thedenverpost--2020-11-12--Denver sheriff’s deputies receive Medal of Valor for capturing inmate who attempted escape

Seven Denver sheriff ’ s deputies were awarded the Medal of Valor on Thursday for actions taken during the capture @ @ @ @ @ escape .
The deputies , in a ceremony at the Downtown Detention Center , 490 @ @ @ @ @ also presented with Executive Director of Safety Murphy Robinson ’ s challenge coin in recognition @ @ @ @ @ to a news release .
On Sept. 2 , inmate Damian Lynch attempted to escape @ @ @ @ @ downtown facility to the Denver County Jail .
The deputies chased Lynch into a water @ @ @ @ @ bike path and took him back into custody .
“ After several heart-wrenching minutes , @ @ @ @ @ escapee back in the custody of the Denver Sheriff Department , ” Sheriff Elias Diggins @ @ @ @ @ “ Their actions were swift , courageous and selfless in the face of unknown danger @ @ @ @ @ , they are hereby each awarded the Denver Sheriff Department Valor of Honor .
”

Seven Denver sheriff’s deputies were awarded the Medal of Valor on Thursday for actions taken during the capture of an inmate who attempted escape.
The deputies, in a ceremony at the Downtown Detention Center, 490 W. Colfax Ave., were also presented with Executive Director of Safety Murphy Robinson’s challenge coin in recognition of their valor, according to a news release.
On Sept. 2, inmate Damian Lynch attempted to escape while being transferred from the downtown facility to the Denver County Jail. The deputies chased Lynch into a water tunnel along the Cherry Creek bike path and took him back into custody.
9:45 am: Damian Lynch attempted to escape DSD’s custody during a transfer from the Downtown Detention Center to Denver County Jail. He was apprehended by DSD Deputies, assisted by @DenverPolice. This is an open investigation–additional information cannot be provided at this time. — Denver Sheriff (@DenverSheriff) September 2, 2020
“After several heart-wrenching minutes, they emerged with the attempted escapee back in the custody of the Denver Sheriff Department,” Sheriff Elias Diggins said in the release. “Their actions were swift, courageous and selfless in the face of unknown danger. For these valiant acts, they are hereby each awarded the Denver Sheriff Department Valor of Honor.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-12--Noah Fant, Nick Vannett eye growth in second half of 2020 as lone tight ends left on Broncos roster

The Broncos carried seven tight ends during training camp and five on their initial 53-man roster .
Depth appeared to be a non-issue .
But halfway through an injury-riddled season , the Broncos are down to two healthy tight ends — Noah Fant and Nick Vannett .
Following a season-ending knee injury to rookie Albert Okwuegbunam last Sunday in Atlanta , the duo will be called upon to carry the position ’ s load Sunday in Las Vegas .
For Fant , that means continued growth in his second professional season .
For Vannett , who signed a two-year free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chance to capitalize on an expanded role .
“ As much as we want to dwell on ( Okwuegbunam ’ s ACL tear ) , because that ’ s devastating , we know we have to carry on the torch and we have to keep preparing each week like we have , ” Vannett said in a phone interview with The Denver Post Thursday .
“ We have to keep battling in this room.
” Fant , 22 , ranks third in receiving yards per game among all league tight ends ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 349 yards and two touchdowns .
Vannett , 27 , has six catches on 11 targets for 44 yards .
He began the season as the No .
2 tight end , but was eclipsed by Jake Butt and was a healthy scratch in Week 3 against Tampa Bay .
As the Broncos incurred injuries at the position — bum hamstrings sent Andrew Beck to injured reserve on Oct. 31 and Butt to injured reserve Nov. 5 — Okwuegbunam saw his role increase , and he got more snaps than Vannett the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scouting report : How Denver matches up against Raiders and predictions • Broncos lose rookie Albert Okwuegbunam to season-ending knee injury , creating further depth issues at tight end • Jerry Jeudy posts first 100-yard receiving game , but Broncos rookie wideout leaves Atlanta with bitter taste in his mouth • Broncos dropped by Falcons , 34-27 , as secondary gets shredded and offense struggles until late Now , the No .
2 job is Vannett ’ s again , even as this week the Broncos brought back Troy Fumagalli , a fifth-round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 5 .
Fumagalli is on the practice squad and is a likely call-up for Sunday ’ s game in Las Vegas .
Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is confident Fant and Vannett will show the tight ends are still a position of strength for Denver , even when down several bodies .
“ I really value the tight ends , ” Shurmur said .
“ ( In addition to receptions ) there has to be a steady piece to them doing all the dirty work as well .
I had a seven-man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Atlanta ) and those guys had to block defensive ends , and they did a good job there .
“ The self-critical Fant described his second year as “ all right ” to this point .
He believes he can “ offer a lot more.
” He has battled ankle injuries this season and missed the Week 6 game in New England because of that though he said he ’ s healthy now .
“ I want to keep improving and keep playing a bigger role in the offense — keep blocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an every-down tight end needs to do , ” Fant said .
“ If I had to grade myself on ( the first half ) , I ’ d give myself a B—.
” Vannett , who ’ s most productive receiving season in his six-year career came in 2018 with Seattle ( 29 catches for 269 yards with three touchdowns ) , also provided a critical self-assessment .
“ The first few games I had , I didn ’ t play to my ability — that was very obvious , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I started to hit my stride , and I was more aggressive in the run-game blocking-wise .
I haven ’ t had much opportunity in the pass game and I haven ’ t gotten targeted much , but I can ’ t control that .
I can only control my attitude and how well I play in the run game .
That ’ s what I ’ m going to carry over to the second half of the season .
”

The Broncos carried seven tight ends during training camp and five on their initial 53-man roster. Depth appeared to be a non-issue.
But halfway through an injury-riddled season, the Broncos are down to two healthy tight ends — Noah Fant and Nick Vannett. Following a season-ending knee injury to rookie Albert Okwuegbunam last Sunday in Atlanta, the duo will be called upon to carry the position’s load Sunday in Las Vegas.
For Fant, that means continued growth in his second professional season. For Vannett, who signed a two-year free agent deal in March, it means the chance to capitalize on an expanded role.
“As much as we want to dwell on (Okwuegbunam’s ACL tear), because that’s devastating, we know we have to carry on the torch and we have to keep preparing each week like we have,” Vannett said in a phone interview with The Denver Post Thursday. “We have to keep battling in this room.”
Fant, 22, ranks third in receiving yards per game among all league tight ends (49.9). He has 32 catches for 349 yards and two touchdowns.
Vannett, 27, has six catches on 11 targets for 44 yards. He began the season as the No. 2 tight end, but was eclipsed by Jake Butt and was a healthy scratch in Week 3 against Tampa Bay. As the Broncos incurred injuries at the position — bum hamstrings sent Andrew Beck to injured reserve on Oct. 31 and Butt to injured reserve Nov. 5 — Okwuegbunam saw his role increase, and he got more snaps than Vannett the past couple of weeks.
Now, the No. 2 job is Vannett’s again, even as this week the Broncos brought back Troy Fumagalli, a fifth-round draft pick in 2018 who was waived Sept. 5. Fumagalli is on the practice squad and is a likely call-up for Sunday’s game in Las Vegas. Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is confident Fant and Vannett will show the tight ends are still a position of strength for Denver, even when down several bodies.
“I really value the tight ends,” Shurmur said. “(In addition to receptions) there has to be a steady piece to them doing all the dirty work as well. I had a seven-man protection a bunch the other night (in Atlanta) and those guys had to block defensive ends, and they did a good job there. “
The self-critical Fant described his second year as “all right” to this point. He believes he can “offer a lot more.” He has battled ankle injuries this season and missed the Week 6 game in New England because of that though he said he’s healthy now.
“I want to keep improving and keep playing a bigger role in the offense — keep blocking — just doing all those things that an every-down tight end needs to do,” Fant said. “If I had to grade myself on (the first half), I’d give myself a B—.”
Vannett, who’s most productive receiving season in his six-year career came in 2018 with Seattle (29 catches for 269 yards with three touchdowns), also provided a critical self-assessment.
“The first few games I had, I didn’t play to my ability — that was very obvious,” he said. “But after that, I started to hit my stride, and I was more aggressive in the run-game blocking-wise. I haven’t had much opportunity in the pass game and I haven’t gotten targeted much, but I can’t control that. I can only control my attitude and how well I play in the run game. That’s what I’m going to carry over to the second half of the season.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-13--Man dies in single-vehicle crash in Aurora on Thursday

A driver was killed in a single-vehicle crash Thursday in Aurora .
According to Aurora police , the crash occurred on South Peoria Street near South Parker Road , and police responded at about 9:45 p.m. A Lexus SUV was traveling northbound on South Parker Road when it started to make a right turn onto South Peoria Street .
The driver , an adult male , lost control of the vehicle and struck a utility pole .
The male , who was the SUV ’ s lone occupant , was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner ’ s Office after positive identification and next-of-kin notifications , police stated in a news release Friday .
Investigators determined based on witnesses ’ accounts and physical evidence at the crash scene that the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed .
Traffic unit investigators will attempt to reconstruct the scene to determine speeds and other factors in the crash .
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or have an information about this incident is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers @ @ @ @ @ @

A driver was killed in a single-vehicle crash Thursday in Aurora. According to Aurora police, the crash occurred on South Peoria Street near South Parker Road, and police responded at about 9:45 p.m.
A Lexus SUV was traveling northbound on South Parker Road when it started to make a right turn onto South Peoria Street. The driver, an adult male, lost control of the vehicle and struck a utility pole. The male, who was the SUV’s lone occupant, was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The driver’s identity will later be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office after positive identification and next-of-kin notifications, police stated in a news release Friday.
Investigators determined based on witnesses’ accounts and physical evidence at the crash scene that the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed. Traffic unit investigators will attempt to reconstruct the scene to determine speeds and other factors in the crash.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or have an information about this incident is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).


thedenverpost--2020-11-13--Denver weather: Breezy day ahead for the Front Range before possible snow

Friday will mark a return of above-normal temperatures for November , but it will be quite windy later in the @ @ @ @ @ The National Weather Service in Boulder predicts sunny skies with a high of 60 degrees @ @ @ @ @ near 9 mph in the Denver metro area , but a range of 50 to @ @ @ @ @ mountains and foothills .
The region is under a high wind watch starting at 8 @ @ @ @ @ p.m. By the evening , wind speeds will pick up even more as a mountain @ @ @ @ @ metro area may experience speeds of 11 to 15 mph with gusts up to 33 @ @ @ @ @ even get gusts up to 80 mph .
Otherwise , expect partly cloudy skies with @ @ @ @ @ .
A slight chance of precipitation is coming up Saturday with the possibility of rain @ @ @ @ @ .
It will be even breezier with winds in the 21-26 mph range and increasing @ @ @ @ @ high predicted to top 42 degrees .

