A year ago, the CoorsTek facility at 4414 Table Mountain Drive was a simple warehouse.

Today, it’s a training center.

And, in the coming months and years, CoorsTek leaders hope it’ll become a regional epicenter for advanced manufacturing workforce development.

On July 16, the company celebrated opening its new CoorsTek Academy Advanced Manufacturing Training Center with its industry and education partners, as well as state and local government officials.

The CoorsTek Academy started in 2021 to train internal hires and employees.

However, this new training center in northeastern Golden was made to be used by outside entities.

According to CoorsTek Workforce Development Manager Elizabeth Pittman, workforce development centers, local school districts, community colleges and other companies will use it to train people in universally applied manufacturing skills.

“This is really what opportunity looks like,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Pittman and other CoorsTek officials explained how the state-of-the-art facility will be ideal for advanced manufacturing personnel, covering everything from a half-day recertification course to a multiyear apprenticeship.

CoorsTek employees are also using the training center for apprenticeships, recertification and other endeavors.

In fact, Pittman said the first apprenticeship cohort — composed of six recent high school graduates from Jefferson and Denver counties — started on June 30 for an 18-month program.

The facility is composed of two training bays. One is specific to CoorsTek employees, with proprietary technology and machinery. The second is open to community colleges, workforce development centers and others, Pittman said.

Both feature innovative technologies, such as a forklift simulator, to help participants learn.

Opportunity Now Colorado

Last year, CoorsTek received a $4.5 million Opportunity Now Colorado grant to help establish the academy. From now until late 2026, the academy must serve at least 1,200 Coloradans as part of the grant requirements.

Polis said that overall, $55 million in Opportunity Now grants will help at least 20,000 Coloradans with job training and placement. The CoorsTek Academy’s training center specifically will be a major boost for the 6,000 companies that comprise Colorado’s advanced manufacturing sector, he said.

CoorsTek leaders thanked the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade and the Governor’s Office for investing in the training center, saying it will become a model for public-private collaboration.

Chief Executive Officer Michael Coors also anticipated it’d be a major asset to Colorado’s advanced manufacturing sector, and help boost local companies, employees and economic development.

Irma Lockridge, chief people & systems officer, encouraged Polis and other officials to check back on the training center in a year to see just how much it had grown and how significant of an impact it’s had.

Click through additional photos from the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony:

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The responding officer to an accidental shooting at the apartment of Thornton’s new police in May did not have his body camera on, an apparent violation of police policy.

Thornton Police Department admitted the responding sergeant should have been rolling on his body camera when responding to the apartment of incoming Chief Jim Baird on May 14, according to Channel 9 News.

Technically at the time of the shooting, Baird was not yet Thornton’s police chief. He was sworn in as chief on May 27.

Baird said he was trying out different magazines on a new Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun when it was fired. He said he was on the phone and was multitasking when the gun fired.

The bullet went through a kitchen cabinet inside the apartment, and nobody was injured, according to CBS News Colorado.

“I should have known better,” Baird told CBS News Colorado. “It’s a mistake I’ll never make again.”

The City of Thornton said in a statement that Baird immediately tried to contact residents to make sure nobody had been hit. Baird then reported the incident to the interim police chief, who came to the apartment with an on-duty sergeant from the Thornton Police Department.

The investigation found no evidence of negligence or criminal conduct and Baird was not cited or arrested, according to a City of Thornton statement.

Channel 9 News reported that in a statement from the Thornton Police Department, the police acknowledged that on the evening of the incident, there were assumptions made that the situation was a “personnel/administrative matter instead of an investigation with a member of the public.”

“In review, the Sergeant should have had his body camera turned on, and this will be addressed internally, consistent with other incidents where a body-worn camera is not properly activated,” the statement said. “Furthermore, steps will be taken to clarify the interpretation of the BWC policy for all personnel for unique situations as our personnel faced on that evening.”

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The cause of the brush fire that burned more than 130 acres along Highway 85 near Louviers on July 13 – being called the “Airport Fire” – has been determined to have been caused by activity associated with a passing train. 

Via a social media post, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office made an announcement on July 16 that investigators with the South Metro Fire Rescue Fire Marshall’s Office identified ignition indicators along train tracks.

The post states that investigators have video evidence along the rail line “consistent with passing train operations,” and that “no other ignition sources were found in the area, and the area of the origin aligned with the train’s path at the time of the fire.” 

Brush crews with South Metro Fire Rescue first responded to multiple vegetation fires near Highway 85 just after 2 p.m. on July 13. According to South Metro Fire Chief John Curtis, crews responded to the area of Highlands Ranch Parkway and Highway 85, along Titan Court and the southern corridor along Santa Fe that extends towards Louviers. 

