fbpx

The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Local News

  • Arapahoe County Resident Tests Positive for COVID-19

    Arapahoe County Resident Tests Positive for COVID-19

    The Arapahoe County woman in her 30s recently returned from international travel to India and lives in Centennial. This is the first presumptive positive test for a person in Arapahoe County.

    “We are just learning of this positive test from Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and will begin our contact investigation to determine if there were any other potential exposures,” said John M. Douglas, Jr., MD, Executive Director of Tri-County Health Department.

    The case is a “presumptive positive” because the initial testing was done at the state level, and test results will be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). TCHD is working closely with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to work with each family and to protect the health and safety of Coloradans.

    If you are feeling ill with symptoms of cough, fever, difficulty breathing similar to those associated with COVID-19:

    • Manage your symptoms at home the same way you manage other cold symptoms. We want to reduce the risk of transmission, so to the extent possible, people with flu-like symptoms should remain at home.
    • If you need medical care, contact your primary care provider and schedule a visit. Let them know that you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
    • Only contact 911 for emergencies requiring immediate life-saving care and let them know if you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
    • Restrict visits to the hospital emergency room or urgent care – only individuals needing immediate care should visit these facilities. If you must visit an ER or urgent care facility, call ahead and let them know that you are concerned you might have COVID-19.

    CDC’s testing guidance includes three types of people:

    1. Those who have symptoms such as fever OR lower respiratory symptoms (cough or shortness of breath) and have had “close contact” with a confirmed coronavirus patient within 14 days of their first symptoms.
    2. Those who have fever AND/OR lower respiratory symptoms, require hospitalization, and have traveled to areas impacted by the epidemic in the last 14 days.
    3. Patients with fever and severe, acute lower respiratory symptoms who require hospitalization, and for whom no other diagnosis has been found — such as the flu. No travel or contact exposure is needed.

    Health officials advise Coloradans to stay informed, take simple disease prevention measures, and to be prepared to shelter at home for an extended period of time, as if preparing for a major snow event.

    • Practice good hygiene. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. In the absence of soap and water, use hand-sanitizer.
    • Use your elbow or sleeve to cover coughs and sneezes. If you use a tissue, throw it away and promptly wash your hands.
    • Stay home if you are sick, even if you think you only have the flu, a cold or allergies– and keep your children home if they are sick. Talk to your employer about their sick policy and telecommuting.
    • Stay informed with reliable, up-to-date information by visiting tchd.org/coronavirus and www.cdc.gov/covid19.

    If you have general questions about COVID-19 coronavirus disease, call the CO-HELP InfoLine at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 or email , for answers in English, Spanish, Chinese, and more.

    On Wednesday, March 11, 7– 8:30 p.m., Douglas, Adams and Arapahoe Counties will host a COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall with the opportunity to hear directly from Tri-County Health Department officials: Dr. John Douglas, executive director; Dr. Bernadette Ann Albanese, medical epidemiologist; and Michele Askenazi, MPH, CHES, the department’s director of emergency preparedness, response, and communicable disease surveillance. Tri-County Health Department serves more than 1.5 million people in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties and is the largest local public health agency in the state.

    The virtual town hall will be aired live from 7-8:30 p.m., on the County’s website at douglas.co.us , as well as on Douglas County’s YouTube page, and Facebook page. A Spanish translation of the event will also be available. The recorded event will be posted online following the meeting. Callers may also listen in and ask questions during the town hall by dialing 1-855-436-3656.

    Tri-County Health Department officials will provide updates on the status of the virus in the three-county area. They will also provide information about proactive measures being taken to maximize community safety and other fundamental information such as: what is the transmission risk; what are the best actions individuals and businesses can take right now; and more. Virtual town hall participants may ask questions both before and during the live event and receive answers from Tri-County Health, county leaders and emergency management staff.

    Residents and business owners from all three counties may immediately post questions that will help officials from each county, and from Tri-County Health, learn more about some of the most frequently asked COVID-19 questions in their communities, and to have the opportunity to research the answers before the meeting.

