NEW CASTLE MAN DIES IN AIR FORCE JET CRASH
Undated—A 2003 Rifle High School graduate who went on to an outstanding career as a United States Air Force fighter jet pilot was killed when his plane crashed late Sunday night in the Middle East. According to reports from the Pentagon and the Defense Department, 30 year old Will Dubois (doo-boyz) of New Castle, died when his F-16 crashed in Jordan. Officials say the jet experienced a mechanical problem after takeoff and turned around. It crashed before landing. Dubois was assigned to the 77th Fighter Squadron from Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina. Dubois is believed to be the first casualty in the war on ISIS which began in August.
IN OTHER NEWS…
GLENWOOD SPRINGS (AP) – The family of a Grand Junction man injured in a rockslide near Carbondale last week say he is improving.49 year old ld David Pixler was one of two people injured when several large boulders rolled onto Highway 82 on Nov. 24. He hit a boulder, causing his company van to spin and crash into another vehicle. It took rescue crews 25 minutes to free him from the vehicle. Stacy Pixler Pinnt says her brother was released from intensive care at Denver Health and moved to progressive care on Sunday. She said he suffered numerous broken bones and underwent two surgeries. She says he still has a long road to recovery but is on his way and is still as “feisty and stubborn” as ever.
SNOWMASS VILLAGE (AP) – A sled-dog business at the center of an animal abuse case is cleared for transfer to a new owner. The Snowmass Village Town Council has unanimously approved a temporary agreement for the owner of the Krabloonik sled-dog business to sell the operation. Owner Dan MacEachen faces eight misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty related to his alleged treatment of the dogs. He has denied the accusations. MacEachen plans to transfer the business to Danny and Gina Phillips, who have managed the kennel and the business’ restaurant for the past year. Snowmass Village town holds the lease for the land on which Krabloonik operates and must give final approval of its transfer.
ASPEN(AP) – Long lines at the Aspen airport have officials trying new strategies to handle winter crowds. The Aspen-Pitkin County Airport now encourages travelers to arrive for flights two full hours early. That’s because the small airport has limited security screening and is easily overwhelmed by ski crowds.Travelers sometimes don’t think they need to arrive so early because the airport is so small. But airport officials say fire code allows just 316 people at a time in the boarding area, so lines can grow very long. Some fliers are forced back behind security and must be screened twice. The airport has 3,167 commercial flights scheduled through April 30.
