Delta County Independent, Dec. 14, 1016

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NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

GOOD NEWS

Teachers, coach, students, drivers recognized by school board, B4

SPORTS

CONCERT SERIES

MAT WARS

Sounds of the season ring out at Chapel of the Cross, C1

DELTA COUNTY

Cedaredge Bruins come out on top at Delta Invitational, B7 DECEMBER 14, 2016 VOL. 133, NO. 50

75¢

INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

County’s 2017 budget increases by 13% BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer

In spite of economic headwinds from the Bowie Mine shutdown and declining sales tax, severance tax revenues and mineral leasing payments, the county commissioners last week appropriated $31.5 million for the 2017 budget — an amount $3.79 million higher, or 13 percent more than the county’s 2016 budget. Asked about the increase in 2017 expenditures, county administrator Robbie LeValley provided the following

explanation via email: “All activity including grants are tracked in the entire budget. The increase is due to the county commitment to broadband, the entire cost of the dispatch radio grants, master plan grants, recreational master trail grant, PILT funds, insurance premium adjustments for employees, upgrading the courthouse elevator and jail elevator, courthouse renovation architect grant, landfill liner, major road improvements and capital equipment.”

In other words, grant funding for various projects contributes to the spending increase next year. LeValley also noted separately that Congress provided full funding for Payment in Lieu of Taxes and U.S. Forest Service payments to counties. Highlights of the budget document, some of them taken from the budget message delivered to commissioners at their Dec. 5 budget public hearing, follow: County finances have been hurt by big declines in rev-

enue from the energy sector. The budget message states, “Revenue from the energy sector decreased 50 percent in 2016 and the county is projecting a 25 percent decline in 2017. “Projections for 2017 from the federal mineral leasing funds and severance taxes are expected to be significantly reduced due to recent shutdowns and slowdowns in the coal mines. “The 2017 budget reflects reductions in federal mineral leasing funds, production

taxes and severance taxes.” Overall, the county’s sales tax revenue picture continues to be a dark one. Sales tax revenue collected by county government is seen as an indicator of the level of retail trade and overall economic health. The budget message reports that “2016 year-to-date sales tax collections are a negative 1.5 percent when compared to last year’s collections. The [2016] budget had projected a negative 1 percent [decline] in sales tax revenues. COUNTY BUDGET TO A3

Man gets 8 years in prison for assault BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Melvin Randall, a 49-yearold Delta County resident, was sentenced to eight years in prison for an act of domestic violence that left his victim in a medically-induced coma. A sentencing hearing was conducted in Judge Steven Schultz’s courtroom Tuesday, Dec. 6. Randall was originally charged with assault in the second degree, a class 4 felony, and stalking. The stalking charge was dismissed as a result of a plea agreement. Karen Lorenz, a special deputy district attorney from Boulder County, told the judge Randall and the victim had a 14-year relationship that was characterized by escalating levels of violence and other forms of abusive, controlling behavior. The couple formerly lived in Virginia. To escape the abusive relationship, the victim relocated to Colorado in 2011 with the help of a friend. Lorenz told the judge Randall followed her to Delta

County and moved into a house across the street, where he could monitor her comings and goings. Based upon Randall’s continuing abuse and controlling behavior, the victim was granted a permanent restraining order in September 2012. But contact did not cease. According to court documents, the defendant continued to stalk the victim and, in September 2014, brutally beat her with his fists, punching her in the chest and arms repeatedly. The victim did not report the incident to the police, or even immediately seek medical treatment because of her fear of Randall. A few days later, friends noticed the victim was in terrible physical condition and rushed her to Delta County Memorial Hospital. Due to the severity of the beating, the victim suffered organ failure and was placed in a medically-induced coma. She was later transported to a larger hospital for intensive care. She told the judge she still ASSAULT TO A3

A magical time of year

Photo by Pat Sunderland

Ben and Shawna Magtutu and their twin sons, Charlie and Otter, ages 3 1/2, visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus during Breakfast with Santa at Bill Heddles Recreation Center Saturday. The event is hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Delta, which reported one of the largest turnouts ever. Delta High School Key Club members helped kids decorate their pancakes with berries, candies, syrup and whipped cream. They also manned a craft table for the kids.

75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor observed BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer

Photo by Hank Lohmeyer

Seven memorial wreaths are honored with a salute as part of the observance in Delta last week.

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ......................A11 Agriculture .....................B6 Bruin Tracks ................C3-6 Business .......................A12 Church ............................B5 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ....................A10 School Zone .................. A5 Service Directory ........ D7 Sports ........................B7-10 Surface Creek News ...C1-7 TV Listings ................. D5-6

Delta’s Lee Marts Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3571 and Auxiliary conducted a memorial observance on the 75th anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941, attacks on Pearl Harbor. The observance was conducted Wednesday, Dec. 7, with a color guard and remarks by VFW District Commander Mike Stahly of Delta, Linda Stahly on behalf of the Auxiliary; and county commissioner Bruce Hovde. Seven memorial wreaths were cast into the current of the Gunnison River flowing past the site of the memorial service in Confluence Park. A military salute conducted by four riflemen and the playing of taps concluded the observance. There were about three dozen people in attendance including local law enforcement and a member of Delta

American Legion Post 65. The VFW provided a brief historical account of the wreath remembrance ceremony as follows: Over the years, several Pearl Harbor survivors have been members of Lee Marts VFW Post 3571, although no one remembers a USS Arizona survivor. Over the years, Pearl Harbor Day has been memorialized in a variety of ways by the post. Since 2011, the 70th anniversary of the attack, the Auxiliary and Post have done a memorial service on the banks of the Gunnison River every year. Each year seven wreaths have been placed in the river to commemorate the date of Dec. 7. The wreaths are biodegradable and decorated simply in remembrance of those who were killed at Pearl Harbor and those who served their country since that day.

Photo by Hank Lohmeyer

A color guard participated in a Dec. 7 observance of the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks. The event was conducted by Delta’s Lee Marts VFW Post #3571 and Auxiliary at Confluence Park.

Gear drive will help get kids outdoors

Miracle on Main Street

The Nature Connection will be holding a bike and gently used outdoor gear drive Saturday, Dec. 17. All donated items will help the Nature Connection achieve its goal of providing outdoor experiences for youth and their families at minimal cost. Your old gear can make a difference! Look for the Nature Connection’s trailer at the following dropoff locations and times on Dec. 17: • Olathe Elementary School parking lot, 8 to 10:30 a.m. • Delta Lions Club Pavilion, across from Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. • Cedaredge Elementary School parking lot, 2 to 4:30 p.m. • In Hotchkiss at The Nature Connection building, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “The Nature Connection thanks all our friends and partners for their help and support in getting kids outside,” said organizer Anita Evans. For more information, call Evans at 970-901-1459.

Santa Claus will make one final stop in western Colorado before returning to the North Pole to load his sleigh for Christmas Eve. Santa will be the special guest at Olathe’s annual “Miracle on Main Street” this Friday. A parade starts at 5:30 p.m., then everyone is invited to follow Santa to the American Legion Hall at 315 S. 5th Street for goodies for the kids. The Olathe Rebekah Lodge will be serving a chili dinner at a cost of $5 for adults and $3 for kids ages 3-10. There is no charge for children under the age of 3. Santa will also visit the Hotchkiss Fire Station Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.


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