A district court judge has ruled in favor of a developer and the city of Aspen in a lawsuit brought by neighbors upset with the approval of the Boomerang affordable housing project.

In a 29-page order issued Friday, Judge Gail Nichols disagreed with arguments made by plaintiffs in an August 2011 complaint, which alleged Aspen City Council abused its discretion and was arbitrary and capricious in approving the Boomerang project.

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With a flurry of applications before the Monday afternoon deadline, there are now 12 in the running for appointment to the vacant seat on Aspen City Council.

Applications were submitted on Monday by retired banker Howie Mallory, who serves on the city and county open space boards; Historic Preservation Commission member Jay Maytin; fired ski instructor and political dissident Lee Mulcahy; former housing board member Marcia Goshorn; 2011 third-place council candidate finisher Scott Writer; Planning and Zoning Commission member LJ Erspamer, who placed sixth in the May mayoral election; Election Commission member Ward Hauenstein; local concierge Wendle Whiting; Planning and Zoning Commission member Bert Myrin; and financial services professional Jason Elliott.

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A federal agency’s investigation into the death of a longtime Snowmass ski patroller in December has cleared the Aspen Skiing Co. of any wrongdoing, and the company said Monday that it does not intend to change any practices.

Patsy Hileman, 49, a 26-year veteran of the Snowmass Ski Patrol, was killed Dec. 30 when a small avalanche swept her over a cliff in the Hanging Valley Wall at the Snowmass Ski Area.

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A Glenwood Springs man fled from police following an alleged drug deal early Sunday by jumping from a walkway above an Aspen restaurant and landing on one of its outdoor tables, according to court papers.

Ian James White, 31, appeared in court on Monday. He faces charges of felony cocaine distribution and possession, and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

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The local technology company Fiberforge, which employed 22 people designing and making lightweight thermoplastic components in Glenwood Springs, has gone out of business and transferred control of its assets to a third party liquidation firm.

The move comes after two recent attempts to sell Fiberforge were unsuccessful, according to Steve Victor, whose Chicago-based firm Development Specialists Incorporated now controls the company’s assets and has been charged with repaying its creditors.

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The burgeoning Aspen Fringe Fest returns to the Aspen District Theatre this week, as the organization seeks to expand its scope in the local arts scene.

Now in its fifth year, the growing festival begins Thursday and runs through Monday, June 24 with nightly dance and theater productions.

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