May 10, 2012

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel/Breaking News "Silt Mesa family’s suit against Antero dismissed"

Bill and Beth Strudley's quest for wealth via Antero Resources has come to an end.

'bethatesantero' aka 'MrsDick' aka Beth Strudley can now move forward, we hope she does and leaves regional chat rooms.     Best wishes to her as she does that.

Congratulations to Antero.

Dennis Webb:

".....“Though the evidence shows existence of certain gases and compounds in both the air and water of Plaintiffs’ Silt home, there is neither sufficient data nor expert analysis stating with any level of probability that a causal connection does in fact exist between Plaintiffs’ injuries and Plaintiffs’ exposure to Defendants’ drilling activities,” Frick wrote in this week’s ruling.

Her decision comes after a previous order last fall giving the Strudleys’ attorneys 105 days to produce evidence addressing her questions about exposure and causation.......

......Their attorney, Corey Zurbuch, called the judge’s ruling “extremely disappointing.”

“We found it surprising. We’re looking at our options for appeal,” he said.

Dan Dunn, an attorney representing Antero, said, “Antero’s confidence in the judicial/legal system has been confirmed and justice has been done. Truly our judicial system has worked and delivered a very just result.....”  (Read more? Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Fox News "Putin opts out of G-8 summit, cancels meeting with Obama"

Just days after reclaiming the Russian presidency, Vladimir Putin has canceled his planned visit to the United States, where he'd been scheduled to attend a major economic summit and meet with President Obama.

The White House confirmed in a statement late Wednesday that Putin told Obama on a phone call he'd be sending Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in his place. Putin claimed he was too busy finalizing cabinet appointments to make the May 18-19 G-8 Summit at Camp David. Yet the Obama administration had moved the gathering to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland from the planned venue in Chicago partly to accommodate Putin.

Whether or not the schedule change marked an intentional snub, the let-down comes less than a week after the nation's military chief of staff warned that Russia would consider preemptive strikes, if a dispute with the United States over a Europe-based missile defense system worsens...."
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SandBoxBlogs: Right Scoop "Mark Levin: The Tea Party is strong and the Reagan Democrats are back!"

Scoop:
"Mark Levin says that after last night’s elections in Wisconsin and West Virginia, it’s clear that the Reagan Democrats are back. Which is why, Levin says, that Obama chose today to come out and endorse gay marriage...."  (Listen to Levin's podcast? Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: The Hill "The Hill's House ratings: GOP in position to keep control of chamber"

Josh Lederman and Cameron Joseph:
"Democratic prospects in the House have improved slightly, but Republicans are positioned to retain control of the lower chamber, according to an analysis by The Hill.

It's a tough fight for Democrats, who need to net about two dozen seats to retake control of the House.

In New York, the redistricting process shuffled the map, resulting in lawmakers from both parties becoming more vulnerable in their reelection bids. The seats held by Republican Reps. Chris Gibson and Nan Hayworth move from “likely Republican” to “lean Republican,” while Democratic Rep. Kathy Hochul’s seat moved from “lean Democratic” to “toss-up....” (Read more?  Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Red State "Infographic: The Obama Economy "

The 'Caleb Howe' Diary brings a really interesting Infographic today.  Somewhere out there on Red State.

Click title.

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall "Obama gets a Keystone Mulligan"

(See related story and public comments here)

Bob Beauprez:
"Barack Obama is going to get another shot at getting the decision of the Keystone XL Pipeline right.  The Canadian company, TransCanada, seeking to build the massive delivery system that would transport 800,000 barrels of oil from the Canadian tar sands to Texas refineries announced it is resubmitting an application for permitting approval.

Obama killed the jobs creating, energy supplying proposal in January to appease his radical environmental constituency that opposes anything connected with the hydrocarbon industry.  Criticism of his blatantly political decision came from all corners of the spectrum including the President's usually loyal labor unions who coveted the employment opportunities the pipeline would generate....."
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SandBoxBlogs: Daily Caller "Obama, Holder silent as Brian Terry memorial act unanimously passes House, Senate"

Matthew Boyle:
"President Barack Obama maintains silence on the Brian A. Terry Memorial Act that passed the Democratic-controlled Senate unanimously on Tuesday evening. The Republican-controlled House passed it unanimously in December.

