Delta County Independent, Aug. 30, 2017

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NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

OPEN HOUSE PLANNED DCMH opens walk-in clinic in downtown Paonia, B1

SPORTS

CAPTURING HISTORY

Four buildings added to Cedaredge’s historic inventory, B8

DELTA COUNTY

FALL PREVIEW

Expectations are running high for area athletes, coaches, C1-8 AUGUST 30, 2017 VOL. 134, NO. 35

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INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Ute Council Tree’s roots run deep BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

When the Ute Council Tree was a very small sapling, about 215 years ago, Thomas

Jefferson was president of the United States. The strong and mighty Ute Indians roamed freely through the area that later became known as west-

Marijuana petition circulated in Delta BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Delta resident Christi Prettyman is circulating a petition that asks the city’s voters to reconsider their stance on marijuana. “I wanted to gauge the interest of the community, to see if residents are interested in doing what Colorado has been doing for the last five years,” Prettyman said. “Marijuana sales could also bring in some sales tax.” Prettyman said she engaged an attorney to help with the wording that would open the door to retail marijuana stores, cultivation, production, manufacturing and testing facilities, with voter approval. Prettyman has 180 days to gather a sufficient number of signatures from registered electors in the City of Delta. State statute requires signatures from 5 percent of the city’s 5,362 electors, which would be 268. City charter

raises the bar to 804, or 15 percent. Prettyman said she’s shooting for 1,000 signatures, to be on the safe side, and hopes to have the signatures gathered sooner, rather than later, so city council can review the petition. If council denies the petition, it can be placed on the April ballot. In April, two city council seats will also be filled, and Prettyman has already filed an affidavit for the at-large seat. She said she wants to make her stance clear from the outset. The at-large seat is currently held by Ed Sisson, who is term limited. The second seat is held by Bill Raley, who can seek re-election if he desires. Candidates for that seat must reside in District C. At a work session earlier this month, the city attorney suggested council take a “proactive” approach to zoning and taxation for marijuana establishments, just in case voters reverse their previous position on marijuana.

Search continues for Fred Houghton IV with local law enforcement. He should be considered armed Two felony warrants have and dangerous. Anyone with been issued for Fred Hough- information on Houghton’s ton IV, 29, of Cedaredge, the location is encouraged to call subject of an extensive search dispatch at 970-874-2015 or on Garnet Mesa last week. 9-1-1 immediately. The incident began the Students at Garnet Mesa Elementary, Lincoln Elemen- morning of Aug. 23, when tary, Vision Charter Academy Houghton was involved in a and Delta High School were motor vehicle accident on 1600 placed in lockdown or asked Road, outside the city limto shelter in place for most of its. He contacted a friend to pick him up, but was spotted the day Wednesday. Despite a door-to-door can- by the Colorado State Patrol vass of B Road and surround- leaving the scene. The trooper ing area, Houghton was not turned around and attempted to contact the vehicle carrylocated. The sheriff ’s office also ing Houghton. Contact was investigated sightings at the made with the vehicle with Cedaredge-area home of a the assistance of the Delta relative, and at a camper on Police Department. At that 1600 Road that appeared to time, Houghton exited the have been slept in. No evi- vehicle and fled on foot. When he was last seen, dence was found to directly tie Houghton to either incident Houghton was wearing a long sleeve green shirt, and he remains at blue jeans, a black large. hat and sunglassHoughton is es with no shoes. described as a Sheriff McKee Caucasian male, said in addition to 6’1” tall, about 185 the warrants for pounds with short his arrest, Houghbrown hair and ton is facing addihazel eyes. Delta charges tional County Sheriff including felon Fred McKee said in possession of a Houghton is a regfirearm and posistered sex offender session of methwith a “very, very amphetamine. Fred Houghton IV lengthy” record

