GLENWOOD SPRINGS - A 22-member all-hazards response team has been formed in Garfield County to respond to some of the most serious and potentially harmful emergency situations in a 10-county region, officials announced Thursday. Partially funded by a $1.5 million federal Homeland Security grant, the team will be a second-response to situations such as hostages and barricaded negotiations, hazardous-materials spills and cleanup, high-risk apprehensions or warrant arrests, natural and man-made disasters and others, Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario said. [continues 292 words]
Karen Daskam-Canaday was a Girl Scouts leader and a Sunday school teacher and made sure her five children had good Christmases and birthday parties. As a waitress, "they called me speedy. Little did they know," she said. "I was what they call a functioning addict," she said. "I was good at hiding it, or at least I thought so." "I did everything." Black beauties and Crosses (amphetamines), cocaine, PCP, marijuana, alcohol and methamphetamine, to name a few. It started when she was about 14. Her dad was drunk and shot her mom. [continues 2890 words]
Methamphetamine use is creeping across the country in an eastward movement without discrimination of who it chooses to addict, an expert told attendees at the first West Slope Methamphetamine Symposium on Friday. The drug, also known as crystal meth or speed, has become a burden for law enforcement and the judicial system in Mesa County. The cheap, versatile drug is easy to buy and easy to make, and the health, legal and societal problems that come hand-in-hand with its use are on the move. [continues 559 words]
NEW YORK (AP)--While Ecstasy increasingly becomes a favored drug among teens, only one percent of U.S. parents believe their child has ever tried the "club drug," according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America's annual report. The nonprofit group's survey of parents, released on Monday, also found that while 92 percent of parents were aware of the drug, nearly half would not recognize its effects on their kids. Symptoms of Ecstasy use include blurred vision, rapid eye movement, chills or sweating, dehydration, confusion, faintness, severe anxiety, grinding of teeth and a trance-like state. [continues 335 words]
The race for Colorado House District 57 features a coal miner, an incumbent lawmaker and two third-party candidates. The district includes western Garfield County, along with Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, Jackson and Grand counties. Democrat Terry Carwile is a heavy-equipment operator at the Trapper mine outside Craig and said he is running "because working people need a voice and a legislator that represents rural residents." State Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park, was elected in the 56th District two years ago. Reapportionment after the 2000 Census moved him into the 57th. He touts the success of Colorado no-call list as the bill's main sponsor in the House. [continues 467 words]
The stories are all-too familiar: Someone suspected of a crime has his or her property seized by law enforcement. Although the suspect is never convicted of any crime, the property -- a house, car, cash, jewelry, guns or other materials -- are never returned. The person is forced to spend thousands of dollars in an effort to get the property back. Two years ago, Congress placed new restrictions on federal forfeiture laws. Now two Colorado lawmakers -- a Republican and a Democrat -- want to do the same with the laws in this state. [continues 97 words]
