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Category: National News

  • Massive storm looming over Pacific to wreak havoc up and down West Coast

    Massive storm looming over Pacific to wreak havoc up and down West Coast

    By Kyle Elliott, AccuWeather meteorologist

    After one storm system walloped Southern California and Arizona with heavy rain and high-country snow this week, a much larger storm is set to slam Central and Northern California with a wide array of impacts from Friday into Saturday.

    Although the center of the storm system will move ashore in Oregon later Saturday into Saturday night, the worst of the impacts will occur farther to the south.

    Heavy rain and gusty winds will target coastal areas from San Francisco northward into southern Oregon spanning Friday into Saturday, as well as the Central Valley’s I-5 corridor from Sacramento to Redding.

     

    The foothills of the Sierra Nevada will also be hit hard with flooding downpours during this time.

    A general 1-2 inches of rain is forecast in the lowest elevations of the I-5 corridor and San Francisco Bay area, while 2-4 inches is more likely in coastal areas of Northern California.

    It is in the coastal ranges and foothills of the Sierra, however, that rainfall totals of 3-6 inches will occur. An AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 8 inches is anticipated in these regions.

    Because California is no longer suffering from drought and has actually been abnormally wet over the past one to two weeks, the heavy rainfall will significantly heighten the risk for flooding and mudslides, especially in burn-scar areas from this year’s wildfires.

    Significant travel delays and road closures are also likely, especially in areas where stream and river flooding occurs or where mudslides cover roadways or cause them to collapse.

    “In addition to the extreme amounts of rain, falling snow levels will allow snow to accumulate across the higher terrain of the Sierra Nevada, which will act as a boon for local ski resorts,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said.

    Snow levels will likely fall below 5,000 feet in the Cascades and northern Rockies on Saturday and as low as 5,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada.

    Spanning Friday to Saturday night, AccuWeather meteorologists expect at least 1-2 feet of snow to bury Donner Pass along I-80 in Northern California with 2-4 feet in the highest elevations.

    An AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 50 inches of snow is expected in the highest terrain of Northern California.

    Motorists traveling through the Sierra Nevada should be aware of chain requirements and be prepared with an emergency survival kit in case their vehicle breaks down or stalls.

    “While major snowfall accumulations farther north in the Washington and Oregon cascades are not expected from this storm system, any snow will be beneficial since these areas are suffering from abnormally dry conditions,” Buckingham added.

    In addition to the copious amounts of rain and snow slated for the end of the week and start of the weekend, gusty winds will buffet the northern half of California and southern part of Oregon.

    Wind gusts of 40-50 mph will threaten to cause sporadic power outages and may help weaken loose topsoil inundated by too much water, further enhancing the risk of mudslides. Blizzard conditions may occur at times in the Sierra Nevada.

    Drier conditions should gradually return from Sunday into Monday as the storm system pushes into the Rockies and Plains.

    Looking ahead into next week, storm-weary residents of California should finally catch a break from the onslaught as the storm track shifts farther north into the Pacific Northwest.

     

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  • Bennet, Casey Urge Administration to Stop Obstructing Efforts to Deliver Benefits to Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange

    Bennet, Casey Urge Administration to Stop Obstructing Efforts to Deliver Benefits to Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange

    Denver – Today, U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) sent a letter to Trump Administration officials urging them to stop obstructing access to health benefits and disability compensation for approximately 83,000 veterans, some from Colorado and Pennsylvania.

    Following a federally-mandated National Academies of Medicine (NAM) study on the health effects of exposure to Agent Orange, Office of Management and Budget Director (OMB) Mick Mulvaney declined to include illnesses determined by the NAM study to be linked to exposure to Agent Orange and other chemicals used during the Vietnam War as presumptive conditions.

    “By refusing to include these illnesses on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) list of Agent Orange presumptive benefits, OMB is acting in direct opposition to the NAM’s analysis of peer-reviewed reports that suggest otherwise,” wrote Bennet and Casey in their letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie and OMB Director Mulvaney. “We encourage you to acknowledge the scientific based evidence and the recommendation of the previous VA Secretary David Shulkin, and designate these conditions to the presumptive list for Agent Orange exposure.”

    The senators also expressed concern over the delay in implementation of new legislation to expand Agent Orange benefits to Navy Vietnam veterans, demanding the administration prioritize and process their claims as soon as possible.

    “These veterans and their families have waited long enough for access to the benefits for which they are eligible and desperately need,” wrote the senators. “Our nation must live up to the promises it has made to the men and women who have sacrificed much by serving in uniform.”

