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Man arrested on suspicion of assaulting stepdaughter

A 37-year-old man was arrested last week on suspicion of sexual assault on a child and criminal attempt of sexual assault on a child.

The man was arrested Thursday on charges of sexually assaulting his teenage stepdaughter. Both live in Routt County, Steamboat Springs Police Det. Bob DelValle said.

DelValle said the alleged assault and attempted assault happened more than a year ago. Police began investigating the case soon after receiving a report in December from the Routt County Department of Human Services.

Former chief resigns

from Sheriff's Office

Former Oak Creek Police Chief Guytano Farnan has resigned from his position with the Routt County Sheriff's Office, Undersheriff Dan Taylor said.

"He absolutely left on good terms," Taylor said.

Farnan worked for the Sheriff's Office about one month before he put in his resignation one week ago. He cited personal motives.

Farnan was unavailable for comment.

"It's unfortunate he's leaving because he was doing a good job for us," Taylor said.

Before his employment with the Sheriff's Office, Farnan was the Oak Creek police chief. He began his job there in December 2004 and resigned April 1.

Farnan has been in dispute with the town of Oak Creek about salary issues and expenses he did not know he was going to have after resigning.

Taylor thought Farnan would be retuning to Virginia, where he was employed previously.

Coroner: Woman

drowned in hot tub

The death of a woman whose body was found in a hot tub May 5 has been ruled accidental, the Routt County Coroner's Office reported. The cause of death is being listed as a drowning.

Joanne Gerow, 41, of Steamboat Springs, was found by her boyfriend at about 2 a.m. May 5 in a hot tub at a private residence in the 4000 block of Whistler Road, Steamboat Springs Police Capt. Joel Rae said.

A toxicology report is pending that could further the investigation into Gerow's death.

Free ESL classes to be offered this summer

Free English as a Second Language classes will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, May 31 to Aug. 4. Call 870-4534.