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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Front Page

  • Freeway Shooting on I-70 Between Agate and Limon

    Freeway Shooting on I-70 Between Agate and Limon

    ELBERT COUNTY —  On 08/05/2017, at approximately 1247am Elbert County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to I-70 at mile marker 352 on a reported shooting. The victim, a man from Kansas was traveling eastbound on I-70 when a blue Honda 4-door pulled alongside of him and opened fire.

    Deputies arrived on scene and administered lifesaving medical treatment by applying a chest wound kit and tourniquet to stop the bleeding that resulted from several gunshot wounds. The victim who is in critical condition was transported to a local hospital helicopter.

    The motive for the shooting is unknown at this time. Investigators are currently conducting interviews in the area and reviewing video footage from businesses along the I-70 corridor.The victim described suspects to be driving blue Honda four door occupied by two males, the driver is described as white male, curly blond hair, black hoody and khaki shorts, the passenger described as white male white t-shirt and black pants. The suspects and vehicle have not been located at this time.

    Screen Shot 2016-08-05 at 11.37.20 AM

    If you have information that could be useful in the location of a witness or apprehension of a suspect please contact ECSO Investigations unit at 303-805-6109.

  • Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Suicide/Attempted Homicide

    Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Suicide/Attempted Homicide

    The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into an attempted homicide and apparent suicide that occurred just before noon on Tuesday, Aug. 2, in the 20900 block of E. Euclid Drive.

     

    Deputies were sent to that location at 11:35 a.m. on Aug. 2, when our communications center received a call from a woman who told the dispatcher that she had just killed her husband. She also indicated that she wanted to kill herself. While emergency responders were on their way to the home, a man got on the phone and told the dispatcher that his wife had shot him.

     

    When deputies arrived at the home, they found a man in a bathroom, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Deputies also found a woman in another room, deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

     

    The man has been identified as 69-year-old Kevin Keator. At the time of this release, he remains hospitalized with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

     

    The woman has been identified as his wife, 83-year-old Kathryn Keator. It does not appear that anyone else was present in the home at the time of the incident.

     

    Investigators will not be discussing a motive while the case is under investigation. The 911 call will also not be released at this time. There is no prior call history at this address involving these two individuals.
  • “Safe 2 Sturgis” Motorcycle Safety Campaign to Launch Thursday   

    “Safe 2 Sturgis” Motorcycle Safety Campaign to Launch Thursday   

     

    What: Press conference to launch Safe 2 Sturgis Motorcycle Safety Campaign

     

    When: Thursday August 4th, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.

     

    Where: Wyoming / Colorado State Line – Parking Area On Interstate 25 Northbound

     

    For the first time, traffics safety partners across Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, South Dakota, and North Dakota are partnering to prevent motorcycle crashes during the Sturgis motorcycle rally.

     

    The Colorado Department of Transportation will be partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Colorado State Patrol, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, and the Wyoming Department of Transportation to raise awareness of motorcycle safety among the thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts traveling to the 76th annual Sturgis motorcycle rally in early August.

     

    The campaign is titled “Safe 2 Sturgis” and includes safety messages for both motorcyclists and automobile drivers alike. The goal of the campaign is to keep motorcyclists safe to and from the Sturgis event. The campaign will start the week of August 1st and end August 21st, which corresponds with the week before, during and after the rally. A #Safe2Sturgis hash tag is included in the campaign to encourage motorists and riders to post photos of how all roadway users are staying safe to Sturgis.

     

    At the press conference, speakers from state and federal agencies will be on hand to address the campaign.

     

    Points of contact for this event are NHTSA Region 8 Administrator Gina Espinosa-Salcedo (720-963-3100) or CDOT spokesperson Sam Cole (303-859-1304).

  • Correction to Byers Jr. and Sr. High School Registration Dates

    Correction to Byers Jr. and Sr. High School Registration Dates

    Registration for Byers Junior High & High School will begin from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 8, instead of Monday, Aug. 15. Byers secondary students can register with Sherrie Fagan or Debbie Hollingsworth in the high school office. Parents are reminded to have their students’ immunizations updated by the start of school. Byers Back-to-School Night is from 5-6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 15, with the first day of school being Wednesday, Aug. 17.

  • Arapahoe County hiring 300 temporary workers to assist with General Election

    Arapahoe County hiring 300 temporary workers to assist with General Election

    Ballot Security Judges.jpg

    LITTLETON — Arapahoe County is looking to hire 300 paid temporary election workers for the 2016 General Election. Wages start at $12 per hour and paid training is required. Interested candidates can apply now at www.arapahoevotes.com/Apply.

    “Election workers will experience first-hand the excitement of the Presidential Election by assisting voters at one of 25 Voter Service and Polling Centers or by processing ballots at our Elections Facility,” says Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Matt Crane. “We have a variety of positions to fill and are looking for individuals who like working with people and are proficient with computers or iPads.”

    Bobbie Ainsworth, 65, has served as an election judge since 2014 and anticipates applying to serve as a Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC) Judge for the Nov. 8 General Election.

