Welcome to Valley Roundup, a review of the top news stories in the valley in the past week.
Business is booming this winter season. Occupancy is up in local hotels and so is the average room rate - surpassing $500 a night.
Carbondale saw its first murder in 12 years and the murderer confessed to killing his wife while being airlifted to a hospital in Grand Junction.
The Aspen community continues to debate constitutional rights and excessive force after a teenager was taken to the ground and arrested for suspected marijuana possession.
Meanwhile, a study shows that pot and alcohol use in Aspen High School are higher than the national average.
The idea of light rail has re-emerged, and so has how to handle the entrance to Aspen.
And can the Skiing Company pull off world ski championship finals in 2017 without a new chairlift on Aspen Mountain?
What kind of effect would President Obama’s immigration order have on the local workforce?
In Garfield County, fracking pits might need to be watched more closely.
Joining me this week are Curtis Wackerle, Managing Editor of the Aspen Daily News, Randy Essex, Editor of the Glenwood Post Independent, Brent Gardner Smith, executive director of Aspen Journalism and Andy Stone, former editor and columnist of the Aspen Times.
This Week’s Topics:
Looks like business is booming.
First murder in Carbondale in 12 years.
http://www.aspentimes.com/news/15093270-113/man-in-carbondale-crash-i-killed-my-wife
New video in the Aspen teen arrest.
http://aspenpublicradio.org/post/teen-arrested-goes-front-judge-0
New survey of teen drinking and drug use.
http://www.aspentimes.com/news/15073738-113/students-dont-use-alcohol-and-drugs-as-often-as-peers
Lance Armstrong pleads guilty to hitting parked cars.
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/165701
Light rail in the Valley?
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/165702
Narrowing the entrance to Aspen?
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/165704
Ski Racing, Aspen Mountain and an Old Chair Lift.
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/165656
What does the federal battle over President Obama’s immigration order mean locally?
Should franking pits be watched closely?
http://www.postindependent.com/news/15096415-113/is-county-review-needed-for-frack-water-pits
Glenwood Springs studying new power plant.
http://www.postindependent.com/news/15048174-113/glenwood-to-study-if-local-power-plant-makes-sense