News Now Blog

West Nile Virus/Mosquito Monitoring

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Fremont County and Canon City officials on Wednesday reviewed local efforts to control mosquitoes and to educate citizens about taking precautions to avoid contracting West Nile Virus. Fremont County Nursing Administrator Clarice Little said part of the effort is a $12,748 grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Little said the grant is not used for any mosquito control measures but can be used to set up 'Sentinel' trap sites. Little said the Nursing Office has been distributing insect wipes and spray containing 'Deet' repellant.

Commissioners Suspend Fire Ban

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For the first time in fourteen weeks the fire ban for unincorporated areas of Fremont County has been lifted. With a recommendation from Fremont County Sheriff Jim Beicker, the Fremont County Commissioners met in special session this morning and approved a resolution suspending the fire ban.

Exploding Mosquito Numbers Follow Heavy Rains

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Recent heavy rains in the Florence, Penrose, and Canon City area brought welcome moisture to the region but also created headaches with damaged roads and culverts plus new problems with a surge in the mosquito population. The Fremont County Commissioners' office has received several calls this week about the large hatch of mosquitoes following the rainstorms which left standing water in many places, particularly in the Florence and Penrose areas.

County Assessing Flood Damaged Bridge

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District Two Fremont County Commissioner Larry Lasha says he hopes repairs can begin next week on the flood ravaged bridge on Fremont County Road 123 a mile east of County Road 67. The July 5th flood saw water in Eight Mile Creek rise an estimated five feet over the top of the bridge. It left piles of timber and debris scattered around the bridge. Besides washing away earth from around the bridge supports itself, the flooding also undermined the road base below the asphalt.

Williamsburg Prairie Dog Flea Samples 'Negative' for Plague

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Fremont County Environmental Health recently investigated a possible die-off in a large prairie dog colony in Williamsburg. Fleas were collected from some of the burrows and submitted to the state laboratory for testing, and the results were negative. However, as a precaution, the administrators of Williamsburg have posted warning signs in the area and provided informational handouts to some of the residents.

Sheriff Keeps Stage One Fire Restrictions in Effect

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Forecasts of an end to monsoon rain storms and a return to hot, dry conditions has prompted Fremont County Sheriff Jim Beicker to leave Stage One fire restrictions in place. Recent heavy rains caused Beicker to lower restrictions under the county's fire ban from Stage Two to State One last Thursday, July 6th. Beicker was prepared to ask the Fremont County Commissioners at Tuesday's regular board meeting to lift the fire ban completely but he said the forecast for more hot weather changed his mind.

Flood Disaster Tour

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Area legislators got a first hand look at the extensive flood damage inflicted in the July 5th downpour in the Penrose and Upper Beaver Creek area during a disaster tour of eastern Fremont County Tuesday afternoon. State Representatives Keith King, Tom Massey, and Buffie McFadyen first attended a briefing at the County Administration Building where Emergency Management Director Ray Southard say preliminary estimates place flood damage in Fremont County at about $1.8 million.

June 27th Commissioners' Meeting

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The Fremont County Commissioners made short order of a brief agenda for their final regular June meeting. The Commissioners approved an agreement with D & T Ventures of St. Cloud, Minnesota, for the Fremont County Assessor's web site services with GIS (Global Information System) maps. The $6,900 annual web site fee is being paid for by the Fremont County Association of Realtors. The Commissioners expressed appreciation to the Realtors for their contribution.

FREMONT COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT AWARD

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The Fremont County Department of Human Services Child Support Unit has received a state award for its efforts in improving child support payments for Fremont County children. Fremont County's Child Support Unit received the 'Outstanding Medium County Award' at the Colorado Family Support Counsel conference in Breckenridge, CO June 5th through June 7th. The top four counties honored were Fremont, Douglas, Las Animas and Otero.