fbpx

The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Author: I-70 Scout

  • Bronco Defense Still Strong

    Bronco Defense Still Strong

    By ARNIE STAPLETON
    AP Pro Football Writer

    DENVER (AP) _ John Elway revamped his offense in the wake of the Denver Broncos’ third title, shedding both tight ends and three offensive linemen who started in the Super Bowl while bidding farewell to Peyton Manning and his longtime backup Brock Osweiler.

    Now, it’s Trevor Siemian and backup Paxton Lynch under center for Denver and neither has ever thrown a pass in the NFL that counted.

    That defense, though.

    Despite losing Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan to free agency, Denver’s dazzling defense could be even better than the one that brought home the Lombardi Trophy seven months ago with a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers, whom they open the season against Thursday night in Denver.

    Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, who transformed himself from sports superstar to mainstream celebrity during a six-month victory tour that included four dozen TV appearances, missed the entire offseason program but showed up in fantastic shape after signing the biggest contract ever for a non-quarterback .

    Others who figure to be even better in 2016 are pass rushers Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett, defensive end Derek Wolfe and cornerback Bradley Roby. Todd Davis replaces Trevathan and free agent Jared Crick replaces Jackson.

    Oddsmakers say the Broncos, who averaged 11 wins during Manning’s four-year tenure, won’t even hit double figures this season as they become the first team since the 2001 Ravens to try to go back-to-back after losing its top two QBs.

    Roby said the rest of the country may view the Broncos as a one-hit wonder, but he’s pretty sure the Broncos can sustain their dominance and carry the team to another trophy regardless of who’s throwing the ball to Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.

    “Because defense wins championships and I think people are just saying (that) because we lost two quarterbacks” so they “automatically have doubts,” Roby said. “But we know that defense was a big reason why we got to the game and why we won the game. So, we are very confident that we’ll be better this year.”

    Other factors that will determine whether the Broncos can win a sixth straight AFC West crown and defend their Super Bowl title:

    BOUNCING BACK : Thomas is no longer bogged down by worries over his contract, his mother’s incarceration and a new offense. Despite his 105 catches for 1,304 yards in 2015, Thomas reached the end zone just six times, dropped 18 passes and was a non-factor in the playoffs. With President Barack Obama commuting his grandmother’s drug sentence this summer, Thomas has a clear head and promises to cut down on the drops.

    ANDERSON’S DURABILITY : C.J. Anderson signed a four-year, $18 million contract following his 90-yard performance in the Super Bowl. Elway told him with the payday comes higher expectations, specifically that he’ll finally put together a full season. Over the last two years, Anderson has rushed for 397 yards and one TD over the first two months and 1,112 yards and 12 TDs over the final two months.

    WARE’S BACK : DeMarcus Ware accepted a pay cut and a reduction of playing time but he’s still one of the team’s locker room leaders, especially with Manning retired. Ware is now a third-down specialist with Ray starting. The Broncos hope this will keep Ware’s bad back from acting up again like it did in 2015, when it cost him five games. Refreshed, he returned for a monster playoff run with 12 QB hits, teaming with Miller to harass Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady and Cam Newton.

    MARSHALL’S MOVE : Brandon Marshall, who collected a team-high 211 tackles since moving into the starting lineup two years ago, is sliding over to weak-side inside linebacker. That spot was vacated when Trevathan bolted to the Bears. Marshall, who was cut three times by the Jaguars before landing on Denver’s practice squad in 2013, signed a four-year, $32 million deal this summer.

    FIRST-RATE SECONDARY : The Broncos again sport the league’s deepest secondary in Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, Roby, T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart that capitalizes on the pass-rushing prowess of Miller & Co. Although Talib has shown no ill effects of a gunshot wound to his right leg after getting shot in Dallas in June , police continue to investigate. Talib, who has had firearm incidents in the past, could be facing possible punishment from the NFL.

  • The phone scam is back in full force.

    The phone scam is back in full force.

    Please be aware of phone callers claiming that a family member was in a crash. Recently, citizens received calls saying that a family member was in a crash and asked for the recipient’s information so they could confirm their identity. When asked which family member was injured, the caller does not provide that information. When asked for the caller’s information, the caller does not provide anything. As you can see, this is a phishing call where the caller is attempting to gather information from the call recipient. Recently the number 720-365-3887 is showing on caller ID. If you receive a call and are unsure of the validity, do NOT give the caller any information. If the caller is valid, they will not avoid telling you their agency and name. You can also ask for the caller’s phone number that you can call back to verify their agency.

