RIFLE STUDENT-ATHLETE KILLED IN ‘CAR SURFING’ INCIDENT
Rifle—A popular student-athlete at Rifle High School died from his injuries suffered in an April Fool’s Day car surfing incident in the Rifle Wal-Mart parking lot. According to reports from Garfield County Coroner Robert Glassmire, 18 year old Kyle Scholla died from massive head trauma last Saturday afternoon at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. Rifle police say Scholla was riding on the hood of a car driven by a friend when he fell off and hit his head on the pavement. The tragic incident remains under investigation. Scholla, a lineman on Coach Damon Wells’ football team, was a senior. On the Rifle High School Facebook page, his family wrote that Scholla’s “big smile and spirit will live on forever.”
COLORADO GOVERNOR PLEADS WITH FEDS TO APPROVE LIQUID NATURAL GAS PIPELINE
Grand Junction—A liquid natural gas pipeline that would open up Colorado and Oregon’s market to customers in Japan and the Pacific Northwest was denied by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently but that hasn’t deterred Governor John Hickenlooper. The Governor isn’t giving up the fight for the 7 billion dollar operation. Hickenlooper is asking the commission to reconsider Veresen Incorporated’s Jordan Cove and Pacific Connector Pipeline Project. Veresen officials say they have preliminary agreements for at least half of the initial capacity. Garfield County Commissioner Mike Samson has been pushing for the LNG pipeline for the last year or so. He says it would mean yet another revenue stream for the county’s number one natural resource.
FREE TAXI SERVICE COMING TO ASPEN THIS SUMMER
Aspen—A free, on-demand taxi program will be offered for Aspen residents and visitors this summer. The City Council approved a contract with Florida-based Downtowner Inc. this week. The company serves a handful of resort towns with its on-demand electric-vehicle taxis. The three-month pilot program will cost the city close to 90 thousand dollars and will run in June, July and August. Passengers won’t have to pay a fee but a tip is suggested. They can be paid in cash or by using the service’s phone apps. Downtown CEO Stephen Murray says he plans to hire about a half dozen local drivers to start.
