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News in Brief

One vehicle was taken for a joy ride and three others were burglarized in Aspen’s West End late Saturday night.

According to Aspen Police Sgt. Linda Consuegra, all vehicles had been left unlocked.



“People went through them and did some damage, and some little things were stolen,” Consuegra said. “People need to lock their cars.”

Another vehicle was stolen from the Buttermilk parking lot, but it’s not known whether the incidents are related.




Both cases are under investigation.

An ice jam broke loose on the Roaring Fork River between Aspen and Basalt Saturday, prompting local authorities to monitor its flow.

“Sometimes there are fishermen in the river, and they can get caught by surprise,” said Pitkin County Sheriff’s deputy Mario Strobl. “People have been killed in the past.”

Strobl said the ice eventually broke into little pieces, rather than remaining in large chunks, and did not pose a threat.

Warm weather caused the release.

The Roaring Fork School District has named a Basalt Middle School teacher as the new assistant principal at Basalt Elementary School.

David Anson, a seven-year employee of the district and former fifth- and seventh-grade teacher, will begin full time on Jan. 3.

Anson, 43, has lived in the valley for 14 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California at Davis, his teacher’s license from Mesa State College in Grand Junction, and a master’s degree in educational technology from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

“It is a pleasure to bring Dave on knowing he has been a part of the Basalt school system and that he brings with him great teaching experiences that will only help us continue to meet our academic goals for our students,” said BES Principal Suzanne Wheeler-Del Piccolo.

The enrollment at BES includes 557 students in kindergarten through fourth grade.

Christmas trees may be turned in for recycling from Dec. 26 to Jan. 31 at the city of New Castle’s maintenance department.

The trees will turned into mulch that will be spread throughout local parks for ground cover and as bedding plant cover. New Castle residents will also receive free mulch.

All trees must be turned in stripped of decorations, tinsel, nails or stands. The maintenance department is located at 200 Kamm Ave. on the corner of Sixth and Main. The department is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

For more information, visit http://www.colorado-recycles.org and click on “special events.”