Friday will mark a return of above-normal temperatures for November, but it will be quite windy later in the evening and into Saturday.
The National Weather Service in Boulder predicts sunny skies with a high of 60 degrees. Wind speeds will hit near 9 mph in the Denver metro area, but a range of 50 to 60 mph may hit the mountains and foothills. The region is under a high wind watch starting at 8 a.m. Saturday and ending at 9 p.m.
By the evening, wind speeds will pick up even more as a mountain wave flows through. The metro area may experience speeds of 11 to 15 mph with gusts up to 33 mph. Higher elevations may even get gusts up to 80 mph. Otherwise, expect partly cloudy skies with a low of 37 degrees.
A slight chance of precipitation is coming up Saturday with the possibility of rain or snow in the morning. It will be even breezier with winds in the 21-26 mph range and increasing throughout the day. The high predicted to top 42 degrees.


thedenverpost--2020-11-13--Colorado’s legislative session starts in January. Everything after that is TBD.

Colorado ’ s state legislature plans to convene at the Capitol on the morning of Jan. 13 to mark the start of its 2021 session .
How lawmakers will manage the rest of the session calendar , however , is very much undecided .
In a typical year , sessions run for 120 consecutive days , starting in January and ending in May .
But last year , lawmakers paused their session in March due to the coronavirus pandemic , resumed in May and didn ’ t conclude until mid-June .
The state Supreme Court ruled that the 120 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legislature some scheduling flexibility during the state of emergency .
Capitol leaders fully expect they may have to be flexible again this year .
“ I think it ’ s almost certain that it won ’ t be 120 consecutive days , where we end the second Wednesday in May .
That ’ s highly unlikely , ” said Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert , a Parker Republican .
News this week of a promising vaccine developed by Pfizer changes the equation .
Dr. Anthony Fauci has said he expects the average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spring , and Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis predicted that more than 100,000 high-priority recipients could be vaccinated in this state next month .
If all goes according to plan and it appears that a vaccine can effectively end the pandemic in the coming months , lawmakers would have the option to postpone some of the session , if not the bulk of it .
Senate President Leroy Garcia said it ’ d be hard to argue against such a path .
“ I wouldn ’ t say that ’ s far-fetched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( like that ) , I think most of us would say that ’ s a reasonable approach , that ’ s a safer approach , ” said the Pueblo Democrat , who added , “ the caveat is if it actually plays out that way.
” Garcia and other legislative leaders are determined to begin the session in January no matter what , because there is some essential , first-week business to conduct — starting with swearing in new members .
Polis is scheduled to give his annual State of the State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second day of the session , Jan. 14 .
“ I ’ ve been asked the question more than any other question in recent weeks : ‘ Is it true that you ’ re going to gavel in ( on Jan. 13 ) and gavel out , then take two or three months off ?
’ I don ’ t know , ” said Holbert .
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will be ready in January with piles of new bills , many of which will concern various forms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers say , that the legislature will spend time early in the session prioritizing certain bills deemed urgent .
Which bills pass , and when , is up to Democrats , since they control both chambers of the legislature .
It was their decision to pause the session in March , and next year ’ s calendar will be in their hands , too .
Incoming House Speaker Alec Garnett , a Denver Democrat , said he was encouraged by the back half of the last session , when lawmakers mostly wore masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still standing .
“ We did make it through three weeks without an outbreak , ” he said .
“ But it was a different time in terms of spike , and the weather was warm.
” It ’ s getting colder now , driving more people indoors as the virus spreads uncontrolled throughout the state and country .
House Republicans met earlier this week at the Capitol and only one of the 24 caucus members wore a mask .
The new leader of that caucus , Hugh McKean of Loveland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment for this story .
His counterpart in the Senate , Holbert , said he plans to wear a mask next session and encourages other to do so .
The public health threat potentially posed at the Capitol next year by anti-mask lawmakers , Garcia said , is all the more reason to wait before committing to any particular session schedule .
But he was clear that he does not want to allow concerns about unmasked lawmakers to dictate scheduling for the rest of state government .
“ You don ’ t negotiate @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Colorado’s state legislature plans to convene at the Capitol on the morning of Jan. 13 to mark the start of its 2021 session.
How lawmakers will manage the rest of the session calendar, however, is very much undecided.
In a typical year, sessions run for 120 consecutive days, starting in January and ending in May. But last year, lawmakers paused their session in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, resumed in May and didn’t conclude until mid-June.
The state Supreme Court ruled that the 120 days could be conducted non-consecutively, which afforded the legislature some scheduling flexibility during the state of emergency.
Capitol leaders fully expect they may have to be flexible again this year.
“I think it’s almost certain that it won’t be 120 consecutive days, where we end the second Wednesday in May. That’s highly unlikely,” said Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert, a Parker Republican.
News this week of a promising vaccine developed by Pfizer changes the equation. Dr. Anthony Fauci has said he expects the average American can expect to be vaccinated by the spring, and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis predicted that more than 100,000 high-priority recipients could be vaccinated in this state next month.
If all goes according to plan and it appears that a vaccine can effectively end the pandemic in the coming months, lawmakers would have the option to postpone some of the session, if not the bulk of it. Senate President Leroy Garcia said it’d be hard to argue against such a path.
“I wouldn’t say that’s far-fetched. If there’s a scenario (like that), I think most of us would say that’s a reasonable approach, that’s a safer approach,” said the Pueblo Democrat, who added, “the caveat is if it actually plays out that way.”
Garcia and other legislative leaders are determined to begin the session in January no matter what, because there is some essential, first-week business to conduct — starting with swearing in new members. Polis is scheduled to give his annual State of the State address inside the House of Representatives on the second day of the session, Jan. 14.
“I’ve been asked the question more than any other question in recent weeks: ‘Is it true that you’re going to gavel in (on Jan. 13) and gavel out, then take two or three months off?’ I don’t know,” said Holbert.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will be ready in January with piles of new bills, many of which will concern various forms of pandemic relief. It is possible, lawmakers say, that the legislature will spend time early in the session prioritizing certain bills deemed urgent.
Which bills pass, and when, is up to Democrats, since they control both chambers of the legislature. It was their decision to pause the session in March, and next year’s calendar will be in their hands, too.
Incoming House Speaker Alec Garnett, a Denver Democrat, said he was encouraged by the back half of the last session, when lawmakers mostly wore masks and desks were separated by partitions that are still standing.
“We did make it through three weeks without an outbreak,” he said. “But it was a different time in terms of spike, and the weather was warm.”
It’s getting colder now, driving more people indoors as the virus spreads uncontrolled throughout the state and country. House Republicans met earlier this week at the Capitol and only one of the 24 caucus members wore a mask. The new leader of that caucus, Hugh McKean of Loveland, did not respond to a request for comment for this story. His counterpart in the Senate, Holbert, said he plans to wear a mask next session and encourages other to do so.
The public health threat potentially posed at the Capitol next year by anti-mask lawmakers, Garcia said, is all the more reason to wait before committing to any particular session schedule.
But he was clear that he does not want to allow concerns about unmasked lawmakers to dictate scheduling for the rest of state government.
“You don’t negotiate with terrorists,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-11-13--Colorado has no COVID-19 capacity limits for grocery stores, prompting chains to create their own po

Colorado has no COVID-19 capacity limits for grocery stores, prompting chains to create their own policies

As COVID-19 cases surge across Colorado , the state has not implemented capacity limits for grocery stores — leaving the companies to decide on their own policies .
Grocery stores are considered critical businesses under Gov .
Jared Polis ’ s latest public health order , meaning they do not have to limit the number of shoppers that can be in a store at one time , a spokesperson with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in an email .
Some states — including California and New York — have mandated that grocery stores ( at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) must limit customers to half the building ’ s capacity as a way to ensure social distancing , as new research shows limiting indoor capacity can greatly reduce the virus ’ s spread .
Without a clear mandate , Colorado ’ s grocery chains have implemented a variety of rules for their stores .
King Soopers continues to limit the number of shoppers to 50 % of its capacity , a change the supermarket chain implemented in early April , the company said in an email .
Trader Joe ’ s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a specific number for capacity , but it stations employees inside and outside stores to ensure there aren ’ t too many people in any particular area .
Safeway has reduced occupancy in its Colorado stores , a spokesperson said via email , though they too do not have a hard-and-fast number for shopper limits .
And Costco said through a representative that it does not answer individual questions related to the pandemic .
The store ’ s policy on capacity limits is unclear .
Thirteen grocery stores in Colorado had active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the state Department of Public Health and Environment .
These include four King Soopers locations , with one Adams County site reporting nine positive cases and 49 probable cases among staff since the outbreak began in June .
Costco has current COVID-19 outbreaks at two locations in Jefferson County and one in Douglas County .
Other outbreaks include a Sam ’ s Club in Larimer County , a Sprouts in Denver and a Roxy ’ s Market in Pitkin County .
For more information on outbreak locations , visit covid19.colorado.gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday said they mostly feel good about the precautions taken by the supermarkets to keep them safe — even as cases continue to go up .
“ I just don ’ t go inside if it looks too crowded , ” said Tim Humphreys , adding that he sometimes gets groceries through curbside pickup .
Sandy Sabala has been limiting her trips to the grocery store since the pandemic began , and does her best to weave in and out of traffic to grab her items as quickly as possible .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too much time in there , ” she said .
But Sabala said limiting customers inside the store would only create frustration — something she experienced earlier this year when long lines formed .
Tiffany Winston , who unloaded a cart full of groceries into her truck Thursday , said the prevalence of the virus means “ it ’ s not safe nowhere .
You put your mask on , sanitize as much as possible and do your best .
”

