NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
DIGGING OUT OF A HOLE
SPORTS
HOMECOMING
Audit shines light on Paonia’s financial woes, B1
It’s Homecoming time for Cedaredge, Paonia, Olathe, C1-2
DELTA COUNTY
ON THE DIAMOND
Delta, Cedaredge softball teams are off to a strong start, C7 SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 VOL. 132, NO. 37
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INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
Local growers cash in on hemp BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Richard and Shirley Muñoz have been cooking with hemp oil and eating the nutrientrich hemp seeds for their own health benefits — Shirley to avoid blood pressure medication, and Richard to relieve pain and inflammation in his knees. The products are readily available at health food stores, imported from Canada or China. So when the longtime farmers learned the cultivation of hemp would be allowed under state statutes, they began the registration process required through the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Richard tilled the ground and had it ready for planting in early spring. Then came the tough part — finding hemp seeds to plant on their Peach Valley acreage. Because it’s from the genus cannabis, importation of viable industrial hemp seed
across state lines and country boundaries is illegal under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. After extensive research, they located half a pound of seed grown in Colorado. Industrial hemp looks exactly like marijuana, but it has a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of no more than three-tenths of one percent on a dry weight basis. The Industrial Hemp Program administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture registers growers of industrial hemp and samples the crop to verify that the THC concentration does not exceed 0.3 percent. Before harvesting, the Muñozes sent off a dried sample that tested 0.1 percent. With notification to the ag department, they began harvesting their crop last week. According to hemp.com,
hemp fiber and seeds are incredibly valuable; hemp is often called a “cash crop.” Hefting a bag of seed labeled Peach Valley Hemp, Shirley Muñoz pointed to her “bag of gold.” Hemp is a hearty plant and grows very quickly in very diverse soil conditions. With little information to guide him, Richard decided to plant and water his hemp seeds
just like corn. Once the plants sprouted, they grew quickly. Because of the federal nature of pesticide regulations, few pesticides can be used on hemp. The Muñozes elected to forego spraying, but encountered few problems with pests — until the birds started raiding the seeds just before harvest. The Muñozes harvested their small crop by hand, lop-
ping off the stalks and stacking them to dry. Once dry, they’ll be cut, baled and sold. The leaves and seeds were separated out and will be sold separately, although Richard plans to use some of the seed to expand from his 1/3-acre experiment to five acres. The remaining seeds can be sold only to registered hemp growers in the state of Colorado. HEMP TO A3
N. Delta grazing allotments eyed BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer
According to a recently released preliminary environmental assessment, BLM’s Uncompahgre Field Office is considering the reissuance of 10 grazing permits authorizing livestock grazing on nine allotments in the North Delta Land Health Unit. County commissioners Mark Roeber and Doug Atchley were alerted to an approaching Sept. 24 deadline for submitting comments by county administrator Robbie LeValley during the BoCC’s Sept. 8 meeting. Commissioner Bruce Hovde was not present for the session. LeValley noted the 177page study of nine allotments and 10 permits in the North Delta resource area are used for both domestic sheep and cattle. She said the issue of domestic sheep interactions with desert bighorn sheep is involved. Roeber asked LeValley, “This is an area where there
are no desert bighorn sheep? LeValley replied, “Yes.” Roeber said, “I think we need to comment.” The BLM document states, “Portions of the project area are located in proximity to occupied desert and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep habitat, which may have conflicts with domestic sheep grazing.” It goes on to state that wildlife officials predict bighorn may migrate into the area in the future. The BLM reissues livestock grazing permits with allotment-specific terms and conditions. Currently, some areas are overallocated for animal units, states the EA, even after at least two years of good moisture. According to figures from the study, the BLM’s preferred action would result in suspension of 546 animal units (AMUs) of grazing and would retire an additional 1,874 animal units. There are currently 5,846 active animal units (AMUs) in the area.
Highway 50 closure begins this Friday Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announces the full closure of U.S. 50 in Delta Sept. 18-22. CDOT crews will be working with a specialty unit of the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) to perform muchneeded repair work to rails that run on U.S. 50 in Delta. The closure is expected to last five days. The UPRR will be removing track, grading the ballast, installing the new con-
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A9 Agriculture .................... A7 Back Page ................... D8 Business .......................A10 Church ........................... A6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Health & Fitness .........B7-9 Legals ......................... D3-6 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ..................... A8 School Zone .................. A5 Sports ..........................C5-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-3 TV Listings ..................B5-6
crete crossing panels then relaying and testing the track. CDOT crews will then repave the highway on either side of the railroad crossing. A detour will be maintained through the work closing U.S. 50 north of the First and Main intersection and south of the City Market and Ute Street intersection. Local business access will be maintained. The alternate truck route will serve as the detour.
