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Air Force: Colorado Captain Killed In F-16 Crash

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A 30-year-old Air Force pilot from Colorado who was killed in a crash of his F-16 jet in the Mideast was mourned Tuesday as a patriot willing to put his life on the line for his country.

Capt. William H. Dubois (credit: Facebook)

Capt. William H. Dubois (credit: Facebook)

Capt. William H. “Will” DuBois, of New Castle, Colorado, died Monday when his fighter jet crashed near an unidentified coalition base in the Middle East, the Pentagon said.

The Air Force statement said DuBois is survived by his wife, Ashley DuBois.

RELATED: Town Of New Castle Mourns Loss Of Beloved Air Force Pilot Overseas

In a statement released by the Air Force, William DuBois’ family described him as honorable, adventurous and brave.

“Will was anything but generic,” said his mother, Donna DuBois.

His father, William “Ham” DuBois, said his son’s life was short but well lived.

The elder DuBois said his son was a huge fan of the movie “Top Gun” and wanted to be a fighter pilot since he was 10 years old.

“He was an awesome F-16 pilot. He was a devoted son, a loving husband. He was just the complete package. He got taken from us way too early, but man, what a life he lived.”

When Capt. DuBois was chosen to fly F-16s, he remarked, “‘Oh boy, did I get into it now,'” his father recounted.

“But he always thrived under the pressure,” the father said. “He would excel when the pressure was the greatest. Those are not platitudes. That is the flat-out truth. … I am crushed. My wife and I are just crushed. I feel broken.”

Col. Stephen F. Jost, the commander of DuBois’ 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base in central South Carolina, said DuBois was a patriot who was willing to risk his life for his country.

In a written statement, Jost offered condolences to DuBois’ family, friends and squadron members and said he would be greatly missed.

The Pentagon release said DuBois died while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the military’s name for the campaign against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria that began Aug. 8.

The release did not specify where the crash occurred. For security reasons, the Air Force rarely identifies where its aircraft are flying in the Middle East.

DuBois was assigned to the 77th Fighter Squadron, which flies out of Shaw Air Force Base.

In October, Air Force officials said a squadron of F-16 fighter jets departed Shaw to join in airstrikes in Iraq and Syria.

The F-16s from Shaw specialize in air-to-ground attacks on ground-based military forces and also attack anti-aircraft installations with a variety of weapons.

The squadrons at Shaw have deployed repeatedly in recent years to support U.S. military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Mideast.

Earlier this week, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said the F-16 had crashed while returning to its base.

Warren said the jet developed a problem related to maintenance shortly after takeoff, turned around and crashed before landing. Warren said the pilot apparently turned around before engaging in any combat mission.

The Pentagon spokesman said the crash was being investigated and that it was too early to say why the pilot was unable to eject.

Warren cited the sensitivities of host nations in the Middle East for not disclosing where the incident occurred.

The U.S. Central Command, which is in charge of U.S. military operations in the Mideast, said the crash did not occur in either Iraq or Syria where the American-led coalition has been bombing Islamic State extremists.

Shaw Air Force Base serves as a hybrid Air Force and Army installation. It is home to both U.S. Army Central and U.S. Air Forces Central, the two commands responsible for planning and supplying U.S. forces serving from the Mideast to Afghanistan.

They are the Army and Air Force units that report to the U.S. Central Command, which has its headquarters in Tampa, Florida.

By SUSANNE M. SCHAFER, Associated Press

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


Town Of New Castle Mourns Air Force Pilot Killed Fighting ISIS

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NEW CASTLE, Colo. (CBS4) – An Air Force pilot from Colorado killed serving his country in the Middle East is being remembered in his hometown.

The military calls Capt. William H. “Will” Dubois honorable, adventurous and brave. The Pentagon says his plane crashed while supporting the operation against ISIS. For security reasons the military hasn’t shared where the F-16 went down.