As COVID-19 cases surge across Colorado, the state has not implemented capacity limits for grocery stores — leaving the companies to decide on their own policies.
Grocery stores are considered critical businesses under Gov. Jared Polis’s latest public health order, meaning they do not have to limit the number of shoppers that can be in a store at one time, a spokesperson with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in an email.
Some states — including California and New York — have mandated that grocery stores (at least in some counties with higher case rates) must limit customers to half the building’s capacity as a way to ensure social distancing, as new research shows limiting indoor capacity can greatly reduce the virus’s spread.
Without a clear mandate, Colorado’s grocery chains have implemented a variety of rules for their stores.
King Soopers continues to limit the number of shoppers to 50% of its capacity, a change the supermarket chain implemented in early April, the company said in an email.
Trader Joe’s, meanwhile, said it doesn’t have a specific number for capacity, but it stations employees inside and outside stores to ensure there aren’t too many people in any particular area.
Safeway has reduced occupancy in its Colorado stores, a spokesperson said via email, though they too do not have a hard-and-fast number for shopper limits.
And Costco said through a representative that it does not answer individual questions related to the pandemic. The store’s policy on capacity limits is unclear.
Thirteen grocery stores in Colorado had active outbreaks among employees as of Wednesday, according to the state Department of Public Health and Environment. These include four King Soopers locations, with one Adams County site reporting nine positive cases and 49 probable cases among staff since the outbreak began in June.
Costco has current COVID-19 outbreaks at two locations in Jefferson County and one in Douglas County. Other outbreaks include a Sam’s Club in Larimer County, a Sprouts in Denver and a Roxy’s Market in Pitkin County.
For more information on outbreak locations, visit covid19.colorado.gov.
Shoppers outside a Safeway in north Denver on Thursday said they mostly feel good about the precautions taken by the supermarkets to keep them safe — even as cases continue to go up.
“I just don’t go inside if it looks too crowded,” said Tim Humphreys, adding that he sometimes gets groceries through curbside pickup.
Sandy Sabala has been limiting her trips to the grocery store since the pandemic began, and does her best to weave in and out of traffic to grab her items as quickly as possible.
“My mental state can’t handle too much time in there,” she said.
But Sabala said limiting customers inside the store would only create frustration — something she experienced earlier this year when long lines formed.
Tiffany Winston, who unloaded a cart full of groceries into her truck Thursday, said the prevalence of the virus means “it’s not safe nowhere. You put your mask on, sanitize as much as possible and do your best.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-13--Denver police solved less than half of all nonfatal shootings last year. A new solution is showing p

Denver police solved less than half of all nonfatal shootings last year. A new solution is showing promise.

Last year , suspects who shot and wounded someone in Denver more than likely got away with it .
At least 145 people were injured in shootings last year , though most of those cases were never solved by a department that had a 39 % clearance rate for nonfatal shootings in 2019 .
But Denver police are seeing early success with a new solution to the low clearance rate for gun assaults .
Seven months in , the department ’ s new Firearm Assault Team has solved 56 of its first 86 cases , giving the team a 65 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping for some modest improvement , I just didn ’ t expect it to be as effective as it ’ s shown so far , ” Denver police Chief Paul Pazen said .
Pazen launched what ’ s known as the FAST team in February after another year of elevated violence in the city .
The idea is simple : Create a unit in the department ’ s Major Crimes Division dedicated specifically to solving nonfatal shootings and handle those investigations as if they were homicides .
Previously , most of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detectives stationed at each of the department ’ s seven police districts .
That meant that investigators weren ’ t always communicating about cases in between districts and the cases often didn ’ t get the attention they deserved because of the district detectives ’ heavy workload , said Lt. Matt Clark , who leads the Major Crimes Division .
If a victim did not want to cooperate , investigators often left the case inactive , he said .
“ Really the difference between a nonfatal shooting and a homicide is luck , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ luck by the victim or bad luck by the suspect.
” While longer-term data will be a better measure of effectiveness , the department ’ s plan shows early signs of promise and is generally a good idea , said David Pyrooz , a University of Colorado Boulder professor who studies crime .
It ’ s a simple solution that doesn ’ t require fancy technology or controversial tactics , he said .
“ It ’ s what is expected of law enforcement — go out and solve the damn crimes in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FAST team is comprised of six detectives and one supervising sergeant , Clark said .
The longtime detectives were pulled from a variety of other investigative teams , like sex assaults and domestic violence , in an attempt to give the team a wealth of varied expertise .
Clark said he focused on detectives who had experience gaining a victim ’ s trust and cooperation in an investigation , which can be a major hurdle in solving shootings .
The team will handle almost all nonfatal shooting investigations unless those investigations are handled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The change comes as Denver experiences a significant uptick in both homicides and nonfatal shootings .
In the first 10 months of this year , 252 people have been injured but not killed in 152 shootings in the city , according to Denver police data .
That ’ s 73 % higher than the 145 people injured in shootings in all of 2019 .
The number of homicides recorded so far this year is the highest seen in more than 15 years .
“ A way to prevent future homicides and prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ train , support these nonfatal shootings , ” Pazen said .
“ Evidence shows that swiftness and certainty in arrests in certain crimes can have impact on future crimes.
” That ’ s true , Pyrooz said .
Violence is almost always perpetrated by a tiny portion of people who offend multiple times .
Low clearance rates can affect both police and community perspectives , Pyrooz said .
If police feel like a type of case is unsolvable , they might feel a sort of fatalism about ever solving them .
Low clearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and police — why should someone report a crime or cooperate with police , potentially putting themselves at risk , if the case isn ’ t going to be solved anyway ?
“ They start to view the law with illegitimacy , ” Pyrooz said .
“ Where there aren ’ t clearances , it breeds vigilante justice .
It makes people think that people can harm and kill with impunity.
” The FAST team is less than half the size of the 15-detective homicide unit , which generally handles between 50 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police cleared 51 of the 63 murders in the city for a clearance rate of 81 % .
Like their counterparts in homicide , FAST detectives are required to respond to the scene of every shooting .
It ’ s difficult to compare Denver ’ s shooting clearance rate with other cities ’ because there is no national database that records departments ’ data on nonfatal shootings .
Data compiled by news outlets and in academic studies show recent clearance rates for nonfatal shootings in several large cities , including a rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 and 6 % in Chicago in 2018 .
Nonfatal shootings can be recorded in a variety of crime categories , including aggravated assaults or robberies .
In Denver , many nonfatal shootings are mixed in with other types of aggravated assaults such as stabbings and incidents where someone fired a gun but nobody was injured .
The Denver Police Department did not specifically track nonfatal shootings until 2018 .
A report issued in 2019 by the National Public Safety Partnership — a U.S. Department of Justice program — recommended that departments form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow those detectives to focus on one type of crime to develop expertise .
Studies conducted in individual cities have also made similar recommendations .
But an arrest is not the only action that can help prevent future violence , said Dr. Emmy Betz , director of the Firearm Prevention Initiative at the University of Colorado ’ s Anschutz Medical Campus .
“ It ’ s not just punitive criminal justice , though that ’ s important in many cases , but it ’ s about the factors that led to it and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ You need larger community programs and policies that are addressing those underlying issues as well.
” Those factors often include poverty , housing stability , hunger , substance abuse and inadequate access to education or employment .
“ The hope is that by intervening to fix the underlying issues , we can prevent the shootings from occurring in the first place , ” she said .

Last year, suspects who shot and wounded someone in Denver more than likely got away with it.
At least 145 people were injured in shootings last year, though most of those cases were never solved by a department that had a 39% clearance rate for nonfatal shootings in 2019.
But Denver police are seeing early success with a new solution to the low clearance rate for gun assaults. Seven months in, the department’s new Firearm Assault Team has solved 56 of its first 86 cases, giving the team a 65% clearance rate.
“I was hoping for some modest improvement, I just didn’t expect it to be as effective as it’s shown so far,” Denver police Chief Paul Pazen said.
Pazen launched what’s known as the FAST team in February after another year of elevated violence in the city. The idea is simple: Create a unit in the department’s Major Crimes Division dedicated specifically to solving nonfatal shootings and handle those investigations as if they were homicides. Previously, most of the city’s nonfatal shootings were investigated by detectives stationed at each of the department’s seven police districts.
That meant that investigators weren’t always communicating about cases in between districts and the cases often didn’t get the attention they deserved because of the district detectives’ heavy workload, said Lt. Matt Clark, who leads the Major Crimes Division. If a victim did not want to cooperate, investigators often left the case inactive, he said.
“Really the difference between a nonfatal shooting and a homicide is luck,” Pazen said. “Either good luck by the victim or bad luck by the suspect.”
While longer-term data will be a better measure of effectiveness, the department’s plan shows early signs of promise and is generally a good idea, said David Pyrooz, a University of Colorado Boulder professor who studies crime. It’s a simple solution that doesn’t require fancy technology or controversial tactics, he said.
“It’s what is expected of law enforcement — go out and solve the damn crimes in your city,” he said.
The FAST team is comprised of six detectives and one supervising sergeant, Clark said. The longtime detectives were pulled from a variety of other investigative teams, like sex assaults and domestic violence, in an attempt to give the team a wealth of varied expertise.
Clark said he focused on detectives who had experience gaining a victim’s trust and cooperation in an investigation, which can be a major hurdle in solving shootings. The team will handle almost all nonfatal shooting investigations unless those investigations are handled by another unit, like gang detectives.
The change comes as Denver experiences a significant uptick in both homicides and nonfatal shootings.
In the first 10 months of this year, 252 people have been injured but not killed in 152 shootings in the city, according to Denver police data. That’s 73% higher than the 145 people injured in shootings in all of 2019. The number of homicides recorded so far this year is the highest seen in more than 15 years.
“A way to prevent future homicides and prevent future shootings is really to resource, train, support these nonfatal shootings,” Pazen said. “Evidence shows that swiftness and certainty in arrests in certain crimes can have impact on future crimes.”
That’s true, Pyrooz said. Violence is almost always perpetrated by a tiny portion of people who offend multiple times.
Low clearance rates can affect both police and community perspectives, Pyrooz said. If police feel like a type of case is unsolvable, they might feel a sort of fatalism about ever solving them. Low clearance rates can also breed distrust between communities and police — why should someone report a crime or cooperate with police, potentially putting themselves at risk, if the case isn’t going to be solved anyway?
“They start to view the law with illegitimacy,” Pyrooz said. “Where there aren’t clearances, it breeds vigilante justice. It makes people think that people can harm and kill with impunity.”
The FAST team is less than half the size of the 15-detective homicide unit, which generally handles between 50 and 70 cases a year. In 2019, police cleared 51 of the 63 murders in the city for a clearance rate of 81%. Like their counterparts in homicide, FAST detectives are required to respond to the scene of every shooting.
It’s difficult to compare Denver’s shooting clearance rate with other cities’ because there is no national database that records departments’ data on nonfatal shootings. Data compiled by news outlets and in academic studies show recent clearance rates for nonfatal shootings in several large cities, including a rate of about 10% in Boston in 2016 and 6% in Chicago in 2018.
Nonfatal shootings can be recorded in a variety of crime categories, including aggravated assaults or robberies. In Denver, many nonfatal shootings are mixed in with other types of aggravated assaults such as stabbings and incidents where someone fired a gun but nobody was injured. The Denver Police Department did not specifically track nonfatal shootings until 2018.
A report issued in 2019 by the National Public Safety Partnership — a U.S. Department of Justice program — recommended that departments form units dedicated to nonfatal gun violence and allow those detectives to focus on one type of crime to develop expertise. Studies conducted in individual cities have also made similar recommendations.
But an arrest is not the only action that can help prevent future violence, said Dr. Emmy Betz, director of the Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus.
“It’s not just punitive criminal justice, though that’s important in many cases, but it’s about the factors that led to it and trying to stop the violence there,” she said. “You need larger community programs and policies that are addressing those underlying issues as well.”
Those factors often include poverty, housing stability, hunger, substance abuse and inadequate access to education or employment.
“The hope is that by intervening to fix the underlying issues, we can prevent the shootings from occurring in the first place,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-11-13--Kafer: Always the statesman, Cory Gardner should not put his career to pasture