     

    TIPS:

    • Do not give the caller any personal information.
    • Ask for the caller’s agency.
    • Ask for the caller’s name and employee number.
    • Ask for the caller’s agency phone number.
    • Tell the caller that you are going to call back on that number to verify their identity.
    • Do not use the number provided to call them back.
    • Use the internet or phone book to find an agency phone number and call that.
    • Call another local agency and ask for them to transfer you to the other agency.

     

     

  • CDA Launches First Program in Country to Develop Industrial Hemp Certified Seed

    CDA Launches First Program in Country to Develop Industrial Hemp Certified Seed

    BROOMFIELD — The Colorado Department of Agriculture is introducing a new program aimed at bringing industrial hemp into mainstream agriculture. Seed produced and conditioned under this program will be issued “CDA Approved Certified Seed” tags through the Colorado Seed Growers Association (CSGA) if the production standards are met and then will be available for purchase through the developer.
    “This program’s first project is to grow hemp across Colorado’s diverse growing conditions to ensure mature plants comply with hemp standards. This is the first certified hemp seed program in the country and the first-of-its-kind study in Colorado. We are on the cutting edge of this emerging industry and this new program can help shape the future of the hemp industry,” said Duane Sinning, CDA’s Division of Plant Industry Assistant Director.
    The Department will work in cooperation with Colorado State University and CSGA to provide breeding companies the opportunity to verify their seeds produce mature plants at or below the 0.3% THC threshold required to label the plant as “industrial hemp.”
    Seed varieties will be grown and tested in the northeast, southeast, Front Range, the San Luis Valley and on the western slope.  These five locations vary in daytime and nighttime temperatures, in altitude, length of growing season, and soil types. Varieties that test at or below the THC threshold at all five trial locations will be eligible to be produced by the CSGA as “CDA Approved Certified Seed.” CSGA seed growers produce certified seed of a number of different crops by following standards and rules established by the Association of Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA), an organization of which CSGA is a member.
    “Adding industrial hemp to the list of crops for which CSGA provides seed certification represents a milestone for the industry and positions Colorado as a leader in industrial hemp innovation,” said Rick Novak, director of seed programs as Colorado State University. “Our collaboration with both CSGA and CDA demonstrates that the seed certification program can advance agricultural research while also serving as a resource for industry.”
    Farmers who purchase and plant “CDA Approved Certified Seed” will benefit knowing that the tight production process to produce their seeds and the testing done on those varieties ensures their crop will not exceed the 0.3% THC threshold and, thus, prevent crop destruction for those plants above the threshold. Besides ensuring the integrity and purity of the seeds, the program also certifies that the seeds are free of pests and weeds.
    To participate in the industrial hemp trial, the legal owner of the seed genetics must submit all pertinent variety information to establish genetic ownership along with 5,000 seeds. It is anticipated that seed produced from approved low THC varieties and grown under the standards and rules of “CDA Approved Certified Seed” program may be available for the 2017 planting season.

  • Today’s Events – Tuesday, Sept. 6

    Toddler Tales. Kids ages 2-4 will enjoy stories, puppets, songs and finger plays. 10 a.m., Anythink Bennett library.

    Tuesday Tech. 4:15 p.m. Kids ages 11 and up can learn about technology. Anythink Bennett Library.

    Bennett VFW Post No. 8449. 6:30 p.m., Bennett VFW Hall.

    Deer Trail Town Board. 7 p.m., Town Hall, 255 Second Ave.

    Bennett-Watkins Lions Club. 7 p.m., Bennett Community Center, 1100 W. Colfax. Jo Brandenburg, (303)908-0796.

     

    High School Sports

    Golf. Strasburg @ Strasburg Invite, Buffalo Run Golf Club, Commerce City, 11 a.m.

    Volleyball. Front Range Christian @ Byers, 4 p.m.

    Volleyball. Strasburg @ Valley, 4:30 p.m.

    Volleyball. Deer Trail @ Miami-Yoder, 5 p.m.

     

    Middle School Sports

    Football. Strasburg @ Fort Morgan, 4 p.m.

    Football. Simla @ Byers, 4 p.m.

    Volleyball. Bennett @ The Academy, 4:15 p.m.

    Volleyball. Deer Trail @ Miami-Yoder, 3 p.m.

