Park County Bulletin Colorado Links & Resources to Government and the Region

Archived March 2007
TEENS AND COPS RELIVING A NIGHTMARE - (Opinion) - Each student, each victim, each advocate, each cop, every person with a job to do that day, relives the gut-wrenching emotion and grief of that afternoon of horror... (March 27, 2007)

SHERIFF WEGENER NOMINATED FOR AMERICA'S MOST WANTED ALL-STAR AWARD - Park County Sheriff Fred Wegener has been nominated for the 2007 America's Most Wanted All-Star Award. The annual award honors law enforcement, firefighters, EMT and other first responders who "go above and beyond" to serve and protect their communities. (March 21, 2007)

WAR OF WORDS GRIPS STATEHOUSE - Rebecca Van Hout of Bailey, wearing a photo of her son, a U.S. Marine on active duty, spoke against the Senate resolution... (Jeri Clausing, Denver Post, March 15, 2007)

PARK COUNTY’S PAST MINGLES WITH THE PRESENT - Julia, one of the purported resident ghosts at the Fairplay Hotel, is rumored to have been a high-priced prostitute at the hotel which originated in the late 1800s... (Leslie Brefeld, Summit Daily, March 15, 2007)

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE: WILL-O-WISP RESCHEDULED - The 1041 Will-O-Wisp Hearing time is now set for 9:00 AM March 28, 2007. (Park County Government, March 7, 2007)

SCHOOL SHOOTING REPORT PARTIAL RELEASE SET FOR TUESDAY - The Park County Sheriff's Office has released a statement indicating that portions of the September 2006 Platte Canyon School shooting investigation report will be made available to the public on Tuesday, March 27, 2007. (March 26, 2007)

WILDLAND FIRE ALERT: CSFD Warns Warm Weather Fueling Early Fire Danger - Unseasonably warm weather is blowing in the increased risk of wildland fires. The Colorado Springs Fire Department says the risk is widespread and it doesn't matter whether you see dry dead grass in your lawn or bright green. (Joe Dominguez, KRDOTV News 13, March 13, 2007)

HINTS CAN HELP MOUNTAIN MOTORISTS AVOID CONFLICTS, CRASHES - One of the great things about being a primate is the ability to learn. Yes, the binocular vision thing is cool, but learning — by either experience or observation — elevates primates above, say, cocker spaniels... (Stephen Knapp, Canyon Courier, March 7, 2007)

'PAY IT 4WARD' POTLUCK SPREADS MESSAGE - The Pay It Forward Colorado story from Guffey inspired others to help the community. An anonymous donor sent the town $500 to buy gift certificates. (Suzanne McCarroll, cbs4denver.com, March 8, 2007)

WOMAN'S BEAU KILLED HER, EX-HUSBAND SAYS - Aurora investigators soon learned that earlier that day, [John Benjamin] Reed had been arrested after leading sheriff's deputies on a high-speed chase through Park County in Corazon Parry's car. (Chris Barge, Rocky Mountain News, March 8, 2007)
Related: DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO DODGE SHERIFF

OPERATION PURPLE - COLORADO: CHILDREN OF DEPLOYED MILITARY - Colorado Springs will be hosting its first Operation Purple Camp 25-31 July 2007. It is open to all Colorado children of deployed parent(s) where deployment was between May 2006 and Sep 2008. (March 8, 2007)

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS LONGER IN 2007 - Instead of the first Sunday in April, the nation's clocks will Spring Forward on the second Sunday in March. This year, that will be Mar 11..
..computer and handheld electronics users may find that their equipment won't handle the change correctly.. (March 3, 2007)

PINE FIGHTS AGAINST PROPOSED WATER DIVERSION - While diverting the South Elk Creek water is controversial, it is not illegal. The developer does have the legal water rights to proceed. (Paul Day, cbs4denver.com, March 6, 2007)

PARENTS ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY (PASS) SEEKING VOLUNTEERS - The Pass volunteers have stated they have a great sense of knowing they are appreciated and valued. We are making a difference within our schools and it is a great feeling! (Forum Post, February 25, 2007)

FIRE CHIEFS PLEAD FOR SAFETY AWARENESS - The International Association of Fire Chiefs is pleading for help to inform the public of the high number of house fires with fatalities (March 4, 2007)

