All posts by sentineladmin

2023, Uncategorized

In Loving Memory of Noel Berge

Noel Berge

Noel Berge, born on December 23, 1943, in Norfolk, Virginia, departed from this world on November 29, 2023. Noel’s life was one filled with love, service, and the forging of lasting connections that touched the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Son to Earling Berge and Charlotte Victoria Davis Berge, Noel grew up surrounded by a family that instilled in him values of compassion and duty. Despite the sorrow of losing his brothers—Earl, Norman, and Rodney—Noel carried their memories with grace, embodying the strength that comes from familial bonds.
Noel served his country with honor as a member of the Air Force August 1964 – Sept 1968, where he exemplified dedication and sacrifice. He attended Granby High School, graduated in January 1962. He attended Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA, and received a BS in Mathematics in 1969 and later his MBA from San Fransisco University. Following his military service, he continued his commitment to making a positive impact on the world by joining the Peace Corps for four years where he worked both in Colombia and Africa. He showcased his belief in global understanding with a focus on small business development.
Noel’s love extended to his family and many friends, where he was a father, grandfather, and beloved family member to so many. He shared the journey of life with two ex-wives, Barbara Berge and Nancy Berge. His daughter, Cloe Dowdy, her husband, Cody Dowdy, and his only granddaughter Luna Dowdy.
Noel’s warm and welcoming nature endeared him to all members of the Berge family, and he made friends wherever life took him. His ability to connect with others, coupled with his infectious laughter, left a lasting impression on the hearts of those who crossed his path.
As we mourn the loss of Noel Berge, let us also celebrate a life well-lived—a life of service, love, and friendship. The world has lost a remarkable individual, and he will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
May Noel Berge rest in eternal peace, surrounded by the love of those who went before him, and may his memory continue to inspire us to embrace the values of kindness, connection, and joy that he embodied throughout his life.

2023, Uncategorized

SOLEMN CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

SOLEMN CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
Custer Community Mourns

by Fred Hernandez
Wednesday, November 29th, the Custer community gathered at the West gym of the school to remember and mourn the demise of three of its members. There were one hundred and seventy five relatives, friends and neighbors who came together to pray and console one another. Ms. Judy Greer, Chaplain at the Sheriff’s Office initiated the proceedings by offering a healing prayer. Ms. Jackie Shepherd-Pettis who was a friend of all four victims, including the lone survivor Patty Daulton, then named each of them and asked for a moment of reverent silence. Let us pray for Bob Geer, his wife Beth Wade Geer and James Daulton.
Ms. Christal Rothrock of Sol Vista Health then spoke about the tragedy and gave information regarding the effects of traumatic experiences and the ways to cope in its aftermath. The Pastor of Valley Bible Fellowship, Rev. Richard Desmond gave the closing prayer for the victims who were all faithful members of the congregation. Sheriff Rich Smith and Detective Elizabeth Robinson privately spoke to members of the family to update them of any new developments. In the mean time, the attendees filed out onto Main Street where they lined up on one side as candles were lit from each end of the line and the light

2023, BOCC, Uncategorized

Nov. 30 BOCC: Audit Progress,Day Continues to Try to Kill Hiring a New Finance Director

BOCC: Some Audit Progress, Day Continues to Try to Kill Hiring a New Finance Director, Has Another Temper Tantrum

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
The November 30, 2023 Custer County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting started at 9 a.m. in their gilded throne room across the street from the main county building.
All three commissioners were in attendance: Chair Kevin Day, and members Bill Canda and Lucas Epp.
In Commissioner Items, Canda brought up the Justice Center project. (Remember, the BOCC and the ex-county Sheriff, Shannon Byerly, spearheaded an effort to build a new “Justice
Center” a few years ago that would include a big new jail, offices for most of the county officials, and a court complex that would rival Genghis Khan’s royal quarters. They said it would cost about $18
million to build but the county would wind up eventually paying over
THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS for the 30-year bonds. The voters shot this down big time. The deal now is they are trying to build just a courthouse complex.)
Canda said the architect working on the project has a preliminary drawing of the building which would hold a courthouse, a courthouse employee complex and an area to house prisoners. He said it will be a modular design so additional sections can be added on later. Canda noted that the county “will decide later” on funding. (At the last courthouse committee meeting, based on the architect’s drawings and similar recently built courthouses in Colorado, we are talking around $18 million to $28 million to do JUST THE COURTHOUSE. That number is just the construction costs and NOT the finance cost. Based on current interest rates, the actual cost to the county could be $35 to $40 million. Insane.)
Canda said he was making good progress on getting the two TV stations’ broadcast translators up and running. He got the engineers from the two stations up to the hill and is getting firm prices on the job and the equipment needed. He is hopeful that it will be up and running by the end of January. (If you recall, this was Day’s job but he couldn’t get it done. Canda volunteered to take it over and is now making it happen.)
Epp then gave the Finance report. He said he and Finance are still gathering all the lease information from the various departments. (Remember, this lack of information on the county’s lease obligations was the big audit flag from the 2022 audit.) Epp then reviewed the progress they are making on the various other audit issues. He mentioned that the county’s accounting software company, CIC, is coming December 15th for a training session. The price that the county is paying for CIC also came up. It was previously mentioned that we are paying CIC around $200k a year. Epp said that was wrong, that we are paying them $50k a year.(Epp is doing a good job on cleaning up the Finance mess.)
In New Business, Canda said he is getting the 11 taxing districts in the county (e.g., library, Wet Mountain Fire, hospital district, etc.) together with the county’s assessor to figure out the deal on them lowering their mil levies to reduce our tax burden that the new property assessments will have on the taxpayers. (Note that the taxing districts don’t have to lower their rates. It is up to each district to make the call.) Canda said he hopes that the county’s property tax increase will be around two to four percent higher next year if they adjust down the mil levy. He said the school district has already lowered their levy 1.5%.
In Public Comments on this topic, the the West Custer County Hospital District spokesman said their ex-enses have skyrocketed over the last few years and they might not be able to reduce their tax burden
on us.
After some other comments, the head of the Custer County Democrat Party, James “Dr. Doom” Gilbert then blessed the audience with a rambling, convoluted discussion on “inflation”.
After this MENSA level discourse, he stated he was fine with NOT reducing the mil levy and having everybody cough up huge money for the county and the tax districts. (What alternative universe are these libs living in? Nice to be rich, Dr. Doom.)
The TV station fix was up again. Canda said the contractor recommended a self-contained cabinet for the TV translators. The contractor will submit a bid shortly.
It was mentioned that there were three or four applicants for the Human Resources Director’s job.
The contentious County Finance Director job posting then came up. Canda said he would like the county to post the job next week and have it widely posted and kept up for a long time so we can get a good number of candidates. This, of course, opened up a can of worms.

