Steamboat Pilot & Today

Toy guns taken from student in school bus

Steamboat Springs — Two toy pistols were taken from a 9-year-old Strawberry Park Elementary School student Thursday after the student's bus driver reportedly overheard the student talking about having a weapon.

Steamboat Springs police Capt. Joel Rae said Principal Mark MacHale flagged down Officer Sam Silva at about 3:40 p.m. Thursday and asked him to pull over the school bus, which was headed toward Steamboat Springs High School from the elementary school.

MacHale apparently received the report that the student had a weapon on the bus from the bus driver, Rae said.

Once the bus was pulled over, MacHale and Silva searched the student's backpack and found two orange spring-loaded AirSoft pistols with plastic tips, which were taken from the student along with his backpack.

Rae said the police department is not pursuing criminal charges.

Volunteers needed for new SportsMed program

Yampa Valley Medical Center is looking for volunteers interested in a new program at SportsMed. Call volunteer coordinator Mindy Fontaine at 870-1146.

County Historic Property applications due May 23

Applications for designation to the Routt County Register of Historic Properties are due in the County Commissioners Office, second floor of the Courthouse Annex, by May 23. Call Dee Bolton, 879-0108.

Register for Yampatika's summer programs

Enrollment is open for Yampatika's summer programs for children ages 3 to 11. Register your child online at www.yampatika.org or call 871-9151.

Enrollment ongoing for Routt County 4-H

Membership enrollment is ongoing for Routt County 4-H. Participants must be between the ages of 5 and 18 as of Jan. 1. Stop by the Routt County Extension Service Office in the Courthouse Annex or call 879-0825.

HPV vaccine available for girls ages 9 to 18

The Human Papillomavirus vaccine is now available through the Colorado Vaccines for Children program for eligible girls ages 9 to 18. The vaccine protects against four major types of HPV, including the types that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases and 90 percent of genital warts. HPV is spread through sexual contact. Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association provides vaccinations for children under age 19 years on a sliding scale of free to $14.50 a shot. No child will be refused a vaccine due to an inability to pay. Additionally, VNA can provide the vaccine to eligible low-income women ages 19 to 26 who have no insurance under Merck's Patient Assistance Program. For more information, call the VNA at 879-1632.