Archived Sep 30, 2003
HIGH PRICE OF HAYMAN Fueled by unthinned forests and drought conditions, the largest fire in Colorado history cost $237.8 million. The Hayman Fire emitted five times the amount of carbon monoxide and twice the particulates produced by all of Colorado industry in a year. (Berny Morson And M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News, September 26, 2003)

PARK COUNTY JAIL NOTED AS PROFITABLE Moffat County Jail Administrator Lt. Dean Herndon says he only knows of one jail in Colorado that turns a profit - Park County. (Jeremy Browning, Craig Daily Press, September 24, 2003)

FORMER CLERK SELECTED AS OBSERVER Former Park County Clerk Barb Pascoe was selected by the state as one of three observers to oversee Aurora's November elections. (Jim Kehl, The Aurora Sentinel, September 16, 2003)

DEMOGRAPHICS CHANGE IN COLORADO COUNTIES Park County experienced an 18.1% increase in Hispanic population, making it 10th in the state for such changes. (Reid Williams, Summit Daily News, September 19, 2003)

FORECLOSURE RESCUE BROKER LOSES LICENSE (Link expired) - State regulators have revoked the license of a Colorado real estate broker they say duped people into giving up their houses with deals to halt foreclosure on their mortgages. (John Accola, Rocky Mountain News, September 18, 2003)

FAIRPLAY TO 'BOOM' AGAIN? The tiny town of Fairplay is poised for a growth spurt with several new developments that would more than double its size. (John Rebchook, Rocky Mountain News, September 16, 2003)

HAYMAN CAMPGROUNDS FACE
POSSIBLE PERMANENT CLOSURE (Link expired) The campgrounds have been hit by flooding this summer and also contain unstable dead trees and holes left by trees that burned to their roots. (Casper Star Tribune, September 15, 2003)

THE STORY BENEATH THE SOOT (Link expired) A firecracker hidden in 30 acres of ash near Carnation. A discarded cigarette in four charred city blocks of Shoreline. A phony story of heroism buried in 137,000 acres of the Hayman Fire in Colorado. (J. Patrick Coolican, Seattle Times , September 14, 2003)

ACCUSED KILLER SPENT LABOR DAY
CAMPING NEAR FAIRPLAY (Link expired) Richard "R.P." White, accused of shooting his best friend in the head and strangling a half dozen prostitutes, spent Labor Day weekend camping with friends near Fairplay. (Brian D. Crecente and Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News, September 12, 2003)

UP TO $9 MILLION FOR FORESTS Top officials in the U.S. Forest Service's Rocky Mountain region in late August allocated up to $9 million for several large-scale forest health projects. (Bob Berwyn, Special to The Denver Post, September 12, 2003)

IT'S HERITAGE, NOT THE CARTOON The High School of the Week opened in the mid-1880s and was known as Fairplay High School. It became South Park as part of a consolidation between local Summit County schools in the 1950s. (Jon E. Yunt, Denver Post Sports Writer, September 9, 2003)

ALMA TOWN POLICING PLAN ALMA - Town officials have augmented the return of Sergeant Woody - the town's beloved police mannequin. (Linda Balough, Summit Daily News, September 7, 2003)

CITIZENS DAY SUCCESS FAIRPLAY - Storms couldn't quell the success of the first "Citizens' Day" for Park County's South Park City Museum on the Saturday before Labor Day. (Linda Balough, Summit Daily News, September 7, 2003)

ALTERNATIVE 6 SELECTED FOR
GUANELLA PASS ROAD CONSTRUCTION Alternative 6 was selected because it best balances the transportation and maintenance needs with public concerns and the sensitive nature of the environment. (Site includes maps, record of decisions, and photo simulations.) (Central Federal Lands Highway Division, August 30, 2003)

CLOUDBAIT OBSERVATORY SAYS
OPPORTUNITY NOT LOST Viewing of Mars will be substantially the same for the next four weeks. Chris Peterson of Cloudbait Observatory near Guffey, Colorado, provides a gallery of photos. (August 29, 2003)

