NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
EAGLES SOAR
Paonia High School leads off week of commencement exercises, B1
SPORTS
HERITAGE DAY
THINCLADS MEDAL
Pioneer Town opens with a flurry of activity Saturday, C1
Baseball play continues for Delta, Hotchkiss and Paonia, B5-8
DELTA COUNTY
MAY 23, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 21
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INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
Armory building is under contract BY PAT SUNDERLAND AND KAYLEE DUNHAM Staff Writers
Photo submitted
Through an artist’s eye
Historic Fort Uncompahgre on the Old Spanish Trail is a popular destination for end-ofyear field trips for students across western Colorado. Last week it was also one of three sites used for western artists and photographers. Many of the professionals were from Colorado, but the event also drew participants from Europe. Models dressed in authentic period costume were photographed in a variety of settings, including the fort, at a tipi village at Riverbend Park in North Delta, and with mules on the rim of the Escalante Canyon. Organizer Bill Bailey hopes to make the Robidoux Artist Camp an annual event. “This is an opportunity for us to showcase the fort in a different way,” said Chris Miller, fort director.
Sam Kimbriel, owner of Needle Rock Brewing Company, confirmed last week that his real estate firm has a contact to purchase the armory building at the corner of 4th and Grand in Delta. It’s one of several sites he’s looked at for a brewing facility. Currently, the four beers that are Needle Rock’s are being brewed in Edwards. Kimbriel said the armory is in a good location and sits in eight city lots, but the building itself is a “disaster.” “Could it work for a brewery? I’m not sure. We’re going to hold onto it until we can figure out a plan.” The purchase is evidence of Kimbriel’s commitment to the future of Delta County. “Any investments we make, we’re going to make here,” he said. After completing extensive renovations of the restaurant building at 820 Highway 92, Kimbriel said, “I’m an entrepreneur and my goal is always to bring value to the community. We want to do what we can to make Delta County a great place to live, attract people to this area.” The armory opened at 355 Grand Avenue on July 30, 1922, one of four National
Guard armories built in western Colorado after World War I. For many years the armory was the hub of the community. The building was used for dances, skating, an indoor rifle range, a basketball court, a stage for theater, annual banquets, the state Lions convention, a Spring Fling, and more. In addition, Company C Colorado National Guard, 157th Infantry participated in drills in the drill room. Because of the convenience of a place to practice during bad weather and in the evenings, recruitment was at a peak. In 1961, a new armory building was built in Montrose and the Colorado National Guard was asked to close the Delta armory and join Montrose. After that, the building was put up for bid and was bought by Andy Mallet for $16,000. He turned it into a rug and furniture business. Mallet built a metal building on the north side. He lost the building to a local bank, which turned around and sold it to a California investor for $19,000. The building was sold next to a builder who had high hopes of restoring the armory. He also spoke of converting it into apartments and condos within the next five years. Instead the armory was boarded up.
Brewery tees up food service at Devil’s Thumb BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Effective June 1, Needle Rock Brewing Company is assuming food and beverage operations at Devil’s Thumb Golf Course. Black Canyon Golf Course in Montrose has successfully partnered with a local brewery, said Wilma Erven, director of parks, recreation and golf for the City of Delta. She hopes a similar partnership will help increase the use of the facilities at Devil’s Thumb. Sam Kimbriel, owner of the
Needle Rock, said his goal is to change the “feel” of the dining experience from a snack bar to a restaurant. “We’re calling it Club Needle Rock,” he said, “and it will have a lot of the same menu items we have at the restaurant, plus some on-thego foods like sandwiches and salads, for golfers who want to get right on the course.” Delta City Council awarded a five-year contract to Needle Rock at a special meeting May 8, giving Kimbriel and his staff just a few weeks to get the right equipment and the
City purchases West Home Center property BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The City of Delta has purchased the West Home Center property at 327 Main Street for $19,033.62 — the current and past property taxes on the land. The building has no value, according to county property records. The city is using a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to acquire, then demolish the building and create a pocket park. Total anticipated cost is $272,560, with CDBG funding limited to $234,402
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ......................A11 Agriculture ................... C6 Back Page ................... D6 Business .......................A12 Church ........................... D4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ............................ D3 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ....................A10 School Zone ............... A6-8 Sports ..........................B5-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-5 TV Listings ..................C3-4
and the city contributing $38,158. The CDBG grant is intended to assist the city with blight remediation within the Delta Urban Renewal Authority boundaries. City manager David Torgler said the next step is to hire an engineer and prepare for removal of the building. Grant funds can be used; the grant can be used only for site acquisition as well as site assessment, environmental assessment, remediation and demolition.
