Another step in the Buc-ee’s process: Palmer Lake Trustees raise questions about new impact studies

KRDO on May 6, 2025

Michael Logerwell

PALMER LAKE, Colo. (KRDO) – On Monday morning, Palmer Lake Trustees and residents filled the community building to hear presentations about the potential fiscal, traffic and water impact of the proposed Buc-ee’s location in Palmer Lake.

After the presentations, community members and local leaders raised questions.

Financially, the report, conducted by Economic Planning & Systems Inc., says the Buc-ee’s would generate a significant annual sales tax increase. Specifically, the study estimates $955,087 more tax revenue for the town in 2027.

It’s not all green for Palmer Lake. The study says upgrades for the police and fire departments, along with roads and water, would need to be made to accommodate the gas station chain. The study estimates a 23.7% increase in town spending from $4.23 million in 2025 to $5.23 million in 2027.

In a study on the impact to the town’s water usage, GMS Inc. made several recommendations for the town to consider in providing water to the proposed Buc-ee’s. The study recommends a new water treatment plant, well and distribution system.

In total, the cost estimate for these new developments is $10,422,600. That figure breaks down to $5.6 million for the water line extension and $4.7 million for the additional well and treatment center.

At this stage, who is paying for what isn’t official.

Some residents who live near the proposed Buc-ees, but not in Palmer Lake, came into the meeting with concerns about the water aspect of the project, beyond the immediate solution to provide water for the Buc-ees project.

Roy Martinez said he has real concerns about the long-term water sustainability for Palmer Lake. He tells KRDO13 he didn’t feel those long-term questions were addressed.

“Not whatsoever. They tried to address my question, with the long-term sustainability of the basin, the groundwater basin, their water resources, but I did not feel they gave me an answer,” Martinez said.

Trustee Tim Caves did respond to Martinez’s question during the workshop. He said the revenue from the Buc-ees could be used to invest in a future sustainable water project.

“We’re the ones being long-sighted in hoping that financially this is a good and sound thing for our future of water,” Caves said during the meeting.

For traffic, the third-party study recommended two areas for improvement:

County Line Rd (east of Beacon Lite Rd): Minor Arterial to Principal Arterial

Beacon Lite Rd (north of south site access): Local Rd to Minor Arterial

However, Stolfus & Associates, Inc. said I-25 would see very little impact from the addition of the gas station. They anticipate 533 weekday AM peak hour trips, 661 weekday PM peak hour trips, 967 weekend midday peak hour trips, and 10,947 weekday daily trips. Only 25% will be site trips, and the rest will just be passing by.

Of those trips, very few will be coming from the town of Palmer Lake – the study estimates that 97% will come from I-25 drivers.

One attendee asked about traffic noise; however, that was outside the scope of this particular traffic study.

Several attendees told KRDO13 after the meeting they still had big questions about the project that had gone unanswered.

You can read all the studies yourself here.

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Groundbreaking ceremony held for wastewater treatment facility expansion in Ashland

KMIZ on May 6, 2025

Ryan Shiner

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ)

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday morning in Ashland for the expansion of its waste water treatment facility.

The new additional will increase the facility’s capacity from 600,000 gallons per day to 1.6 million gallons per day. It could treat up to 2.6 million gallons per day once it is fully built out, according to an April press release from the city.

The expansion could take 12-18 months, the release says. The facility was originally built in 2019 with the expansion in mind.

“I think sewer is an underappreciated infrastructure need. It is expensive. But it’s critical for economic development, for industrial, commercial growth, and housing growth too. It ultimately having the ability to connect into public sewer drives down or helps contain housing costs,” Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick said.

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Pueblo Police investigating indecent exposure report at local park

KRDO on May 6, 2025

Mackenzie Stafford

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – A family in Pueblo is speaking out after they say their young daughters saw something that no child ever should.

According to the family, the girls, ages 12 and 15, were at Mitchell Park – located just a few blocks from Park View Elementary School – when a man allegedly exposed himself to them.

The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) has confirmed to KRDO13 that it is investigating the report as a case of indecent exposure. 

15-year-old Krystyna Delaney says she and her younger sister were playing at the park on Sunday afternoon. She says when they started to walk home, she noticed a car driving slowly behind them. 

According to Krystyna, the car pulled up beside them, and they could see a grown man inside touching himself. She said the grown man then asked her and her 12-year-old sister a vulgar question. 

It prompted Krystyna to jump into action.

“I grabbed my sister, and I immediately called my mom, and then I just started running,” Krystyna recounted.

At the time, Krystyna said she was purely focused on getting her little sister to safety.

“I did not know what was going to happen. I didn’t know if my sister and I were going to be okay or not. All that was focused on my mind was just making sure that she got home safely,” she said.

Luckily, their mom rushed over to pick them up – but the incident left the whole family shaken. 

“This park is two blocks away from a school. A school that my younger kids go to,” the girls’ mother, Dalena Crafton, said. “I don’t even feel safe with my children walking home from school anymore.”

