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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Front Page

  • Federal Highway Administration approves Denver Central 70 Project

    DENVER – The Federal Highway Administration Jan. 19 approved the reconstruction of Interstate 70 through central Denver, concluding a 14-year outreach and community engagement process.

    The official decision outlines what will be built, how it will be funded and which environmental and community measures will be implemented. The approval concludes the federally required National Environmental Protection Act process and allows the Colorado Department of Transportation to proceed with its proposed Central 70 Project.

    Scheduled to begin in 2018, Central 70 will reconstruct a 10-mile stretch of I-70, add one new express lane each direction, remove the aging 53-year old viaduct, lower the interstate between Brighton and Colorado boulevards and place a 4-acre park over a portion of the lowered interstate near Swansea Elementary School.

    “Improving I-70 will improve the quality of life for thousands in the Denver area, and improve public safety for hundreds of thousands each day,” said Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. “This project will make travel safer and more efficient in one of the Rocky Mountain region’s busiest areas, setting the stage for years’ of economic growth.”

    “For the first time since I-70 was opened to travelers in 1964, we are ready to deliver long- overdue safety and mobility improvements that will strengthen this economic lifeline for the region and the state,” said CDOT Executive Director Shailen Bhatt. “The Central 70 Project also redefines the role of I-70 in local communities, which were originally divided by the interstate 50 years ago.”

    In addition to constructing the highway cover, CDOT will remodel portions of Swansea Elementary School, offer improvements to homes closest to the interstate in the Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods, and contribute $2 million to affordable housing.

    Next steps include the selection of a developer partner to design, finance, build, maintain and operate the facility, followed by final design and construction. More information is available on the Central 70 project website, central70.codot.gov.

    For more information, visit www.I-70East.com.

    POITRA Visual photosimulation services (www.poitra.com) for ATKINS and CDOT. I-70 East EIS – Phase 1 of the Final EIS Preferred Alternative (Partial Cover Lowered Alternative) Photo-Simulation. Visualization for Impact Study of Alternatives. Denver, CO, CDOT. I-70 East Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Project.
  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Thursday, Jan. 19

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Thursday, Jan. 19

    WHAT’S HAPPENING?  

    • It’s Get to Know Your Customers Day!!

      Remember when main street businesses were locally owned & operated? Well The I-70 Scout still is. We’re celebrating Get to Know Our Customers Day! We’d like to know you by name and the news that interests you…. because if we don’t have it, we will get it! So share your stories, news, events & announcements with us! #WeLoveOurCustomers @I70Scout 

    • Bingo for Books

      Bennett Anythink Library, 495 Seventh St. @ 4:15 p.m. Contact (303)405-3231

    • Fun ’N’ Games

      Bennett Anythink Library, 495 Seventh St.: Old and new board games for family fun @ 4:15 p.m. Contact (303)405-3231

    • West Arapahoe Conservation District Board

      Bennett Town Hall, 355 Fourth St. @ 5 p.m.

    • Bennett School Board

      High School library. 615 Seventh St. Work session at 5:30 p.m., meeting 6 p.m., 

    • Byers School Board

      Byers High School lecture hall @ 7 p.m.

    • Strasburg Fire Protection District Board

      District Office, 56281 E. Colfax Ave. @ 7 p.m.

    • Strasburg American Legion Post No. 183.

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

    SPORTS

    • Wrestling
      • Strasburg High School vs. Highland, 6:30 p.m.
      • Byers @ Clear Creek (double dual vs Clear Creek, Platte Canyon & Battle Mountain), 6 p.m.
    • Girls Basketball
      • Bennett Middle School vs Adams City, 4:15 p.m.
      • Bennett High School @ Jefferson, 5:30 p.m
    • Boys & Girls Basketball
      • Deer Trail High School @ Arickaree/Woodlin, 5 a.m.

    EVERY THURSDAY

    • Music & Movement

      Anythink Bennett Library: Ages 2-6 can sing, dance and learn to play basic instruments @ 10 a.m.

    • Family Story Time

      Davies Library, Deer Trail: Ages 3-5 @ 11 a.m.

    • Bingo for Books

      4:15 p.m., Anythink Bennett library.

    • AA Strasburg Sobriety

      Saron Lutheran Church, 1656 Main St. Lane Shade, @ 7:30 p.m. Contact (303)717-2263.

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  • Town Hall

    Aurora — State Senator Rhonda Fields host a Community Town Hall Thursday with Reps. Mike Weissman and Dominique Jackson to share information and gather ideas for the 2017 legislative session. Legislators will address Gov. Hickenlooper’s State of the State address as well as hot topics on this year’s agenda. Henry Sobanet, from the Governor’s Office of State Planning & Budgeting will talk about the budget request and the state of the state. Q&A session to follow. 