  • Today’s Events – Monday, Sept. 5

    High Plains Music Ensemble rehearsal. 6:30 p.m., Strasburg High School band room. New players welcome.

    Bingo. 7 p.m., Byers American Legion Hall.

    AA Strasburg Sobriety. 7:30 p.m., Saron Lutheran Church, 1656 Main St. Lane, (303)717-2263

  • Today’s Events – Sunday, Sept. 4

    Alcoholics Anonymous. 9-10 a.m., Byers Church Museum, 194 S. McDonnell St. (303)903-6734.

  • Today’s Events – Saturday, Sept. 3

    Nature Time!. Park history and its plants, birds and animals. Outdoor nature walks weather-permitting. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton.

     

    High School Sports

    JV Football. Bennett @ TBD.

    JV Football. Strasburg @ Burlington, 11 a.m.

  • MLB AND ALL CLUBS TO COMMEMORATE CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WITH SPECIAL DAY ON SEPTEMBER 2ND

    MLB AND ALL CLUBS TO COMMEMORATE CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WITH SPECIAL DAY ON SEPTEMBER 2ND

    League-Wide “Childhood Cancer Awareness Day” will Feature a Variety of On-Field Elements, Including Wearing Gold Ribbon Decals and Wristbands
     
    Major League Baseball has launched a league-wide effort to raise childhood cancer awareness by dedicating a special “Childhood Cancer Awareness Day” at all MLB ballparks on Friday, September 2nd.  In partnership with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), MLB has encouraged Clubs to support this new initiative in commemoration of childhood cancer awareness month through a variety of special activations.  All Major League players, coaches, umpires and grounds crew members will wear gold ribbon decals and wristbands to further promote awareness for childhood cancer, which is the leading cause of death by disease in children aged 15 and under in the United States.  In Canada, more than 1,500 children will be diagnosed with cancer this year.  Every year, an estimated 250,000 new cases of cancer affect children under the age of 20 worldwide. 
    “Advocating for the health and well-being of young people affected by this terrible disease is a cause that Major League Baseball and our Clubs are proud to support,” said Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. “Through our league-wide effort, we will join Stand Up To Cancer and many organizations dedicated to this fight in a unified demonstration of our sport’s commitment to ending childhood cancer.”
    Clubs may choose to partner with local nonprofits, including hospital partners or organizations focused on childhood cancer, for their Childhood Cancer Awareness Day activations.  Additional options for Clubs to show their support for the effort include check presentations to nonprofits and hospitals, and youth cancer survivors’ participation in pregame ceremonies. Special guests will participate in pregame ceremony activities such as ceremonial first pitches and announcing “Play Ball!”  Clubs and players may also donate tickets, ballpark suites and funds to Stand Up To Cancer and local partner organizations. Below are a few Club examples around activation for MLB’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Day:
    ·         Chicago Cubs: Cubs players will don a special childhood cancer awareness batting practice shirt on September 2nd, in addition to gold wristbands and decals.
    ·         Seattle Mariners: For their first Childhood Cancer Awareness event at Safeco Field, the Mariners will partner with G1ve A Buck Fund to raise awareness and research funds for Seattle Children’s highly successful immunotherapy trial, Strong Against Cancer. Through a special ticketing offer, fans can receive a Mariners G1ve A Buck Night T-shirt and refreshments in a special pregame event.
    ·         Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies are partnering with Nemours Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children and the Nemours Foundation for Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on September 2nd. Among the many initiatives that night, pediatric cancer patients will be involved as honorary groundskeepers, take part in a first pitch ceremony, and a special Lineup of Courage will feature nine kids battling cancer meeting players as they take the field. The Phillies will also provide a Gold Suite, specially decorated for the nine Lineup of Courage participants and their families.
    ·         Texas Rangers: As part of the Rangers’ activation on September 2nd, more than 300 individuals from over a dozen childhood cancer-focused charities will be part of a pregame presentation, forming a human gold ribbon in the outfield as part of the program. The Rangers Foundation and Derek Holland’s 60 feet 6 Foundation are providing the gold t-shirts for the ribbon.
     