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ......................A11 Agriculture .................. A5 Back Page ................... D8 Business .......................A10 Church ............................B5 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ..................... A9 School Zone .................. A6 Sports ..........................C1-8 Surface Creek News ...B6-8 TV Listings ................. D5-6

ern Colorado. The Ute Council Tree provided a gathering place where tribal leaders could talk about important issues while children played in the shade of the tree. While the Utes were removed from western Colorado, the tree remains a living symbol of the Ute people, the oldest continuous residents of Colorado. “We no longer live here ... we were removed and placed in Utah, but even though we’re no longer here our relatives still reside here, our way of life still resides here. We always have a desire to return to where we came from,” said Shaun Chapoose, a representative from the Northern Ute Tribe who was among those gathered for a dedication ceremony at the tree last Friday. After a gigantic limb dropped to the ground on Aug. 1, a certified arborist was brought in to evaluate the health of the tree. He extended a tape measure and inserted it into one side of the scarred tree trunk. It went through the middle of the tree and out the other side, evidence of the fragile condition of the tree. With the crown of the tree containing the only remaining branches, it was feared a good wind would increase the risk of a catastrophic failure. The risk proved unacceptable to the Delta County Historical Society, owner of the historic landmark. For the safety of nearby property as well as the risk to people in the vicinity, the decision was made to remove the majority of the tree. A short dedication ceremony was planned beforehand, and notice went out to the Utes about a week and a half ago. But at the dedication ceremony, tribal representatives from the Ute Mountain Utes, Southern Ute and Northern Ute tribes took the Delta County Historical Society to task for moving so quickly to UTE COUNCIL TREE TO A3

Photo by Pat Sunderland

Cameras were rolling as a limb from the Ute Council Tree is carefully moved into a waiting truck. The tree officially measured 89 feet in height before it was cut back to 25 feet Friday. Ute blessings, songs, prayers and a few tears provided a solemn backdrop for the occasion.

Bears seen as a growing problem on California Mesa BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Locally grown sweet corn is a tasty treat that’s proving irresistible for bears coming off the Uncompahgre Plateau. Due to a lack of food on the plateau, bears have been moving into the corn fields of California Mesa. The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife reports bears have also broken into some buildings in that area. Numerous bears have been put down by CPW officers, Wildlife Services (a USDA agency) and landowners. A couple of weeks ago a female bear was spotted on the deck of Norman Shetley’s home on E Road, about two miles east of Delta. The bear

was pawing at a window, in an apparent attempt to get into the house and the food inside. “I was watching news at about 5 p.m. when I saw a shadow go by the sliding doors off the family room onto the deck,” Shetley said. Thinking it was a large dog, he turned his attention back to the TV. A few minuties later he heard “a heck of a big boom,” followed by the ringing of his telephone. On the other end, his neighbor’s wife advised him to stay inside — her husband had shot the bear, but it was still on the move. The injured bear was slowly moving toward a draw when a second shot put it down permanently.

That bear was sniffing at a window that was about 12 feet from Shetley’s recliner. Shetley’s neighbor told him the bear was up on her hind feet, pushing at the window with its paws. Shetley, age 92, feels fortunate his neighbors were looking out for him. “I’m so darned crippled I couldn’t get up to run, let alone get any kind of weapon. The good Lord was looking out for me one more time,” said Shetley, a World War II veteran. Mark Richman, CPW district wildlife manager, says the freeze the second week of June took a huge toll on oak brush (acorns) and berry plants, so those plants are not BEARS TO A8

ATV mishap kills boy

Survey results are in

Candidate deadline nears

Noah Gastelum, 13, of Palisade was killed in a rollover accident involving a John Deere Gator Saturday, Aug. 26. The accident occurred on private property on Stony Creek Road outside of Hotchkiss at about 6:30 p.m. The Delta County Sheriff’s Office reports that three juveniles were in the Gator when it tipped off. A second teen was airlifted to St. Mary’s where he was treated and released. A third juvenile, believed to be from Clifton, was not seriously injured.

The results of a survey of the city’s parks, open space and trails will be presented at a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. The public meeting is the next step in the process of completing a master plan to help the City of Delta determine the best use of limited park and recreation funding. Wilma Erven, director of parks, recreation and golf for the city, said trails and maintenance are already coming to the forefront. Learn more at the public meeting Wednesday, Aug. 30, or by calling Erven at 874-0923.

Just three candidates have expressed interest in the three school board seats to be filled in the November election. Unless another candidate steps forward between now and the deadline of Sept. 1, the election may be cancelled. Incumbents Ron Germann, Director District 1, and Jan Tuin, Director District 5, are currently circulating nominating petitions. Richard Hypio has filed his petition with the county clerk’s office, which is coordinating the November election. Hypio is seeking the District 4 seat currently held by Tammy Smith. Smith is term-limited.


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Delta County Independent, Aug. 30, 2017 by Delta County Independent - Issuu