    2017 Legislative Session: Challenges & Opportunities Town Hall

    Community College of Aurora

    Fine Arts Building Forum (F100)

    15990 East CentreTech Parkway, Aurora

    7-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19

  • Television Show visits Colorado: Handcrafted America

    Handcrafted America is an in-depth look at crafters and artisans across the country. -Boston Magazine 

    Jill Wagner travels our country seeking out talented artisans who make products the old-fashioned way: with their own two hands.  In every half-hour, Jill meets three gifted artisans and gets a behind-the-scenes look at how their products are created. Along the way, viewers learn about the history and cultural heritage that inspire and influence the design of their handcrafted products.

    Here is a sneak peek into the new television series:

    In a world of mass-produced products, modern technology has made it easier than ever for an individual to create and distribute customizable and unique items without having middlemen like manufacturers. This growing shift will continue to affect the economy…and will have a transformative impact on our future …. Welcome to the Maker Movement, an evolution of millions of people who are taking big risks to start their own small businesses dedicated to creating and selling self-made products.

    Handcrafted America visits COLORADO:

    • Mike McCabe, Denver, CO, who crafts custom snow skis from poplar, maple and bamboo wood;
    • Ted Allsup, Englewood, CO, who along with his acclaimed team of belt buckle makers use any material they can, including sand and minerals, to adorn their custom Western themed products; and,
    • Phil Watkins, Watkins, CO, a traditional stained glass creator that is carrying on a centuries old family artistry.

    The episode featuring these artisans air at 7:30pm MT on January 20th; February 3rd; and February 17th, respectively.

     

     

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  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Wednesday, Jan. 18

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Wednesday, Jan. 18

    WHAT’S HAPPENING? 

     

    • 2017: Year of the Rooster

      Kelver Library, 404 E. Front St., Byers: Children ages 5-12 can have stories, games, crafts and fortune cookies as they learn about Chinese New Year fun. According to Chinese tradition, each year in a 12-year cycle is related to a different animal and has different meanings. Years of the Rooster include 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, and 2029. Event details: @ 3:30-4:30 p.m. Contact (303)822-9392.

    • Explorsion: Curious Minds of All Ages Explore Science

      Bennett Anythink Library, 495 Seventh St., Bennett: Metal Washer Brain Teaser Puzzles @ 4:15 P.M. Contact (303)405-3231

    • Wacky Wednesdays Book Club:

      Davies Library, 303 Third Ave., Deer Trail: Book club for ages 8-11. “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series by Rick Riordan @ 4-5 p.m. Contact (303)769-4310

    • I-70 Corridor Chamber of Commerce

      Lunch & Learn @ 12 p.m.

    SPORTS

    • Wrestling
      Hemp Hill M.S. @ Bennett, 4 p.m.
    • Girls Basketball
      Bennett High School @ Arrupe, 5:30 p.m.
    • Boys Basketball
      Bennett High School vs. Arrupe, 5:30 p.m.

    EVERY WEDNESDAY

    • Baby Bounce

      Anythink Bennett library: Songs, stories and rhyme times for babies up to age 2 and their caregivers @ 10 a.m.

    • Music & Movement

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

    • Bennett Young At Heart seniors potluck

      Bennett Community Center @12 p.m. Contact Shirley Kuzara (303)644-4768.

    • Byers Silver & Gold senior citizens game day

      Byers American Legion Hall @ 12:30 p.m.

    • Recovery in Christ

      Valley Bank, Strasburg @ 7-9 p.m.

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  • Denver police seek driver in fatal hit-and-run; award offered

     

    DENVER (AP) _ Denver police are looking for a driver involved in a fatal hit and run crash on Sunday morning.

    They say a man was hit in the LoDo neighborhood by a BMW 6 series sedan around 2:15 a.m. as the many bars and clubs in the area shut down for the night.

    Police are offering an award for up to $2,000 to anyone who can help them find the driver.

     

  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Tuesday, Jan. 17

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Tuesday, Jan. 17

    WHAT’S HAPPENING?  

    • Did You Know?? It’s NATIONAL BOOTLEGGER’S DAY … Cheers!

