Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has declared the week of June 18-24 as Colorado Lightning Safety Awareness Week. Lightning strikes the ground in our state over a half million times each year and with many of us participating in outdoor activities, we need to learn how to protect ourselves from lightning hazards.

Lightning is also responsible for about half of the wildfires in Colorado each year. When lightning or other conditions are conducive to a high wildfire threat, the National Weather Service will issue Fire Weather Watches or Red Flag Warnings.

A summer cold front passed across eastern Colorado Saturday, leaving Sunday’s temperatures 15 or more degrees cooler for the eastern half of the state – however heat will return in the coming week.

Shopping at farmers markets is one way to get delicious and fresh produce you can enjoy at home.

“Getting plenty of fruits and vegetables helps families live healthier lives and reduces the likelihood of chronic disease,” said Elaine Auld, CEO of the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE).  “Lack of nutritious foods puts people at high risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.”

Not everyone may be familiar with shopping at farmers markets. Auld offered the following tips to help people make the most of bringing the best of the farm to their family.

Lightning Safety Week: Protect Your Family from the Deadliest Weather Hazard

The United State Geological Survey recorded a minor earthquake near Trinidad in Las Animas county early Saturday morning.

The quake registered 3.9 on the Richter Scale, and occurred about one mile beneath the surface. It occurred 24 miles west of Trinidad at 12:42 a.m. Two people reported feeling the earthquake. No damage reports have been received.

FATHER'S DAY

“Our Father, Who is in heaven, Your name is holy...”

“When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”

Given that a half million lightning flashes strike the ground in Colorado each year, and that more people are killed and injured by lightning than any other weather hazard, Governor John Hickenlooper has declared the week of June 18 through June 24 as Colorado Lightning Safety Awareness Week.

Colorado is in the top ten states for lightning deaths, with 14 fatalities recorded since 2007.

“Salamander sandwiches and great Grecian toads!” said Dud, lurching into his never-really-assigned position at the Mule Barn truck stop’s philosophy counter and world dilemma think tank.

Mavis stood there holding the pot of Farmer Brothers coffee as she waited for Dud to flip his coffee mug to the correct upright position.

“You want some coffee before the toads are done?” she asked.

“Sure,” Dud said, laughing. “Just practicing my epithets.”

Mavis poured. “When you die you want toads and salamanders on your headstone?”

15 Years Ago

June 14, 2002

• Governor Bill Owens issued an executive order banning open burning throughout Colorado and the sale and use of all fireworks.

• Sebrina D James named to the Dean’s List at the University of Southern Colorado  with a 4.0 GPA

• USDA Update- Rod Johnson: USDA agencies continue to receive new equipment to assist with farm program administration. The newest addition is GPS units to help land measurements.

PUBLIC NOTICE