“During that time, Douglas County air resources were launched on the initial call and helped visualize some of the southernmost spot fires that were immediately identified,” Curtis said during a press conference on July 14. 

Shortly after the initial call, the fire had been upgraded to a 2nd Alarm Wildland Urban Interface fire with multiple fires along the train tracks which were spreading into open space, with one structure threatened. 

Due to the fire’s close proximity to homes in Louivers, evacuations were issued for the town, east of Waterton Road. A shelter was established at the Douglas County Fairgrounds for the nearly 40 homes that were evacuated, according to Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly. 

Those evacuation orders were lifted at about 7:30 p.m. on July 13. 

During the July 14 press conference, Curtis stated that there were no reports concerning structural damage or injuries to community members or first responders. 

Counting both on-ground and in-the-air responders, more than 140 personnel were on the scene, said Weekly. This included the Douglas County Helitack team, South Metro Fire Rescue, West Metro Fire Rescue, Castle Rock Fire, Franktown Fire, West Douglas Fire and others. 

In addition to multiple dozers in the area creating fire lines, two helicopters assisted in dropping water. 

The Douglas County Helitack team was in the air within 10 minutes of the fire breaking out and was able to make 300-gallon water drops about every five minutes. 

On July 13, the Douglas County helicopter dropped about 260,400 gallons of water, Weekly said.

“Had we not had that fire Helitack team in the air within 10 minutes, this fire would have been far worse than it was,” Weekly said. 

By mid-morning on July 14, the fire was 90% contained and as of 2:15 p.m. on July 16, the sheriff’s office said fire crews are continuing to make progress in fully containing the fire.

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Southbound lanes of I-25 near 84^th Avenue and Grant Street were closed for about two hours Wednesday morning after the Colorado State Patrol used a “grapple” device to halt a suspect driving at a high speed in a stolen Ram pickup.

A CSP Trooper responded to the area after a Thornton Police Officer requested assistance with the stolen Ram.

The trooper attempted to stop the stolen vehicle by using a “grapple,” which was unsuccessful, according to a CSP news release.

Following the first grapple attempt, the Ram turned onto southbound Interstate 25 from 84th Avenue, where the Trooper was able to use the grapple successfully to stop the stolen vehicle.

A police grappler is a device attached to the front of a police vehicle that uses a net or strap to safely and effectively stop a fleeing vehicle. It deploys a net or strap that wraps around the rear tire of the suspect’s vehicle, bringing it to a controlled stop and preventing a high-speed chase from escalating into a dangerous situation, according to police department pages. 

But after stopping the Ram, the Colorado State Patrol cruiser was yanked into the jersey barrier on the left side of the southbound Interstate 25 shoulder, disabling the patrol vehicle. The Trooper sustained no injuries, the news release states.

Following the stop, the suspect fled on foot and was apprehended by Thornton Police Officers south-east of the final stop location.

All lanes of travel for southbound Interstate 25 were closed following the incident for the initial investigation but were reopened by 5:20 a.m. the news release states.

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With the massive facility between uses and temporarily empty, vandals have left their mark at Bandimere Speedway. 

They’ve broken windows, stripped electrical boxes and other devices, and tagged walls with graffiti. Bandimere representatives said people are living in the buildings as well.

Several videos depicting the damage are posted on TikTok and YouTube. 

The speedway’s former facility and operations manager recently shared his concerns with the Morrison town board.

“There have been people all over the suites breaking windows,” said Larry Crisp, who is also son-in-law of the speedway’s former owner, John Bandimere Jr. “Homeless people that have been chased out of here. It’s on all kinds of videos, and it’s kind of the laughing stock of Morrison because there are no cops.”

While two trustees said they agree with Crisp that the issue should be addressed, no formal motion was taken.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said it has no record of vandalism at the site. 

Securing the property

Bandimere hosted its last race in July 2024, and stopped doing any business at its Morrison site in October.

Global auto company Copart plans to operate a vehicle auction center on most of the former speedway site at Morrison Road and C-470. Copart representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

Sheriff’s office spokesperson Karlyn Tilley said Copart has not been in touch with them about issues on the site.

“Someone from the town of Morrison reached out to let us know the new owner wanted to speak with us about securing the property,” said Tilley, estimating that the call came in March. “Since we never heard back from them, we don’t have any official records of it, just what people remember.”

Despite Crisp’s observations, Tilley said the Sheriff’s Office has no information about criminal incidents at the abandoned speedway.

