By Shannon Lukens.

 

A fire started in a linen closet in the parsonage of Holy Name Catholic Church in Steamboat Springs late Sunday night. Steamboat Fire Rescue was able to get to the upstairs fire and get it out. Steamboat Fire Captain Michael Arce says it looks like a lightbulb may have been touching a pillow, which could be how the fire started. He says there is damage in the closet and significant smoke damage to the second floor. Three priests were staying at the parsonage and they discovered the fire. They’ve all been relocated to the Holiday Inn with help from Routt County Crisis Support.

 

It’s National Teen Driver Safety Week. Colorado State Patrol says there are seven red flags where you should be concerned about your teenager on the road.

Seven Warning Signs

1. She/he always has a friend or two in the car. Your teen may argue that carpooling is good for the environment and saves gas money, but traveling with passengers increases the likelihood that they will get into a car accident.
   1. Colorado GDL Laws state that for the first six months, no passengers under 21 (siblings and medical emergencies excepted), unless a parent or other licensed adult over 21 is in the vehicle.
   2. For the next six months, one passenger under 21.
2. You catch him/her not wearing a seat belt. If you still have to remind your teenager to buckle up, they haven’t grasped the seriousness of a possible crash.
3. Your child answers your calls or texts when you know he/she is driving. If your teen frequently answers your calls or texts while they are behind the wheel, then chances are they typically answer calls or texts from others as well.
4. The car is overflowing with food wrappers or you notice makeup on the driver’s seat/vanity mirror. A good place to find indications of unsafe driving is inside your teen’s car. Eating and applying makeup behind the wheel are other forms of distracted driving and can be surprisingly dangerous.
5. Your child returns home at night farther and farther past curfew. Parents may have established specific curfew restrictions for their teenager, but the state also enforces curfews for drivers under 18. According to Colorado, the first year as a licensed driver, your teen must abide by a curfew of no driving between midnight and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by an instructor, parent or legal guardian.
6. She/he is constantly blasting loud music in the car. If you can hear your teen coming down the street, then their music is turned up dangerously loud. Loud music creates a significant hazard for drivers making it hard to hear critical audible cues from other drivers, like a car horn or another vehicle accelerating nearby.
7. Your child has had a number of close calls and fender benders. When learning to drive, everyone makes mistakes. Hopefully, those mistakes are minor, and no one gets hurt. But if your teen has added one too many dings and scratches to the car, or been in multiple accidents, it may be time to scale back their driving privileges until they’ve had more practice.

 

Taxes for August in the City of Steamboat Springs were up 10.54% higher than the year before. That’s an increase of $288,346.

 

The City of Steamboat Springs has a new City Engineer. Matthew Phillips will oversee the Engineering Division. He was the former Capital Projects Manager for the City of Frisco, TEXAS. Matt and his wife are relocating to Steamboat where his first day on the job is next Monday, Oct. 24.

 

Pick up CONSIGNMENT TAGS for the annual Ski & Sport Swap this week, at the SSWSC front office in the Howelsen Hill Lodge. Consignment tags are five for $1. The Ski and Sport Swap hosted by the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club is this Saturday at Howelsen Hill. It’s presented by F.M. Light & Sons. This is where you’ll find the best deals for gently used skis, snowboards, boots, and poles and sports gear.  Early bird shopping starts at 10 a.m. and that costs $15 at the door. Then it’s free to get in from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

The United States Cross Country Ski team has been announced. Twenty-two athletes made the team, based on criteria from the prior season. From Steamboat, congratulations to Finn O’Connell for making the B team.

 

Girls ages five to 12 can try hockey for free at 4:45 p.m. today. It’s at Howelsen Ice Arena. The Steamboat Stampede will provide the equipment.

RSVP ryandingle.ssyha@gmail.com or call 970-846-2672.

 

For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.