Friday December 28, 2012

Mesa County Sheriff's officials are looking into a report of a 6 year old who shot himself at a home in Clifton.  They say the boy discharged a .22 rifle and was taken to the hospital by a family member with non life threatening injuries. The circumstances are under investigation.

A late Christmas present from Ute Water.  A tap fee increase set to go into effect January 1st has been postponed until February 1st.  Spokesman Joe Burtard says the board decided it makes sense to give contractors and the general public more time to get necessary paperwork filed with appropriate agencies.

The BLM has approved the expansion of Arch Coal's West Elk mine in Somerset. The mine provides about $2 million in annual tax revenue to Gunnison County, and the expansion will allow up to 19 million more tons of coal mine each year for the next three years.

Crime Stoppers of Mesa County is looking for information about the theft of copper wiring cut from two heating and cooling units on the roof at Big Lots in the Teller Arms Shopping Center. The value of the wiring and damage is more than $35,000. You can call 241 stop with information.

Wildlife officials in Boulder are looking into two reports of coyotes threatening people on the Boulder Creek Path. he first incident was Monday when a woman fended off the coyote with a stick, then yesterday morning, a man on a bicycle was chased by a coyote.  Officials tell the Boulder Daily Camera people approached by coyotes should yell, stomp, or use a stick to try and retrain the animals from approaching humans.

Holiday storms have taken away concerns about Colorado's drought, but climate researchers say it's way too early to relax.  State Climatologist Nolan Doesken says forecasts for early 2013 are fairly dry and the long range outlook is uncertain.  According to the Denver Post, The U.S. Drought Monitor shows conditions moderate along the northern Front Range. Severe in an uneven swath from northern to southwestern Colorado, either extreme or exceptional drought conditions in the rest of the state.

News of the death of General Norman Schwarzkopf is bringing back fond memories of the man who called Telluride home for many years.  Schwartzkopf was a board member of the Telluride Foundation which raises money for local charities.  The foundation's chief executive tells The Denver Post the general enjoyed leading veterans down main Street during the town's 4th of July parades and was involved in many local activities.

A Jefferson County judge has closed the preliminary hearing for 17 year old Austin Sigg, accused of killing Jessica Ridgeway in Westminster in October.  The judge made the ruling, saying media coverage would taint the jury pool.  The Jefferson County DA's Office says the public has a right to know how the case is proceeding.  Several media outlets are also challenging the ruling.