Epp then asked what the new Finance Director’s duties were going to be and how this will affect the current two people in the Finance Department. (Note that the BOCC voted in the last meeting to post the job, with Day voting no on that.) Day, refusing to accept the prior vote, then attempted to kill the move by saying the current staff in the Finance Department are getting the audit issues resolved (supposedly), finally saying, “I question the need of a new person.”
(The BOCC, in the last meeting decided to go forward with getting a new, QUALIFIED, Finance Director. Day is continuing to try to sandbag that decision. Folks, the county’s budget is around $9 MILLION a year. We have around 90 employees. A whole bunch of different departments. Tons of state and federal regulators to comply with. THIS IS NOT A BOOKKEEPING JOB. WE need a person with a real accounting degree, and good accounting and finance experience in this position. Plus, it looks like we might have to get a new county accounting system which means another conversion. We need a person who truly understands accounting to lead that conversion. Note that the recent conversion to CIC, under the ex-Finance Director Braden Wilson was very problematic. Wilson did not have an accounting degree.)
This discussion on getting a new Finance Director went on for a bit with Day refusing to get on board.
When Public Discussion was opened on this subject, the pro, new Finance Director advocates, and the ‘nay’ crew saying the current Finance Director, Lisa Bivins, can do the job, all went at it again repeating the same arguments as the last few meetings.
Of all the commenters, citizen Bill Parker made the best observations on the subject. (Parker is a very successful, retired businessman.) Parker started out saying “the qualified audit is a big red flag” and it is “not taken serious by you guys.” He addressed Day saying, “Kevin, you said the current staff is fixing the issues and you said we don’t need a new Finance Director.” Parker then went on to demolish Day’s position. Parker said, “We need professional help. We need a trained accountant in here to manage the Finance Department. You are kicking the can down the road again.” Addressing the staffing issue, Parker said, “I understand your concern about current county employees” but, “What about the concerns of the citizens about proper financial management in this county.” He continued, “We don’t want another qualified audit. We want the audit and books done in time. We need a trained financial manager.”
Addressing the fact that the commissioners want a workshop to determine the structure of the Finance Department and the employees’ duties, Parker stated the obvious, “The person who you are hiring knows how to organize the department. Why are YOU trying to do it. Let the new guy do it.” (Parker’s point is well taken. The commissioners want to discuss the whole structure of the department without knowing anything about how a professional Finance Department works. LET THE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT WE ARE GOING TO HIRE FIGURE THAT OUT. HE KNOWS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND HOW TO DO IT. Letting three people who don’t know squat about this trying to do it is a disaster waiting to happen plus it is a colossal waste of time. If you don’t know what you are doing, get some professional help.)
Nadine Petersen then spoke up. Trying to get things done rather than delay this forever, she asked, “Is there any reason why that job can’t be posted now?” (The answer is NO, except Day is trying to kill it.) She then said, “No reason not to post it today. We need a new Finance Director. Please post this immediately.”
Jimmy “The Plumber” McMahon took the stage at one point and did his ‘Day doesn’t know what he is talking about’ routine. Usual Jimmy. A little aggressive but nothing we haven’t seen before. His main point was Day is making bad decisions and hurting the county. Again.
A few more people commented pro and con on this. Joy Anderson, then spoke, “All three have no finance or accounting backgrounds.” (Meaning Wilson, Bivins, and the new Finance Director’s assistant. Which is insane. A $9 million dollar Finance Department with NO trained accounting people in it. You wonder why we are in trouble.) Attacking Day’s position, Joy said, “You really don’t want somebody in here with finance experience to see what is going on in the county. You don’t want a qualified person. You should be fighting for the most experience. YOU ARE KNOWINGLY BACKING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB.” Joy continued with, there is “evidence that you do not know what you are talking about. What do you have against experience? Get the expert in there to organize the department.” (Duh!)
Somewhere during this melee, Canda said that most of the counties that he contacted during this Finance Director deal had Directors with accounting degrees. This comment somehow set Deb Adams, our lefty transplant from California, who is the county’s Tourism Board Director, off. She loudly and aggressively jumped on Canda saying, “You are lying” about the fact that other county’s Finance Directors have accounting degrees. She yelled at Canda saying prove it. Canda replied that he will get a list together and publish it or send it to Adams.
(This was way out of line. The bottom line is Adams hates Canda cause she lost to him in the last county election and is seeking revenge in the usual lefty, hate filled way. Plus, Canda represents the left’s worst enemy, a career military veteran and a devout Christian. This little vignette represents exactly the battle going on here in Custer County and in many parts of our country. The progressive left, like Adams, from failed leftist cities and states, move to rural America to escape their own failures, and then try to change our moral, Christian places into the stinking, godless cesspools they came from. Self destructive, self hating, sick people, folks.)
Some more jousting went on and finally it was quiet. However, it was not over. Day had another temper tantrum apparently triggered by McMahon’s comments and possibly Parker’s (Parker’s were absolutely polite while Jimmy’s was a little aggressive but not over the top). Day, visibly angry, raises out of his throne, points his finger towards the back of the room, yells, saying you “three” back there are “disrespectful” and he will not put up with it. If it happens again, he is going to have them leave. Day is all red in the face when he is saying this. He was pointing and yelling at McMahon, Parker and Len Arrigo. Parker said nothing wrong and Arrigo DIDN’T EVEN SPEAK AT THE MEETING! (Day, if you can’t take constructive criticism from the citizens of this county you are in the wrong job, dude. If it wasn’t for these guys, Nadine, Joy and Miles, trying to help the BOCC through difficult times, we would be in a world of hurt. You should be thanking these folks for all the time and research they have done. It is the citizens’ RIGHT to criticize public officials when they have done bad. Put your big boy pants on and thank these people for the help they are bringing to the table. And put that temper to bed. No room for that here. You are a politician, Day. Not a dictator. And somehow, Day, Adams aggressively calling Commissioner Canda a liar with NO evidence at all, is “respectful”? Why wasn’t she called out? Hmmmm….)
Yup, that was it. Another wasted BOCC meeting. We’ll see what happens next week.

