Headlines — February 14, 2023

February 14, 2023

Listen:

[Download Audio]

Winter Storm Watch

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory throughout the Denver Metropolitan area, beginning later on today.

There’s potential for a sizable winter storm moving over Colorado over the next twenty-four hours. Forecasters say it could result in three to six inches of snow, most of it tonight into Wednesday. As of now, the prediction is that most of the snow will be in Denver.

The storm is actually two systems combined. It could bring blustery winds, with gusts up to 24 mph.

Snowfall should taper off by tomorrow morning, but could have a big impact on the Wednesday morning commute.

EPA Announces Funding for Cleaner Colorado Water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, is allocating $85 million towards helping small, rural communities in Colorado access cleaner drinking water.

The EPA funding, announced Monday, is part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and will target man made contaminants like PFAs – also known as forever chemicals.

PFAs are chemicals found in many everyday products; from nonstick cookware to stain-resistant fabrics to firefighting foam. PFAs have leached into soil, air and water and do not degrade easily in the environment. Researchers have found PFAs in people and animals around the world.

According to a branch of the CDC that examines toxins, PFAs may lower people’s immune systems, increase cholesterol levels, affect liver function, increase the risk of kidney and testicular cancer and increase the risk of high blood pressure in pregnant women.

Colorado EPA official KC Becker says the new funds will help water providers invest in treatment technologies for at-risk communities. The EPA has also proposed designating two different PFAs as hazardous materials under its Superfund. This would hold polluters accountable for cleaning up PFAs-contaminated sites.

Club Q Shooter Visited Club

The person charged with killing five people and wounding seventeen others at the Club Q nightclub in Colorado Springs last year spent more than an hour at the club, earlier on the night of the shooting.

The Associated Press reports that the defense said the suspect left the club last Nov. 19 but later returned. Authorities had previously said the suspect first arrived just before the shooting began.

The new detail came in a procedural hearing, as the defense sought to delay a preliminary hearing on the case. The defense raised the possibility that a dispute may have touched off the shooting. 

The judge denied the request to delay and confirmed the scheduled hearing for next week. The suspect is facing more than 300 criminal counts, including for murder and hate crimes.

Meanwhile, the owners of Club Q announced on their Facebook page yesterday they plan to reopen this fall. They added the club will have improved security, and that the memories of the victims will always be honored.

Boulder County Deputy Facing Felony Vehicular Assault

A Boulder County Sheriff’s Deputy is facing two counts of felony vehicular assault, stemming from a car crash last summer.

The Sheriff’s Office said Deputy Daniel Pratt answered a call for backup at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont last August, after a fight there involving dozens of people.

The sheriff’s deputy drove on Highway 119 with his lights and siren on, when he crashed into a car crossing the highway on Niwot Road. Two passengers in the car were treated for serious injuries. Pratt was not hurt.

Deputy Pratt, who has been on leave without pay, has a scheduled court appearance this Friday.

Laser Tech Company Settlement

A Laser Technology Company in Golden, Colorado, agreed to pay more than $400,000 as part of a settlement over allegations that the company violated terms of the False Claims Act. 

The False Claims Act or the Lincoln Law holds companies that defraud government programs accountable. NASA and the US Air Force awarded two Small Business Innovation Research program grants to Laser Tech in 2014/2015. The funds came with the agreement that all research and development subsidized by SBIR must occur domestically.

Vescent Photonics allegedly subcontracted with foreign nationals outside of the U.S. to conduct development and research on the SBIR projects.

According to U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan, the SBIR program is “intended to help support qualified small businesses in the United States, and to encourage domestic innovation and domestic technology development.”

In a press release, the U.S. The Attorney’s office of the District of Colorado indicated the claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only.

Denver Central Library Reopens

The Denver Central Library is partially reopening today, after being closed for the last three weeks.

According to the library’s website, they’ve been closed because first floor services and collections had to be relocated, ahead of the final phase of a multi-year renovation project.

Those renovations are part of the Elevate Denver Bond, approved by voters in 2017.

The library will offer limited services, and patrons must use a temporary entrance on the building’s west side, across from the Denver Art Museum.

The Central library hours will be Monday through Thursday, 1:00 to 6:00 PM, and Sundays from 12:00 to 5:00 PM.

Louisville Teen Job Fair

Louisville teenagers looking for a summer job can attend a Jobs Fair at Louisville’s Recreation and Senior Center tomorrow.

The Jobs Fair runs from 3:00 to 6:00 PM.

Applicants can meet hiring managers and interview at the fair. Available jobs for qualified candidates include lifeguard, sports referees, and summer camp aides. Pay begins at $14.11 an hour.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download