Area briefs

Longmont man with outstanding warrants arrested for first-degree assault

A Longmont man with outstanding warrants was arrested Thursday on charges that included first-degree assault.

According to court records, Eric Knutson, 39, is accused of causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon, a felony offense. He has also been charged with felony menacing with a real or simulated weapon, third-degree assault (knowingly and recklessly causing bodily injury to another person), and criminal mischief. Knutson’s bail for these offenses is set at $10,000.

Knutson was arrested last fall after police say he threatened contractors in the 2300 block of Gay Street. He was charged with vehicular eluding, menacing, tampering, reckless driving and DUI, and was taken into custody on Oct. 3. However, court records show he was released on a personal recognizance bond — essentially a promise to appear at all future court dates — and he subsequently failed to appear at a scheduled hearing on Oct. 24.

A warrant was issued for his arrest two days later. Authorities issued an additional warrant for an unspecified misdemeanor civil violation on Dec. 28, according to court records.

7,600 Kaiser Permanente customers in Colorado to get refunds following software error

A software update at Kaiser Permanente’s Colorado division threw off its system that calculates how much members have paid toward their deductibles, and thousands of them will receive refund checks.

Elizabeth Whitehead, spokeswoman for the insurance and health care system, said members won’t receive any additional bills because of the computer error.

Insurance plans cover a larger percentage of people’s health care bills after they’ve paid enough to hit the deductible, and cover everything once they reach the out-of-pocket maximum. Many people never reach that point, though those who use expensive drugs or were hospitalized sometimes get there in the first months of the year.

About 7,600 people paid too much and will either get a check or a credit against any outstanding bills they still have, Whitehead said.

Horse that fell through ice in Jefferson County is rescued by emergency responders

A horse fell through ice into a small, but deep, pond on Friday in Jefferson County and the mare was rescued by firefighters.

The afternoon rescue happened in an area west of C-470 on West Belleview Avenue, according to West Metro Fire Rescue.

Before rescue crews arrived, the horse owner used a chain saw to cut through the ice in an attempt to free the equine, but the mare was too weak to stand and get out on her own, WMFR said on Twitter.

Emergency responders slid a rope around the horse’s neck and were able to get her up and out of the frigid water. After a few moments, the cold, exhausted mare was lead back to a barn.

On Friday night, WMFR said the horse has been checked out by a veterinarian and the animal is doing well.