Headlines August 19, 2021
Listen here:
Weather Forcast Changes for the Front Range, Rain Recloses I-70 Corridor
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for much of the Front Range today. After a long streak of 90 degree plus days along with ozone action alerts, temperatures are expected to get cooler today along with a chance of severe thunderstorms.
Last evening, a flash flood warning for Eagle and Garfield counties that includes the area of Grizzly Creek burn scar prompted the shutdown of the I70 corridor through Glenwood Canyon.
As of the time of this reporting, CDOT has not updated road conditions for the corridor.
State Health Department Debuts New Mobile Air Monitoring and Leak Detection Van
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced yesterday it now has a new mobile air-monitoring van which will give the department another tool in monitoring emissions across the state.
The van will also have the capacity to detect fugitive leaks and emissions from oil and gas operations and other facilities.
According to the department’s press release, the van will be able to track and trace emissions in real time while in motion and will provide staff more flexibility and options in finding emission sources.
The department further reports the van will supplement its existing Colorado Air Mobile Monitoring lab, which is a portable trailer that is transported to an area of interest but must be powered by an external source. Unlike the van, the portable air monitoring trailer and lab does not have the ability to monitor air quality while in motion.
Funding for the van came from a fine levied last year upon the oil and gas company Kerr McGee in response to the tragic explosion that occurred in Firestone in April of 2017.
Longmont to Spray Neighborhoods for Mosquitoes Again This Week as West Nile Threat Remains
If weather permits, this evening Longmont’s mosquito control contractor will once again spray ten neighborhood zones for mosquitoes in an effort to protect residents from the West Nile Virus.
Longmont announced Tuesday that this week’s trapping exercise resulted in all traps being above the acceptable limits of mosquito counts.
According to the city, Vector Disease Control International will use Ultra Low Volume fogging equipment and will perform the fogging after dusk when the majority of mosquito species are most active.
Longmont residents have an option of receiving notifications when spraying will occur in their neighborhood and the added option of spray machine shutoff as the mosquito contractor goes by a resident’s property. Longmont residents can opt into the notifications at vdci.net/colorado or by calling 303-466-1892.
Boulder County Confirms First Positive West Nile Case for the Mosquito Season
The spraying comes as Boulder County Public Health confirmed yesterday that a Longmont resident has contracted the West Nile virus. It is the county’s first human West Nile Virus case reported for the season. According to BCPH, West Nile Virus was first detected in mosquito pools the week of July 18th.
The county estimates transmission risk is high and will be present until the first hard freeze. West Nile Virus symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, body aches, and occasionally skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes.
Residents are urged to take precautions known as the Four D’s to prevent mosquito bites; use DEET or another CDC approved insect repellant; DRESS in long sleeves and pants; avoid the outdoors at DUSK and DAWN; and DRAIN standing water outside homes and property.
Boulder Police Investigating Second Case of Shooting Activity
Boulder Police are asking for information as gunshots were fired for the second time in a week, in the same neighborhood.
After a second incident of gunshots being fired in the same neighborhood in a week, the Boulder Police Department is again asking for the public’s help to find the individual or individuals responsible.
At approximately 4:46 yesterday morning police received two calls for gunshots being fired in the 1800 block of Yarmouth Avenue in Boulder. No one was injured and no damage was found. Officers who responded to the area did not find the suspects, but detectives did recover several shell casings.
This is the second time gunshots have been fired in this neighborhood since Monday, Aug. 9 when officers received two calls about gunfire. That shooting happened at 12:42 a.m., and at least seven rounds were fired into four houses. Denver 7 reports that an anonymous homeowner said two bullets entered into his 6-year-old daughter’s room.
Surveillance video captured audio of the gunshots and may indicate that the suspect’s vehicle has a modified muffler. You can listen to the audio by going to the BoulderColorado.gov website.
Detectives are looking for anyone who may have witnessed this or was a victim of this crime.
Those who have information, but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers. Tips may also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at crimeshurt.com.
