Valley Roundup - February 20th, 2015

Aspen Public Radio

Published February 20, 2015 at 3:27 PM MST

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.