GROUP WANTS GRIZZLIES IN MORE STATES

Wildlife advocates are seeking a court order that would force U.S. officials to consider if grizzly bears should be restored to more Western states after the animals’ resurgence in the northern Rockies.

Grizzly bears are protected as a threatened species outside Alaska. An estimated 1,900 bears live in portions of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Washington.

In a lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court in Montana, the Center for Biological Diversity said grizzlies should also be considered for areas of California, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and Oregon.

Prosecutors ask to delay sentencing in hemp case.

IDAHO» Prosecutors BOISE, say they want to find a resolution for two men who pleaded guilty to felony drug trafficking after they were arrested for hauling industrial hemp through the state.

Andrew D’Addario of Colorado and Erich Eisenhart of Oregon were scheduled to be sentenced this week, but in a new filing Ada County prosecutors said they want to find an appropriate resolution for the case. Boise State Public Radio reports the sentencing hearing is now scheduled for September.

In the court document, the Ada County prosecutors said the outcome of their case will likely impact how other jurisdictions across the state handle hemp transportation cases.

New commander takes over at chemical depot.

PUEBLO» The Army facility in southern Colorado working to destroy obsolete chemical weapons has a new leader.

Col. Michael W. Cobb assumed command of the Pueblo Chemical Depot during a ceremony Wednesday, taking over from Col. Christopher Grice.

Cobb said he plans to build on the strong relationship with the community and its leaders. He said he lives in Pueblo now and his top priority is ensuring the safety of his neighbors.

Indiana woman killed in rafting accident is identified.

DURANGO» Authorities have released the name of a woman who died in a rafting accident on a guided trip on the San Juan River.

The Durango Herald reports 43-year-old Amy Kirsch of Evansville, Ind., was thrown from a raft in a whitewater section of the river north of Pagosa Springs on June 20. Kirsch, who was with her husband and three teenage children, was swept about 3 miles downstream.

Inmate restrained during “medical episode” dies.

SPRINGS» A 57year-old COLORADO El Paso County Jail inmate died after sheriff’s officials say he was restrained during a “medical episode.”

The inmate, whose name has not been released, was taken to the jail’s medical section for evaluation Thursday after authorities say his behavior became “erratic and then selfharming.” The man became unresponsive after he was restrained, and jail workers and first responders could not resuscitate him.

Two deputies and a sergeant have been placed on paid administrative leave, and the Colorado Springs Police Department is investigating the death.