News in Brief

The White River National Forest is seeking comments on a livestock grazing proposal on the West Snowmass Allotment.

Public comments are a part of an environmental analysis on grazing use in the West Snowmass drainage, nine miles west of Aspen.

Currently, 50 yearling cattle are permitted from July 1 to Sept. 30 each year. The entire grazing area is within the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness Area. Management alternatives currently under review include: No grazing, current grazing management, or adjusting grazing use to address specific issues and concerns. The decision reached from this analysis will guide development of allotment management plans and annual operating plans.

Comments on the proposal can be sent to: Aspen Ranger District, 806 W. Hallam, Aspen, CO 81611, by Jan. 14. Any further questions should be directed to Wayne Ives at 970-963-2266.

VAIL ” The body of a snowboarder who was the boyfriend of film legend Clint Eastwood’s daughter Alison was found on Vail Mountain Tuesday after an approximately 19-hour search.

Vail Ski Patrol started searching for Michael Combs, 42, at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, after he did not meet Alison Eastwood at a Vail restaurant.

Combs, who was from the Los Angeles area, was found about 1 p.m. Tuesday in trees along the Riva Ridge run near the bottom of Vail Mountain, said Kim Andree, spokeswoman for the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, which investigates deaths on Vail Mountain. This is the first ski-related death this season on Vail Mountain.

A representative from Clint Eastwood’s Los Angeles office offered a brief statement on behalf of the actor and director Wednesday.

“Our family is shocked and saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with Alison and Mike’s family at this very difficult time,” the representative said.

The cause of death won’t be known until an autopsy is performed in Denver, Eagle County Coroner Kara Bettis said Wednesday.