Delta County Independent, Jan. 9, 2019 by Delta County Independent

NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

SCHOOL SAFETY

School resource officer patrols the halls in Paonia, B1

SPORTS

CHAPLAIN OF THE DAY Cedaredge pastor gives opening day prayer at the state capitol, B6

DELTA COUNTY

BACK ON THE MAT

Cedaredge, Delta wrestle at Eagle Valley Invitational, B8 JANUARY 9, 2019 VOL. 136, NO. 2

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INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Delta hopes to cash in on tourism BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

City of Delta officials are enthused about a local effort to increase tourism revenue in partnership with Delta County Tourism and the Colorado Tourism Office. The city was one of two communities in Colorado to qualify for CRAFT 201 — Colorado Rural Academy for Tourism, a grant through the Colorado Tourism Office. This grant does not carry any funding; rather, it provides a consultant to work directly with a steering committee headed by Wilma Erven, director of parks, recreation and culture for the City of Delta. The consultant, Amy Cassidy of Eagle, has taken her hometown from a gas stop to a destination for travelers, Erven said. “She is just awesome! She is helping us develop tourism in a way that we market not only to the outside world, but to our own residents so they realize what we have to offer.” “I see the CRAFT grant as a real windfall that could help create a new and cost efficient industry for the city and county of Delta,” said Nathan Clay, a council member who also serves on the steering committee, along with fellow council member Christopher Ryan. Also on the steering committee are Don Suppes, county commissioner; David Torgler, city manager; Kelli Hepler, Delta County Tourism; Stacey Voigt and Nicci Robbins, Delta County Economic Development; Darnell Place-

Wise, public information officer for Delta County; and Sam Kimbriel, business owner and member of the Delta County Tourism Cabinet. “Tourism is already here in many forms and is already moderately successful,” Clay said. “However, it is an industry that is ready to be maximized and embraced. I believe that tourism is ready to grow, and needs to go mainstream in Delta. “We all have to help if we hope to capitalize on this new and exciting opportunity; it must be a community effort,” Clay said. To that end, CRAFT is hosting a tourism town hall in conjunction with the chamber’s business after hours Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Needle Rock Brewing Company in Delta. The business community is invited to join this gathering from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There is no charge. “We want to provide information about where we’re headed, what we’d like to see happen, and we’d like to have input from our businesses,” Erven said. After the initial rollout, the CRAFT committee will be seeking input and ideas from the community at large. “This project is in its infancy but represents a new hopeful Delta,” Clay added. “Our citizens will ultimately decide whether we accept and embrace the tourist and their dollar or not.” The CRAFT group is working on a catchy tag line and a signature biking event, to be TOURISM TO A3

Photo courtesy DCMH

New year, new life

Abreaze and Oakley (no last name provided) welcomed the arrival of baby girl Ziyah at 11:38 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Ziyah was the ﬁrst baby to be born at Delta County Memorial Hospital in 2019.

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A7 Back Page .................... C6 Business ........................ A8 Church ............................C4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ..........................C2-3 North Fork Times ........B1-3 Obituaries ..................... A6 School Zone .................. A5 Service Directory ......... C5 Sports .............................B8 Surface Creek News ...B6-7 TV Listings ..................B4-5

Photo by Dan Stucker

Flying a Cessna 182, Ron Widner cut the ribbon to ofﬁcially open Runway 3-21. Widner is a commercial pilot and a mechanic at Smiling Aviation.

New runway paves the way for airport growth Mark and Cheryl Husmann, owners of Smiling Aviation and the managers of Blake Field, hosted a Christmas open house in conjunction with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly reconstructed main runway, Runway 3-21. The Husmanns report that the existing runway was about 28 years old and might have lasted another 10 if not for some water working its way underneath the northeast end. A full re-construction was done with all material being removed and dug down to start over. Funding was provided in large part by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with a smaller county match. Armstrong Consulting did the engineering on the project; United accomplished the rebuild in about 90 days by working six days a week, 12 hours a day. Pro-Electric did the electrical work for the new runway lights. Smiling Aviation, Inc. moved onto the airport in 2005. In addition to manag-

ing the airport, Smiling Aviation provides any services required by pilots, such as maintenance, fuel, aircraft and space rentals. The airport has grown considerably in the last 13 years, tripling in number of based aircraft and hangars, all privately owned. Three to four new hangars are expected to go up this year as well, on the east side where there is plenty of room to build, thanks to the county’s purchase of an old horse ranch. All hangar spaces have been filled to the west. The Husmanns report that the addition of jet fuel and a GPS approach in the last few years is contributing to expanding traffic at the airport, including a larger and more varied number of aircraft to include jets and more turbo-prop aircraft. “The privately owned hangars that are going in will be able to accommodate these larger aircraft and we hope that this newer expansion continues since it will bring in more small business owners to our area, which will,

A new beginning

in turn, be good for our local economy,” they said. The addition of Ultimate Skydiving Adventures increased usage at Blake Field Airport by several hundred flights this year, since more than 900 people went skydiving in Delta County in 2018. “These people, along with others brought in by existing or new businesses at the airport, will be looking for other services and things to do while here. We are always looking to find other businesses that want to work at our airport since Delta County offers several financial, geographic and traffic advantages that surrounding airports can’t.” The Husmanns say Delta County’s guidance and support was instrumental in making this expansion happen, with the county commissioners and county manager doing a lot of work to make things happen at the North Delta airport. Bob Basher, county engineer and Larry Record, District 1 manager, have been at the RUNWAY TO A3

Photo by Annette Brand

On Monday Jan. 7, Judge Jin D. Pack administered the oath of office to recently elected county officials pictured above. From left to right are Sheriff Mark Taylor, District 1 county commissioner Mike Lane, county surveyor Jesse Messenger, county coroner Lance Boren, county assessor Debbie Griffith, Judge Pack, and county clerk and recorder Teri Stephenson. County treasurer Lisa Tafoya took her oath of office on Jan. 1.

Commissioners change meeting days

At their meeting on Jan. 7, Delta County Commissioners Mark Roeber, Don Suppes and Mike Lane elected Suppes as chairman and Roeber as vice chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. Suppes and Roeber welcomed Mike Lane, who was sworn in as commissioner prior to the meeting. Lane fills the position formerly held by Doug Atchley, who was term limited. The commissioners changed their regular meeting day from the first and third Mondays of each month to the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The next meeting of the commissioners will be on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 8:30 a.m., Room 236 of the county courthouse. The agenda for each regular commission meeting is posted on the front window of the county courthouse at 501 Palmer Street on the Friday before the meeting. It is sometimes difficult for affected county departments to get information regarding items for the agenda to county clerk and recorder Teri Stephenson in time for the information to be included on the agenda prior to the agenda being posted on Fridays. Changing the meeting date to Tuesday will enable the agenda to be finalized on Monday and posted in the window on Monday afternoon.

Health coverage

The open enrollment period for health insurance through the Colorado marketplace ends Jan. 15. In Delta County, 1,069 residents have enrolled in private health insurance. Households, on average, are saving $1,114 a month on their premium. If you still need coverage for 2019, it is not too late! Connect for Health Colorado®, the state’s health insurance marketplace, is the only place where you can apply for financial help to lower the cost of your health insurance. To learn or speak to a certified expert, visit ConnectForHealthCO. com.

A2 Wednesday, January 9, 2019

OPINION

LETTERS It’s time to call a Convention of States

KUDOS

to impose federal fiscal restraints. The founders wisely gave “We the People” a tool, I call it a gift, to reign in an out of control government. In Colorado, 25,400 citizens have signed the COS petition to our state legislators because we are concerned about the future of our country. If you share our concerns, please learn more and sign the petition to your state legislators at www.convention ofstates.com. Barb Stoermer Cedaredge

Black Eyed Pea rocks again!

Walls work

Dear Editor: The Black Eyed Pea rocks again! I want to express my deepest thanks to everyone who made the 19th annual Black Eyed Pea at the Blue Sage a rousing success. The wintry weather did not deter enthusiasm and it was amazing to see the arts and Paonia’s community spirit bring people together. Everyone enjoyed a remarkable six hours of local musical talent while noshing on the potluck delectables. Thanks to all who fueled the fest. Special thanks go out to Rick Stockton, now in his 19th year coordinating the musical lineup, for helping make the Black Eyed Pea a reality. He is truly remarkable. We are sincerely grateful to all the musicians who performed for our enjoyment: Jon Hickman, Carrie Liz Williams, J Mo Morley, Justin Hess, Susan Heart, Michael Meadows, John Hutchison, Michael Zimmerie, Dave Sheppard, Ellen Hutto, Tim Veazey, Rick Stockton, Tony Soto,and Josh B. A big thanks to all who lent a hand during the day to ensure the smooth running of the celebration: Bernie for jumping right in and organizing all the food; Tara and Sam Brown for being there to the very end to put the Sage back together again; Tim Kelly for lending a hand at the bar; the Blue Sage Board for pitching where needed: Brian Wegner, Cyndi Landes (who saved the day), Don Grant, Lynn Wetherell (coordinating volunteers & set up), and Ulli Lange; to everyone who pitched in at the end to help break down and clean up and anyone I may have missed. And always, thank you to our sponsors: Azura Winery, The Bross Hotel, First State Bank, Little Ollie’s Ice Cream, Remax Mountain West and Stone Cottage Cellars. And the biggest thank you to everyone who attended. People came up to me throughout the day expressing their thanks for everything the Blue Sage does. Your show of support warmed my heart and made me realize how important the Blue Sage is to our community. We have a lot planned for 2019 as we work towards making the Blue Sage Center for the Arts the best community resource it can possibly be. Debra Muzikar, Director

Dear Editor: MIT and Yale University professors studying government data determined there are 22.1 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. A Federation for American Immigration Reform analysis determined that taxpayers spend almost $135 billion each year on government programs (education, medical care, law enforcement, welfare, etc.) for illegals. Only $19 billion of that was recouped through taxes from illegals, said the study. And Congress wants to balk over $5 billion for a border wall? Then take it from foreign aid budgets. In 2017 alone, the U.S. gave just the seven Central American countries and Mexico $943 million. Some African countries get over

Dear Editor: There’s a nationwide movement to call a Convention of States through Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose constitutional amendments that will limit the scope, power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and return stolen authority back to the states. In 1787, Colonel George Mason feared that our federal government might

someday get out of control, and insisted on adding this Article V provision to the Constitution. This constitutional tool gives authority to state legislatures to bypass the federal government and fix major problems. Now, is the time to invoke Article V to propose amendments for term limits of federal officials and judges, limiting federal government power, and

Delta County Independent

Deltagate reveals a bigger picture Dear Editor: My earlier letter to the editor revealing moonlighting and timesheet/billing anomalies on the part of Delta County employee Elyse Ackerman Casselberry has many people talking. That’s good; it means I’ve hit a nerve. Some residents are calling for Casselberry’s firing or other disciplinary action. But folks, I submit that there’s a much bigger picture to consider. While Casselberry may have simply screwed up her timesheet in an attempt to manage her enormous schedule — a full-time job with Delta County and a halftime job with Collbran — the county leadership who allowed this

$1 billion a year. Almost every foreign country gets annual financial aid from the U.S. The federal government’s most important function is to protect our country. Yet it has allowed massive illegal immigration, including drug runners, gang members, criminals, and human traffickers bringing their victims. We already have these. We don’t need more. People voted for Trump because he gets things done. He could do more if Congress would do what’s right for the country instead of what will most hurt the opposite party. Walls work. (Thus Obama has a 10-foot-high wall around his house.) Congress: stop politics, start protection. Angie Many Eckert

situation to occur is our biggest concern; specifically, administrator Robbie LeValley, the county commissioners and Bill Bever, Delta County’s human resource director. Casselberry is an ambitious person taking advantage of a broken system. She says that she negotiated the ability to work on the side when LeValley originally hired her back in May 2017. Since then, she’s done evening training seminars under her company, DMA Consulting, LLC, for other government entities and is an adjunct professor at Adams State University. Good for her. Her latest contract, however, is an impossible juggling act that has conflict written all over it and is certainly not in the best interest of Delta County. There is not a manager worth their salt who wouldn’t have serious reservations about paying someone nearly $95,000 per

year and not receive that employee’s highest priority and undivided attention while on the job. County leadership has not only afforded this over-the-top concession to Casselberry, it’s also maintained a contract planner, at $100,000 per year, and, most recently, hired a public information officer, at $48,000 per year, to help out the busy planning director. So, why has LeValley and our county commissioners granted Casselberry an elite status — above the rules — and degraded the contributions of many co-workers focused on serving the people of Delta County? Looks like incompetent, bumbling leadership to me — and some good ole boy cronyism thrown in for good-measure. Or should I say, good ole gal? JoAnn Kalenak Hotchkiss P.S. And Lord only knows what the Town of Collbran is thinking.

A plan to unite all behind Trump Dear Editor: I have a sure plan that will enable the Democrats to increase the amount of “positive” they do for their constituents and the nation after the next presidential election. They really haven’t achieved much in the last two years because they’ve been so busy bashing President Trump. At the same time, it’s so amazing what the president has accomplished for “we the people” in two years. Here’s the plan! The Democrats should get

President Trump to switch parties and have him run on their ticket for president. This will provide a very capable candidate for them since they really don’t have anyone much but Hillary and a couple old hasbeens to run. This move will put all the citizens of both parties concerned with the positive running of the United States of America into action instead of just the Republicans. I’m serious! Clarence (Sonny) Rost, Delta

Delta police, sheriff’s blotter From the Delta Police Department (edited for length): Dec. 28: Officers responded to a property on Ute Street for a possible trespass. An officer responded to the 100 block of E. 4th Street for a two-vehicle crash. No injuries were reported or observed. An officer took a report of a stolen bicycle from the 600 block of Highway 50. The bicycle was located and returned to the owner. An officer responded to a trespassing incident at Walmart. A theft was reported at Big O Tires. An officer responded to a building in the 1000 block of Main Street for criminal mischief. A wheelchair was reported stolen from a residence in the 1400 block of Yankee Girl Street. Dec. 29: An officer responded to a residence in the 400 block of Dodge for a report of first degree criminal trespass of a vehicle and theft. Officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of E. 3rd Street on a report of a disturbance. Alton Paul Nelson, 34, of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged third degree assault as an act of domestic violence. A theft was reported at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. Corey Justin Rouse, 27, of Paonia was issued a ticket for alleged no license plate light, driving while license suspended and failure to present evidence of insurance. Dec. 30: Dallas Joann Walters, 46, of Austin was arrested and jailed on a warrant with a $5,000 bond. Officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of Silver Street for a disturbance. Alexis Briann Triantos, 19, of Delta was issued a ticket for alleged disorderly conduct. Dec. 31: Officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of 1400 Lane for a disturbance. Janessa E. Delhagen, 27, of Delta was issued a ticket for alleged unlawful possession of a controlled substance and child abuse after being transported to the hospital for medical treatment. DELTA COUNTY

INDEPENDENT DELTA COUNTY INDEPENDENT (UPS 152-700) is published weekly on Wednesdays at 401 Meeker St., Delta, CO 81416. Second class postage paid at DELTA, CO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: DELTA COUNTY INDEPENDENT, PO BOX 809, DELTA, CO 81416 401 Meeker St. Delta, CO 81416 (970) 874-4421

An officer responded to Highway 50 at 1525 Road for a non-injury, two-vehicle crash. Jan. 1: Sarah Leigh Rodriguez, 27, of Grand Junction was arrested and jailed on a warrant with no bond. Officers responded to a residence in the 1300 block of Maple Way on a report of a disturbance. David Michael Wilkins, 44, of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged harassment and false imprisonment as an act of domestic violence. Daniel Joseph Winter, 39, of Delta was issued a ticket for alleged shoplifting at City Market. Jan. 3: No reports. Jan. 4: Officers responded to Delta County Memorial Hospital for a disturbance. Jennifer Jean Williams, 32, of Cedaredge was arrested and jailed for alleged disorderly conduct. Officers responded to Quality Inn on a report of theft. Shae Ellen Gero, 26, of Gunnison was arrested and jailed on six warrants with a total of $8,400 in bond amounts. An officer responded to Bank of Colorado on a report of fraud. A burglary was reported at a residence in the 1200 block of A Street. An officer responded to City Market for a two-vehicle traffic accident. No injuries were reported or observed. Both vehicles were driven from the scene. A theft was reported at a residence in the 100 block of Palmer Street. An officer responded to a residence in the 500 block of W. Apple Drive for a disturbance which turned out to be a citizen assist. Joseph Troy Stracener, 25, of Eckert was arrested and jailed for alleged failed to drive in a single lane, failed to display valid registration, failed to present evidence of insurance, driving under the influence of alcohol and open alcoholic beverage container in motor vehicle. Jan. 5: Officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of Columbia for a disturbance. Jose DeJesus Barajas, 32, of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged false imprisonment as an act of domestic violence. Officers responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Meeker Street for someone needing an ambulance. Michelle Marie Davenport, 50, of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged second degree assault. An officer responded to a location just outside city limits on Old Wagon Road to assist the Delta County Sheriff’s Office with a suspicious incident. An officer responded to a residence in the 400 block of W. 3rd Street on a report of stolen vehicle parts.

