fbpx

The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Blog

  • 17 Mile House Farm Park plans open house

    17 Mile House Farm Park plans open house

    CENTENNIAL — The public can step back in time and come visit a 155-year old farm which served as a resting stop for pioneers traveling by wagon on the Smoky Hill Trail in the early 1800s.

    Arapahoe County is inviting the public to visit the 17 Mile House Farm Park at an open house from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, March 11, to learn about the historic property and its significance to the Old West. The park is located at 8181 S. Parker Rd., Centennial.

    Volunteers from the Cherry Creek Valley Historical Society will be dressed in period costumes and will provide history of the property along with free house tours. Special demonstrations will include wool spinning, quilting and butter churning. Previous residents of the house will also tell stories and tales about growing up at 17 Mile House in the 1940s and ’50s on their dairy farm.

    The Arapahoe County heritage area includes a house, red barn, silo and milk shed, which were restored to their known condition in the early 1900s. The 17 Mile House is the only mile house in Colorado in its original rural setting. Other features at the farm house include two replica windmills, 30 acres of open space, a trailhead to the Cherry Creek Regional Trail, picnic tables, parking and restrooms.

    The Cherry Creek Stewardship Partners will provide guided nature walks to Cherry Creek, we’ll have a live bird and raptor presentation and an old 1940’s dump truck for viewing.

    The 17 Mile House Farm Park is managed by Arapahoe County Open Space. For more information, visit http://arapahoegov.com.

  • COLORADO ROCKIES PITCHER CHAD BETTIS TO CONTINUE CANCER TREATMENTS

    COLORADO ROCKIES PITCHER CHAD BETTIS TO CONTINUE CANCER TREATMENTS

    SCOTTSDALE, AZ. — Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Chad Bettis will continue to undergo cancer treatments over the next several weeks here in Arizona.

     “During my routine health checkup last week, my oncologist believed that he had seen inflamed lymph nodes and ordered an immediate biopsy,” Bettis said.  “I learned this week that my testicular cancer has unexpectedly spread, and I will begin a regimen of chemotherapy in the very near future.    

    “Although my blood tumor markers remain at normal levels, it’s clear that I need to be aggressive in my fight against this illness. Without being proactive, we wouldn’t have caught this. 

    “I am committed to beating this cancer. My family and I are grateful for the support of the Major League Baseball Players Association, the Rockies organization and the fans.”

     The 27-year-old Lubbock, Texas, native underwent surgery on Nov. 29, 2016 after tests revealed a diagnosis of testicular cancer.

     Visit our website at www.rockies.com for tickets and information.

  • 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.

     

    Like, Follow & SHARE to get your daily dose of Tips, Tricks, News and Events! @I70Scout

     

  • 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.

     

    Like, Follow & SHARE to get your daily dose of Tips, Tricks, News and Events! @I70Scout

     

     

  • 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.

     

    Like, Follow & SHARE to get your daily dose of Tips, Tricks, News and Events! @I70Scout

     

  • 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.

     

    Like, Follow & SHARE to get your daily dose of Tips, Tricks, News and Events! @I70Scout

     

  • 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. 

     

    Like, Follow & SHARE to get your daily dose of Tips, Tricks, News and Events! @I70Scout

     

     

  • 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.  
     

    Like, Follow & SHARE to get your daily dose of Tips, Tricks, News and Events! @I70Scout