    The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

    Dear Director Mulvaney and Secretary Wilkie:

     We write to express our serious concern regarding delays for veterans who are suffering from illnesses related to their exposure to Agent Orange. The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) decision to exclude bladder cancer, hypertension, Parkinsonism, and hypothyroidism as diseases linked to Agent Orange is frustrating and unfair. This delay denies approximately 83,000 veterans, many from Colorado and Pennsylvania, faster access to disability compensation and health benefits.

     As you know, Congress has mandated that the National Academies of Medicine (NAM) publish updated reports that comprehensively evaluate scientific and medical information about the health effects of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the Vietnam War. The 2016 NAM report Veterans and Agent Orange Update 2014 states, “sufficient evidence of an association between exposure to at least one of the chemicals of interest and hypertension.” This report also determined there is “limited and suggestive evidence” that offers a link between Agent Orange exposure and bladder cancer and hypothyroidism. By refusing to include these illnesses on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) list of Agent Orange presumptive benefits, OMB is acting in direct opposition to the NAM’s analysis of peer-reviewed reports that suggest otherwise. We encourage you to acknowledge the scientific based evidence and the recommendation of the previous VA Secretary David Shulkin, and designate these conditions to the presumptive list for Agent Orange exposure. 

     We are also concerned by the delay in the implementation of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, signed into law on June 25, which expands Agent Orange benefits to veterans who served aboard ships offshore and in the harbors of Vietnam. These veterans and their families have waited long enough for access to the benefits for which they are eligible and desperately need. The administration should prioritize and process these claims as soon as possible.

     Our nation must live up to the promises it has made to the men and women who have sacrificed much by serving in uniform. Thank you and we look forward to your response.

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  • Powerful storm to slam West Coast with feet of snow, flooding rain late this week

    Powerful storm to slam West Coast with feet of snow, flooding rain late this week

    After one storm system wallops Southern California and Arizona with heavy rain and high-country snow through Wednesday night, a much larger storm is set to slam Central and Northern California with a wide array of impacts from Friday into Saturday.

    Although the center of the storm system will move ashore in Oregon later Saturday into Saturday night, the worst of the impacts will occur farther to the south.

    Heavy rain and gusty winds will target coastal areas from San Francisco northward into southern Oregon spanning Friday into Saturday, as well as the Central Valley’s I-5 corridor from Sacramento to Redding.

    The foothills of the Sierra Nevada will also be hit hard with flooding downpours during this time.

    A general 1-2 inches of rain is forecast in the lowest elevations of the I-5 corridor and San Francisco Bay area, while 2-4 inches is more likely in coastal areas of Northern California.

    It is in the coastal ranges and foothills of the Sierra, however, that rainfall totals of 3-6 inches will occur. An AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 8 inches is anticipated in these regions.

    Because California is no longer suffering from drought and has actually been abnormally wet over the past one to two weeks, the heavy rainfall will significantly heighten the risk for flooding and mudslides, especially in burn-scar areas from this year’s wildfires.

    Significant travel delays and road closures are also likely, especially in areas where stream and river flooding occurs or where mudslides cover roadways or cause them to collapse.

    “In addition to the extreme amounts of rain, falling snow levels will allow snow to accumulate across the higher terrain of the Sierra Nevada, which will act as a boon for local ski resorts,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said.

    Snow levels will likely fall below 5,000 feet in the Cascades and northern Rockies on Saturday and as low as 5,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada.

    Spanning Friday to Saturday night, AccuWeather meteorologists expect at least 1-2 feet of snow to bury Donner Pass along I-80 in Northern California with 2-4 feet in the highest elevations.

    An AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 50 inches of snow is expected in the highest terrain of Northern California.

    Motorists traveling through the Sierra Nevada should be aware of chain requirements and be prepared with an emergency survival kit in case their vehicle breaks down or stalls.

    “While major snowfall accumulations farther north in the Washington and Oregon cascades are not expected from this storm system, any snow will be beneficial since these areas are suffering from abnormally dry conditions,” Buckingham added.

    In addition to the copious amounts of rain and snow slated for the end of the week and start of the weekend, gusty winds will buffet the northern half of California and southern part of Oregon.

    Wind gusts of 40-50 mph will threaten to cause sporadic power outages and may help weaken loose topsoil inundated by too much water, further enhancing the risk of mudslides. Blizzard conditions may occur at times in the Sierra Nevada.

    Drier conditions should gradually return from Sunday into Monday as the storm system pushes into the Rockies and Plains.

    Looking ahead into next week, storm-weary residents of California should finally catch a break from the onslaught as the storm track shifts farther north into the Pacific Northwest.