FRONT RANGE OVERFLOW HOUSED
IN PARK COUNTY JAIL Convicts who break parole rules by escaping or who are deemed exceptionally dangerous are now transported to the Park County Jail. (Kirk Mitchell, Denver Post Staff Writer, August 24, 2003)

THINK IT'S HOT HERE?? Imagine being in Iraq in July, in full battle gear. One organization is shipping air conditioners to the units serving in Iraq. You can help.
(July 18, 2003)

Archived Sep 5, 2003
WELLINGTON WINNERS (Link expired) Despite some weather worries, the First Annual Wellington Lake WindRider Classic Sailing Regatta races were run and won. See current race results and photos.

BASED ON TESTING OF BONFILS DONORS,
35,000 IN COLORADO MAY HAVE WEST NILE VIRUS The rate of positive tests for West Nile accelerated sharply in August - 111 positives out of 16,000 Bonfils donors. Assuming 88 percent of them are again confirmed positive, slightly less than 1 percent of August donors had West Nile. (Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News, August 30, 2003)

COLORADO REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT LOWEST IN 25 YEARS The number of refugees arriving in Colorado dropped to a 25-year low last year, a result of stepped-up scrutiny following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. (Dominic Weilminster And Ann Depperschmidt, Rocky Mountain News, August 30, 2003)

ARREST MADE IN MSBLAST VIRUS CASE U.S. cyber investigators arrested a Minnesota teenager Friday who the FBI said has admitted unleashing one version of a damaging virus-like infection weeks ago on the Internet. (Associated Press, August 29, 2003)

SUE SENTENCED TO 53 YEARS FOR GUFFEY MURDERS FAIRPLAY - Simon Ewing Sue was sentenced to 53 years in prison Tuesday on charges of masterminding the slayings of a Guffey couple and their 15-year-old grandson. The Dutcher family members were murdered on New Year's Eve 2000. (Steve Lipsher, Denver Post Mountain, August 26, 2003)

TWO STRIKES, ONE FATAL A Bailey teen was struck by lightning on Red Cone Pass. Quick action by his friends saved him. An hour later, a biker on Highway 24 wasn't so lucky. (Julie Poppen, Rocky Mountain News, August 25, 2003)
Editor's note: The article indicates that witnesses reported seeing the motorcyclist struck in the helmet by lightning, but further investigation indicated that the strike was not a direct one to the head. Related: Good to be Breathing (Link expired)

ANTERO PLANS AND HURDLES A new Antero would grow from 2,300 surface acres to 4,800, and increase the water level by 20 vertical feet. (Charlie Meyers, Denver Post Outdoor Editor, August 24, 2003)

Archived Aug 31, 2003
HAPPY CLIMBING - THIRTEENERS IN PARK COUNTY Just because a mountain is not a Fourteener does not mean it will be an easy climb. There are many thirteeners that are the equal of even the more difficult Fourteeners. (Scot Kersgaard, Special To The News, August 16, 2003)

COLORADO RECEIVES AID FOR WEST NILE EMERGENCY A federal health agency today gave Colorado $500,000 to help fight the nation's worst outbreak of West Nile virus. (Associated Press, August 21, 2003)
Related: Two Counties Declare Public Health Emergency
Related: 11,000 May be Infected in Colorado

BUSH PROMOTES HEALTHY FOREST INITIATIVE In an interview, Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth said the threat of litigation forces his agency to spend so much time on environmental reviews that "we only get about 50 percent of the dollars out on the ground."

REVISED FINAL-FINAL-FINAL-FINAL DRAFT LUR You may view (in PDF format) the "Revised Final Draft" of the Land Use Regulations at the Park County web site, along with the latest Rural Center Options Maps. The county is asking for public comment through August 14, 2003. Public comments can be submitted through the web site. Some of these documents are large and may take some time to download on a dial-up connection. They are also available at all Park County Libraries, the Planning Department, and the Board of County Commissioners Administration Office for review.

