CDPHE Reports Surge of 500-Plus Cases

COVID cases surged by more than 10% during the past two weeks, traffic fatalities more than double in 2021. And the Cortez Montezuma School District superintendent has been placed on paid administrative leave. You're watching the Local News Network brought to you by Big O Tires and TruWest Auto. I'm Wendy Graham Settle. The number of deaths on Colorado roads has increased by 50% during the past 10 years. And the Colorado Department of Transportation says that the increase was caused by poor driving decisions. During 2021 more than 670 lives were lost on Colorado roads due to a spike in unsafe drivers. A recent see.news release reported that 90% of the deaths were caused by excessive speed, phone distractions or failure to use seatbelts. Deaths involving impaired drivers accounted for nearly 30% of the fatalities in 2021, a 22% increase over the previous year. Montezuma county saw 11 fatal car crashes that killed 13 people in 2021, more than double the previous year. To learn more, visit codot.gov. Funeral services for Montezuma county commissioner, Joe Stevenson will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 31st at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds Indoor Arena. Stevenson died from a COVID-related illness on Tuesday, January 11th at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction. He was 57. His death comes at a time when Montezuma county has seen an 11% surge in cases during the two-week period from January 10th to the 24th. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 538 cases were reported during that timeframe. More than 5,100 cases have been reported in Montezuma county since the coronavirus arrived in Colorado in March, 2020. That's equal to about 20% of the population and is slightly lower than 22% of the population statewide. Stevenson was a lifelong Minkus resident who also served as a state brand inspector. A Republican, Stevenson was elected to a seat in November, 2020. The Montezuma county Republican party is responsible for appointing his successor who will serve until the next general election. You can see a full obituary at ertelfuneralhome.com. The Montezuma-Cortez School District board of directors announced in a terse letter to the school community that it has placed superintendent Risha VanderWey on paid administrative leave as of January 21st. No explanation was included in the letter. Board president Sherry Noyes said a leadership team will take over superintendent duties in her absence. The leadership team was not identified. VanderWey took over as superintendent on July 1st, last summer. To follow developments, visit cortez.k12.co.us. That's it for this week, thanks for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I'm Wendy Graham Settle.