Donations being accepted for humane society yard sale

The Moffat County Humane Society will hold a yard sale as a fund-raiser at 9 a.m. July 9 at 827 Russell St. Donations are being accepted at 827 Russell St. Call Patty at 824-7945.

DOW asking people to report animal sightings

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Wildlife watchers in the western half of the state can help the Colorado Division of Wildlife track moose and river otters by reporting any sightings to a local DOW office.

Moose were transplanted in Northern Colorado in the 1970s and in southwest Colorado in 1992. Since then, the population has increased steadily. But because the moose are solitary animals and spread out over wide areas, it is difficult for wildlife managers to track their progress.

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Moose recently have been released on Grand Mesa and are fitted with radio collars, enabling DOW staff to track them remotely. But wildlife managers still want to know where people see the animals.

Since being re-introduced to the state in the mid-1970s, the otters have steadily expanded their range. They are now found in most of the major river basins throughout the western portion of the state. Biologists, however, have no reliable way to estimate the river otter population because the animals are very elusive, trap shy, and cannot be fitted with external radio collars. Therefore any information regarding sightings by the public is helpful, explained Pamela Schnurr, a DOW species conservations specialist based in Grand Junction.

Schnurr said the otters appear to be expanding their range substantially from the original release sites, hunting year round for crayfish, channel catfish, suckers and other prey along major rivers. Otters are listed as a state threatened species and cannot be trapped or killed.

If you spot a moose or river otter while you are out hiking, fishing or sightseeing, please make some notes if possible. Wildlife managers need location, GPS coordinates if possible, type of terrain, number of animals, color, sex, and if animals are adults or juveniles.

To report a sighting, call (970) 255-6100; Monte Vista, (719) 587-6900; Gunnison, (970) 641-7060; Montrose, (970) 252-6000; Durango, (970) 247-0855.

Hutton completes fire management course

Cliff Hutton recently completed a Technical Fire Management course. Hutton is the assistant fire management officer for the Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit.

The technical Fire Manage-ment course is a fire science course equivalent to a masters level course.

Hutton has been with NWCFMU for six years.

Ex-Craig resident recovering from fall

Former Craig resident Mary Roland fell on March 11 and suffered multiple fractures. She currently is in rehabilitation at Larch Wood Inns and is expected to be released to her apartment soon. She enjoys hearing from her friends in Craig. Write to Roland at 999 Bookcliff, F5, Grand Junction, CO 81501.

CDOT, state patrol increasing enforcement

The Colorado Department of Transportation is teaming up with the Colorado State Patrol to increase enforcement in highway work zones for the duration of the summer.

The increased enforcement is part of the Slow for the Cone Zone campaign, which is designed to eliminate unsafe driving practices and reduce fatalities in construction and maintenance work zones.

Last year’s Slow for the Cone Zone overtime resulted in 1,839 citations. Thirteen were on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, and more than 1,300 were written for “hazardous violations,” which include unsafe driving practices such as speeding, ignoring traffic control devices and improper lane changes.

Work-zone safety enforcement activities will be increased in the following Western Slope road areas: I-70 through the No Name Tunnel and I-70 between Rifle and Silt.

Elections under way for YVEA directors

Elections are under way for the Yampa Valley Electric Association board of directors.

Members of the cooperative should have received ballots in the mail this week, YVEA spokesman Jim Chappell said. The deadline for YVEA to receive mail-in ballots is 5 p.m. Friday.

Ballots also may be cast at the association’s annual meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Hayden High School auditorium.

There are two contested races this year.

In District 2, which encompasses parts of Moffat County north and west of Craig, Lynn Bower is challenging incumbent Franklin “Pud” Stetson. Bower and Stetson live in Moffat County.

The open seat in District 6 also is up for grabs. District 6 is in Routt County north of Steamboat Springs.

Wayne Adamo, John Chapman, Bill Haight, Tim McCarthy and Jo Semotan are running for the District 6 seat.

Chappell said the board of directors serves a variety of functions for YVEA.

“The board of directors sets policy and procedures and oversees the financial condition of the association,” he said.

Endangered species information sought

Colorado Preservation Inc. is seeking information on Colorado’s most-endangered places.

The Denver-based historical preservation society is compiling a list of the most endangered buildings and neighborhoods in the state.

Sites that make the list will receive statewide publicity and technical assistance from Colorado Preservation.

The deadline for submission is Aug. 1. For a nomination form, visit http://www.coloradopreservation.org.

Memorial Fund set up in memory of Gotwald

A memorial fund has been established at Bank of the West in memory of Kenny Gotwald. Proceeds from the fund will benefit Gotwald’s children, Rachel and Mikie. Call Earlita Ross at 824-0365.