An officer located a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the registered owner. An officer responded to the 600 block of Labor Street on a report of theft from two vehicles. Jennifer Nicole Roberts, 23, of Olathe was issued a ticket for alleged shoplifting at Clubb’s Variety Store. An officer responded to Delta County Memorial Hospital on a report of a dog bite. Reminder: The charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. From the Delta County Sheriff’s Office (partial list): Jan. 1: Deputies responded to a traffic accident on the Hotchkiss Grade at about 2:30 p.m. A two-vehicle non-injury accident was reported near the intersection of Highway 65 and Iris Road at about 3 p.m. Deputies conducted a welfare check on a 15-year-old male who had reportedly sent concerning Snapchats to a friend. Jan. 2: A deputy took a phone report of fraud from a Cedaredge woman who reported someone had opened a Verizon wireless account in her name and left an outstanding bill of $181.09. Another citizen reported his credit card number had been used to rack up $827.80 in fraudulent charges. Deputies investigated accusations of neglected dogs at an address on S. Grand Mesa Drive, Cedaredge. The dogs were determined to be healthy with proper shelter. The Montrose County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance in executing a search warrant at an address on F Road in Delta. Ten firearms and other stolen items were reportedly recovered and a suspect is being held in Montrose County Jail. Jan. 3: Joseph Olea of Eckert was arrested on an outstanding Delta County warrant with a bond of $1,500. A burglary was reported at a residence in Orchard City. The only items reported missing were a couple of tools valued at just over $100. Deputies responded to a traffic accident at the intersection of 1800 Road and Highway 92 at about 6:30 p.m. The Colorado State Patrol handled the investigation. At about 11:45 p.m., deputies responded to the area of Farmers Mine Road in Paonia on an abandoned 911 call, which turned out to be a onevehicle, no-injury accident. Jan. 4: Davona Stewart of Cedaredge was arrested on an outstanding Delta County warrant and held on $2,000 bond.

At about 5:20 p.m., a family dispute was reported at a residence on Grange Road outside of Paonia. A Paonia Police Department officer who arrived first on the scene was allegedly kicked in the groin during an altercation. Deputies arrived on scene a short time later and placed Casey Cozza, 31, under arrest. He is charged with two counts of violation of a restraining order (alcohol related), second degree assault and obstruction of a peace officer. At about 9:30 p.m., deputies assisted the Colorado State Patrol with a one-vehicle, no-injury traffic accident on R Road near Cedaredge. A Hotchkiss area resident reported the theft of 20 prescription Oxycodone pills from his home on Powell Mesa Road. Jan. 5: Shortly after 5 a.m., a possible trespasser was reported at a residence on Old Wagon Road near the city of Delta. Due to recent burglaries in the area, officers from the Delta Police Department were asked to respond, as well. They contacted a 1997 green Nissan Maxima containing two male parties, one of whom was allegedly wearing a mask; the other was wearing a hood. The car was parked in front of the reporting party’s residence. He told law enforcement officers both his cars appeared to have been tampered with, and several items were found lying on the ground. Deputies observed footprints in the snow near the two vehicles. They took Luke Frazier, 19, into custody on charges of first degree criminal trespass, third degree criminal trespass, misdemeanor theft, violation of bail bond conditions and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Charges are pending against a 15-year-old male who was released to his grandmother. Deputies assisted the Colorado State Patrol with a traffic stop on Highway 92, mile marker 3.5. The female driver was taken to the hospital for medical reasons. The theft of a 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup with a camper shell was reported from a home on Timothy Road near Cedaredge. The vehicle had last been seen the morning of Jan. 4. Investigators are following up on some leads. As a result of a traffic stop on North Road near Running Deer Road, Rodrick Persons of Orchard City was arrested on drug charges. Acting on indications of possible drug violations, they obtained a consent to search Persons’ vehicle. They located a suspected methamphetamine pipe, suspected methamphetamine and close to $600 in cash. Persons was taken into custody and charged with unlawful distribution of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and traffic violations.

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

County begins process of updating land development regulations PRESS RELEASE

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On Jan. 9, the Delta County Board of County Commissioners is holding its first work session meeting with members of the consulting team selected to work with the county to update the county’s land development regulations. The discussion will focus on the community involvement process. The need to update the development regulations is driven by a desire to align the recently adopted Master Plan with the county’s regulatory framework. In the spring of 2018, the Planning Commission adopted the new Master Plan, following a yearlong community engagement process to define a vision for Delta County’s future. “When we started the Master Plan update, we knew our regulations were outdated and needed to be updated,” commented Commissioner Mark Roeber. “We want the regulations to be driven by what the community wants for the future, and that includes the silent majority.” Master Plans establish the vision, goals and strategies. The county’s vision includes six community goals with strategic recommendations intended to promote a higher quality of life, stewardship of natural resources, and a fair and predictable land development process. However, Master Plans are advisory documents only. Implementation occurs through public investments, program development, policy changes and regulatory changes.

Land use regulations are vitally important as they determine how, when and where future development occurs across unincorporated Delta County. The county commissioners want new land use regulations that clarify the development process. “It is not a secret that our land use regulations have not served our community well for years,” stated Commissioner Don Suppes. “We have a process where everyone — land owners, neighbors and developers — all experience unpredictability. It has led to some contentious development applications, and a decrease in community investments.” One of the first tasks in the process is to review the Master Plan for regulatory related recommendations, and assess current development patterns on the ground. “We are starting this update process by building a solid understanding of our current conditions, and then folding in our vision to inform what needs to be changed,” explains Elyse Casselberry. “We have a rudimentary toolbox right now. Before we jump to conclusions about what we should be doing, we need to begin with exploring our options, and what we can do differently to achieve our desired outcomes.” To support this dialogue, the county plans to roll out a variety of communication modes, from traditional updates in the newspaper, to online webinars and podcasts as well as community forums to educate the community about the

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DELTA COUNTY

INDEPENDENT

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FROM PAGE A1 forefront in planning and building so many projects at the airport, including the new crosswind runway (31-24) that enabled the airport to stay open while the main runway was closed during the fall. “Without the dirt crosswind runway, things would have been much different for us, Ultimate

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regulatory process. this process willing to lis- the project and how The update process for ten and be respectful of to become involved, visit www.deltacounty the development regu- one another.” lations will take about To learn more about plan.com. a year. Like the Master Plan, the community will have many ways to participate in this process. “We have a diverse set of values in our community. Our goal is to find common ground around the appropriate regulatory tools and processes that will support economic investment, protect what we love about living here, and respect property rights,” says Commissioner Roeber. “Regulations are not black or white. There is a lot of grey area in identifying what will best fit our �� community. Our hope is that everyone approaches ��

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Skydiving Adventures, and the local pilots this year,” the Husmanns said. “Many pilots commented that Runway 3124 as the best dirt runway they had ever seen, a testament to the work that Delta County Road & Bridge does!” Mark Husmann, airport manager, was on hand to work with Delta County and all the contractors and engineers as they moved through this project. Mark has always had big dreams for Blake Field and with the efforts of Delta County, many of those goals have been accomplished. There are still more projects slated with a longer taxiway, improved main ramp, and newer FBO being planned in the next few years. “We are hoping to make our community a place where many more pilots and their businesses come to land!” the Husmanns said.

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Tourism FROM PAGE A1 held this spring in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and Delta Area Mountain Bikers (DAMB). “We’re really excited to showcase the diversity of what we have for mountain bikers, as well as everything else we have to offer — whether folks want to fish or float the river, ride the rapids in the spring, try out our disc golf course, or take a swing on our award-winning 18-hole golf course,” Erven said. While CRAFT 201 has brought expertise, not funding, to Delta County, Erven said there may be some money to help with project implementation. The City of Delta has also budgeted for a new marketing position in 2019, which creates sustainability as this effort moves forward. “I really, really feel this opportunity can be a catalyst to help us move forward,” Erven said.

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A4 Wednesday, January 9, 2019

ACCENT

Delta County Independent

Family of 10 plans year-long adventure BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

The Wright family is about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime — one that will make some folks envious and leave

others shaking their heads in amazement. This family of 10 is hitching up their fifth wheel and taking off to explore the U.S. for an entire year.

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“Because it will be winter when we leave Delta, we’re going to head straight south,” said Jeff Wright. In the fall, Wright resigned as Delta County emergency management officer so he could spend a year on the road with his wife Michelle and eight kids. Before taking over the Office of Emergency Management, Wright was a dispatcher, firefighter and EMT. A POST-certified law enforcement officer, he also earned an associate degree in criminal

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Photo by Pat Sunderland

Jeff and Michelle Wright are planning an unforgettable adventure for their large family. justice and a bachelor’s in public administration, “For the past five years it’s been nothing but emergency management and school and search and rescue calls and fires. I was deployed

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three times in 2018, once to North Carolina for the hurricane [through an interstate compact]. “We’ve missed plenty of camping trips the last couple of years, so this is a great opportunity for me to give back to Michelle and kids. In addition, the opportunity to travel the country and experience different cultures will be a huge educational thing for the kids.” All are big history buffs, Michelle said, and she’s developed some homeschool exercises to help them get the most out of their visits to state and national parks. She plans to test the curriculum on her own kids,

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then potentially put the educational workbooks on the market. Michelle is also starting a blog/vlog called “Chaos for Breakfast.” There’s not a lot going on yet, but once they hit the road, the blog will be an avenue to share their experiences with friends and family members. Look for it at chaos-forbreakfast.blogspot.com. Jeff said he may do a little work on the road, but for the next year his priority will be his family. “I kind of started from scratch in Delta County and built an award-winning emergency management program, which took a lot of work, so this is my opportunity to give back to the family a little. So the less work, the better,” he said. In addition to hitting as many state and national parks as possible, they plan to visit beaches, the redwoods and historic sites like Boston and Plymouth Rock. Quitting his job was a huge step, but Jeff said he and Michelle have been pinching pennies to get ready for this experience. It’s one they’ve been talking about for well over a year. It all started with tiny houses. “Our oldest daughter loves tiny houses, and as we watched the videos about tiny houses, it morphed into this big plan for traveling in an RV.” Step one was to buy the RV, step two the truck. Step three — quitting work — was the scariest step of all. Step four is sell the house and step five is “just go.” The Wrights’ spacious fifth wheel trailer has four queen size beds so it has room to sleep 10, particularly since most of their kids are still young. There’s a large kitchen, but dining space is limited so Jeff and Michelle foresee a lot of meals outdoors on picnic tables. They also have just one bathroom, but there is room for a full-size washer and dryer. Each kid will have his/her own spot for personal items. “Everywhere we go across the country we’re going to chase 75°, so we can spend as much time outside as possible but that doesn’t mean we won’t be inside watching movies on rainy days.” After traveling the country, Jeff and Michelle plan to wind back up in Colorado, where most of their family members live. “I will get back into emergency management; I absolutely love it so that will determine where we land, but it will definitely be here in Colorado,” Jeff said. “It’s a big move, but we think we are ready.”

BIRTHS Kelsey Mcquillen and Justin Johnsmeyer of Cedaredge are the parents of a daughter, Pyper Lynn Johnsmeyer, born Jan. 2, 2019, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. She weighed 5 pounds, 15 ounces and was 18.5 inches in length.

SCHOOL

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Three schools nominated for Capturing Kids’ Hearts awards Lincoln Elementary School, Delta Middle School and Cedaredge Elementary School have been nominated for Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools awards for the 2018-2019 school year by the Flippen Group. Four years ago, school administrators began an initiative to transform every campus in Delta County into an emotionally safe and relationally connected place for students, staff, and parents to come together with a love for learning. After researching programs used by many of the nation’s most successful schools, Delta County Joint School District chose to join hands with the Flippen Group to bring Capturing Kids’ Hearts® to its campus.

Teachers and staff have continued to learn the processes needed to connect students with their peers and adults on campus and to create classrooms where students are excited to learn every day. Flippen Group provides educators the skills they need to change the trajectory of students’ lives. Openness replaces defensiveness. Judging and feelings of being judged are replaced with acceptance and real connectedness to the school. Campuses consistently implementing Capturing Kids Hearts processes often report increases in academic improvement and reductions in discipline referrals. Through the National Showcase Schools awards, Flippen Group seeks to

Delta High School

Students of the Month Kaley St. Peter

Age: 18 Parents: Dusty Carney and Aaron St. Peter

Favorite subject: Math Favorite teacher: I don’t have a favorite. Most influential person in your life: My mom. At my age, my mom struggled through losing her own mom and I could never be as strong as she is/was through that. She is my go-to for advice or help and she is extremely supportive. After graduation I plan to study at Colorado Mesa University and pursue a career in nursing. Favorite musician: Bruno Mars Favorite TV show: I hardly watch TV. Activities: I am a varsity basketball player and I run track. I have been to state track two years in a row and medaled both years. I’m a second-year member of the National Honor Society. In my spare time I like to be with my family. Throughout the year I’m usually so busy, so when I have some free time I enjoy spending it with my family whether we watch a movie or go out to eat, etc.

Joseph Bules

Age: 18 Parents: Lee and Tonnie Bules Favorite subject: Business Favorite teacher: Mr. Ames Most influential person in your life: My dad. He taught me how to be a man and how to work hard for what you want. After graduation I plan to attend CU Boulder in pursuit of a degree in finance. Favorite saying: “Do what makes you happy.” Favorite musician/song: The Beach Boys Favorite TV show: The Office Activities: I am on Delta’s varsity basketball team. I am a state qualifier for FBLA and volunteer at the food bank. In my spare time, I like to hang out with my friends, play basketball and play video games.

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recognize and celebrate schools that go the extra mile each day, building an environment where students and staff feel safe and connected. Flippen Group believes the unsung heroes who produce exemplary outcomes in schools and pave the way for other schools to follow need and deserve recognition for a job well done. Capturing Kids’ Hearts campuses across the country are considered for this award based on the following criteria: 1) nomination based on observation, 2) level of implementation of Capturing Kids’ Hearts processes by all staff as measured by online surveys, and 3) data demonstrating that Capturing Kids’ Hearts has made a significant improvement in attendance, discipline, climate/culture, or academics. Since the nomination period is now closed, Flippen Group teams will begin conducting site visits to nominated campuses to gather additional quantitative and qualitative data and interview students, teachers, administrators, and par-

Anglers gather Jan. 16 Gunnison Gorge Anglers, the local Fly Fishers International and Trout Unlimited chapter, hosts its monthly social gathering Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. at 2 Rascals Brewing, 147 N 1st Street in Montrose. Tyler Morris, lifelong resident of Mesa County and sixth generation Coloradan, will be sharing the lifetime of knowledge he has gained fishing the Grand Mesa stillwaters. Through years of “trial and error” fishing, Morris has learned key aspects of timing and lake “patterns” that make the Grand Mesa such an amazing fishery. Come hear about the fly patterns and techniques that put fish in the net, and give yourself something to look forward to come ice off in the spring!

