United flight turns around after emergency slide unrolls
A United Airlines jet bound for Denver from Portland, Ore., was forced to make an emergency landing Wednesday morning because an emergency slide deployed.
Shortly after the 8:25 a.m. departure from Portland International Airport, an emergency slide indicator light went on and pilots decided to return the plane to the airport.
United Flight 364, with 182 passengers and seven crew members aboard, landed safely at 9 a.m. Pacific Time. United officials said they don’t know when the slide deployed, according to United Airlines spokeswoman Megan McCarthy. A passenger told KGW-TV in Portland that it rolled out while the jet was in the air.
The passengers boarded another United flight and landed at Denver International Airport at 2 p.m.Wednesday, airline officials said.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY
Volunteer firefighter saves 3 from blaze
Three senior citizens were saved from a house fire by a volunteer firefighter who was working near their modular home when it went up in flames.
Jim Abendschan, a site manager at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, called 911 about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday to report a fire at 990 U.S. 36 in Byers, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.
A deputy arrived about a minute after the call was made and found two residents had been evacuated to safety by Abendschan. The pair told the deputy they weren’t even aware that their home was on fire when they were helped to safety.
A third resident was also rescued. No one was injured.
Abendschan’s quick action more than likely saved lives, said Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson.
DENVER
Mouse may yet bite development plans
A new study reinforces a tiny rodent’s reputation as the mouse that roared, and that could block millions of dollars in development in Wyoming and Colorado if it hangs on to its endangered status.
For the second time, a study has found the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse is distinct from other types of mice and deserves federal protection.
The 3-inch-long mouse has been at the center of a huge controversy in the West because its habitat includes prime undeveloped real estate, and protected status would put limits on what the owners could do with their land.
Eighteen months ago, the Interior Department announced it was withdrawing the Preble’s endangered status based on a study that concluded it was actually a more common subspecies of jumping mouse.
Developers cheered the decision, but after a chorus of complaints by other scientists and environmental groups, the decision was delayed and a new study was ordered.
The latest report was published May 10 in Animal Conservation. Eight scientists found that instead of showing that the two mice are the same subspecies, the research “offers further support for the classification of Zapus hudsonius preblei (Preble) as a unique subspecies and a distinct evolutionary unit worthy of the protection it is currently afforded.”
Diane Katzenberger of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the agency still expects to make a decision by August on whether the Preble’s mouse should remain protected.
CONEJOS COUNTY
Former sheriff guilty of misusing inmates
Former Sheriff Isaac Gallegos was convicted of three counts Wednesday involving his use of county jail inmates as his personal workforce.
The case stemmed from a 9News investigation during which Gallegos was videotaped letting inmates out of jail to do work on his home.
Gallegos was convicted of one count of extortion and two counts of embezzlement of public funds, including selling firewood that inmates had chopped, and having inmates build an addition to his home for free.
The sheriff’s wife, Mary, was the jail administrator. She is charged with similar counts.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Pair of bats test positive for rabies
Two rabid bats were found in the past week in south Jefferson County, a discovery that health officials said is unusual this early in the year.
The bats were found near West Ken Caryl Avenue and South Pierce Street and West Bowles Avenue and South Kip ling Street.
One of the bats was found in a cat’s mouth. County health officials say they are working to catch the cat and have quarantined a second cat that belongs to the same owner.
Neither animal was current on rabies vaccines.
The second bat was found on a dog. That animal, which had up-to-date vaccinations, will be under 45-day home quarantine, health officials said.
While it is not uncommon to find rabid bats in the county, health officials said it is early to have two test positive for rabies. Only three rabid bats were found last year.
Residents are advised to have current rabies vaccinations for their pets and not to handle bats.
DENVER
FBI agent indicted on travel-cost claims
An FBI agent based in Colorado Springs was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on accusations of falsifying $6,832 in travel expenses.
Doug las V. Brennan, 40, stayed in a Denver hotel for nine weeks in 2003 as he testified in a federal trial, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. The agency paid for his lodging.
But according to the indictment, Brennan also submitted bills and was reimbursed by the FBI for hotel costs. Brennan was indicted on three counts of false claim to the United States.
Brennan was placed on administrative leave with pay while the FBI’s internal investigating unit looks into the matter, said Monique Kelso, FBI spokeswoman in Denver.
BOULDER
CU chancellor finalist takes Arizona post
One of two finalists to head the Boulder campus of the University of Colorado was named Arizona State University’s new provost and executive vice president Wednesday.
Elizabeth Capaldi, vice chancellor and chief of staff at the State University of New York system, will assume her position at ASU in August, the Arizona school announced.
Capaldi on Tuesday had removed her name for consideration for the CU chancellor post, but didn’t say why.
Capaldi was named a finalist for the CU position last week, along with George “Bud” Peterson, provost of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.
CU is looking for a permanent replacement for chancellor Richard Byyny.