PROPOSED GRAZING ORDINANCE (Link expired) Park County states the Purpose as follows:
"The purpose of this ordinance is to protect land located in the County by providing an avenue for mitigating the unlawful grazing of livestock in Park County and its adverse consequences on the environment. It does not relieve the responsibility of the landowners bordering or surrounded by property that is being lawfully grazed of maintaining a lawful fence." (July 7, 2003)

PARK COUNTY REVAMPS OFFICIAL WEBSITE Park County's official website has been completely reworked by Stephen T. Michalczyk, Park County Government Information Services Dept., and is much easier to navigate. It also contains information on job openings and public documents that can be downloaded in PDF format. Take a look!

Archived Aug 24, 2003
WELLINGTON LAKE FIRST ANNUAL SAILING REGATTA The First Annual 2003 Wellington Lake WindRider Classic Sailing Regatta will be held the weekend of August 23 & 24, 2003.

JENNY IS HOME, MAKING GOOD PROGRESS Jenny Wissel, injured in a car accident last month, was discharged from the hospital after less than two weeks. (Update: Aug 12, 2003, 19:30)

DENVER WATER 'BUILDING BRIDGES' Last month, Denver Water began talks with Aurora and Park County to enlarge Antero Reservoir, giving Aurora a place to store some water and Park County more water for fish and fishing. (Joey Bunch, Denver Post Environment Writer, August 11, 2003)

Archived Aug 16, 2003
PUTTING WEST NILE IN PERSPECTIVE (Link expired) - There are lots of everyday risks involving disease and accidents that at the moment exceed the danger from West Nile. (Opinion, Rocky Mountain News, August 10, 2003)
Related: Two More West Nile Deaths Reported
Related: First West Nile Fatality - 31 New Cases
Related: Five New West Nile Cases
Related: Colorado Hardest Hit in Nation (Link expired)
Related: Fight the Bite
Related: West Nile in Humans Spreading

PARK COUNTY TOWN HALL MEETINGS Park County Officials will be holding Town Hall Meetings across the county on Saturday, August 16. The public is encouraged to attend to learn about issues facing the county. (Park County Bulletin, Aug 13, 2003)

Archived Aug 11, 2003
STATE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR CAMPBELL FIRE (Link expired) The State of Colorado will set aside funds for fighting wildfires in 2003, including the Campbell Fire in Park County. (John J. Sanko, Rocky Mountain News, August 5, 2003)

DENVER WATER - GOOD NEIGHBOR? In Park County, Berry said, Denver Water will enlarge Antero Reservoir, a popular fishing spot, if the Park County Commissioners agree. (Jim Pokrandt, Summit Daily News, July 28, 2003)

ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE RENDEZVOUS
Lost Park near Jefferson ~ This Weekend The sprawling, festive camp in the Lost Park hills smells of bubbling stew pots and pungent black-powder smoke. Horse tails and early American flags fly from lodgepoles. The trading tents are up and ready to do business, early 1800s style. (Ed Dentry, Rocky Mountain News, August 8, 2003)

Archived July 30, 2003

1903 ~ 2003

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES Bob Hope, King of Comedy and the USO Honorary Veteran of the U.S. Military dies at age 100. (July 28, 2003)

ELEVENMILE LEVELS MAY INCREASE Denver Water will attempt to increase the water level at Elevenmile Reservoir, the largest storage unit in the Platte system, now only 54 percent full. (Charlie Meyers, Denver Post Outdoor Editor, July 27, 2003)

U.S. 285 PROJECT TO BAILEY (Link expired) PARK COUNTY – A proposed bypass for the town of Bailey is no longer being considered in the U.S. 285 Foxton Road to Bailey. (CDOT Region 1, May 27. 2003)

Archived July 29, 2003

KOREA THE FORGOTTEN WAR 50 Years

July 27, 1953 After three years, one month and two days, combat ended in Korea as the armistice was signed at Panmunjom. Signed at 10:00, it became effective at 22:00 on the same day. Korea remains in an armistice status without a formal peace treaty to this day. Sergeant Harold R. Cross, K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, was killed by a mortar blast at 20:40, the last American soldier killed in action in the Korean War.

