NORTH FORK TIMES HOLIDAY KICKOFF Crawford hosts Parade of Lights, Festival of Trees, B1
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Recipes, crafts, gifts fill 2015 Christmas Gift Guide, Inside
DELTA COUNTY
Paonia, Delta football teams will have to win on the road, C7 NOVEMBER 25, 2015 VOL. 132, NO. 47
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INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
Large marijuana operation shut down BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Delta County Sheriff’s photo
During the execution of a search warrant on High Park Road north of Cedaredge, investigators found marijuana laid out to dry. They seized approximately six large tarps with 70 pounds of marijuana each, as well as 36 lawn bags, each weighing about 40 pounds, containing processed marijuana.
Bond reduction denied for armed robbery suspect BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
About 4,000 Delta area residents enjoying a quiet evening at home were startled by an automated Code Red alert warning them of two “armed and dangerous” individuals on the loose. The calls were generated Thursday, Nov. 19, shortly after officers of the Delta Police Department responded to a robbery at the Western Convenience Store at 15th and Howard. Fortunately, the suspects were quickly identified and apprehended, and a follow-up call informed residents the suspects were in custody shortly after 9 p.m. Zhane L.E. Ware, 18, of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged aggravated robbery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. An
unidentified 16-year-old male of Delta was arrested and transported to Grand Mesa Youth Services for alleged aggravated robbery and possession of a weapon by an underage person. DPD had advance warning of the incident — a lifelong friend of Ware’s knocked on the rear door of the police department and informed officers Ware had asked him for a ride to Western Convenience Store. According to an arrest affidavit filed by the DPD, Ware had told the friend he planned to rob the store using a Ruger 9 mm pistol. The friend wasn’t sure Ware was serious, but told him it was a bad idea. He refused to give a ride to Ware and the younger male, whom he did not know. Officers went to check the
27-year-old man dies of exposure BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
On Nov. 22 at approximately 5 p.m. the Delta County Sheriff ’s Office received a call concerning a missing person. Bruce Barker, age 27, was reportedly last seen the night before at a large party at 7816 2100 Road in Delta. Kristin McCarty contacted the sheriff ’s office and reported that several people were out looking for Barker and had been unable to locate him. Deputies responded to
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Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A9 Agriculture .....................C5 Back Page ................... D8 Business .......................A10 Church ............................C4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-5 Obituaries ......................B8 School Zone .................. A8 Service Directory ........ D7 Sports ..........................C7-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-6 TV Listings ................. D5-6
the home on 2100 Road and obtained additional information. McCarty advised the deputies that Barker had been extremely intoxicated the night before and had engaged in altercations with others while at the party. Barker left the party at approximately 11:30 p.m. Saturday night. On Sunday evening, Barker was found deceased in the general area of the residence. According to Delta County Undersheriff, it appears Barker died from exposure.
area just moments before dispatch advised there had been a robbery at gunpoint at Western Convenience. The suspects were described as two males wearing paintball masks and camouflage shorts. Both were later arrested at Ware’s home on Hastings Street. During an interview at the police department, Ware said he was “car hopping” — checking vehicles to see if they were unlocked, then taking items of value. One of the victims discovered Ware had stolen money from his vehicle, and told him to return the money or the police would be contacted. ARMED ROBBERY TO A3
Sign up for Code Red alerts The Delta County Code Red system was used to alert the area to the potential threat, asking citizens to remain indoors and to alert 911 of any suspicious activity. Later the system was used again to notify the community the subjects had been taken into custody. Landlines are automatically entered into the system. Cell phone users who wish to sign up for the emergency alert notifications should go to the Delta County website at www.deltacounty.com and click on the “Notify Me” tab on the left side. You can also subscribe to the Code Red Alerts by clicking on the “Code Red” button.