Uncategorized

The Oak Creek Grade Tragedy: Multiple Deaths Over an Easement Dispute

Hanme K Clark via Cochilla County, NM SO
Nancy Medina-Cochis
Cochilla County, NM SO

The Oak Creek Grade Tragedy: Multiple Deaths Over an Easement Dispute

CCSO and Coroner/Asst. Coroner First to Arrive
at Active Shooter Scene

by George Gramlich

11/29/23

How the tragedy of November 20, 2023, came about will take time to fully figure out, but the fact that three people were killed and one gravely wounded over an easement/property lines dispute is a sobering statement on the state of our society today. This occurred in an extremely rural, mountainous area of Custer County where there is plenty of room for all living there.
The Sentinel has obtained the Arrest Warrant for the alleged killer, Hanme K. Clark, 45 years old. It is reproduced below. It shows a long-term dispute between some neighbors on Rocky Ridge Road, off of Oak Creek Grade (CR 255) around the eight mile marker. The dispute appears to have finally sent the alleged killer, over the edge, resulting in the attack.
Our prayers for all involved. The deceased were Rob and Beth Geer and James Daulton. The wounded person was Patty Daulton. All were neighbors of the alleged killer. Mrs. Daulton is in a hospital in Colorado Springs. She is expected to survive.
The alleged killer, with his girlfriend, Nancy Medina Cochis, were captured in New Mexico the day after the shooting. Cochis was arrested as an accessory.
The property Clark and Cochis live on is owned by a nonprofit corporation called Herbal Gardens Wellness, which, according to its website, provides therapy to people suffering from PTSD.
Herbal Gardens Wellness filed a lawsuit in 2020 against several neighbors alleging that the neighbors did not have the right to use an easement over Herbal Gardens property that was established in 2016. There were allegations that the neighbors were harassing Clark and Cochis because they are Native Americans. It was alleged that Herbal Wellness put locked gates at the entrances to the easement. (It appears that the easement is simply a “short cut” to get to certain neighbors’ properties on Rocky Ridge. There is a subdivision road that is the normal access path for all properties.) Herbal Gardens lost that lawsuit with the judge ruling the easement was valid. The court ordered Herbal Gardens to pay the neighbors around $9,000.
An “armed trespass complaint” was filed by the Geers on November 11, 2023.
The Custer County Sheriff’s Office has sent deputies to the property multiple times with regards to the easement, property lines and trespassing issues.
The Initial Contact
Upon receiving the 911 call, on duty at the Custer County Sheriff’s Office were Sheriff Rich Smith and Sergeant Jason Sabalto. Also hearing the 911 call, Custer Count Coroner Brad Baltzly volunteered to assist (along with the Assistant Coroner, Nikita Phillips.) (Note that in Colorado, the Coroner is considered the 2nd highest LEO in the county. The Assistant Coroner is also considered LEO.) Sheriff Smith also requested assistance from Fremont County and the Colorado State Patrol. All off duty Custer County deputies were told to come. ( And all did. Except for one on vacation.)
Smith, Sabalto,  Baltzly and Phillips were the first on the scene. The four stopped at the intersection of CR 255 and Silver Circle and prepared (rifles, body armor, etc.) They then drove down a short distance to Rocky Ridge Rd. and dismounted.
They then tactically proceeded down the road and entered the first “road” on their right which was the driveway of the Geers. After a short approach they observed the bodies and the alive Mrs Daulton. Not knowing if the shooter was still in the area, they covered their actions via their weapons. Mrs. Daulton was then recovered, placed on a stretcher, and the whole team retreated back up the driveway and then to the road. EMS was there with ambulances.
The Fremont County SWAT team (and other LEO) then proceeded to search the area for the shooter. This took a long time. It was extremely cold. It was dark (around 8 p.m.) when the search was completed.
Kudos to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office’s Sheriff Smith and Sergeant Sabalto, and especially to our Coroner Brad Baltzly and Assistant Coroner Nikita Phillips for their bravery in entering an active shooter scenario with no backup at the time. (It was a very, very brave thing to do. Thanks from all of us.)
(Unconfirmed sources indicate that the weapon used by the killer was a pistol.)
Below is the body of the Arrest Warrant. Note that the Warrant spells the Geer’s last name wrong.

