Rifle–Graham Mesa Elementary School in Rifle is still closed as authorities try to find out the source of a strange odor that closed the building down last Thursday. First through fourth graders will attend classes tomorrow at other schools.
Glenwood Springs–It works well on the flatlands but in the mountains, a 300 million dollar emergency responder radio network has been a problem. Officials say the line-of-sight network needs more towers to be effective in the high country.
Denver–Over 350 million dollars has been spent on homeland security since 2002 but according to recently released records, very little money was actually spent on fighting terrorism and emergency preparedness.
Parachute–A huge, nationwide demand for baking soda has led to big business for a western slope company. Natural Soda is the second largest baking soda company in the nation.
In other news…
DENVER (AP) – The comment period ends today for the Army’s
request to bar mineral development at Fort Carson and a training
area for another 15 years. About eight square miles of surface
public lands and 221 square miles of subsurface federal minerals
within the post and the Pinon Canyon training site are currently
off-limits for mineral leasing and development.
PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) – Pueblo City Schools will consider modifying
the school calendar to avoid having students and teachers work in
overheated classrooms. The temperature in Pueblo hit 100 degrees on
Aug. 23, the first day of school, and reached 101 the next day. A
district official tells The Pueblo Chieftain that about half of its
3 million square feet is air conditioned, and that adding AC to the
rest would cost $70 million.
MAXWELL, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say a 69-year-old Longmont
woman has been killed in an accident on Interstate 80 in western
Nebraska. North Platte’s KNOP-TV reports Jane Robertson was
westbound when she lost control of her SUV and crashed about 3 p.m.
yesterday. Nebraska troopers say it’s still unclear how many other
people were in the SUV, but no other fatalities have been reported.
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) – A coon hound named Harbor has over two
feet of ears, and today the black-and-tan pooch from Boulder gets
the 2012 Guinness World Records title for “longest ears on a
living dog.” His left ear is 12.25 inches long and his right is
13.5 inches long. Owner Jennifer Wert says when her 8-year-old was
a puppy, he would trip on his ears and roll down stairs.