Photo by Pat Sunderland
Richard Muñoz views hemp as a “green” alternative to synthetic textiles and building materials. In addition to providing useful fibers, hemp seed also has high nutritional value and is touted for its therapeutic benefits.
School district celebrates Constitution Week Sept. 17-23 BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
In every elementary, middle and high school in Delta County, Constitution Week (Sept. 17-23) is being observed with a variety of activities. The school board is acknowledging the historic significance of the event with a proclamation encouraging “all citizens to reaffirm the ideals the Framers of the Constitution had in 1787.” At the urging of school board member Kathy Svenson, the school district will also make available a student “bill of rights” that focuses on the First Amendment to the Constitution, particularly as it addresses religion and the freedom of speech in schools. The handout was reviewed by school district attorney Aaron Clay, who made some revisions that rendered it “content neutral.” With a final draft in hand, Svenson proposed placing the bill of rights in the hands of every middle and high school student in Delta County. But because the handout is not an approved component of curriculum, a board mandate to distribute the handouts would violate district policy.
The school board discussed the matter in depth at a work session last week. Non-curricular materials such as Boy/Girl Scout flyers and soccer registration forms are made available in the school office or library, where they may be picked up at the student’s discretion. It was explained the school district doesn’t allow non-curricular material to be distributed during class time because instructional time was being impacted by an “overwhelming” number of handouts. Svenson objected to calling the handout “non-curricular” but agreed to work with the district office to place the bill of rights where it can voluntarily be picked up by students or teachers. “If a teacher chooses to use this material, that’s fine,” said superintendent Caryn Gibson. “If we mandate distribution, it takes away the teacher’s discretion.” Gibson promised help with printing, cutting and distribution of the handouts, which address frequently asked questions such as prayer and religious conversations; religion in classwork; extracurricular and sports; religious
clubs; graduation; and Christmas. The bottom line: Public schools must abide by the First Amendment guarantees of free speech and the free exercise of religion. Public schools cannot censor or prohibit religious speech, expression of practice. Students may respectfully speak about their religion in school any time they talk about other topics. They may privately pray, either individually or as a group, at athletic competitions or student assemblies. If a school allows any other non-curricular club, it must also allow religious clubs. At graduation, students can talk about their faith in speeches as long as the student speakers are chosen on neutral criteria, such as their grades. A school can celebrate Christmas as long as the intent is not to advance Christianity. If students are allowed to distribute gifts, then a student may not be prohibited from giving a gift that includes a religious message. The information contained in the bill of rights was obtained from Liberty Institute.org.
Free meals
Drug Take-Back Day
A rural celebration
Hungry? Abraham Connection serves free meals every Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and every Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Westminster Hall, 135 E. 4th Street, Delta, across from the post office. There are no income restrictions. If you’re hungry, you’re invited to the meals. For questions, to donate or to volunteer, please call the Abraham Connection at 773-8290.
The Delta Police Department and the Delta County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the DEA’s fall Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clean out your medicine cabinet and take your unwanted prescriptions to one of two locations: Delta Police Department, 215 W. 5th Street, Delta, or the Delta County Sheriff’s Office in the North Fork Annex at 196 W. Hotchkiss Avenue, Hotchkiss. Illicit drugs and chemotherapy/radioactive substances cannot be accepted. For more information about the initiative please visit www.dea.gov or www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov and click on “Got Drugs?” tab.
The Delta County Democratic Party will host “A Celebration of Rural Delta County” Saturday, Sept. 19, at Black Bridge Winery in Paonia. A roundtable discussion on issues relating to rural Delta County will begin at 11 a.m. The roundtable will be followed by a barbecue at noon, catered by Terry Commander of Somerset. Representative Millie Hamner will be on hand to report on legislative matters after lunch. The public is welcome; the cost is $25 per person. To RSVP, contact Anne Every at 970-527-4159 or eaevery@gmail.com.