####

The Custer County Sheriff’s Office November 20, 2023 Arrest Warrant for Hanme Clark:
The following Affidavit is submitted to the Court to document the probable cause in support of a request for the issuance of an Arrest Warrant for: Hanme Kim Clark, DOB: 10/28/1978
This offense is fully documented in CCSO Case# 23-0681 detailing the offense(s) of:
§ 18-3-102 Murder in the first degree x 3, F1
§ 18-2-101 Criminal attempt
§ 18-3-102 Attempted Murder in the first degree, F2
§ 18-3-202 (1)(a) Assault in the first degree, F3
With the victim(s) identified as: Patty Daulton, D.O.B: 3.7.1967
3 Other adult victims pending identification.
Your affiant is Detective Sergeant Robinson, Elizabeth with the Custer County Sheriff’s Office and currently assigned to the Patrol and Investigations Division and has served in that capacity since 2023. I do hereby state under oath that I have personal knowledge of the following facts:
On November 20, 2023, at approximately 1300 hours, FreCom Dispatch (FreCom) received a 911 call with the reporting party, later identified as Patty Daulton of 415 Rocky Ridge Rd, Westcliffe, CO, stating that four people had been shot. The suspect was approximately 6 feet tall, wore glasses, and had black hair. Dispatch could hear shots being fired during the 911 call. RP stated she thought her husband was dead in addition to two other people. Mrs. Daulton was evacuated from the scene, which was determined to be in the area of 173 Rocky Ridge Rd adjacent to 165 Rocky Ridge Rd Westcliffe, CO, and taken to the Parkview Hospital in Pueblo, Colorado.
Your affiant was able to speak with a surveyor, William Dechaver (DOB 10-29- 1974) who was on scene when the shooting occurred. William explained that he was assisting with surveying of an address in the area he believed to be Lot 33a when the shooting began, he was unsure of the address and stated the paperwork to confirm it was in his truck which is still on scene.
William went on to state that he was with the homeowner Robert Greer (possible spelling). A male approached them, yelling about trespassing. Robert called the male Hamne by name, and William believed Robert to be recording a video of the interaction as the shooting commenced. William described Hamne as wearing what he believed to be a forest green shirt and pants, and possibly a forest green vest or jacket. William explained that when Hanme started shooting, he turned around and ran eastbound for approximately a half mile getting to a neighbor’s house, whom he did not know. William described the home as having 4 sisters who lived there who allowed him to use the phone and
call 911.
William stated that he knew the neighbor although not by name to live directly west of the property he was working on. It should be noted that your affiant knows, Hanme Clark (DOB 10-28-1978) resides at 165 Rocky Ridge Rd, Westcliffe Rd and has recently involved in numerous neighbor disputes over property line disputes.
Your affiant is aware there have been numerous previous property disputes with Herbal Gardens & Wellness (165 Rocky Ridge Rd) which is the property adjacent to the scene. In CCSO case 23-0643 reported on 11.17.2023 on an armed trespass complaint was called in by Robert Greer (DOB 08-12-1960) at 173 Rocky Ridge Rd which occurred on 11.16.2023. Mr. Greer sent pictures from a covert camera he placed on his property to Sheriff Smith of a male in hunting gear, his face was covered, and he was 
carrying a rifle. Mr. Greer was adamant that the male in the photos was Hanme Clark. Mr. Greer complained that it was the 4th time Hanme had trespassed on his property. He also claimed that Hanme and Nancy (LKU) had decided to target him and his wife with harassment and trespassing and showed concern about a weapon being involved.
Your affiant was made aware that Sheriff Lloyd Smith, whom is a certified EMT, along with the Coroner Brad Baltzly, was able to arrive to where the descendants, were located earlier in the day. Visible confirmation was made that the parties were, in fact, deceased. The top photo in the search warrant appears to be a male. In the bottom photo the person in the green jacket and jeans appears to be a female and the third person appears to be a male. Photos were taken as represented below in addition to the approximate location they were taken based on Evidence.com. Due to the suspect house being uphill and having a direct line of sight the decision to vacate the area was made due to officer safety concerns.
Your affiant was made aware that at approximately 2120 hours, Agent Garcia spoke with Salida Police Department (SPD) Officer Dakoda Defurio. Officer Defurio advised that he was made aware of a License Plate Reader (LPR) alert on a 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 bearing Colorado plate BHLK27 at approximately 1510 hours near the south entrance of the Salida Walmart Store. An attempt to locate was placed on the vehicle earlier as it registered to Hanme Clark. Officer Defurio contacted Walmart security staff and was able to view surveillance video. The truck parked in the parking lot and a female who was unmasked enters the store Walmart employees at the time of this are still working on tracking down the receipt for the purchase made by the female. Officer Defurio explains that it appears she purchased pillows and possibly some cold weather clothing.
The female can be seen returning to the vehicle in the parking lot and appears to be communicating with someone in the vehicle out of view, while loading the purchases into the vehicle. The female then returns into the store this time wearing a mask on her face, in what appears to be an attempt to disguise her identity. What appears to me a male who cannot be identified exits the vehicle with a dog and walks around the vehicle briefly, then re-enters the vehicle. The female is seen returning to the vehicle and entering the passenger seat of the truck which then shortly after at approximately 1559 hours, exits the parking lot traveling south. The truck is observed traveling south-bound on County Road 111.
On 11.20.23 Your Affiant reviewed body camera footage recorded by Deputy Thurston’s body camera of a civil call in the area of 165 Rocky Ridge Road from 11.19.2023. The footage was a conversation with Nancy Medina-Kochis (D.O.B 01.02.1973) of 13078 Zuni Rd in Hartsel, Colorado, whom is the suspected girlfriend of Hanme Clark and possible resident at the 165 Rocky Ridge Road residence. Nancy spoke with Deputy Thurston and seemed to be versed on the ongoing property line dispute.
After reviewing the body camera footage and the surveillance footage from WalMart in Salida the female from both recordings appear to be the same person with the same clothing.
On November 20, 2023, your affiant authored and was granted a search warrant for 165 Rocky Ridge Road. At approximately 2001 hours, CCSO Deputies executed the search warrant in search of Hanme Clark. Hanme nor any individuals were located in the residence. The aforementioned Dodge Ram was not located on the property. The decision was made to hold the residence and further process it for evidence in the morning.
I would respectfully request that probable cause be found that Hanme Kim Clark, DOB: 10/28/1978, did within the County of Custer and State of Colorado, commit in violation of the Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended, the offense(s) of:
§ 18-3-102 Murder in the first degree x 3
§ 18-2-101 Criminal attempt
§ 18-3-102 Attempted Murder in the first degree
§ 18-3-202 (1)(a) Assault in the first degree
/s/ Det. Sgt. Elizabeth Robinson Applicant: Det Sgt Robinson, Elizabeth
Sworn and subscribed before me by telephone November 20, 2023.
2023, Uncategorized

