Friday June 22, 2012

YAMPA RIVER LOW
You can't innertube on the Yampa River in Steamboat Springs, and now, you can't fish either.  Colorado Parks and Wildlife says minimal snowmelt and no significant rain so far this year are the reasons.  Water temperatures are way above normal and threatening fish.  Flow in the river has been measured at 81 cubic feet per second, compared with the average 1400 cfs this time of year.

2012 FARM BILL PASSES
The US Senate has passed the 2012 Farm Bill which includes provisions to improve agriculture and conservation programs important to Colorado's rural communities.  The bill also includes an amendment by Colorado's Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall to increase Bark Beetle-Mitigation Funding.

COUNTRY JAM RULES
Country Jam is underway in Mack, keeping area law enforcement busy. The Mesa County Sheriff's Office is on the concert grounds and reminding people about their zero tolerance policy for underage drinking.  Anyone underage caught drinking will be issued a summons and evicted from the event.  Any adult supplying alcohol to someone underage will also be charged and evicted.

STOLEN CAR CRASH
Officers from three different agencies investigating what was first reported as a stolen vehicle at Country Jam.  Police scanner traffic indicated the car was stolen about 4:30 this morning, then a car with the same description was reported invovled in a rollover crash on I-70 at Fruita, the driver injured.  Mesa County Sheriff's Deputies, the Colorado State Patrol and Fruita Police officers all on the scene at about 4:45.

PALISADE DOLLAR GENERAL
Dollar General may headed to Palisade after all.  A proposed store in the town was fought by local residents last year, and finally the company said revenue projections would keep it form locating there.  The Daily Sentinel says property has been purchased on 37 3/10 Road south of Peach Bowl Park. Town Manger Rich Sales says the new site on the Highway 6 corridor may be better suited for the store.  A public meeting is set next Wednesday.

COLORADO FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Some are calling fire conditions across Colorado the worst ever as fire restrictions are in place in all of Colorado and many areas under fire bans.  Three major fires continue to burn, the High Park fire northwest of Ft. Collins, the Little Sand fire in the San Juan National Forest near Pagosa Springs, and the Springer fire near Lake George.  Officials are bracing for more with another week of hot temperatures, high wind and low humidities.