By Shannon Lukens.
Lightning struck at a ranch in Jackson County Saturday, killing the rancher and 34 head of cattle. 51-year-old Mike Morgan had just finished branding his cattle when the lightning struck and killed him, according to the Jackson County Coroner. This happened just northwest of Rand.
A Fund and Meal Train has been set up for the family.
Also, in Jackson County, another calf has been killed by wolves, according to Jackson County rancher Don Gittleson. It was on his ranch.
“Yeah, it’s getting old.”
Gittleson says Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers did an investigation on the calf Sunday.
“The officer doing the investigation said it was obviously alive before or while they were eating on it but yeah, it will be confirmed.”
Gittleson says it may be two of the collared wolves from Oregon because he says they are now in Jackson County. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed the wolf depredation.
CPW Confirmed Wolf Depredations
More on the Story — DON GITTLESON SAYS ANOTHER CALF HAS BEEN KILLED BY WOLVES ON HIS RANCH
United Way of the Yampa Valley has received a donation of $25,000 from the Wells Fargo Foundation. It is to support the Women United Financial Literacy Program. https://unitedwayoftheyampavalley.org/women-united/
Memorial Day ceremonies are at 11 a.m. today at the cemeteries in Steamboat Springs and Craig and at 6 p.m. tonight in Hayden.
More on the Story — MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES FOR CRAIG, HAYDEN AND STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
The Tracks & Trails Museum in Oak Creek re-opened this weekend after being closed for about three years due to a major roof leak. Nita Naugle is the curator of the museum.
“It’s amazing to have this open. It’s been a long process. There’s a lot of different elements to our history in the Oak Creek, Phippsburg, and Stagecoach areas.”
Just over $120,000 was raised from two grants and from donors through the Historical Society of Oak Creek and Phippsburg. National Honor Society members at SoRoCo High School raised money for the project as well. Donations are still needed to keep it open.
The Tracks & Trails Museum is at 129 East Main Street in Oak Creek. It is open this afternoon, and then from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays this summer.
More on the Story — OAK CREEK’S TRACKS & TRAILS MUSEUM RE-OPENS
Kathy Gonio has been chosen as the Educator of the Year by the Steamboat Springs School District. She is a bus driver for the severe needs students, and she has been doing that for 28 of the 30 years she has been with the district.
More on the Story from Steamboat Springs School District
Other staff members recognized:
- Soda Creek Elementary – Laura LeBrun, 2nd Grade Teacher
- Strawberry Park Elementary – Jill Rowan, Special Education Paraprofessional
- Sleeping Giant School – Jennifer McCannon, English/Social Studies Teacher
- Steamboat Springs Middle School – Danielle Weekley, 7th Grade English/Social Studies Teacher
- Steamboat Springs High School – Kristin O’Connor, Math Teacher
Additionally, the retiring staff for the 2023-2024 school year were honored for their dedicated service to our students.
- Barry Butler, Bus Driver
- Pam Geppert, Paraprofessional
- Kristi Lear, Interventionist
- Diane Letson, Nurse
- Jennifer McCannon, 7th Grade English/Social Studies Teacher
- Tracy Metzler, Social Worker
- Carrie Hall, Paraprofessional
- Fran Pelletier, Production Manager, Nutritional Services
Three new highway signs are up in Moffat County with interpretive information and maps of the county. One is on the Routt/Moffat County line on Highway 40. Two are on Highway 13. Tom Kleinschnitz with Moffat County Tourism said Randy Looper and John Husband also helped out with getting the new signs installed.
Moffat County Board of County Commissioners meets Tuesday morning. Tom Kleinschnitz will report from Moffat County Tourism. Neil Binder will report from the Office of Development Services about a bid for a tractor and mini-excavator for the Moffat County Parks Department. County Attorney Rebecca Tyree is also on the agenda.
Agenda for the May 28th Board of County Commissioners meeting
Watch the live (or past) meeting(s) on the Moffat County YouTube channel
Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.