    “One of my favorite parts of being an election judge is seeing 18 year-olds and new U.S. citizens voting for the first time,” said Ainsworth. “I really enjoy seeing voters– from the youngest to the oldest– taking part in the election process. It’s something that keeps bringing me back year after year.”

    As a VSPC Judge, Ainsworth has worked to verify voter eligibility, register new voters, update voter registration, prepare individuals to cast ballots on paper and electronic touch-screen tablets, and answer questions.

    “I’ve learned a lot about the election process and really enjoy ensuring people can vote,” Ainsworth said.

    Elizabeth Pearson, 22, served as an election judge for the 2016 Primary Election and is now working as a Voter Registration Specialist for the Arapahoe County Elections Division.

    “I recently graduated from college and earned a degree in International Relations. I want to work in the public sector and thought this would be a good opportunity to learn about government. The whole experience has been fantastic, and the people I worked with made the experience really enjoyable,” Pearson said.

    Applicants should be available to attend  training in October, as well as work weekdays and Saturdays, Oct. 17 – Nov. 9, although dates vary by position. Candidates who are computer proficient and/or fluent in Spanish are desired.

    All applicants must apply online, and an email address is required to apply. To review job descriptions and apply, visit www.ArapahoeVotes.com/Apply.

  • Eastbound Arapahoe Road Closed at I-25 Tonight 

    Eastbound Arapahoe Road Closed at I-25 Tonight 

    Greenwood Village — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is closing eastbound Arapahoe Road under Interstate 25 overnight tonight for bridge work. Lane restrictions begin at 7 p.m., with the full closure at 10 p.m.  All lanes will reopen by 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. Westbound Arapahoe Road will remain open.

    All work is weather permitting and subject to change.

    Traffic Detour

    Detour map

     

    The project team reminds motorists to allow extra time for your commute, adhere to speed reductions on I-25 and Arapahoe Road and avoid distractions. Alternate routes are advised. Watch for weekly construction update emails with the most up-to-date information regarding traffic impacts.

    Project Information: This $66 million Responsible Acceleration of Maintenance (RAMP) Project includes building an additional lane along westbound Arapahoe Road from Yosemite Street to Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, providing three left turn lanes from the I-25 off-ramps, realigning the frontage road in the northeast quadrant of the interchange, building noise walls near the Arapahoe Road and Yosemite Street intersection and widening Yosemite Street from Yosemite Circle on the north to Xanthia Street on the south. This project is designed to reduce congestion and improve traffic operations and safety. Substantial completion is slated for summer 2018.

     

     

    For More Information:

    Project website: www.codot.gov/projects/I25-Arapahoe

    Project hotline: (720) 580-2525

    Sign up for project updates by emailing: 

    To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, click here

    Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and be sure to “Like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coloradodot

     

    Due to ongoing construction activity in this area and nighttime travel impacts, alternative transportation modes are encouraged. For information on the Regional Transportation District’s Southeast Rail Line or local bus services, call 303-299-6000. For information on carpool and vanpool services, call 303-458-7665.

  • Front Range Action Day for Ozone

    Front Range Action Day for Ozone

    The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council have issued an OZONE ACTION DAY ALERT at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2016 for the Front Range Urban Corridor from El Paso County north to Larimer and Weld counties, including the Denver-Boulder area, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Greeley.

    Increased levels of ozone may occur in the foothills south and west of the Denver metro area due ozone transport from areas outside of the Denver/North Front Range.This Ozone Action Day Alert will remain in effect until at least 4 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2016.

    The highest Ozone related AQI at 1 o’clock PM Mountain Standard Time on July 28, 2016, is 49 which indicates Good ozone air quality. It was recorded by the AURE ambient ozone monitor

    FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:
    Thursday, July 28, 2016, 2:30 PM MDT

    Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Moderate to possibly Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups rangeon Thursday and Friday. Ozone concentrations in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category may occur in the south and west suburbs of Denver, including the nearby foothills. Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion in those areas from noon until midnight on Thursday and Friday.

    Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range on Thursday andFriday. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion on Thursday andFriday.

    Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Thursday and Friday.

    Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Thursday and Friday.

    Visibility is expected to be Poor on Friday.

    SMOKE FROM OTHER WILDFIRES:
    The 27,893 acre Beaver Creek Wildfire is located in northwestern Jackson County approximately 24 miles northwest of Walden. Increasing west to northwesterly winds are expected at the fire on Thursday which would tend to send smoke to locations east and southeast of the fire. Depending on fire behavior, smoke could impact areas far downwind today including Rocky Mountain National Park and parts of the Front Range region. Light winds are expected at the fire late Thursday night and drainage flow will likely pool smoke, perhaps heavy at times, to northern parts of North Park into Friday morning. This would mainly include the area to the north of the community of Cowdrey to the Wyoming state line.

