Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Rural Fire

district election stays same

A recount of ballots for the Steamboat Springs Rural Fire Protection District board of directors election showed no change from the original count, giving incumbents Steve Hilley and Ben Beall and newcomer Kris Dodd seats on the board.

Hilley and Beall were re-elected with 49 and 48 votes, respectively. Dodd received 29 votes to take the third seat, while candidate Doug Scherar received 28 votes.

Stahoviak back to Denver for third knee surgery

Routt County Commissioner Nancy Stahoviak will return to Denver on Monday for the third of four knee surgeries.

Stahoviak, who has been recovering from the previous two surgeries at her Oak Creek home, will have a permanent knee replacement put into her right knee. The previous two surgeries implanted temporary, medicated replacements in each knee.

Stahoviak said she could "hardly wait" to have a permanent replacement so she can work on strengthening her leg. After the surgery, Stahoviak will stay in Denver or return to the Doak Walker Care Center for intense rehabilitation.

"I really feel like I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel," Stahoviak said.

Stahoviak was flown to a Denver hospital in December because of life-threatening kidney failure and infections. She has been participating in county meetings through telephone conferences and is running for re-election in November.

Streamflow still drops, despite precipitation

In spite of 0.4 inches of precipitation that fell Wednesday, the streamflow in area creeks and rivers continued to decline.

Daily high temperatures in the 40s and 50s have applied the brakes to snowmelt in the mountains. The Yampa River at Fifth Street in Steamboat Springs dropped to 650 cfs in the past two days, from 1,850 cubic feet per second to 1,200 cfs. The typical streamflow for this date is 1,500.

The percent drop in streamflow was even more dramatic on Fish Creek, where the water being carried by the stream fell from 425 cfs overnight Monday into Tuesday, to 168 cfs at mid-morning Thursday.

The Elk River at its confluence with the Yampa east of Milner fell to typical levels of 1,600 cfs. It had been running at twice that level earlier in the week.

Applications for historic properties due May 26

Applications for designation to the Routt County Register of Historic Properties are available in the Routt County Board of Commissioners Office in the Courthouse Annex and are due May 26. Call 879-0108, ext. 314.

Strawberry Park students sprucing up playground

The Strawberry Park Elementary Student Council hosts a playground spruce-up day from 9 a.m. to noon May 22. Volunteers are needed to help paint and fix the equipment. Call 871-3490.

Mandatory clinic May 22 for people wanting to ref

The city of Steamboat Springs Recreation Division hosts a free, mandatory clinic for people who want to referee adult softball games this summer. It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 22 at Olympian Hall. The league rules, schedules, pay rates and field mechanics will be discussed. Flexible evening work schedules available throughout the summer, and umpires earn $14 to $17 per game. No previous experience necessary. Call 879-4300.

YVMC hosting blood drive May 27 at the center

A blood drive sponsored by the Yampa Valley Medical Center Auxiliary is from 12:30 to 6 p.m. May 27 at YVMC. Bonfils Blood Center will conduct the drive. Appointments are required. Call Barbara Hughes at 870-6267 to schedule a donation time.