By Shannon Lukens.
A man named Rene Ruiz has been sentenced to 24 years in state prison for his involvement in a high-level number of criminal organizations that stole many cars, catalytic converters, and firearms. This is on the Front Range, but many of those thefts were from Denver International Airport. We started reporting on that extensively when Routt County residents had their cars stolen or vandalized when they were on spring break. This happened for several years in a row. Now the main guy behind many of those thefts is headed to prison.
A plane crashed at the Kremmling Airport Thursday It was a single-engine aircraft. The pilot was from out-of-state. He was practicing take-offs and landings when he lost control on the final landing. He was taken to Middle Park Medical Center in Kremmling with minor injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration is investigating. Kremmling Airport at McElroy Field is jointly owned by the Town of Kremmling and Grand County.
Renovations are almost complete at the Steamboat Grand Hotel. It will reopen on Friday, Nov. 22. The Steamboat Grand has been closed since April 1. The original water pipe infrastructure was replaced and elevators and guest rooms were upgraded. A new fire alarm system was installed, along with other improvements.
Reservations at the Steamboat Grand
More on the Story — Steamboat Grand Hotel set to reopen Nov. 22
There is a lot happening this weekend.
The CNCC Spartan Showdown is Friday and Saturday nights, Sept. 20-21 at the Moffat County Fairgrounds in Craig. Gates open at 5 p.m. Everyone is invited. Tickets are at the gate, but students at Colorado Northwestern Community College and Moffat County are free.
The last Farmers Market in Steamboat Springs for the summer is Saturday. There will be a Quick Draw competition at the Plein Air Festival. 75 painters will start painting LIVE at 9 a.m. Then a bell will sound at 11 a.m. at which point they have to stop painting, frame their art work, and display it on Yampa Street. All art will be for sale while the paint is drying.
The Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council is hosting its first annual pickleball FUNdraiser, “Smoke in the Air!,” at the Steamboat Tennis & Pickleball Center. It’s a round robin and no two teams will be the same for each game. It starts at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
More information can be found at: www.routtwildfire.org/events
Fall Fest is in downtown Craig, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Enjoy live music, food, crafts, a pumpkin patch, car show and bounce houses.
The “Fast & Furriest – 5K9 Doggie Fun Run and Walk” is Saturday, Sept. 21. This is for all humans and canines with best costume categories for everyone. Check in starts at 9 a.m. at Howelsen Hill Lodge. The run/walk starts at 10:15 a.m. Right before the 5K run is the Tennis Ball Drop (at 10 a.m.) down the 30-meter ski jump at Howelsen Hill. If your ball lands in the net, you win a prize. Each ball is $5. Register through RouttHumane.org Register here
A charity golf tournament, “Fore the Kids,” is Saturday, Sept. 21, at Yampa Valley Golf Course in Craig. It’s to raise money for Totally Kids, Inc., and celebrate 30 years in the Hayden community. Call 970-819-9967.
Also Saturday night…
Saturday night in Steamboat, REPS is presenting some ski films at the library. That starts at 6:30 p.m. REPS is Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide. It’s a fundraiser for them.
Saturday night in Hayden, the Hayden Arts Commission presents the inaugural show of Hayden Night Live! It’s an adult-themed variety show that showcases the delightful absurdities of the Hayden community. It starts at 7 p.m. at the Hayden Center. Tickets for Hayden Night Live!
On Sunday, learn about Electric Vehicles from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Howelsen Hill Rodeo Grounds. It’s an Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive Event hosted by the City of Steamboat Springs in partnership with Yampa Valley Electric Association, Yampa Valley Sustainability Council and Clean Energy Economy. The event is free, but please sign up in advance to reserve a test drive slot. SteamboatSprings.net/EV
In sports…
The undefeated Sailors football team is off this weekend.
The Steamboat High School Mountain Bike team is competing in the Haymaker Classic in Eagle this weekend, as part of the Colorado High School Cycling League.
The Sailors and Bulldog Cross Country teams are competing in Grand Junction today.
The Moffat County Bulldogs football team is away at Grand Valley tonight as is the girls volleyball team.
The Girls Softball team is away Saturday, playing Resurrection Christian.
SoRoCo Rams football is away at Rangely tonight, and the Hayden Tigers have a bye.
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.