THORNTONFEST IS A VICTIM OF BAD WEATHER

thornton» Thortonfest, scheduled for Saturday, has been canceled due to this week’s rain and snow that saturated Carpenter Park Fields.

This marks only the second time in 22 years that the community celebration, which attracts tens of thousands of people, has been scrubbed. The last time Thorntonfest was canceled was in 2011, also due to waterlogged fields.

Not all is lost, event organizers say, with a few events in town still scheduled to take place at other locations — including the Cottonwood Classic 5K, Rocky Mountain Dock Dogs competition and Battle of the Bands competitions.

People are encouraged to check Thornton’s website, cityofthornton.net, for locations of remaining events and last-minute changes.

25 arrested in Wyoming meth ring. Wyoming authorities

have arrested 25 people believed to be involved in a methamphetamine trafficking ring.

KTWO-AM reported the people had been arrested Thursday after authorities carried out three search warrants.

The arrests had been part of a regionwide warrant operation.

State authorities have been working with local agencies since December to combat the illegal transportation, distribution and use of meth throughout southwest Wyoming. Balloon launch canceled in Erie. The hot air balloon launch planned for Saturday as part of Erie’s Town Fair and Balloon Festival has been canceled due to weather conditions, officials announced Friday afternoon.

Also, all events scheduled at Coal Creek Park, including the beer garden and evening concert now, will be at 235 Wells St.

Sunday’s planned launch still is on schedule, although festival officials have been announcing the cancellations on a day-today basis.

Bear kills chickens, escalates debate B

durango» The debate over whether electric fences should be allowed in a Colorado city have escalated after a bear broke into a heavy-duty chicken coop and killed six chickens.

The Durango Herald reports a Durango resident had gotten out of bed in the middle of the night last week to find his chickens had been killed.

Bryan Peterson of BearSmart says electric fences are the best way to keep bears out of anything. But a Durango city ordinance that dates to the 1960s prohibits the use of electric fencing and barbed wire within town limits.

Durango City Manager Ron LeBlanc had said “electric fences are not compatible with urban environments.” LeBlanc says it is the residents’ responsibility to make a chicken coop that is bear proof.

Utah State pays $172,500 in student death B

salt lake city» Utah State University has agreed to pay $172,500 to the parents of a student killed four years ago when he hit a slack line rope tied between two trees while he was biking on campus, according to documents released by the university following a public records request.

Anderson, 24, was on his way home from band practice when he slammed into a chest-high slack line.