     

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  • Atmospheric river to soak Southern California, Southwest

    Atmospheric river to soak Southern California, Southwest

    Following a delayed start to the wet season in fire-ravaged California, the switch has been turned on as a series of storms continues to douse the Golden State. Soon after a storm over Northern and Central California winds down, a new plume of moisture, or an atmospheric river, will unleash heavy rain and high country snow over Southern California to the interior Southwest at midweek.

    The storm is not expected to unleash the equivalent of the late-November blast of rain and snow; however, it is likely to cause travel disruptions in many locations and perhaps more serious problems in others.

    Snow levels are forecast to be rather high in Southern California, so motorists should not have to contend with winter conditions over Tejon and Cajon passes this time around.

    Snowfall with the storm from Tuesday night to Wednesday night will generally be limited to elevations above 6,500 feet over much of Southern California and Arizona but can dip to 5,500 feet over the southern part of the Sierra Nevada, where 1-2 feet of snow is in store.

    High snow levels can present a problem following a heavy snowfall, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Randy Adkins.

    “The higher snow levels throughout the region will mean that rain will eat into some of the snowfall over the intermediate elevations in Southern California and Arizona in particular,” Adkins said.

    The combination of rain, rising temperatures and melting snow can lead to flooding along some the small streams and short-run rivers flowing out of the mountains.

    A general rainfall of 1-2 inches is forecast to fall in about 24 hours over coastal Southern California with 0.50 of an inch to 1 inch over the deserts.

    Heavier rainfall is expected over the mountains. An AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 4 inches can occur in the south- and west-facing slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains.

    This is enough rain to cause localized flash flooding in desert and urban areas.

    Motorists should expect delays due to drenching rain, excess water on the roads and poor visibility for the Wednesday morning rush hour in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas.

    The bulk of the rain will fall on Las Vegas during Wednesday afternoon and evening with the wettest part of the storm due to be Wednesday night around Phoenix.

    AccuWeather meteorologists warn that you should never attempt to drive through flooded areas as the water may be much deeper than it appears. A foot of flowing water can cause lightweight vehicles to lose traction and can swiftly carry them downstream into deeper water. Flowing water can also disguise a roadway that has been washed away.

    Tragedy struck in Arizona over the Thanksgiving holiday as a truck with young children as passengers was swept away while attempting to cross a stream.

    Since the last rainstorm was only a few days earlier, some of the hillsides may quickly become unstable with a fresh dose of drenching rain. As a result, the potential for mudslides and other debris flows may be higher with this storm, compared to that of last week. This is especially the case for burn scar locations, but the threat will not be limited to fire-charred areas.

    Meanwhile, the system moving through is potent enough to produce a few thunderstorms, some of which may be capable of spawning small hail and gusty winds.

    The region will get a break from storms during the latter part of this week. However, a new storm forecast to roll ashore in Northern California and the Northwest is likely to bring showers this weekend.

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  • ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGISTS PROVIDE UPDATE ON RAIN AND SNOW HEADED TOWARD WEST COAST

    ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGISTS PROVIDE UPDATE ON RAIN AND SNOW HEADED TOWARD WEST COAST

    Soon after the ‘bomb cyclone’ pushes east of the Rockies, a new storm will approach the West Coast of the United States this weekend to set the stage for more rounds of heavy rain and mountain snow in California.

    The storm will hinder return trips from Thanksgiving vacation as well as the resumption of daily commutes next week.

    The weather setup will make the ignition of wildfires unlikely and may even put an end to the risk through the rest of the year. However, enough rain can fall to unleash urban flooding and lead to debris flows in recent burn scar locations, including the Kincade Fire that burned over 77,000 acres in Sonoma County, California, earlier this autumn.

    While the heavy mountain snow anticipated will be a further boon for ski interests, snow and slippery driving conditions are likely at Donner Pass along Interstate 80 from Saturday afternoon into Monday night.

    A storm at the jet stream level of the atmosphere is forecast to hover just off the California coast later this weekend to early next week. The configuration will create a plume of tropical moisture from the Pacific Ocean to Northern California beginning late Saturday night.

    “This persistent plume, sometimes referred to as an ‘atmospheric river,’ will bring copious amounts of rain to coastal and low elevations and a great deal of snow to the Sierra Nevada of Northern California,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.

    About 3-6 inches of rain can fall over the lower elevations of Northern California during the early to middle part of next week. However, an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 10 inches can occur on the southwest-facing slopes of the Coast Ranges and hills of the Sierra Nevada.

    Meanwhile, over in the high country, 3-6 feet of snow can fall from later this weekend to early next week.

