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07_01_25_AM_Headlines Ainsley Coogan
Pearl Street attack victim dies
One of the people burned in the Pearl Street attack on June 1 has died.
82-year-old Karen Diamond died last week from the injuries she received, according to the Daily Camera, although her death was not made public until yesterday.
The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office says that because of her death, it is amending charges against suspect Mohamed Soliman to include first degree murder.
The executive director of the Jewish Community Center, Jonathan Lev, called Karen Diamond “a cherished member of our community, someone whose warmth and generosity left a lasting impact on all who knew her.”
Diamond was past president of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Women’s Club, according to the Camera. She received the organization’s Margaret Willard Award in 2019 for demonstrating outstanding work in her profession or passion, and for being an exceptional role model. She worked with Boulder Bridge House, which helps the homeless community, and was a longtime supporter of Historic Boulder.
She was among those participating in a peaceful demonstration last month called Run for Their Lives, which calls for the release of the 50 Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas since the October 2023 attack.
Mohamed Soliman is accused of throwing incendiary devices at the demonstrators. The 45-year-old is the only suspect in the case. The D.A. said in a press release that his next court date, on state charges, is July 15.
The D.A. also said that more victims of the attack have been identified, for a total of 29. That will also result in more charges. In addition to murder, Soliman is indicted on nine hate crimes, and a range of other felonies.
Safeway strike
Contract talks are scheduled to begin today between the labor union United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, and the King Soopers and City Markets chain of grocery stores.
Their negotiations begin as a strike by unionized Safeway workers in Colorado is into its third week. Nearly 40 Safeway stores have been affected, according to the Denver Post. That includes one in Boulder.
The talks between Safeway and Local 7 stalled over the weekend. The union has said that Safeway abruptly left the bargaining table over the weekend, although the company says it is willing to resume the talks. At present, no future talks are scheduled between Safeway and the union.
Safeway, which has begun hiring temporary workers to fill in for those on strike, says it has made a “strong offer” to the union, including wage hikes and improved health care.
Xcel Valmont Station cleanup
Xcel Energy is moving forward with plans to clean up toxic coal ash at its Valmont Power Station in Boulder.
The 1.6 million tons of toxic coal ash at the Valmont facility has been leaking hazardous materials into groundwater. According to The Denver Post, that leak poses a threat to drinking water wells in the area.
The plan is for Xcel to remove most of the coal ash from a landfill at the site, and turn it into Portland Cement, which is used in making concrete. That plan still needs the approval of state officials.
Boulder County Public Health says that recycling hazardous waste into a useful product, like concrete, is a proven solution. They call it a “net greenhouse gas reduction.”
But there are other landfills and ponds in Colorado that contain millions of tons of coal ash, according to the Post. Most of those sites are also leaching pollutants into groundwater.
The issue is compounded by Trump administration policy, which prioritizes coal as a major energy source. In Colorado, burning coal is being phased out in favor of more environmentally-friendly power.
White nose syndrome in RMNP bats
A fungus that is deadly to bats has been found in a bat in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The fungus, which causes a condition known as white-nose syndrome, is not a threat to humans. But it has the potential to devastate bat populations, according to the Daily Camera.
White-nose syndrome has also been found in bats in Boulder, Longmont, and La Junta. But this new case is the first time it’s been found in Grand County.
It was first found in Colorado in 2022, according to the Daily Camera, but biologists say it probably came to North America from Europe in 2006. It’s been found in 40 states and affected 12 North American bat species.
New CO area code
A growing demand for new phone numbers has led Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission to issue a new area code for some parts of Colorado.
The 748 area code will overlay the existing 970 area code region, which includes, in part, Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park, Greeley, Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Vail and many other smaller communities.
It won’t be in wide use until next year, according to a press release from the Public Utilities Commission, or PUC. Some customers in the 970 area code may be assigned the new 748 area code as soon as this coming July 7.
The PUC said the new, overlaying area code will not affect rates, services or coverage area. More information is on the PUC website.