    Areas of haze and smoke are possible across the Front Range region on Thursday. This is due to northwesterly winds aloft transporting in smoke from the Beaver Creek fire and other wildfires burning in Wyoming.
  • Gov. Hickenlooper to speak at Democratic National Convention

    Gov. Hickenlooper to speak at Democratic National Convention

    DENVER (AP) — Gov. John Hickenlooper is scheduled to speak during prime time on the closing day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

    Hickenlooper tells The Denver Post (http://goo.gl/75hWfk ) he will address convention-goers Thursday evening, not long before Hillary Clinton is expected to deliver her acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination for president. The governor did not say what he would talk about.

    Hickenlooper was considered a potential running mate for Clinton, who ultimately chose U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, of Virginia. Hickenlooper is still seen as a contender for a spot in Clinton’s cabinet if she wins the presidency.

  • CPW marks Colorado Day with free park entrance Aug 1

    CPW marks Colorado Day with free park entrance Aug 1

    • DENVER — Colorado Parks and Wildlife marks Colorado Day, the commemoration of Colorado’s acceptance into statehood, with free park entrance at all 42 state parks, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016.

      “Colorado Day is an opportunity for everyone to get outside and experience the diverse natural beauty and recreational activities that our 42 state parks and 350 state wildlife areas have to offer,” said CPW’s Information and Education Assistant Director, Gary Thorson. “This day is also the agency’s opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all of our residents and visitors who enjoy our state parks and for their continued support.”

      Colorado was first recognized as a state Aug. 1, 1876. The first addition to the Colorado state park system, Cherry Creek State Park, emerged some fifty-six years later. This Colorado Day, celebrate the statehood of Colorado in nature. Come play all day, watch the sunrise, float a boat, view wildlife, catch fish, ride or hike trails, explore, learn, picnic or climb.

      Most Coloradans live less than 30 minutes from a state park. Go tohttp://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Pages/parkMap.aspx to locate a state park near you and plan a visit to enjoy a variety of recreational activities.

      The state parks, scattered throughout Colorado, showcase the state’s diverse landscapes, including the prairies of the eastern plains at John Martin Reservoir State Park, the alpine beauty of the mountains at Sylvan Lake State Park near Eagle and the unique geological landscapes at Roxborough State Park. Colorado’s rivers at James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park near Grand Junction, the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Salida and Yampa River State Park near Craig offer serenity and adventure.  More outdoor fun is waiting at reservoirs at Trinidad Lake State Park, North Sterling State Park, Lathrop State Park near Walsenburg and Navajo State Park near Durango and others. See the 2015 Parks Guide, Park Finder and State Wildlife Area Map for more options.

      Park entrance fees are waived, but activities like fishing and camping will still require a valid license and permit.

  • CDOT Addresses “Killer Habit” in New Campaign

    68 Colorado Traffic Fatalities in 2015 Involved Distracted Drivers

    STATEWIDE — The first step in overcoming any bad habit is admitting you have one. And data suggests Coloradans do in fact have a dangerous habit — distracted driving. Last year in Colorado, 15,574 crashes and 68 traffic fatalities involved distracted drivers. Aiming to reduce distraction on Colorado roadways, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is unveiling a new public safety video and campaign, calling distracted driving exactly what it is — a Killer Habit.

     

    To download the Killer Habit video from the Drop the Distraction campaign, visit bit.ly/CDOTkillerhabit.

     

    “We’re calling on Coloradans to reduce distracted driving and avoid the compulsion to grab their phones while driving. Like any good habit, consistency is key,” said Sam Cole, CDOT Communications Manager. “Start with your next drive — lock your phone away and make it to your destination without once touching your phone. Kicking your distracted driving habit could safe a life.”

     

    Research commissioned by the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction suggests that while 98 percent of national survey respondents know distracted driving is dangerous, nearly 75 percent admit to having done it. Furthermore, a 2015 State Farm report indicates 84 percent of their respondents support measures prohibiting any physical interaction with cell phones.

     

    “There is no safe way to use your cell phone while driving,” said Cole. “We know that more than 15,000 crashes last year involved a distracted driver, but these numbers are likely underreported. Unlike alcohol-impaired driving, there’s no quick test, like a breathalyzer, to tell if someone was distracted at the time of the crash. Some drivers involved in crashes don’t admit they were driving distracted.”

     

    “Similar to alcohol, using a cell phone while driving impairs your ability to react to changing road conditions,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Even if you consider yourself an exemplary driver, distracted driving affects your ability to respond to immediate road hazards and other drivers. We’re seeing more and more crashes involving distracted driving.”

     

    CDOT plans to share the Killer Habit video with regional traffic safety partners, and beginning this week, will support the video with out-of-home movie theater ads, online pre-roll video, and Pandora audio, video and digital ads. There will also be spots during traffic updates on local radio calling for Colorado drivers to make it to their destinations without touching their phones.

     

    CDOT’s Drop The Distraction campaign educates motorists about the dangers of distracted driving. For more information about distracted driving in Colorado, visit distraction.codot.gov.