(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS)

Dubois grew up in New Castle in Garfield County near Glenwood Springs and graduated Rifle High School in 2003. CBS4’s Jeff Todd talked to Principal Todd Ellis, who was Dubois’ teacher before he was a pilot. He said Dubois always talked about flying.

“Will was in a special group of kids that remained close years afterwards …. the distances didn’t stop them from staying together, and I was fortunate to be a part of that, and it was neat,” Ellis said.

It’s a life that touched so many in the towns in Garfield County along the Colorado River.

“You have to understand Will and all the multiple talents that he had; I think at a large school he would have been involved in everything,” Ellis said.

Always wanting to be a pilot, Dubois’ first shot at attending the Air Force Academy wasn’t successful. He went to a flight school before graduating from the University of Colorado in Boulder and making his way into the Air Force.

Capt. William H. Dubois (credit: Facebook)

Capt. William H. Dubois (credit: Facebook)

“I’ve been on the phone with his buddies and we’ve talked about … we had a tradition that when we could get together over the years we’d make Christmas cookies — some pretty nasty looking gingerbread cookies that we would decorate,” Ellis said. “And we’re going to do that again this year and toast that to Will.”

RELATED: Air Force: Colorado Captain Killed In F-16 Crash

“Losing Capt. Dubois is sad and tragic. Our most sincere condolences are with his family, his friends, and squadron members during this difficult time. Capt. Dubois was a patriot: was willing to put his life on the line every day in service to his nation. He was a valued airman, pilot, and friend of those he touched here at Shaw Air Force Base. He will be greatly missed,” Col. Stephen F. Jost, the commander of Dubois’ 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, said in a statement.

Military officials say Dubois was flying a mission to fight ISIS in either Syria or Iraq. He had problems after takeoff and wasn’t able to return to the base. It’s not yet known why he couldn’t eject.

One friend told CBS4 he will always remember Dubois’ sense of humor.

Dubois was engaged to be married next Fourth of July.

Federal Government Limits Drilling In White River National Forest

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DENVER (AP) – The federal government is making more than 90 percent of the 2.2-million-acre White River National Forest off-limits to future energy exploration, angering the energy industry but encouraging environmentalists who had pushed to protect mountain towns that depend on recreational tourism.

The U.S. Forest Service released two formal documents Tuesday prohibiting energy development in most of the forest, which stretches from the Continental Divide to the Western Slope of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and includes renowned ski resorts like Breckenridge, Vail and Aspen. Combined, they protect more than 2 million acres – an area bigger than the state of Delaware. About half of the land never had potential for energy development anyway, the Forest Service said.

“Today’s decision reflects extensive analysis and public input, and represents a balance between providing opportunities for oil and gas development and protecting the natural resources of the White River National Forest,” Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams said in a statement.

The land declared off-limits includes 61,000 acres of the Thompson Divide, an area southwest of Aspen that has been the center of some of the most aggressive lobbying by local groups and municipalities that depend on the burgeoning outdoor recreation industry.

“It’s a major victory for rural communities and for the men and women who rely on these public lands for their livelihoods,” said Carbondale Mayor Stacey Bernot.

But the energy industry was disappointed. Kathleen Sgamma of the Western Energy Alliance said the Forest Service overreached and there may be energy on some of the land it believes can’t be developed.

“They’re proposing putting a huge amount of land off-limits,” Sgamma said. “We don’t really think it balances economic development with protecting the land.”

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Colorado’s Terrain Plays A Role During Bitter Cold Outbreaks

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DENVER (CBS4) - Just like the mountains play an important role in winter storms, they also help determine who sees bitter cold.

On the North American continent, cold air masses typically form over the prairies of Canada, interior Alaska or the North Pole.

And when the jet stream pattern sets up just right, it can bring some of that cold south along the east side of the Rocky Mountains.

If the cold air is shallow, it can get stuck along terrain features like the foothills and the Palmer Divide between Colorado Springs and Denver.