    “It is possible that Southern California catches an episode or two of heavy rain and mountain snow as well,” Anderson said.

     

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  • Gardner Applauds Final Repeal of WOTUS Rule

    Gardner Applauds Final Repeal of WOTUS Rule

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Washington, D.C. — Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers finalized a rule to repeal the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

    “Today is a victory for Colorado’s farmers, cattlemen, ranchers, and small business owners,” said Senator Gardner. “This burdensome regulation from the Obama Administration would have been harmful to Colorado’s economy and especially our agriculture community. Today’s announcement is welcome news and finally prevents an unconstitutional takeover of Colorado’s rivers, streams, and local waterways.”

    “The final repeal of the 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule is an important landmark to the farm families of Colorado, as it paves the way for new clearer, concise rules to be put in place,” said Don Shawcroft, President of the Colorado Farm Bureau. “Water is one of our most valuable resources and this decision shows it is possible to have both clean water and sensible rules.”

    “This announcement from EPA is a huge burden lifted off the backs of America’s cattle producers,” said Colin Woodall, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “The overly burdensome 2015 WOTUS rule would have been one of the largest government land grabs in history, and would have allowed EPA the ability to tell cattlemen and women what they could or could not do on their own land. Cattle producers are a part of the solution when it comes to clean water, so we are thankful this nightmare is over. We look forward to working with EPA to finalize a replacement rule which respects private property rights.”

    Gardner has been a consistent opponent of the WOTUS rule. He denounced the final WOTUS Rule when it was revealed in May of 2015 and applauded the decision by Federal Judge Ralph Erickson to halt the rule’s implementation in 13 states. In September of 2015, he signed on as a cosponsor of the resolution of disapproval authored by Senator Ernst (R-IA), which later passed the Senate with Gardner’s support.

    When the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals halted implementation of WOTUS nationwide in October of 2015, Gardner called it “a victory for agriculture, rural communities, and all Coloradans.” In November of 2015, he voted in favor of the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, which would have forced the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to re-write the WOTUS rule with much stronger state and agricultural protections as well as more input from local communities.

    In January of 2016, Gardner voted to override the President’s veto of legislation that would repeal WOTUS, and in April of 2016 he voted in favor of an amendment to the Senate Energy and Water Development appropriations bill that prevents the Army Corps of Engineers from using funding to enforce the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulation. 

     

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  • Record-challenging heat to surge, bake southwestern US again next week

    Record-challenging heat to surge, bake southwestern US again next week

    By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

    A lack of moisture associated with the North American monsoon will continue to play a role in surges of above-average and record-challenging temperatures in the southwestern United States next week.

    Following recent record-challenging heat, temperatures are forecast to throttle back into Saturday, before challenging record highs once again next week in the southwestern United States.

    Temperatures peaked in the 110s F over many of the desert areas of the Southwest on Wednesday and Thursday. In many cases, highs were within a degree or two of the record.

    A northward bulge in the jet stream, combined with high pressure at the surface, has been responsible for the recent surge in heat.

    When the jet stream bulges northward over a particular region, the air aloft is warm and it is easier for temperatures to soar near the ground as opposed to when the air aloft is chilly.

    SW This Weekend

    The jet stream is forecast to flatten southward for a time this weekend.

    As a result, temperatures will trend toward seasonable levels for the second half of August on Sunday, which is generally in the upper 90s to lower 100s.

    However, the jet stream is forecast to bulge northward once again next week.

    Record highs may again be challenged on Tuesday and Wednesday. Highs in some locations such as Phoenix, Las Vegas and Palm Springs, California, to name a few, are likely to be in the 110s.

    At this level, temperatures are about 10 degrees above average.

    West Next Week Heat

    While humidity levels are typically substantially lower than that of the Central and Eastern states, dehydration can sneak up on individuals who do not keep a steady intake of fluids in the extreme heat in the Southwest.

    A lack of shower and thunderstorm activity over the region is also contributing to the heat.

    While rainfall is typically lean year-round over much of this region, Phoenix has barely received 0.25 of an inch of rain since June 1.

    Flagstaff, Arizona, typically receives 4.50 inches of rain by this point of the summer months but has only picked up about 1 inch since June 1.

    9j(1).jpg

    On average, the North American monsoon delivers scattered downpours on a daily basis over the summer months. However, the monsoon this year has been late, generally weak and inconsistent.

    The monsoon season begins on June 15 and ends on Sept. 30 and is associated with a northward expansion of tropical moisture that is brought on by a light southerly breeze.