Drug cartel members used guns the Obama administration allowed to fall into their hands via Operation Fast and Furious to murder Terry, a Border Patrol agent, on Dec. 15, 2010....."
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SandBoxBlogs: Eagle Valley Enterprise "America's First Ladies have great stories to share"

Sharyn Smith:
"...It was fascinating to learn what the wives endured while their husbands governed. Many of them were left to care for children and farms or plantations with minimal help. Long separations and financial hardship was often the rule. Often husbands found it difficult to earn a living while they were in government service. Early government wages were nonexistent or minimal, but expectations were that the Presidential families would host lavish entertainments at their own expense. Sometimes the families were expected to pay to furnish the White House.

Here are a few facts about the earliest first ladies I found interesting. Martha Washington was a young widow of 27 with two children when she married George Washington. Her experience managing the plantation that she inherited from her first husband enabled her to manage and assist George when he resupplied troops from his own resources. Martha had spent time at many military camps by the time she went to Valley Forge during the harsh winter of 1778. Her presence and interest in the soldiers boosted camp morale. Martha's severe case of measles early in the marriage is one explanation why she and George never had children of their own....."  (Read more?  Click title)
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SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/News in brief "Speeding motorist busted for drugs"

(Read similar story and public comments here)

"RULISON, Colorado — Sheriff's deputies stopped a speeding westbound vehicle passing by Rulison on I-70 at 10 p.m. Monday and arrested the driver for possession of illegal drugs, according to a release issued Wednesday by the Garfield County Sheriff's Department.

After impounding the vehicle, because the driver had no proof of insurance, the deputies found nearly 16 grams of suspected heroin and about one gram of suspected marijuana in the vehicle. The street value of the drugs is estimated at $1,500 to $2,000, the release stated.

Before pulling over, the driver hit 91 mph on the highway, the release stated.

The driver, Floyd Edward Hamilton, 22, of Denver, was arrested on suspicion of speeding 10 mph over the limit, driving without proof of insurance, possession of heroin, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Garfield County Jail....." (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: WSET ABC 13 "APNewsBreak: Venezuelan judge talking to US"

BRADLEY KLAPPER and LUIS ALONSO LUGO:
"WASHINGTON (AP) - A former Venezuelan Supreme Court justice whose flight to the United States has enraged President Hugo Chavez's government is talking to federal law enforcement agents, U.S. officials said Wednesday, providing intelligence that could embarrass Chavez's anti-U.S. government and lead to tougher U.S. action against purported drug trafficking networks.

The former magistrate, Eladio Aponte, has been in the U.S. for almost a month, arriving from Central America after accusing Venezuelan officials of drug links and corruption and claiming he had evidence to back his allegations. Venezuela's National Assembly expelled him from the court in March for allegedly helping a drug trafficker.

A U.S. official said Aponte will speak publicly in the next weeks, once he arranges for family members to be relocated. The comments confirmed a rare example of a top Venezuelan official cooperating with the Justice Department and Drug Enforcement Administration and suggested Aponte may be arranging a deal with Washington for immunity or a new home......"  (Read more?  Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "Smugglers Continue to Endanger Lives"

"Tucson, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents have seen an increase during the past few weeks in the number of incidents involving smugglers concealing illegal aliens in vehicle trunks. It’s dangerous and has proven fatal in some cases.
 
“Trunk smuggling” is an age-old method of concealing contraband – or people – in a vehicle’s trunk in hopes the crime will go undetected by law enforcement. Our experienced agents have engaged in targeted enforcement operations which resulted in the rescue of 25 illegal aliens locked in vehicle trunks throughout the state last month.
 
Trunk smuggling illustrates the disregard smugglers have for human life. Often, illegal immigrants learn this the hard way after they agree to be smuggled into the United States. Entering the country illegally is inherently dangerous; even more so when individuals partner with profit-focused smugglers.
 
“The Border Patrol recognizes the dangers associated with human smuggling,” said Manuel Padilla, Jr., Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Tucson Sector Border Patrol. “We stand ready with our partners to identify, target and dismantle these criminal organizations that pose a risk to citizens on both sides of the border.”
CBP welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling (877) 872-7435 toll free.
 