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ents. They will compile a matrix of key measurements from the campus observation. Following the site visit, the selection team will review all accumulated data and select the campuses to be this year’s recipients of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools awards. The Flippen Group is proud to recognize the outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the lives of our children.

Karate for kids A six-week Little Dragons karate class is being offered at Bill Heddles Recreation Center for ages 5-8. Classes will be held Saturdays, 11 to 11:45 a.m., from Jan. 12 to Feb. 16. The instructors are Rod Grantham, a seventh-degree black belt, and Ed Langrand, a fifth-degree black belt - taekwando. The cost is $25. To register or for more information, call Bill Heddles Recreation Center at 874-0923.

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Advertising with DCI can work for you. CALL 874-4421.

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A6 Wednesday, January 9, 2019

David Hansen

David L. Hansen died Dec. 21, 2018, in Denver. He was 71. He was born in Sydney, Mont., on Oct. 25, 1947, to Roy and Eileen Hansen. He attended school in Sydney until his family moved to California and then to Delta, where he graduated from high school in 1965. He attended Mesa State College in Grand Junction and served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed camping, hiking, traveling and nature. He is survived by his wife, Carol; son, Matt; daughter, Anna (Lance); two grandchildren, Maxwell and Olivia; sisters, Carol, Nancy (David), Annette (Rick); brotherin-law, Claude Wyman; and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Reta; and a nephew. A celebration of life will be held in the spring with services at Fort Logan National Cemetery (date to be determined). Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

OBITUARIES On March 15, 1959, she married Jack Gillespie. They provided a meeting place in their home for church services for many years. She enjoyed the outdoors, working in the yard, working with her husband in the family dairy business, supporting Paonia High School sports events, singing traditional gospel songs and decorating her home for Christmas for all to enjoy. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Jack Gillespie; daughters, Shelley (Steve) Vidal of Bee Cave, Texas, Amy Gillespie of Denver and Melissa (Randal) Palmer of Crawford; grandchildren, Keegan (Toria) Palmer of College Station, Texas, Brielle Palmer of Edmond, Okla., McKenna Palmer of Greeley; twin sister Darlene (Gary) Mayes of Grand Junction; brother, James (Shirley) Dexter of Greybull, Wyo.; sister-in-law, Carol Emmons; and extended family. She was preceded in death by a brother, David. Services were held at Taylor Funeral Home in Hotchkiss on Jan. 4. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements.

years. He enjoyed NASCAR, hockey, fishing, camping and hiking, especially on Grand Mesa. He was a Pittsburgh Steelers and Howard Stern fan. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Christy and Robert Cockerham of Olathe; father, Tyrone Mummey of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; four daughters, Courtney Chlarson, Codie Mummey and Caycee Mummey, all of St. George, Utah, and Cylie Frkovich of Sandy, Utah; a brother, Tyler Mummey of Reno, Nev.; two sisters, Kelly Badgett of Belleair Beach, Fla., and Shawna Dearing of Delta; a stepsister, Paulette Rios of Delta; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and an uncle. Memorial contributions can be made to the Montrose Humane Society. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Nola Cotten

Richard Mummey

Charlene Gillespie

Charlene Fay Gillespie died Dec. 29, 2018. She was 80. She was born to Richard and Nina (Bell) Emmons with a twin sister on Jan. 5, 1938, in Paonia. She spent her childhood and attended school in Paonia, graduating from Paonia High School in 1956. She graduated from Central Business School in Denver in 1957. She and her twin sister enjoyed singing and yodeling together.

Richard Derril Mummey died in Castle Rock on Dec. 21, 2018. He was 50. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Delta with James Gall officiating. James Arriola will deliver the eulogy. Cremation has taken place. Richard Mummey was born June 25, 1968, in Las Vegas, Nev., to Christy (Arriola) and Tyrone Mummey. He spent his childhood in Las Vegas and St. George, Utah, and graduated from Pine View High School in St. George in 1986. He was a professional painter who had lived in Olathe for the past 12

Celebration of Life ��

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Nola Bell Cotten died Dec. 28, 2018, at the age of 77. She was born Nov. 24, 1941, in Marienthal, Kan., to Johnny and Dellnora Cruse. In 1944, her family moved from Kansas to Crawford, where she spent her childhood. While attending Crawford High School she met Danny Cotten and they were married July 1, 1960, in Delta. They lived in several places on the Western Slope until 1968, when they moved their family to California. They settled in Big Bear Lake, Calif., from 1970 to 1980, where they owned a construction company. In 1980 they moved to Hotchkiss. They opened their home on Rogers Mesa to family, friends and strangers, and hosted the annual church convention there for 33 years. She was devoted to God. Danny Cotten died in March 2015 and Nola moved in with her eldest son, Mick and wife Dawna. She is survived by five children, Mick (Dawna) Cotten of Hotchkiss, Kent Cotten of Bozeman, Mont., Dana (Jordan) Bogue of Grand Junction, Nila (Bob) McCuaig of Post Falls, Idaho, and Cari (Todd) Coston of Bakersfield, Calif.; 15 grandchildren; 17 greatgrandchildren; sisters, Pauline Filener of Cortez and Norma Veatch of Grand Junction; and brother, David Cruse of Grand Junction. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Danny Cotten; and two brothers, Boyd and Melvin Cruse. Services were held Jan. 5 at Heritage Hall on the Delta County Fairgrounds in Hotchkiss. Interment followed at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Crawford. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory handled the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

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Delta County Independent

June Biggins

Eckert resident June Biggins died Jan. 2, 2019, at HopeWest Hospice Center in Grand Junction. She was 73. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at All Saints Lutheran Church in Cory, with Rev. Paul Rosin officiating. Mrs. Biggins was born in Winner, S.D., on April 6, 1945. She lived on a farm and attended a county school for her primary education. After moving in with her grandmother, she attended Winner High School, graduating in 1963. She married Donald Biggins; they had two sons. Mrs. Biggins had many jobs beginning with being a waitress in high school. She worked at the hospital, was a longtime employee of Safeway stores and clerked at mobile home parks. She enjoyed doing floral arrangements, sewing bridesmaids’ dresses, quilting, reading, playing bingo, cooking and baking. She also enjoyed church and spending time with family. She is survived by her partner of 26 years, Ken; two sons, Todd and Shawn Biggins; two brothers, LaVern and Ronald Koenig; three sisters, Judy Flood, Grace Wall and Gladys; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Koenig. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

pel in Delta. Darrell Joseph Cogswell was born Sept. 28, 1946, to Mason and Genevieve Cogswell in Boston, Mass. He spent his childhood in Cheyenne, Wyo., and Denver, where he graduated from Mullen High School in 1964. He attended Western State College and served in the U.S. Army. In 1988 he met Carolyn Berela Antrillo, his wife of 30 years. He enjoyed reading, woodworking and playing his guitar. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Antrillo of Delta; daughters, Felicity (Shawn) McMillan of Grass Valley, Calif., and Gina (Josh) Buchanan of Mancos; son, Anthony Antrillo of Delta; sisters, Deidra Miller of Grand Junction and Denise Mackenzie of Denver; and his grandchildren, Tyler, Rachel, Aaron, Andrew, Eva, Claire, Sonny and Hunter; and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Dean Cogswell. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Eva Green

Eva Green, a resident of Cedaredge and Portales, N.M., died Dec. 27, 2018, at Horizons Care Center. She was 85. A memorial service and inurnment will be held summer 2019 in Portales. She was born Feb. 9, 1933, to Everet and Francis (Elkins) Turnbough in Portales, N.M. She spent her childhood in Portales and graduated from Portales High School. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern New Mexico University. She is survived by her two daughters, Cynthia “Cindy” Beard of Cedaredge and Carol Bostelmann of Baltimore, Md.; and extended family. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Cheryl Grom

Cheryl Grom died Jan. 3, 2019, at her home in Hotchkiss. She was 72. A family service will be held at a later date. Cheryl Lynn Hanson was born March 13, 1946, in Gurnee, Ill., to Helen (Radtke) and Milton Hanson. She spent her childhood in Gurnee, Ill. On May 29, 1965, she married William “Bill” Grom in Wadsworth, Ill. Mrs. Grom moved from Onawa, Iowa, to Hotchkiss 38 years ago. She was a Methodist. She enjoyed reading, her flowers, birds and spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Bill; son, William G. (Lilia) of Rock Ledge, Fla.; two daughters, Sandi Mahnke of Fruita and Sindi Jones of Minneapolis, Minn.; one brother, Richard (Marilyn) Hanson of Seattle, Wash.; a sister, Delores Nohlechek of Fox Lake, Ill.; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Memorial contributions may be made to the North Fork Ambulance Association, PO Box 127, Hotchkiss, CO 81419. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

AARP offers drivers ed Bill Heddles Recreation Center will host the AARP Smart Driver program Monday, Jan. 21, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Save money on insurance and keep up on newer traffic laws. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Pre-registration is required; call Carol at 970-399-3113 to register.

OBITUARY POLICY

Darrell Cogswell

Delta resident Darrell Cogswell died Dec. 31, 2018, at his home. He was 72. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Taylor Funeral Service Cha-

As a community service, the Delta County Independent publishes obituaries at no charge. Submissions are edited to include basic biographical information, survivors, precedents and service details. One photo can be included. Families wishing a more detailed eulogy may request a price quote for a paid obituary, which will be printed word-for-word and may include more than one photo. For more information, call 874-4421.

Paul T. Cranor March 7, 1946 ~ Dec. 31, 2018 Paul Thomas Cranor died Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, at Horizons Care Center. He was 72. Paul was born in Salina, Utah, on March 7, 1946, to James T. and Ruth M. (Allen) Cranor. He attended several different schools as the family moved around until Paul was in high school. He graduated from Boulder High School in 1964. In 1967 he married his high school sweetheart, Frances Pettigrew while attending college in Boulder. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Organic Chemistry in 1969 and they moved to Manhattan, Kan., where he earned his Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry. At that point he realized he did not want to be a chemist for the rest of his life so he did not pursue his PhD. Instead they moved back to Boulder and he continued his education at the University of Colorado receiving his MBA in Marketing in 1974. In October 1976 they moved to Paonia, Colo.,

because Paul loved to hunt and fish. They purchased his greatgrandparents’ (Tandy and Rose McDaniel) 80-acre farm on Bone Mesa, approximately three miles south of Paonia. He educated himself about irrigation and water rights and for many years worked as the person who took care of opening/closing the irrigation system gates at the Beaver Reservoir. The many activities (besides hunting and fishing) he loved included hiking, camping, woodworking (making beautiful furniture), building houses,

running on the Paonia Volunteer Fire Department, working as an EMT on the North Fork Ambulance, teaching hunter safety classes, raising and training pack llamas as well as taking friends/paying customers on pack trips, driving school bus, picking fruit and reading. There was always venison, elk, bear, goose, duck, turkey, pheasant, antelope and/or fish in the freezer. He always had at least one or two dogs, black labs, yellow labs and/or chocolate labs, that accompanied him wherever he went. He is survived by Fran, his wife of 51 years; three brothers: Roy (Ila) Cranor of Paonia, Jan (Debby) Cranor of Fort Collins, and Val (Erin) of Cincinnati, Ohio; four nephews and five nieces. He will be greatly missed. Cremation has occurred and a memorial service will be held at a later date when family and friends can travel in better weather. Paid obituary

Delta County Independent

ACTIVITIES

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

�� Libraries host seed sorting parties ��

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BY TRACY IHNOT

Delta County Libraries

Delta County Libraries offers many unexpected things: Colorado State Parks passes for checkout, downloadable music, college test proctoring, online continuing education classes, meeting spaces, and much more. The availability of these resources may remain surprising to some patrons because, traditionally, when people think of libraries, they think of books. While each library does offer rows and rows of books, there are many other items and services that

AARP offers drivers ed

librarians want patrons to know about. “The community’s needs and interests are diverse and therefore so are the services and programs at Delta County Libraries,” says Lea Hart, district director. The Delta County Seed Library is a great example. It originated as a pilot program out of Hotchkiss Library in 2013 and has been steadily growing to reach patrons countywide. “When the seed library first began, it was only available at Hotchkiss Library,” says Sarah Smith, senior librarian. “Over time, we added seed cabinets to each library in the county and continued to add more and more seeds to our collection. The libraries have been working collaboratively to grow the program, prepare for the 2019 growing season, expand educational outreach, and develop partnerships with local people and organizations.” Although the time for planting seeds is still on the horizon, seed librarians across the county are busy tending to one of the

most essential steps in the process: seed saving. Just as all plants start with a seed, all seed packages in the seed library start with tender loving care. “This program is successful because of community support,” says Smith. “Each seed packet is put together by hand. We rely on good attendance at our seed sorting parties in January to accomplish this huge task. We also rely on seed donations from local patrons to fill our seed library.” Seed-sorting events are a great way for seed enthusiasts, avid gardeners, and library supporters to help the Delta County Seed Library thrive. “It is also a great way to escape the cold weather and dream about spring,” Smith smiles. “We are hosting seed sorting parties in Cedaredge, Hotchkiss and Paonia to package the incoming seed donations to get them ready for spring checkouts.” The seed-sorting parties also mark the deadline for donating seeds to the 2019 seed library.

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Bill Heddles Recreation Center will host the AARP Smart Driver program Monday, Jan. 21, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Save money on insurance and keep up on newer traffic laws. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Pre-registration is required; call Carol at 970-399-3113 to register.

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Ag finances, strategies featured in 2019 programs

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The Colorado State University Extension Agriculture and Business Management (ABM) team will present three programs in 2019 that are designed to assist farmers and ranchers manage these difficult financial times in agriculture. The Financial Management Strategies program will cover topics including, risk management, business planning, enterprise budgeting, record keeping, interpretation of financial statements, and selecting farm financial software. The program will be hosted by ABM economists Jenny Beiermann, Dr. Norm Dalsted, and Dr. Brent Young. Program dates and locations are Jan. 16, Grand Junction; Jan. 24, Durango; Feb. 18, Sterling; and Feb. 21, La Junta. For more information and to register visit http://2019fms. eventbrite.com. This program is funded in partnership by USDA, Risk Management Agency. The 2019 Ag Outlook & Strategy Forum program will cover topics including market outlook, breakeven analysis, using commodity insurance as a part of a

Learn to paddleboard at the pool Bill Heddles Recreation Center is offering an introduction to paddleboarding Wednesday nights from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 16, Jan. 23 and Jan. 30. The fee is $10. Children eight and under must be accompanied by an adult. To sign up, call the recreation center at 8740923.

comprehensive marketing plan, using futures and options to manage risk, and cross hedging weaned calves. The program will be hosted by ABM economists Jenny Beiermann, Dr. Steve Koontz and Dr. Brent Young. Program dates and locations are Jan. 17, Delta; Jan. 31,

More than five million people have positively changed their financial future through Ramsey Solutions’ Financial Peace University (FPU). Created by financial expert Dave Ramsey, the nine-lesson digital course provides families and individuals with practical tools to gain control of their finances and set themselves up for long-term financial success. FPU will be held in Delta at Grace Community Church of Delta, which meets at Delta High School, 1400 Pioneer Road. The classes will begin Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 6 p.m. Go to www.fpu.com/1076838 for more information or to register. Through commonsense principles, FPU gives people the tools they need to change their behavior and succeed financially. Along with Ramsey personalities Rachel Cruze and Chris Hogan, Ramsey teaches lessons on budgeting, relationships and money, getting out of debt, saving for emergencies and investing. On average, families who complete FPU pay off $5,300 and save $2,700 in the first 90 days. Following the class nearly 94 percent

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Speaker offers tour of Fremont sites On Jan. 16, Steven Baker of Centuries Research in Montrose will present “An Archaeological Tour of Important Fremont Sites on the Douglas Creek Arch, Rio Blanco County.” This talk will include excavations and startling information about The Sky Aerie, Rim Rock Hamlet and Sandshadow sites, and granaries and rock art. Baker is a local archaeologist whose firm has conducted research in western Colorado for nearly 40 years. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at Baldridge Hall, United Methodist Church, 19 S. Park Street, Montrose. The public is invited (no charge; donation accepted). New members are always welcome.

