Alexis DeLaCruz

Longing for the past

Oak Creek home decor business brings back simpler times

Bonnie Manke's inspiration for her new Oak Creek business, Nostalgia, was just that - a longing for the past.

Search and Rescue seeks assistant to handle workload

Routt County Search and Rescue Treasurer Kristia Check-Hill has a Friday tradition.

Steamboat rallies for Halloween 'Femur Fundraiser'

Craig and Andy Kennedy are Halloween heroes. The energetic Steamboat Springs couple boasts "closets full" of Halloween costumes and vouch that they have never repeated a costume twice.

Steamboat psychic uses intuition to heal, answer questions

Bee Herz said her first experiences as a psychic medium began when she was a child. At the time, having visions and receiving messages from higher beings was overwhelming and frightening - so much so that Herz would "block" and refuse the information flowing to her.

Police urge safe driving during Halloween

Local law enforcement officers are encouraging people who celebrate Halloween this weekend to drive safely and be aware of children on the streets.

Firefighting fitness

Hayden man preparing for world competition in Las Vegas

A group of wide-eyed Hayden Valley Elementary School students were treated to more than just a "Stop, Drop and Roll" lesson Wednesday.

Demo case dismissal requested

A Steamboat Springs attorney is asking the District Attorney's Office to dismiss charges against a 21-year-old man accused of destroying a Steamboat house during an alleged demolition party in April, claiming that the man is the victim in the case.

Oak Creek historian recalls comical, tragic stories during centennial tour

Oak Creek resident Rosie Hudack died in 1943 after living a full life and spending a lot of time at the Oak Creek Cemetery mourning a deceased boyfriend.

Ski area projects remain on track

Headwall regrade still on schedule

With opening day only 32 days away, construction crews working at the base of Steamboat Ski Area are working in high gear to complete a massive re-grading project.

North Routt fire tax would pay chief, increase volunteer benefits

Dave Moss likes to think of the North Routt Fire Protection District as a three-legged stool with a loose leg.

Mucklow receives two awards

Routt County extension agent honored by CSU

Jay Whaley knew it wouldn't be easy to get Colorado State University Extension Director C.J. Mucklow to attend an annual awards banquet in Fort Collins, so he did what he had to.

Meteorologist predicts heavy snow in Steamboat similar to 2005-06

Joe Ramey, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Grand Junction, said Thursday that another storm is expected to dump more snow on the area this weekend. And although that snow will melt by early next week, Routt County residents should keep their shovels handy in the coming months.

Benefit today for former Hayden man

Kochenower still in hospital after Sept. 21 motorcycle accident

A benefit for former Hayden resident Tyrrell "Tye" Kochenower is today in Northglenn.

Longtime landfill employee liked to laugh, ski

Being the youngest of four children has its advantages - like knowing your parents love you the most and that you're the best looking one of your siblings.

VNA urges flu vaccinations

Association kicks off annual flu shot campaign Monday

In an attempt to curb the number of flu cases hitting the Yampa Valley this year, the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association kicked off its annual flu shot campaign Monday, encouraging everyone to get vaccinated.

Man arrested in alleged sex assault

Craig man arrested on suspicion of two incidents involving 9-year-old girl

A 33-year-old Craig man was arrested Oct. 5 on suspicion of forcing a 9-year-old girl to touch him inappropriately at a Thanksgiving gathering last year.

Man dies in accident at Milner Landfill

Longtime employee remembered as smart, caring, irreplaceable

A 51-year-old Steamboat Springs man died Tuesday afternoon at the Twin Landfill in Milner after a bulldozer attachment fell on top of him.

Soroco coach reels in grant to enhance fishing program

For Soroco physical education teacher David Bruner, taking a group of teenagers fishing is about more than just making a great catch and getting out of school.

BID voters have more options

Downtown walk-in voting available until Nov. 6

Eligible property owners and tenants in downtown Steamboat Springs now have more options to vote for a proposed tax that would raise money for downtown advocacy and improvement issues.

South Routt-grown business

New Phippsburg feed, supply store offers plethora of products

When Wendy and Jules Palyo began chasing their dream of opening a new business in South Routt County, they knew they wanted it to be built by, staffed by and supported by the community.

Question and Answer: Deb Armstrong

At the tender age of 20, Seattle native Deb Armstrong won Olympic gold in the women's giant slalom at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. As the former ambassador of skiing for Taos Ski Valley, Armstrong has spent the past 23 years of her life sharing her passion for skiing with others.

Grants push county closer to improving communication system

A recent dose of federal grants has pushed Routt County in the right direction to begin using an 800-megahertz system for emergency responders.

Oak Creek transfers funds for budget

In order to balance Oak Creek's budget, the Oak Creek Town Board made a $250,000 transfer from the town's electric fund to its general fund Thursday night.