An extensive investigation that took DEA investigators from the west edge of Montrose County to a grow operation in Gateway Canyon, and finally to property north of Cedaredge, resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,300 pounds of marijuana last week. In addition, two arrests were made. Luis Adolfo Garcia, 33, and Luis Rios-Cortez, 23, are charged with federal charges of intent to manufacture and distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. Rios-Cortez also faces a third count, illegal alien in possession of a firearm. The search warrant was carried out by the Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Marshal’s Service, 7th Judicial Drug Task Force and Delta County sheriff ’s deputies and investigator on Nov. 13. According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, the investigation was launched after the discovery of two grow operations on public land along Highway 141. On Sept. 15, BLM rangers arrested four subjects later determined to be in the U.S. illegally. A total of six subjects were arrested after the discovery of the second grow operation on Sept. 30. Again all six were determined to be illegally residing in the U.S. One of the suspects testified that Sept. 30 was to be
the growers’ last day and they were packing up all the supplies and marijuana to leave the area for the year. Target vehicles used in the operations were identified and a search warrant was signed, allowing tracker devices to be affixed to two pickups. Beginning in late October, DEA agents began monitoring the GPS tracker device and observed one pickup leave Parachute and travel over Grand Mesa toward Cedaredge. The vehicle traveled onto High Park Road, a private road blocked by a locked gate. Electronic surveillance was maintained until the vehicle arrived at the intersection of High Park Road and San Juan Vista Road. The property was identified as belonging to Esther Garcia, who purchased the land in May. After additional investigation, which included both a flyover and a drive-by, U.S. Magistrate Judge Gordon Gallagher signed a search warrant for the Cedaredge area property, as well as a Parachute residence occupied by Esther Garcia, who identified herself as Luis Garcia’s sister. Although the Cedaredge property and a truck were purchased in her name, she told investigators Luis had provided the funds. Additionally, she told agents she did not know what Luis Garcia was doing on the property in Cedaredge. According to the criminal MARIJUANA TO A3
Negotiations begin with unnamed manager finalist BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Four city manager finalists were in Delta for a tour and interviews this week. The candidates — Don Gaeddert, Dan Hamsmith, George Korthauer and David Torgler — also met with community members at a well-attended reception Monday night. At the conclusion of the interviews Tuesday afternoon, the Delta City Council met in a brief executive session with its recruiting firm, The Mercer Group of Carbondale. Gary Suiter, senior vice president, was directed to begin negotiations with one of the finalists, but council declined to name that individual until negotiations have been wrapped up. Suiter said the details probably won’t be finalized until next week. During the community reception, candidates introduced themselves and talked about their interest in Delta. Don Gaeddert was city manager in Larned, Kan., for 18 years. He and his wife Marie took a break and went to China on a mission trip for three years. They returned to the U.S. about a year ago. Gaeddert said he is still very interested in city manage-
ment, which he described as challenging. Dan Hamsmith is the economic development director for the town of Hudson. He’s worked in the television and radio industry, and believes he has a strong understanding of what it takes to run a city. “As a city manager, this would be a great place to start,” he said. Korthauer is currently employed as the chief executive officer of a not-for-profit corporation in Michigan, but served as city manager in Petoskey, Mich., for 25 years. During the tour of the city, he said he most enjoyed talking with staff. “What impressed me the most is the way city management is organized under the consolidation.” Staff members are wearing “a lot of hats,” which is unusual, he said. David Torgler has been the city manager in Hayden for five years, but has worked in public administration for over 30 years. Hayden closely resembles Delta in that it has strong roots in mining, agriculture and ranching, Torgler said. He has working knowledge of infrastructure and downtown redevelopment, and believes it’s important to create a friendly environment for business.
Christmas tree permits available
Shop small this Saturday
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are selling Forest Service Christmas tree permits at a cost of $8 per tree. Permits come with information explaining regulations and helpful tips. Some areas of the forest are restricted from cutting trees and these are depicted on available maps. Also this year as part of the More Kids in a Park (MKIP) Program, students with a valid fourth grade pass or paper voucher receive a free permit to cut a Christmas tree on the national forest. The free permits are ONLY available at Forest Service offices. Forest Service Christmas tree permits are available locally in Delta at 2250 Highway 50; in Hotchkiss at Weekender Sports; in Montrose at 2465 S. Townsend Avenue; and in Paonia at the Paonia Ranger District office on North Rio Grande Avenue or at Paonia Flower Shop. Please plan ahead and be prepared for winter conditions. Start early, since winter days are shorter, and be advised many forest roads are not plowed.
As the voice for our nation’s entrepreneurs, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) celebrates all small businesses on a daily basis. When our small businesses do well, our communities do, too. Therefore, as part of SBA’s annual tradition, you’re encouraged to join millions of Americans and “shop small” on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28, to complete your holiday shopping (or to start your holiday shopping, as the case may be...). Travel outside your comfort zone — and away from your computer screen — to discover what your local merchants have to offer. Learn more about participating retailers on page A6-7 (Delta area), B3 (North Fork) and C3 (Surface Creek).