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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

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  • Today’s Events – Thursday, Dec. 15

    Today’s Events – Thursday, Dec. 15

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

    Family story time for ages 3-5. 11 a.m., Davies Library, Deer Trail.

    DIY fandom ornament craft. Teens can create a geeky handmade holiday ornament based on their favorite fandom. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Kelver Library.

    Scholastic Book Fair. The community is welcome to shop from a wide range of books, posters, software, toys and gadgets for young teens and adults. All proceeds go to benefit the high school library. 4 – 8:30 p.m. Strasburg High School Library.

    Bingo for Books. 4:15 p.m., Anythink Bennett library.

    West Arapahoe Conservation District Board. 5 p.m., Bennett Town Hall, 355 Fourth St.

    Bennett School Board. Work session at 5:30 p.m., meeting 6 p.m., high school library. 615 Seventh St.

    Byers Elementary First- through sixth-grade concert. 6:30 p.m. Byers High School Gym.

    Strasburg High School/Hemphill Middle School choir concert. 6:30 p.m. Strasburg High School gym.

    Byers School Board. 7 p.m., Byers High School lecture hall.

    Strasburg Fire Protection District Board. 7 p.m., District Office, 56281 E. Colfax Ave.

    Strasburg American Legion Post No. 183. 7 p.m., Strasburg American Legion Hall, 56423 Westview Ave.

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

     

    High School Sports

    Girls Basketball. Fort Lupton @ Bennett. 6:30 p.m.

    Middle School Sports

    Boys Basketball. Strasburg @ Kiowa. 4 p.m.

  • Crafting.. A Holiday Spirit

    Crafting.. A Holiday Spirit

    With Thanksgiving out of the way, crafters gathered Nov. 26 at Anythink Bennett Library to make Santa and Snowman inspired holiday jars. – MICHELLE FORBIS, The I-70 Scout

    Feature Your Upcoming Holiday Events.. Contact I-70 SCOUT!

  • Bennett Sweeps Lake County in Frontier Opener

    Bennett Sweeps Lake County in Frontier Opener

    Tigers Scratch Win for First Time 2016-17

    by Nick Dickens
    Staff Writer

    BENNETT

    – The Bennett Tigers picked up their first win on the 2016-17 hoops season with a 58-36 victory over visiting Frontier League foe Lake County Dec. 6.
    But the orange-and-black couldn’t carry over the momentum to the next night as Resurrection Christian blitzed the Tigers in the second half in a lopsided 89-44 decision in their own early-season tournament.

    LAKE COUNTY

    – The orange-and-black took control of Tuesday’s conference game early, running out to a 22-12 lead after one quarter and building the lead to 39-18 at halftime. After intermission, the game slowed down and was more competitive but Bennett kept the Panthers at bay, posting a 19-18 second-half advantage.

    “Overall it was a solid team effort and it’s always good to get a league win early,” said Bennett coach Kevin Ross.

    The Tigers had their best shooting performance of the young season, making 22-of-50 from the field, including 5-of-10 from outside the three-point line. An area of improvement continues to be the free-throw line, where Bennett shot 23 free throws but made just nine.
    Senior forward Jacen Brewer topped the team in scoring with 13 total points while junior inside player Jake Francis chipped in 9.

    “We were able to pretty much do what we wanted inside early. We did a good job of attacking the lane and finishing,” added Ross. “We missed a few easy ones in the second half, but nothing too bad. Our shot selection was also better and we didn’t force as many threes.”

    The Tigers pounded the Panthers on the boards and on the defensive end of the floor with 38 rebounds, 15 steals and five blocks. Brewer topped the team with eight boards. Sophomore Jimmy Goodnight was the team leader in steals with three thefts. Senior Connor Strong turned back two Panther shots.
    “We pressed a little and they broke it pretty easy,” Ross recalled. “When we switched to man, they struggled, and we shut down what they were doing.”

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  • Bennett Elementary to remain open despite lingering sewer issue

    by Steven Vetter, Managing Editor

    BENNETT — Plans to have a broken sewer line in the cafeteria area of Bennett Elementary repaired this week will not come to fruition as the problem is said to be more severe than once thought.

    The area has been cordoned off from student access and will not be available for food service duties until after the Christmas break; however, the elementary school will remain open for classes until the district releases them for the holidays Dec. 20.

    Food service will continue to serve easy-to-prepare meals — for example corn dogs, sandwiches and salad — with disposable plates and utensils.

    “The cooks can’t get into do what they can normally do and we can’t use the dishwasher because of the sewer line,” said Bennett Superintendent Robin Purdy. “But our food service director and her staff have been rock stars in adapting and coming up with a plan to still nourish our students. We will be back with hot breakfast and lunches when we get back from break.”

    Purdy said there was a possibility that the elementary could have closed for the first two days of next week to allow a repair crew to start its work earlier but, added that it wasn’t fair to the education of students and their families, who have made plans to attend holiday events Monday and Tuesday.

    Whether the repairs to the sewer over break are temporary or permanent won’t be known until further investigation of the problem.

    “Hopefully, they can tear up the tile and install a new pipe but, in case that is going to be more extensive, maybe they will sleeve it and come back to make final permanent repairs in the summer,” Purdy said. “We just won’t know until they get down in there.”

    The break occurred mid-afternoon Dec. 7. Purdy said it appears the pipe burst was the result of age and wear-and-tear and not because of the frigid cold temperatures that ultimately led to the closing of school Dec. 8 to protect the health and safety of students, particularly those on bus routes.

     

     

  • Today’s Events – Wednesday, Dec. 14

    Today’s Events – Wednesday, Dec. 14

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

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

    Bennett Young At Heart seniors potluck. 12 p.m., Bennett Community Center. Shirley Kuzara, (303)644-4768.