Services for George “Ken” Jones

George Kenneith Jones
of Silver Cliff, CO

George Kenneth Jones, known to his loved ones as Ken or Kenny, passed away on November 22, 2023, at the age of 56 in Silver Cliff, Colorado. Ken was born on February 16, 1967, in Delaware. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Joanna Jones, and their children, Kaylie Jones, Weston Jones and Layna Jones, as well as his mother, Pat Jones and mother-in-law, Jeanne Love.

Ken and his wife Joanna moved to Custer County Colorado in 1998 where Ken worked in his own business as a Master Electrician. Throughout his professional journey, Ken was an adventurous entrepreneur and always enjoyed trying his hand at new things. Since 2011 Ken has been dedicated to his own health supplement retail business that has grown and flourished over the past decade.

In his free time, Ken found joy in fishing, boating, gardening, tinkering in his shop and spending time with his family. Ken was known by friends and family for his big personality, always bringing life and laughter wherever he went. He was a jokester and loved to laugh and enjoyed making others laugh as well.

Ken and his family were members of the Wetmore Baptist Church, where Ken attended and served for over 22 years. Here he found strength and renewed commitment in his faith and his personal walk with God through his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The church was an important part of his life and his family’s.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Wetmore Baptist Church. Following the service, Ken will be laid to rest in Ula Cemetery, surrounded by the peace and beauty of the mountain valley he and his family call home.

Ken will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His warm smile, kind heart, spirited laughter and unwavering dedication will always be remembered. For online condolences please visit: www.holtfamilyfuneralhome.com

 

2023, Uncategorized

2023 Spirit Campaign Begins!

Press Release

The Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation is excited to announce the official kick-off of the 2023 Spirit Campaign. The Campaign was launched on November 15th, by the mailing of the Spirit Campaign brochure and Financial Overview, followed by the Spirit Campaign Kick-Off Gala held at All Aboard Westcliffe (a local non-profit) on November 18th. Thank you to those who attended. The brochures, which contains extensive information on the campaign and associated nonprofits and funds, can also be found on the Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation Website www.wmvcf.org/donations/spirit-campaign/ .
We are proud to feature 63 organizations in this year’s campaign. We appreciate all donations, and encourage specific donations to nonprofits of choice, as well as donations to the Make it More Fund. A direct donation to the Make it More Fund benefits every nonprofit and enhances the success of the campaign and each organization.
Over the past 19 years, the Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation has distributed more than $5 million to nonprofits in support of their hard work and commitment to our community, close to half a million alone in 2023. The Community Foundation extends thanks in advance to our 2023 donors, who make it possible to continue this remarkable tradition of giving.
Donations will be accepted through midnight, December 31st. But don’t wait!! Visit our website at www.wmvcf.org/
donations to make your donation now!

2023, Uncategorized

Sangre Electric Meeting in Silver Cliff, Rate Increases Main Topic

Sangre Electric
Meeting in Silver Cliff
Rate Increases Main Topic

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association

(Meeting registration info at the bottom.)

SDCEA is set to consider a general rate increase at its November 29 meeting in Silver Cliff. For nearly seven years, SDCEA has not implemented a general rate increase, despite facing mounting operational costs. These costs include rising prices for materials, supplies, fuel and labor.
“We have tried to minimize expenses to keep our costs down, but we must now address this financial strain,” said SDCEA Interim CEO, Gary Kelly.
“We are facing a persistent inflationary environment, supply chain disruptions, and our wholesale power supplier is also raising rates due to inflationary costs,” said Kelly. “We also must make ongoing investments in the infrastructure of our electric system for safety and reliability.”
“In 2021, the electric industry experienced about a 14 percent inflation rate increase on all the material SDCEA purchases. In 2022, the inflation rate increased even more, and we experienced an additional 18 percent cost inflation on material. So, in two short years, the costs of all the material we use to build and maintain the electric system has increased by 32 percent on average. While inflation has slowed in 2023, we expect to end the year with an 8 percent material cost increase. That represents a 40 percent increase in material costs from 2020,” Kelly said.
A public meeting was held in Buena Vista on November 8th to discuss a proposed SDCEA rate increase. For the average residential consumer, this could result in an approximate monthly bill increase of $5-$13. The proposed rate increase will be discussed at the November 29 board meeting in Silver Cliff, and a decision by the SDCEA Board of Directors on implementation will likely be made at that time. If approved as currently proposed, the rate increase would go into effect February 1, 2024.
“SDCEA is also committed to providing transparency and open communication with its members,” Kelly said. The organization will be providing updates on the rate increase process and is available to answer any questions or concerns. Please visit an FAQ section on the homepage at myelectric.coop or call 844-395-2412 with any questions. Anyone who would like to submit comments on the proposal, please email sdcearates@myelectric.coop.
To register to attend the November 29 meeting in person or remotely contact SDCEA at (719) 395-2412 or info@myelectric.coop no later than 3 p.m. on November 28, 2023. Online registration must be completed no later than 4 p.m. on November 28, 2023.

