Archived Jun 26, 2006
LIGHTNING & WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS WEEK STARTS - Governor Bill Owens has declared June 18 through 24 Colorado Lightning & Wildfire Preparedness Week noting that, the key to understanding the dangers of lightning and wildfire is through education and awareness. (CBS4 Denver, June 18, 2006)

HOLTZMAN DROPS OUT, ENDORSES BEAUPREZ - Putting aside an often bitter rivalry, Holtzman immediately endorsed Congressman Bob Beauprez and said he would campaign for him against Democrat Bill Ritter. (Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News, June 23, 2006)

Archived Jun 24, 2006
BAILEY DAY 2006 - Bailey Day 2006 is coming to transform the streets of this mountain area on Saturday, June 24. For one summer day, the quiet town nestled at the foot of Crow Hill on US Highway 285 will be bustling with booths, activities and crowds of visitors. (June 20, 2006)

Archived Jun 23, 2006
ARMED MAN THREATENS DEPUTIES IN HARRIS PARK
(Updated June 13, 2006) - Bailey, Colo. - On Monday morning at 10:55 a.m., Park County deputies attempted to pick up a Harris Park resident who failed to appear for a court hearing earlier in the day. An arrest warrant had been issued for the individual. When deputies arrived at the house, they encountered the suspect who was armed with a semi-automatic pistol. (June 12, 2006)

SUICIDAL MAN BRINGS DEAD BODY TO SUBSTATION
(Updated June 13, 2006) - According to a news release from the Park County Sheriff's office, Pastore told Deputy DeBerry that he was suicidal because he killed someone. He also said that the body was still in his vehicle. (June 3, 2006)

HOLTZMAN WINS KEY POINTS IN COURT - According to the Holtzman campaign, Second Judicial District Court Judge Hyatt agreed with the Holtzman for Governor Campaign on four of the five rulings that were issued on Friday, June 16. (June 16, 2006)

FAMILY AND FRIENDS REMEMBER JIM GARDNER - On the afternoon of Sunday, June 4, the South Park High School cafetorium in Fairplay overflowed with thoughts, tears, laughter, love, and fond memories of James B. Gardner. (June 5, 2006)

CHECKPOINT STOP BUSTS COOPERATIVE SUSPECTS
Admission of drug possession leads to two arrests - Deputy Gaffner asked the driver and passenger if there was marijuana in the vehicle. The passenger, identified as Christopher Petmanson, stated, 'I just finished smoking a joint.' (PCSO, June 5, 2006)

FIRE RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLIC LANDS - Beginning Monday, May 1 at 8 a.m., Stage 1 Fire Restrictions were placed on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Comanche National Grassland (PSIC) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) east of the Continental Divide (May 2, 2006)

Archived Jun 8, 2006
ANTHONY FALLS SHORT ON PETITION SIGNATURES - To qualify as a candidate in the Republican primary, Anthony needed 152 valid signatures from registered Republican voters in Park County. (May 31, 2006, Updated 8:15 p.m.)

HOLTZMAN'S PETITIONS SET STAGE FOR PRIMARY - Armed with 21,000 signatures to petition onto the ballot, Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman declared Thursday that the GOP primary has officially begun. (Karen E. Crummy, Denver Post Staff Writer, May 26, 2006)

MAN IN ICU AFTER BATTLE AT CAMPSITE - The case remains under investigation and charges could be filed against Brown or his attackers, [Undersheriff Monte] Gore said. (Kirk Mitchell, Denver Post, May 25, 2006)

NEW COMMISSIONER SWORN IN - On Monday morning, May 22, 2006, Park County Clerk Debra Green swore in a new commissioner to fill the vacancy left by the death of District 3 Commissioner Jim Gardner on Friday, May 19. (May 22, 2006)

PARK COUNTY COMMISSIONER JIM GARDNER DIES - County Commissioner James Gardner died at his home Friday morning, May 19, following a long illness. Gardner was elected to the office in 2002 and was to retire in January 2007 after completing his first term.
MEMORIAL SERVICE IN FAIRPLAY
Sunday, June 4, 2006 ~ 2:00 p.m. ~ South Park High School Cafetorium (May 19, 2006, Updated May 23, 2006)

INTEREST IN COLD CASE HEATS UP - Park County, Colo.- A 24-year-old double murder case that started in Summit County and ended in Park County caught the interest of Discovery Channel producers working on a new series called Sensing Murder. (May 9, 2006)

Archived May 28, 2006
LIGHTNING DEATH IN PARK COUNTY - A 24-year-old Fairplay area man died Sunday, May 14 of an apparent lightning strike. Family members said that Jason Giese had gone running with his dog at approximately 11 a.m. on Sunday and failed to return. (May 15, 2006)

ESPENSCHIED SENTENCED ON SEXUAL ASSAULT - Fairplay, Colo - Park County District Judge Charles M. Barton sentenced Ed Espenschied today to an indeterminate prison sentence of forty-four years to a maximum of his natural life. (11th Judicial District, May 8, 2006)

