SILT HELICOPTER CRASH REPORT
Silt—The helicopter that crashed nearly three weeks ago near Silt, claiming the lives of all three men aboard, did not actually clip a power line as was initially believed according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Investigators say the DBS Helicopter hooked a special line that’s strung to protect power lines, just before crashing on Dry Hollow Road. The pilot and helicopter owner, Doug Sheffer of Basalt was killed along with longtime Holy Cross employee Larry Shaffer of Rifle and Christopher Gaskill of Fort Collins. The men were conducting a routine aerial survey on the morning of January 27th, looking for potential power line fire hazards. Sheffer was considered a top notch helicopter pilot specializing in high country flights. A final report from the NTSB is expected this summer.
GLENWOOD HOUSE FIRE CONTAINED
Glenwood Springs—Quick response to an early morning house fire yesterday prevented a nearly 80 year old home on Blake Avenue in Glenwood Springs from burning down. According to reports from the Glenwood Springs Fire Department, the fire was called in just before 2am Wednesday. The home at 1024 Blake, was unoccupied and the damage was limited to some of the furnishings. Crews from Colorado River Fire Rescue assisted in fighting the fire.
COUNTERFEITERS BUSTED IN RIFLE
Rifle—Rifle police and Secret Service agents may have finally cracked a counterfeiting operation. Three Rifle residents were busted yesterday for allegedly passing phony bills around town for the past six months. According to a new release from the Rifle Police Department, 33 year old Joshua Michaelis, 23 year old Jeremiah Michaelis and 36 year old April Hanes were arrested and booked into the Garfield County Jail on a number of felony charges including Forgery, and Identity Theft. Police say since August, they’ve taken at least a dozen reports of the three trying to pass counterfeit money at local businesses.
GW CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Glenwood Springs—-Discount Tire wants to open a store in West Glenwood Springs. Tonight, the Glenwood Springs City Council will get a look at the plans to develop a 3 acre parcel on Highway 6 to build a 73-hundred square foot store. The council will also consider an intergovernmental agreement for an engineering review of the 8th Street connection. The council will also discuss becoming a cooperating agency with C-DOT on the Grand Avenue Bridge project. Tonight’s meeting begins at 7.