But if the cold air extends high enough into the atmosphere, it can invade places like the foothills and mountain valleys, and even spill over the Continental Divide to Colorado’s western slope.

Once a cold air mass is in place, valleys usually see the coldest temperatures because cold air is heavy and dense and likes to stay low to the ground following the terrain.

Some of Colorado’s most notorious cold spots include Craig, Fraser, Walden, Gunnison, Alamosa and Greeley.

(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS)

When cold air starts to moderate, these valley locations are usually the last to warm up.

It normally takes a strong wind to mix the cold arctic air out of these valleys, a process that sometimes can take days.

Colorado Cleans Up After Snow Sweeps Through State

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DENVER (AP) – Chilly temperatures remain after a snowstorm brought sub-freezing temperatures and several bad traffic accidents over the weekend.

High winds on the Western Slope were causing poor visibility from blowing snow on Sunday and patches of snow in the northern mountains. Sun and clouds are expected to cover the Eastern Plains.

An off-duty Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department sergeant was killed after he was struck by a passing car while directing traffic at the scene of a multi-car crash on U.S. 285 north of Conifer on Saturday. Authorities say it was snowing at the time of the accident and the road was covered with snow.

RELATED: Off-Duty Jefferson County Sergeant Killed Helping Motorist On Snowy U.S. 285

Interstate 70 has been reopened in both directions between Burlington and Limon after poor weather conditions caused a 26-car pileup. There were no serious injuries.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Lawmaker Wants Study On Managing Colorado Bear Population

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DENVER (AP) — A Colorado lawmaker who has called for the state to add a summer month to the hunting season for black bears will instead try to persuade officials to study bear overpopulation and how to reduce conflicts with humans.

Lawmakers have been struggling with how to handle the booming population of black bears. Proposals to allow more hunting have been met with skepticism and bothered animal activists.

Currently, bear hunting is allowed from Sept. 2 through mid-November.

Republican Rep. Yeulin Willett of Delta has backed off his proposal to allow bear hunting in August in favor of studying the matter for possible legislation next year. He said there’s bipartisan support for the approach.

Willett’s new bill, which is co-sponsored by a Democrat, is scheduled to be heard Wednesday in the House Agriculture Committee.

The measure would direct Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife to evaluate management tools for the state’s black bear population, with input from hunters, animal activists and local governments.

“Going down the road to an expanded bear hunt this year had no traction and no likelihood of success,” Willett said Friday.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has said the state’s estimated bear population is 19,000. That’s up from about 12,000 in the early 2000s.

Willett has said the black bear population is a safety issue He told fellow lawmakers stories from constituents on Colorado’s Western Slope about bears getting into barns and sheds and chasing mountain bikers.

By Ivan Moreno, AP Writer

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Despite Poor Snowpack, Good Planning Has Colorado Above Average For Water

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DENVER (CBS4) – It appears drought restrictions may not be necessary this year, according to Denver Water — despite water becoming a scarcity in the states to the west. Although the annual watering rules will still be in place.

Unprecedented restrictions are now in place in California where homeowners are being asked to conserve because of the severe drought.

Half of a glass of water in Denver comes from the Western Slope, and right now, while the snowpack is already dwindling, some good planning by water providers in the state has kept storage above average.

(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS)

“We’re the headwater state to 18 downstream states and the country of Mexico, so when we do anything on water issues everybody notices,” James Eklund with the Colorado Water Conservation Board said.

Colorado snowpack is currently only 65 percent of average, but where that water is heading is a different story. Right now the Colorado reservoirs are 108 percent of average.

snowpack Despite Poor Snowpack, Good Planning Has Colorado Above Average For Water

“We’re actually better this year storage-wise than we were last year,” Eklund said.

“We need to really be cautious, we live in a dry state, you never know what the next year or even the summer will bring, so it’s just smart to use water efficiently,” Stacy Chesney with Denver Water said.