Financial Peace University provides hope to families

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Colorado Farm Show, Greeley; Feb. 8 SCALE, Lamar; Feb. 19, Sterling; and Feb. 22, Limon. For more information and to register online visit http:// 2019agoutlook.eventbrite. com. This program is funded in partnership by USDA, Risk Management Agency.

The Paonia Library event is Thursday, Jan. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Cedaredge Library event is Thursday, Jan. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m., and the Hotchkiss Library event is Tuesday, Jan. 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. Patrons are encouraged to attend all three events. No previous experience in seed saving or sorting is necessary. Patrons who have seeds to donate are encouraged to fill out a seed donation form online and bring the seeds to one of the seed-sorting events or drop them off at any library in Delta County during open hours. For more information, visit www.deltalibraries. org.

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of those families budget regularly. “FPU will not only transform the way you handle money, but also your marriage and other areas of your life,” says Ramsey. “This isn’t a boring financial class. We make learning about money fun and easy to understand so people in every situation can benefit from the information.” An FPU membership includes immediate access to newly revised online video lessons, financial coaching assistance, digital tools and

a one-year subscription to the EveryDollar Plus budgeting tool. Also included is access to Legacy Journey and Smart Money Smart Kids courses. Legacy Journey walks families and individuals through what to do once they have control of their finances and helps them navigate their way through building wealth. Smart Money Smart Kids helps parents teach their children to make wise financial decisions. Go to DaveRamsey. com/FPU for more information.

BCAS strives to preserve western Colorado’s dark skies Val Szwarc and Creighton “Woody” Wood will present “Dark Sky Preservation in Western Colorado” to the Black Canyon Astronomical Society (BCAS) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, in the Partners’ Community Room, 511 E. 10th Street, Delta. The discussion will highlight new efforts to obtain International Dark Sky designations in the Ridgway and Norwood areas and other places on the Western Slope. These designations will help preserve western Colorado’s wonderfully dark night

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skies and add to a growing list of established International Dark Sky places in our region, such as Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Hovenweep National Monument. The BCAS stimulates public interest in and knowledge of astronomy in Delta, Montrose, and Ouray counties. Monthly meetings are held in Delta or Montrose. The BCAS also holds public sky viewing events. For more information, visit Black CanyonAstronomy.com or phone 970-856-7716.

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A8 Wednesday, January 9, 2019

BUSINESS

Delta County Independent

�� Registration opens for blood work ��

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For a quote on all your printing needs call Randy Crespin at 874-4421.

Delta County residents will want to mark their 2019 calendars for Delta County community-wide early blood draws and health fairs in Paonia, Cedaredge and Delta.

K-9 Raico locates suspect in field On Dec. 27, at approximately 12:33 p.m., officers of the Delta Police Department responded to Safeway on a report of a shoplifter. As officers arrived, the male subject ran east across Stafford Lane, behind Taco Bell

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Online registration through the hospital website is available for early blood draws or health fairs at deltahospital.org. Appointments will reduce wait times and eliminate

and into the brush field. Officer William Hammon and K-9 Raico were requested to respond. K-9 Raico was deployed to track the male subject, later identified as Alan Scott Hawk, Jr., 34, homeless in Delta. Raico successfully tracked Alan Hawk approximately 647 feet “as the crow flies” from the starting point to where he was found hiding in a brush pile. Hawk was taken into custody on three warrants and issued a summons to court for alleged shoplifting. Hawk was transported to the Delta County Jail where he is being held on the three warrants with $305, $305 and $3,000 bond.

long lines on event days. Just click on the health fair heart artwork on the home page and residents will immediately be connected to an online registration process that is very user friendly. Residents may select a location in Paonia, Cedaredge or Delta and a date for early blood draw events during early February or health fairs scheduled for mid-March. If there is a change in plans after a resident has pre-registered through the hospital website, there is an opportunity to just re-register for a new date, time or location. The latest registration is the one that will be used by Delta County Memorial Hospital. There are no call-in dates for making appointments. Anyone having trouble registering online at deltahospital.org may call Western Health Screenings at 1-800-4103225 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or Delta County Memorial Hospital – Paula Carter at 874-2299 or Kendra

Dorr at 874-6411. Dates for Early Blood Draws Wednesday, Feb. 6 — Technical College of the Rockies building in Paonia, 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 7 — Cedaredge Civic Center, 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8 and 9 — DCMH oncology building classrooms in Delta, 6:30 to 10 a.m. both days. Dates for Health Fairs Wednesday, March 13 — Technical College of the Rockies building in Paonia, 6:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday, March 14 — Bill Heddles Recreation Center in Delta, 6:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, March 15 — Cedaredge Civic Center, 6:30 to 10 a.m. The health fairs will offer blood draws for health screens and free blood pressure screenings. The health fair in Delta on March 14 will also have health-related services and vendors at Bill Heddles Recreation Center.

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Stock show parade entry

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American AgCredit and Montrose’s Y Bar Hitch will join together to present the impressive Y Bar Suffolk Punch Draft Hitch at the National Western Stock Show parade Jan. 10 in downtown Denver. These extremely rare horses, driven six-up by Valorie Barnica of the Y Bar Hitch, represent a working tie to the great Suffolk horses that helped shape agriculture in the United States over a century ago. The hitch coming to Denver features mares Rose and Goldie, each weighing over 2,200 pounds. The six are presented in traditional style, with regal oak/brass hames on leather harness, hitched to a historic oak hitch wagon weighing in excess of 3,200 pounds.

NORTH FORK January 9, 2019

TIMES

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Paonia once again designated Tree City USA BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

The Town of Paonia will once again be designated Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Tree City USA is a national recognition program of the Arbor Day Foundation founded in 1976 to celebrate the importance of urban tree canopies and their care. Paonia joins 98 Colorado communities and three military bases that have a Tree City USA designation. After going without a tree board for about eight years, the town re-established its tree board in December, 2017. Also in 2017, the town contracted with the Colorado State Forest Service to inventory all of the trees in Paonia Town Park. Last April, tree board members and the town hosted a tree planting event at Apple Valley Park in recognition of Arbor Day. Vince Urbina and Kammie Long with the Grand Junction Field Office of the Colorado State Forest Service worked with the tree board chairperson Paula Long to complete the application. The town was notified last week that the application for Tree City USA was accepted. The designation shows that the town “acknowledges the importance of trees and how to care for trees,” said Martin. “It shows we care about our trees. It’s a quality of life issue.” Paonia was first designated a Tree City USA in 1998, but hadn’t applied for the designation for almost a decade. When it was re-established, the board’s No. 1 task was to

reinstate the Tree City USA designation, said Martin. An advisory board to the town Board of Trustees, the tree board is also tasked with educating the public about tree care and responsible planting. This year the board plans to host another Arbor Day tree planting in April. It is also seeking citizens interested in serving as neighborhood tree stewards and in helping in the coming year to complete a survey of the town’s trees, excluding Paonia Town Park. For more information, email Photo by Tamie Meck paoniatreeboard@gmail.com or message the board on the Trees in fall color surround the Miner’s Statue memorial at Paonia Town Park. The town Paonia Tree Board Facebook recently learned that its application for designation as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation was accepted. page.

Paonia schools welcome first SRO BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

You might say that Paonia Police Officer Taffine Patterson is going back to school. On Tuesday morning, Patterson became the first School Resource Officer to patrol the halls of Paonia Elementary and Junior Senior High schools. While Patterson is employed by the Paonia Police Department and carries out other duties, the SRO position is funded by Delta County School District J50. Under an agreement approved on Dec. 11 by the Paonia Board of Trustees, the town will receive $20,000 — $10,000 per school — for the calendar school

year to fund the part-time position. Paonia is the first town to receive SRO funding from the district. “I’ve been wanting to do this for years,” said Paonia Police Chief Neil Ferguson on Patterson’s first day of school. Patterson, who joined the department in 2015 and left in 2017, returned to the department last fall. Her timing was right, and her training made her the ideal choice for SRO, said Ferguson. SROs are certified, sworn law enforcement officers employed by an agency, are Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified, and have undergone special SRO training.

Patrick Dooling chosen to lead Conservation Center BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

An interest in how landscapes form has led Patrick Dooling to study volcano geology in Iceland, earthquake geology in southern California, and sedimentation in southern Utah. Since 2016 he’s focused on protecting the lands, air, water and wildlife resources in the Lower Gunnison Watershed. He even gets to study sediment in the West Muddy drainage and Paonia Reservoir. Last month, Dooling was named executive director for the Western Slope Conservation Center. WSCC has roughly 600 members, numerous volunteers, and is overseen by an eight-member board of directors. Now in its 42nd year, the non-profit’s mission is “to build an active and aware community to protect and enhance the lands, air, water and wildlife of the Lower Gunnison Watershed.” Dooling succeeds Alex Johnson, who moved to Alaska to be program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association. “We have an incredibly talented team here,” he said of the four-member staff. “All of us in the office are so thankful to have the opportunity to protect and enhance these incredible landscapes.” Dooling, 30, is a Penn State University graduate. On a trip to the Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks, he paid attention to the iconic landscapes and wanted to understand how they were formed. He went on to earn his master’s degree in geosciences from the University of Utah, then worked for three years in Texas as a petroleum geologist and project manager for Conoco-Phillips. “I needed to make a change to something more personally rewarding,” said Dooling. In 2016, he and wife Marla Korpar came to Paonia. An environmental systems engineer, Korpar was committed to working for a year at Solar Energy as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. They joined WSCC, and Dooling began

volunteering. When the organization planned a workshop on the Paonia River Park, one of WSCC’s many conservation projects, WSCC found funding to hire him as the event coordinator. “I really enjoyed learning about river restoration and mine reclamation in the area and the history of the organization,” he said. After the workshop he continued to volunteer, and in the spring of 2017 was named associate director. After a year, they decided to stay in the North Fork Valley. Since 1999, WSCC has completed 19 river restoration projects along the North Fork River, rehabilitating floodplains, stabilizing channels and banks, improving diversion structures and enhancing aquatic habitat. They run three main programs, public lands, watersheds, and education. Projects involve stewardship through events like Trail Work Day; mapping of the Lower Gunnison Watershed including oil and gas leases and wells, irrigation ditches, restoration sites, soil data and more; and overseeing a water monitoring program that has continuously kept a watchful eye on water quality since 2001 in order to better identify and understand the impacts that development and changes in the watershed have on the resource. “We feel good about the current state of the North Fork water,” said Dooling. He also feels good about the future of WSCC. “The board is very committed to growing the team and finding talented staff.” They also bring a wide range of professional experiences and talents to the organization. Some have been involved for 30 years and know its history, and others who joined more recently bring great ideas to the table. “They’re all coming together to protect the landscapes and resources where they live and play.” To prepare the generation of conservationists, the PATRICK DOOLING TO B2

Photo courtesy WSCC

Patrick Dooling has been named executive director of the Western Slope Conservation Center. The mission of the 42-year-old non-proﬁt is “to build an active and aware community to protect and enhance the lands, air, water and wildlife in the Lower Gunnison Watershed.”

Photo by Tamie Meck

School Resource Officer Taffine Patterson started her new position as School Resource Officer at Paonia Elementary and Junior-Senior High school Tuesday morning. The part-time position is funded by the Delta County School District. Under the district program, Paonia schools are the first to have an SRO on duty. The Police Department determines which officer will act as SRO and sets a monthly work schedule. According to the agreement between the town and the school district, goals and objectives of the program include establishing a positive working relationship with law enforcement in order to prevent juvenile delinquency and assisting in student development, maintaining a safe and secure on-campus learning environment that is conducive to learning, and promoting positive attitudes toward law enforcement’s role in society. Under the program, SROs do not pull lunchroom, hall or other monitoring duties, nor are they allowed to be

Groundbreaking scheduled

interviewed by the media. Their duties include assisting the district superintendent and school principals, faculty in preventing and minimizing dangerous situations that may occur on school grounds; present topics to students on various law enforcement and safety issues; take law enforcement action when necessary; contact the school principal about any incidents, charges and arrests; assist schools in enforcing campus code of conduct and other orders. Ferguson said he hopes that having an officer in school will make them feel comfortable around and gain a better understanding of law enforcement. “That’s important,” said Ferguson. “We want the students to trust them.”

Photo submitted

The North Fork Pool, Park and Recreation District is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future ballﬁeld complex at Crossroads Park, 333 Bulldog Street, Hotchkiss. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12. “We are optimistic this project will have a positive impact on our economy and want to thank all of our supporters who are making this possible,” said Lenore Cambria, district administrator.

B2 Wednesday, January 9, 2019

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Patrick Dooling

Photo by Tamie Meck

Welcoming in the new year

Dancers throw up their hands during the rendition of The Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There” performed by the all-star band at the 18th annual New Year’s Day community Black-Eyed Pea Jubilee celebration at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia. Performers, from left, are Rick Stockton and Helen Highwater, Tony Soto on drums, Dave Noe on trombone, and Tim Veasey on keyboard. Josh Bourassa on drums and Michael Zimmerle on vocals and cigar-box guitar also performed with the all-star band. A total of 13 acts entertained throughout the afternoon and evening event.

FROM PAGE B1 Youth Outdoor Network provides high school students opportunities to learn about and enter the natural resources sector job market. This year, WSCC will host its eighth annual Conservation Days. The event gives every fourth-grade student in Delta an educational and fun day at Paonia River Park learning from partner organizations including the Forest Service, USGS, SEI, West Elk Mountain Rescue, The Nature Connection and many others. A big part of the organization, volunteers participate in work projects and trail maintenance, monitor water quality, and serve on the watershed, public lands and outreach committees. “Volunteers are such a tremendous help at improving our organi-

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zational capacity,” said Dooling. “We are always looking for more volunteers.” One of its most ambitious projects, the Paonia River Park was once an in-stream gravel mine. Thanks to its many partnerships and collaborations, today the park offers walking trails, educational signage, and one of the only public access points on the North Fork of the Gunnison River. This year they will put the final touches on the in-stream restoration portion of the project, said Dooling. In June, WSCC will host its 19th annual River Festival at the River Park, including the annual float trip from Paonia to Hotchkiss, depending on spring runoff. Also depending on spring runoff, a new river take-out at the Delta County Fairgrounds could be completed in time for the trip. In the coming year, WSCC is waiting for the release of the Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office draft Resource Management Plan. The plan will guide agency decisions affecting the North Fork area for many years. They’re also partners in revising the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests to write the “Forest Plan Revision,” and are working with Delta and Gunnison counties and other stakeholders on the Coal Mine Methane working group to find solutions to the venting, capture and mitigation of

coal mine methane in the upper North Fork area. They’re also ramping up on stewardship projects, including partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and BLM to maintain and improve area hiking trails, and protecting habitat for the federally-protected Gunnison sage grouse and other wildlife. “All of us in the office are so thankful to have the opportunity to protect and enhance these incredible landscapes,” said Dooling. The best part of his job, said Dooling, is “getting to work with the people who are so inspired by this area and these landscapes and want to do right by them.”