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • One presumptive positive case of COVID-19 identified in Colorado today

    One presumptive positive case of COVID-19 identified in Colorado today

    DENVER, March 9, 2020: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) state lab identified one presumptive positive case of COVID-19, based on overnight testing. The state completed tests on 20 specimens that fit testing criteria.

    The patient is a female in her 50s from Larimer County who has been diagnosed with pneumonia. CDPHE and local health agencies are working to gather more information, and contact any individuals who have had close contact with the patient. The investigation is just beginning and more information will be released as it becomes available.

    Continue to stay up to date by visiting colorado.gov/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus

    Se registra un nuevo presunto caso de COVID-19 en Colorado

    DENVER, Marzo 9, 2020: El laboratorio del Departamento de Salud y Medioambiente de Colorado (CDPHE) identificó un nuevo presunto caso de COVID-19, basado en un examen llevado a cabo en las últimas 24 horas.  El estado completó 20 exámenes que cumplen con el criterio para llevar a cabo las pruebas.  

    La paciente es una mujer de alrededor de 50 años de edad del Condado Larimer quien ha sido diagnosticada con neumonía.  CDPHE y las agencias locales de salud están trabajando para recabar más información y contactar a cualquier individuo que ha estado en contacto con la paciente.  La investigación está en curso y más información será publicada tan pronto se encuentre disponible.  

    Manténgase informado en la página colorado.gov/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

     

  • Are you late? Or on time? – Spring Ahead Happened

    Time travel occurred last night 🙂 Did you make the trip?  Clocks jumped 1 hour between the hours of 2 and 3 a.m on Sunday, March 7

    Image Credit: MGN

  • Release: Statement on school closure

    Denver, March 6: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is aware St. Anne’s Episcopal School in Denver has closed because of potential exposure to COVID-19. We respect an individual school or district’s need to make decisions about school closures and postponement of activities in collaboration with their local public health agencies. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide assistance to local public health agencies in making these decisions, and local agencies help the schools. 

     

    Parents and guardians should always keep their children home from school when they are ill.
  • Updated information on COVID-19

    Updated information on COVID-19

    DENVER (March 5): Today, Gov. Polis and state health officials announced Colorado’s first presumptive positive case of COVID-19, as well as a subsequent second case. Below, find the most recent information on both cases. Updates will also be made available as needed, or on a daily basis, on the Department of Public Health and Environment’s website. 

    Latest information on Colorado’s first case of COVID-19:

    • Colorado has its first case of COVID-19. The case is considered a “presumptive positive” because testing was conducted at the state level. The case will be sent to the CDC for official confirmation.
    • The state is acting on all “presumptive positive” cases as if they were confirmed because a quick response is essential to minimize the spread of the virus.
    • The patient is an out-of-state visitor to Summit County, a male in his 30s.
    • The patient traveled to Italy in mid-February. An individual who traveled with him on that trip is a known case of positive COVID-19 in another state. Upon returning from Italy, the patient spent time in his home state.
    • He then traveled to Colorado on Feb. 29 via plane. He was asymptomatic when he traveled to Colorado. According to CDC, transmission from asymptomatic people is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
    • The Governor’s Office has been in touch with Denver International Airport (DIA) and has shared the information that we have at this time.
    • The person traveled to Summit County from DIA in a rental vehicle and met with friends. They stayed in a condo in Summit County. 
    • We know that he was there for outdoor recreation and that he skied at Keystone and Vail Mountain Resort.
    • The Governor’s Office notified Vail Resorts late this afternoon which oversees both ski resorts the patient visited. 
    • On March 3, the man developed symptoms and went to  St. Anthony’s Summit Medical Center in Frisco the following day.
    • On March 4, in the afternoon, a specimen was taken to the lab for testing.
    • Today, on March 5, the state lab received a presumptive positive result.
    • For health care reasons, the patient had to be transported to lower altitudes. The patient was discharged and traveled in a private vehicle to Jefferson County wearing a mask.
    • At this time, the patient is now recovering in isolation in Jefferson County.
    • His close contacts in Colorado have received quarantine instructions, and a quarantine order is forthcoming.
    • Public health practitioners are investigating and will attempt to notify anyone else who may have been exposed because of this case, if necessary.

