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  • 2017 Conservation Achievement Award Goes to Colorado Parks & Wildlife

    2017 Conservation Achievement Award Goes to Colorado Parks & Wildlife

    DENVER, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility will be awarded the Western Division American Fisheries Society’s 2017 Conservation Achievement Award. This award recognizes a significant contribution by an agency to the conservation of fishery resources.

    CPW’s Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility, located near Alamosa, is dedicated to protecting and restoring threatened and endangered aquatic species native to Colorado, such as the boreal toad. Since its inception in 2000, the facility has protected 16 different fish species and stocked more than 2.1 million fish in rivers, streams and lakes throughout Colorado. It is the only hatchery of its kind in North America.

    “Colorado has world class fisheries and CPW staff are leading the field in endangered species restoration,” said Matt Nicholl, CPW’s chief of hatcheries. “This award recognizes that states throughout the West are paying attention to our work and value what we’re doing.”

    In announcing the award, the Western Division American Fisheries Society congratulated CPW’s Theodore J. Smith, James A. Garcia, Thomas S. Mix, David C. Westerman, Neil N. Heredia and the seasonal staff, volunteers and interns for their roles in earning this award.

    The award will be presented at an awards luncheon on May 24. The luncheon is part of the Western Division American Fisheries Society’s annual meeting that will be held from May 22-25 at the University of Montana. For more information please visit the meeting website at: http://wdmtg.fisheries.org/

    For more information about CPW’s Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility, visit the CPW website at http://cpw.state.co.us.

     

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  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Friday, March 10

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Friday, March 10

    WHAT’S GOOD TODAY?

    EVERY FRIDAY

    • Al-Anon family group

      For more information call (303)888-4525.

    • Story Time

      Kelver Library, Byers @ 10 a.m.

    • Handiwork Hangout

      Anythink Bennett library @ 1 – 4 p.m. Adults can share new knitting, crocheting, embroidery or other handiwork projects. Help available for new crafters at some gatherings.

    SCHOOLHOUSE NEWS

    • Strasburg State Basketball
    • Strasburg District Talent Show, HS Main Gym @ 3:30 – 9:30 p.m.

     

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  • Denver Metro — Action Day for Visibility

    Denver Metro — Action Day for Visibility

     

    Indoor Burning Restrictions in Effect

    This is the Denver Metro Air Pollution Forecast effective 4 PM on Thursday, March 9, 2017:

    An Action Day for Visibility is now in effect for the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area . Indoor Burning Restrictions and requests to limit driving are now in effect until at least 4 PM Friday, March 10, 2017. Poor visibility and an exceedance of the state visibility standard are expected on Friday. Otherwise, good or moderate air quality conditions are expected. No other air quality advisories are in effect.

    Limited atmospheric mixing on Friday will result in Moderate to Poor visibility.

    For statewide conditions, forecasts and advisories, visit:
    http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx  

    A poorly maintained vehicle pollutes more than a well maintained one. If you must drive, properly maintain your vehicle. We’ll all breathe easier!

    At 2 PM (MST), Thursday, 3/9/2017 the highest AQI value was 44 for Ozone which indicates Good air quality.


    Front Range Air Quality Forecast & Colorado Smoke Outlook

    FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:
    Thursday, March 9, 2017, 2:00 PM MST

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

    Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Thursday and the Good to Moderate range on Friday. Moderate concentrations of fine particulates on Friday will be most likely for locations within the Denver metro area. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion within the Denver metro area on Friday.

    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 the Good to Moderate range on Friday. Moderate concentrations of nitrogen dioxide will mainly be confined to locations within the Denver metro area. Please refer to Fine Particulate Matter above for health recommendations.

    Visibility is expected to be Moderate to Poor on Friday.

    COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:
    Thursday, March 9, 2017, 2:00 PM MST

    The Sand Hills grass fire has been reported in eastern Logan County a few miles to the southeast of Sterling. The size of this fire is 1000-2000 acres and possibly still growing. Smoke will likely move in a southeasterly direction away from the fire towards southeastern Logan County, northeastern Washington County and throughout Phillips and Yuma counties. At this time smoke concentrations are not expected to reach unhealthy levels. However, we will continue to monitor the situation and will issue an advisory if needed. In the meantime, unusually sensitive people in the above mentioned areas should remain indoors (unless asked to evacuate) and reduce prolonged or heavy exertion until this fire is contained.

    A small fire is burning on Ft. Carson near Colorado Springs. The fire is contained and no health issues are anticipated, however smoke will be visible Thursday afternoon in nearby areas.

    Light to moderate smoke is possible near prescribed fires and small wildfires around the state.

  • Next-Gen Cellphone Technology: 5G

    Next-Gen Cellphone Technology: 5G

    A Bill to speed up the rollout of the next generation of wireless broadband technology in Colorado received voice-vote approval from the House today.

