Colorado Parks and Wildlife is encouraging young, aspiring hunters to apply for the second of two mentored, private land turkey hunts in the Northwest region this spring. The Third annual Douglas Mountain Spring Turkey Hunt will take place May 7 and 8 on private land west of Craig and is open to four novices who have a desire to hunt, but do not know someone who can show them how.

As part of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Hunter Outreach Program, this private land hunt — along with the opportunity near Meeker — is made possible by a strong partnership between local landowners and Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the healthy turkey populations in the area.

The Douglas Mountain Spring Turkey Hunt is open to all youth younger than 18 who possess a hunter education card, however, applicants who have no hunting experience and come from non-hunting families will have priority.

Applicants must mail their entry by Friday to, DWM Mike Swaro, 815 Ashley Rd., Craig, CO 81625.

The application packet should include the following.

■ The youth’s name, address and hunter education card number.

■ A parent or guardian’s contact information, including an email address and phone number.

■ An essay of 500 words or less, handwritten by the youth and in their own words, about why he or she should be selected.

The applicant’s lack of experience, reasons that have kept them from participating in a hunt and the desire to learn are suggested topics for the essay.

The four hunters will be selected based on the contents of the essay and will be notified by CPW by April 13.

Republican Club’s April meeting cancelledRepublican Club’s April meeting cancelled

Republican Club’s April meeting cancelled

Due to spring break and the Republican State Convention, the Women’s Republican Club in Craig will not meet Friday, as scheduled. Meetings will resume May 13.

Coffee, newspaper set for 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 6 at TMHCoffee, newspaper set for 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 6 at TMH

Coffee, newspaper set for 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 6 at TMH

The Craig Daily Press will host its monthly Coffee and a Newspaper event at 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 6 at The Memorial Hospital at Craig. Discussion will focus on the evolution of the newspaper industry and its changing patterns.

The talk will include an overview of the history of the newspaper, circulation, advertising and the news-gathering process, information about Craig Daily Press’ new app and a look at the tools reporters use to engage with readers and the day-to-day process of publishing a daily newspaper.

For more information, call publisher Renee Campbell at 970-875-1788.

Group releases statistics on economic indicatorsGroup releases statistics on economic indicators

Group releases statistics on economic indicators

Yampa Valley Data Partners released its Fast Facts quarterly to update Northwest Colorado residents about the economic viability of the area. The following statistics were released by YVDP on Monday.

■ Unemployment decreases in Moffat, Routt and Rio Blanco: This February, all three counties have experienced a 0.5 to 1 percent decrease in unemployment rates when compared to February 2015. Employee shortages are worsening for Moffat and Routt as compared to last year, with Rio Blanco’s employee shortage easing slightly.

■ Wages up in Routt and Moffat, down in Rio Blanco: Rio Blanco saw a drop in its third quarter average weekly wage from $1,012 to $992. Moffat and Routt had a $20-plus increase in their average weekly wages. Accommodations and food services had the lowest average wages, with Moffat County being the lowest.

■ Precipitation is much higher than last year: End of March snow depth was 17 inches higher than it was this time last year. Snow-water equivalency is also greater for both the White and Yampa river basins. Stagecoach Reservoir has decreased slightly to 100 percent capacity, and Yamcolo has reached 80 percent of its capacity, up from its previous month’s capacity of 76 percent.

■ Coal decreases in all three counties: Northwest Colorado produced 65.8 percent of the state’s coal for January 2016. However, all three counties experienced decreased year-over-year coal production. Deserado Mine began production mid-month.

■ Oil and gas production takes huge dip: Moffat’s January 2016 oil production decreased 64.5 percent, with gas dropping by 7.7 percent when compared to December 2015 figures. Oil production dropped by 31.8 percent in Routt, while gas totals increased by 62.3 percent. Rio Blanco saw a slight increase for both oil and gas production, coming in just below 1 percent.

Average gas prices fall to $1.94 per gallon in areaAverage gas prices fall to $1.94 per gallon in area

Average gas prices fall to $1.94 per gallon in area

Average retail gasoline prices in Colorado have fallen 1.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.94 per gallon, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 2,158 gas outlets in Colorado.

That compares with the national average, which has increased 2.1 cents per gallon in the past week to $2.06 per gallon, according to gasoline price website gasbuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Colorado during the past week, prices on Sunday were 26.9 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 18.8 cents per gallon higher than last month. The national average has increased 24.7 cents per gallon during the past month and stands 33.6 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

LEAP helps low-income residents pay heat billsLEAP helps low-income residents pay heat bills

LEAP helps low-income residents pay heat bills

Colorado residents behind on home heating bills still have time to apply for help, according to a news release.

The Low-income Energy Assistance Program encourages Coloradans in need of financial assistance with home heating costs to take advantage of the program and apply for LEAP benefits before the April 30 deadline.

LEAP is a program of the Colorado Department of Human Services that helps eligible residents from November through April with cash assistance for their home heating bills. The program pays the highest benefits to those with the highest heating bills and lowest incomes by family size. Applicant income must not exceed 165 percent of the federal poverty index, which equals a maximum income of $3,334 per month for a household of four people. The average LEAP benefit through March has been $389.

People interested in applying can call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (432-8435) to order a mailed application. Alternatively, applications are available at every county department of social or human services, most utility companies and many community agencies, such as Catholic Charities. Applications also can be downloaded from colorado.gov/cdhs/leap.