MURDER TRIAL FOR C’DALE MAN UNDER WAY
Glenwood Springs—The first degree murder trial for the Carbondale man accused of killing his wife with a machete over a year ago is under way in Garfield County District Court. 47 year old Arturo Navarette-Portillo reportedly confessed to killing Maria Carminda Portillo-Amaya in February of last year in their Carbondale apartment before ramming his vehicle into the back of a cattle truck on Highway 133. While being flown aboard a medical helicopter from the crash scene, Portillo supposedly admitted to murdering his 30 year old wife to one of the crew memebers. Despite attempts by defense attorneys to prevent the confession and other evidence from being heard by jurors, everything will be allowed during the 10-day trial.
GLENWOOD MAN LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AFTER TRAIN DEMOLISHES PICKUP TRUCK
Glenwood Springs—A Glenwood Springs man was able to crawl out and walk away from his mangled Dodge Ram pickup truck Tuesday afternoon after it was demolished by an Amtrack Train in South Canyon. According to reports from the rail carrier and the Glenwood Springs Fire Department, 40 year old Ever Vega apparently ignored a railroad crossing and sat there on the tracks as the westbound California Zephyr blared it’s horn. Vega is being charged for his actions. He was taken to Valley View Hospital and treated for minor injuries. None of the 191 passengers aboard the Chicago to San Francisco train were hurt however a fuel spill was caused after the metal-grinding collision. Glenwood Springs Fire Chief Gary Tillotson says the main locomotive’s 500 gallon fuel tank was ruptured but hazmat crews were able to contain it in the rail bed and prevent it from seeping into the Colorado River. In addition to ignoring the crossing, Vega was also cited for no proof of insurance.
DOWNTOWN PARKING IN ASPEN WILL COST MORE
Aspen—So you want to park in downtown Aspen this summer? You’d better have room on your credit card or have a roll or two of quarters. With the exception of a parking garage, the price of a parking spot in June, July and August will cost 50 percent more. If you’re willing to pay that, your money will go toward a good cause. Aspen is hoping to raise at least 150 thousand dollars to provide free transportation services including shuttles, taxis and bike tuning. The higher parking fees are also meant to discourage local workers from parking in the middle of town during the busy summer tourist season.