FIRE DANGER POINTS TO ACTIVE SEASON - Although recent showers in some areas have moistened fine fuels, such as twigs, pine needles and grasses, large fuels such as branches, logs and downed trees are still very dry inside and will burn with great intensity. (USFS, May 11, 2006)

Archived May 14, 2006
WILDFIRE SEASON HERE, PREVENTIVE APPROACH NEEDED - Because no high-profile fires have been reported, Colorado residents may be mislead into believing that the fire danger is low. Already this year, more than 70 fires have burned 44,000 acres. In contrast, about 14,000 acres burned the entire year of 2005. (Coloradoan.com, April 23, 2006)

SYSTEM FOR REPORTING SICK, DEAD BIRDS ESTABLISHED: (Avian Flu / West Nile Virus) - Although no avian flu has been identified in any birds in the United States or Colorado, the system has been established as a precautionary measure in case such birds do reach this continent through world migratory paths. (MetroWest Staff, Brighton Standard Blade, April 19, 2006)

THINGS GET LIVELY IN 5TH DISTRICT - "We are conservative here, too, but we don't lean as far as they do in El Paso County," said Lillian Wissel, GOP chair in Park County. (Dick Foster and Joe Garner, Rocky Mountain News, May 1, 2006)

JEFFCO ISSUES FIRE RESTRICTIONS - Jefferson County Thursday joined a growing list of counties and cities restricting open fires. The restrictions could be replaced by a ban if warm, dry and windy weather continues, said Jim Shires, Sheriff’s Office spokesman. (Rocky Mountain News, April 27, 2006)

STAY AWARE IN MOUNTAIN LION HABITAT - Attacks on humans by mountain lions are rare; however, the Colorado Division of Wildlife reminds residents and visitors that we live and recreate in the home territory of the big cats. (DOW, April 26, 2006)

Archived April 30, 2006
FIRE PREVENTION WORKSHOP - The US Forest Service and the Middle Arkansas Wildfire Prevention Partners (MAWPP) are pleased to announce the upcoming Southern Colorado Wildfire Prevention Workshop on April 28th and 29th, 2006. (April 7, 2006)

COLORADO BEARS EMERGE FROM HIBERNATION - Remember, "A fed bear is a dead bear." By making food available to a bear, people train it to associate humans with food. Once a bear learns this association, it can become dangerous and often must be killed. (DOW, April 12, 2006)

FIRE DANGER VERY HIGH – FIRE MANAGERS URGE CAUTION - Forest and grassland visitors are encouraged to call their local Sheriff's department for up-to-date information on fire conditions and possible restrictions. (April 14, 2006)

Archived April 19, 2006
ANTHONY PETITIONS TO RUN IN PRIMARY - Former Undersheriff Don Anthony picked up a candidate petition form from the Park County Clerk's office on Monday, April 10, 2006. Anthony hopes to secure a position on the August Republican primary ballot for the office of Park County Sheriff. (April 13, 2006)

NEW VOTING MACHINE DEMONSTRATION - The Park County Clerk and Recorder's office will hold a demonstration of the county's new voting machines on Wednesday, April 19, 2006. (April 12, 2006)

ROBERTS FOUND GUILTY BY PARK COUNTY JURY - Fairplay, Colo - On Tuesday, April 11, 2006, a Park county jury returned verdicts of guilty against Rex Shane Roberts of Howard, Colorado for violation of bond conditions, a felony, and violation of a protection order. (April 12, 2006)

DEMOCRATS NOMINATE PORTER - Each year here in Park County the participation in the Democratic party gets greater and greater and that was the case at our assembly held last Sunday, April 9. (April 9, 2006)

REPUBLICANS CHOOSE CANDIDATES - Contested races within the party brought out enthusiastic support and interest, along with a close vote on commissioner candidates. (April 8, 2006)

Archived April 12, 2006
PROPOSED RE-RE-RE-RE-REVISIONS OF LAND USE REGULATIONS - (County Document - PDF Format)

ACCESS TO FOURTEENERS ON HOLD - According to South Park Ranger Sara Mayben, “We are doing what we can to meet the requirements of the new Bill. Recreationists need to know that public access to the 14ers in Park County may be 2007, at the earliest.” (USFS, April 3, 2006)

STARTING IN APRIL 2006, NEW COMMISSIONER MEETING SCHEDULE
WORK SESSIONS - MONDAY        FORMAL MEETINGS - WEDNESDAY

NO CHARGES IN TALBERT SHOOTING - No charges will be filed against the officer involved in the January 14, 2006 fatal shooting of Roger Talbert near Alma, according to a determination letter issued by District Attorney Molly Chilson. (March 30, 2006)

(Link expired) IMMIGRATION ISSUES AND TRENDS LOCALLY AND IN THE WEST - ...a compilation of stories outlining issues and trends in immigration for Colorado and the Western states. (The Gazette, April 2, 2006)

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