Weld hit with tornado, hail that bashes cars and crops
Spring storms spawned a couple of tornado warnings in northeast Colorado on Wednesday afternoon, but only one tornado was reported to the National Weather Service.
A small twister touched down for a short while about 6 miles northwest of Buckingham in Weld County just before 4 p.m., and a funnel cloud was reported about 31 miles southeast of Denver a couple of hours earlier, the Weather Service reported.
Extensive crop and roof damage, broken windshields and downed tree limbs were reported from 1.75-inch hail about 15 miles east of Rockport in Weld County about 3:05 p.m. Interstate 70 was covered by about half a foot of 1.25-inch hail in Elbert County southeast of Deer Trail about 3:35 p.m., the Weather Service said.
Today, there is a slight chance of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms in north and northeast Colorado, along and near the eastern slopes of the mountains, according to the Weather Service. A few of the storms could spread over the plains.
COLORADO
Bill signed to fund Henderson Mine lab
Lt. Gov. Jane Norton on Wednesday signed into law Senate Bill 229, which would secure $20 million to fund the state’s share of the cost of a new laboratory at the Henderson Mine.
Colorado is vying with South Dakota for a $300 million grant from the National Science Foundation to build the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory.
Supporters of the lab hope to lure top-notch researchers and educators while bringing much-needed economic development to the Empire area and the state.
The bill’s sponsors, Democratic Senate President Joan Fitz- Gerald and Republican Rep. Al White, said they expect a decision from the foundation by September.
Gov. Bill Owens was out of the country Wednesday and could not sign the legislation.
LOVELAND
Brothers safe, with family in Mexico
Two boys who left their Loveland home late Friday appear to be safe and with family members in Juarez, Mexico, said Larimer County sheriff’s spokeswoman Eloise Campanella.
Javier “Javi” Quiroz-Vargas, 12, and Leonardo “Toni” Quiroz-Vargas, 10, left a note found by their stepmother saying they were going to Mexico to be with their mother. The boys were last seen at 9 p.m. Friday.
The two boys traveled by bus with a family member to Juarez, Campanella said.
A sheriff’s investigator spoke with Javier on the telephone Wednesday and confirmed the boys’ identities and that they were with their mother’s family, she said.
REGION
BLM asked to boost reclamation standards
Six conservation groups are asking the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to improve reclamation standards for oil and gas development on public lands.
The groups, which include the Natural Resources Defense Council and Western Organization of Resource Councils, submitted a rule-making petition Wednesday that would require companies to reclaim land damaged by drilling.
If approved, the petition would specify performance standards for reclamation and replace blanket bonds with a $20,000 bond per well.
The groups are also asking the agency to improve inspection, monitoring and enforcement at drilling sites.
FREMONT COUNTY
Royal Gorge search fails to find jumper
Searchers in Fremont County responded to a report that a man jumped from the bridge over the Royal Gorge on Monday night but were unable to locate a body.
Witnesses at the scene reported to Cañon City police that at about 7:20 p.m. a man had jumped from the middle of the bridge, which at 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River is billed as the world’s highest suspension bridge.
Emergency personnel searched the Arkansas River Canyon on Monday night and again Tuesday but did not locate a body. A second search is planned in 10 to 14 days depending on water and weather conditions, police said.
CODY, Wyo.
Hells Angels event prompts preparation
Local law enforcement agencies are meeting twice a week – sometimes joined by state and federal officials – in preparation for the Hells Angels 2006 World Run, scheduled to take place July 26-30 in Cody, Wyo.
As many as 3,000 Hells Angels are expected at the event, which coincides with the Park County Fair.
Park County Sheriff Scott Steward and Powell Police Chief Tim Feathers say adequate preparation can reduce the risk of violence.
They’ve been talking with officials in Gunnison, Laconia, N.H., and Missoula, Mont., where previous Hells Angels events have been held.