Archived July 27, 2003
MULTIPLE PROCEEDINGS INVOLVE FORMER MARSHAL AND WIFE "... court documents at the Park County Courthouse speak volumes about swirling legal matters involving Raskiewicz and his wife, Cheri." (Summit Daily News, July 19, 2003)
Related:
Alma Town Marshal Resigns (Summit Daily News, July 17, 2003)
Bribery Charges Filed (The Flume, PDF Page 4, June 13, 2003)

DENVER WATER PEACE MISSION TO MOUNTAINS The Denver Water Board is making a pilgrimage to the mountains this week, seeking peace with high-country water officials and politicians they've often battled in the past. (Jerd Smith, Rocky Mountain News, July 21, 2003)

AUTO INSURANCE REFUNDS MUST BE REQUESTED Many Colorado drivers will be due a refund from their auto insurance carriers, thanks to a change in state law. But they're going to have to ask for it. (Janet Forgrieve, Rocky Mountain News, June 12, 2003)

(Expired link)
FOUR WEST NILE CASES IN COLORADO So far in Colorado there are now 4 confirmed human cases, and 156 birds, 37 horses and 28 mosquito pools that have tested positive for West Nile. (KOAA News First, July 25, 2003)
Related: FIRST CASE OF HUMAN WEST NILE VIRUS

PARK COUNTY FAIR AND BURRO DAYS JULY 25-27, 2003 Burro Days, complete with booths, llama races, parade, and the famous Pack Burro Race are coming up this weekend! The Park County Fair Board's website features a calendar of fair events, contact information, and fair results.

Archived July 24, 2003
YOU CAN RUN .... YOU CAN HIDE - BUT YOU'LL ONLY DIE TIRED Uday and Qusay Hussein confirmed killed in Mosul firefight (Fox News, July 22, 2003)

AN ARGUMENT OF ALTITUDE An age-old argument between the City of Leadville and the Town of Alma still provides lively debate. (Linda Balough, Summit Daily News, July 14, 2003)

Archived July 21, 2003
FOREST THINNING PLANNED NEAR HAYMAN BURN A plan to thin 20,000 acres of trees near the burn site of Colorado's largest wildfire will help reduce fuel hazards in the area, a Forest Service official said today. (Associated Press, July 16, 2003)

WEST NILE CONFIRMED IN HORSES (Link expired) West Nile Virus has been confirmed in horses in four Colorado counties. The infected horses were from Yuma, Weld, Adams and Fremont counties. (Jim Erickson, Rocky Mountain News, July 15, 2003)

EXPLOSIVES STOLEN IN COLORADO SPRINGS Four hundred pounds of an ammonium nitrate-based explosive disappeared this weekend from a concrete company in northwest Colorado Springs. (Deedee Correll, The Gazette, July 15, 2003)

BLACK BEAR MAULS CAMPERS A black bear mauled two campers in Rocky Mountain National Park over the weekend. (Associated Press, July 14, 2003)

PARK COUNTY REPORTS CAMPBELL FIRE CONTAINMENT The Campbell Fire perimeter is 100% contained and full control is expected by Monday evening, county officials report. This fire burned 510 acres 15 miles NE of Guffey in Park County, Colorado. Road closures and evacuation standby are cancelled. Check updates here. (Park County Bulletin, Updated 9AM, July 14, 2003)

NEW CLUES IN CASE OF MISSING AVIATOR A U.S. senator is confident that new CIA evidence could solve the mystery of what happened to Gulf War Navy pilot Michael Scott Speicher, shot down over Iraq more than 12 years ago. (Fox News, July 8, 2003)
Related: Friends Working to Free Scott Speicher

AURORA ACQUIRES SOUTH PARK WATER FROM THORNTON (Link expired) Aurora will pay Thornton $51 million for 7,000 acre-feet of surface-water rights from 11 ranches in South Park. Aurora will also acquire an additional 4,000 acre-feet of storage in Spinney Mountain Reservoir in Park County. (Mike Patty, Rocky Mountain News, July 1, 2003)