Yet all experience is an arch wherethro ’ Gleams that untravell ’ d world whose margin fades For ever and forever when I move .
How dull it is to pause , to make an end , To rust unburnish ’ d , not to shine in use !
Confession : I like to read and memorize poetry .
It ’ s weird , I know .
I borrow others ’ words when I have none .
These lines are from Tennyson ’ s poem “ Ulysses.
” In them , Odysseus of Homer ’ s epic poem has returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a harrowing journey by sea .
He is with his wife reunited and king .
Yet he longs to sail again .
And this gray spirit yearning in desire To follow knowledge like a sinking star , Beyond the utmost bound of human thought .
This poem has been fixed in my mind for a week .
With it I have a message to my friend Sen. Cory Gardner .
We ’ ve known each other for almost two decades .
He worked for Sen. Wayne Allard , I for Congressman Bob Schaffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His broad smile remains but , to paraphrase George Washington , he has grown gray in service to his country .
I ’ ve grown cynical , but I ’ ve got hair dye covering the silver .
I ’ m proud of the work Gardner has done .
Thank you , senator , not just for being an effective member of Congress but for being a statesman .
That ’ s a rare quality these days .
Too many elected officials on both sides of the aisle vie to be the smallest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television and perusing South Dakota real estate listings when I heard Gardner give his concession speech .
His optimism and graciousness shined through what must have been one of the toughest moments of his life .
Being a statesman is more than just having dignity and class ; it ’ s about setting the right priorities .
Nineteenth Century writer James Freeman Clarke observed , “ A politician thinks of the next election ; a statement of the next generation .
A politician looks for the success of his party ; a statesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of nonpartisan organizations commended you for being bipartisan and effective in Congress .
I ’ ll add this : you worked with elected officials from both parties and the president while maintaining your principles .
That ’ s not an easy thing to do — to compromise without being compromised .
Our state has grown by 3.5 million residents since I was born at Denver ’ s Mercy Hospital .
Colorado has gone from reddish to purplish to blue and it feels like the political pendulum has gone still .
Maybe it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss is final .
Ask Democrats in bluest Maryland and Massachusetts who holds the governorship .
Things can change .
Like the law of gravity , the law of economics is unforgiving .
Punitive regulations on energy production ; big , unaffordable government programs ; job-killing shutdowns , and tax increases have consequences .
Empty pocketbooks open minds .
Without boorish tweets to aggravate , the Colorado electorate may reevaluate .
Some work of noble note may yet be done Many former members of Congress go to work for D.C. lobbying firms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to greener pastures ; they ’ re going out to pasture .
They have left the fight .
Gardner was made for greater things .
Though much is taken , much abides ; and though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven , that which we are , we are , One equal temper of heroic hearts , Made weak by time and fate , but strong in will To strive , to seek , to find , and not to yield .
Krista @ @ @ @ @ @ @ columnist .
Follow her on Twitter : @ kristakafer To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’
Gleams that untravell’d world whose margin fades
For ever and forever when I move.
How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use!
Confession: I like to read and memorize poetry. It’s weird, I know. I borrow others’ words when I have none. These lines are from Tennyson’s poem “Ulysses.” In them, Odysseus of Homer’s epic poem has returned home from the shores of Troy after a harrowing journey by sea. He is with his wife reunited and king. Yet he longs to sail again.
And this gray spirit yearning in desire
To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.
This poem has been fixed in my mind for a week. With it I have a message to my friend Sen. Cory Gardner. We’ve known each other for almost two decades. He worked for Sen. Wayne Allard, I for Congressman Bob Schaffer. We were young and optimistic. His broad smile remains but, to paraphrase George Washington, he has grown gray in service to his country. I’ve grown cynical, but I’ve got hair dye covering the silver.
I’m proud of the work Gardner has done. Thank you, senator, not just for being an effective member of Congress but for being a statesman. That’s a rare quality these days. Too many elected officials on both sides of the aisle vie to be the smallest.
I was waiting to go on television and perusing South Dakota real estate listings when I heard Gardner give his concession speech. His optimism and graciousness shined through what must have been one of the toughest moments of his life.
Being a statesman is more than just having dignity and class; it’s about setting the right priorities. Nineteenth Century writer James Freeman Clarke observed, “A politician thinks of the next election; a statement of the next generation. A politician looks for the success of his party; a statesman for that of his country.”
A number of nonpartisan organizations commended you for being bipartisan and effective in Congress. I’ll add this: you worked with elected officials from both parties and the president while maintaining your principles. That’s not an easy thing to do — to compromise without being compromised.
Our state has grown by 3.5 million residents since I was born at Denver’s Mercy Hospital. Colorado has gone from reddish to purplish to blue and it feels like the political pendulum has gone still. Maybe it has. Or maybe no victory or loss is final. Ask Democrats in bluest Maryland and Massachusetts who holds the governorship. Things can change.
Like the law of gravity, the law of economics is unforgiving. Punitive regulations on energy production; big, unaffordable government programs; job-killing shutdowns, and tax increases have consequences. Empty pocketbooks open minds. Without boorish tweets to aggravate, the Colorado electorate may reevaluate.
Some work of noble note may yet be done
Many former members of Congress go to work for D.C. lobbying firms. Make no mistake: They’re not going to greener pastures; they’re going out to pasture. They have left the fight. Gardner was made for greater things.
Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Krista L. Kafer is a weekly Denver Post columnist. Follow her on Twitter: @kristakafer
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-11-13--Pick 6: Odds on next host of “Jeopardy,” Broncos’ chance at the No. 1 pick, Jets stay winless all ye

Pick 6: Odds on next host of “Jeopardy,” Broncos’ chance at the No. 1 pick, Jets stay winless all year

Can the Broncos sink low enough to land Trevor Lawrence in next year ’ s draft ?
The chances don ’ t look good , according to oddsmaker sportsbetting.com , which has Denver at +3,000 odds — meaning a $ 100 bet would win $ 3,000 — to get the No .
1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft .
The favorites ?
The 0-9 Jets , who are at -149 .
Here ’ s a look at some of the current odds in the world of sports .
The odds Ken Jennings , the highest-earning game show contestant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host of “ Jeopardy , ” according to sportsbetting.ag .
Other notable names include George Stephanopoulos ( +350 ) , Neil DeGrasse Tyson ( +1,400 ) and LeVar Burton ( +2,000 ) .
The odds the Broncos will land the No .
1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft , according to sportsbetting.com .
The Jets ( -149 ) are favored , followed by the Jaguars ( +200 ) and Giants ( +300 ) .
The odds Broncos ’ Vic Fangio will be the next NFL head coach fired , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( -200 ) is favored .
The odds Nuggets center Nikola Jokic will be named the 2020-21 NBA MVP , according to Bovada .
Mavericks guard Luka Doncic is favored at +450 .
The odds Conor McGregor will defeat Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 , according to BetMGM .
The odds an NFL team will finish the regular season with an 0-16 record , according to BetMGM .
The Jets ( 0-9 ) are the only winless team remaining .
Meanwhile , the Steelers ( 8-0 ) have +900 odds to finish 16-0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to finish 19-0 , including the playoffs .