Crafton said she alerted the principal of Park View Elementary School and Pueblo police, who are now investigating the incident.

The 15-year-old told KRDO13 she wanted to speak out so that no other families would experience what she did.

“I just hope that nobody else has to go through what my sister and I had to go through, because nobody deserves to go through that,” Krystyna said.

She tells KRDO13 she’s had a hard time leaving the house since, and feels she is constantly looking over her shoulder for him.

Although she was left uneasy by the incident, she says she’s grateful that she and her sister were not seriously injured.

“All of these horrible thoughts are going through my head on what could have happened to my sister if I wasn’t there,” Krystyna said.

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Pocatello Water Dept. kicks off annual open house for Water Week

KIFI on May 6, 2025

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Pocatello Water Department is hosting their annual Water Week Open House to teach people about water conservation and pollution in honor of National Drinking Water Week through May 8.

At this year’s 31st annual open house, people can visit with workers from the city’s Water Pollution Control, Sanitation, and Science and Environmental departments and learn how the city provides clean drinking water and maintains the area’s aquifer.

“Water is an important resource for us to be able to use and to be able to access,” said Levi Lusk, utility data technician and community outreach and education coordinator for the Pocatello Water Department. “It’s important for us to all understand where it comes from and to understand what goes into keeping it clean and keeping it drinkable for us.”

The Water Week Open House will be open to the public Monday, May 5 through Thursday, May 8 at the Pocatello Water Operations Facility at 1889 North Arthur Avenue. For more information, you can visit the Pocatello city website.

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Zonta Club of Pocatello to offer ISU scholarships to local women

KIFI on May 6, 2025

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Zonta Club of Pocatello is working to support local women and girls by raising awareness for sexual and domestic violence, providing scholarships, and collecting donations to provide basic necessities to those in need.

Zonta is an international organization with chapters around the United States. In Pocatello, the clubs 30 plus members host regular events and fundraisers with the mission to provide a better world for local women.

“Often, women and girls don’t have a voice, and they need somebody to stand up and cheerlead for them, and that’s what our organization tries to do,” said Molly Beseris, president of the Zonta Club of Pocatello.

Zonta will soon be rolling out scholarships for area women to attend Idaho State University. For more information on the scholarships and how to apply, you can find the Zonta Club of Pocatello on Facebook.

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Natural gas-burning generators arrive for Idaho Falls Power

KIFI on May 6, 2025

Stephanie Lucas

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Falls Power reached a major milestone on Monday, May 5.

Four of eight natural gas-burning generators arrived at the new $36 million Peaking Plant and Clean Energy Research Park in Idaho Falls. 

The generators, which will be operational in December, will be used during peak hours and can provide lower operating costs than other methods of power production.

Idaho Falls residents pay about seven cents per kilowatt hour for electricity, which is half the national average.

The generators can also burn on a hydrogen-natural gas mixture, paving the way for research into next-generation clean fuels.

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Man arrested after punching Bonneville Co. Deputy

KIFI on May 6, 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s office.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (BCSO) – A man was arrested after punching a Deputy early Saturday morning (May 3rd) during a traffic stop and DUI investigation. Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a vehicle driven by 27 year old Mikayla N. Hill near Lindsay Blvd and Hwy 20 just before 2:00am and observed signs of intoxication. During the stop a passenger in the vehicle, 25 year old Jordan T. Pence, began to get aggressive with Deputies.

As the DUI investigation with Ms. Hill continued, Mr. Pence exited the vehicle and attempted to gain access to the trunk despite commands from Deputies to stay in the passenger seat. Pence slammed the trunk lid and got face to face with a Deputy yelling obscenities. As the Deputy was pushing him back, Pence shoved the Deputy and punched him in the face.

Mikayla N. Hill, 27 of Idaho Falls

Deputies moved in and gained control of Mr. Pence, securing him in handcuffs after he continued trying to fight on the ground. In the process, a handgun fell out of a waistband holster underneath Mr. Pence’s clothes. Deputies secured the firearm, finding it loaded with ammunition.

Pence complained of injuries during the struggle and was taken to the hospital for a medical clearance before being transported to the Bonneville County Jail. Mr. Pence was booked into jail on a Felony charge for Battery on Certain Personnel and Misdemeanor charges for Resisting Arrest and Possession of a Concealed Firearm While Intoxicated.

Deputies continued the DUI investigation with Ms. Hill, who admitted to consuming alcohol earlier that evening. Breath testing results from Ms. Hill at the scene indicated a BAC of .12, over the legal limit of .08. Hill was placed under arrest and transported to the Bonneville County Jail where she was booked on a Misdemeanor charge of 2nd Offense Driving Under the Influence. Ms. Hill was also cited and released for Driving While Suspended.

The injured Deputy was taken to the hospital and treated for a contusion injury to the face before being released.