After school archery starts Monday The After School Archery Program (ASAP) will start on Monday, Jan. 14, at the Ellen Hansen Smith Teen Center at Paonia Town Park. The program is for kids ages pre-school and up who have the ability to pull a bow back. Sessions are held from 3:30-5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Cost is $20 for the full season, $10 for eight sessions. Registration can be completed at the Teen Center.

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NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Paonia planning commission announces two meetings BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

50-year Mason

Photo submitted

On Dec. 15, Bonnie Foley pinned a 50-year Masonic Award on her husband, Gordon Foley, a member of St. Vrain Masonic Lodge in Longmont, but a current resident of the Paonia area. The presentation was made by Right Worshipful Master Ross Allen, Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Colorado, and Worshipful Master Doug Cline, past master of Paonia Masonic Lodge. Five members of Paonia Lodge were also present. Brother Foley’s sons and families came from Riﬂe and the other son and family came from Silverthorne, to be present for the award. It was an honor for Paonia Masonic Lodge to make the presentation of the 50-year award on behalf of St. Vrain Masonic Lodge.

Hotchkiss alumni recognize classified staff members The Hotchkiss Alumni Association recognizes a certified staff member each year with a $100 award in December. This year’s winner at Hotchkiss K-8 is Carla Shreve. Shreve has been a bus driver, food service worker/manager and secretary at Crawford School and Hotchkiss K-8. She has worked for Delta County School District for 20 years. She provides a bright spot in every job she has worked for the district. “Carla exemplifies Hotchkiss Pride, and we are proud to recognize her this year for our HK8 certified staff member award,” said Margie Hollembeak and Susan Spencer, who presented the award. The classified winner at Hotchkiss High School is Joyce Long, a special

education aide. She has been at HHS for two years. “Joyce helps with anything that is asked of her and is in charge of junior concessions, which

is a huge job,” Hollembeak and Spencer noted. “She cares about all of our kids and we are happy to give her this award this year.”

Photo submitted

Margie Hollembeak (left) and Susan Spencer (right), representing the Hotchkiss Alumni Association, presented awards to classiﬁed staff members Joyce Long (not pictured) and Carla Shreve (middle).

The Paonia Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, to discuss updating the town’s planning agreement with Delta County with county Community and Economic Development Director Elyse Ackerman-Casselberry. Ackerman-Casselberry will discuss the possibility of including not only the 2010 Highway 133 Corridor Master Plan (available at townof paonia.com, under “Government,” “Town Code”) but an entire three-mile plan along with the creation of a small, comprehensive planning area surrounding the town. On Tuesday, Feb. 5, the commission will meet to consider two applications. • David Knutson, dba Orion Rising LLC, has applied for a home occupancy permit at 401 Vista Drive. Currently zoned R2, Medium Density Residential, the permit would allow Knutson to have an in-home office and meet with clients. Knutson, a human resources consultant and executive coach, anticipates his business will increase traffic volume by two to three cars per month. Knutson is a sitting member of the Paonia Board of Trustees. • Frederick Zimmer has submitted a special review/variance application for a special use permit at 397 Clark Avenue, #A. The application was submitted Oct. 25. Under existing town code the property is zoned I-1, Light Industrial. Zimmer is requesting special use permits to allow fabricating, manufacturing, retail and wholesale business operations by the tenant, Elsewhere Studios, for its

pottery studio. According to the application, approval would not result in any changes to the functioning of the building, or vehicle increase traffic, current-

ly between five to eight vehicles per week. The Paonia Planning Commission meets in the Community Room at Paonia Town Hall, 214 Grand Avenue.

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Wednesday, January 9, 2019

SURFACE CREEK January 9, 2019

NEWS

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OC trustees debate leaks, drought options BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer

First on the Jan. 2 work session agenda for the Orchard City Board of Trustees was discussion of the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Delta County. Emergency preparedness coordinator Kris Stewart walked through the improvements made to the plan and what the next five years will entail, such as grant monitoring and check-ins with the planning committee. Areas of focus for Orchard City include wildfire, drought, flooding, severe winter weather and dam failures, scaled from likely to unlikely. Trustees concluded approving the plan next week will be a “no brainer,” considering the only real consequences of implementing this would be not getting funding to help mitigate hazards.

The RV discussion was tabled until results are back from the community survey. Trustees received the draft for the community survey done in-house through deputy clerk Polly Proctor and the planning commission. They will review the draft over the next month. Options for completing the survey are in-house or through a contractor, which would cost $6,400 to administer the survey and analyze the results. Trustees decided to look at examples from the contractor and think about it. Trustees then reviewed at length the challenge of changing the point of responsibilPhoto submitted ity on water leaks from the While Republicans and Democrats face a long list of challenges in the Colorado General meter back to the main line. Assembly, they were united in prayer by Pastor Joe Agne on opening day of the 2019 legislaThe main problem is there tive session. are a handful of homes with less than ideal infrastructure from their meter to the main. ORCHARD CITY TO B7

It’s time to renew your business license As area businesses wind down 2018 and begin planning for a successful 2019, the Town of Cedaredge would like to remind everyone that it is time to apply for or renew your 2019 business license. Any company conducting any sort of business transaction within town limits — regardless of where your business is physically located — is required to be licensed per Cedaredge municipal code. This includes door-to-door sales like Avon or Schwans, MLM companies like Pampered Chef or doTerra, and those businesses not located in town but which do business here on a regular basis, such as travelling auto glass repairs, plumbers, electricians and the like. Nonprofits, charitable or religious organizations operating within town are also required to be licensed per town code. The fee to register is nominal, just $25 for businesses and free for nonprofits, and the fee is not meant to be a revenue generator. “The license is a tool to help ensure businesses are reporting their sales tax information to the state, so that the town is not losing critical revenue that is reinvested in the commu-

nity in the form of economic development and marketing, streets maintenance, infrastructure improvements and public safety,” explained Kami Collins, the economic development coordinator for Cedaredge. Additionally, the licensing procedure helps Collins and partner organizations like the chamber more aware of what resources are available in town, so that the entities can better help market and promote the local business community. After a business has registered and paid the fee, the business is listed on the town’s website, www.Cedaredge Colorado.com, in the Business Directory, assisting businesses in their marketing and outreach to the many people who visit the town’s website. Businesses are required to license by Jan. 31, 2019. The license registration form is available online at www. CedaredgeColorado.com under the “Doing Business” tab, or in person at Town Hall, 235 W. Main Street. Collins is also available at 856-3123, extension 112, or townclerk@ cedaredgecolorado.com for an email application or for more information on the licensing process.

Cedaredge pastor gives opening prayer for 2019 legislative session BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Joe Agne, pastor of Cedaredge United Methodist Church, was invited to give the opening prayer for the opening day of the 2019 Colorado legislative session. “I think it is important that our new speaker of the House has chosen a Western Slope pastor to be Chaplain of the Day as the 2019 Legislature opens. I feel honored,” Pastor Joe said. Pastor Joe said he first met the new speaker, State Representative KC Becker (DBoulder, Clear Creek) while serving a church in Boulder. When she traveled to Grand Junction for Club 20 functions, Pastor Joe took note of her commitment to the entire state. Her decision to select Pastor Joe as Chaplain of the Day was just one more indication of her desire to bridge the gap between the urban and rural areas of the state. Pastor Joe said he found the opening day ceremonies to be quite moving. “I’m such a devotee of democracy,” he said. “My soul was warmed just by being there.” He witnessed the passing of the gavel from the former speaker to KC Becker, and the exchange of delegations among the House, the Senate and the governor’s office, ending with the declaration that it was time to get down

to business. It’s clear the Republicans and Democrats disagree on some thing, but the two major political parties also share some common goals. Pastor Joe said he was also struck by how many children, youth and families were in attendance. “It seems like we’re starting off pretty good in 2019,” he said. A written copy of Pastor Joe’s prayer will be included in a book of past prayers that’s prepared every few years. He prayed, “Holy One, some of us have names for you: Allah, Yahweh, God, Mother Earth, Presence and more. And we are Colorado. “Holy One, we follow religiously diverse paths and no religious paths, and for all of us, the mountains, the mesas, the rivers and the plains are our cathedral. We are a people who claim myriad geographies, political persuasions, ideologies, racial and sexual identities, cultures, economic and social locations. We understand our diversity as a gift from you to be enjoyed not a problem to be solved. And we are Colorado. “Holy One, we celebrate the people we have elected. We will support their commitment to serve the common good even when we disagree. We will pray for them, their staff members, their families and the people who share

love with them. We refuse to demean their civic choice to be our leaders. And we are Colorado. “Holy One, we are honest today. There are many people, politicians and constituents who seem committed to creating breaches in our state, our country and our communities. This is not just other people; sometimes this is us. Forgive us. Help us to be repairers of the breach, healers of brokenness and workers for justice. Help us to be the Colorado you call us to be. And we are Colorado. “Holy One, we are voters, journalists, grassroots organizers, elected leaders, staff persons, everyday people who want the best for our families, our friends, our neighbors and our state. We are a people’s campaign committed to serving the creation and all the people of Colorado. And we are Colorado. “Holy One, we commit to do all the good we can by all the means we can in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, with all the people we can, as long as ever we can. And we are Colorado. “Holy One, we are hopeful as we begin 2019. Give us the courage, the compassion and the wisdom we will need. And we are grateful that we are Colorado. “Amen.”

Climbing is a popular winter activity BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer

Standing at 25 feet tall, the Cedaredge Middle School climbing wall is impressive. The plywood-covered steel structure embodies the hard work and dedication not only of those who fundraised to make it possible, but also those who now utilize the

wall. Thanks to rock climbing enthusiast and seventh and eighth grade social studies teacher Michael Long, students across the district have access to a competitive climbing team and recreational climbing club. Additionally, the community can use the wall each Friday evening that

Photo by Emy Lynn Roque Cisneros

During practices, students strengthen their skills. Here they worked on footholds by aiming for the least number of footsteps in the warm-up game and pointing their toe into the rock for better grip.

school is in session. Competitive and Recreational Climbing The competitive climbing team meets twice a week during the school year, usually for an hour or more. Anywhere from 10 to 20 attend trainings. Due to climbing’s individualistic nature, the commitment is low pressure and meant to be an enjoyable outlet for students. The majority on the competitive team are from CHS and CMS. A shuttle brings students from Delta, with none currently from the North Fork. During the spring a recreational club meets once a week for 15 weeks before going on two climbing outings. Long said the club sees more diversity from the district. Some students, like CHS senior Marian Blanks, are now on the competitive team because they tried the recreational club first. Though she’s only in her third year of climbing, Blanks is one of the top two students in the team, consistently finishing in the top 20 at competitions. Last year Blanks competed at state and is hoping for a return this year. “I love competitions because everyone cheers each other on,” she said. “When we climb we compete with the wall, not each other.” According to Long, rock climbing leagues are in an explosion. He’s seen teams growing to where they now bring upwards of 40 climbers. Competitions usually include both middle and high school

categories, with some featuring elementary age climbers. This month, January, the climbing team will have five weekends of competitions in a row. Not every student will attend, but a mix of 20 usually go each weekend depending on their schedules. Schools from Carbondale to Ridgway and even Eagle host competitions throughout the year. “My first competition I was terrified,” said first year climber and senior CHS student Max Moore. “But now it’s my favorite in the world to see teammates helping each other and see everyone being supportive.” To prepare for competitions, Long uses a mix of strategies each practice to encourage performance growth. “Climbing is as much about resting as moving. You have to learn how to use your power effectively to go longer distances,” he said. First students warm up with a bouldering game, moving horizontally across the wall without equipment. Then they get situated on ropes and practice different “problems.” “Having changeable holds allows us to make routes that can challenge a range of climbers in one wall,” he said. For example, a green path might indicate beginner level while a red route is more challenging to complete, or as they call it, send a problem. The wall usually has 21 different routes, categorized by color. Once a year Long removes all holds from the wall and cleans everything. Different routes can be creat-

ed throughout the year using tape as markers on different holds. Within the next couple years CMS hopes to put in a bouldering wall, too. This wall will only be about 12 feet high to allow minimal equipment with maximum safety. “Bouldering will offer a little more unique and diverse training for our climbing teams, too,” said Long. Learning Lessons and Investing in Students Though the team and club is a big commitment, Long loves seeing the students’ growth each season. For example, CMS student Kacey Walk worked to overcome her fear of heights in the beginning. Now she’s a third year climbing enthusiast. “There’s no better feeling than getting to the top of a route you didn’t think you could complete,” she said. CMS student Andrew Purvis agreed, commenting that what matters in rock climbing is having fun and trying your best while not giving up. Two other students, CHS sophomores Samuel Campell and Wyatt Smith, said climbing taught them the invaluable lesson of not being dismayed when something is harder than it looks. The sport also encourages health through an enjoyable activity. Hunter Campell, a senior at CHS and second year climber, plans to continue the sport after graduation. “Climbing is something you can do for the rest of your life,” she said. “And, the people you CLIMBING WALL TO B7

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Orchard City a graph and message. Other recommendations they discussed included: identifying markers for properties on well/irrigation water versus domestic, education for high users, how to educate citizens on water use and leasing or acquiring water. Trustees discussed options for educating citizens including timing, flyers, newsletters, tips on water bills, community workshops with gardeners and providing info at the annual picnic. Next month trustees will again review the report and make yes/no decisions on the recommendations. Orchard City is also planning, with other municipalities, to adopt 2018 building codes. The town will split the cost, making its responsibility about $2,000. Building inspector Bruce Stanley will sift through what the town would and would not adopt from the code. Once more trustees discussed tiny homes, only this time Keller disagreed with the implementation of the building regulations, though the ordinance is set for public hearing and action at the Jan. 9 meeting. Keller proposed putting a moratorium on

tiny homes until the community survey garners a consensus on whether the citizens even want them allowed. Trustee Gynee Thomassen clarified that this ordinance simply makes tiny homes safe; trustee Mel Cook agreed that regulations need to be in place. “It’s on the agenda; it’ll pass or get voted down,” determined Oelke. Also on the Jan. 9 agenda an amendment to subdivision/land improvement regulations. Before concluding the meeting, Volgamore addressed Keller’s appearance at a nonposted meeting and his previous comments on transparency. Keller wishes for all meetings to be posted and open to the public. Volgamore seemed to disagree, implying that since citizens don’t come to those meetings anyway, posting them wouldn’t really matter. Plus, since decisions aren’t made in committee meetings, the discussion is simply that: discussion. In the end the trustees seemed to agree that they will move committee meeting times to the events calendar as unofficial postings for convenience.

FROM PAGE B6 climb with become like family.” Thankfully Long isn’t alone in his coaching endeavors. Kurt Roithmayr is “a crux to the program” as the assistant coach. Two of his children, Carson and Emma, are on the team. He sees rock climbing as valuable to the students because it provides an outlet and sport that is “less about athletic ability and more about problem solving.” The two hope to see the sport grow with the district but also invite the community to see what rock climbing is all about. Each Friday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., while school is in session, the wall is avail-

Annual meeting scheduled The Surface Creek Community Services food bank will be conducting its annual meeting Thursday, Jan. 17, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Wick Hall, 370 W. Main Street, Cedaredge.