      January 17 is the birthday of Templeton Rye Whiskey, bootlegger Al Capone and the son of another bootlegger, Meryl Kerkhoff. The term found its permanent place in the American vocabulary when Congress passed the Eighteenth Amendment prohibiting the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcohol in 1920. Thirsty Americans still had a demand for liquor, so while some distilleries switched their production to something legal, others took to bootlegging. Being that people actually hid their liquor in their boots! Bootleggers helped fill the demand by smuggling from Canada and Mexico, and distilling their own liquor in backwoods and secluded areas.  Other terms, such as rum-runner and moonshiner, became popular during this time as well. The PEOPLE spoke and The Prohibition was repealed in 1933. Share your pics with us! Have a drink of Templeton Rye with friends and share your photos with us @I70Scout #BootleggersDay #TheGoodStuff #DriveSober

    • Strasburg Seniors Comanche VIP Association

      Strasburg American Legion Hall, 56423 Westview Ave @ 12 p.m.

    • Bennett-Watkins Lions Club

      Bennett Community Center, 1100 W. Colfax., @7 p.m., Contact: Jo Brandenburg, (303)908-0796. 

    SPORTS

    • Wrestling
      • Hemp Hill Middle School @ Ft. Morgan, 2 p.m.
    • Girls Basketball
      • Hemp Hill Middle School vs Limon, 4 p.m.
      • Bennett Middle School vs Clear Creek, 4:15 p.m.
      • Strasburg High School @ University, 4 p.m.
    • Boys Basketball
      • Strasburg High School vs University, 4 p.m.

    EVERY TUESDAY

    • Story time

      Anythink Bennett Library, Bennett: ages 2-4 will enjoy puppets, songs, finger plays and stories that have stood the test of time @ 10 a.m.

    • Family story time

      Davies Library, Deer Trail: ages 3-5 @ 11 a.m.

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  • ATTN: Colorado Grants Available for Crop Growers

    ATTN: Colorado Grants Available for Crop Growers

    Grants Available to Benefit Colorado’s Agricultural Specialty Crops

    Colorado produces a wide variety of specialty crops, from peaches and apples to chiles and hops. To help develop and promote the state’s specialty crops, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is seeking proposals for the Specialty Crops Block Grant Program. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, and nursery crops including floriculture and sod.

    This grant program provides a great opportunity for producer groups, researchers and organizations to improve how they grow, process and market specialty crops. We hope our new application process this year will provide us with a wide variety of projects and applicants.- Glenda Mostek, CDA Marketing Specialist

    In recent years, funds have been awarded to dozens of organizations to help implement research and consumer promotions.  These grants included Fort Lewis College to evaluate high altitude production of hops varieties and create grower alliances to assist with production and marketing, and Slow Food Denver to create youth farmers’ markets.

    SPECIALTY CROPS include: FRUITS, VEGETABLES, TREE NUTS, DRIED FRUITS, HORTICULTURE, NURSERY CROPS (including FLORICULTURE)

    CDA Funds

    In 2015, over $730,000 was awarded through the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crops Program. CDA anticipates in 2017, that approximately $500,000 will be available for the grant program, with approved projects starting early in 2018. The grant program is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which partners with State Departments of agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop producers in areas such as marketing, promotion, education, research, trade and nutrition. Producer groups, organizations, and associations, as well as state and local organizations, academia and other specialty crops stakeholders are eligible to apply either as single entities or in combined efforts. Grants must impact the specialty crop industry as a whole and cannot be used to solely enhance an individual farming operation or business.

    Grant Application

    The grant application process has changed this year. The initial phase of grant selection will involve shorter, concept proposals. Concept proposals must be received electronically by close of business (5:00 p.m.) on March 1, 2017. For program guidelines and an application, visit HERE or call 303.869.9173. 

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  • COLORADO SENATOR CORY GARDNER – MAKING PROGRESS

    Gardner calls for Colorado Farmers’ Input:

    (more…)

  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Monday, Jan. 16

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Monday, Jan. 16

    WHAT’S HAPPENING? 

    • FREEBIE DAY at DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS!

      Spend the Holiday off with friends, family, or loved ones, by visiting the Denver Botanical Gardens for free today! Share your moments with us @I70Scout #DenverBotanicGardens #MartinLutherKingJrDay

    • Strasburg Metro Parks & Recreation District Board

      Strasburg Recreation Center, 1932 Burton St., Strasburg @ 6 p.m.

    • Byers Fire Rescue

      Byers Firehouse @ 6 p.m.

    • Bennett Planning & Zoning Commission

      Town Hall, 355 Fourth St., Bennett @ 7 p.m.

    • Bennett Parks & Recreation District Board

      Bennett Recreation Center, 455 S. First St., Bennett @ 5:15 p.m.

    EVERY MONDAY

    • AA Strasburg Sobriety

      Saron Lutheran Church, 1656 Main St., @ 7:30 p.m. Contact: Lane Shade (303)717-2263

    • High Plains Music Ensemble rehearsal

      New players welcome. Strasburg High School band room @ 6:30 p.m.

    • Bingo

      Byers American Legion Hall @ 7 p.m.

     

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