2 boys critical after falling into ditch near Gunnison
Two boys were in critical condition after falling into an irrigation ditch Wednesday north of Gunnison.
The Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office received a report at 6:56 p.m. that three children fell into the ditch, which parallels North Road. The road is about 8 miles north of Gunnison and just east of Colorado 135.
Upon arrival, officers discovered there were two boys who had reportedly accidentally fallen into the swift-moving ditch water, while the third boy alerted parents of the incident. It is estimated that the water was running close to 60 cubic feet per second.
The missing boys were recovered from separate locations along the ditch. One was transported to Gunnison Valley Hospital by private vehicle and the second by ambulance. They are believed to be 4 years old.
Investigations revealed that the three boys are from the same neighborhood but different families.
DENVER
Republican funds ad criticizing Holtzman
A Republican-funded campaign committee plans to launch a radio ad criticizing GOP gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman for taking money from “rich liberals” who have donated to former President Clinton and 2004 presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry.
“So why is Marc Holtzman funding attacks on Colorado Republicans with contributions from East Coast Democrats?” asks one voice. “Who knows?” says another voice. “Marc Holtzman’s campaign continues to be a series of controversies and lies. Makes you wonder what else they’re hiding.”
The ads, funded by a group called Coloradans for Freedom and Opportunity, will run on radio stations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Greeley-Fort Collins and Grand Junction. Katy Atkinson, spokeswoman for the group, said prominent Republican donor Bruce Benson is the sole donor to the group.
Holtzman’s campaign blasted the ad and blamed GOP primary opponent Rep. Bob Beauprez:
“The voters see this for what it is: Bob Beauprez using surrogates to attack Marc to deflect attention away from his inaction during Referendum C and his poor fiscal voting record.”
GRAND JUNCTION
Suspect in bomb case to remain in custody
U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Coan decided Wednesday that Robert Burke, accused of planting five homemade bombs outside Grand Junction homes, would remain in custody while he awaits the resolution of federal charges against him.
Burke, who appeared in court with assistant federal public defender Susan Fisch, did not attempt to persuade the judge to set bail. But Fisch reserved the right to come back to the court to ask that bail be set in the case.
Burke is a former air traffic controller accused of placing homemade incendiary bombs outside the Grand Junction homes of co-workers and a Federal Aviation Administration official. Three of the devices detonated March 24, while two others were defused by bomb technicians. No injuries were reported.
Burke, of Grand Junction, is charged with five counts of possession of an unregistered destructive device, one count of property damage by use of explosives and one count of possession of a dangerous weapon in furtherance of a crime of violence.
FORT COLLINS
Grant helps Poudre breast cancer patients
Women in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming who have breast cancer but don’t have health insurance may be eligible for treatment and financial assistance, thanks to a Susan G. Komen foundation grant.
The foundation has given nearly $100,000 to Poudre Valley Hospital to treat low-income and uninsured breast cancer patients and to enroll them in clinical trials.
The grants include $80,000 for surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and other treatment; and $16,000 to enroll uninsured and low-income women in National Cancer Institute clinical trials.
A hospital official said Poudre Valley treats all breast cancer patients but typically had arranged payment plans for those without insurance.
More information about the programs is available at 970-495-7859 or 970-495-7326.
WASHINGTON
Gorsuch nominated for U.S. appeals court
The White House on Wednesday nominated Neil Gorsuch for the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Gorsuch, 38, works at the U.S. Justice Department as a principal deputy to the associate attorney general.
Gorsuch, a Colorado native who lives in Virginia, would fill a slot on the appeals court that traditionally has been set aside for a Coloradan. Gorsuch’s nomination will go to the U.S. Senate for confirmation.
DENVER
Court mulling lawsuit on New Mexico lynx
A federal appeals court heard arguments Wednesday over whether a lynx that has federal protection in Colorado is still protected if it wanders across the state’s southern border into New Mexico.
Federal wildlife officials consider the lynx endangered in Colorado, where more than 200 of the elusive, long-haired cats have been reintroduced since 1999. Some have drifted into New Mexico, and environmental groups argue they should be protected there as well.
The groups are asking the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to revive their suit to force U.S. Forest Service officials in New Mexico to include the lynx in their management plans.
Those officials say lynx are not listed as threatened or endangered in New Mexico, so they don’t have to be considered.
A three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit did not indicate when it might rule.
CHEYENNE
Man, ex-wife arrested in 1998 slaying case
A man and his former wife were arrested Wednesday in the killing of another man nearly eight years ago, police said.
Steve Lariviere and Irene Lariviere are accused in the August 1998 death of Danny Lee Burch, 46, whose bones were discovered in the Vedauwoo recreation area between Cheyenne and Laramie in November 2002, said police Lt. Rob Korber.
Steve Lariviere, 47, is accused of shooting Burch in the head with a crossbow and then beating him in the head with a blunt object after Irene Lariviere, 55, said Burch had scammed her of money, Korber said.
Steve Lariviere reported a crossbow of his stolen earlier this year, he said.
Burch, who had been living in Cheyenne for a short time before he was killed, was never reported missing, Korber said. He did not have details on Burch’s background, such as his hometown.
