Woody Creek resident found dead
A Woody Creek man was found dead in his home on Sunday.

Authorities called to the residence of Donald Craig Jacobson, 55, for a welfare check found his body, said Pitkin County Sheriff’s deputy Michael Buglione.

An autopsy performed Monday in Grand Junction was inconclusive, but Buglione said Jacobson’s death was likely from natural causes.

Jacobson’s next of kin has been notified.

Man surrenders after standoff
A suicidal man surrendered to local police after a standoff in Snowmass Base Village on Monday evening.

At 5:33 p.m., Snowmass police responded to an employee condominium unit located at Base Village on a report that a person was threatening suicide with a handgun, according to Snowmass Village Police Chief Art Smythe. 

Officers secured the area and made contact with the individual, described only as a 38-year-old man. After a brief standoff, the man surrendered peacefully to the officers at 6:05 p.m. 

He was transported to Aspen Valley Hospital for evaluation and no criminal charges are anticipated. The Snowmass Village Police Department was assisted by the Snowmass Wildcat Fire Department, Aspen police and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.

Delays on Castle Creek Road
For the next three weeks, drivers on Castle Creek Road should expect delays associated with improvements to a pedestrian crossing as a result of the expansion of Aspen Valley Hospital. 

Haselden Construction will be installing speed “tables” for the ongoing slowing of traffic in the vicinity of the crosswalk from the hospital/health and human services side of the road to the bike path through the Marolt housing complex.  

One lane of traffic will be stopped until June 23 near the hospital. Motorists should be aware of traffic control and temporary stop lights during the work.
 
Questions or concerns can be directed to Frank Goldsmith at 309-8809 or FGoldsmith@aspenhospital.com [1].

Sardy Field gets $1.9M in grants
Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet announced on Monday that the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport will receive $1.9 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to help build a new taxiway.

The airport needs the new taxiway to allow the air traffic control tower to clear aircraft from the runway in a more safe and efficient way, according to a press release issued by Bennet’s office. In addition, a new taxiway deicing pad, which will improve operational efficiency and congestion, also will be added, according to Bennet’s office.

The grant includes provisions to improve the airport’s drainage, which will handle stormwater runoff and decrease erosion of the runway safety area. 
 
“This grant is an important tool for the airport and for the Aspen and Pitkin County community,” said Bennet in the release. “They’ll allow for much needed additions that will help keep the airport safe and reliable as it expands, which is essential to supporting economic development in the community.”
 
The grant is part of the $3.35 billion apportioned to the Airport Improvement Program by the FAA Reauthorization Bill.