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News in Brief

Colorado state senate candidate Gail Schwartz picked up the endorsement this week of U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., according to the Schwartz campaign office.

Schwartz, a Snowmass Village resident serving as a CU regent representing the 3rd Congressional District, made the announcement while campaigning through the 5th District with her campaign chairman, former Gov. Roy Romer.



“Gail Schwartz is a person worthy of serving in high office and I support her,” Salazar said. “As [a] Colorado senator, she will champion protecting the water of the Western Slope and the San Luis Valley, addressing our health-care crisis and preserving our rural communities.”

Schwartz responded that she was “humbled and honored” to get Salazar’s endorsement, noting that Salazar and his family live in the 5th District, which encompasses 11 counties extending from the San Luis Valley north to Gunnison, Chaffee, Delta and Pitkin counties.




Political observers in Colorado have dubbed the 5th District race as one of the top three Senate races to watch, as Democrats and Republicans fight to gain the majority in the state Senate.

The Democrats hold a majority in the upper chamber by one seat.

A man faces charges of child pornography after sheriff’s deputies searched his residence and found explicit computer images involving sexual acts with prepubescent children.

Police arrested Frank P. Alameno, 57, of New Castle, on Sept. 13 after a member of his family reported finding child pornography in the home and suspected methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as drug paraphernalia, in the home.

Alameno has been charged with sexual exploitation of children, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, obscenity and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has posted a $100,000 bond.

The crime appears to be Internet-based, and no physical contact occurred “that we know of,” and it did not involve local children, said Detective Don Beier with the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s always in the forefront of our minds.”

The Garfield County All Hazards Response Team and the Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team, along with the sheriff’s office, were also involved with searching the suspect’s home.

Police seized a computer and other material from the home. Beier would not elaborate on other evidence because the investigation is still under way.

“I’m hoping it’s not a trend,” Beier said, and noted that child pornography is on the rise nationwide.

Alameno will appear in court Sept. 27 to hear the charges against him. (Glenwood Springs Post Independent)