Garfield County

Mystery seeds are arriving in the mail in Colorado and Garfield County. KDNK’s Amy Hadden Marsh has this report on how the county and the state are handling the situation.  The Colorado Department of Agriculture's Mystery Seed Hotline is 303. 869.9081.

The Weekly News Reel takes a look at the top local and regional news stories aired on KDNK between Monday and Friday. This week’s news includes COVID in the county and impacts on the Latino community, and Bureau of Land Management under fire.

Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties Thursday announced a coordinated regional testing strategy for COVID-19. For links to testing information by county, click the headline.

The rise of COVID-19 cases locally is affecting the Latino demographic with notable prominence. KDNK's Raleigh Burleigh has more on why this might be.

As confirmed cases of COVID-19 surge locally, Mountain Voices Project seeks government support for its Landlord/Tenant Housing Recovery Plan. Pat Morrissy describes the iniative.

Garfield County health officials have seen a spike in new cases of COVID-19  in the past week, which could put the County’s variance from the state in jeopardy. The county is now at 244 cases since the pandemic began, with 44 diagnosed between June 8th and the 21st.

A public letter penned to Garfield County Commissioners asks that county resources be made more inclusive during times of crisis and otherwise. Beatriz Soto, founding board member of Voces Unidas de las Montañas, explains the new organization's purpose and their requests of local government.

The “Safer At Home” orders issued from the State will begin on April 27th, 2020. Garfield County wants to give local businesses and agencies time to review the Garfield County Roadmap Criteria and complete a plan for their agency using the Garfield County Business Social Distancing Plan guidance.

Businesses and agencies in Garfield County should determine if they are high, medium, or low risk, complete the “Garfield County Business Social Distancing Plan”, and submit the form online at: www.garfield-county.com. 

  A Garfield County Jail inmate was discovered in her cell Tuesday after an apparent suicide. Garfield County Sherrif’s office says the woman, Laura Ebbs, used parts of her clothing to hang herself. Deputies on the scene attempted to revive Ebbs using CPR and an AED. She was then transported to Valley View Hospital where she received additional care. On Friday her life support was suspended and she passed away.

Post Independent reporter John Stroud has covered the Roaring Fork Valley for 30 years. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 his journalistic output has been as prolific as ever. He spoke with KDNK's Gavin Dahl about interviewing the first person to test positive for COVID in Garfield County, how the Roaring Fork School District is handling the crisis, the 9th Judicial District putting eviction and foreclosure proceedings on hold, and more. 

Garfield County is working on what are called “1041 regulations” for new mining permits. But, what exactly are 1041 regulations? KDNK’s Amy Hadden Marsh has this report.

Regional health officials in Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin counties are asking residents to self-report their symptoms as a way of measuring and responding to the spread of COVID-19. KDNK’s Lucas Turner spoke with Becky Larson, Epidemiologist for Eagle County Public Health and Environment to learn more about how these tools work.

A Garfield County woman in her 70s who tested positive for COVID-19 died Saturday. Garfield County Health officials say the woman had other significant health conditions, and that more countywide test results are pending. Pitkin and Eagle Counties also reported COVID-19 deaths on Friday, both have now reported two each. Click the headline for more details.

Garfield County Commissioners unanimously approved a 100 thousand dollar emergency grant Monday to local food assistance non-profit LIFT-UP. KDNK’s Lucas Turner reports on what the funding means for local food access during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Garfield County Recycling Center along Highway 6 in Rifle is closed until further notice. According to a press release issued by the county Thursday, biohazardous waste was illegally dumped at the site, forcing the closure.

Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin County issued a public health order Thursday to minimize the impacts and spread of COVID-19 in the region. The order is effective immediately and will be revisited on April 8th, 2020.

  Governor Jared Polis is ramping up the state’s response to the coronavirus as the number of cases continues to grow, especially in mountain communities. Officials have now reported over 40 cases of COVID-19 in Colorado after testing more than 300 people. Our state Capitol Reporter Scott Franz has been following the developments, and he joined us from Denver to provide the latest information.

GarCo Design Works began as a partnership between Garfield County and Colorado Mountain College. AmeriCorps Vista Nicole Westfall and Executive Director Kathleen Norman share details about this sustainability-focused sewing program for TANF participants.

  Colorado State University and Garfield County are partnering to create a new 12,000 square-foot 'education center' in Rifle. The two-story building will feature a shooting range, and spaces for the community and 4H members to explore woodworking, metal fabrication, cooking, gardening, quilting, sewing, robotics, and more.

Former Carbondale Town Trustee Katrina Byars is challenging Garfield County Commissioner John Martin for his District 2 seat this November. KDNK’s Lucas Turner has more from her campaign announcement Saturday.

  This Thursday Garfield County hosts presentations by Summit County-based Peak Health Alliance. The non-profit health cooperative will provide information on the Peak Health program and its potential to lower health insurance premiums in Garfield County, which are some of the most expensive in the United States. Peak Health Alliance CEO Tamara Pogue explains how the program uses data to negotiate lower prices.

Garfield County Commissioners voted Monday to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21, joining other counties and municipalities in the state.

Senate Bill 181 Rulemaking hearings are taking place across the state over the next year, and garfield county wants the public to be informed on how to participate in the process. In the most recent Energy Advisory Board meeting, county oil & gas Liaison Kirby Wynn shared details on the rulemaking process.

Garfield County Commissioners are joining and creating local government coalitions in response to SB-181. KDNK’s Amy Hadden Marsh has more on why the county is involved in more than one group and how some activists say the county does not represent all of the Western Slope.