On scene: On writing well

There are a few things that are generally true about people who write for a living.

Jade Summit case continued

Steamboat City Council struggles through 'hybrid' hearing

After hearing four hours of testimony Thursday, city officials postponed their quasi-judicial case to determine the fate of Jade Summit's Pirate's Pub liquor license.

Felonies swamp DA's Office

Judicial District gets OK to hire new investigator

An increase in felony cases across the 14th Judicial District is overloading the District Attorney's Office and could result in the hire of a new investigator.

Crime team reduces budget

Wiggins: Donations allowed ACET to cut spending

The All Crimes Enforcement Team has reduced its supplies and operations budget by 34 percent while making several drug-related arrests with limited staff.

North Routt fire tax would fund chief, benefits

Dave Moss likes to think of the North Routt Fire Protection District as a three-legged stool with a loose leg.

Most South Routt board races uncontested

Three current South Routt School Board members feel pretty good about their chances of serving another term. School Board President Tim Corrigan and members Joel Harris, who was appointed to the board in April, and Rodney Wilson are seeking re-election in uncontested races. Each term is for four years.

Palyo looks to unseat Long

South Routt School District voters have a choice between the old and the new on Election Day. Longtime South Routt School Board member Linda Long is being challenged by Jules Palyo.

Mill levy would fund business improvement district

Downtown Steamboat Springs commercial property owners and tenants have the option of voting for a tax to fund a business improvement district.

Accidents keep troopers busy

A 35-year-old Denver man was injured Tuesday morning when the semitrailer he was driving slammed into a rock embankment below the Timbers Villas condominiums on U.S. Highway 40, after the man's brakes apparently failed.

Wall advised to seek attorney

Commissioners: Sheriff's policies have legal, fiscal risks

The Routt County Board of Commissioners has advised Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall to seek legal counsel, citing Sheriff's Office policies that commissioners say "present significant legal or financial risk for the county."

Finger Rock Fish Hatchery stocks fish, sustains healthy trout populations

On Tuesday morning in Yampa, about 2,000 rainbow trout were loaded into a Colorado Division of Wildlife truck headed for their new home - Rangers Lake, about two hours away.

Four men face up to 12 years in prison for demolition party's damages

Four former tenants accused of throwing a "demolition party" are now facing more severe felony charges after the District Attorney's Office upped the ante in the case.

On Scene

There is crying in baseball

Charges filed in homemade bomb case

Haskins, Zabel face felonies as a result of August incident

Two 19-year-old former Hayden residents have been charged with possessing an explosive device and reckless endangerment for allegedly setting off homemade acid bombs in Hayden in August.

Two die in accident on U.S. 40

Head-on collision closes highway Thursday afternoon

Two men died in an accident on U.S. Highway 40 west of Hayden on Thursday afternoon.

Tax ballot process 'tricky'

Downtown residents must request mail-in form by Oct. 20

Property owners and tenants living in the Downtown Steamboat Springs Business Improvement District must request a mail-in ballot by Oct. 20 to vote on a proposed tax that would raise money for downtown advocacy and improvement issues.

Part of trail privately owned

Legal matter briefly closes section of recreation route

Users of the Yampa River Core Trail were detoured for about 12 hours Sept. 26, as a private property owner exercised his right over a portion of the trail that was apparently built on his land.

Rebuilding a life

Hayden couple picks up pieces after devastating fire

Kay and Brett Brooks were driving home from celebrating their seventh anniversary in Steamboat Springs on Sept. 16 when Kay noticed smoke coming from their 3,200-square-foot log cabin home off Routt County Road 37.

Soroco High School sophomore names donated bronze sculpture 'Roco'

As Soroco Middle and High School Principal Dr. James Chamberlin pored over dozens of suggested names for the school's new mascot, one stood out above the rest.

Family rallies behind Hayden man injured in motorcycle accident

When Oak Creek resident Trenton Kochenower heard his older brother, Tyrrell "Tye" Kochenower, had been involved in a motorcycle accident in Weld County, he immediately rushed to his side.

Police investigate high school bomb threat

All Routt County high schools notified of ambiguous call

Steamboat Springs police are investigating a high school bomb threat that was called in to Routt County Communications on Thursday morning.

Affidavits cite threats

Police: Cisneros repeatedly spoke of killing baby, herself

The mother of slain 1-year-old Brianna Simon had threatened to kill herself and her daughter in the weeks leading up to the Sept. 6 incident that left Brianna dead in her Steamboat Springs home, according to police affidavits made public Thursday.

Court system expands hours

County officials continue to tackle 'glitches' at Justice Center

Moving to the new Routt County Justice Center was just what the court system needed to expand its hours.

Fort Collins to hold murder trial

Retrial in 2001 Johnson case could take place in six months

Thomas Lee Johnson's second murder trial will take place in Fort Collins.

Stories by Alexis