What’s bugging you? Local gardening questions and answers BY JIM LESER Did you ever wonder where the tradition of an indoor decorated Christmas tree came from? There have been many ideas put forth but I’ll limit this discussion to just a very few. The evergreen fir tree has traditionally been used to celebrate winter festivals, both pagan and Christian, for thousands of years. Pagans used branches of it to decorate their homes during the winter solstice, as it made them think of the spring to come. Christians use it as a sign of everlasting life with God. Nobody is really sure when fir trees were first used as Christmas trees, but it probably began less than 1,000 years ago in Northern Europe. Many early Christmas trees seem to have been hung upside down from the ceiling using chains. A new trend today is a resurgence of hanging decorated trees upside down! The first documented use of a tree at Christmas and New Year celebrations is debated between the cities of Tallinn in Estonia and Riga in Latvia. Both claim that they had the first trees; Tallinn in 1441 and Riga in 1510. In 1584, the historian Balthasar Russow wrote about a tradition in Riga of a decorated fir tree in the market square where the young men “went with a flock of maidens and women, first

sang and danced there and then set the tree aflame.” There’s a record of a small tree in Breman, Germany, from 1570. It was described as a tree decorated with “apples, nuts, dates, pretzels and paper flowers.” It was displayed in a “guild-house,” a meeting place for a society of business men in the city. The first person to bring a Christmas tree into a house, in the way we know it today, may have been the 16th century German preacher Martin Luther. A story is told that one night before Christmas, he was walking through the forest and looked up to see the stars shining through the tree branches. It was so beautiful that he went home and told his children that it reminded him of Jesus, who left the stars of heaven to come to earth at Christmas. At first, a figure of the Baby Jesus was put on the top of the tree. Over time it changed to an angel that told the shepherds about Jesus, or a star like the wise men saw. The first Christmas trees came to Britain sometime in the 1830s. They became very popular in 1841, when Prince Albert had a Christmas tree set up in Windsor Castle. In 1848, a drawing of “The Queen’s Christmas tree at Windsor Castle” was published in the Illustrated London News. The publication of the drawing helped Christmas trees become popular in the UK and USA.

In Victorian times, the tree would have been decorated with lighted candles to represent stars. In many parts of Europe, candles are still used to decorate Christmas trees, posing a real fire hazard. In 1882 Edward Johnson, a colleague of Thomas Edison, hand-strung 80 red, white and blue bulbs together and put them on his tree in his New York apartment, a much safer way to put lights in a flammable tree. Artificial Christmas trees really started becoming popular in the early 20th century. In the Edwardian period Christmas trees made from colored ostrich feathers were popular at fashionable parties. Around 1900 there was even a short fashion for white trees — so if you thought colored trees are a new invention they’re not! Today, artificial Christmas trees far outnumber real trees

able for anyone to use. Equipment and training is covered with the $3 maintenance cost. First time climbers, climbing experts, and young chil-

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dren are invited to test out the wall. During winter this is a great option for those who want a warmer recreational activity.

Photo by Emy Lynn Roque Cisneros

During practices the students cheer each other on. In competitions, teams will cheer on others, too, because they feel that their competition is with the wall and not necessarily each other.

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used for decorations. In the Western Christian tradition, there are two traditional days when Christmas decorations, such as the Christmas tree, are removed; the Twelfth Night (Jan. 5 or 6) and, if they are not taken down on that day, Candlemas, the latter of which ends the Christmas-Epiphany season in some denominations (Feb. 2). So how long do you keep your decorations up? Most people take their Christmas decorations down at or around New Year’s Day. Others wait until their tree becomes a fire hazard before giving up their Christmas cheer. Jim Leser retired to Cedaredge in 2007 after a career with Texas A&M University Extension in entomology. He is a member of the Cedaredge Tree Board and a Colorado Master Gardener.

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Climbing wall

FROM PAGE B6 Currently the town has responsibility for those lines due to a change in ordinance in 2004. “Is it fair that the town covers repairs and the citizens collectively pay for it through the water bills than if the homeowner paid for it since it’s technically their line?” questioned trustee Dick Kirkpatrick. Trustee Doug Keller disagreed. Town administrator Melissa Oelke pointed out that the lines in question are beginning to fail and costs will snowball. Water rates will need to be raised to compensate if the town maintains responsibility. Trustees plan to look into why the previous board changed responsibility in 2004 and come back to it next month. Mayor Ken Volgamore picked up the drought task force report discussion next. He questioned the recommendation for having citizens’ water bills reflect historical use. Keller explained that citizens didn’t know how much to cut down on because they didn’t remember past usage figures. Trustee Jan Gage requested costs for updating the billing to include

Cedaredge Tree Board

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

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B8 Wednesday, January 9, 2019

SPORTS

SPORTS January 9, 2019

Delta County Independent

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OTM releases early regional rankings With five weeks remaining before regional wrestling tournaments on Feb. 15-16, On the Mat (OTM) has released individual rankings by region to start the new year. The Colorado High School Activities Association made a few changes to the regions for the 2018-19 season. In Class 2A and 3A, the top eight schools, based on returning regional and state points earned, were separated into four regions. ON THE MAT REGIONAL RANKINGS WEEK 5 3A Region 1 126 -- 2.Ben Koch DEL 138 -- 2. Elias Ramirez OLA 145 -- 3. Clay Yarnell OLA 152 -- 3. Brent Gray OLA 160 -- 1. Wyatt Mansker OLA 170 -- 1. Aiden Barrios DEL 195 -- 2. Gauge Lockhart DEL 2A Region 1

When possible, the remaining teams were placed into regions using geography as the primary consideration. The result is that Hotchkiss and Paonia compete in the Western Region 1 tournament at the Montrose Events Center, while defending Region 1 champion Cedaredge will compete in the South Central Region 2 at John Mall High School in Walsenburg. The rationale for Class 3A, according to 113 -- 2. Landen Mayberry HOT 120 -- 3. Reagan Todd PAO 126 -- 1. Presley Pene HOT 145 -- 2. Sackett Chesnik PAO 160 -- 1. Grey Neal PAO * 170 -- 3. Jace Peebles HOT; 4. Carlos Lozano PAO 182 -- 3. Anthony Miller PAO 195 -- 1. Anthony Felice PAO * 285 -- 1. Levi Peterson PAO *; 2. Christian Matus HOT (Returning state qualifiers Sergio Campos (138) and Traycer Hall (145) wrestled their

the CHSAA, is that “the format separates the top 12 returning programs while creating geographical regions for the majority of schools”; for Class 2A, “Due to the significant travel in Class 2A, all four regions are configured using geography and an equal balance in the number of teams as primary considerations.” The top four placers in each region advance to the state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center in Denver Feb. 21-23. first matches of the season on Dec. 20 at Delta, both winning by fall). 2A Region 2 - Cedaredge 106 -- 2. Lane Hunsberger 120 -- 4. AJ Robidoux 126 -- 1. Trey Geyer * 132 -- 1. Sean Dale * 182 -- Toby Waddell 220 -- 1. Taj Van der Linde ** 285 -- 2. Derek Sanchez (Cedaredge is ranked No. 1 in 2A Region 2) *Ranked first in state by On the Mat ** Ranked second in state by On the Mat

Delta cage teams enjoying good start BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Both the Delta High School boys and girls basketball teams are working hard to keep the success they have enjoyed at the beginning of the current season. Delta’s girls are on top of the 3A WSL standings with a 61 record and the boys are currently third with a 5-2 record in the boys race. Delta Girls Grand Valley shares the top spot with Delta following a 6-1 start to its season. A four-game winning streak helped propel the Panthers to its successful start. A loss to Centauri is the only blemish on Delta’s record at this time. Three players are averaging double digits for the Panthers led by junior Sara Geddes’ 15 points per game. Freshman Erika Kuta is next with 11 points a game and sophomore Alexa

Huff third with a 10-point effort each game. Senior Missa Webb is capable of double digits and is almost there with a ninepoint average. Kuta leads the rebounding statistics with seven a game followed by Geddes’ five and Huff with three. The Panthers’ defense is dominating at times and Geddes leads the way with six steals each outing followed by Webb’s four and sophomores Marcy Schaal and Keely Porter contribute three steals apiece. Delta Boys With memories of a terrific season in 201718, Delta’s boys are putting together another solid season. The Panthers dropped their first game of the season at the Faith Christian tournament and defeated Manitou Springs. After a big win over Olathe, a loss to Alamosa rekindled

Photo by Tamie Meck

Delta junior Gauge Lockhart watches for the signal that he pinned Hotchkiss opponent Teagan Sommer at the Dec. 20 dual match in Delta. Lockhart, one of two Delta wrestlers to win a championship match Saturday at the Eagle Valley Invitational, is ranked second in 3A Region 1 by On the Mat rankings, which are released each week.

Cedaredge, Delta wrestle at Eagle Valley BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Two Delta County teams competed in last Saturday’s (Jan. 5) Eagle Valley Invitational wrestling tournament in Gypsum. Cedaredge was the top placer of the two local teams finishing with 142 points and second place. Delta’s Panthers scored 91 points and finished third in the 22-team field. Eagle Valley won its own tournament with 187 points. Cedaredge Bruins Cedaredge sophomore Trey Geyer (20-2) won the 126-pound weight class with senior teammates Austin Crawford (13-9;

the motivation to succeed and was followed by three straight wins before the Christmas break. Delta’s second season begins in earnest when 3A WSL play begins on Jan. 11 with Roaring Fork coming to town. A road trip to Basalt on Saturday will give the Panthers a good start to its league title chase. Senior Andrew Baier leads the Panthers in scoring with a 12-point scoring average and sniper John Ames gives Delta two double-digit scorers with a 10-point average. Seniors Kyle Mock (9.3) and Jonathan Robinson (9.0) are capable of double-digit scores on any night. Rebounding is paced by Baier’s 6.3 grabs a game followed by Mock’s BY WAYNE CRICK 5.3 and Joe Bules’ 3 per DCI Sports Editor game. The Bruins girls’ basDelta averages 9.3 assists a game and 10.7 ketball team is in the hunt for a 3A WSL title steals. again in 2018-19. With a 5-2 record, Cedaredge’s losses have been to Centauri and Delta. Cedaredge’s boys are having somewhat of a roller coaster ride so far this season and rest in season. fourth-place with a 4-3 Hotchkiss coach, Eric record. Hollembeak, is still lookCedaredge Girls ing to solve the mystery The race for supremacy of finding the right com- is keen this season with binations of players in a Delta and Grand Valley given game. leading the 3A WSL race Hotchkiss entertained with 6-1 records. Caprock Academy on Roaring Fork (7-3), Jan. 8 with results of Coal Ridge (6-3) and Mofthat meeting scheduled fat County (6-3) are also to appear in next week’s bidding for top notoriety, paper. which promises to make The Bulldogs are at the season an exciting home Jan. 11 and 12 with one. West Grand in town on The Bruins are makFriday and Hayden on ing strides to challenge Saturday. the leaders for a top spot

DCI Sports Editor

Hotchkiss’ girls basketball team has gained respect after getting off to a 6-2 start in the 2A District 5 League standings. The Bulldogs’ two losses were against the top-seeded 1A team in the state, De Beque, and 3A Delta, which is fourth in RPI rankings and ninth among Class 3A teams. The Bulldog boys are not as successful as their counterparts, as far as wins and losses go, and find themselves eighth in overa ll standings in 2A District 5 play with a 25 start to their 2018-19 campaign. Hotchkiss Girls Hotchkiss’ impressive start to the current hoops season includes a victory over Paonia’s Eagles, a feat not accomplished for several years. A five-game win-streak started the season and set the tone for success at Hotchkiss. With a core of talented players returning from last season’s team, Hotchkiss plans to make noise as the season continues in 2019. Helping make that improvement a reality is the play of guards Elsie Vazquez, Kaiya Firor and Shay Glaser. Vazquez heads the stats chart with an 8.9 scoring average, four rebounds

a game plus four steals each time out. Firor’s contributions include a 7.5 scoring average with two rebounds and six steals per game. Glaser’s 6.6 scoring average and three rebounds and 2.6 steals a game makes Hotchkiss’ trio of guards some of the best in the league. Girls coach Hailie Taylor knows her team will be a potential contender if the offense can connect on more of its shots. Play in the middle is dominated by senior Carson Collins, who leads the Bulldogs in scoring with a 16.1 average and 10 rebounds a game. Senior Kaleigh Little provides more than 5.8 rebounds a game to help Hotchkiss control the boards. Hotchkiss Boys Despite having the tallest player in the league, 7-0 foot senior Jacob Stucker, Hotchkiss has not been able to find consistency in the early stages of the season. Stucker is leading Hotchkiss scorers with a 12-point average followed by juniors Jacob Palecki (8.5), Evan Mattison (6.5) and Hunter Bryant (6.0). The Bulldogs have a number of aggressive players but have not been able to transition that energy into more than two wins so far this

part at Pueblo Centennial on Saturday. Delta Panthers Senior Aiden Barrios (170 pounds) and junior Gauge Lockhart (195 pounds) paced Delta High School’s wrestling team at the Eagle Valley Invitational with first place finishes. The Panthers’ 126pounder, Ben Koch (6-2) and 160-pounder Jeffery Griffith (8-1), placed third to finish their weekend. Delta is back on the mat Jan. 10 against the visiting Palisade Bulldogs. Varsity matches begin at 7 p.m. The Panthers are in Vernal, Utah, for tournament action Jan. 11-12.

Cedaredge hardwood teams dangerous

Hotchkiss girls earn respect; boys play hard BY WAYNE CRICK

160 pounds), Toby Waddell (9-7; 170 pounds), Taj Van der Linde (16-5; 220 pounds) and Derek Sanchez (19-4; 285 pounds) finishing second. Freshman 106-pounder, Lane Hunsberger, lost a 6-4 decision in the title match to finish runnerup. Sophomore AJ Robidoux (15-7) won the third place match at 132 pounds with a fall over Buena Vista’s Kaden McFee. Cedaredge will host Paonia on Jan. 10 (Thursday) at 6 p.m. as the Bruins resume their wrestling schedule in 2019. The Bruins are at Rocky Ford on Jan. 11 and take

with seniors Courtney Freeman, Camie Baldozier, Dalia Alejandre and Hannah Gardner meshing with a bevy of underclassmen that compete to the last second every game. Losses to Grand Valley and Delta have the Bruins motivated to perform at a higher level when play in the 2019 portion of their schedule gets underway. Sophomore Kammie Henderson is leading Cedaredge scorers with an 11.7 average while pulling down a teamleading 6.3 rebounds a game. Junior Makayla Kehmeier has a 9.7 scoring average and rebounds at a 3.5 clip per game. Freeman is the floorleader and can score big any time. She is scoring 9.5 points a game and snags 3.7 rebounds and dishes out three assists

a game. Cedaredge Boys Senior Jared Reynolds is a portion of the glue holding the Bruins together this season. His 16.3 points a game leads the offense with just over six rebounds and is third in assists with 2.6 and second in steals with 2.1 per game. Senior Colby Rupp and sophomore Conner Brooks add eight points a game each to the Bruins’ offense. Junior Owen Craig averages 7.7 points a game and leads the Bruins in rebounds with nearly 7 carroms a game. Sophomore Alex Barron doles out 3.6 assists per game and steals just over four balls each game. The Bruins are scheduled to host Aspen’s Skiers Jan. 11 to open the 2019 portion of their basketball schedule.

Paonia cagers compete BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

A new season with new circumstances has impacted Paonia High School basketball team in 2018-19. Scott Rienks’ girls are in a rebuilding process with young players supporting some veterans. The girls are searching for an identity that will be different from seasons past. Paonia Girls This year’s team is 34 and in eighth place in overall standings, which is a change from seasons past. Senior Poppy Lightfoot has been the leader

for Paonia and has posted a 10.8 scoring average with five steals and 6.4 rebounds a game. Sophomore Carly Horn is scoring at an 8.6 average with sophomore Lyla Hayutin-baril scoring 4.6 a game. Paonia Boys New head coach Tim Esgar has his team on top of the 2A District 5 standings with a 5-3 record overall and 2-0 in league play. The Eagles began the season with three straight wins before losing two contests to 3A schools Olathe and Coal Ridge. Paonia bounced back

to defeat Vail Mountain, 59-42 and 3A Cedaredge, 58-48, in this year’s First Colorado National Bank tournament in Delta. The Eagles played for the First Colorado National Bank tournament title against Delta and suffered a loss to bring their record to 5-3. Despite losses, confidence continues to grow for the Eagles with the major portion of their season ahead. Paonia has some good leadership with seniors David Lozano and Soul Connolly leading the Eagles offense with 13.3 and 10.6 scoring averages, respectively. Sophomore

Seah Maulhardt is next with a nine-point average with senior brother Elan chipping in an additional 6.7 points a game for the Eagles. Paonia is 19th in RPI standings and is currently ranked 17th in Class 2A. Paonia’s 2019 portion of its schedule begins with Hayden’s Tigers (34) in town Jan. 11 for a 5:30 p.m. girls varsity contest and a 7 p.m. boys varsity game. West Grand’s Mustangs are next with a visit to Paonia on Saturday, Jan. 12, for girls and boys varsity games at 2:30 and 4 p.m.