    Latest information on Colorado’s second case of COVID-19: We are gathering information on this case, alongside the local public health agency. Tri-County Health Department will provide greater details as appropriate and available. Tri-County Health Department is leading this case investigation and will send a press release shortly with the most up-to-date information. on the case. This case is also a “presumptive positive” because testing was conducted at the state level. CDC will confirm the test results. 

    • The case is an elderly female Douglas county resident.
    • She returned to Colorado from international travel.
    • She is currently isolated at her home per CDC guidelines.

     

    The department continues to work closely with CDC and public health agencies across the state and is committed to protecting the health and safety of Coloradans. Health officials advise Coloradans to stay informed, take simple disease prevention measures, and prepare. 

     

    • Practice good hygiene. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. In the absence of soap and water, use hand-sanitizer; use a tissue or your elbow or sleeve to cover coughs and sneezes 
    • Stay home if you’re sick; keep your children home if they are sick. Talk to your employer about working from home if necessary.
    • We advise Coloradans to always be prepared for an emergency and have a plan for your family. Coloradans can visit the CDC’s website for more information on how to create a plan.  
    • Stay informed with reliable, up-to-date information. People who have general questions about coronavirus disease 2019, can call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 or email  , for answers in English and Spanish (Español), Mandarin (普通话), and more. Coloradans can also visit the CDC and CDPHE websites for more information on best practices.

     

    The state will provide timely updates on any additional cases that test positive at the state lab.

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

     

  • Colorado has first positive case of COVID-19

    Colorado has first positive case of COVID-19

    The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is reporting that the state laboratory has a positive test result for COVID-19 today. The case presented itself in a male in his 30s, who had contact with a known case of COVID-19. Because the testing was done at the state level, the case is a “presumptive positive” and results will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation. To act as swiftly as possible, the state will proceed as if the case is officially confirmed.

    The individual is recovering in isolation in the Denver metro area and will remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. The department is working with the local public health agencies to identify any close contacts who may have been exposed while the person was infectious. Public health practitioners will attempt to contact anyone who may have been exposed and monitor them for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. 

    “We are hopeful that the patient will have a swift recovery,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Like other states, we expected to begin seeing cases in Colorado and that is why we have been preparing for the past couple of months, in conjunction with local public health agencies and healthcare partners. Our goals are to protect the public from the disease, get people the care they need, and minimize disruption to daily lives.”

    The department continues to work closely with CDC and public health agencies across the state and is committed to protecting the health and safety of Coloradans.  Health officials advise Coloradans to stay informed, take simple disease prevention measures, and prepare. 

    The state will provide timely updates on any additional cases that test positive at the state lab.

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • On eve of Super Tuesday, study sheds light on how people make choices

    On eve of Super Tuesday, study sheds light on how people make choices

    On Super Tuesday, Democratic voters from Colorado and across the United States will face a serious decision: Sanders or Warren? Biden, Klobuchar or Bloomberg?

    Now, a new study taps into mathematics to probe how people make those kinds of fraught choices—in particular, how hypothetical, and completely rational, individuals might select between two options as they navigate through a noisy social environment.  

    It turns out that not making a choice can sometimes be as revealing as picking a side, report researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Houston. When the people around you are indecisive, for example, that can have a big influence on your own choices. 

    “Say you have a friend who has been a staunch Sanders supporter in the past,” said Zachary Kilpatrick, a coauthor of the new study and an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics at CU Boulder. “It’s the night before the primary, and they still have not made a decision about who they’re going to vote for. That suggests that they have received some evidence that’s in conflict with voting for Sanders.”

    Kilpatrick will present his team’s results remotely at a meeting of the American Physical Society. (The physical conference has been canceled due to public health concerns).

    His team’s research zeroes in on a major question in a field of study called decision-making theory: How people make choices based both on their own, private research—such as watching televised debates—and through their social interactions—say, checking out their friends’ posts on social media.