    Byers Silver & Gold senior citizens game day. 12:30 p.m., Byers American Legion Hall.

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

    Wacky Wednesdays. Book club for ages 8-11. “Alice in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll. 4-5 p.m. Davies Library.

    Crafternoon. Participants will make a pine cone holiday decoration. 4:15 p.m. Bennett Anythink.

    IOU with Love. Social hour 6-7 p.m., meeting at 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. 6:30 p.m., Strasburg High School Community Room.

    Byers Junior High and High School Winter Concert. 6:30 p.m. Byers High School Music Room.

    Bennett kindergarten and first-grade concert. 7 p.m. Bennett High School Auditorium.

    Recovery in Christ. 7-9 p.m., Valley Bank, Strasburg.

  • Our Lady of the Plains Annual Toy Shop

    Our Lady of the Plains Annual Toy Shop

    Our Lady of the Plains Catholic Church in Byers held its annual Toy Shop Dec. 3, the 29th year the church has provided toys for boys and girls along the I-70 Corridor.

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  • Today’s Events – Tuesday, Dec. 13

    Today’s Events – Tuesday, Dec. 13

    Story time. Kids ages 2-4 will enjoy stories, puppets, songs and finger plays. Stories focus on books that have stood the test of time. 10 a.m., Anythink Bennett library.

    Family story time for ages 3-5. 11 a.m., Davies Library, Deer Trail.

    Terrific Tuesday. Book club for ages 8-11. “Clementine for Christmas” by Daphne Benedis-Grab. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Kelver Library.

    Scholastic Book Fair. The community is welcome to shop from a wide range of books, posters, software, toys and gadgets for young teens and adults. All proceeds go to benefit the high school library. 4 – 8:30 p.m. Strasburg High School Library.

     

    Tuesday Tech. Students ages 11 and up will make fleece scarfs and LED holiday cards. 4:15 p.m. Bennett Anythink.

    Bennett Board of Trustees. Work-study 5:30 p.m. Regular meeting 7 p.m. Town Hall, 355 Fourth St.

    Adult book club. “Christmas Bells” by Jennifer Chiaverini. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Kelver Library.

    Strasburg Sanitation & Water Board. 7 p.m., Valley Bank Community Room.

    Order of Eastern Star Hope Chapter No. 122. 7:30 p.m., Bennett Eastern Star Hall, 575 Palmer Ave.

     

    High School Sports

    Boys & Girls Basketball. Bennett @ Brush. 5:30 p.m.

    Boys & Girls Basketball. Weld Central @ Strasburg. 5:30 p.m.

    Wrestling. Byers @ Calhan Dual. 6 p.m.

  • 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 4PM on Monday, December 12, 2016: 

    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 Tuesday, December 13, 2016. Poor visibility and an exceedance of the state visibility standard are expected on Tuesday. Otherwise, good or moderate air quality conditions are expected. No other air quality advisories are in effect. 

    Limited atmospheric ventilation will cause Poor visibility on Tuesday. 

    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 2PM (MST), Monday, 12/12/2016 the highest AQI value was 47 for Particulate less than 2.5 micrometers which indicates Good air quality. 
    Front Range Air Quality Forecast & Colorado Smoke Outlook 

    FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST: 
    Monday, December 12, 2016, 2:30 PM MST 

    Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Monday and Tuesday. 

    Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range on Monday and Tuesday. Moderate concentrations are most likely within the Denver Metro area. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion in these areas on Monday and Tuesday. 

    Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Monday and Tuesday. 

    Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range on Monday and Tuesday. Moderate concentrations are most likely in the Denver Metro area near busy roadways, particularly between the hours of 7-10 AM and 5-9 PM. For health recommendations, please see Fine Particulate Matter above. 

    Visibility is expected to be Moderate to Poor on Tuesday. 

    COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK: 
    Monday, December 12, 2016, 2:30 PM MST 

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

  • Pile burning planned Dec. 19 at Rocky Mountain Arsenal wildlife sanctuary

    COMMERCE CITY — Weather permitting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct pile burning activities at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Dec. 19. Smoke may be visible and people in the area may smell smoke.

    The Refuge burns piles of woody debris in an effort of reducing hazardous fuels. These piles are made from after the thinning and cutting of trees, mostly invasive trees like Russian olive. Certain criteria must be met in order to burn, including smoke dispersal conditions, snow or other precipitation in the area, adequate staffing, and fuel moisture. All pile burns are conducted within the requirements of a smoke permit issued by the State of Colorado.

    For more information, visit www.fws.gov.

  • Phone town hall tonight to discuss changes to U.S. 36, I-25 HOV lanes

    DENVER – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) will host a telephone town hall tonight, Dec. 12, to discuss the upcoming change from HOV 2+ to HOV 3+ on U.S. 36 and I-25 express lanes starting Jan. 1. HOV 3+ means a driver needs at least two passengers and a switchable HOV transponder pass to use those express lanes free as a carpooler.

    Beginning at 7 p.m., CDOT will call residents along the US 36 and I-25 Corridors. Interested residents who do not receive a call or would like to participate are asked to dial 1-877-229-8493 and enter the access code 112034. To learn more about the telephone meeting, visit www.codot.gov/programs/expresslanes.

    Speakers will include representatives from CDOT; HPTE; State Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp, D-Arvada; 36 Commuting Solutions; and Smart Commute Metro North.

    HPTE operates as a government-owned, independent business within CDOT. It searches out innovative ways to finance projects to help Colorado fulfill its commitment to increase travel choices through options that include express lanes, transit, biking, walking and carpooling. For more information, visit www.coloradohpte.com.