 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws."

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "CBP Seizes 2 Tons of Marijuana During Cinco De Mayo Weekend"

"El Paso, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the El Paso area ports of entry seized 4,227 pounds of marijuana this weekend. The drugs were seized in 10 enforcement actions and have a combined estimated street value of $3,381,600.

“CBP officers remain vigilant and focused on the mission which this weekend unveiled a variety of smuggling attempts including a cargo shipment, a tour bus and a juvenile,” said acting CBP El Paso Port Director of Field Operations David Higgerson.

The largest seizure of the weekend was made Saturday at the Ysleta international crossing commercial cargo lot at the El Paso port of entry. The seizure was made shortly after 2 p.m. when a flatbed trailer hauling a load of irrigation equipment entered the compound from Mexico. CBP officers directed the vehicle to an x-ray unit which showed an anomaly. A CBP drug sniffing dog searched the vehicle and alerted. CBP officers removed 2,566 pounds of marijuana from the shipment. The drugs were concealed in metal canisters that were hidden inside the equipment. No arrests were made and the investigation continues.
 
While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws."

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Take a common-sense approach toward energy"

(Read one of Sturm's 'local's fav' columns on the green industry here)

Melanie Sturm:
".....After “investing” $110 billion since 2009, the sector is littered with taxpayer-backed, bankrupt companies like Solyndra, Beacon Power and Ener1, all of which paid bonuses before going under. Reuters reported last month that “the wind industry … has shed 10,000 jobs since 2009 even as the energy capacity of wind farms has nearly doubled” … while the demonized “oil and gas industry added 75,000 jobs.”

The truth is that industries that aren't economically viable don't create real jobs, and those that are viable don't need subsidies. Plagued by competitive disadvantages like sun and wind intermittence, and expensive land, capital, transmission and backup capacity, these technologies are uncompetitive small-market players and remain subsidy-dependent.

Despite receiving 53.5 percent of federal financial support for the electric-power sector, wind and solar supply only 4 percent of U.S. power at a cost 100 to 300 percent more than conventional sources, according to the Energy Information Administration. A University of Wyoming study noted that because green policies increase prices, the “economic benefits derived from building renewable energy facilities in the short run are more than offset by losses in economic output and employment,” thus hurting the poorest and most vulnerable.

Additionally, given renewables' green patina, many don't appreciate their adverse environmental impacts beyond the eyesore, noise, water usage and wildlife destruction. Called “energy sprawl” by the Nature Conservancy, renewable energies require vastly more land while producing significantly less energy than conventional energy. Most disconcerting, their incurable intermittence requires utilities to rely on conventional power to cycle up when there's no wind or sun and power down when there is, thus diminishing carbon-reduction advantages...."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Eagle Valley Enterprise "Eagle voters return to the polls to decide Eagle River Station's fate"

(See related story and public comments here)

Pam Boyd:
"It doesn't take much more than a quick trip through Eagle to figure out something's brewing in the community — with dozens and dozens of colorful yard signs popping up all over private property and public rights of way.

Eagle River Station is again before the voters.

On Tuesday, May 22, Eagle residents will decide the future of the commercial/residential project proposed on the eastern end of town. Eagle currently has 3,977 registered voters and of that number, 1,720 citizens already have their ballots in hand because they have elected to receive them by mail. For those who opt to vote in person, the polls will be open at Eagle Town Hall between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 22.

This marks the second time voters will decide the project's fate.

Eagle River Station is a commercial/residential project proposed by Trinity RED Development. The 88-acre site is located south of Interstate 70 and north of U.S. Highway 6. The ERS proposal would include 582,000 square feet of commercial space and 250 rental units in the first phase. The second phase calls for up to 150,000 square feet of additional commercial space and another 300 rental units...."
(Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Job of relocating coaster to Glenwood filled with twists, turns"

(See related story and local public commentary here)

A 'well done' shout out goes to the area's avatars in commentary who not only were strong enough to raise their voices in protest of the 'free pass' style that Garfield County Commissioners gave to Steve Beckley and Glenwood Adventure Park's latest expansion; they have been courageous enough to go direct to source and express concerns about safety.