Denver Water services nearly 25 percent of the state’s population, but only uses 2 percent of the water. This year its resources are in the wettest parts of the state.

“Denver Water supply is actually in pretty good shape at this point, and that’s thanks to normal snowpack in our collection area, as well as reservoir levels that are higher than average, and really efficient water use by our customers,” Chesney said.

That’s not the case everywhere, but Eklund said Colorado hasn’t been called on to release more water.

“We have a series of compacts that determine how water is shared between the states, the seven basin states on the Colorado River and the country of Mexico,” he said.

The state says there are contingency planning discussions going on with the areas to the west.

Generic drought

“If California has another year like they have this year, then we need to have that plan stood up and ready to go,” Eklund said. “So time is of the essence.”

State officials say they’re learning quite a bit from California. The state is in the works of finalizing the Colorado water plan so in case of a dangerously dry year water officials will know what to do.

LINK: Colorado Water Conservation Board

Additional Information From Denver Water

Annual Summer Watering Rules In Place May 1 to Oct. 1:

  • Water during cooler times of the day — lawn watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
  • Water no more than three days per week.
  • Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
  • Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete or asphalt.
  • Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
  • Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds.
  • Use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve when washing your car.

 

I-70 Reopens After Rock Slide In Glenwood Canyon

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GYPSUM, Colo. (CBS4) – Officials have reopened Interstate 70 in both directions on Thursday afternoon after a rock slide in Glenwood Canyon several hours earlier.

“This is a challenging and trouble spot we have in the canyon,” said Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Tracy Truelove.

Authorities said eight rocks that weighed about one ton each came crashing down onto the highway not far from the Hanging Lake exit at approximately 9 a.m. Thursday. Some rocks were still falling on the road after 11 a.m.

(credit: Israel Solis)

(credit: Israel Solis)

I-70 was closed from Dotsero to Glenwood Springs for 7½ hours while crews cleared the debris and inspected the road for any damage. I-70 reopened at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

With all the snow and heavy rain that’s been falling in the high country this spring, geologists say it’s no surprise that the rocks gave way and came crashing down in the canyon.

“We had a lot higher percentage of rockfall this spring than we typically see. The moisture gets in the cracks, loosens up the rocks and we see an increase in rockfall activity,” said engineering geologist Bob Group.

No injuries were reported.

(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS)

During the closure, westbound traffic was backed up at the Gypsum exit for miles. CDOT suggested that drivers traveled over Cottonwood Pass or through the town of Craig, both added about two hours to the trip.

There was a slide in the same area in both 2010 and 2004. In 2004, the slide closed I-70 on Thanksgiving, backing up traffic for several miles in either direction.

“In 2004 there was a big slide, many people remember it as being over Thanksgiving and in 2010 a couple more put holes in the deck and closed the canyon for almost a week for repairs,” said Truelove.

CDOT posted a video of the rock slide on YouTube.

Even though crews were able to remove the boulders from I-70 the danger of more rocks falling from above continued, which delayed the opening of the interstate for hours.

Crews scaled the 1,000 foot cliff in order to get closer to where the slide began.


Wildfire On Western Slope Tops 100 Acres, Burns 4 Outbuildings

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MEEKER, Colo. (CBS4) – Firefighters in Colorado on Friday will mop up a wildfire west of Meeker.

(credit: Rio Blanco County Sheriff)

(credit: Rio Blanco County Sheriff)

Flames started Thursday along County Road 7 in Rio Blanco County.

The 130-acre fire, which is being called the Strawberry Fire, destroyed four outbuildings along with approximately a dozen vehicles and other equipment.

There’s no word on how the fire started.

The National Weather Service called a Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch for much of northwestern Colorado on Friday.

(credit: Rio Blanco County Sheriff)

(credit: Rio Blanco County Sheriff)

(credit: Rio Blanco County Sheriff)

(credit: Rio Blanco County Sheriff)

Wildfire Resources

– Visit CBSDenver.com’s Living With Wildfire section.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

– See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.

