next few weeks. The lightning knocked out the plant’s alarm communication system which means no one knew anything was wrong until they came in for work Monday morning. The plant is now running on diesel pumps and generators until everything is fixed and cleaned up.

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A man from Clifton has been arrested after a burglary at Mathers Bar, at 420 Yampa Ave. An affidavit says 22-year-old Brandon Tucker Deshazer and an accomplice stole a five-gallon bucket full of loose quarters, worth about $800. And they skipped out on their bar tab which was about $200. The bartender saw the men dropped quarters as they walked out and trying to pull his pants up because the quarters were so heavy. Police arrested Deshazer at a traffic stop, and he was booked into the Moffat County Jail where he was released on bond. He’s back in court on Sept. 24.

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The town of Hayden is having a problem with someone getting into cars. Several have been stolen but they’ve all been recovered, or returned. This just happened yesterday to one car. Here’s Hayden Police Chief Greg Tuliszewski.

The vehicle thefts and break-ins have all been within the last couple of weeks. Hayden Police say all of the cars were unlocked with keys in them. And they add, don’t leave valuables within view, keep your windows up and car doors locked, and report any suspicious activity immediately.

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A grass fire broke out north of Craig Monday afternoon. Those responding included Bureau of Land Management, Craig Fire/Rescue, Moffat County Sheriffs, and Colorado State Patrol. A resident helped with a John Deere tractor to trample the fire. Moffat County Sheriff and Fire Chief KC Hume says it’s likely that heavy equipment from haying, started the fire, which burned less than five acres before it was under control.

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A Craig man led police on a high-speed chase over Rabbit Ears Pass Sunday. 25-year-old Kyle Neighbors reportedly stole a Nissan Xterra in Craig and then led police on a chase. Steamboat Police tried to stop the car, but it sped away east on Highway 40. Local law enforcement with the forest service also joined the chase. Steamboat Police eventually stopped, and that’s when a Colorado State Patrol trooper set up “stop sticks, which worked. All four tires deflated and the car went into a ditch. Neighbors ran, but troopers found him hiding in a tree and he was arrested. He was taken to the hospital and then the Routt County Jail where he was booked on charges related to the pursuit. Craig Police are investigating the car that was allegedly stolen.

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Michael Voloshin won Grand Champion Steer. Photo by Shannon Lukens.

The winner of the Grand Champion Steer at the Moffat County Fair is Michael Voloshin. He’s 15 from Craig. Tonto is the name of his steer.

Voloshin is in the Breeze Basin 4-H Club. Continue reading →

The Sheep Show was last night at the Moffat County Fair. 16-year-old Dustin McLaughlin of Craig not only won Grand Champion, but he also won Grand Champion Reserve for Market Sheep. Another winner for showmanship was Marilee Mowdy, with the Elkhead Wranglers 4-H Club. The 5^th grader said her sheep had been acting up a lot, so she was surprised she won.

Pictures, interviews, and a video from the Sheep Show are on the KRAI & 55 Country Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/KRAI55COUNTRY/

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4-H Dog Show at the Moffat County Fair. Photo courtesy Shannon Lukens.

Dogs and cats were shown Tuesday, for the Moffat County Fair in Craig. Pictures and a video of the dogs in the 4-H Dog Show are on the KRAI Facebook page.

The Pavillion is open at the Moffat County Fairgrounds today for the 101^st Moffat County Fair. This morning is the weigh-in of market sheep and market goats, with the weigh-in of market beef in the afternoon. Here’s Mardi Anson with the Moffat County Fair Board.

The Sheep Show starts at 5 tonight, followed by the Old Geezer Alumni Show, put on by the 4-H Council. For the full schedule, go to www.MoffatCountyFair.com

Mardi Anson talks about the fair: https://www.facebook.com/KRAI55COUNTRY/videos/399653610674605/

Kyler Scott and Shane Baker: https://www.facebook.com/KRAI55COUNTRY/videos/408462139783151/

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Laurie Mae Dodds Mug shot.

A Craig woman is in the Moffat County Jail. 41-year-old Laurie Mae Dodds has multiple charges against her, stemming from an incident in the early hours of Monday. Craig Police say Dodds was in someone’s house on Pine Ridge Drive. After a confrontation with the owner, Dodds tried to leave by crawling out a window. Police eventually stopped her where they say she gave a false name, and said she owned multiple houses in Craig, and also owned Twenty Mile Coal Company. She also had a warrant out for her arrest out of Grand Junction. Dodd was take to the Moffat County Jail.

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The 10^th Annual Moffat County Balloon Festival had everyone looking up Saturday, from Loudy-Simpson Park in Craig. It wrapped up with the Balloon Glow, which was actually a candlestick display. Because rain was in the forecast, the pilots couldn’t get their balloons wet. So they set up the propane tanks and fueled the flames, about 10 feet high. The fires glowed in the night sky.

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