With the wildfires in California and Oregon, we can see haze in the air here in Colorado Springs. While our region has remained green this summer, it is always a good idea to take the steps needed to protect your home from a wildfire.
Be Firewise: How to protect your home from wildfires
Justin Sullivan
and last updated 2021-04-30 11:31:32-04
COLORADO SPRINGS â When it comes to wildfires, Colorado had its worse year on record in 2020. And while fires can occur naturally, some do not. According to the National Park Service, about 85% of wildfires are caused by humans, and officials are predicting increased tourism in Colorado as the pandemic winds down, as well as continued population growth in the years to come.
Colorado Springs has experienced major fires, like Waldo Canyon, that spread quickly, taking out hundreds of homes and claiming lives. More recently, the Bear Creek Fire threatened homes on the westside but was stopped within a day without damage to homes, thanks to fire mitigation, according to the Colorado Springs Fire Department.
fbusch@nujournal.com
NEW ULM After 30 minutes of public testimony and brief discussion, Brown County commissioners tabled changing the auditor-treasurer position from elected to appointed Tuesday.
Commissioners Scott Windschitl, Tony Berg and Dean Simonsen said they favored appointing the position. Commissioner Dave Borchert favored election and Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp said he was undecided, but said most of the people he talked to in western Brown County favor keeping the job an elected position.
Commissioners agreed to act on the issue in the near future.
Six people gave public testimony and were divided on the subject that came up with the pending retirement of auditor-treasurer Jean Prochniak.
fbusch@nujournal.com
NEW ULM Brown County commissioners will host a public hearing at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 27 to consider changing the Brown County Auditor-Treasurer (A-T) position from elected to appointed.
Legislation in 2017 allows county boards to make the decision to move certain offices from elected to appointed positions. Brown County expects to have an A-T office vacancy this year due to a retirement. The process to change an elected position to appointed takes several months.
All interested parties are asked to sign in for the public hearing.
After the public hearing, commissioners may vote on the issue or table it for a future meeting.
Loudoun Now
Following the passage of legislation in Virginia moving municipal elections to November, the Round Hill Town Council last week voted to hold those elections in odd-numbered years from now on.
In February, the Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1157, which will shift all municipal elections from May to November beginning with elections held after Jan. 1, 2022. All elected officials will begin their terms Jan. 1 following the election.
Under the legislation, theterms of mayors and Town Council and School Board members will not be shortened with the change; those who were elected in May general elections, and whose terms expire June 30, will remain in office until Dec. 31 the year of the election.