Rangers Find 2 Marijuana Grows On BLM Land In Western Colorado

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GATEWAY, Colo. (CBS4) – Two large pot growing sites have been discovered on land that belongs to the Bureau of Land Management in Colorado.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice released information about the grows, both of which were busted last month.

People spotted the grows and led rangers to the sites in Montrose County, south of the town of Gateway. Investigators say each site had thousands of plants.

Authorities busted four people at one of the grows. Six were arrested at the second site.

(credit: Bureau of Land Management)

(credit: Bureau of Land Management)

Investigators say the grows are unrelated.

“Illicit marijuana grows on public lands violate the drug laws and harm the environment,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh in a statement. “This Fall, Colorado has seen an explosion in the number and size of illicit marijuana grows on public land, which federal and state authorities are aggressively investigating and prosecuting.”

32 Arrested, 20,000 Pot Plants Recovered After Raid On Grow Sites On Public Lands

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DENVER, Colo. (CBS4) – A total of 32 people have been arrested and 20,000 marijuana plants seized in a series of raids on illegal marijuana cultivation sites around Colorado.

The raids of pot grows on public lands were conducted by federal and local law enforcement agencies over the last six weeks in counties across the state including Jefferson, Montrose, Fremont and Routt.

(credit: usdoj.gov)

(credit: usdoj.gov)

Such grows are a major concern for the U.S. Attorney’s office and other federal authorities who warned that Colorado’s legal marijuana industry would be tolerated, but only under certain conditions.

(credit: Bureau of Land Management)

(credit: Bureau of Land Management)

One of those raids was on Bureau of Land Management land along the Dolores River near Gateway on Colorado’s Western Slope. One Honduran and five Mexican nationals were arrested. Some 70 pounds of processed marijuana was still on site.

A second illegal grow was discovered near the first site in Mesa County.

(credit: usdoj.gov)

(credit: usdoj.gov)

Other raids included:

– Aug. 19 in the Pike National Forest
– Aug. 28 the Routt National Forest in the Buffalo Pass area
– Sept. 1 near Cotopaxi and Westcliffe, where 20 people were arrested and 28 firearms taken
– Sept. 7 on Cordova Pass near Trinidad

The Department of Justice previously set eight areas that federal prosecutors would go after even with Colorado’s state legalization of pot. One of those areas was the growing of marijuana on public lands.

RELATED STORIES: Marijuana Legalization Story Archive

U.S. Attorney for Colorado John Walsh says these raid represent a new phase to destroy the effort of drug trafficking organizations to use Colorado as a source state for illegal marijuana around the country. He believes it is the work of groups outside the U.S.

(credit: usdoj.gov)

(credit: usdoj.gov)

“We have concern on law enforcement drug trafficking organizations from Mexico are involved in growing marijuana here in Colorado,” said Walsh.

Such operations are not new. CBS4’S Rick Sallinger obtained video for one discovered in the Colorado mountains five years ago. Whoever was involved in that grow left in a hurry, leaving behind their video game, cooking stove, irrigation system and makeshift pond to catch water.

(credit: usdoj.gov)

(credit: usdoj.gov)

What has changed in that time is the emergence of a recreational pot industry that may have given some the sense that illegally growing marijuana in Colorado is safe from prosecution.

Walsh wonders if that gave a sense of comfort to the illegal growers, “Outside drug trafficking organizations may come to Colorado with the notion it may go unnoticed because of the amount of marijuana activity.”

(credit: usdoj.gov)

(credit: usdoj.gov)

In many cases hikers or federal rangers discovered the illegal grow operations. State and local agencies assisted in the busts. The marijuana seized in those raids was bundled and sent off for destruction.

(credit: usdoj.gov)

(credit: usdoj.gov)

It wasn’t just a matter of seizing the pot and making the arrest. The ground the pot was grown on will have to be reclaimed because there is danger the plants were contaminated with dangerous pesticides.

