Local Briefs AUTHORITIES BUST ILLEGAL POT GROW

COUNTY» Authorities EL PASO busted an illegal marijuana grow Thursday afternoon in the eastern part of the county, the sheriff’s office said. Evidence was collected from the property in the 4500 block of South Calhan Highway, a sheriff’s news release said. Arrests are expected, but none were made at the scene. About 150 plants were seized, along with processed marijuana, firearms and cash. The bust was led by the Rural Enforcement and Outreach Unit, the news release said. The Drug Enforcement Agency and Metro Vice and Narcotics Intelligence assisted.

Driver tries to strike deputy; deputy fires at vehicle.

COUNTY» A ADAMS sheriff’s deputy fired a shot at a vehicle after the driver attempted to hit the deputy, according to a news release.

The incident happened at about 4 a.m. Wednesday at a Valero gas station, 5810 Broadway, the sheriff’s office said.

The deputy had pulled in behind a car, put on his overhead emergency lights and got out of his patrol vehicle. The deputy drew his gun and ordered the driver not to move.

The driver accelerated toward the deputy, nearly striking him, and the deputy fired a single round at the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said. The driver fled eastbound on East 58th Avenue.

The vehicle is described as “possibly” a 2001 Honda Civic EX Coupe. The windshield “should have a bullet hole in it,” the sheriff’s office said.

Investigators have determined that the Colorado license plate, SRQ 316, on the vehicle was stolen out of Loveland.

Coroner IDs remains found near reservoir as Ryder Johnson.

Skeletal remains discovered by a fisherman on Saturday near Gross Reservoir in the Boulder County foothills have been identified as those of Ryder Johnson, a Lafayette man who went missing in January 2016.

The Boulder County coroner confirmed the identification Thursday afternoon, adding that the cause and manner of Johnson’s death are pending further investigation.

Johnson’s family thanked the community for searching thousands of acres around Walker Ranch, and commended first responders and law enforcement for their efforts.

Investigators seek new leads in murder of Las Animas woman 20 years ago.

Investigators are asking the public’s help in solving a murder that happened 20 years ago this month in southern Colorado.

The body of Deborah Reid was found Aug. 14, 1997, under a bridge about 16 miles east of Walsenburg, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Reid, from Las Animas, was 34 at the time.

She was reported missing, by her sister and her ex-husband on Aug. 4, 1997, after failing to show up at her job at the Bent County Corrections Facility. She had made a phone call Aug. 3 from a La Junta gas station, her last known whereabouts.

The CBI said the cause of Reid’s death is unknown, but investigators believe she was murdered.

Homicide investigators are looking for new information in this cold case.

Anyone with information on Reid’s disappearance, her death or a possible suspect is asked to call 303-239-4312.