COMMUNITY: Duffy hangs up blue vest after 43 years, A13
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VOL. 143 NO. 24 | THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024 | $1.00
Gunnison River water levels highest since 2019 Oh Be Joyful race canceled following accident and safety concerns Bella Biondini Times Editor
Fueled by warm temperatures, snowmelt from the high country had been flooding into rivers, pushing water levels to the highest seen in years. River closures in Gunnison and Crested Butte will likely remain in place through at least Friday due to dangerous conditions on the water, according to Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie. In the North Valley, the Slate River is closed from Pittsburgh to the confluence with the East River, and from the High water A6
INSIDE
TODAY NEWS: Wickenhauser sentenced to four years in community corrections, A8 COMMUNITY: Wilderness ‘Wunderkinder,’ B1
SUMMER ARRIVES: While snow still lingers at high elevations in the West Elk Wilderness, the melt is in full swing. Water is rushing from the mountains into rivers and creeks, creating waterfalls and fueling the first wildflower blooms of the season. (Photo by Bella Biondini)
Bridge on schedule Men’s group seeks for limited opening to step in before by Fourth of July ‘breaking point’ CDOT crews to move to Lake Fork Bridge Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
SPORTS: Born to pickle at CharMar, B6
OBITUARIES A2 OPINION A4 CLASSIFIEDS A14-A17 SPORTS B6 ONLINE GUNNISONTIMES.COM
P re f a b r i c a t e d s t e e l h a s arrived on site at the Hwy. 50 middle bridge, and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) contractors are set to start bolting it to the bottom of the bridge this week. This keeps the repairs on track for a limited opening on the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The middle bridge closed on April 18, after CDOT inspectors discovered a crack in the steel.
Seven weeks later, repairs are now underway with the goal of a full reopening by the end of October. The state’s contractor Kiewit is set to start inspecting the Lake Fork Bridge, just a few miles west and made of the same type of fracture critical “T-1” steel, in coming weeks. CDOT officials plan to ask the Transportation Commission of Colorado for another $10 million this month, on top of $20 million already approved for ongoing repairs. On the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the bridge will begin opening once in the morning and once in the evening — with weight restrictions — for passenger and emergency vehicles, said CDOT Region 3 Director Bridge A6
Brothers Helping Brothers kicks off with dinner at the Dive Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer
In the last six months, as many Gunnison County residents have died by suicide as in all of 2023. In an effort to reach those who are struggling before the breaking point, a group of locals has come together to create a space for young men to talk and connect. The group, “Brothers Helping Brothers” offers a space for
the Gunnison Valley’s young men to gather for fishing, hiking, rafting, pool or darts. Throughout the summer, they’ll also gather once a month on Mondays for “Dude talk dinners” at the Dive. Mental health nonprofit CB State of Mind is overseeing the program, with support from Gunnison local Chris Peterson, the Hillbilly Jokers Motor Club and Gunnison County Juvenile Services. “If you're not able to express yourself in a healthy way, it comes out like aggression, instead of compassion,” said Brothers’ board member Corby Hudson. “That's the real fight, within yourself. There's not too many things in this world that support that, that allow you to Brothers A9
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