Can the Broncos sink low enough to land Trevor Lawrence in next year’s draft?
The chances don’t look good, according to oddsmaker sportsbetting.com, which has Denver at +3,000 odds — meaning a $100 bet would win $3,000 — to get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
The favorites? The 0-9 Jets, who are at -149.
Here’s a look at some of the current odds in the world of sports.
+100
The odds Ken Jennings, the highest-earning game show contestant of all-time, will be the next host of “Jeopardy,” according to sportsbetting.ag. Other notable names include George Stephanopoulos (+350), Neil DeGrasse Tyson (+1,400) and LeVar Burton (+2,000).
+3,000
The odds the Broncos will land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, according to sportsbetting.com. The Jets (-149) are favored, followed by the Jaguars (+200) and Giants (+300).
+2,500
The odds Broncos’ Vic Fangio will be the next NFL head coach fired, according to betonline.ag. Jets head coach Adam Gase (-200) is favored.
+3,000
The odds Nuggets center Nikola Jokic will be named the 2020-21 NBA MVP, according to Bovada. Mavericks guard Luka Doncic is favored at +450.
-209
The odds Conor McGregor will defeat Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, according to BetMGM.
+175
The odds an NFL team will finish the regular season with an 0-16 record, according to BetMGM. The Jets (0-9) are the only winless team remaining. Meanwhile, the Steelers (8-0) have +900 odds to finish 16-0 in the regular season, and +1,600 to finish 19-0, including the playoffs.


thedenverpost--2020-11-13--Ask Amy: Depressed friend can’t be happy for others

Dear Amy : My partner “ Deanne ” and I are living well .
We moved from an expensive large city closer to her family and we both got jobs right before the pandemic hit .
We have been working from home and saving money .
We are very lucky .
We love each other very much , and are very supportive during this depressing time .
We are planning to get married .
My problem is that Deanne ’ s friend “ Stella ” doesn ’ t like it when Deanne talks about me or our relationship .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with faraway friends .
After introducing one game , Deanne suggested that her friend ’ s partner and I join next time with others in the friend group to increase the numbers .
Stella made an issue about it , saying , “ Maybe I would invite a partner to join , if I had one… ” Stella ’ s relationship broke up during the pandemic .
She also is trying to be a mother , and these depressing times have made her feel stressed .
Deanne and her friends have tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t share in the joy of her friends .
Another person in the group shared cute baby photos , and Stella ’ s response was , “ He ’ s cute , but I can ’ t be happy for others right now.
” Should we lie and say that things are horrible for us ?
Should we give her more space ?
Dear Not Lonely : You seem to view this as a binary : You are doing well .
You are very happy .
Your friend “ Stella ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depressed and unhappy .
Stella is doing what many depressed people do NOT do : She is acknowledging it and trying to talk about it .
Her blunt statements are making you uncomfortable , and so you are somewhat cynically suggesting that the only way to cope with her negativity is to lie to her .
But you have other choices .
I agree with you that Stella is being self-focused and somewhat rude to declare that she can ’ t be happy for people who are doing well .
But she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do : she is stating how she feels .
You should not hide your own good fortune under a bushel , but you should also modulate how you report on your awesome life .
When she bluntly states that she can ’ t be happy for people , her friends could honestly respond that they want to be as supportive as possible while she goes through this rough patch .
Dear Amy : For years our large family has followed a plan for Christmas giving .
My generation is now in their 60s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not interested in following our previous plan .
I suggested that each of the sisters ( five ) buy one gift for each of the other sisters this year and not extending the giving further .
Four of us voted yes .
Our fifth sister , who was out voted , then sent an email to all of us that she would not be participating this year , leaving the four of us to exchange gifts .
She says she is overwhelmed by all the other presents she has to buy for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husbands will not be receiving any gifts from “ The Plan ” this year .
Most of us will be having Christmas alone .
One sister lost her husband this year and this will be a difficult holiday for her .
Should we carry on with our decision , return to original plan , or nix gift-giving , while heavily shaming the one sister ?
Dear Dismayed : Being disgruntled when someone reports being overwhelmed directly subverts the whole gift-giving concept .
Christmas should be about reconciliation and generosity , not score-keeping and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sisters should be loving and generous toward one another , by including the sister who is so overwhelmed .
That generosity could take the shape of a warmly worded card , a specialty fruitcake to help feed her family , or just a simple acknowledgment that it ’ s OK for her to drop out of “ The Plan ” this year , with no hard feelings attached .
Dear Amy : Your response to “ Suspicious ” seemed fairly responsible and complete , but she said she had PTSD after a cheating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , adultery does not bring on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder !
Dear Upset : “ Suspicious ” said she believed she “ had a form of PTSD ” after this cheating episode .
PTSD is extremely serious , but the term seems to have entered the lexicon as a shorthand to describe extreme distress .
I didn ’ t take her wording literally .

Dear Amy: My partner “Deanne” and I are living well. We moved from an expensive large city closer to her family and we both got jobs right before the pandemic hit. We have been working from home and saving money. We are very lucky. We love each other very much, and are very supportive during this depressing time. We are planning to get married.
My problem is that Deanne’s friend “Stella” doesn’t like it when Deanne talks about me or our relationship.
We have been trying to play online games with faraway friends.
After introducing one game, Deanne suggested that her friend’s partner and I join next time with others in the friend group to increase the numbers.
Stella made an issue about it, saying, “Maybe I would invite a partner to join, if I had one…”
Stella’s relationship broke up during the pandemic. She also is trying to be a mother, and these depressing times have made her feel stressed.
Deanne and her friends have tried to be emotionally supportive, but she also doesn’t share in the joy of her friends.
Another person in the group shared cute baby photos, and Stella’s response was, “He’s cute, but I can’t be happy for others right now.”
Should we lie and say that things are horrible for us? Should we give her more space?
— Not Lonely
Dear Not Lonely: You seem to view this as a binary: You are doing well. You are very happy. Your friend “Stella” is not doing well. She is depressed and unhappy. Stella is doing what many depressed people do NOT do: She is acknowledging it and trying to talk about it. Her blunt statements are making you uncomfortable, and so you are somewhat cynically suggesting that the only way to cope with her negativity is to lie to her. But you have other choices.
I agree with you that Stella is being self-focused and somewhat rude to declare that she can’t be happy for people who are doing well. But she is doing what we actually want people to do: she is stating how she feels. You should not hide your own good fortune under a bushel, but you should also modulate how you report on your awesome life. When she bluntly states that she can’t be happy for people, her friends could honestly respond that they want to be as supportive as possible while she goes through this rough patch.
Dear Amy: For years our large family has followed a plan for Christmas giving. My generation is now in their 60s and 70s and the next generation is not interested in following our previous plan.
I suggested that each of the sisters (five) buy one gift for each of the other sisters this year and not extending the giving further. Four of us voted yes.
Our fifth sister, who was out voted, then sent an email to all of us that she would not be participating this year, leaving the four of us to exchange gifts.
She says she is overwhelmed by all the other presents she has to buy for her immediate family and the fact that our husbands will not be receiving any gifts from “The Plan” this year.
Most of us will be having Christmas alone. One sister lost her husband this year and this will be a difficult holiday for her.
Should we carry on with our decision, return to original plan, or nix gift-giving, while heavily shaming the one sister?
— Dismayed and Disgruntled
Dear Dismayed: Being disgruntled when someone reports being overwhelmed directly subverts the whole gift-giving concept.
Christmas should be about reconciliation and generosity, not score-keeping and retaliation.
I think all of you sisters should be loving and generous toward one another, by including the sister who is so overwhelmed. That generosity could take the shape of a warmly worded card, a specialty fruitcake to help feed her family, or just a simple acknowledgment that it’s OK for her to drop out of “The Plan” this year, with no hard feelings attached.
Dear Amy: Your response to “Suspicious” seemed fairly responsible and complete, but she said she had PTSD after a cheating incident 20 years ago.
I assure you, adultery does not bring on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder!
— Upset
Dear Upset: “Suspicious” said she believed she “had a form of PTSD” after this cheating episode. PTSD is extremely serious, but the term seems to have entered the lexicon as a shorthand to describe extreme distress. I didn’t take her wording literally.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-11-13--Keeler: Steve Addazio’s CSU Rams played like Wyoming never happened. And that’s a bad, bad sign.

Look , we knew Clemson was going to come out fired up after that loss last week , but … You mean that wasn ’ t Clemson ?
Hide the women and children .
Shield your eyes and loved ones .
The Fresno State Rammies are back .
Remember them ?
Leaky like a bad roof ?
Whupped at the line of scrimmage ?
Hopelessly out-schemed ?
New coach Steve Addazio ’ s first trip to Boise State with CSU was one for the dark ages .
The Rams got two punts blocked for touchdowns .
The Broncos notched another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty much nailed this one shut .
Another score , with 5:21 left the third quarter , came on a mid-air fumble recovery by a Boise offensive tackle in the end zone .
You couldn ’ t make some of this stuff up if you tried .
“ Momentum is a real thing , ” CSU linebacker Dequan Jackson said after the Rams fell to the Broncos for a tenth straight time .
“ But I ’ m not sure how much we could control that , at that point.
” The Rams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more to go in the first half .
They converted none .
Boise got five .
And hit on them all .
Broncos 52 , CSU 21 .
Can we have the Wyoming Rammies back ?
Please ?
As a general rule , debut coaching seasons are strange .
Debut coaching seasons during a global pandemic , if we ’ ve learned anything over the last month , can be downright surreal .
The Week 1 Rams were back Thursday night , in all the worst ways possible .
That another Boise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breakdowns at the line of scrimmage , spotty coverages , failures of physicality — should gall Addazio , who promised those elements to be the bedrock of what he ’ s building in FoCo .
But the fact that it also a became coaching mismatch — a reversal of the Border War script played out to almost darkly comic extremes — should worry CSU fans to no end .
Especially when the Boston College trolls log on to start pointing and giggling on Twitter again .
“ You know what ?
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Addazio , whose staff features a special teams “ quality control ” coach but no full-time coordinator .
“ So I ’ m the one responsible for it … the bottom line is , it ’ s got ta get fixed , and that falls directly on me.
” The Rams got a taste of what they delivered to the ‘ Pokes last week , brother .
They got it early .
They got it hard .
CSU ’ s first offensive series ended with a punt blocked and recovered by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first defensive stand got bent , then broken , as the Broncos marched 48 yards on 10 plays to build a 14-0 bulge nine minutes into the game .
Winning the Bronze Boot was a neighborhood brag .
And sweet .
And overdue .
But if you want anybody outside Highway 285 to notice you , that eventually means swinging with the big boys .
Boise is a national brand .
They ’ re the Mountain West ’ s Ohio State , its Oregon , its benchmark .
What Addazio should aspire to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Fresno State Rammies got a long , long , long way to go .
Quarterback Todd Centeio gave the offense a spark at the start of the second half , down 35 .
As a change-of-pace , he works .
Doesn ’ t mean he ’ s the answer .
Unless you ’ re going to alternate direct snaps to Trey McBride and Dante Wright , Patrick O ’ Brien is still your least terrib … er , safest option behind center .
Defensive lineman Scott Patchan is a load , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CSU ’ s pass-coverage issues by himself .
A ’ Jon Vivens ( 76 rushing yards ) flashes some serious juice , but is he an every-down hoss if Marcus McElroy can ’ t go ?
To their credit , they didn ’ t quit .
They just need to figure out how to start again .
COVID is testing us everywhere , including roster minimums .
The Broncos suited up just five defensive linemen , and three were redshirt freshmen or true freshmen .
Star pass-rusher Demitri Washington was already lost for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vs. Air Force on Oct. 31 .
Rams rushing yards at the half : 61 .
After one quarter , CSU had run 22 plays to Boise ’ s 13 .
And trailed by three touchdowns .