right personnel in place. The restaurant area needs a little TLC, Kimbriel noted. “We felt like if we made the investment we’re looking at, we needed a five-year contract.” According to the minutes of the special meeting, Needle Rock will front the cost of the improvements and the
city will credit them through rental fees and/or tax credits. Kimbriel said he’ll hold off on any renovations until October or November, when things slow down at the golf course. “We’re planning on a lot more events,” Kimbriel said. “We really look forward to using the clubhouse as a wedding venue, and for corporate
events, fundraisers and family parties.” Needle Rock Brewing has been open less than a year, but he and chef Kenneth Kinser have put together a great team, and Kimbriel said that makes it much easier to put these ventures together. Kimbriel noted that a NEEDLE ROCK TO A3
Yager sentenced to 42 years PRESS RELEASE
On May 15, Judge Steven L. Schultz imposed a 42-year prison sentence on Nathan Yager in the Delta District Court. On March 20, a verdict of guilty was returned against Yager on the charge of second degree murder of his wife, Melinda Yager. The trial was the second in this case. Evidence was presented by an expert witness, family and friends, and by members of law enforcement. At the sentencing hearing, Dale Tackett, Melinda’s father, and Matt Tackett, her twin brother, each addressed the judge. Melinda’s two sisters submitted written statements which were read in open court by Dale and Matt Tackett. Yager, his mother and a friend addressed the court. DA Dan Hotsenpiller addressed the
Fire ban implemented Due to the extended hot, dry and windy weather in Delta County, open fires have been banned until further notice. All outdoor fires, including agricultural burning are prohibited. Campfires are restricted to permanent fire pits or fire rings at private residences or within developed recreational sites such as a campground or picnic area. Fires may also be contained within liquid fueled or gas fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices. The ban also prohibits the personal use of all fireworks and target shooting with explosive targets. Smoking is permitted only within an enclosed vehicle or building, or in an area at least six feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all combustible material. The restrictions apply to all unincorporated areas of Delta County.
court on behalf of the people and deputy state public defender Kori Keil spoke on behalf of the defendant. The sentence imposed includes a period of five years on parole, credit of 2,685 days for time Yager has been in custody since Jan. 7, 2011, and restitution of $16,396.24. Judge Schultz also denied Yager’s request to modify the mandatory protection order to allow him contact with his child. The judge indicated such a modification would not be in the best interests of the minor child. Judge Schultz told Yager it would be up to the minor child whether or not she has contact with him. If there is any future contact between the minor child and Yager, it will need to be monitored and managed by professionals in order to assist the child with trauma due to
the death of her mother and imprisonment of her father. Hotsenpiller said, “The people wish to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the family of Melinda Yager and her friends who testified and provided support. This has been a difficult experience for them and for the entire Paonia community.” He expressed appreciation to the law enforcement officers from all of the different agencies that were involved and testified, including Paonia Police Department, Delta County Sheriff ’s Office and CBI, and to the trial team of the district attorney’s office, specifically, first assistant AG Janet Drake, deputy district attorney Aubrey Vila, victim/ witness coordinator Aimee English and chief investigator Duane Morton.
Sale of heroin, meth alleged As the result of a search warrant executed at a Delta home on April 9, the Delta Police Department arrested Michael Lee Blair, 31, on charges of the unlawful possession, distribution, manufacturing, dispensing or sale of heroin, methamphetamine, Oxycodone, psilocybin mushrooms, Diazepam, Tramadol and Phentermine. DPD officers obtained the search warrant after
receiving information that Blair was possibly involved with the distribution of heroin and other illegal substances. The search warrant was executed on April 9 at a residence at 664 Silver Street, Delta, with the assistance of the Montrose County Sheriff’s K9 Unit. The DPD would like to thank K9 handler Sanders and K9 Oxx for their assistance.