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COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Katie Frank — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:22:46 +0000

Volunteers needed to clean skatepark

The city of Aspen Parks and Recreation Department will be holding a cleanup event in the Rio Grande Skatepark this weekend.

On Saturday, July 31, volunteers will be needed 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to help sand and clear-coat the skatepark coping, to wash spills from concrete surfaces and remove gravel from the area.

ACRA joins new pro-climate chamber organization

Katie Frank — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:21:51 +0000

After voicing its opposition to the stance of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on federal energy policy and other issues, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association board voted this week to join a new organization called Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE).

City, county moving in on open space

Katie Frank — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:14:32 +0000

The city of Aspen is preparing to spend up to $6 million on parks and open space purchases, but officials are tight-lipped on what parcels could become publicly owned.

What specifically has been negotiated remains confidential. But city parks director Jeff Woods said an announcement is imminent, and could occur as soon as Monday.

Sheriff candidates square off on drug enforcement policy

Katie Frank — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:13:53 +0000

Two candidates vying for the Pitkin County sheriff seat said they would reverse the current administration’s policies not to conduct undercover drug operations, but undersheriff Joe DiSalvo, who also is running to replace Sheriff Bob Braudis, defended his department’s record while promising to maintain the current philosophy.

PitCo commish  candidates vet their positions

Katie Frank — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:12:26 +0000

About the only spark that flew in Thursday’s forum featuring five candidates for an open seat on the Pitkin County board of county commissioners had to do with being a Republican in a heavily Democratic county.

A member of the audience asked Robb Ittner, the owner of Rustique Bistro in Aspen, if he’d ever been a registered Republican.

Blood-clotting patient and his doctor focus of jury trial

Katie Frank — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:01:54 +0000

Opening statements made in medical malpractice case

When Dan Bopeley appeared at Aspen Valley Hospital in January 2006 with a painful swollen left leg, he didn’t know Dr. William Rodman, one of the hospital’s two general surgeons now in his 17th year in Aspen.

Shoplifting, drinking and harassment

Katie Frank — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:01:03 +0000

The following is the activity logged with the Aspen Police Department from July 22-28.

•July 22 — At about 4:20 p.m., Aspen police officers responded to a report of shoplifting at Kali’s Denim. Yolanda Gutierrez-Valerio, 33, of Glenwood Springs was arrested and charged with two counts of theft, $100-$500.

County to ban bear friendly door handles

Katie Frank — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:00:24 +0000

The Pitkin County commissioners on Wednesday voted unanimously to ban latch door handles on newly constructed or remodeled homes, citing concerns from wildlife officials that the knobs give easy access to hungry bears.

Wes Skiles remembered deeply in ‘Blue Holes’ documentary

Katie Frank — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:59:23 +0000

National Geographic photographer’s footage aired during Aspen forum

Possibly the most important work Wes Skiles ever did in his deep career of underwater photography was unveiled Tuesday night with the screening of “Diving Deep — the Blue Holes of the Bahamas” at Paepcke Auditorium.

Wienerstube settlement includes protection from ballot box

Katie Frank — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:58:09 +0000

Developers, city could kill art museum plan if challenges emerge

The settlement agreement in a developer vs. city lawsuit that would result in a new downtown Aspen Art Museum allows either party to terminate the deal if the land-use proposal is placed on the ballot.