(credit: Bureau of Land Management)

(credit: Bureau of Land Management)

CBS4’s Rick Sallinger is a Peabody award winning reporter who has been with the station more than two decades doing hard news and investigative reporting. Follow him on Twitter @ricksallinger.

Second Doctor Pleads Guilty In Colorado Painkiller Case

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MONTROSE, Colo. (AP) — A former Western Slope doctor has made a plea deal with prosecutors over charges that he and another physician overprescribed painkillers to patients, four of whom died of overdoses.

Sam Jahani pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy to violate controlled substances laws, health care fraud and money laundering. In return, prosecutors dropped dozens of other charges that included unlawful dispensing of a controlled substance.

Prosecutors are recommending a prison sentence of two years and forfeiture of $3.2 million from Jahani and the other doctor, Eric Peper.

(credit: ThinkStock)

(credit: ThinkStock)

Peper previously pleaded guilty in a deal with prosecutors.

Jahani is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 8.

Jahani and Peper ran Urgent Care clinics in Delta, Montrose and Grand Junction. The clinics were shut down after federal raids in 2009.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Hunter Accused Of Shooting, Killing Teen On Western Slope Offered Plea Deal

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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (CBS4) – A plea deal has been offered to a Minnesota hunter accused of accidentally shooting and killing a 14-year-old boy on Colorado’s Western Slope back in September.

Guy Pohto (credit: Mesa County Sheriff's Office)

Guy Pohto (credit: Mesa County Sheriff’s Office)

If Guy Pohto, 59, pleads guilty to manslaughter he could face two to six years in prison.

(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS)

Justin Burns, 14, was shot in the chest in September while bow hunting with his father at the Big Creek Reservoir southwest of Grand Junction.

Hunter Pleads Guilty In Death Of Grand Junction Teen

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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (CBS4) – A Minnesota hunter has pleaded guilty in the accidental shooting and killing of a 14-year-old boy on Colorado’s Western Slope in September of last year.

Guy Pohto, 59, was charged with felony manslaughter and hunting in a careless manner.

Guy Pohto (credit: Mesa County Sheriff's Office)

Guy Pohto (credit: Mesa County Sheriff’s Office)

He could be sentenced to two to six years in prison on April 6.

(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS)

Justin Burns, 14, was shot in the chest in September 2015 while bow hunting with his father at the Big Creek Reservoir southwest of Grand Junction.

Palisade Officers Break Out In Song To Show Support For Fellow Law Enforcement

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PALISADE (CBS4) – Two police officers in the town of Palisade on the Western Slope had a fun way of showing support for their brothers and sisters in blue.

The department posted a video to its Facebook page showing the officers in their patrol car singing “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey.

(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS)

They say it’s been a tough year so far for law enforcement but to always remember the brotherhood and push through the struggle.


Silo Imploded As Company Shuts Down Oxbow Coal Mine

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SOMERSET, Colo. (CBS4) – Crews in Somerset imploded a silo at the Oxbow Mine Friday morning.

Somerset is located on the Western Slope. CBS4 viewer Steve Huntley shot video with a drone over the historic mining town.

The demolition comes as the company closes down the old coal mine.

Cremated Remains Discovered In Pickle Jars, Urns At Historic Funeral Home

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By Matt Kroschel

MONTROSE, Colo. (CBS4) – Unclaimed cremated remains have been discovered in the basement of a historic funeral home on the Western Slope. The remains were found in containers ranging from pickle jars to expensive urns.

Now the new owners of the business are trying to find relatives to claim the remains.

“It’s a black eye to the industry. Nine out of 10 funeral homes do everything by the book, are professional and trustworthy and really care about their clients,” said Rose Memorial Parlour owner Matt Boyle.

Rose Memorial Parlour's urns and unclaimed cremated remains (credit: CBS0

Rose Memorial Parlour’s urns and unclaimed cremated remains (credit: CBS0

The owners of the Rose Memorial Parlour, who are leasing a historic funeral home property, are trying to locate relatives of more than 100 cremated remains.