From their comments, most then opted to give Beckley another chance.  See what he would do. 

Buy a deeply discounted roller coaster, haul it in and install it  without engaging all the channels of government entities that have authority over that kind of endeavor?  Or be the Steve Beckley they all know and respect and do things the right way.

Looks like Steve stepped up. 

Leaving, after another estimated million dollars out of pocket,  the need to meet his obligations to answer the concerns over wildlife, vibration related to rock slides over the canyon highway and noise impact with a roller coaster that pumps out an "80-second, 1,600-foot-long trip with speeds up to 34 mph".  

Dennis Webb:
"....Glenwood Caverns started out with cave tours in 1999......

.....But its biggest addition is the former Windstorm coaster, which it is renaming the Cliffhanger because of its location. Perched near the top of Iron Mountain and on the edge of Glenwood Canyon, it will offer breathtaking views of the canyon and the Roaring Fork and Colorado river valleys as riders experience thrilling drop-offs and tight curves during an 80-second, 1,600-foot-long trip with speeds up to 34 mph. At 7,160 feet high, it’s the highest-elevation adult roller coaster in the world, Heard said.

Getting the coaster to the mountains first involved shipping the coaster cars to Florida to be tested, and their wheels and bearings replaced. The disassembled track likewise has undergone testing, refurbishing and sandblasting and will be repainted......

.....Now the parts and pieces are being shipped to Glenwood Springs in what is expected to take about a dozen trips by semi trucks.....

...Although the coaster came with operating and maintenance manuals, that wasn’t the case when it came to assembly instructions. And that’s where Litts comes in.....

“The ability to find someone like that is huge,” she said.....

.....Heard said the coaster purchase and installation probably will cost about $1 million when all is said and done.

“We’ll probably spend $50,000 just in bolts, in hardware,” she said.

Old bolts and fasteners—about 2,000 of them—must be replaced with new ones in order to properly meet specifications for torque, or tightness.....

....Glenwood Caverns had a concrete base installed for the coaster, but included drains into underlying gravel. That way, the concrete won’t keep precipitation from feeding into the extensive caverns system beneath Iron Mountain and continuing to contribute to the underground ecosystem and growth of other-worldly formations...."
(Read more?  Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Citizen Telegram "Jazz in Rifle? You got it"

Mike McKibbin:
"Many a song about a young, struggling musician includes a line about singing or playing in small venues to hone their crafts.

In the case of Joe Allen and Walt Smith, though, they've already done that. Long ago. And to some level of notoriety.

Now, every Saturday night, Allen stands next to his 1928 string bass, while Smith sits behind a piano at a small downtown Rifle cafe. To the delight of customers enjoying fine food and wine at the Creekbend Bistro and Coffee, the duo entertains with smooth jazz music.

“We're just a couple of old dudes, playing jazz and enjoying good people enjoying good food and wine,” Allen said....."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: KKCO 11 News "Breadwinners Of The Family: Women In The Workforce "

Thomas Jordan:
"The number of women in the work place has grown from forty-percent to forty-five percent. Local moms I spoke with today say it's all about putting food on the table and paying the bills.

"I currently have two jobs because I have two little girls that I have to take care of on my own" says working mother Heather Reynolds.

She has been on her own for awhile, she works as a server at a night club and bartender at a restaurant.

"With this economy and having two children it’s really hard to work only one job and support a family" says Heather.

Heather's not the only woman out there seeking a pay check.

“The percentage of woman that are job seekers in registered in Colorado has gone from forty percent to forty-five percent, so we look at that as a fairly significant increase" says Suzie Miller from the Mesa County Workforce Center.

For Great Harvest Bread Company Co-owner Heidi Ragland, it’s a little different. Since she makes her bread and eats it too.

"I feel so blessed that I have the opportunity to be able to work, but manage our family life. In a comparable way that makes it so I can be there when I need to be there" says Heidi Ragland.

She agrees with Heather, it's still a tough economy.

"Gas is more expensive, milk is more expensive, bread is more expensive, so other people are going to have to contribute to the family income to meet those basic needs" says Heidi....."
(Read more?  Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Yellow"

All credit:  Bob Berwyn (click title)