120-ACRE WILDFIRE CONTAINED AFTER BURNING SHED, VEHICLES - A wildfire that burned 120 acres on Wednesday was contained after fire crews battled the blaze for about two hours. (Dan Boniface, 9News, March 7, 2007)

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE - The 1041 Will-O-Wisp Hearing Scheduled for March 6, 2007 has been rescheduled. (Park County Government, March 5, 2007)

LOCAL TEEN KILLED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT - On Monday, February 26th, just before 7 pm, the Fairplay Police and emergency services were called to a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident on US Highway 285 near the Western Inn in Fairplay.. (February 27, 2007)

THIRD CHASE LAST WEEK - Vehicles, Gas & Weapons Stolen - As Carrigan approached the vehicle, the driver freed the truck and attempted to run the deputy down, according to the Sheriff's Department. The deputy's vehicle was struck in the process. (February 22, 2007)

BARTON APPEALS RULING IN HAYMAN WILDFIRE CASE - A woman who admitted starting the worst wildfire in Colorado's recorded history has appealed a judge's ruling that said prosecutors could withdraw from her plea agreement.. (Jon Sarche, AP, cbsdenver.com, February 26, 2007)

SHERIFF HIT IN SECOND CHASE OF WEEK - The second car chase in a week started on US Highway 285 north of Crow Hill late Thursday afternoon, February 15th. (February 19, 2007)

Archived February 2007
DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO DODGE SHERIFF, ENDS UP ON ICE
Updated February 14, 2007 - Subject's car connected to Aurora homicide - Four miles north of the first attempted contact, a second department vehicle driven by Deputy Sonnenberg joined the Sheriff and pursuit ensued. (February 12, 2007) (February 14, 2007)

COMO SEEKS FUNDING TO RESTORE SCHOOL COMPLEX - A committee to seek grant funding for the restoration of the Como School Complex has been formed. (Como Civic, February 14, 2007)

PARK COUNTY DEMOCRATS ELECT OFFICERS Press Release: Park County Democrats - Former Jefferson County School Board President Jon DeStefano, of Bailey, was elected Chairman of the Park County Democratic Executive Board during their special re-organization meeting Sunday. (Park County Democrats, February 12, 2007)

FORMER JEFFCO TREASURER PASCHALL IN COURT - Golden - Former Jefferson County treasurer Mark Paschall appeared in court this morning .. (Ann Schrader, Denver Post, February 12, 2007)
Related: Ex-jeffco Treasurer Paschall Indicted By Grand Jury
Related: Grand Jury Investigating [former Jeffco Treasurer] Paschall

NEW SCHEDULE FOR FOREST PLAN WORKSHOPS - The public needs to be aware that there were some changes made since the original announcement for the public workshops and flyer went out. (USFS, February 9, 2007)

PARK COUNTY REPUBLICANS ELECT NEW BOARD - The only contested position on the board turned out to be Chairman, with Susan Pullman of Bailey and Lee Phillips of Alma vying for the seat (February 7, 2007)

A GIFT FOR GUFFEY ~ UPDATE: CBS4 Schedule for airing the Gift for Guffey - Amy Mason saw it on the news - a chance to help her little town. CBS 4 News issued a challenge to their viewers in Colorado. "Tell us how you would use $1000 to help others," (February 1, 2007)
Related: 'Pay It 4ward' Recipient Helps Town Of Guffey

MAN KILLED IN ROLLOVER NEAR CEDAR CITY - The Utah Highway Patrol says 56-year-old Lawrence A. Leicht from Bailey, Colorado was driving south on I-15 when he ran off the road... (KUTV.com, February 5, 2007)

PLEA AGREEMENT IN HAYMAN FIRE IS UP IN THE AIR - Prosecutors representing the four Colorado counties the Hayman fire burned through in 2002 can withdraw from the plea agreement with arsonist Terry Barton, a judge ruled Monday. (Dennis Huspeni, The Gazette, February 6, 2007)

SURVIVOR OF PLATTE CANYON SPEAKS OUT ABOUT COUNSELOR, SYSTEM - The October 12 encounter between then Platte Canyon High School guidance counselor Jim Orcutt and Samantha became the focus of an investigation by the Park County Sheriff’s office. (9News.com, February 2, 2007)