Look, we knew Clemson was going to come out fired up after that loss last week, but …
Wait. What?
You mean that wasn’t Clemson?
Hide the women and children. Shield your eyes and loved ones. The Fresno State Rammies are back.
Remember them? Leaky like a bad roof? Whupped at the line of scrimmage? Hopelessly out-schemed?
New coach Steve Addazio’s first trip to Boise State with CSU was one for the dark ages. The Rams got two punts blocked for touchdowns. The Broncos notched another on a blocked field goal return that pretty much nailed this one shut.
Another score, with 5:21 left the third quarter, came on a mid-air fumble recovery by a Boise State offensive tackle in the end zone. You couldn’t make some of this stuff up if you tried.
“Momentum is a real thing,” CSU linebacker Dequan Jackson said after the Rams fell to the Broncos for a 10th straight time. “But I’m not sure how much we could control that, at that point.”
The Rams faced eight third downs of 6 yards or more to go in the first half. They converted none. Boise State got five. And hit on them all.
Boise 52, CSU 21. Can we have the Wyoming Rammies back? Please?
As a general rule, debut coaching seasons are strange. Debut coaching seasons during a global pandemic, if we’ve learned anything over the last month, can be downright surreal.
The Week 1 Rams were back Thursday night, in all the worst ways possible. That another Boise debacle was a defeat of fundamentals — breakdowns at the line of scrimmage, spotty coverages, failures of physicality — should gall Addazio, who promised those elements to be the bedrock of what he’s building in FoCo.
But the fact that it also a became coaching mismatch — a reversal of the Border War script played out to almost darkly comic extremes — should worry CSU fans to no end. Especially when the Boston College trolls log on to start pointing and giggling on Twitter again.
“You know what? I’m in charge of special teams,” said Addazio, whose staff features a special teams “quality control” coach but no full-time coordinator. “So I’m the one responsible for it … the bottom line is, it’s gotta get fixed, and that falls directly on me.”
The Rams got a taste of what they delivered to the ‘Pokes last week, brother. They got it early. They got it hard. CSU’s first offensive series ended with a punt blocked and recovered by Boise in the end zone. The first defensive stand got bent, then broken, as the Broncos marched 48 yards on 10 plays to build a 14-0 bulge nine minutes into the game.
Winning the Bronze Boot was a neighborhood brag. And sweet. And overdue. But if you want anybody outside Highway 285 to notice you, that eventually means swinging with the big boys.
Boise is a national brand. They’re the Mountain West’s Ohio State, its Oregon, its benchmark. What Addazio should aspire to. What former CSU coach Mike Bobo never got to.
The Fresno State Rammies have a long, long, long way to go.
Quarterback Todd Centeio gave the offense a spark at the start of the second half, down 35. As a change-of-pace, he works. Doesn’t mean he’s the answer. Unless you’re going to alternate direct snaps to Trey McBride and Dante Wright, Patrick O’Brien is still your least awf…. er, safest option behind center.
Defensive lineman Scott Patchan is a load, but he can’t cover up CSU’s pass-coverage issues by himself. A’Jon Vivens (76 rushing yards) flashes some serious juice, but is he an every-down hoss if Marcus McElroy can’t go?
To the Rams’ credit, they didn’t quit. They just need to figure out how to start again.
COVID is testing us everywhere, including roster minimums. The Broncos suited up just five defensive linemen, and three were redshirt freshmen or true freshmen. Star pass-rusher Demitri Washington was already lost for the season after suffering a knee injury vs. Air Force on Oct. 31.
Rams rushing yards at the half: 61. After one quarter, CSU had run 22 plays to Boise’s 13. And trailed by three touchdowns.
One step forward. Four scores back.


thedenverpost--2020-11-13--Boise State blocks 3 kicks for scores, routs Colorado State 52-21

BOISE , Idaho — Avery Williams blocked two punts that were returned for touchdowns in the first half , Boise State had three special teams touchdowns off blocked kicks , and the Broncos routed Colorado State 52-21 on Thursday night .
Williams recovered his own blocked punt for a touchdown 52 seconds into the game .
Late in the first half , Williams came off the edge and blocked his second punt , this one picked up by DJ Schramm and returned 20 yards for a TD that made it 42-7 .
Williams was the Mountain West special teams player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has seven career special teams touchdowns , the first six coming on kickoff or punt returns , including an 88-yard kickoff return fort a TD this season at Air Force .
Kekaula Kaniho also returned a blocked field goal 91 yards for a score late in the first quarter .
It was the first time Boise State had multiple blocked kicks returned for touchdowns in a game since moving to the FBS in 1996 .
The Broncos ( 3-1 , 3-0 Mountain West ) rebounded from last week ’ s 51-17 drubbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst home loss for Boise State since 1996 .
Andrew Van Buren scored on a pair of 1-yard TD runs in the first half and Hank Bachmeier added a 5-yard TD pass to Riley Smith .
Bachmeier returned after missing the past two games and was 16 of 28 for 202 yards .
All the momentum from Colorado State ’ s victory over Wyoming last week evaporated with its 10th straight loss to the Broncos .
Patrick O ’ Brien was 9-of-20 passing in the first half , including an interception , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State ( 1-2 , 1-2 ) pulled to 42-21 early in the third quarter after scoring 14 points in 17 seconds .
Centeio hit Trey McBride on a 21-yard TD pass .
Williams fumbled the ensuing kickoff , and A ’ Jon Vivens rumbled 17 yards for a score .
But that was as close as the Rams would get .
Boise State offensive lineman Nick Crabtree recovered teammate Khalil Shakir ’ s fumble just shy of the goal line and scored late in the third quarter to cap the scoring .
Boise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were out due to positive COVID-19 tests , with another five out due to contact tracing .
Colorado State : The Rams had plenty of special teams issues but their offense didn ’ t help .
Colorado State had just 18 total yards over the first four drives and trailed 14-0 before getting a first down .
Boise State : The Broncos have not lost consecutive games since 2016 and haven ’ t lost two straight at home since 2015 .

BOISE, Idaho — Avery Williams blocked two punts that were returned for touchdowns in the first half, Boise State had three special teams touchdowns off blocked kicks, and the Broncos routed Colorado State 52-21 on Thursday night.
Williams recovered his own blocked punt for a touchdown 52 seconds into the game. Late in the first half, Williams came off the edge and blocked his second punt, this one picked up by DJ Schramm and returned 20 yards for a TD that made it 42-7.
Williams was the Mountain West special teams player of the year a season ago. He has seven career special teams touchdowns, the first six coming on kickoff or punt returns, including an 88-yard kickoff return fort a TD this season at Air Force.
Kekaula Kaniho also returned a blocked field goal 91 yards for a score late in the first quarter. It was the first time Boise State had multiple blocked kicks returned for touchdowns in a game since moving to the FBS in 1996.
The Broncos (3-1, 3-0 Mountain West) rebounded from last week’s 51-17 drubbing by No. 8 BYU, the worst home loss for Boise State since 1996.
Andrew Van Buren scored on a pair of 1-yard TD runs in the first half and Hank Bachmeier added a 5-yard TD pass to Riley Smith. Bachmeier returned after missing the past two games and was 16 of 28 for 202 yards.
All the momentum from Colorado State’s victory over Wyoming last week evaporated with its 10th straight loss to the Broncos. Patrick O’Brien was 9-of-20 passing in the first half, including an interception, and was replaced by Todd Centeio.
Colorado State (1-2, 1-2) pulled to 42-21 early in the third quarter after scoring 14 points in 17 seconds. Centeio hit Trey McBride on a 21-yard TD pass. Williams fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and A’Jon Vivens rumbled 17 yards for a score.
But that was as close as the Rams would get. Boise State offensive lineman Nick Crabtree recovered teammate Khalil Shakir’s fumble just shy of the goal line and scored late in the third quarter to cap the scoring.
COVID CONCERS
Boise State announced before kickoff that nine players were out due to positive COVID-19 tests, with another five out due to contact tracing.
THE TAKEAWAY
Colorado State: The Rams had plenty of special teams issues but their offense didn’t help. Colorado State had just 18 total yards over the first four drives and trailed 14-0 before getting a first down.
Boise State: The Broncos have not lost consecutive games since 2016 and haven’t lost two straight at home since 2015.
UP NEXT
Colorado State: Hosts UNLV on Oct. 21.
Boise State: At Hawaii on Oct. 21.


thedenverpost--2020-11-14--In-N-Out says these three Colorado locations are “opening soon”

For more than a year , In-N-Out Burger fans have been waiting for the first Colorado location to be opened @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
Now , the California-based fast-food chain has added three locations to its “ @ @ @ @ @ The locations include : While the company did not divulge when exactly the three locations @ @ @ @ @ and animal-style fries , the website says they are accepting job applications at all three @ @ @ @ @ company is $ 14.50 , according to their website .

