Grand County imposes 10pm curfew
Grand County is currently at Safer at Home – Level Orange on the COVID-19 dial. Grand County Public Health’s Mitigation Plan now includes a 10 pm curfew, with limited exceptions for essential workers and workers in transit. The public is reminded that Public Health Orders are LAW, and violations may result in fines and/or jail.
Police investigate possible murder-suicide
On Friday evening, November 27, the Fraser Winter Park Police Department responded to a report of two individuals found deceased at a residence located on South Zerex Street in Fraser. The report was filed by a friend of one of the victims who had gone to the apartment to check in after the victim did not show up for work and was not responding to phone calls or texts.
The bodies of Lucas W. Reilly, 38, and Kristin M. Olson Reilly, 32, both of which were found to have suffered traumatic injuries, were discovered at the residence.
The Fraser Winter Park Police Department is investigating whether the incident was possibly a murder/suicide but are awaiting the autopsy results to make further determination.
Free Dinners at Cranmer Chapel continue
The popular dinners, typically served every other Friday in the winter season, launched a successful Thanksgiving dinner, serving over 120 take-out meals last Thursday. The next meal is set for Friday, December 4th. On the menu is Chicken Taco bake with rice, Mexican corn salad and Chocolate Chunk brownies for dessert. The dinner is sponsored by Winter Park Resort. All are welcome to stop by the Cranmer Chapel in downtown Winter Park, from 5-7 pm, to pick up a take-out meal.
Shop Local this Season
Now more than ever, our local businesses are relying on the community’s support to keep their doors open. Capacity limitations and compliance with public health orders have created extraordinary challenges for business owners and the month of December will likely dictate their financial outlook for the season as well as their future. Before you click “buy” online, please investigate gift options available right here in our community. Gift certificates from local restaurants and retailers are an ideal option that saves the gift-buyer some time and may just save a local business as well.
Intro To Backcountry Skiing and Split Boarding
Grand Mountain Guides and Two Pines Supply are offering a class that will teach you about backcountry and split boarding gear and how it works, as well as various techniques for safe and efficient travel. The class will introduce basic concepts of avalanche mitigation and safe terrain choices. Granby Rec. will host the class on Sunday, December 13, at 1pm. The cost is $15 per person, and the class will be held at the Granby Community Building. Call Granby Rec. today at (970) 887-3961 to pre-register. You can also register online at granbyrec.activityreg.com. Pre-registration is required by December 9.
2021 Health Insurance Open Enrollment
November 1, 2020 – January 15, 2021 is the open enrollment period for Colorado’s Health Care Exchange: Connect for Health Colorado. This year, plans auto-renewed on December 1, but it is not too late to enroll in the plan best suited for you and your family.
For assistance (mask-to-mask or virtual), call Kim Long, Certified Health Coverage Guide and schedule an appointment: (970) 531-4769.
Criminally Negligent Homicide charge filed in connection with Rifle Hunting Death
On November 18, 2020, a single charge of Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class 5 felony, was filed against 52 year-old Harry Watkins. The charge arises from the shooting death of Simon Howell, 26, on November 9, 2020. Mr. Watkins and Mr. Howell were members of a hunting party in rugged terrain in western Grand County at the time of the shooting.
“The rules of hunting safety exist to keep this exact kind of tragedy from happening. Complacency and lack of discipline is all it takes for someone to be killed.” – Matt Karzen.
Mr. Watkins is scheduled for an advisement on December 22 in Grand County Court.
Charges are merely accusations, and all persons are presumed innocent unless and until their guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
East Troublesome Fire support
The East Troublesome Fire has had a significant impact on our community. Understanding that everyone manages that impact in their own way, Mind Springs Health is standing by to provide support to those affected by the fire.
- Up to 5 private online sessions are available for free
- Free group support sessions led by Lance Howe, MSW, CAC III every Wednesday from 7-8pm, starting December 16 via Zoom.
Mind Springs received support from the Wildfire Relief Fund to continue to help our community through the healing process. To access these services, call Mind Springs Health at (970) 887-2179.
Register your Toys with CPW Online
Owners of snowmobiles, OHVs and boats can register them from the comfort of your own home on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
CPW makes it easy to register snowmobiles, boats, OHVs from the comfort of your own home
You don’t need to travel to an office to register your recreational vehicle. Just pull up the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website and get it done from the comfort of your home. It’s easy to register, just go to the CPWShop web site.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is urging everyone to register on-line in order to maintain safety during the Covid-19 pandemic. Social distancing and reducing exposure to groups of people are the leading recommendations to keep us all safe. The more Coloradans can maintain social distance, the sooner the pandemic will end.
For those who have not registered on-line, CPW has dedicated a web page that explains all facets of the process. You will need to gather some information before starting the registration process. Visit the CPW registration page for details.
Here are the registration dates and all allow a 45-day window to renew before expiration.
Boats: Jan. 1- Dec. 31
Off-highway vehicles: April 1- March 31
Snowmobiles: Oct. 1 – Sept. 30
If you have friends or family who don’t live in the state, remind them that they must have a Colorado OHV permit or a non-resident snowmobile permit. Colorado honors an out-of-state boat registration for 60 consecutive days.
If you have registration questions, please call 303-297-1192.
