NASTY WEATHER IN STORE FOR WEST SLOPE
Glenwood Springs–A winter weather advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for most of the Western Slope. The advisory is in effect until 9am Saturday. Winter driving conditions and extremely cold temperatures are in store for western Colorado for the next few days.
PICEANCE BASIN LAND SWAP IN THE WORKS
GRAND JUNCTION (AP) – Officials are seeking to swap land in Rio Blanco County for a larger parcel of property owned by Exxon Mobil Corp. that officials say would improve wildlife habitat and hunting. Colorado Parks and Recreation is offering to exchange a 910-acre piece of Piceance State Wildlife Area for more than 1,190 acres of land owned by Exxon. The state-owned property and Exxon property are each worth about $2 million.
Parks and Wildlife officials believe the land now owned by the company would increase access to adjacent lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, while the company plans to use the state parcel in its energy-development plans.
THEATER SHOOTING SUSPECT ARRAIGNMENT DELAYED
CENTENNIAL (AP) – The man accused of the Colorado theater shooting won’t have to enter a plea until March. Today a judge granted a defense motion to delay the arraignment of James Holmes until March 12. The decision came a day after he ruled that Holmes should stand trial in the shooting. Defense lawyers didn’t give a reason for the delay. One possible reason could be to seek a mental health evaluation by a doctor of their choosing. His lawyers have said Holmes is mentally ill, raising the possibility of an insanity defense. If Holmes had entered an insanity plea Friday, an evaluation would be done by state doctors.
BASALT TEEN SENTENCED FOR KIDNAPPING PLOT
ASPEN (AP) – A Basalt teenager will serve up to five years in youth corrections for plotting to beat another teen and leave him to die in the wilderness near Ruedi Reservoir. Prosecutors said the 15-year-old boy was remorseful Thursday and took responsibility for his actions. The boy told police he had a dispute with the intended victim over drug dealing and a girl.
The plot was discovered when an adult found a diagram of the assault plan and contacted police. Another youth told the Basalt Police Department about the kidnapping plot.
