PITKIN COUNTY TO SPEND $150K ON OPEN SPACE IN GARFIELD
In an unusual move, Pitkin County’s open space program will make a $150,000 contribution toward buying and managing a parcel of land in Garfield County.
The 25-acre parcel north of Carbondale leads to an extensive trail system that accesses Mushroom Rock, near the confluence of the Crystal and Roaring Fork rivers. Open Space and Trails Board members unanimously recommended the purchase because many Pitkin County residents use the trails, especially in the shoulder seasons, when snow, mud or seasonal trail closures cut trail access in the Upper Roaring Fork Valley, said Dale Will, director of acquisitions for the open space program. Pitkin County commissioners gave final approval to the expenditure Wednesday.
Weld County deputies capture fugitive considered armed, dangerous.
COUNTY» A fugitive WELD wanted on six warrants was arrested Wednesday by sheriff’s deputies.
Spencer Thomas Wamsley, 21, had eluded Weld County deputies twice this month, and he eluded four other law enforcement agencies outside the county in the past three weeks, according to a news release.
Wamsley is known to use methamphetamine and had armed himself with a sawed-off shotgun, the release said.
On Wednesday deputies were alerted that Wamsley was on Kelly Lane, near Brighton but in Weld County. A perimeter was set up, and Wamsley ran out of the back door of a residence, leading deputies on a short chase on foot. He was captured without further incident and taken to jail.
DNA of suspect found dead matches scene of ski shop killing.
DURANGO»
Police say DNA evidence from the murder scene of Ski & Bow Rack owner Larry Fisher matches the main suspect, who was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound days after meeting with investigators.
The Durango Herald reported Wednesday that DNA from the March 11 scene matches 29-year-old Michael Moats, who was a regular at the store and matched the description of the person caught on a surveillance camera.
Investigators met with Moats on March 13, at which point he voluntarily provided a DNA sample.
The next day, Moats was found dead near Chama, N.M.
The 71-year-old Fisher was a longtime Pagosa Springs resident. He first took a job at Wolf Creek Ski Area as a ski school director before opening the store in 1985.
Fire marshal says no charges likely for cigarette-caused blaze.
SPRINGS» The COLORADO fire department says no are expected for a woman who dropped a cigarette into a mulch pot outside her townhome, igniting a fire that burned 20 units.
The Gazette reports that the fire at Sunstone Townhomes displaced 68 people Monday, nine of them visitors, and killed at least two dogs. Pets were still misscharges ing this week.
Fire Marshal Brett Lacey told the City Council that the woman’s “intent was not to start a fire; her intent was to extinguish a cigarette.” Lacey says the act was accidental, not criminal.
Officials said the fire was intensified when heat from the flames exposed a gas line that acted like a flamethrower. Fire spokesman Brian Vaughan says it’s not a common occurrence to have that happen.