INCREASE IN WHITETAIL DEER CONCERNS DOW The spread of whitetail deer in Colorado appears part of a nationwide trend that alarms wildlife managers in many eastern locations. (Charlie Meyers, Denver Post, July 1, 2003)

STRONGER PENALTIES FOR THROWING SMOKES FROM WINDOW With the recent hot and dry weather comes a warning from law enforcement statewide: If you're caught throwing a lighted cigarette or match out of your car window, you will face a heavy fine and maybe even jail time.
(Adam Schrager, 9News, July 14, 2003)

Archived July 12, 2003
BAILEY DAY 2003 - SATURDAY - JULY 12 - The place to be is downtown Bailey with a brand new Bailey Day this Saturday. At 7 am, they're off to the races! Maybe they'll work up an appetite for the Pancake Breakfast that starts at 8. Don't dawdle, or you'll miss the kids parade at 9! The day will be filled with rubber ducky races, food fare from local restaurants, music, the ever-popular beer garden, and other local goodies. Parking is VERY limited, so car-pooling is strongly recommended. For more info, call: (303) 838-9080.
Platte Canyon Rescue Service needs volunteers to help manage the 5K run for Bailey Day. Please contact Race Coordinator Kathy Reasoner, 303 816-9630, or by email at tandk9200@earthlink.net.

WHILE YOU'RE AT BAILEY DAY... ...watch for the 17th Annual Ladies Run. The Motorcycle Run starts at Kipling and Hampden (U.S. 285) at 8 am Saturday. They travel 285 to Fairplay for two days of events, stopping for a Treasure Hunt in Como. These bikes are a sight to see! Some of them cost more than your first house. Proceeds benefit South Park Community Relief Fund, Project Safeguard and the Hospice of Metro Denver.

ARIZONA ASPEN FIRE: SUMMERHAVEN RETURNS HOME The fire remained 75 percent contained Thursday evening, meaning fire officials think three-quarters of its perimeter offers minimal risk of expanding. (Arizona Daily Star, July 11, 2003)

FIVE COUNTIES BAN OPEN FIRES As eight fires burn across Colorado, the counties of Garfield, Park, Montezuma, La Plata and Mesa ban the burning of combustible material outside of an enclosed structure. (Jeannie Piper, 9News, July 10, 2003)

Archived July 9, 2003
SEVEN ACTIVE FIRES BURN IN COLORADO The key today and for the next seven days, while most of Colorado is under high fire danger, is to know the fire restrictions, especially if you plan to go camping or spend time in the parks or forest. (Susan Wells and Paola Farer, 9News, July 9, 2003)

FIREFIGHTERS WATCHING WILDFIRES BURNING IN COLORADO'S REMOTE AREAS Firefighters near Meeker in Northwestern Colorado are keeping an eye on the Yankee Gulch Fire and the Beaver Fire is being attacked by crews near Cortez in Southwestern Colorado. (Paola Farer, 9News, July 6, 2003)

THIRD TEEN SENTENCED IN SNAKING FIRE (Link expired) A third teenager charged with starting last year's Snaking Fire was sentenced Monday to restitution, two years of probation and 960 hours of public service. (Deb Frazier, Rocky Mountain News, July 1, 2003)

Archived July 3, 2003
FIRES SEND SMOKE HAZE OVER COLORADO Wildfires in Arizona and New Mexico are sending a smoky haze into Colorado, helped by southeast winds. (Associated Press, June 25, 2003)

DENVER EASES WATER; ANTERO LEFT EMPTY For now, melting snow and reduced springtime demand have allowed Denver Water's system of nine operating reservoirs to fill to 81 percent of capacity. One Park County reservoir, Antero, is intentionally being left empty this year. (Theo Stein, Denver Post Environment Writer, June 24, 2003)

TEENS CHARGED IN NEW MEXICO WILDFIRE (Link Expired) Three teenagers who authorities say were apparently playing with fireworks were charged Friday with starting a wildfire that burned along the Rio Grande north of downtown Albuquerque and drove hundreds of people from their homes. (Associated Press, June 27, 2003)

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