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CBP agent arrested for sexual conduct with a minor

KYMA on May 6, 2025

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) announced the arrest of a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent for sexual conduct with a minor.

YPD says they received information from CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility last week in regards to “inappropriate behavior involving one of their agents and a minor.”

During the investigation, YPD says officers learned the agent, 30-year-old Ramon Marquez, was “involved in sexual relations” with a 16-year-old girl who knew him.

Following this, YPD says Marquez was arrested Monday in Wellton before 9:00 a.m., and was booked on five felony counts, including sexual exploitation of a minor.

If anyone has any information regarding the case, call Detective Sergeant Frank Saenz at (928) 373-4767 or 78-CRIME at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.

Sexual Conduct with a Minor 25-26584Download

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Amid destructive wildfire season, defensible space spared homes: Oregon fire marshal urges action now

KTVZ on May 5, 2025

Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore.  (KTVZ) – Last year, Oregon had one of the most destructive wildfire seasons in its history—1.9 million acres burned, communities were tested, and lives were changed. But amid the devastation, there were also stories of resilience: homes that stood strong because they had defensible space. 

As May marks Wildfire Awareness Month, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is urging Oregonians to act now. With the possibility of another challenging fire season ahead, preparing your home could make all the difference. 

“For the last several years, we’ve been proactively working to boost staffing at local fire agencies, modernizing response equipment, and investing in wildfire resiliency projects across the state,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “But we can’t do it alone. We need every Oregonian to rise to this challenge. Creating defensible space around your home is one of the most effective ways to protect your property and your community.” 

Start with small changes that have a big impact: 

Space and prune trees to prevent fire from climbing into canopies. 

Remove leaves, pine needles, bark mulch, and other debris within 100 feet of structures or up to your property line. 

Clean roofs and gutters of flammable debris. 

Move combustible materials—like mulch and firewood—away from your home. 

Keep plants trimmed and clear of dead material, especially near the house. 

Avoid planting directly under eaves; leave at least a five-foot buffer. 

For a detailed guide on how to create defensible space, check out www.oregondefensiblespace.org. 

As you clean up your yard, be mindful about disposal. Consider chipping, composting, or recycling. If burning is necessary, always follow local rules. Debris burns that get out of control are the leading cause of human-caused wildfires in Oregon. 

This May, the Oregon State Fire Marshal—alongside fire service partners—is calling on everyone to get ready, stay aware, and believe in fire safety. Together, we can reduce wildfire risk and protect what matters most. 

Find tips, resources, links to partner agencies and more at the OSFM’s Wildfire Awareness Month webpage or preventwildfires.oregon.gov.   

About the Oregon State Fire Marshal The Oregon State Fire Marshal became an independent state agency in July 2023. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is dedicated to protecting people, property, and communities from fire and hazardous materials. The agency works in partnership with local fire agencies, communities, and other partners to strengthen fire prevention, preparedness, and response statewide. Please note: the Oregon State Fire Marshal is no longer an office. 

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Burn permits required after May 10 outside of city limits

KIFI on May 5, 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho Department of Lands.

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Starting May 10, Idaho residents outside city limits are required to obtain a burn permit for most outdoor burning activities. The annual closed burning season runs through October 20, ensuring compliance with Idaho law (Idaho Code 38-115) and the reduction of unwanted human-caused wildfires.

Who needs a permit: Individuals living outside city limits anywhere in Idaho, who plan to burn for any reason including yard waste and crop residue must obtain a burn permit. Recreational campfires do NOT require a burn permit.

How to get a Burn Permit: Visit the self-service website https://burnpermits.idaho.gov/  Permits are available seven days a week and are immediately issued and valid. A permit may also be issued by your local IDL office. Burn Permits are free and good for 10 days. You must have your permit with you when burning. No matter where you want to burn and what you plan to burn, our system will either issue you the burn permit you need on the spot or tell you which entity to contact for alternate or additional permits. Using burnpermits.idaho.gov also connects you to tips for safe burning practices.

Why get a Burn Permit: Obtaining a burn permit lets fire managers know where permitted burning is occurring so they can respond more quickly, potentially reducing the liability of the burner. Permits also help prevent false runs to fires that are reported to dispatch, saving firefighting resources for instances when they truly are needed. And it is the law.

How to know if burning is allowed: Visit burnpermits.idaho.gov to learn about the types of burning allowed in your fire protection district. Some types of burning may not be allowed at times due to heightened wildfire risk. Additionally, some local jurisdictions and counties may have other burning requirements or restrictions in place. Always check with your local fire department or county sheriff’s office before lighting.

Air quality restrictions: Ensure your burn complies with air quality regulations. Visit the Idaho DEQ website at https://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/smoke-and-burning/ for more details or contact your Tribal government if burning within Reservation boundaries.

Additional assistance: If you have questions about Burn Permits and requirements, contact Idaho Department of Lands Fire Management in Coeur d’Alene at (208) 769-1525.

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