    Looking ahead, there are no signs of widespread shower and thunderstorm activity for the next one to two weeks.

    This spells good news for hikers across the region that are planning to summit exposed mountain peaks or hike though slot canyons.

    However, there may be a few storms that erupt over parts of the southern Rockies which may spread to a few desert locations during the middle to latter part of next week.

    In the meantime, areas of abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions are likely to continue to expand over the region. Only heavy rain and mountain snow from this past winter and resultant runoff into streams and rivers are holding back more serious conditions at this point.

    People are urged to be extra careful with campfires and power equipment anywhere the vegetation has dried out. Sparks or heat from the exhaust system of vehicles can easily start a blaze.

     

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  • House Passes Bipartisan Legislation Introduced by Senators Gardner, Hassan to Help Save Newborn Babies’ Lives, Moves One Step Closer to Becoming Law

    House Passes Bipartisan Legislation Introduced by Senators Gardner, Hassan to Help Save Newborn Babies’ Lives, Moves One Step Closer to Becoming Law

    Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation that Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced in the U.S. Senate to help save lives and improve the health of newborn babies. The bipartisan Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act will provide federal funding for comprehensive and standardized newborn screening tests for conditions such as critical congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis, and hearing loss. The tests can identify treatable conditions that, if caught early, can prevent serious illness, lifetime disabilities, and even death 

    “I’m glad this bipartisan legislation overwhelmingly passed the House to ensure families have access to newborn screening. As a parent, I know the importance of early screening to identify genetic disorders – they can be the key difference between life and death,” said Senator Gardner. “Early treatment from newborn screening can save families, the taxpayer, and the health care system millions of dollars down the road. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to reauthorize this program to ensure that states have the support they need to continue critical screenings for newborn babies.”

    “I want to thank my colleagues in the House for passing this bipartisan legislation to provide federal funding for life-saving newborn screening tests,” said Senator Hassan. “I will continue to work with Senator Gardner to bring this bill up for a vote in the Senate and ensure that this critical program is appropriately funded.”

    The bipartisan Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act – which builds on the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2008 – provides funding for state programs that screen newborns for a complete panel of disorders, as recommended by experts, and that educate parents and providers about the disorders. The bill also includes additional funding to support states’ follow-up and tracking programs, as well as laboratory quality. Each year, these screenings result in over 12,000 newborns being diagnosed with disorders, many of which can be treated even before symptoms begin to appear. The House version of the bill is led by Representatives Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Katherine Clark (D-MA), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA).

     

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  • Trump signs bill allowing veterans to seek care outside broken VA system

    Trump signs bill allowing veterans to seek care outside broken VA system

    WASHINGTON, D.C.- President Trump signed legislation Wednesday that will dramatically expand a program at the Department of Veterans Affairs that lets patients seek care from private doctors if they want to bypass the troubled VA system.

    The Veterans Choice Improvement Act removes barriers that Congress placed around the original “choice” initiative and eliminates an expiration date that would have shuttered the program in August.

    Lawmakers created the choice program in 2014 after a massive scandal involving wait time cover-ups at more than 100 VA facilities around the country. It was initially structured as a two-year pilot program that limited when and where veterans could choose to see private doctors. Patients could only use the choice program if they lived more than 40 miles from the nearest VA hospital or if they could not get an appointment from their local VA facility within 30 days.

    The choice program has proven controversial since its inception three years ago. Critics have questioned whether increasing veterans’ reliance on private doctors might move the VA toward privatization, while proponents of such efforts have accused the VA of resisting steps to implement the program in order to protect the status quo.

    Walter Reed Medical Center
    Walter Reed Medical Center. AP

    Some veterans advocates, such as Concerned Veterans for America, praised the administration’s temporary push to extend choice but encouraged lawmakers to continue searching for solutions to the VA’s ongoing struggles with long wait times.

    “Extending the Choice Program is the right thing to do, but only as a stopgap measure until better solutions are developed and implemented,” said Dan Caldwell, policy director at CVA. “Reauthorizing the Choice Act buys Congress some time to work with Secretary [David] Shulkin on broader choice reforms that will truly empower veterans with the ability to seek care outside the VA when they want to.”

     

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  • Remember the Fallen – Memorial Day Services along the I-70 Corridor

    Image result for patriotic graphic from MGN

    Memorial Day services

    • 10 a.m.,  Monday, May 27, Mount View Cemetery, Highway 79 and East 38th Avenue, Bennett.

    • 11 a.m.,  Monday, May 27, Deer Trail Cemetery.

    • 11:45 a.m.,  Monday, May 27, Byers Cemetery.

     

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