Glenwood Springs – A Silt woman has sued industry giant Halliburton, claiming its mishandling of the chemical barite caused her to suffer a respiratory ailment.
The chemical is used in drilling for natural gas.
Carol Back is suing Halliburton Energy Services and Sanders Trucking, its local contractor, in Garfield County District Court, alleging they allowed barite dust to escape from a loading facility in downtown Silt, the Glenwood Post Independent reported.
The town subsequently shut down the operation during a November meeting of trustees.
Back and her husband, Daryl, say they have both been contaminated by the dust, a known carcinogen, said their lawyer, Laird Milburn. He said the dust was allowed to escape less than 200 feet from their home. They seek unspecified damages.
Halliburton did not return calls seeking comment. Grand Junction lawyer Earl Rhodes said he plans to file a response this week to Back’s lawsuit denying the allegations.
NORTHGLENN
Police hunt for clues after finding body
Police are investigating the death of an unidentified man whose body was found in the 11400 block of Community Center Drive.
Officers responded to a report of a “man down” about noon Saturday and found the body, police said.
Police are investigating circumstances surrounding the death, Sgt. Ron Haralson said in a written release.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call investigators at 303-450-8858.
FORT CARSON
Iraq casualty brings post’s toll to 203
A Fort Carson soldier died after being wounded by small- arms fire during combat in Iraq.
Pfc. Matthew E. Baylis, 20, of Oakdale, N.Y., died Thursday, a day after being wounded. He was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment.
Alex Sternbach, 19, went to high school with Baylis in Oakdale. “Out of anyone, I thought he would’ve made it out. He was always so positive,” Sternbach said, adding Baylis’ greatest passion was the military.
Baylis’ death raises the number of Fort Carson soldiers killed in the four-year war to 203. The 2nd Brigade has lost the most of any of the post’s units, with 96 killed in two year-long combat tours in Iraq.
WOODY CREEK
Famed tavern keeps look, changes owner
The Woody Creek Tavern, a favorite hangout of the late writer Hunter S. Thompson, has officially changed hands for $2 million.
Shep and Mary Harris on Friday granted ownership of the tavern to Kevin Willson and Laura Wren, who own restaurants in Aspen and Basalt. The sale includes the attached Woody Creek Art Studio.
Tavern employees and the new owners have said the staff, furnishings and eccentric decorations will remain.
COLORADO SPRINGS
School district settles in sexual-assault case
A mentally disabled girl who was sexually assaulted in a stairwell by a 15-year-old boy entrusted to look after her could receive up to $4.3 million under a settlement reached with Academy School District 20.
Records obtained by The Gazette show the settlement includes $450,000 in legal fees and expenses, $100,000 to a special-needs trust, and $1,845 a month to the trust for a minimum of 30 years, increasing at a 3 percent compounded annual interest rate.
Kalie McArthur, now 21, could receive about $4.3 million if she lives to 85. Her family agreed to allow her name to be used by the media.
The 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the 2004 assault, but McArthur’s family sued the district, saying it created conditions that led to the assault.
ASPEN
Friend calls shooting of bear self-defense
A mobile-home-park resident has been ticketed in the fatal shooting of a black bear yearling.
Keith Pfeiffer, 54, was cited Friday with “unlawful take of a black bear,” Colorado Division of Wildlife spokesman Randy Hampton said.
Wildlife officers have said the bear, which weighed between 40 and 50 pounds, entered Pfeiffer’s home May 19 and was chased outside, where it was shot.
Hampton said the charge was pursued because the animal didn’t pose a threat when it was shot.
Pfeiffer faces total fines of $1,370.
A reporter was unable to find Pfeiffer last week, and a message seeking comment was not returned.
Joe Alanson, a friend staying with Pfeiffer, said his friend shot the bear in self-defense.