    Clubs that are away on September 2nd were able to continue the effort on another home date in September. Below are two Club examples of activation beyond Childhood Cancer Awareness Day:
    ·         Arizona Diamondbacks: The D-backs will once again team up with Phoenix Children’s Hospital to dedicate the September 16thand 17th home games to raising awareness and funds for Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s pediatric cancer center in conjunction with September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Together, the D-backs and PCH will encourage fans to “Go Gold” for childhood cancer awareness as well as welcome a special group of cancer warriors from PCH’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders to participate in various ballpark and baseball experiences.  These experiences include a special check presentation to the PCH Foundation, PCH kids in gold jerseys taking the field with D-backs players, lineup card delivery and the 7th inning stretch, among several other opportunities.  The D-backs have been encouraging their fans to “Go Gold” for childhood cancer awareness and to support PCH’s efforts to fight the disease since 2014.
    ·         Toronto Blue Jays: On Friday, September 9th, the Blue Jays will host families associated with Childhood Cancer Canada, who will be recognized during the game and in the game’s broadcast.  Additionally, several of these children will help lead the crowd in the 7th inning stretch. 
     
    Hall of Famer Tom Glavine and his wife, Chris, are advocates for the fight against childhood cancer and are long-standing supporters of CURE Childhood Cancer. They played an important role in the development of this new league-wide initiative. 
    Tom Glavine said: “For the 12 past years, Chris and I have been involved in the fight against Childhood Cancer.  One of the challenges we have experienced is the lack of awareness surrounding how different it is from cancer that affects adults.  We have made it our goal to leave no stone unturned in bringing awareness to a new level, and we are honored that MLB has brought the tragedy of Childhood Cancer to the national spotlight.  This initiative by MLB will go a long way in giving the kids battling this disease the voice they so deserve.  We thank Commissioner Manfred, MLB and all MLB Clubs for taking on this fight.”
    MLB Advanced Media will coordinate a digital effort to increase exposure of this effort by placing information and editorial features on MLB.com, Club sites and MLBCommunity.org.
    MLB and Clubs have supported the fight against cancer over the years.  As Stand Up To Cancer’s founding donor, Major League Baseball has provided both financial support (nearly $40 million) and countless opportunities to build the Stand Up To Cancer grassroots movement by encouraging fans around the world to get involved.  MLB has recognized SU2C at its jewel events since the 2009 World Series. Recent Club activations have included special gold pediatric cancer awareness batting practice t-shirts, online campaigns to empower fans to become fundraisers for pediatric cancer research and donations to local children’s hospitals. Previous league-wide efforts included a $1 million donation to the CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation.

  • Today’s Events – Friday, Sept. 2

    AnyStitch Goes! Community sewing get-together. Sewing machines and basic textile-oriented tools available. 1-4 p.m., Bennett Anythink library.

    Al-Anon family group. 7-8 p.m., Byers Church Museum, 194 S. McDonnell St. (303)822-9237 or (303)888-4525.

     

     

    High School Sports

    Football. Cornerstone Christian @ Bennett, 7 p.m.

    Football. Burlington @ Strasburg, 7 p.m.

    Football. Byers @ Peyton, 7 p.m.

  • Today’s Events – Thursday, Sept. 1

    Music & Movement. Ages 2-6 can sing, dance and learn to play basic instruments. 10 a.m., Anythink Bennett library.

    Bingo for Books. 4:15 p.m., Anythink Bennett library.

    Byers PTO. 7 p.m., Byers School cafeteria.

    Comanche Crossing Horsemen’s Association (board). 7 p.m., Quint Valley, Byers.

    I-70 Intercessors. 7 p.m., The Prayer Closet, 6701/2 Colfax, Bennett.

    Strasburg American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. 7 p.m., Strasburg American Legion Hall, 56423 Westview Ave.

    AA Strasburg Sobriety. 7:30 p.m., Saron Lutheran Church, 1656 Main St. Lane, (303)717-2263.

     

    High School Sports

    Golf. Strasburg @ Estes Park Invite, 8 a.m.

    Cross Country. Byers @ Jo Davis Invite, Colorado Springs, 4 p.m.

    Volleyball. Bennett @ Machebeuf, 4 p.m. C-Team, 5 p.m. JV, 6 p.m. Varsity.

    Volleyball. Byers @ Calhan, 4 p.m.

    Softball. Strasburg @ Brush, 4 p.m.

    Soccer. Bennett @ Union Colony, 4 p.m.

    Volleyball. Pinnacle @ Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.

     

    Middle School Sports

    Football. Adams City @ Bennett, 4:15 p.m.

    Football. Strasburg @ Cornerstone Christian, 4 p.m.

    Football. Highland @ Byers, 4 p.m.

    Volleyball. Kiowa @ Strasburg, 4 p.m.

    Volleyball. Byers @ Calhan, 4 p.m.