The containers were found in the basement of their building on South Second Street in Montrose as the new owners prepared for a building remodel.

“Some of them were in pickle jars. Some were in nice urns,” said Boyle. “This is an urn and it has cremated remains in it. Somebody bought this scattering urn and probably instructed the funeral home to scatter them and they just never did. That’s the sad part.”

(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS)

Boyle told CBS4 some of the cremated remains date back as far as 1947.

He said several different funeral homes operated here over the years, and no one before him bothered to deal with all the remains.

Since listing more than 100 of the names they found records for in the local paper about 40 families have showed up to claim remains.

“I would assume that at the point when you close your business down and say, ‘Okay, we’re out of business,’ one of the things associated with that would be either scattering the cremated remains, burying them, or finding the rightful survivor, the next of kin that could receive them. That was never done obviously,” said Boyle.

Any of the remains that are not claimed, will be buried in a public ceremony at the cemetery later this month.

As for criminal wrongdoing, authorities told CBS4 it would be nearly impossible to find out who was responsible for all of it since there were so many different owners over decades.

Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.

Picture Reveals Poaching Wildlife Worker

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By Alan Gionet

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (CBS4) – It was a picture that told the story. A photo of a US Fish and Wildlife employee posing with a trophy elk was making the rounds among people on the Western Slope.

But then the photo of Thad Bingham of Fruita, made it to someone at the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife. That land may look vague to you, but they recognized is as private land on the Roan Plateau near Rifle. This was a case of poaching.

(credit: Colorado Parks & Wildlife)

(credit: Colorado Parks & Wildlife)

Bingham, 44, has pleaded guilty to trespassing and illegal possession of wildlife. He paid over $200 in court fines and was ordered to donate $5,000 to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. But it was a plea agreement.

“This is still half of that and this money goes to a really great cause,” said Garfield County Deputy District Attorney Troy Hershey.

Prior to the agreement with the District Attorney in Garfield County, he faced over $12,000 in fines for several charges, including a violation of the Samson Law, passed in the 1990s after a man from Lakewood poached a trophy elk on YMCA property in Estes Park. Locals had nicknamed the massive elk, which had no fear of humans, “Samson.”

Samson (credit: Tenderfoot Productions)

Samson (credit: Tenderfoot Productions)

When asked if Bingham was given any special treatment, Hershey replied, “No, and I really think the opposite is true.”

“They don’t want to make an example of him but they certainly want to make it clear that someone like this can’t get away with what he did,” said Hershey.

Bingham works at the Grand Valley Unit of the Ouray National Fish Hatchery as a fish biologist. He wasn’t alone. Also with him was Brian Scheer, 45. He is also a fish biologist with US Fish and Wildlife at the same facility. Two other men faced allegations in this case as well: Barrett Rowles, 48, and Josh Fitzsimmons, 45.

Scheer, Rowles and Fitzsimmons pleaded to trespassing after initially being accused of illegal transportation of wildlife, failing to contact the landowner prior to entering private property to pursue wounded game, and the illegal possession of a trophy-class 6×6 bull elk. Their penalty under a plea agreement was $86 each in fines.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife area wildlife manager JT Romatzke of Grand Junction said, “Rather than setting a good example as employees of a federal wildlife management agency, these two individuals and their accomplices instead chose to violate the law in an egregious manner, and that is a real shame.”

Thad Bingham and Brian Scheer (credit: fws.gov)

Thad Bingham and Brian Scheer (credit: fws.gov)

CPW learned of the violations after Bingham posted a photo of himself with the elk online. Wildlife officers say recognized landmarks in the background. They believed it was taken in an area well into private property and closed to all hunting. Then, CPW officers went to the site where they said they recovered evidence. They executed a search warrant at Bingham’s home in Fruita and searched a federal fish hatchery in Grand Junction. They found the bull’s antlers.

