NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
INDIVISIBLE
Tipton a surprising participant at citizen’s town hall, B1
SPORTS
SNOW MUCH FUN
There’s no shortage of snow — or outdoor fun — on Grand Mesa, C1
DELTA COUNTY
COURTSIDE
Regionals will determine who advances to state, B5-8 MARCH 1, 2017 VOL. 134, NO. 9
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INDEPENDENT
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Soil conference showcases local efforts BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer
The 2017 Soil Health Conference featured a locally focused program of small breakout groups where farmers got right to the real issues of soil health practices in the local area. The conference provided a wealth of useful information that was geared to the issues faced by local ag producers, and discussion panels included local participants. In one of the small group discussion sessions, Jerry Allen of the Shavano Conservation District reported on the results of specific soil health methods being used on Uncompahgre Valley fields. He presented four examples where local use of cover crops produced positive financial returns, and he projected the account tallies onto a large screen to prove it. The four operations also yielded better forage production and quality, and improved soil conditions. Another of the well-attended small group sessions became an open forum on the topic of orchard management. Subjects and information exchanged by the participants included ground cover for use in orchards, the best nurseries to use for obtaining qual-
ity root stock, the best ways to prune and trim in specific circumstances, different types of pest control, and possible solutions to the problem of the earwig insect pest in orchards on Rogers Mesa. One popular breakout session brought together four local soil health practitioners who shared their knowledge and answered questions about holistic soil management practices being used in backyard gardens. Other small group seminars held throughout the two-daylong Soil Health Conference dealt with topics including soil health basics, low/no-till farming methods, soil testing information, results of trials on different types of cover crops, the carbon cycle and biodiversity. Also discussed was the practice of integrating livestock grazing into a soil health improvement regimen — a technique that one keynote speaker at the conference called “the quickest way to improve your soils.” Organizers of the annual Soil Health Conference said that 150 people signed up in advance for this year’s event and another 20 walk-ins attended. The conference held at the
Skydiving business eyes Blake Field BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer
A skydiving business wants to set up commercial operations at Blake Field. County commissioners at their Feb. 21 meeting approved a permit for Ultimate Skydiving Adventures LLC to operate out of a private hangar on a temporary basis. “While Ultimate Skydiving Adventures LLC is newly formed, it appears that the applicant Benjamin Lowe has significant experience and exposure to skydiving,” noted a report on the business compiled by the county attorney’s office. Ultimate Skydiving Adventures LLC plans to use a private, non-commercial hangar at Blake Field and needed county commissioner approval as “commercial operations are prohibited in private hangars without the authorization of the Board of County Commissioners. The owner of the hangar is in favor of this application and requests a temporary waiver,” states the county attorney’s report. The temporary approval to operate would run from April through November. The business may become permanent if it is successful. According to information provided by Ultimate Skydiving Adventures, LLC, the operators intend to employ “a small Cessna which requires managing a pilot, office per-
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A9 Agriculture .....................B4 Back Page ................... D6 Business ........................ A5 Church ............................C6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-3 Obituaries .................. A6-7 School Zone .................A10 Service Directory ........ D5 Sports ..........................B5-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-5 TV Listings ..................C3-4
son and two instructors.” Owner Ben Lowe stated in the application, “I will be overseeing all aspects of the operation and hire well-qualified personnel.” Ultimate Skydiving Adventures LLC also operates in Moab and the owners cite a Montrose personal address, according to their application. In other business at its Feb. 21 regular meeting (held on a Tuesday due to Presidents’ Day), the Board of County Commissioners dealt with the following matters: • Commissioners signed a letter of support for an application to the state seeking consideration of grant funding from the Space to Create arts program. The grant application is being sponsored by the Town of Paonia and by the North Fork Valley Creative Coalition. • Commissioners lent their support for a grant request by a local business — Mautz Brothers 3XM LLC — located on Banner Road. The request is for a Recycling Resources Economic Grant Application through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “3XM LLC has been grinding and composting for several years and this grant will allow them to expand and offer additional services that would benefit Delta County,” states the commissioners’ letter of support. COMMISSIONERS TO A3
Delta Center brought national experts in the field of soil health together with the local producers and practitioners who are putting the principles of soil improvement management to work in their own operations. Keynote speaker Keith
Berns of Nebraska told attendees that the task of rebuilding the nation’s much-eroded topsoils will be a “monumental task.” He explained that ag operators need to move beyond the last 80 years of soil management regimens which have
Bridge in the balance
focused mainly on containing erosion and conserving the topsoil that remains. “More needs to be done,” Berns said. Soil health practices need to be employed to begin rebuilding top soils that have been eroded by twoSOIL HEALTH TO A3
Photo courtesy county engineering/Bob Basher
Work is progressing on replacement of the county’s Escalante Bridge. A temporary bridge across Escalante Creek has been installed in the foreground. The old one-lane bridge is being lifted onto a trailer for transport to a point further upstream where it was placed back into service. When completed, the new span will be two lanes wide and will serve as primary access to Escalante Canyon and the national conservation area. The photo was taken on Feb. 20.