2023, Uncategorized

Mass Shooting on Oak Creek Grade, Suspect(s) detained, awaiting extradition

Mass Shooting on Oak Creek Grade
Three Dead, One Wounded
Suspect Detained in N.M.

by George Gramlich

Three people were shot to death and one gravely wounded Monday, November 20, 2023 on Rocky Ridge Road, a private road on the west side of County Road 255 (Oak Creek Grade). Rocky Ridge Road is accessed off of Silver Circle which adjoins Oak Creek Grade at around the 8 mile marker.
Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith gave a press briefing outside the Sheriff’s Office at noon on Tuesday, November 21. The Sheriff stated that they received a 911 call around noon on the 20th that there were shots fired at the Rocky Ridge Road. Smith said that two deputies and the Custer County Coroner, Brad Baltzly, responded. The deputies treated the scene as a “high risk entry”. After a brief survey, assistance was requested and the entire CCSO deputy roster was called out. The Fremont County SWAT team was requested. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado State Police were also summoned.
Three deceased and one severely wounded person were found. The deceased were from two neighboring families. One person was able to flee the scene unharmed and gave the deputies information on the suspect, Hanme K. Clark who lived at the Rocky Ridge address along with his wife. A huge search of the area then ensued. The suspect was not found. The SO then focused on the suspect’s house and waited until they had obtained a warrant to enter and search the property. CBI assisted with the warrant request. The suspect was not in the house.
Smith noted that the shooting occurred in a wooded area near a “gravel road” and not on the suspect’s property.
Sheriff Smith said that there had been an ongoing property dispute between the suspect and the two neighbors. There was also a lawsuit in 2021 concerning the dispute. (Apparently the neighbors were traversing the suspect’s property to get to their own properties via an alleged easement. This appears to be at the core of the problem.)
During the search, drones, night vision and thermal imaging were employed.
Help from the U.S. Marshals was requested.
Sheriff Smith said that the suspect probably left the property before the deputies initially arrived.
An all clear was announced at 8 p.m. Monday night.
The crime scene was being processed by the CCSO, the CC Coroner and CBI.
The U.S. Marshals employed aerial assets traversing the crime scene up to Salida. The Sheriff said that they had a good tip on the whereabouts of the suspect. They believe he is in the Route 50 area around Poncha Springs. LEO from various jurisdictions are searching the area.
Smith said there is a warrant out for the arrest of Clark for three counts of first degree murder.
At the press conference, one news outlet said it was believed the suspect and his wife were Native Americans and asked if that was    part of the dispute, ie, discrimination. Smith said he could not comment on that.

Below is the Custer County Sheriff’s Office press release from November 20th:

PRESS RELEASE:

Monday, November 20, 2023: Westcliffe, CO:
Colorado Law Enforcement agencies are looking for Hanme K. Clark, who is wanted in connection with a shooting that took place mid-day Monday in Westcliffe, CO.
On Monday, November 20, 2023, at 12:59 p.m., the Custer County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a report of shots fired on Rocky Ridge Road approximately eight miles North of Westcliffe, CO. At 13:22, Fremont County Sheriff’s SWAT reported on scene. Custer County Sheriff, Rich Smith, called for a shelter in place while they searched for the suspect.
The shooting occurred at 173 Rocky Ridge Road along the wooded property line. A property dispute is suspected as the cause of the incident. Four victims were shot. Three of the victims are deceased (two male, one female). An additional female victim is in critical condition and being treated in a trauma center.
At 21:10, Rich Smith, Custer County Sheriff, announced that the shelter in place for Custer County was lifted. Authorities are pursuing the suspect who is driving a white Ram 1500 pickup with a topper and Colorado license plate: BHLK27.
If you have any information to assist officials in the apprehension of Hanme K. Clark, call 911.

###

Press Release on November 21st.
Victims of November 20th Shooting Identified
Tuesday, November 21, 2023, Westcliffe, CO: The victims of Monday’s shooting in Westcliffe, Colorado have been identified by Custer County Coroner Brad Baltzly. The next of kin have been notified.
The three deceased victims are Rob Geers, Beth Wade, and James Daulton. The fourth victim, Patty Daulton, is being treated at a trauma center for her injuries.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Hanme K. Clark, who is still at large. State and Federal agencies are assisting with the search.

####

Editor: At our press time (early afternoon, Tuesday, November 21st), the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office has released a press statement stating that the suspect might be in the Salida area south of Salida from the Fremont County line to Poncha Springs (along Route 50). They have issued a shelter in place order for that area which ended Tuesday afternoon.
Clark was often seen at various events in Custer County. He was always very polite and soft spoken. Some research has indicated that he was a long time martial arts devotee including competing in MMA and studying the fighting art of Pancrase.
One report stated that there was a surveyor at the scene and he fled unhurt. But that remains to be verified.
(Please see the Custer County Sheriff’s Facebook page for immediate updates or see our Facebook or website, sangredecristosentinel.com for updates.)

UPDATE

The Custer County Sheriff sent out another press release on
late afternoon on November 21st that the suspect had been detained in N.M.

 

On Wednesday, a final press release gave more information on the victims. In a press conference, the Sheriff noted that the focus now
needs to be on the community and their loss.

 

 

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Shooting Suspect Arrested

November 21, 203, Westcliffe, CO: Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith received a call at 2:48pm today from US Marshall Kirk Taylor confirming that shooting suspect Hanme K Clark had been taken into custody near Albuquerque, by the New Mexico State Police and the US Marshalls. The suspect is awaiting extradition to Colorado.

Sheriff Smith requests that we turn the focus to the victims and their families.

The deceased are identified as Robert Geers, age 63, his wife Beth Wade Geers 73, and James Daulton 58. Patty Daulton survived and is being treated for her injuries at a trauma center.

If anyone is need of mental health support following this traumatic event please call the Westcliffe SolVista office at 719-783-0566.