Classifieds

January 9, 2019

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2 BEDROOM, 1 1/2 BATH, dishwasher, washer/dryer, small carport, 2 sheds, 750 sq. ft. living space, in town of Cedaredge. Immaculate condition, in good neighborhood within walking distance of pharmacy, park, etc. $650/month, same for damage deposit. Guarantee rent will not change over 5 years. No dogs/cats. 8567030, call and leave message. (4x52)

For Sale POWER LIFT & RECLINE chair by Golden Technologies. Purchased in ‘08 for over $1,100. Upholstery and mechanics in good condition. Asking only $500. Call 970-2016230. (4x1) SELL YOUR UNWANTED items in the DCI Classifieds, call 874-4421 today.

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The Classifieds Are the Cat’s Meow. Area shoppers know the Classifieds are the purr-fect place to find a bargain. You can track down deals on collectibles to cuddly kittens. It’s easy to place an ad or find the items you want.

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POOL MANAGER: THE Ouray Hot Springs Pool is seeking a full time employee for our Pool Manager position. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated broad management ability, a passion for customer service and safety. Detailed duties and requirements are listed with job description at cityofouray.com. Pay is $71,490 annually. Benefits package included. Apply directly at www.ourayhot springspool.com, see www. cityofouray.com for job description and application forms, or pickup application packet at City Hall office. You may submit by email to hr@cityofouray.com, mail to Box 468, Ouray, CO 81427, or fax to 970-325-7212 or drop off at City Hall at 320 6th Ave, Ouray. Application form must accompany resumes and be received by 4 p.m. on January 15, 2019. The City of Ouray is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (1x2)

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Classified Ads are a good buy. Call 874-4421.

DCI DEADLINES Space Reservation for ALL Display Advertising Copy for Display Advertising Legal Notices Classified Ads Too Late To Classify Calendar Of Events Items

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WHAT TYPES OF Cottage Foods Can I Produce? Whole eggs, spices, teas, dehydrated produce, nuts, seeds, Honey, jams, jellies, and preserves, fruit butter, candies, certain bake goods If you have any questions, please call: 8742165. Delta County Health Department. (4x51)

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THE DELTA COUNTY Independent runs these items as a public service free of charge for non-profit organizations, if no fees are charged. However, each group is asked to please keep them current by calling 874-4421. SUBSCRIBE!

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To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact your local newspaper or call Colorado Press Association Network at 303-571-5117. GUN SHOW ��

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THE KINGS TABLE SOUP Kitchen needs egg cartons. If you have any to give please call 250-6637 and we will pick up. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Support Group for Adults and Children: Every Wednesday in Delta from 5-7 p.m. there will be a free support group for adults whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence and a separate group for children at the same time. Please call 970-8744941 to sign up. WANNA PLAY A ROUND? Golf with a fun group of ladies. Two membership options available. Sign up at www.cedaredgeladies golf.com. Get to know us on Facebook at “cedar edgeladiesgolfclub” ALCOHOLICS ANONYmous meets Thursdays at 7 p.m. Friends of Bill W. Club. 897 Palmer Street, Delta. PARENTS FREE! INFORMation and referrals to licensed child care providers, call Bright Futures Child Care Resource and Referral, 1-877-728-5613.

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CO FATHER’S NETWORKdedicated to providing community and education to fathers of special needs kids. Meets twice monthly on the 1st Saturday at 11 a.m. and the 3rd Monday at 6:30 p.m. - 511 E. 10th St, Delta. See our website for more details: www.codads. org AL-ANON AND ALATEEN: Hope and help for families and friends of alcoholics meets in Delta: Al-Anon and Alateen, Tuesdays at 7:30 pm, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 145 W. 5th St., contact Elizabeth 970-874-9832 or Shirley 970-323-5067. CARING FOR CAREgivers, C4C - supporting hearts that care. Open to ANY caregiver. Meets monthly in Delta, 2nd Tuesday at 11 a.m. - 511 E. 10th St, Delta. AL-ANON: HOPE AND help for families and friends of alcoholics meets in Cedaredge: Al-Anon, Thursdays, 8 pm, Wick Hall behind First Baptist Church, 370 W. Main St., contact Mary M. 970-856-6123 or Jim 970-874-7855.

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THE ABRAHAM CONNECtion homeless shelter, located at 480 Silver St., Delta, offers emergency overnight shelter and food to men, women and families in the Delta area midOctober- April. Call us at 970-773-8290 to make a referral, or for information on how to volunteer or donate. www.Delta AbrahamConnection. org.

FREE DIAPERS FOR UP to one year! Pregnant women in Delta County can now get help to quit smoking and get something they can really use after their baby arrives — free diapers. Healthy moms have healthy babies. Enroll in the Baby & Me Tobacco Free program today. Contact the Delta County Health Department at 874-2165 or your local physician.

CHECK OUT THE BOOK store at the Delta Library. You'll find a great selection of paperbacks at reasonable prices.

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS Wanted! Delta County Memorial Hospital needs hospital volunteers. Days and hours are flexible. There are currently openings in the ER, Oncology, Gift Shop and some additional areas. If you are interested, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Barbara Hall at 250-2105 for an application.

SUPPORT THE DELTA Library. Give a gently used book in the Downstairs Book Store.

NARCOTICS ANONYmous meets at 9th and Palmer, Delta, Mondays and Fridays at 8 p.m.

WELCOME RETURNING Veterans, Post 9221 VFW meets at 5:00 p.m. on the 4th Thursday of each month in Cedaredge. To find out how to participate in promoting patriotism and assisting veterans, contact Wayne Hamrick, (970) 250-1180.

HELP!!! KEEP THE animal population under control, and SAVE an animal's life. Adopt your new cat or dog from the Delta County Humane Society. Adoption fee is minimal. Call 874-2149.

WOMEN ONLY AA MEETings, Delta, Saturdays, 11:00 a.m., at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 5th & Palmer (back door). SUPPORT THE DELTA Public Library. Give a gently used book in the Downstairs Book Store.

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HOTCHKISS-CRAWFORD Historical Museum. Winter hours, Saturdays 1-4 p.m. $3 admission or free to members. Come see our museum at 2nd & Hotchkiss Streets in Hotchkiss. 8723780.

THERE IS A VFW MEETING on the first Monday of each AARP DRIVER SAFETY month. At 6 p.m. there is a Course. Save on insurance, potluck and the meeting is keep up on newer traffic at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist laws, learn defensive driv- Church, 1250 Pioneer Rd., ing techniques. For details Delta. For further inforand schedule contact John mation, call 874-8172 Jim Loring (970) 856-6924 or Baker, Quartermaster. (970) 424-1778.

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CHURCH

Delta County Independent

New technology doubles car repair bills If you’ve recently purchased a new automobile, the odds are good it’s equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning, among others. Hopefully, that same tech will prevent a crash, because a fender bender can cost you: Per new research from AAA, even minor incidents that cause damage to this technology can add up to $3,000 in extra repair costs. Nestled behind windshields, bumpers and door mirrors, the sensors at the heart of these technologies are often located in damage-prone parts of your car. With

one in three Americans unable to afford an unexpected repair bill of just $500, owners of vehicles equipped with these technologies should budget for potential repair costs. “More and more, advanced safety systems come as standard equipment, even on base models,” said AAA Colorado spokesman Skyler McKinley. “The good news is that these systems have indisputable potential to reduce the likelihood of a crash. The bad news is that, when a crash does happen, they may just increase your repair bill. It’s critical that drivers understand what technology their vehicle has, how it performs, and how much it could cost to repair.”

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For the vehicles in AAA’s study, the repair bill for a minor front or rear collision on a car with ADAS can run as high as $5,300, almost two and a half times the repair cost for a vehicle without these systems. Alarmingly, damage may be inevitable. Each year, more than 14.5 million motorists replace their windshield due to damage — without much fanfare. Now that many safety systems rely on cameras positioned behind the windshield, however, drivers will require a windshield recalibration when the glass is replaced. In addition, some automakers require the use of factory glass that meets strict standards for opti-

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cal clarity. Replacing a windshield on a vehicle equipped with a camera behind the glass typically costs approximately $1,500 — three times as much to replace a windshield on a car without the technology. It’s not just the windshield. Vehicles with ADAS may also have radar, camera and ultrasonic sensors located in or behind the front and rear bumpers or bodywork, as well as built into the side mirrors. While most drivers may never find themselves in a collision, these parts can be easily damaged when pulling out of garage, hitting a mailbox, or bumping into other objects. Many variables such

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ic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane keeping systems (does not include the cost of a replacement windshield): $850 to $1,900. Front, side mirror, or rear camera sensors used with around-view systems: $500 to $1,100. Front or rear ultrasonic sensors used with parking assist systems: $500 to $1,300. Simply replacing the sensors of driver assistance systems is relatively straightforward and can be performed by most mechanics. To restore the system to proper operation, however, it must be calibrated, which requires special training, tools and information.

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as the vehicle make and model, the type and location of the sensor, and where the work is performed can affect ADAS repair costs. AAA’s research determined the ranges listed below for typical repair expenses. Note that these numbers are for costs over and above the normal bodywork required following a collision. Front radar sensors used with automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control systems: $900 to $1,300. Rear radar sensors used with blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert systems: $850 to $2,050. Front camera sensors used with automat-

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BACK PAGE

Delta County Independent

B A C K P A G E

Surrounded by books, art and friends

BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

rancie Mion of Delta is an illustrator of children’s books. Francie and writer Lois Wickstrom have a series of Loretta books out, which have received praise from professionals in the literary world and delight among their young readers. The Loretta books include “Bees in Loretta’s Bonnet,” “Ladybugs for Loretta” and “Loretta’s Pet Caterpillar.” “Carrie’s Flight,” their newest book, will be out in March. Carrie’s grandmother had lived with Carrie’s family, but moved across town. Carrie found four mysterious boxes her grandmother had left in a closet. In one of the boxes Carrie found a set of antique wings, which Grandmother told Carrie had been in the family for a long time. Carrie uses the antique wings to visit her grandmother across town.

Francie Mion, pen in hand, works on an illustration for an upcoming children’s book. Mion and Wickstrom state: Children discover the world around them when they play. They naturally discover what they will later learn to call science. Our books feed this joyous approach to life. In our stories, the characters watch a caterpillar grow and shed its skin. They protect the cocoon from predators as it becomes a butterfly. They look up to watch starlings form a murmuration. They look down to follow a millipede. They pick up rocks and find ladybugs’ winter homes. We retell folktales with different endings. Chicken Little makes the same discovery as Isaac Newton, instead of terrifying the kingdom with tales of a falling sky. We are parents, researchers and teachers who write. We are artists who love exploring the world around us. Our books are beautiful and subversive. Play is the best form

Photo by Annette Brand

A recent Mion painting, “Portal to Pleiades,” Pleiades meaning a constellation that is coming into focus for its conveyance of peaceful energy.

Photo submitted

Mion creates seasonal greeting cards with collages for Easter, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and spring. All proceeds from sale of the greeting cards are donated for spay and neuter of dogs and cats. This card is named “Morning Spring” and features birds, butterﬂies and ﬂowers.

of learning. The artist and author create books that promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning, advocating that STEM is how we try to understand and improve the world around us. Mion said the Loretta series is in the Hotchkiss Library and at Cedaredge Elementary School, and copies of the books have been left with the school district office. Mion and Wickstrom promote their books under the logo “Look Under Rocks, STEM books for FUN” (http:// www.LookUnderRocks.com). The books are also available on Amazon. When Francie Mion was a student at Benson High School in Omaha, Neb., she won awards for two oil paintings in the Nebraska Regional Scholastic Art Competition. Her entries were also sent to New York to be judged for Hallmark Honor Prizes. Mion said the painting that won first prize in the competition was inspired by Willa Cather, whom Mion admires. Francie’s mother, Lou Anna Banks, was a native of Delta. Lou Anna’s parents were King and Hazel Banks. Lou Anna married William Henry Mion and they lived in Gunnison. The Mions moved to Omaha when Francie was three years old. Francie said her mother was active in promoting Francie’s art work when she, Francie, was a teenager. Lou Anna encouraged Francie to enter an art contest in Ouray. Francie sent her mother two ink drawings, one of Chief Ouray and one of a younger Ute tribal official. Lou Anna entered the ink drawings in the contest and the drawing of the younger Ute tribal official won first prize. Francie graduated from University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her thesis for her bachelor’s in fine arts degree was on intaglio, prints made with copper plates. Intaglio is a method of lithography, using turn of the 19th century printing presses and, later, 1970s printing presses. Francie said, “It is very heavy and laborious. You soak pieces of paper in water in giant trays before putting the paper on the plate, or Brussel stone, of the press and running the paper through the press. The process makes lines available through etching on the copper plates. It’s possible to make five to 35 runs of a lithograph on the press. “I spent my senior year at the university perfecting lithography on the Brussel stones and copper plates,” she said. After college Francie married and she and her husband had two children. While they were living in Denver, Francie joined a craft co-op, which really took off. Francie created satin stuffed hangings, using fish wire for the hanger. “I created rainbows, clouds with rain coming out of them, birds, vegetables, giant peapods and unicorns. The unicorns were my most popular craft,” she said.

Denver was where Francie Mion and Lois Wickstrom met. “We’ve known each other for 40 years,” Francie said, “and Denver is where I started illustrating for her various publications. “Our first book was in black and white and red, the only color we could afford, and printed on a physical press instead of through a computer.” Now Francie designs greeting cards, also. She collects pictures that inspire her and uses them to create collages on seasonal cards, such as Easter, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and spring. “I want to get more cards out,” she said. Asked how she would describe her artistic style, Francie said, “From three dimensional, I have narrowed it to two dimensional. I blend in additional materials for collages. “I like mixed media, chalk, tempera, acrylic, oil, finger paints, watercolor — and liquid coffee if I accidentally spill it while I am painting. “I like all wet mediums,” she said. Francie is thinking ahead to her next exhibit in Delta. “I think of Marcel Proust’s book ‘Remembrances of Times Past.’ It is so inspiring to me. I connected right away,” she said. As to what art work she is considering showcasing in her next exhibit, Francie held up a possible example, a painting with a dark center, but with lights within, the center framed by borders increasing in size, of pinks, blues and greens. Asked if the painting had a name, Francie said, “I am thinking about ‘Portal to the Pleiades’,” Pleiades meaning a constellation that is coming into focus for its conveyance of peaceful energy. Francie came to Delta in 2005 to live with her aging mother. “My time with Mom until she passed was priceless, and has turned into cherished times with cousins and friends in Delta who know how precious life is,” Francie said.

Photo by Annette Brand

Photo submitted

Covers of the Loretta series of books: “Ladybugs for Loretta,” “Bees in Loretta’s Bonnet” and “Loretta’s Pet Caterpillar.”

Photo submitted

Francie Mion’s painting for the upcoming book “Carrie’s Flight,” shows Carrie’s grandmother waving goodbye to Carrie as Carrie ﬂies back home with the antique wings she found in a box her grandmother left at Carrie’s house.