COURT KEEPS SENTENCE IN GUFFEY SLAYINGS - DENVER - The Colorado Court of Appeals on Thursday affirmed the 53-year prison sentence for the ringleader in the New Year's Eve 2000 killings of a teenager and his grandparents in Guffey. (Denver Post, February 1, 2007)

NORTH-WEST FIRE GOES TO 24-HOUR SCHEDULE - North-West Fire Protection District, serving the communities of Alma, Fairplay, and the surrounding areas, is excited about a schedule change. (January 29, 2007)

FOREST PLAN WORKSHOPS CONTINUE - The Pike and San Isabel National Forests are continuing their Forests Plan Revision public collaboration workshops with two new meetings next week; (USFS, January 25, 2007)

SEW MUCH LOVE: QUILT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO SLAIN HIGH SCHOOLER - The 16 high school students working on patches for a memorial quilt kept a protective eye on one another, vigilant for welling eyes or quavering voices. (Claire Martin, Denver Post Staff Writer, January 24, 2007)

Archived January 2007

In Memory and Sorrow
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Zorno family at this time of loss
Obituary and Memorial Services for Chris Zorno

SEARCH CONTINUES FOR SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR - [Richard] Roy’s record includes two previous convictions for sexual assault on children. One conviction was in Park County in 2001 and the other was in Castle Rock in 2003. (Jeffrey Wolf, 9News.com, January 17, 2007)

RADON POSES SERIOUS HEALTH RISK - Colorado is a high-risk state for radon because of the presence of uranium ore in the ground... (Jason Starr, Mountain Mail, January 8, 2007) DISCOUNT COUPONS FOR RADON TEST KITS FROM STATE OF COLORADO DURING JANUARY

ELECTION RESULTS - PARK COUNTY COLORADO

THE 23% TAX FALSE ADVERTISING
(Forum Editorial for Discussion)

ATTIC FIRE IN FAIRPLAY - At approximately 7:00 a.m. on Monday January 15, North-West Fire Protection District was called to a possible fire at a house located at 501 Castello Ave in Fairplay. (January 17, 2007)

MCKAY CLEARS UP HEALTH QUESTIONS - It has come to my attention that rumors are circulating about my health. It seems appropriate, at this time, to release a brief statement. (January 15, 2007)

SEN. WAYNE ALLARD WILL NOT RUN AGAIN - DENVER- Colorado Republican Sen. Wayne Allard said Monday he will honor a pledge he made in 1996 to serve only two terms... (Fox31news.com, January 15, 2007)

FOREIGN DELEGATION VISITS LAKE GEORGE Recently ten delegates from the country of Uzbekistan in eastern Europe came to Lake George to learn how these groups work together... (January 5, 2007)

CLOUDBAIT OBSERVATORY IN GUFFEY - JAN 4 COVERAGE This event was widely observed over Colorado at 6:15 AM MST. It was reentering space junk, not a natural meteor. (Cloudbait Observatory, January 4, 2007)
Related: Possible Meteor Or Space Junk Seen All Over The Region - KUSA - Beginning at 6:15 Thursday morning 9NEWS was flooded with calls from viewers, (Sara Gandy, 9News, January 4, 2007)

SMALL-TOWN SHERIFF SHINES - But everybody knows that's who he is. All the kids at Platte Canyon High School, all the people in Bailey, all the 17,000 souls who live in Park County. (James B.Meadow, Rocky Mountain News, December 26, 2006)

Updated: December 28, 2006: Autopsy results
MAN DIES IN HEAD-ON CRASH NEAR BAILEY
- The crash between a southbound pickup truck and a northbound tractor-trailer hauling dry concrete left the 64-year-old pickup truck driver fatally injured. (December 18, 2006)

NEW SECURITY SYSTEM GOING IN AT PLATTE CANYON - BAILEY – The entire Platte Canyon School District is getting a new surveillance system following the fatal hostage crisis last fall. (Jeffrey Wolf, 9News, January 3, 2007)

BUSH DECLARES EMERGENCY FOR PARTS OF COLORADO - President Bush on Sunday declared a state of emergency for parts of Colorado in the wake of last month's winter storms. (AP, cbs4denver.com, January 8, 2007)