    Kilpatrick compared that goal to the classic battle of wits between Vizzini and the Dread Pirate Roberts in the 1987 film The Princess Bride. In that scene, the pirate claims to have poisoned one of two glasses of wine. Vizzini, a scofflaw of supposedly vast intellect, must choose the one he thinks is safe to drink. 

    It gets complicated.

    “What Vizzini says is that he knows what the Dread Pirate Roberts knows that he knows,” Kilpatrick said. “But he takes multiple loops through what we call a ‘common knowledge’ exchange before he makes the decision on the wine glasses.”

    To explore similar kinds of intellectual spirals, Kilpatrick and his colleagues used a series of equations, or mathematical models, to simulate social interactions of varying complexity. Their models didn’t revolve around real-life voters, or even pirates, but “rational agents”—theoretical deciders who always make the right choices based on the evidence available to them. 

    “We’re both watching the same news show, for example, and I look over to you to see if you’ve made a decision or not,” Kilpatrick said. “We have to account for our common knowledge multiple times until we’ve adequately squeezed all of the information that we can out of the fact that you haven’t made a decision yet, and I haven’t made a decision yet.”

    Eventually, it stops. One voter or group of voters in a network might finally receive enough information to feel confident about their choice

    Kilpatrick is quick to note that, of course, no voter is perfectly rational. But scientists can still learn a lot by studying where real-life humans fall in line with what theory suggests they should do—and where they don’t.

    People should also always try to be aware of the baggage that others in their social networks carry, he added. 

    “When we’re determining how political leaders or people in our networks make decisions,” Kilpatrick said, “we should think hard about how those individuals are biased in order to figure out what we should take away from their decisions.”

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • Defendant in 40-year-old murder pleads guilty

    Defendant in 40-year-old murder pleads guilty

    “Guilty.”

    With that one word, the family and friends of a 21-year-old woman killed by a stranger ended 40 years of waiting.

    On Friday, James Curtis Clanton, 62, pleaded guilty to murdering Helene Pruszynski on Jan. 16, 1980. Her body was found in a vacant Douglas County field in what is now Highlands Ranch.

    It took 40 years of persistence by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and advances in technology to identity a suspect in the murder.

    “Because of the unrelenting and outstanding efforts of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and United Data Connect, the resolution of a horrible sexual assault and murder in a desolate part of our county four decades ago ended within 15 minutes inside a courtroom this morning,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “Coloradans should know that having the ability to consider the death penalty on this case helped lead to its resolution. The legislature should think again about taking this tool away from elected prosecutors.”

    Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock was also satisfied with the outcome.

    “While we were prepared to go forward at trial, we are pleased that Mr. Clanton made the decision to plead guilty. I am very proud of all the hard work and dedication that was put into solving this case,” Spurlock said. “We sincerely hope that this brings closure one step closer for Helene’s only surviving sibling as well as the many friends she had.”

    Investigators with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office utilized forensic genealogy and tracked Clanton, who had legally changed his name in the decades since the murder, to Lake Butler, Fla.  They worked closely with the members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and other law enforcement partners, including the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit of Chief Deputy District Attorney John Kellner and Senior Deputy District Attorney Chris Wilcox. The partners worked hand-in-hand to bring Clanton to Colorado in December 2019 to face the charges he had evaded for decades.

    Clanton pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder after deliberation.  This is a Class 1 felony that carries a sentence of life imprisonment in the Department of Corrections.  However, due to the laws in place in 1980, Clanton may apply for parole after serving a period of 20 calendar years of his sentence.

    Sentencing is set for April 10 at 2 p.m.

    photo credit: MGN

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

     

  • THIRTY INDICTED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

    THIRTY INDICTED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

    photo credit: MGN

    Lead defendant charged under the Federal Drug Kingpin Statute

    United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn, along with federal, state, and local partners, today announced that 30 defendants were indicted in two federal grand jury indictments for trafficking drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.  Of the 30 defendants indicted, 24 have been arrested and one is in state custody on a separate charge.  Four others are in Mexico and one is at large in the United States.  The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Douglas County Sheriff and the Aurora Police Department all joined in the announcement.

