LOCAL NEWS: The cause of a brush fire near Delta Health hospital last Friday is still under investigation, according to Delta Police Commander Jesse Cox. The blaze erupted in a wooded area at the back of the Delta Health Surgical building on Stafford Lane. At one point during the incident dispatch asked if they needed to send out an emergency alert for evacuation. That request was denied, as fire fighters had the blaze under control. Commander Cox thanked the Delta Fire Department for their quick response that kept the fire from damaging structures.
A federal judge has ordered Megan Hess, former owner of Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors and Donor Services Inc. to forfeit her home and pay over $500,000 after her resentencing for mail fraud. Hess was resentenced last week to 20 years in federal prison for a scheme selling human remains without permission. Her mother, Shirley Koch, also maintained her 15-year sentence. The forfeiture includes Hess’ interest in her Devon Street home. Both women have indicated they will appeal again. Prosecutors said Hess and Koch offered low-cost cremations, but instead sold bodies to research and display markets, returning random substances to families. More on this story is available at montrosepress.com
Republican Congressman Jeff Hurd made an appearance at the Ouray County work session earlier this week, reports the Ouray County Plaindealer. According to reporting in the paper, Hurd met the commissioners and a small public audience for about 45 minutes at the Ouray County Courthouse. Topics included public lands, the significance of water, and forest health. The meeting ended with Hurd on the hot seat over recent immigration enforcement action and the lack of due process.. More on this story can be found at ouraynews.com
Colorado’s snowpack is down to the 5th percentile, meaning it's lower than 95% of historical levels. The lack of snowpack has officials concerned for the upcoming wildfire season. As of yesterday the Gunnison River basin is at 47% of normal. The statewide average is at 60%.
The City of Delta will be hosting Cinco De Mayo celebrations this Friday night. The party kicks off at 6pm and lasts until midnight. There will be numerous vendors, food offerings, dancing and stage performances.
STATE LEGISLATURE: The Colorado House of Representatives will not vote to override Gov. Jared Polis’ veto of a bipartisan bill to regulate users who illegally sell drugs and firearms on social media platforms, reports Colorado Newsline. The chamber voted 51-13 on Monday afternoon to lay over the override vote until May 9, which is after the legislative session ends. That means the veto will stand and the bill will not become law.
COLORADO RIVER NEWS: For the Mountain West News Bureau, Alex Hager visited the biggest cloud seeding program in the nation to see how it works, and why some are calling for it to be used more. With the declining snowpack across the West, every drop of water counts. Humans have the technology to add more mountain snow, which is the single largest source of water for the Colorado River.
NATIONAL NEWS: Colorado News Connection's Eric Galatas reports on plans by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk to privatize the United States Postal Service by selling it off to a corporation such as Federal Express or U-P-S.
