LAND BUYOUT REJECTED BY OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
Glenwood Springs–An offer of 50 million dollars to buy over 200 thousand acres in the Thompson Divide has been turned down by oil and gas companies Encana and S-G Interests. The Thompson Divide Coalition came up with the offer in hopes of preventing future oil and gas drilling in the area. Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall are also working on legislation to pay companies in exchange for their mineral lease rights to preserve the land.
GARCO B.O.C.C UNHAPPY WITH BLM OIL SHALE PLAN
Glenwood Springs–The Garfield County Board of Commissioners isn’t happy with the scaled-back plans for oil shale research as proposed by the federal government. Commissioners are exploring legal avenues to challenge the Bureau of Land Management. Commissioners say the reduced acreage will adversely impact jobs and the economy.
GARCO COMMISSIONER COOL TO THE IDEA OF AIR CONDITIONING FOR OLD RIFLE BUILDING
Rifle–The historic Henry Building in Rifle desperately needs air conditioning during the unbearably hot days of summer and early fall. The problem is, it’s going to cost Garfield County 150 thousand dollars to install it. Commissioner Mike Samson is reluctant to approve the money for the old building on East Avenue that houses the Garco Sewing Works Training and Design Center. The board is in the middle of budget hearings for the next several days and is going through each item, line by line.
AVON WOMAN MAY WALK FREE AFTER CANCER HOAX
Avon–The Avon woman who duped Eagle County and most of western Colorado with a phony, elaborate, heart-tugging story of a boy dying of leukemia probably won’t be charged with a crime. District Attorney Mark Hurlbert says investigators are trying to find out if the 22 year old woman made any money from the hoax. The bogus sob-story got the attention of a generous community and offers of help from a local radio station and the Eagle Valley Devils football team. Meanwhile the boy, Conner Gerber is really from South Africa and is still alive. His photo was found on the website, “Kids Cancer Crusade.” If the woman made any money from the hoax, she will likely be charged.