For more than a year, In-N-Out Burger fans have been waiting for the first Colorado location to be opened, as promised, in 2020.
Now, the California-based fast-food chain has added three locations to its “opening soon” list. The locations include:
14150 Alameda Avenue in Aurora
1840 Democracy Point in Colorado Springs
9171 W. Westview Road in Lone Tree
While the company did not divulge when exactly the three locations will be serving up cheeseburgers and animal-style fries, the website says they are accepting job applications at all three. Starting pay at the company is $14.50, according to their website.


thedenverpost--2020-11-14--Colorado high school football: How CHSAANow Top 10 teams fared in Week 6

1 .
Cherry Creek ( 5-0 ) at No .
4 Eaglecrest , 1 p.m. Saturday .
Next week : TBD 2 .
Valor Christian ( 5-0 ) did not play .
The Eagles ’ scheduled game against Highlands Ranch was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns .
Next week : TBD 3 .
Pomona ( 5-0 ) vs. No .
5 Columbine , 7 p.m. Friday .
Next week : TBD 4 .
Eaglecrest ( 4-0 ) vs. No .
1 Cherry Creek , 1 p.m. Saturday .
Next week : TBD 5 .
Columbine ( 4-0 ) at No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Next week : TBD 8 .
Regis Jesuit ( 4-1 ) at 4A No .
7 Pine Creek , 6 p.m. Saturday .
Next week : TBD 10 .
Ralston Valley ( 4-2 ) beat Arvada West , 35-7 .
The Mustangs , whose only two losses this fall came to No .
2 Valor Christian and No .
3 Pomona , closed out the regular season with a dominant defensive performance that still might not be enough to get them in the eight-team playoff .
Next week : TBD 2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ play this week .
The Bears ’ scheduled game against Ponderosa was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns .
Next week : vs. No .
4 Ponderosa , Nov. 12 4 .
Broomfield ( 5-0 ) did not play .
The Eagles missed out on another opportunity to bolster their playoff resume after their scheduled opponent , Erie , was placed in quarantine following an exposure from Week 5 .
Next week : TBD 5 .
Loveland ( 6-0 ) beat No .
6 Skyline , 27-26 ( OT ) .
After stopping a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possession of overtime , Joe Killian ran in a touchdown and Tyson Williams followed with the game-winning extra point to survive Thursday night ’ s thriller .
Next week : TBD 6 .
Skyline ( 5-1 ) lost to No .
5 Loveland , 27-26 ( OT ) .
Grayden Bridwell racked up 213 yards of offense on 33 touches , including 187 yards rushing , but the Falcons ’ upset bid fell just short in overtime .
Next week : TBD 7 .
Pine Creek ( 2-1 ) vs. 5A No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Next week : TBD 10 .
Montrose ( 4-2 ) beat Grand Junction Central , 55-12 .
After back-to-back losses to No .
2 Palmer Ridge and No .
3 Ponderosa , the Indians rebounded with their highest scoring effort of the season .
Next week : TBD

Class 5A
1. Cherry Creek (6-0) beat No. 4 Eaglecrest, 50-0. The Bruins’ rampage to the Centennial League title ended with yet another dominating victory, as James Walker II opened the game with back-to-back touchdowns and Creek once again scored in all three phases. Next week: TBD
2. Valor Christian (5-0) did not play. The Eagles’ scheduled game against Highlands Ranch was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Next week: TBD
3. Pomona (6-0) beat No. 5 Columbine, 14-11. Jack Pospisil scored on a 77-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, Dominick Nichols returned a punt for a score, and the Panthers defense kept Columbine out of the end zone until late in the fourth quarter to claim the Jeffco League title. Next week: TBD
4. Eaglecrest (4-1) lost to No. 1 Cherry Creek, 50-0. A week after COVID kept the Raptors off the field, they were no match for the Bruins in a showdown for the Centennial League title. Next week: TBD
5. Columbine (4-1) lost to No. 3 Pomona, 14-11. Brock Zanetell scored the Rebels’ lone touchdown in the fourth quarter as Columbine was held to its lowest point total of the season. Next week: TBD
RELATED: Colorado high school football scoreboard: Week 6
6. Legend (6-0) beat Douglas County, 42-14. Connor Eise scored four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) and Kalen Shoemaker had three TD passes as the Titans all but locked up a spot in 5A state playoffs. Next week: TBD
7. Fairview (6-0) beat Castle View, 49-36. The Sabercats (3-2) took a 36-35 lead early in the fourth quarter only to see Fairview score two unanswered touchdowns to escape with the win. Next week: TBD
8. Regis Jesuit (5-1) beat 4A No. 7 Pine Creek, 17-14. Jaden Ohlsen drilled a 30-yard field goal as time expired to give the Raiders a much-needed win in their quest to qualify for the playoffs. Next week: TBD
9. Cherokee Trail (4-2) beat Overland, 34-0. The Cougars won their fourth in a row after starting the season with back-to-back losses to No. 4 Eaglecrest and No. 1 Cherry Creek, and now must wait until Sunday to learn their playoff fate. Next week: TBD
10. Ralston Valley (4-2) beat Arvada West, 35-7. The Mustangs, whose only two losses this fall came to No. 2 Valor Christian and No. 3 Pomona, closed out the regular season with a dominant defensive performance that still might not be enough to get them in the eight-team playoff. Next week: TBD
Class 4A
1. Dakota Ridge (6-0) beat Chatfield, 51-0. Recent CU Buffs commit Charlie Offerdahl found the end zone three times, and the Eagles cruised to their sixth straight win by 30-plus points. Next week: TBD
2. Palmer Ridge (4-0) did not play. The Bears’ scheduled game against Ponderosa was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Next week: TBD
3. Ponderosa (6-0) beat Longmont, 40-13. Their showdown with No. 2 Palmer Ridge scrapped by the coronavirus, the Mustangs put the finishing touches on a perfect regular season with a dominating defensive performance that included a fumble return touchdown. Next week: TBD
4. Broomfield (5-0) did not play. The Eagles missed out on another opportunity to bolster their playoff resume after their scheduled opponent, Erie, was placed in quarantine following an exposure from Week 5. Next week: TBD
5. Loveland (6-0) beat No. 6 Skyline, 27-26 (OT). After stopping a Falcons’ two-point try in the opening possession of overtime, Joe Killian ran in a touchdown and Tyson Williams followed with the game-winning extra point to survive Thursday night’s thriller. Next week: TBD
6. Skyline (5-1) lost to No. 5 Loveland, 27-26 (OT). Grayden Bridwell racked up 213 yards of offense on 33 touches, including 187 yards rushing, but the Falcons’ upset bid fell just short in overtime. Next week: TBD
7. Pine Creek (2-2) lost to 5A No. 8 Regis Jesuit, 17-14. The defending 4A champion Eagles’ playoff hopes took a hit with a last-second loss to the Raiders on a 30-yard field goal as time expired. Elias Rogers scored a touchdown, and Josiah Roy found Braden Kramer for a six-yard score to tie things at 14 in the fourth quarter. Next week: TBD
8. Fountain-Fort Carson (5-1) beat Rampart, 33-17. Sophomore QB Tavian Tuli threw a pair of touchdown passes and snuck in another, while Tai Faavae added two rushing TDs, including one from 50-plus yards, as the Trojans avenged a loss from just seven days earlier to the Rams. Next week: TBD
9. Windsor (4-2) lost to Brighton, 14-12. A week after falling in overtime to Broomfield, the Wizards were dealt their second straight heartbreaking defeat after a fourth-quarter touchdown put Brighton (5-1) over the top and into the 4A playoff mix. Next week: TBD
10. Montrose (4-2) beat Grand Junction Central, 55-12. After back-to-back losses to No. 2 Palmer Ridge and No. 3 Ponderosa, the Indians rebounded with their highest scoring effort of the season. Next week: TBD


thedenverpost--2020-11-14--GM recalling nearly 69K Bolt electric cars due to fire risk

DETROIT — General Motors is recalling nearly 69,000 Chevrolet Bolt electric cars worldwide because the batteries have caught fire in five of them .
The company said Friday that it doesn ’ t know yet what ’ s causing the fires , but engineers are working to figure it out .
Two people have suffered smoke inhalation due to the fires and a house was set ablaze .
U.S. safety regulators said the cars should be parked outdoors until the recall repairs have been made .
Until a permanent fix is developed , dealers will install software that limits charging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s capacity , Bolt Executive Chief Engineer Jesse Ortega said .
The recall covers Bolts from the 2017 through 2019 model years , including nearly 51,000 in the U.S .
It comes one month after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that it was investigating the fires .
The agency said in documents filed last month that the fires began under the rear seat while the cars were parked and unattended .
Ortega said engineers have traced the fires to Bolts with battery cells made at an LG Chem factory in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2016 to May of 2019 .
The fires have happened when the batteries were close to being fully charged , he said .
“ We have no confirmed incidents from vehicles with cells not produced at this factory or a lower state of charge , ” Ortega said .
Some 2019 Bolts and all 2020 and 2021 versions have cells made at an LG Chem plant in Holland , Michigan , and are not included in the recall , he said .
GM hopes to find the cause and have a permanent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first of the year , Ortega said .
Engineers are looking at several potential causes , he told reporters Friday on a conference call .
Until the software updates can be done , GM is asking owners to manually change adjustable settings to keep the batteries from being charged fully .
Owners who aren ’ t able to do this should park their Bolts outdoors and contact a dealer , Ortega said .
But NHTSA , the government safety agency , said in a statement that until the recall repairs are made , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is outside and away from homes .
“ These vehicles can catch fire even if they are turned off , parked , and disconnected from a charging unit , ” NHTSA said .
At least one of the five fires spread from a Bolt to a home , the agency said .
GM said it would start notifying dealers and customers of the interim recall immediately .
Ortega said the GM noticed the fires and began investigating in July , and it ’ s cooperating with NHTSA .
The software change will cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s range on a single charge .
GM said it understands owners could be upset about their cars not being fully functional , and it will address complaints on a case-by-case basis .
Older Bolts can go about 238 miles ( 383 kilometers ) per charge .
The National Transportation Safety Board , a federal agency that investigates transportation-related problems , is investigating electric-vehicle fires , and a report is expected soon .