Hotchkiss man convicted of sexual assault on a child BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
A Hotchkiss man was found guilty last week on felony charges of sex assault on a child and enticement of a child. Both are Class 4 felonies. A jury of 12 deliberated just over an hour before delivering the guilty verdict Friday afternoon. During the previous three days, they heard how Arturo Mendoza befriended his neighbors and their two young daughters. Prosecutors alleged he was “grooming” the girls, enticing them with candy, popsicles and a trampoline in the back yard. He had no children of his own, but had gained the trust of the girls’ family, who allowed them to come and go from his home. The charges were filed after one of the girls told her mother about inappropriate touching that took place twice. She was just 7 years of age. During the trial, evidence was presented through the testimony of the child victim, her family, expert witnesses
Beef: It’s what’s for dinner The 66th annual 4-H Beef Roast is set for this Sunday, March 5, from noon to 3 p.m. at two locations in Delta County — Delta Middle School and Hotchkiss High School. The 4-H Beef Roast has become one of Delta County’s finest traditions, a unique opportunity for families and friends to come together to share a hearty meal and support local 4-H kids. The menu features roast baron of beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, cheesecake and a beverage. The cost is $10 for adults (ages 12 and up) and $6 for children. Tickets will be available at the door. Takeout meals are also available. For more information, call the CSU Extension Office at 874-2195.
and law enforcement officers. Defense attorney Daniel Shaffer contended the victim’s story was the result of “leading, suggestive” questioning. In his closing argument, he said that without corroborating evidence to support the victim’s allegations, prosecution had not met the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. He cautioned jurors against relying on opinions or hunches. In rebuttal, deputy district attorney Seth Ryan referred to Shaffer’s comments about “hunches.” “If you think something happened, we’ve met our burden and you should find the defendant guilty,” Ryan told the jurors. Ryan was a member of the sex offense prosecution team which also included deputy district attorney Lane Thomasson, victims services specialist Denetta Dunlap and Corporal Chad Lloyd of the Hotchkiss Marshal’s Office. Cases involving sex offense charges require extraordinary work, especially when the sex
offense involves a victim who is a minor child, said district attorney Dan Hotsenpiller. “The district attorney recognizes and appreciates all of the efforts of the sex offense team and law enforcement,” the DA’s office stated in a press release issued this week. “These cases present circumstances difficult for jurors to hear, and the district attorney expressly thanks all the jurors who appeared for service and those that were selected to hear this case.” Mendoza was remanded into the custody of the Delta County Sheriff ’s Office and will be held in the Delta County Jail until sentencing. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, May 22, in the Delta District Court. The court can impose probation or may commit the defendant to the Department of Corrections for a period of two years to 12 years, and up to the lifetime of the offender. The defendant will be required to participate in sex offender treatment and to register as a sex offender.
Fire consumes trailer; man dies
An elderly Cedaredge man was killed Thursday, Feb. 23, after a fire swept through his trailer house at 24693 Cedar Mesa Road, Cedaredge, at about 11 p.m. The Delta County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deceased man as Robert Nicodemus, 89. His daughter, Robin, was asleep inside the trailer. She smelled smoke and was able to get out and call for help. When Cedaredge firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and Cedaredge police officers arrived on the scene, the trailer was fully engulfed in flames. According to Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee, the incident remains under investigation. The cause may be related to the use of oxygen, or to a wood/coal burning stove being used to heat the trailer house. Delta County coroner Lance Boren reports Nicodemus died of natural causes. A remembrance service is planned Saturday, March 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Stolte Shed in Cedaredge. Those who wish to greet the family and share stories are welcome to come.