craigdailypress.com

Hunter in Rio Blanco County still missing after nine days

A hunter who was reported missing on Oct. 25 in Rio Blanco County is still missing, law enforcement officers reported Thursday.

Walter Benskin, 56, of Santa Fe, Texas, has yet to be located in the White River National Forest.

The Rio Blanco Sheriff's Office has been continuously searching a 15-square mile area, where Benskin was last seen.

"We found a wandering set of tracks," dispatcher Mike Cook said.

Cook said the tracks did not lead anywhere, and that during the past two days, along with Garfield County Search and Rescue crews, a company from Texas searched with specialized equipment, but nothing has turned up yet.

Because a new hunting season begins Saturday, the office will suspend the search until further notice.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Rio Blanco Sheriff's Office at 878-5023.

Police investigating possible arson

The Craig Police Department is investigating a fire reported Wednesday evening as a case of criminal arson.

Witnesses reported the fire about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of Industrial Ave., east of Trevenen Oil. The fire, which quickly was extinguished by the Craig Fire/Rescue, damaged a fence and building.

Police said Thursday they are using information given to them by witnesses and electronic security equipment, to identify those responsible.

Anyone with further information is to contact the police department investigations unit, or report information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 824-3535.

Air hazards classes set for Nov. 14 and 15

Two free workshops titled, "Involuntary Exposure: What You Can Do to Control and Reduce Exposure to Indoor Air Hazards," will be held this month.

The first will be in Steamboat Springs on Nov. 14; the second is in Craig on Nov. 15. Both sessions will run from noon to 1 p.m., with a free light lunch for participants.

Presentation topics will include asthma and allergies, mold and mildew, radon, tobacco smoke and carbon monoxide.

Pre-registration is required. To register, call the Colorado State University Moffat County Extension Office at 824-9180. Be sure to designate at which location you wish to attend.

Local elementary schools host book fairs

East Elementary School will offer specially priced books, including new releases, award-winning titles, children's classics, interactive software, adult books and current bestsellers from more than 150 publishers during a book fair next week.

Families, teachers, and community members are invited to attend the book fair, which is scheduled to run from Monday through Nov. 10 at the elementary school, 600 Texas Ave. It will feature a special camping theme -- Reading Rain Forest.

The book fair will be open to the public from 3 to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 3 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday.

Thursday night's book fair will feature a special Family Night Event with refreshments and door prizes.

For more information, call Cheryle Browning at the elementary school at 824-6042.

Sunset Elementary School also hosts its weeklong book fair Monday through Nov. 10.

The book fair runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the school, 800 W. Seventh St.

The school has also planned Family Day from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 10, where families can enjoy storytelling.

For more information, call Linda Knoche at 824-5762.

VNA hosts grief class for holidays

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association hosts the Hospice Grief Education class titled "Getting Through the Holidays" at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Craig VNA, 745 Russell St.

This class is for anyone who is hurting because of the loss of someone special. The group will have a discussion about ideas for coping during this holiday season.

Call Sandy Beran at 824-8233 for more information.

USDA offers low-interest rate home-repair loans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development is accepting applications for its 504 Home Repair Loan program for the residents of Moffat County. These federal government loans can be made up to $20,000 with a repayment term to 20 years at 1 percent interest rate. In certain circumstances, there are emergency grants available to homeowners 62 years of age or older.

These loans are available to low-income homeowners who earn $26,950 per year or less for a household of 4 (adjusted for family size) that needs health and safety repairs to their home that they cannot afford. Common repairs are window replacement, insulation, roof replacement/repair, new hot water heater/plumbing, furnace repair or replacement, handicap accessibility and modernization. The main goal for this program is to eliminate any health concerns or local code violations in the home so it can be occupied safely and efficiently.

For more information, call P.J. Howe at 824-3476, ext. 111.

Forums available for sexual abuse victims

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) holds confidential self-help healing forums for victims and supporters.

For information, visit www.SNAPnetwork.org or call Jeb at (720) 222-2412 or Troy at (970) 376-2753.

See more spooky photos online

Additional photos from the "Spirits of the West" article, which was published in Tuesday's Craig Daily Press, are available online.

To see more, visit www.craigdailypress.com and click on the Photo Galleries link.