Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Weld County

Friday vigil and fundraiser planned as Weld County mourns teacher killed in tragic car crash
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Friday vigil and fundraiser planned as Weld County mourns teacher killed in tragic car crash

By Brooke Williams | Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — Community members are planning to gather for a vigil in honor of a beloved middle school teacher who was killed in a crash in Weld County. Christine Schwarz, a 57-year-old seventh-grade science teacher at La Salle North Valley Middle School, was one of three people who were killed in a crash on April 30. Colorado State Patrol previously said that the crash happened when a suspected stolen vehicle fled from deputies and crossed over into oncoming traffic on Highway 85 in Platteville. A spokesperson for the Weld County Sheriff’s Office told FOX31’s Vicente Arenas that they are not sure if a pursuit was happening at the time of the crash. Both agencies are investigating. When news broke of Schwarz’s death, classes at the school ...
Hwy. 34 reopens in Weld County after potential pipe bomb investigated during traffic stop
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Hwy. 34 reopens in Weld County after potential pipe bomb investigated during traffic stop

By Jennifer McRae | CBS Colorado Highway 34 was closed in Weld County early Wednesday morning after Colorado State Patrol troopers investigated a possible pipe bomb inside a vehicle during a traffic stop. Shortly after 6 a.m. the highway reopened and the 40-year-old driver was arrested for suspicion of DUI. Just before 1 a.m., state troopers stopped a black 2023 Honda Accord for speeding in the westbound lanes of the highway at mile marker 101. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
In a shifting of chairs, Republican parties have new leadership in many Colorado counties
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In a shifting of chairs, Republican parties have new leadership in many Colorado counties

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice The only constant in life is said to be change. That certainly is the way it may feel for those in a number of county Republican parties around Colorado. From El Paso to Weld to Washington counties and other places dotting the map, new party leadership has been put in place during biennial reorganization, and more could be. In Adams County, both U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert and Gabe Evans spoke before Laura Garcia-Pascoe was elected as the new county Republican chairwoman. "Let’s win big together this cycle," wrote Boebert in a Facebook post and photo with Garcia-Pascoe, after her election. On Monday, during his weekly grassroots call, former Sen. Kevin Lundberg noted Sandra Aste had been named the Larimer County chair. "I am really exc...
Appeals court orders new Weld County murder trial after judge refused to give self-defense instruction
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, Local

Appeals court orders new Weld County murder trial after judge refused to give self-defense instruction

By Michael Karlik | Colorado Politics Colorado's second-highest court on Thursday decided a Weld County judge should have instructed jurors to consider whether a man accused of murder acted in self-defense, given that some evidence at the crime scene supported that theory. Jurors convicted Kenneth James Hoschouer III in 2021 of murdering his friend, Christopher Grau, at Grau's residence in Firestone two years earlier. The prosecution's evidence showed Hoschouer was intoxicated, angry and had the murder weapon concealed in his home after the killing. Hoschouer received 48 years in prison. On appeal, Hoschouer claimed there were numerous errors with his trial, including his inability to have jurors consider the possibility of self-defense. READ THE FULL STORY ...
Developers have the go-ahead for new construction in northern Weld County after a three-year freeze
Approved, Local, The Colorado Sun

Developers have the go-ahead for new construction in northern Weld County after a three-year freeze

By Shannon Mullane | The Colorado Sun Residents of northern Weld County might see new construction now that a local water district has given developers the go-ahead to request water services after a three-year hold. North Weld County Water District stopped real estate development in its tracks in 2021 when it announced a moratorium on tap sales and new requests for water amid the COVID-19 pandemic and a statewide housing craze. Developers’ projects stalled. A growing housing stock halted.  The district’s work began: They had to pull the reins to figure out if they even had enough capacity to serve everyone who wanted water, said Tad Stout, board president for the district. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
Williams: Bandimere Speedway leaves behind many fond memories over a 65-year run
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Williams: Bandimere Speedway leaves behind many fond memories over a 65-year run

By Laci Williams, Commentary | Rocky Mountain Voice  For 65 years, Bandimere Speedway provided a safe haven for adrenaline junkies chasing speed over a quarter mile.  Yesterday, we said goodbye. The multi-generational Bandimere family welcomed multi-generational racers and the public to a “Surrender the Mountain” final event, including a final burnout from John Bandimere Jr., a speech from John “Sporty” Bandimere, the removal of the lighting system, and a final public walk down the raceway.  John Bandimere Jr. explained during his farewell that with houses being built around the racetrack and the growing popularity of the sport, it had outgrown the space. He noted that it was time for a new chapter. It is indeed the end of an era of racing for Colorado, as the track is set to c...
Weld County issues disaster declaration for damages related to Northern Colorado flooding
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Weld County issues disaster declaration for damages related to Northern Colorado flooding

By Jesse Sarles | CBS Colorado Two weeks after a severe storm moved across northeastern Colorado and brought hail and flooding, Weld County Commissioners have approved a disaster declaration. The intent is to request that state funds be used to help pay for recovery efforts. According to county officials, 279 homes and businesses and 77 government buildings and public infrastructure have been reported as damaged. The total damage is estimated at over $3 million. The storm brought a month's worth of precipitation to the eastern Greeley and the surrounding areas in a period of about two hours. Two inches of hail were measures in Greeley. Parts of Johnstown and Milliken were also affected. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Emails and audio show a Weld County commissioner hip deep in disputes, accusations
Approved, completecolorado.com, Northern Colorado

Emails and audio show a Weld County commissioner hip deep in disputes, accusations

By Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado Emails and recordings obtained by Complete Colorado show a Weld County Commissioner who had her departmental oversight duties reassigned to other commissioners in mid-2023 lashing out not only at fellow commissioners but also county employees and private citizens, all during an election season where she has already left one race and entered another. Since January, Commissioner Lori Saine, who represents the southern end of Weld County, has erupted in disputes during public meetings, threatened and filed complaints against county employees, filed a complaint against fellow Commissioner Perry Buck claiming Buck assaulted her, organized protests against the commission, and orchestrated an 11th-hour challenge against Buck for her open at-larg...
No comment: In Weld County, commissioners have removed public’s opportunity to speak at meetings
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

No comment: In Weld County, commissioners have removed public’s opportunity to speak at meetings

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice GREELEY – A collection of residents in Weld County argued, during a town hall meeting here Wednesday, they should have an opportunity to express opinions and engage with officials they elected. Recently, though, Commissioner Kevin Ross and a majority of other commissioners removed public input from the Board of County Commissioner meeting agendas. It meant residents could still address the board on agenda items, but not on topics not included on the agenda. “There is no where in state or county law where it says we have to have it,” Ross said. That is true, said Jeff Roberts, executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. Open meetings law does not cover the subject of whether or not a board or commission must all...
Residents want Weld County to declare it is non-sanctuary for illegal immigrants
Approved, Northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain Voice

Residents want Weld County to declare it is non-sanctuary for illegal immigrants

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice GREELEY – There was a time, Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams recalls, when local law enforcement in Colorado had the capacity to better work with federal immigration officers. It all ended when Gov. Jared Polis signed Democrat-supported House Bill 1124 into law in 2019. “What this law said was I cannot work with ICE,” Reams told those gathered Wednesday for a town hall meeting here at the Weld County administration offices. A summary of HB 19-1124 indicates it prohibits “a law enforcement officer from arresting or detaining an individual solely on the basis of a civil immigration detainer.” At issue for many in Weld County is whether or not the county is a sanctuary to illegal immigrants, regardless of whether the state has become on...