    Mobile data traffic has grown 4,000-fold over the last decade, and a new system is needed to handle the ever-increasing demand. The 5G (fifth generation) system has 10 times more bandwidth than the existing 4G system and is up to 100 times faster. It relies on a larger number of smaller transmitters that can be mounted unobtrusively on lamp-posts.

    HB17-1193, sponsored by Reps. Tracy Kraft-Tharp, D-Arvada, and Jon Becker, R-Fort Morgan, updates statutory definitions and expedites the permitting process for installation of the new transmitters.

    “The cellphone providers are ready to begin installing the system this year,” Rep. Kraft-Tharp said. “This bill will help keep Colorado at the forefront of broadband technology.”

    After a recorded third-reading vote, the bill will go to the Senate.

     

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  • St. Patrick’s Day DUI Enforcement Begins Friday

    St. Patrick’s Day DUI Enforcement Begins Friday

    To keep Colorado roads safe from impaired drivers during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies will conduct The Heat Is On DUI enforcement starting Friday, March 10, and ending Monday, March 20. Statewide, 88 law enforcement agencies will participate in the DUI crackdown for alcohol and drugs.

    “It’s no secret that for many, alcohol is a major component of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety. “We hope people plan a sober ride home before they start drinking and use DUI-prevention tools like smartphone breathalyzers and ride sharing apps to make educated decisions.”

    Last year, 106 Colorado law enforcement agencies arrested 455 motorists during the St. Patrick’s Day enforcement period — a nearly 10 percent decrease from the 505 arrests during the 2015 enforcement.

    “The decrease in DUI arrests during last year’s enforcement was promising, but 455 DUI arrests indicates that there are still far too many people driving impaired,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “People need to realize that even one drink can impair your ability to drive. Troopers are on the lookout for impaired drivers every day, all day, all night, across the entire state. The consequences of driving impaired are not worth the risk.”

    In addition to the serious safety risks associated with impaired driving, a DUI can cost more than $13,500 after considering fines, legal fees and increased insurance costs. Penalties increase for repeat offenders.

    CDOT’s R-U-Buzzed app is another useful DUI-prevention tool. The app allows users to track their blood alcohol content (BAC) level based on information they enter — weight, gender and the number and type of drinks consumed in a given time. The app compares the user’s estimated BAC with Colorado’s DUI and DWAI laws, and includes a “Back to Zero” estimate, which approximates when the user will be completely sober after they stop drinking. Download the R-U-Buzzed app for iPhone and Android FREE: onelink.to/r-u-buzzed.

    The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year with 12 specific high visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. More details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.

  • Unanimous Approval for Hamner-Wilson Education Bill

    Unanimous Approval for Hamner-Wilson Education Bill

    Bill Eliminates Double Testing for English Language Learners

    Currently, although the purpose is to evaluate reading ability and not language proficiency, some students are required to take their annual reading assessment in both Spanish and English. Double testing these students unnecessarily overburdens a specific subgroup of students, risks misidentifying English learners as having significant reading deficiencies, and is not aligned with other state assessment policies.

    With a 61-0 vote, the House today gave final approval to a bill sponsored by Reps. Millie Hamner, D-Dillon, and Jim Wilson, R-Salida, to allow students from kindergarten through third grade who are English language learners to take their annual required reading test in their language of instruction, rather than being double-tested.

    “This test is meant to demonstrate how well a student can read, and when it’s given to students in their language of instruction, it gives us better indicators of reading ability and gives teachers the information they need to help their students improve,” said Rep. Hamner. “This bill cuts testing time and increases instructional time for the very students who need it.”

    “It was great to work with Rep. Hamner on this bill,” said Rep. Wilson. “It simplifies the process to answer two critical questions: one, can you read? And two, how well?”

    HB17-1160 now proceeds to the Senate.

     

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  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Thursday, March 9

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Thursday, March 9

    WHAT’S GOOD TODAY?

    • Bingo for Books

      Anythink Bennett library @ 4:15 p.m.

    • I-70 Regional Economic Advancement Partnership

      Front Range Airport @11:45 a.m. Lunch available for $15.

    • Bennett Fire Protection District Board

      Station No. 3. @ 7 p.m.

    • Byers Park & Recreation District Board

      Quint Valley Fairgrounds @ 7 p.m.

    • Eastern Plains Honor Guard practice

      Strasburg American Legion Hall @ 7 p.m.  Contact for questions: (303)719-8292.

