Task Force formed in Redwine search
On Tuesday, La Plata County Sheriff’s Deputies began knocking on doors in the Vallecito area in search of clues in the disappearance of 13-year-old Dylan Redwine, of Colorado Springs.
Dylan, a former resident of Vallecito who was on a court-ordered visit to see his father, was reported missing Mon., Nov. 19.
Since then, volunteers, friends, family and law enforcement have searched in vain for the missing boy, who was reportedly last seen the morning of the 19th. Earlier this week, divers searched the depths of the south end of the lake, where dogs had picked up a possible scent of the boy, also to no avail.
In the latest effort to dig up clues, the “Dylan Redwine Task Force” has been created, which includes members of the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, the Durango Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Other agencies in the area are also on standby to assist with the search. The Task Force includes two crime analysts, one from the Sheriff's Office and one from the FBI, who will be culling information into a computer database. It is hoped by centralizing the information, investigators can identify any additional leads. Since the search for Dylan began, the Sheriff’s Office has received hundreds of tips.
On Tuesday this week, deputies along with Task Force members began interviewing residents door-to-door in the small community seeking any information that may be of help in the investigation. Canvassing is expected to take several days. Residents of the area are encouraged to ask for law enforcement identification if they are approached by investigators not accompanied by a uniformed officer.
During this time, the Task Force is asking citizen volunteers who have been searching the area to refrain from going north of Vallecito dam, as this could interfere with the Task Force’s work.
Anyone with information on Redwine's whereabouts is asked to call Dan Patterson, at 970-382-7015, or Tom Cowing at 970-382-7045. People can also call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children hotline at 1-800-THE LOST (1-800-843-5678).
U.S.-Mexico sign historic river treaty
In what is being heralded as a “monumental” achievement, the United States and Mexico have inked an agreement on appropriating precious Colorado River water over the next five years.
The amendment to the 1944 Treaty with Mexico, known as “Minute 319,” was signed by delegations from both countries last Tues., Nov. 20, in San Diego. The agreement will serve as a “test” project, guiding management of the Colorado River through 2017.
“The Colorado River is the lifeblood of local communities from the peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park to the mouth at the Sea of Cortez,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said at the signing. “This binational agreement demonstrates our shared commitment to cooperation and partnership to protect and promote its future.”
Under the new pact, which also was approved by the seven Colorado River Basin states, Mexico agrees to voluntary restrictions when levels at Lake Mead dip below 1,075 feet. When levels rise above 1,145 feet, Mexico will be allowed to receive surplus water. The reductions are in line with what California, Arizona and Nevada already have agreed to in times of shortages.
In addition to creating greater flexibility in the face of drought, which has gripped the Southwest for several years, the pact also allows Mexico to defer delivery of some of its Colorado River allotment while it continues to repair infrastructure damaged in a 2010 earthquake. Mexico can store up to 250,000 acre feet of water in Lake Mead for use when called upon. In exchange, it allows California, Arizona and Nevada to buy the un-used water from Mexico. Under the $21 million deal, the money will be used to repair Mexico’s infrastructure and restore wetlands and the Colorado River Delta, which in most years, runs dry.
“The agreement – and process that led to it – could form the basis for future plans to address the extraordinary water challenges we face in the basin,” Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., said. “It demonstrates that we can improve management of the river and enhance environmental conditions while protecting Colorado’s allocation under the Colorado River Compact.”
In Colorado, the effects will include better management for both using and conserving water.
Jennifer Gimbel, director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, called the agreement monumental. “The agreement recognizes the finite resources of the Colorado River but it is monumental because it allows both countries, along with the states and other entities, to work together and use infrastructure to allow the finite resources to be shared,” she said.
Under the original 1944 treaty, Mexico is entitled to 1.5 million acre-feet of Colorado River water annually.
FLC student aims for the big bucks
Fort Lewis College student Jacob Desatoff is warming up his arm for Friday’s big football game. But instead of throwing for touchdowns, the adventure education major will be throwing for dollars. Tuition to be exact.
Desatoff, who is from Costa Mesa, Calif., was one of five finalists from the Pac 12 region to be chosen to compete in Dr Peppers’ annual Tuition Giveaway. The contestant who throws the most balls through a giant Dr Pepper can during halftime at Friday’s PAC 12 Championship UCLA vs. Stanford game will be the lucky recipient of a $100,000 scholarship.
Desatoff, 22, was chosen based upon a 60-second video he submitted, in which he was asked to sum up why he was worthy of the scholarship and how he would use his education to better the world.
“In essence, my heart aches for humanity,” Desatoff begins his video, explaining his desire to become an outdoor educator. “I firmly believe in the power of the outdoors. Its physicality, challenge and its beauty create a resonance to incite change in people.”
He says his biggest inspiration is his mother, a third-grade teacher who tragically died in 2010. “My goal is to impact others in an intentional way that they may learn to willfully and positively influence the world around them,” he said. “I share this passion with my mother.”
However, pursuing this passion has been a struggle for Desatoff, whose father has been unemployed for four years. Since he was 16, Desatoff has worked to provide for himself and his father and sister, leaving enough money only for “intermittent community college.”
Desatoff was selected by a panel of judges on the strength of his video submission. Other entries include a future teacher, midwife, pediatrician and occupational therapist. The five finalists will square off in a preliminary round Thursday at Stanford Stadium. The two top scorers will advance to the finals, which will air on Fox during the game, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Mountain Time on Friday.
For each of the events, contestants will throw footballs from 5 yards away into a 2-foot hole in an oversized Dr Pepper can replica. The one who completes the most throws in 30 seconds will win the $100,000 grand prize. The runner-up will take home a $23,000 tuition prize, and the remaining contestants each receive $2,500.
Jacob was among thousands of students who entered the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway, which features similar contests for the Big 10, Atlantic Coastal Conference and Southeastern Conference championship games as well.
To view Desatoff’s video, go to http://bit.ly/SRGLoV.
Iron Horse registration opens Dec. 1
Road riders who were slow out of the gates last winter will need to get on it if they want to secure a spot at the starting line for the 2013 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.
Online registration for the 2,500 coveted McDonalds Citizen Tour/Coca Cola Road Race spots opens Sat., Dec. 1, at midnight. The 42nd running of the 50-mile trek to Silverton will be May 25. Other events include the 25-mile Quarter Horse to Purgatory, criterium, time trial, omnium, mountain bike race and kids race.
The tour will cost $95; the race $85. A portion of proceeds go to local organizations including Mercy Health Foundation, the Town of Silverton, Durango Devo and others.
– Missy Votel