By Shannon Lukens.
Steamboat Springs Police are investigating the possible unknown drugging of bar patrons at local establishments. They were made aware of this through multiple social media posts. The local police department would like you to reach out to SSPD if you think this may have happened to you.
The local group called “Better Tomorrow” has also responded. They have scheduled two events with Advocates of Routt County. They are at noon and 6 p.m. next Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Dusky Grouse Coffee in Steamboat Springs (1585 Mid Valley Drive).
More on the Story — Steamboat Springs Police investigate possible drugging incident at local bar
A Winter Travel Alert has been issued by the Colorado Department of Transportation, especially for those traveling I-70. A strong winter storm and Arctic front is expected to impact the I-70 Mountain Corridor as well as the foothills and plains. The cold front moves in Friday afternoon with heaviest snowfall expected overnight into early Saturday with the Front Range getting hit the hardest with this one. Check weather forecasts and road conditions on COtrip.org
Last year’s MLK weekend vehicle counts at the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels totaled 164,819.
From CDOT: Winter Travel Tips for Motorists
- Avoid or limit driving during the brunt of the storm. Many areas of the state will experience pavement impacts and blowing snow due to strong winds.
- Work from home if you can.
- If you plan to travel, know before you go by checking out the latest weather conditions and visiting COtrip.org for road conditions (see info sources below).
- Make sure your vehicle is winter ready with the appropriate tires for the weather and have a snow emergency kit.
- Once you are out on the road, take it slow, no sudden stops and leave plenty of following distance.
- Give plows space! Stay back three to four car lengths from snow plows.
Tom Leeson has been named interim City Manager while the city searches for a replacement for Gary Suiter who is retiring at the end of the month. Leeson has been the Deputy City Manager for the City of Steamboat Springs.
The new City Hall and Fire Station on the corner of 10th Street and Lincoln Ave. in downtown Steamboat Springs is officially open as of today. The new fire station is expected to be operational by the end of the month.
More on the Story — The new Steamboat Springs City Hall opens Friday
There is a Celebration of Life today for Andy Michnay. He was the Freeski Program Director for Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. That’s at 4 p.m. today in Olympian Hall at Howelsen Hill.
From SSWSC: Andy Michnay touched the lives of thousands in the community. He began his career with Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club as a Freeski coach in 2015 and was promoted to a leadership position as Freeski Program Director in 2022. His colleagues remember Andy as a generous and kind soul who always gave the time and energy to listen and help others. He went above and beyond for his athletes and coaches and set an example for everyone around him. SSWSC is well aware that Andy’s impact, connections, and family extended far beyond SSWSC to his roots in Wisconsin, his time at Colorado Mountain College, working and playing golf at Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club, and much more. Andy’s calm and gentle leadership and presence are deeply missed by everyone at Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, and his loss is felt by many. Andy’s immediate family has asked SSWSC to help spread the word about the Celebration of Life to the community.
The skiers and riders with the SOSY team have started up their season. SOSY is Special Olympics Steamboat & the Yampa Valley. They’re sponsored by STARS, which is Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports.
The 15 participants practice at Steamboat Resort on Sundays. The numbers have nearly doubled this year from eight the season before. This includes athletes with special needs from Steamboat Springs, Hayden, and one from Craig.
Melissa Pollack is the Special Olympics Coordinator in the Yampa Valley.
“Every practice we try to get gates so we go up to Bashor and we work towards gates and we work on different drills to help with some of their race skills.”
The athletes practice gates and overall skiing with two coaches. Pollack is one along with Meghan Dolliff. There are other volunteer coaches.
The program is funded through STARS and the local Special Olympics group, along with fundraisers. The lessons are free for the participants. They meet at the STARS office at the base of Steamboat Resort.
The team’s first competition is at Sunlight Mountain Resort Jan. 31 for regionals. Those athletes will then compete at Copper Mountain, March 1-2.
- July 26, 2023 — The Special Olympics Steamboat and Yampa Valley (SOSY) team competes this weekend
- June 13, 2024 — Local Special Olympics residents are practicing for summer tourneys
- Special Olympics Colorado
- More on the Story — Local Special Olympics athletes are training for upcoming competitions
“A Snow Globe Winter” is the name of the winter concert presented by the Yampa Valley Singers with the Strawberry Park Elementary School Sea Wolves. It’s at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, and 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Heart of Steamboat United Methodist Church at 8th and Oak. Tickets are $10, available from any Yampa Valley Singers members or at the door, if they aren’t sold out.
The 2025 People’s March/Rally is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. It is on the lawn of the historic Routt County Courthouse. All are invited. This is being organized by the Routt County Democrats.
It’s Cowboy Downhill Weekend. The Cowboy Up Drone Show kicks off the 50th Anniversary of the Cowboy Downhill. That starts at 5:30 p.m. this Sunday night.
In Sports…
The Steamboat Sailors boys basketball team has an away game at 7 p.m. tonight in Aspen. The Steamboat Sailors Hockey team is away at Aspen Saturday with a game at 3 p.m. We’ll have live play-by-play on KTYV 105.7 Sports on FM and through our website.
The SSHS Alpine team is competing at Beaver Creek today.
In wrestling, the Steamboat, Hayden and Soroco are at a tournament at North Fork High School in Hotchkiss. The Bulldogs are at the Trojan Border Wars in Casper, Wyoming.
Moffat County Basketball girls and boys wrestlers are competing in Casper, Wyoming.
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.