DETROIT — General Motors is recalling nearly 69,000 Chevrolet Bolt electric cars worldwide because the batteries have caught fire in five of them.
The company said Friday that it doesn’t know yet what’s causing the fires, but engineers are working to figure it out. Two people have suffered smoke inhalation due to the fires and a house was set ablaze.
U.S. safety regulators said the cars should be parked outdoors until the recall repairs have been made.
Until a permanent fix is developed, dealers will install software that limits charging to 90% of the battery’s capacity, Bolt Executive Chief Engineer Jesse Ortega said.
The recall covers Bolts from the 2017 through 2019 model years, including nearly 51,000 in the U.S.
It comes one month after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that it was investigating the fires. The agency said in documents filed last month that the fires began under the rear seat while the cars were parked and unattended.
Ortega said engineers have traced the fires to Bolts with battery cells made at an LG Chem factory in Ochang, South Korea, from May of 2016 to May of 2019. The fires have happened when the batteries were close to being fully charged, he said.
“We have no confirmed incidents from vehicles with cells not produced at this factory or a lower state of charge,” Ortega said.
Some 2019 Bolts and all 2020 and 2021 versions have cells made at an LG Chem plant in Holland, Michigan, and are not included in the recall, he said.
GM hopes to find the cause and have a permanent repair as quickly as possible after the first of the year, Ortega said. Engineers are looking at several potential causes, he told reporters Friday on a conference call.
Until the software updates can be done, GM is asking owners to manually change adjustable settings to keep the batteries from being charged fully. Owners who aren’t able to do this should park their Bolts outdoors and contact a dealer, Ortega said.
But NHTSA, the government safety agency, said in a statement that until the recall repairs are made, the safest place to park the Bolts is outside and away from homes.
“These vehicles can catch fire even if they are turned off, parked, and disconnected from a charging unit,” NHTSA said. At least one of the five fires spread from a Bolt to a home, the agency said.
GM said it would start notifying dealers and customers of the interim recall immediately.
Ortega said the GM noticed the fires and began investigating in July, and it’s cooperating with NHTSA.
The software change will cut about 10% from the Bolt’s range on a single charge. GM said it understands owners could be upset about their cars not being fully functional, and it will address complaints on a case-by-case basis. Older Bolts can go about 238 miles (383 kilometers) per charge.
The National Transportation Safety Board, a federal agency that investigates transportation-related problems, is investigating electric-vehicle fires, and a report is expected soon.


thedenverpost--2020-11-14--Four Thornton detectives recognized by DOJ for breaking up million dollar gift card scam

Four Thornton Police Department detectives have been recognized by the U.S. Justice Department for their work in breaking up million dollar credit and gift card scam that targeted mostly senior citizens .
Detectives Bryan Bennett , Ty Deichert , Fred Longobricco and Ian Ranshaw were honored Friday , in a virtual presentation from police headquarters by the DOJ as part of the 4th Annual Attorney General ’ s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing .
On Jan. 15 , 2018 , Walmart notified Thornton police that they were investigating a scheme involving stolen credit card information .
The Thornton detectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Postal Service , Department of Homeland Security and the State Department pursuing the international case , according to a news release .
During surveillance operations , the detectives went through suspects ’ trash on multiple occasions and then spent days reassembling shredded gift cards that ultimately lead the investigation to East Asia , the release said .
Gift cards were bought with fraudulent credit information and the gift cards were then laundered overseas .
Two defendants have pleaded guilty in the case and another 25 defendants are being monitored .
“ Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement officers contribute to our nation each day , keeping us safe from violent crime and building more trusting communities , and they are deserving of our collective thanks , ” said Attorney General William P. Barr in a Tuesday news release preceding Friday ’ s ceremony .
In all the justice department recognized 23 law enforcement officers and deputies from 12 jurisdictions across the nation .
“ The Attorney General ’ s Award recognizes individual state , local , and tribal sworn rank-and-file police officers and deputies for exceptional efforts in policing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phil Keith , director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services with the DOJ and local representative took part in the virtual salute .

Four Thornton Police Department detectives have been recognized by the U.S. Justice Department for their work in breaking up million dollar credit and gift card scam that targeted mostly senior citizens.
Detectives Bryan Bennett, Ty Deichert, Fred Longobricco and Ian Ranshaw were honored Friday, in a virtual presentation from police headquarters by the DOJ as part of the 4th Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.
On Jan. 15, 2018, Walmart notified Thornton police that they were investigating a scheme involving stolen credit card information. The Thornton detectives partnered with the FBI, the U.S. Postal Service, Department of Homeland Security and the State Department pursuing the international case, according to a news release.
During surveillance operations, the detectives went through suspects’ trash on multiple occasions and then spent days reassembling shredded gift cards that ultimately lead the investigation to East Asia, the release said. Gift cards were bought with fraudulent credit information and the gift cards were then laundered overseas. Two defendants have pleaded guilty in the case and another 25 defendants are being monitored.
“Their actions are a testament to what law enforcement officers contribute to our nation each day, keeping us safe from violent crime and building more trusting communities, and they are deserving of our collective thanks,” said Attorney General William P. Barr in a Tuesday news release preceding Friday’s ceremony.
In all the justice department recognized 23 law enforcement officers and deputies from 12 jurisdictions across the nation.
“The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and tribal sworn rank-and-file police officers and deputies for exceptional efforts in policing,” the news release said.
Phil Keith, director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services with the DOJ and local representative took part in the virtual salute.


thedenverpost--2020-11-14--“The water had totally vanished”: Wolves preying on beavers in Minnesota reshape wetlands

WASHINGTON — One spring afternoon in 2015 , biologist Thomas Gable followed signals from a gray wolf ’ s GPS tracking collar to a small stream in Minnesota ’ s Voyageurs National Park .
There he found a large canine paw print in the mud and tufts of wolf and beaver fur caught in low bramble .
A beaver had fallen victim to a wolf , Gable deduced .
The industrious rodent ’ s work in progress stood nearby — aspen logs , stripped clean , spanned the stream , and a pond about a foot deep was forming behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 days later , the dam had begun to collapse .
With no aquatic engineer to repair the structure , the pond had disappeared .
“ The water had totally vanished , ” said Gable , who is based at the University of Minnesota .
But the episode sparked an idea .
Over the next four years , biologists placed GPS collars on about 30 wolves inside the park .
Then they visited every location where wolves had lingered for more than 20 minutes and searched the ground for clues about animals they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new beaver dams were abandoned nearby .
“ Once a wolf takes out a beaver , ” Gable said , “ it takes a while for another beaver to return to the site.
” At each abandoned dam site studied , it took more than a year for another beaver to return , according to research published Friday in the journal Science Advances .
Wolves preying on beavers profoundly affect northern Minnesota ’ s wetland ecosystems because dams built by individual beavers — those not associated with beaver colonies — quickly fall apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show wolves reduced the total beaver population in Voyageurs National Park , but that they influenced where beavers were able to build and maintain dams and ponds .
On average , there are about 73 wolves in the Voyageurs ecosystem , but this number can fluctuate annually between 63 and 82 , said Gable .
A survey during winter of 2019-2020 by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources found the state was home to around 2,596 wolves .
Federal wildlife officials announced last month that the gray wolf would be removed from U.S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management decisions to states and opening the door to hunting in some .
However , Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz has said he opposes recreational wolf hunting .
While wolf packs target large animals such as adult deer and moose in winter , they tend to hunt alone for smaller prey , including fawns and beavers , in summer .
Biologists often call beavers “ ecosystem engineers ” because their dams create wetlands and new habitats for plants , aquatic insects , amphibians , fish and birds .
“ Beavers are so central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that anything that affects beaver distribution is going to have a cascading effect , ” said Rolf Peterson , a wildlife ecologist at Michigan Technological University who studies wolves in Michigan and was not involved in the new study .
While Yellowstone and adjoining western states are the most famous homes to gray wolves in the United States , wolf packs also live in forests of Minnesota and Michigan , where they mix with wolf populations in neighboring Canada .
Peterson contributed to research that found beaver colonies on Michigan ’ s Isle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2018 , when the wolf population there was dwindling .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

WASHINGTON — One spring afternoon in 2015, biologist Thomas Gable followed signals from a gray wolf’s GPS tracking collar to a small stream in Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park. There he found a large canine paw print in the mud and tufts of wolf and beaver fur caught in low bramble.
A beaver had fallen victim to a wolf, Gable deduced. The industrious rodent’s work in progress stood nearby — aspen logs, stripped clean, spanned the stream, and a pond about a foot deep was forming behind them. But when Gable checked again 10 days later, the dam had begun to collapse. With no aquatic engineer to repair the structure, the pond had disappeared.
“The water had totally vanished,” said Gable, who is based at the University of Minnesota. But the episode sparked an idea.
Over the next four years, biologists placed GPS collars on about 30 wolves inside the park. Then they visited every location where wolves had lingered for more than 20 minutes and searched the ground for clues about animals they preyed upon. They also documented when new beaver dams were abandoned nearby.
“Once a wolf takes out a beaver,” Gable said, “it takes a while for another beaver to return to the site.”
At each abandoned dam site studied, it took more than a year for another beaver to return, according to research published Friday in the journal Science Advances.
Wolves preying on beavers profoundly affect northern Minnesota’s wetland ecosystems because dams built by individual beavers — those not associated with beaver colonies — quickly fall apart. The new research doesn’t show wolves reduced the total beaver population in Voyageurs National Park, but that they influenced where beavers were able to build and maintain dams and ponds.
On average, there are about 73 wolves in the Voyageurs ecosystem, but this number can fluctuate annually between 63 and 82, said Gable.
A survey during winter of 2019-2020 by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources found the state was home to around 2,596 wolves.
Federal wildlife officials announced last month that the gray wolf would be removed from U.S. Endangered Species Act protection, leaving management decisions to states and opening the door to hunting in some. However, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has said he opposes recreational wolf hunting.
While wolf packs target large animals such as adult deer and moose in winter, they tend to hunt alone for smaller prey, including fawns and beavers, in summer.
Biologists often call beavers “ecosystem engineers” because their dams create wetlands and new habitats for plants, aquatic insects, amphibians, fish and birds.
“Beavers are so central to the way these boreal forests look that anything that affects beaver distribution is going to have a cascading effect,” said Rolf Peterson, a wildlife ecologist at Michigan Technological University who studies wolves in Michigan and was not involved in the new study.
While Yellowstone and adjoining western states are the most famous homes to gray wolves in the United States, wolf packs also live in forests of Minnesota and Michigan, where they mix with wolf populations in neighboring Canada.
Peterson contributed to research that found beaver colonies on Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park increased five-fold between 2010 and 2018, when the wolf population there was dwindling.
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Follow Christina Larson on Twitter: @larsonchristina
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.