“This was good work by all officers involved,” said Romatzke. “We say this over and over, and we cannot stress this enough, if you commit a wildlife crime, no matter who you are, we are going to do what we can to find you. Colorado Game wardens know every rock, tree and canyon in the state and are constantly on the lookout for people that ignore our wildlife laws. We will use our expertise and extensive knowledge of Colorado’s backcountry to bring poachers to justice.”

US Fish and Wildlife spokesman Steve Segin said the two are still employees, but could not comment further because it was a personnel issue. All four may lose their hunting and fishing privileges in Colorado and 43 other Wildlife Violator Compact states for five years after a review by a Colorado Parks and Wildlife hearing officer.

Alan Gionet is anchor of the CBS4 Morning News and reports on a wide variety of issues and “Good Question” stories. He started at CBS4 in 1994. Follow Alan on Twitter @AlanGTV.

Wildlife Officers Get Jug Off Bear’s Head After Resident Lassoes It

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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) – A young black bear will survive thanks to some brave people near Glenwood Springs.

(credit: Erin Caldwell)

(credit: Erin Caldwell)

For approximately a week the bear was spotted running around with a plastic cheeseball jug stuck on his head.

“My wife saw him six days ago. We beat the bushes last week to try and find him, and I’d already decided if I saw him, I would have some work gloves and a rope handy,” said Jim Hawkins.

Wildlife officers tried and couldn’t find the bear at first.

(credit: Erin Caldwell)

(credit: Erin Caldwell)

Then the owner of Four Mile Creek Bed & Breakfast spotted the animal, then lassoed the animal and tried to wrestle it to the ground. The bear wriggled free and escaped up a tree, but was still tied to the rope.

Hawkins received a few stitches from his “pretty good tussle” with the bear.

“My arms don’t look great. Ruined a perfectly good shirt, too. He was a little weak. If he was a 300-pound healthy bear, I’m not throwing a rope at him. I’m not stupid. Just 60 [years old] and stubborn,” he said.

(credit: Erin Caldwell)

(credit: Erin Caldwell)

That gave Colorado Parks and Wildlife crews enough time to tranquilize the bear, cut the rope, remove the jug from its head and set it free.

Hawkins said CPW relocated the bear far south of the area. He also said neighbors have been calling to congratulate him.

“It’s kinda heart-wrenching when you know this little Yogi-bear is gonna die out there because of a plastic jug. The whole purpose was to give it another chance.”

Ranch Provides Safe Place For Kids With Health Challenges

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By Matt Kroschel

GYPSUM, Colo. (CBS4) – They say laughter is the best medicine, and we found plenty of that out at the Roundup River Ranch on Thursday.

Nestled up again the Colorado River, the summer camp offers kids from across Colorado and the region an escape from their medical issues and gives them a chance to just be kids.

(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS) (credit: CBS)

Campers can take a true vacation from being “a patient” and get back to the fun of being a child, according to camp director Sterling Leija.

(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS)

During a tour, CBS4’s crew watched as kids facing kidney failure were kayaking, playing kickball and creating artistic masterpieces. It’s a one-to-one ratio of staff and campers, and that allows the kids to really just focus on the fun not the medical conditions they have.

(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS)

Established 10 years ago and part of the Paul Newman network of camps for kids, camp directors tell us the healing power of laughter, friendship and shared experiences offer kids the chance to make new friends, find the courage to try activities they never thought possible and build confidence.

LINK: Roundup River Ranch: Learn Why Camp Matters

In order to keep campers safe during their stay, the camp offers full medical, physical and emotional support from health care professionals, trained staff and dedicated volunteers.

(credit: CBS)

(credit: CBS) (credit: CBS)

Roundup River Ranch is free of charge for all kids and their families. The camp is funded through donations.

Additional Resources

For more on the camp visit roundupriverranch.org.

Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.

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