    According to the indictments and other court documents, following an investigation that began in late 2018, agents seized approximately 400 pounds of methamphetamine, 5 pounds of heroin, 4 pounds of cocaine, and 15,000 fentanyl pills, which were disguised to look like prescription oxycodone.  

    The arrests included more than two dozen suspected members of a Mexican drug trafficking organization based in Denver, including one, Candelaria Vallejo-Gallo, who is being charged with operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE), otherwise known as being charged as a Drug Kingpin.  To be considered a Drug Kingpin, the individual has to violate the Controlled Substances Act as part of a series of related or ongoing violations.  Additionally, the defendant must be an organizer, supervisor, or manager of at least five other persons connected in the same activity, and obtain substantial income or resources from the series of violations.  If convicted of being a Drug Kingpin, Vallejo-Gallo faces not less than 20 years, and up to life in federal prison.  Vallejo-Gallo is a Mexican national.  

    In addition to the drug trafficking charges, at least one defendant is charged with carrying a firearm in furtherance of the drug conspiracy. 

    “This is a very significant operation that took a massive amount of drugs and a large number of drug traffickers off our streets,” said United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn.  “I want to commend the work of the FBI for their outstanding investigation, as well as for their tactical operation last week in apprehending this large number of defendants without incident.  I also want to thank the other law enforcement agencies that participated in this operation and the arrests.  Colorado’s law enforcement community is second to none in terms of our ability to work collaboratively to ensure that criminals are apprehended and that the best interests of the public are always our controlling objective.”

    “The combined efforts of the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Aurora PD, and a multitude of other law enforcement agencies resulted in the FBI OCDETF Strike Force Group taking a significant drug trafficking organization off the streets of Denver and Aurora,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Dean Phillips. “Thanks to these partnerships, our community and children are safer.”

    “This indictment reflects the hard work of our special agents and law enforcement partners who worked diligently over the last year to investigate the Vallejo Drug Trafficking Organization and bring them to justice,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Denver, Stephanie Lord Eisert.  “Homeland Security Investigations remains committed to targeting the flow of money which fuels transnational organized crime, and we will continue to aggressively pursue those that enable the flow of deadly narcotics into our communities.”

    “IRS-CI has and will continue to investigate drug traffickers by pursuing sophisticated, high profile, income tax, currency-related, and money laundering charges against these criminals,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge, Amanda Prestegard. 

    This investigation was handled by the FBI, the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Douglas County Sheriff, the Colorado State Patrol, and the Aurora Police Department.

    The defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus Chung and Zachary Phillips.

    The charges contained in the indictments are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

    CASE NUMBERS:  20-cr-0028 and 20-cr-0025

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • GOVERNOR’S AG FORUM WELCOME RECEPTION MAKES A MOVE TO THE COLORADO HISTORY CENTER FOR FIRST TIME IN 29 YEARS.

    GOVERNOR’S AG FORUM WELCOME RECEPTION MAKES A MOVE TO THE COLORADO HISTORY CENTER FOR FIRST TIME IN 29 YEARS.

     For the first time in 29 years, the welcome reception for the Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture will not be at the Governor’s Mansion. On Feb. 25, from 5:30p to 8:00p, the Welcome Reception for the Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture will be held at the History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver, Colo. 

    This year marks the 29th year for the Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture. This change in venue will allow the forum reception to welcome a greater number of guests and allow a stronger opportunity for networking and engagement. With a theme this year of “Brand it Agriculture”, CALP Class 14 hopes to cover a diverse range of agricultural issues and topics in an attempt to create solidarity among all agricultural industries. Registration is open through 1 pm at the event, Feb. 26, 2020 at the Renaissance Stapleton Hotel in Denver.

    For more information or to register, go to governorsagforum.com or contact Dani Traweek at (303) 547-5963. Speaker biographies available on-line and interviews may be arranged through Dani. 

    About Colorado Agriculture Leadership Program (CALP)

    CALP is an intensive, two-year agriculture leadership program, focused specifically on developing high caliber leaders for Colorado agriculture who are well-versed in the complex and diverse issues of food production, agriculture policy, and the converging interests of rural and urban populations in Colorado. For more information, please visit www.coloagleaders.org. 

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US