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Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis has been accused of plagiarism for two essays he wrote about water that included passages nearly identical to material that had previously been published. The Denver Post reported on Monday that portions of water writings that McInnis submitted to a foundation included whole paragraphs that appear to have been lifted, some of the writing mirroring writings that were penned by now-state Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hobbs. Hobbs told the Denver Post that there were “definite similarities” when he was shown the two pieces. A spokesman for McInnis said that a research advisor provided the content and said that it was “regrettable” that Hobbs wasn’t properly credited in the essays.

The Aspen Environmental Group for the American Public Power Association last week released a study that says that conversion to natural gas from coal-fired power like the one ordered by the Colorado Legislature this year, harbors unforeseen consequences, including the likelihood that consumers will see higher bills. The study questions whether increased demand for natural gas by power plants would deplete the resource, whether sufficient delivery mechanisms for gas exist and whether the price of conversion, transport and acquisition would drive consumer costs higher. The coal industry responded to the report saying that the study contains information that would have been valuable to state lawmakers before they passed HB1365 this year, saying that the legislation was “a giveaway to natural gas” at the expense of the coal industry and energy consumers. Proponents of the bill say that by passing a state law to guide the conversion, the state would not be at the mercy of the environmental protection agency, which has set the end of 2017 as the deadline for reduced emissions from numerous sources, including power plants.

After a full 5 weeks of activity, the Medano Fire is nearly out and efforts have moved from fighting the fire to researching the fire. The cost of the fire totaled about $4.2 million according to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Superintendent Art Hutchinson. Costs are currently running about $30,000 a day and after today are expected to decrease even more, according to Hutchinson. A few hot spots are still smoldering here and there among old pine logs within the 6,239-acre fire perimeter, but the fire has not grown outside of that perimeter for about 10 days now. The fire began with a lightning strike on June 6th at the base of the sand dunes and expanded out of the dunes area across the Sangre De Cristo Mountains and into the San Isabel National Forest. Smoke from the fire is still expected to be seen throughout this week, however the fire is listed at 90% containment, and smoke from the fire will likely be around until the next rainy period.

Two events will take place this weekend at Lathrop State Park west of Walsenburg. On Friday at 8pm, movie night featuring Disney’s “Earth”, an epic story of adventure, starring some of the most magnificent and courageous creatures alive, will be featured. The movie will be shown inside the visitor’s center. On Saturday, join Ranger Whitaker for nature game night at the amphitheater for activities relating to Lathrop State Park’s wild mammals, birds, fish and slithery creatures. The program will take place at the Pinon Campground Amphitheater. All programs are free, however, all vehicles entering the park must have a valid park pass. For more information, call 719-738-2376.

The La Veta School of the Arts is offering a class entitled “Traditional Watercolor” this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The class will offer the student the opportunity to “learn to loosen up while preserving your love of detail”. Basic techniques, composition, values and color temperatures will be addressed. The class will be held at the La Veta School of the Arts across from the town park in La Veta. For more information, call 719-989-0339.