###

For Immediate Release
Triple Homicide Arrest Update

Wednesday, November 22, 2023, WESTCLIFFE, CO:   1500 hrs

Nancy Rae Medina-Kochis is charged with accessory to a crime, pending the continuing investigation into the November 20, 2023, triple homicide in Westcliffe, CO. She and shooting suspect Hanme K. Clark are being held in New Mexico while awaiting extradition to Colorado.
For more information regarding this case please contact the 11th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Canon City, CO.
###

 

2023, BOCC, Uncategorized

BOCC: Finance Director Battle Continues, Public Comment Severely Restricted

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
The November 15, 2023 Custer County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting started at 9 a.m. in their gilded throne room across from the courthouse. All three commissioners were present: Chair Kevin Day and members Bill Canda and Lucas Epp. There was a pretty good crowd of peasants in attendance.
In Commissioner Comments, Canda said Road & Bridge is meeting with the TV station engineers today on the hill where the transmitter is. (This is big progress.)

He also said the Upper Ark Water Conservancy District folks are going to go ahead with raising the level of Lake DeWeese by four feet. They need a bunch of money to do this, but they are comfortable that they can get the moolah.
Epp gave the Finance report. He said the adjusting entires needed to fix the problems that the audit revealed should be done by the end of the week. Finance is still gathering lease information (the lack of which caused the county to fail the audit). Epp reported that the auditor is having a class with finance on tangible and intangible leases.
In New Business, the Public Comment Guidelines agenda item, placed there by Epp ruffled some of the peasant’s feathers. Epp started with, “we have to be open, to be free here” then started listing a whole slew of restrictions of what the peasants can say, do, and the length of time they have to say it. Epp’s proposed guidelines started with the statement that, “these meetings are business meetings”, (whatever that means) and thus the following rules and restrictions apply: You must speak by your seat, you only get five minutes per person for each comment time, the comments must be directed to the commissioners, no questions or comments to other people, you have to avoid “grandstanding” (which should also apply to the commissioners), and on Agenda Items, the board may suspend comments. To finish his First Amendment kill shot, Epp told the peasants there (who took the time to come and participate) that “public comments are a privilege and not a right.”
Day, loving this clamp down on citizen comment (something he has been doing for a long time), said the meetings were out of control. Canda then said, “I agree we need it” but if a commissioner wanted to hear more after the five minutes he can ask for it. (This was absent from Epp’s proposal.) Epp then agreed with Canda on this item. Custer County’s Biggest Free Speech/First Amendment Warriors (REPUBLICAN!) then voted to accept the new rules with the caveat that they can change them later.

In Public Comment, the peasants were not happy campers. Len Arrigo said, “Public Comment is not a privilege, it is a right. We come here on our own time. It is our county. We pay your salaries.” Bill Parker said show me a statute that says we can’t speak. This triggered the county attorney, Dan Slater (a high ranking Colorado democrat operative), “the only people who have an absolute right to speak are the three commissioners…Public Comment is perfectly acceptable but this is a business meeting of the BOCC….There is not a right by law for the public to speak here.”
Three local libs then, of course, fully endorsed Epp’s motion to silence the people. A couple of citizens then knocked the proposal with one lady noting that with the total lack of leadership from the BOCC, citizen input is crucial.
Next up was the issue of the county selling a couple of lots in Silver Cliff to a local couple. This has been going on for a while. Canda is trying to get this done. He goes on a long rant about how long he has known this couple, on and on. Apparently, the couple put a bid in while the county has not requested bids on the properties. After an insane amount of time, it was decided that the county would request bids and the couple can bid on them.

Finally, the hot ticket Agenda Item came up: the Finance Director’s Job Description. (This is high drama, folks. The current Finance Director, Lisa Bivins, was hired as an assistant by the ex-Director, Braden Wilson, about two years ago. Apparently she had no accounting experience and did not have an accounting degree. Nor did Wilson when Day, Flower and Canda hired him. Before Wilson made his suicide mission move to County Manager, he “promoted” Bivins to be the County’s Finance Director. So now we have had two Finance Directors who did not have an accounting degree or real accounting experience. Then the 2022 County Audit came out in August, and for the first time the county had a “qualified item”, which is real bad and causes the state to get involved. The audit also listed a whole bunch of bad things that haven’t been fixed for years. This caused a citizens group to be formed, led by a CPA, who jumped all over this pointing out that having two Finance Directors in a row with no accounting degree and no real accounting experience was a disaster, and this had to be fixed. They came up with a proposed Finance Director Job Description/Requirements proposal that was given to the commissioners. This includes having at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and preferably a masters. They had a whole bunch of common-sense requirement also. This caused a huge issue at the BOCC meetings recently as, if this is adopted, the current Director, Bivins, who is clearly not qualified, would have to vacate the position when a new Finance Director is hired. This resulted in a bunch of people coming to the BOCC meetings recently saying she is qualified and should not be taken out. However, the understanding is, and this has not been spoken to enough, is that Bivins would be retained and simply go back to her previous position in Finance, as the assistant.)
Canda lead the charge of proposing the new job description. He went on and on how we need a qualified accountant to lead the department. On and on. He talked about how the mighty commissioners finally will separate Human Resources (HR) from the Finance Department as soon as they hire a HR head. Canda then knocked the county’s new accounting system (CIC) that our all knowing ex Finance Director bought which is super expensive, unresponsive, unreliable, and a total lemon. Finally, he moved to accept the job description.
Epp was next. He noted a whole bunch of bad things about the CIC system, saying, “We are at risk” with this system. Because we are probably going to get a new system, Epp concluded, “This is driving us towards needing this person (ie, a new, qualified Finance Director).”
Day, again, like the County Manager debacle, was on the wrong side of the issue. He knocked the process that took place to get the job description, as the county hasn’t posted for the position yet. (Day: you need a job description first, sir.) He asked, “If we approve this document, what does it do to any existing employees?” Epp replied, “Things just keep going on.” (Day knows exactly what is happening but is trying to do his martyr thing. Bivins is going back to the assistant job. Nobody is getting fired and we are finally getting a qualified Finance Director.)
Canda then said he had talked to her (Bivins) and “she is looking forward to working with somebody like this.” This caused Day to get a bit huffy as he said he had talked to Bivins and “she loves her job and wants to keep that job.” Day then said, falsely falling on his sword, that, “If we approve this document, I want to make sure we aren’t doing away with any existing employees. If it is, I will not support it.” (Total cow poopy. Day knows nobody is gonna get fired. This was flat out grandstanding. Bottom line: Day actually wants to keep Bivins in the job. As you will see, he later votes to NOT accept the job description!)
Public Comment on this Item was next. Len Arrigo, a CPA with extensive experience in private and public accounting (and architect of the Finance Director Job Description), said that the proposed job description requires the person to be a CPA and that is wrong and will narrow the potential candidate field dramatically.
He said there really is no difference in private and public accounting. Thus, the job description’s requirement that the candidate have public accounting experience should go. After some discussion, Epp and Canda agreed.
Citizen Carol Vayhinger then made her case to keep Bivins in the job, saying, “She needs the opportunity to compete. You can’t treat your employees like that.” Jimmy “The Plumber” McMahon retorted that the commissioners are “going down the right path” and “The position needs a very talented individual.”
Another citizen spoke up and said, “I think we need to go ahead with this, and it will take some time to get the right person. So we don’t wind up getting sued. I thank you for what you are doing.”
Day again tries to kill the whole process by saying “Are we putting the cart before the horse” implying by not yet voting to actually hire a new Finance Director, this process of developing a job description is wrong. (Again, Day wants to kill this whole thing and keep Bivins in there.)
This goes on for a bit. Finally they vote. Canda and Epp vote to accept the job description and Day voted no.
Canda then brought up the “Employee Counsel investigation” ordered by the ex-Finance Director, Braden Wilson, into a “personnel issue” in the Sheriff’s Office. Wilson did this on his own and only told Day about it. Canda says the investigators aren’t done and they are asking for more money, like $2k more. He said we already spent, “$4k or something.” When asked what the investigation is about, Canda said he didn’t know but it wasn’t an investigation of the Sheriff’s Office, it was a personnel issue. Canda said, “Somebody spent money and the commissioners didn’t know about it.” He said he is going find out what this is all about.
Later on, Canda brought up the proposed county mil levy reduction. He said he is going to meet with Bivins and our Assessor to get the ball rolling. He is looking for a only a 5% overall increase in the tax burden.