★★★★ are happening in DELTA COUNTY JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT 50J WINTER 2019

WWW.DELTASCHOOLS.COM

Delta Middle School, Cedaredge Elementary School, and Lincoln Elementary Schools Nominated for a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase SchoolsTM Award Delta Middle School, Cedaredge Elementary School, and Lincoln Elementary schools have been nominated for a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools award for the 2018-2019 school year by the Flippen Group. Three years ago, school administrators began initiatives to transform their campuses into an emotionally safe and relationally connected place for students, staff, and parents to come together with a love for learning. After researching programs used by many of the nation’s most successful schools, Delta County School District chose to join hands with the Flippen Group to bring Capturing Kids’ Hearts® to its campus. Teachers and staff have continued to learn the processes needed to connect students with their peers and adults on campus and to create classrooms where students are excited to learn every day. As a result of implementing Capturing Kids’ Hearts, the schools have experienced academic growth, improved attendance, and a reduction in ofﬁce referrals. Since 1990, campuses across the country have experienced

amazing outcomes with Capturing Kids’ Hearts tools and processes, creating the socio-emotional safety conducive to learning. Flippen Group provides educators the skills they need to change the trajectory of students’ lives.

the campus observation. Following the site visit, the selection team will review all accumulated data and select the campuses to be this year’s recipients of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools awards.

Through the National Showcase Schools awards, Flippen Group seeks to recognize and celebrate schools that go the extra mile each day, building an environment where students and staff feel safe and connected. Flippen Group believes the unsung heroes who produce exemplary outcomes in schools and pave the way for other schools to follow need and deserve recognition for a job well done.

The Flippen Group is proud to recognize the outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the lives of our children. As they identify these outstanding schools, campus leaders, and teachers each year, please join in celebrating some of the most skilled and effective educators in the country!

Capturing Kids’ Hearts campuses across the country are considered for this award based on the following criteria: 1) nomination based on observation, 2) level of implementation of Capturing Kids’ Hearts processes by all staff as measured by online surveys, and 3) data demonstrating that Capturing Kids’ Hearts has made a signiﬁcant improvement in attendance, discipline, climate/culture, or academics. Since the nomination period is now closed, Flippen Group teams will begin conducting site visits to nominated campuses to gather additional quantitative and qualitative data and interview students, teachers, administrators, and parents. They will compile a matrix of key measurements from

The Role of School Counselors in School Safety adult with which to relate. They can implement preventative programs to help students deal with trauma and/or stress in their lives before it gets to the critical stage where violence or self-harm may seem like an answer to their pain. They can also refer to therapists in the community early, to prevent violent acts in the school setting. They are trained in crisis intervention models and serve as an integral member of the school’s response team in collaboration with administrators and other school staff members.

Delta County Schools (DSCD) added 7.5 secondary counselors to its schools beginning in 2015 through a Colorado School Counselor Grant. The state estimates that it is saving $20 for every $1 it spends on counselors as they are the social safety nets that would have to be purchased elsewhere, without them. The state and Delta County School District have seen trends upward in daily attendance, enrollment in college courses students can take during high school, and the number of students completing federal financial aid paperwork. The influx of counselors from this grant allowed schools to lower their student-to-counselor ratio to the American School Counselor Association recommended 250-to-1; the grant money has mostly helped students of color in low-income areas such as Delta County and students on free and reduced lunch. Dropout rates have decreased in DCSD, reaching an all-time low of 1.2% in 2017-2018. By keeping students from dropping out of school, the program has saved taxpayers in Colorado more than $319 million. Each child who drops out costs the state and district a combined $321,450 in lost taxes, plus spending on welfare, incarceration, and health care, among other things. Counselors have been one of our very best investments. Counselors are also playing a key role in school safety. In fact, they have been termed “the missing ingredient from school safety”. Counseling and mental health services can help prevent senseless tragedies on campus. The antidote to school violence— in all its forms—is an inclusive and resilient school environment in which counselors play pivotal roles. We begin with the premise that all students need a safe, violencefree environment for learning. The impact of a crisis or act of violence within the school environment has “a tremendous and lasting effect on the school in which [it] occurred, the surrounding community and the nation as a whole: (Vossekuil, 2002, p, 7) The school counselor has a vital leadership role in the creation of a safe school climate which will result in the academic and personal success of all students and help students achieve their educational missions. They are vital resources in preventing violent incidents, intervening when concerns arise about potential violence and responding when violence occurs. They promote safety within their comprehensive school counseling program by assisting students engaging in unhealthy or unsafe behaviors and making referrals when needed. School counselors are familiar with the school community and knowledgeable about the roles of community health providers and first responders such as law enforcement officials and emergency medical responders. School counselors work on the preventative side of school safety by recognizing stressors in both students and staff. They are trained to recognize when a student is undergoing changes in life or suffering from traumatic events, and can be that alert system, to let others in district administration know when a student might need to receive wraparound services or even just a trusted

School counselors are trained in the following areas: 1. Individual and group counseling 2. Advocacy for student safety 3. Interventions for students at risk of dropping out or harming self or others 4. Peer mediation training, conﬂict resolution, and anti-bullying programs

5. Support of student-initiated programs 6. Facilitation of open communication between students and caring adults 7. Defusing critical incidents and providing related stress debrieﬁng 8. District and school response team planning and practices 9. Partnering with community resources In summary, school counselors are vital to school safety initiatives. They work on both the preventative side and crisis side of school violence incidents. They provide that listening ear and caring heart to students and staff who are troubled or dealing with mental health issues. Any safety plans must include funding for their positions. They are so much more than the “guidance counselors” from the past. They work in the career, academic and the social/ emotional realm of students’ lives and are vital for a system that seeks to protect students from harm and to give them a safe place to learn and experience life.

School Bus Magic That first bus ride as a young child is magical, but what it takes to make it happen is a lot of hard working dedicated employees and careful planning. There are 2,427 Delta County School District 50J students who ride the bus to school and back home every day. That is 48% of the District’s total enrollment. There are 42 bus routes in the District and the route buses travel 2,172 miles a day. That adds up to 365,000 miles during the school year! In addition to the daily route miles, the buses also travel to various sporting events and field trips. During the 2017-18 school year District buses traveled an additional 185,728 miles on various activities. The DCSD 50J Transportation Department is tasked with making sure that students are transported in the safest way possible and that means every child every day. The drivers must hold a CDL license, pass a background test, have a good driving record, and have additional training before being allowed to drive for the District. They are also subject to random drug testing. Substitute drivers are held to the same standards as the regular route drivers. There are four ‘bus barns’ in the District. Each barn has a manager. There are also 4 mechanics in the District: one in Delta, one in Cedaredge and two in Hotchkiss. The mechanics handle all of the scheduled maintenance and most of the repairs to the buses. Major repairs are done at the Hotchkiss bus barn located near Hotchkiss High School. The fleet has 52 route buses, 8 large activity buses, 8 small activity buses and 4 wheelchair accessible buses. The aging of our bus fleet is a large challenge for the District. Forty-five of the 52 route buses are 2004 models or older. Four of the eight large activity buses are 2004 models and have over 190,000 miles on them. Many years of lean state funding forced budget cuts and the District was not able to purchase any buses from 2005 to 2014. State funding began improving in 2014 and the District has been replacing the buses as the budget allows. A new diesel route bus has an average cost of $100,000 and a gasoline route bus averages $92,000. New activity buses are diesel only and with some special features cost $110,000. The small activity buses average just over $60,000 each. Maintaining an aging fleet is difficult and expensive. If one radiator needs replaced, it is likely that several more will follow in

quick succession. Replacing a radiator has an average cost of $1,000 plus the labor. Road vibration over the years often damages the fiberglass hoods of the buses, requiring replacement. The average cost of a hood replacement is $4,250! Some of the transmissions have also needed replacement and these cost $3,000 plus labor. So far, we have only had to replace one engine. We are holding our collective breath on the engines because the current replacement cost of an engine is $21,000 installed. The cost of parts for repairs to the bus fleet has gone from $99,080 in the 15-16 school year to $147,895 in the 17-18 school year. This cost will continue to climb as the fleet ages. State and Federal regulators add to the challenges. Many of our bus routes travel only on city streets and county roads. They never travel on a highway or go over 45 mph. To save money, we often put recapped tires on the buses used on these routes. The state is considering regulations that would not allow the use of recapped tires on school buses. We spend an average of $37,000 annually on tires. These costs would increase if we only have the option to buy new tires. The Federal government is currently considering a mandate requiring seat belts on all school buses. Currently only our small activity buses have seat belts. Buses are designed with high seats backs and special frames that make them safer in the event of accidents. This is why they do not currently have seat belts. If we have to retrofit all of our buses with seat belts it will cost thousands of dollars per bus. The District continues to work on ways to meet all of these challenges. Finally, if your child rides the bus to school or on an activity, take a little time and thank the driver for all that they do to keep your child safe and be sure to stop for the flashing red lights on the Magic School Bus!

PHS

PAONIA HIGH SCHOOL 970-527-4882 ✦ phs.deltaschools.com

Paonia High School’s 7th Annual Winter Warrior Dodgeball raised roughly $2,500 in 2018 with nearly $11,000 raised since 2012. Money raised has been donated to Wounded Warriors, Outdoors Alive and, most recently, to veterans in need through the Paonia American Legion.

NFSIS

Paonia High School’s Student Council hosted a Veterans Day Celebration featuring a veteran speaker and a memorial poppy collage.

NORTH FORK SCHOOL OF INTEGRATED STUDIES 970-527-3639 ✦ nfsis.deltaschools.com WinterFaire at North Fork School of Integrated Studies held December 15 was full of wonderful seasonal fun.

HK-8

HHS

HOTCHKISS K-8 SCHOOL

HOTCHKISS HIGH SCHOOL

970-872-3882 ✦ hhs.deltaschools.com

The HHS Volleyball program held their annual Pink Night on Friday, October 19th. Players and parents got sponsorships from local businesses, conducted a drawing for half a beef, and held a Silent Auction and Bake Sale. In total they raised $9,147 which was donated to the Grand Mesa Oncology Center in Delta.

Hotchkiss 7th and 8th grade STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) classes made Mongonel style catapults. They could only use six things to make the cata– large popsicle pult sticks, regular popsicle sticks, plastic spoons, rubber bands, binder clips and a cap. The students used mini marshmallows to compete for most accurate and longest distance.

The HHS Dance Team qualified for finals and finished as the runner-up in the 2A Pom division of the CHSAA State Spirit Championships which took place December 8th. Dance team members include Mia Cowan, Jaycie Duncan, Dana Hart, Julia Pinon, Isabella Spano, Ava Taylor, and Abi Vespia and the coaches are Madison Milner and Liz Heidrich.

NFMC

NORTH FORK MONTESSORI @ CRAWFORD 970-921-4935 ✦ nfmc@deltaschools.com Upper elementary students at North Fork Montessori presented their research project on foreign countries and ﬁnished off with a feast of food from all over the world that they prepared.

CMS

CEDAREDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL 970-856-3118 ✦ cms.deltaschools.com Nathan Black received word that his Patriot Pen essay won the district level competition and has been forwarded to the State competition. YAY, CMS kids doing well! Give Nathan a high ﬁve next time you see him, this is a great accomplishment!

Olivia Madden, won the Delta County School District Math Counts Competition.

DHS

DELTA HIGH SCHOOL 970-874-8031 ✦ dhs.deltaschools.com

Delta High School is proud of the hard work our fall activities put in and how their students and staff turned that work into success. All of DHS’s fall activities qualiﬁed in some capacity for post season competition. They believe that the expectations they set for their students in the classroom throughout the day, carry over into their activities after school. • • • • • • •

Softball - Final 4 Soccer - Elite 8 Band - 7th at State Competition held at CSU Pueblo Football - Sweet 16 Volleyball - Regional Qualiﬁer John Ames - 20th at State Cross Country Golf - Rowan Carmichael qualiﬁed for State

We are also proud of the huge turnout for our fall FFA member auction held to raise money for our growing chapter. FFA advisor Ms. Butterﬁeld also took students recently to the National Convention. Mrs. Chaney recently worked with students to raise over $1500 for the Red Cross disaster relief program. Mrs. Bond’s Station 34 program is a continued success serving weekly meals to staff prepared from vegetables produced in Mr. Crowder’s Aquaponics program. Colonel Clark’s Service Learning and Mr. Graves’ Solar Energy programs are nearing completion of a joint project. They have designed and built a shade shelter that will eventually house solar panels. The current array that has been installed is also nearing ﬁnal approvals from State inspectors to begin powering the grid and helping to offset energy use at DHS.

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TODAY

SUCCESS

Spotlight on Success awards are for students in 7th–12th grades. The awards are given for “Success” that can come from any area including clubs, academics, performances, etc. The purpose is to give recognition to students in Delta County schools who are doing great things, achieving successes regardless how big or how small.

HOTCHKISS HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS NOVEMBER RECIPIENTS

DAAL SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS NOVEMBER RECIPIENT

PAONIA HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS NOVEMBER RECIPIENTS

Daniel Lawrence

Pictured left to right: Nathan Mattler, Teagan Sommer, Karlie Egging and Mr. Rover. Not pictured: Will Ela.

Pictured left to right: Grey Neal, Coach Escher, Eston Tribble, Ms. Witt, Mrs. Steger, Jade Ellenberger, Mr. Frazier, Kaya Crawford, Mr. Eyler and Syrena Diehl

CEDAREDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS NOVEMBER RECIPIENTS

Pictured left to right: Principal Delaine Hudson, Keaton Sanders, Isabel Cerise and Nathan Black.

DAAL SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS DECEMBER RECIPIENT

DELTA MIDDLE SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS DELTA HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS NOVEMBER RECIPIENTS NOVEMBER RECIPIENTS

Pictured left to right: Mrs. Yeager, Rebecca Gonzalez, Pete Herren and Madyson Hannegrefs.

Pictured left to right: Andrew Toole, Anysia Hovel, Enrique Gonzalez, Logan Robinson and Principal Derek Carlson.

DELTA MIDDLE SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS DECEMBER RECIPIENTS

DELTA HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS DECEMBER RECIPIENTS

Back row: Mrs. Yeager, Garret Cannon, Katie Edwards, Front row: Brysin Woodson, Joachim Jones, John Dexter and Kaya Wright. Not pictured: Konnor Workman and Emily Anderson.

Pictured left to right: Mr. Carlson, Trevor Pike, Alyssa Trujillo, Mia Yost and Jason Violet.

McKenzie Proctor

PAONIA HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS CEDAREDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS CEDAREDGE HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS DECEMBER RECIPIENTS DECEMBER RECIPIENTS DECEMBER RECIPIENTS

Pictured left to right: Mr. Forrest, Elan Maulhart, Coach Escher, Justin Holt, Mr. Frazier and Alejandro Garcia.

Pictured left to right: Principal Delaine Hudson, Trey Schumacher, Kacey Walck and Sophia Williams.

Pictured left to right: Principal Randy Brown, Sophie Andrews, Jacob Chlarson and Hayden Conway. Not pictured: Kiara Palmer.

Music Has Value – Lincoln Elementary School Delta County Schools Receive Awards! What an AMAZING afternoon! A huge shout out to Big Machine Records, Music Has Value, and the Eli Young Band for bringing a whole lot of music and happiness to Delta today. Delta County School District cannot thank you enough for your kindness and generosity of $3500 for the music programs at Garnet Mesa Elementary, Delta Middle School, and Delta High School. And a special thanks for the Eli Young Band concert, $3500, and ukuleles for the kids at Lincoln Elementary School; thank you Nicole Scates for making today possible!

Relax,

Renew,

Rejuvenate

Paonia Elementary School and Delta Academy of Applied Learning were the recipients of the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award. This award is given to schools that demonstrate exceptional student growth. On the school performance framework that is used by the state to evalate schools, these schools exceed expectations on the indicator related to longitudinal academic growth and meet or exceed expectations on the indicator related to academic growth gaps. Paonia Elementary School was also a recipient of the John Irwin Award for demonstrating exceptional academic achievement over time in Math, English Language Arts and Science.

1554 H38 Road, Delta

970-985-1491