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12_23_24_Headlines Jackie Sedley
174 people rescued from Winter Park gondola
Nearly 200 people had to practice their rope climbing skills on Saturday, due to gondola malfunctions at Winter Park Resort.
According to The Denver Post, a crack in a metal support structure stopped the lifts mid-air around 12:15 p.m. The ski patrol began rescue efforts around 1 p.m. and finished rescuing skiers and riders around 6. The riders were stuck 30 to 50 feet in the air.
The resort kept the lift closed Sunday for repairs and inspections. The gondola will remain in testing stages for now, to make sure the replaced part works properly. Thorough safety inspections will need to take place before it will be up and running again.
DNA analyst misconduct impacts over 1,000 cases
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has identified over 1,000 cases manipulated by a veteran DNA analyst.
When the story first broke, CBI found closer to 800 cases negatively impacted by former DNA analyst Yvonne “Missy” Woods. Now, after a comprehensive review of her 30-year career, they’ve increased that number by over 200.
In 2023, a routine review uncovered widespread data manipulation across more than 800 cases, leading to a state inquiry and $7.5 million set aside to rectify the damage.
The ACLU of Colorado called for the investigation of Woods, demanding that the CBU be “transparent with the public” about the investigation. Woods admitted to purposefully deleting data, including omitting facts in criminal justice records and tampering with DNA testing by altering or omitting results from cases.
Despite early warnings from colleagues, Woods’ misconduct went largely unchecked for years, and her high-output work style was often praised by supervisors.
The ACLU said in a press release that they found CBI had apparently been out of compliance with requirements of its federal funding that are designed to prevent misconduct like this.
A criminal investigation is still being conducted.
Two short-term safehouses for sex-trafficking survivors to open in 2025
Sex-trafficking survivors in Colorado will have two emergency safehouses to go to next year.
There are currently no safehouses of this kind in the state. Both new locations will be in the Denver metro area.
One of the locations will be run by HER Campaign and is expected to open in January, while the other operated by Covered Colorado plans to open in March. Between the two houses, the nonprofits will be able to shelter up to 20 women at a time.
According to The Denver Post, the houses will focus on short-term stabilization and care for women immediately after they’ve gotten out of sex trafficking.
Coyote in child attack found with human DNA on its paws
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) thinks they’ve identified the coyote who attacked a child in Colorado Springs on Thanksgiving.
CPW had killed two coyotes connected to the site of the attack, and found that one had DNA on its paws and human food in its stomach. The second coyote is still undergoing testing.
According to The Colorado Sun, CPW officials don’t blame the coyote for its actions but say they couldn’t leave the animal in the wild because of its lack of fear of humans.
CPW offered no details on how the coyote’s paws still had DNA on them three weeks after the attack.
The attacked child was hospitalized with serious injuries, but released from the hospital the next day.
Colorado health department monitoring energy plant for excessive fumes
State health officials are monitoring a facility that turns cow manure into natural gases, after detecting a large amount of unhealthy and flammable fumes.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) reported an excessive amount of hydrogen sulfide at Platte River Biogas near LaSalle. They decided to monitor the area after reports of strong odor.
The gas, also known as “swamp gas” or “sewer gas,” smells similar to that of rotten eggs.
Hydrogen sulfide is used in many industries, including oil and gas refining, mining, tanning, and pulp and paper processing.
CDPHE has not yet discovered any public health risk connected to the site, but is working with Weld County Public Health and other agencies to further assess the situation. That’s all according to CBS News Colorado.
