TOXIC ALGAE FOUND IN BLUE MESA RESERVOIR

The National Park Service has found toxic algae in a section of Blue Mesa Reservoir and is asking people to exercise caution when using the reservoir.

The park service said it has analyzed cyanotoxins from the Iola Basin area of the reservoir. Other areas may contain toxins as well.

The park service said people should avoid shallow water in the affected basin, and watch for algal mats throughout the reservoir.

Blue Mesa is still completely open to boating and fishing, but the park service said anglers should clean fish in treated water, and all boats and fishing gear be cleaned after using the reservoir. Dogs and other animals shouldn’t swim or drink any reservoir water until further notice, the park service said.

People or animals exposed to the Blue Mesa water and exhibit nausea, vomiting, digestive distress, breathing problems, seizure or unexplained illness should contact a medical professional, the park service said. Testing is ongoing at the reservoir.

Man pleads guilty to murdering

woman inside home. » A man EAG L E has pleaded guilty to killing a woman, telling a judge that he and his wife broke into the home of a 74yearold woman and strangled her.

Jacob White was sentenced Friday to 68 years in prison for seconddegree murder and burglary. He becomes eligible for parole after 51 years. The Vail Daily reports family members of the victim, Catherine Kelley of Edwards, objected to the plea deal prosecutors reached with White, who is 24.

White said he and his wife, Leigha Ackerson, moved to Colorado from Pennsylvania in January and were living outdoors. He said they decided to break into a house. When Kelley came home, White strangled her.

Man admits shipping gun parts to Saudi Arabia, Colombia. PUEBLO» A Colorado man has acknowledged illegally shipping firearms parts to Saudi Arabia and Colombia on multiple occasions. The Pueblo Chieftain reports Valentino Lopez pleaded guilty in federal court last week to outbound smuggling in 2014 and 2015.

The Pueblo man shipped some of the firearms parts to a recipient who turned out to be an undercover federal agent, and a search of Lopez’s home in December 2015 turned up 254 rifle magazines and 63 rifle barrels.

Lopez acknowledged selling the parts over the internet and shipping them to the two countries, despite knowing that it was illegal.