In the final Public Comment, former OEM Director, Cindy Howard Zoomed in saying she greatly appreciated the work of the concerned citizens, the “public group”, did here with regards to getting a new Finance Director. She said if it wasn’t for this group “we wouldn’t be looking at some of these things.” She noted that, “There is a persistent and complacent culture in this county that has to change.” (Kevin Day please note. Cindy has been inside the beast and knows the deal.)
The final Public Comment was by citizen Bill Parker, knocking Day for trying to kill the hiring of a new Finance Director. Parker can’t understand “why Day is reluctant to get this done.” (Parker knows, but he was just being polite.)
And that was that. Another episode of The Happy Valley Drama in the can. Stay tuned.
(Editor/GG: Small cor-rection on last week’s BOCC article: We said citizens Joy Anderson was an “architect.” She used to be but retired and handed in her license. We should have said, “retired architect.” )

2023, Uncategorized

25th Live Nativity at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran

Press Release
December 8th and 9th from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church will continue its traditional
re-creation of the birth of Christ as a Living Nativity presentation. This is the 25th anniversary of the event.
Visiting the Living Nativity has become a tradition for many viewers, as well as the cast. New visitors are invited to join in the tradition at 801 N. Sheridan Avenue in Cañon City to help celebrate the Christmas season. There will be hot drinks and cookies served on the December 8th and soup and chili on the December 9th.
The origin of this event stems back to 1997 – 1998 when Pastor Ron Bock and Steve Hermanson suggested the idea and took action. Construction began on the set, which was built of plywood and painted. A stable was built, costumes designed and sewn, animals rented and lighting and sound systems developed, rounding out the production.
It was evident that years of setting up and tearing down the existing set had taken its toll. Pastor Bob Kippley called for a new group of interested members to review the current set status and provide recommendations. The result of these conversations was to replace the existing set in a totally new format that would be practical, sturdy and within the congregation’s financial means. The current Pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Church is Rev. Christine Hjelmstad.
72 feet of dropped canvas banners printed with both the scene of Bethlehem and the arriving Wise Men enhance the visual effect. The banners hang along the length of two sides of the church. The entire backdrop scene has been expanded, and many hours of physical labor were involved during the removal of large shrubs and covering the ground area with rock in order to accommodate the new backdrop. Art work and production of the backdrop were completed by artists in the Territorial Prison under the direction of Charles Graeber, Director of Correctional Industries in 2012. The artists who designed the project were: J. Tensley, A. Smith, W.Gilmore, S. Armstrong and A. Preston.
The cast, consisting of members of Shepherd of the Hills and Christ Episcopal Churches and other volunteers from the community, includes the Holy Family, angels, shepherds and wise men outdoors. Many others are involved behind the scenes. Over the years live animals have been provided by an individual from Penrose, the Royal Gorge Zoo, the Penrose Horses and Hounds 4-H group and since 2018 the Juan and Marlissa Gonzalez family from Wetmore. Donations of nonperishable food and cash will be accepted and given to Loaves & Fishes Ministries of Cañon City, which distributes food boxes to Fremont County families in addition to other services it provides. In some years the donations were given to Mercy Today Ministries of Cañon City.
Upon arriving at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 801 N. Sheridan, Cañon City, visitors may either drive through and observe from their vehicles, or they can park their vehicles and walk along the changing scenes as the story is told through Bible readings and music. Either way, visitors will be participants in the reason for the season, the story of the birth of Christ the Savior in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago.