1 year ago: Joe Neguse sidesteps questions about President Biden’s candidacy

As fellow Colorado Democrats have begun to withdraw their support for President Joe Biden, Congressman Joe Neguse continued to sidestep questions about the incumbent’s candidacy when asked about it on July 12, 2024. Neguse, a Boulder County resident, represents much of the Western Slope in Congress, including Routt, Grand and Summit counties and the majority of Eagle County. “I’m committed to continuing to work closely with my colleagues on the best path forward,” Neguse said, via a spokesperson. Two days earlier, Neguse told a Colorado Public Radio reporter: “President Biden is our nominee. I’ve heard nothing to suggest that he’s made a decision to the contrary.”

— From the July 17, 2024, edition of Sky-Hi News

5 years ago: Grand County commissioners vote 2-1 against mask mandate

Another week of discussions on a possible county mask mandate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic led to a vote on July 14, 2020, in which two of three county commissioners were against requiring masks in public buildings where social distancing cannot be maintained. Commissioner Rich Cimino dissented, which was a departure from his remarks the week before. Commissioners Merrit Linke and Kristen Manguso remained opposed to a mask mandate. Linke pointed to the low population density of Grand compared to other counties implementing a mask order. Grand County Public Health Director Brene Belew-Ladue requested the mandate, saying she felt it was needed in order to keep county businesses open and allow students to return to schools in the fall.

— From the July 17, 2020, edition of Sky-Hi News

10 years ago: Hundreds attend ribbon cutting for Pumphouse Recreation site

More than 100 people gathered at the Pumphouse Recreation area south of Kremmling on July 13, 2015, for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly opened Gore Canyon Whitewater Park. Completed in March, the park consists of a man-made underwater structure that creates a series of waves stretching across the Upper Colorado River. The resulting “park and play” area offers a space for kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders and other whitewater enthusiasts to cycle through the waves repeatedly or to continue downstream.

— From the July 15, 2015, edition of Sky-Hi News

50 years ago: Grand Lake police chief draws criticism for July 4th enforcement

Grand Lake Police Chief Gary Myers responded to criticism of his department’s handling of a July 4 disturbance in town. Myers addressed the the Grand Lake Board during its July 14, 1975, meeting, saying he requested aid from the Grand County sheriff’s office throughout the afternoon and evening, which didn’t arrive until 8:15 that evening. Grand County Sheriff Huck Henderson disputed the claim, saying he had six cars of full-time officers and additional reserve law enforcement in town as early as July 3. A raucous party in the middle of Main Street grew throughout the day, eventually causing a 3-mile-long traffic jam on U.S. Highway 34, and causing local officials to dose the town until order could be restored. The disturbance also led to the town cancelling the annual fireworks show.

— From the July 10 and July 17, 1975, editions of Middle Park Times

100 years ago: Parshall farmers are the first to ship lettuce from Grand County in 1925

The first shipment of head lettuce to be shipped from Grand County in 1925 was sent out of the Parshall rail platform on July 15. Tony Calabrese sent off 15 crates of lettuce, which he grew on land leased from the Dolloff ranch, located on the Colorado River between Parshall and Hot Sulphur Springs. The lettuce was shipped by the Villano and Spano company, arriving at their Denver warehouse later that day — J. M. Villano said he expects his firm to be shipping from Granby in another week. The 1925 lettuce shipments started three weeks earlier than the year before.

— From the July 17, 1925, edition of Middle Park Times

Sky-Hi News is working to digitize Grand County newspaper archives and make them available to the public for free. Support the project at SkyHiNews.com/donate.