    EVERY THURSDAY

    • Music & Movement

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

    • Family Story Time

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

    • AA Strasburg Sobriety

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

    SCHOOLHOUSE NEWS

     

    • Bennett ES Parent/Teacher Conferences @ 4:30 p.m.
    • Bennett High School Girls Soccer @ Adams City @ 4:00 p.m.
    • Bennett District Talent Show Auditions @ 4:15 p.m.
    • Bennett ES Book Fair @ 4:30 p.m.
    • Strasburg State Basketball 
    • Strasburg Art Club, HS Art Room @ 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
    • Outlaw Wrestling Club, SES cafeteria @ 5:15 – 7:15 p.m.
    • Strasburg Youth Wrestling Practice, HMS cafeteria @ 6 – 8 p.m.
    • Byers V/J FB Bulldog Football Tutoring @ 7 – 7:45 p.m. 

     

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  • Crucial Act Passed: Patient Safety

    Crucial Act Passed: Patient Safety

    Buckner Passes Crucial Patient Safety Act

    Bill Enhances Protections for Coloradans in Health Care System

    The House, Health, Insurance & Environment Committee passed the Patient Safety Act, a bill by Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora.
    “Colorado is one of only five states in the country that doesn’t require fingerprint background checks for nurses, and one of only six States that doesn’t require the same for doctors,” said Rep. Buckner. “The Patient Safety Act addresses that gap by requiring fingerprint background checks for doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers authorized to prescribe controlled substances.  This is a common sense change and it is time Colorado joins the rest of the nation to better protect our patients.”

    Federal-level fingerprint based background checks are the most comprehensive means available to ensure patient safety and transparency. Currently, Colorado relies on self-disclosure to ensure doctors do not have past criminal convictions that would flag them as potentially unfit to provide care.

    Michelle Shelley, the mother of a young girl with special needs and the cognitive ability of a 6-month-old, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Shelley described the traumatic experience of realizing that her daughter Aislinn was being abused by a registered nurse who was hired to care for her last summer in the family’s home.

    “Her bed is no longer a peaceful place of rest—it is filled with nightmares,” said Shelley. “The abuse shouldn’t have ever happened. Today I ask you to support the Patient Safety Act because we have an obligation to add this protection for those who cannot speak.”

    HB17-1121 also enters Colorado into the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact to enable these professionals to continue to provide telehealth nursing services and be able to practice in other states with their Colorado license. The bill also aligns the Nursing Practice Act to the Medical Practice Act to eliminate an existing “safe harbor” for addiction-related violations.

    The 6-4 vote sends the bill to the House Appropriations committee.  
     

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  • Republicans Propose Small Business Changes

    Republicans Propose Small Business Changes

    DENVER— Senate Bill 001, sponsored by House Republican Leader Patrick Neville (R-Castle Rock), would have defined a small business as one of fewer than 500 employees, and provided leniency for minor, first-time violations of State Agency Rules; except rules pertaining to safety.

    Specifically, the bill allowed a 30 day period to cure the violation before a fee was levied, and required State Departments to make attempts to solicit feedback from small businesses during the rule making process.  

    This bill would have shifted the culture of government to one of cooperation with the private sector and helped achieve a high-level of compliance through education rather than fines and penalties. This bill passed with strong bipartisan support in the Senate, but unfortunately Democrats that support small business seem to be in short supply in the House, said Neville.

    However, Democrats on the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee killed the bill on a party-line vote.

    Currently, “small business” is defined by average annual receipts and, some industries, by number of employees: see SBA chart here. 

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  • TODAY’S EVENTS – Wednesday, March 8

    TODAY’S EVENTS – Wednesday, March 8

    WHAT’S GOOD TODAY?

    • Crafternoon

      Anythink Bennett library @ 4:15 p.m. Participants will make an agamograph. What is agamograph? An agamograph is a series of images that change at different angles.

    • Needlework and Crafts

      Bennett Community Center @ 1 p.m. Mary White, (303)644-3202, or Peg Mancuso, (303)644-5191.

    • IOU with Love

      Social hour @ 6 – 7 p.m., Meeting @ 7 p.m., location varies. For location and directions, call (303)913-7094 or (303)261-0680 or visit www.iougivingcircle.com.

    • Strasburg School Board

      Strasburg High School Community Room @ 6:30 p.m.

    EVERY WEDNESDAY

    • Bennett Young At Heart seniors potluck

      Bennett Community Center @ 12 p.m. 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.

    • Baby Bounce

      Anythink Bennett library @ 10 – 10:30 a.m. Songs, stories and rhyme times for babies up to age 2 and their caregivers.

    • Music & Movement

      Anythink Bennett library @ 10:30 a.m. Ages 2-6 can sing, dance and learn to play basic instruments.

     SCHOOLHOUSE NEWS

    • Bennett ES Parent/Teacher Conferences @ 4:30 p.m.
    • Bennett ES- Book Fair @ 4:30 p.m.
    • Strasburg Youth Wrestling Practice, SES cafeteria @ 6:15 – 8:15 p.m.
    • TC Lightning Club Softball Practice, Hemphill Middle School Gym @ 7:00pm – 8:30pm

     

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