Colorado Peace Ride

For the first time in nearly two decades, traffic is slow going on a Colorado interstate as wildlife management takes over. Hundreds of state and federal officers are checking every non-commercial vehicle to pass through the area that KJCT News 8 has agreed not to disclose.

Their message to hunters is simple: Your catch better be legal. Were looking for any violations, really, JT Romatzke, Area Wildlife Manager, said.

Romatzke and his 15 years of experience started planning this checkpoint six months ago. On Monday around noon, the heavily-staffed operation was up and running. And in just three hours, officers had already caught a few violators.

Whether its animals that were illegally taken, perhaps not tagged properly, Romatzke described, All of those different violations [is what] were looking for.

Wildlife officials say the problem of illegal hunting is very real in Colorado. They say as many legal hunters as there are in the state, there is an equal number of those doing it illegally.

People could be fined, ticketed, or in some cases arrested depending on the violation, Mike Porras with Colorado Parks and Wildlife said.

Kurt Pindel, a hunter in from Idaho who was returning home, ran into this unexpected checkpoint on Monday. I think people take it for granted, what wildlife is out there, he said. So, its nice to have a wildlife division that really cares about their wildlife.

After stopping for a few moments, however, Pindel left the checkpoint with two citations in hand – one for not properly tagging his kill and having no evidence of the sex of the animal.

Other states, they do have check stations, Pindel said of his experience. I hadnt seen one in Colorado, but this is my first time hunting in Colorado.

This wildlife check-stop is the first in Colorado on an interstate since 1993 on Raton Pass. That is when more than 1,250 vehicles were searched, thousands of hunters were cited, and three tons of illegal game meat were confiscated. Additionally, a total of $70,000 in fines were collected.

But, wildlife officials say there is more to this kind of operation. More importantly getting out and talking to our sportsmen, Romatske said. Gathering biological information is equally valuable to see if were doing our best to manage these areas.

With a major interstate like I-70, a large amount of exposure is what ultimately attracted officers to this area. It really does give us an opportunity to get in front of the most people, Romatske said.

Wildlife officials will typically do numerous checks each year – many on much smaller roads and highways.

All of the people cited or arrested at these checkpoints are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Tags: Traveling

PUERTO PENASCO, Mexico — Mexicos beaches have long been a favorite playground for Americans. Proximity made Puerto Pensasco a popular getaway. Known as Rocky Point to Americans, its just an hours drive south of the Arizona border.

As soon as we walk in the house, were in a different world, said Christine Shea of Tucson, who has a vacation home in Rocky Point. On this trip, she was joined by friends Thomas and Lisa Funk.

This is the start of the really good season down here with the weather … just perfect, said Lisa Frank.

There was a time when the perfect weather would have attracted a crowd. These days, many people are afraid to visit. When it comes to drug violence in Mexico is clearly not the border but even places like this one have felt an impact because of the impression the entire country of Mexico is dangerous.

Violence has started to creep close to some destinations that are popular with Americans. Last year, the US government warned travelers to only drive to Rocky Point during daylight hours after reports of suspicious illegal checkpoints on the highway.

Tourism plummeted. It fell even more after gunmen shot the police chief of the seaside town last year. He survived, but many worry the local economy is dying.

Dont be afraid of Rocky Point, said visitor Candy Thompson. Please come down and support Rocky Point.

A total of 109 US citizens were murdered in Mexico last year. The vast majority were in regions coping with drug violence, not resorts.

Tags: Traveling

By April Dudash
Staff writer

Im finding too many of them.

Moments before, Vietnam veteran Tom Swist ran his finger over the etched words Eugene Hill, the name of an Army buddy from basic training forever marked on the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall.

Swist had visited the larger Vietnam Veterans Memorial in DC before, a trip that surfaced powerful emotions and tears from within, but Sunday outside the Airborne amp; Special Operations Museum, Swist had another chance to say goodbye.

The Moving Wall is half the size of the original, but its significance remains. Until the end of Heroes Homecoming Nov. 14, families and veterans will have the chance to seek out the names of loved ones who gave their all.

Silence washed over the crowd of hundreds as the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 990 Color Guard marched by as opening ceremonies began. Veterans removed their hats stitched with unit insignia to reveal snowy hair.

Many were in their late teens when they first saw combat.

And inscribed on the panels, at least 25,000 of those killed and memorialized were 20 years old or younger. At least five were 16 years old.

The guest speaker, retired Army Lt. Col. and former prisoner of war Ray Schrump, walked to the podium and was immediately greeted with a standing ovation. After a couple beats, he began to pay homage to the 58,272 names.

Their sacrifices were not lost on Schrump, who had witnessed men die, and had one even die in his arms in war. He spent almost five years as a prisoner of war after being captured by the Viet Cong. Despite spending half of that time in isolation, and after being chained, starved and beaten, Schrump said he had no regrets and that his fellow soldiers never lost hope.

Not one ever lost faith in our God, our country, or in you, our fellow men, he said.

Jim Hollister also spoke to the crowd as president of the Rolling Thunder NC Chapter 1. The group of veterans and motorcycle riders will don their black leather vests, keep watch over the wall 24/7, and help visitors find names.

Im sure many of you who visit today, or visit this week, is going to go up to the wall, reach out and touch a name. Its going to be hard, Hollister said.

Families gathered around some of the dark panels, smoothed their fingers over the names and searched for a man or woman who now finds life through memories.

Other veterans stood alone in their thoughts, reading through names of friends, training classmates, brothers in arms.

Jean Williams walked hand-in-hand with her grandson, studying the panels.

Were looking for your grandpas name, she said.

Williams was only 21 years old with a baby daughter when she lost her husband. He had only been to Vietnam for seven days when his helicopter was shot down by enemy fire.

She had sent him seven letters from home in Norfolk, Va.

I got all my letters back, she said. He never had a chance to read it.

Now, her grandson is named after him: Alan Brent Boffman.

Hes never seen his name on the wall, Williams said of her grandson. Now, hes beginning to understand what the wars about and what soldiers do.

Swist, a 65-year-old Lillington resident who served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Sky Soldiers in Vietnam, saw many fellow 19-year-olds turn from boys to men. He watched as other families took black wax crayons and made tracings.

Youre carrying it with you forever, Swist said. You go to the wall, see it, and let it go. I dont want ghosts.

Walton carried a silver bracelet on his wrist. It read:

SFC LEWIS C. WALTON

USSF 10 MAY 71 LAOS

The Special Forces sergeant and Swist were drinking buddies. Mischief makers. He died in Vietnam.

After he and his wife found Waltons name on the wall, Swist removed his bracelet and gave it away.

I found him, Swist said.

I dont have to carry this no more.

Tags: Traveling

Marshall Gorby/Staff Photo

Springfield Police are investigating a crash that sent several people to the hospital. The crash happened at about 1 pm Tuesday at the intersection of Main and Buxton. A white car traveling north on Buxton Ave. at a high rate of speed struck several bushes, then drove up the sidewalk, striking a car that was turning into Pizza Hut and another vehicle traveling on Main Street before going through the Fairfax Motel parking lot and hitting the building. No word yet on victims or injuries.

Tags: Traveling