“I couldn’t find any case reports related to vandalism at that address, so that leads me to believe we have not received any requests for us to respond out there,” she wrote.

In addition to an office, the Bandimere site has a VIP tower with four floors. Future plans call for razing the towers, stadium lights and grandstands, leaving only the office for Copart’s use. Its agreement with the town also includes fencing and revegetating much of the speedway site. 

But town manager Mallory Nassau said the company’s site plan is not yet approved.

“Copart is still working on its site plan application,” she wrote in an email. “It is my understanding that once the plan is submitted and approved, construction will begin.”

John Bandimere, Jr., whose family has run the speedway since its 1958 opening, sold the land to move the operation to a much larger site in Hudson. But he agrees with Crisp that there are issues at the Morrison site.

“The land has been annexed into Morrison,” he said. “It’s something they should be paying attention to, and apparently they’re not.

“People have gone through the tower, pulled every wire and everything so they can sell it. It’s ridiculous. And people are living in every building there. You would think Morrison would not want people on the property. They’re making a mockery out of it on TikTok.”

Bandimere acknowledges his family has moved its business interests elsewhere.

“It’s not our responsibility,” he said. “But we were part of the town for years, and we are still tied to it emotionally.”

The property had been in Jefferson County, but Morrison agreed to annex the 125-acre site in August 2024. That deal includes the transfer of 16 acres to the town. 

Morrison disbanded its police department in late 2024, and instead contracts with the sheriff’s office for law enforcement services.

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Raptors have some of the most dangerous attributes in the animal kingdom.

Falcons can see a mouse’s whiskers across a football field.

Owls can fly without making a sound.

Golden eagles only weigh about 15 pounds, but they can hunt animals as large as deer, thanks to their immensely powerful and sharp talons.

On July 15, four types of raptors and their human caretakers revealed these attributes during the Golden Library’s Talon Talk.

Nature’s Educators hosted Talon Talk at multiple library branches throughout the week, as part of the Jeffco Public Library’s summer reading challenge.

Because a large crowd was expected, Golden Library staff moved the event to the courtyard behind City Hall. About 65 people attended, including some passersby who saw the raptors from the Clear Creek Trail and wanted to learn more about them.

Nature’s Educators, a nonprofit based in Florence, Colorado, is an educational wildlife program licensed by county, state, and federal agencies to care for non-releasable birds of prey, mammals, and herptiles for educational programs.

For instance, the four raptors at the July 15 Talon Talk had sustained major injuries or had been raised in captivity, Nature’s Educators program specialist Alex Olow explained.

Olow recommended that people do what they can to protect and promote raptors and other birds in their neighborhoods. He suggested building birdboxes that songbirds and even small raptors like kestrels can make a home in.

He also advised against letting housecats outside unsupervised, as they kill millions of birds every year, and against throwing food on the side of the road, as it attracts critters and subsequently attracts birds of prey.

Four feathery friends

Raptors are birds of prey characterized by their powerful eyesight and strong talons, he continued. Each species of raptor has its own unique characteristics, which Olow shared as volunteer Kade Rodenbeck presented a different raptor to the crowd.

The first one was a barn owl named Comet.

Barn owls can be found on every continent except Antarctica, Olow said. They have asymmetrical ears, giving them the best hearing of any animal. They can turn their heads 270 degrees, and their aerodynamic feathers allow for completely silent flight.

Barn owls are excellent pest control, as they can eat four mice a day. However, because of that, they’re at risk of consuming rodenticide, Olow said.

Barn owls are among the 13 owl species native to Colorado, but they’re typically not seen much in urban areas.

The second raptor to make its Golden debut was Salvador the crested caracara.

The crested caracara is sometimes called the Mexican eagle, Olow said, despite not being an eagle. It shares some attributes with hawks and vultures, but the crested caracara is actually a type of falcon.

Salvador was hit by a car and had to have his wing amputated, Olow explained. Because of that, he has balance issues.

Crested caracaras are opportunistic hunters and often hunt on foot. They will eat carcasses and food in other birds’ nests, as well as live prey like insects, fish, small birds, rodents and more.

Next up was Sashimi, the turkey vulture.

Sashimi was found abandoned in a box. Olow said Nature’s Educators believe someone tried to keep Sashimi as a pet, found out that was illegal, and so abandoned him.

Turkey vultures are so called because of their turkey-like feet and red faces, but unlike actual turkeys. They are migratory, Olow said, and frequent Colorado between April and October.

Finally, Nature’s Educators saved the biggest raptor for last, as Gaia the golden eagle made her Golden debut.

Golden eagles are actually bigger than bald eagles, Olow explained. Gaia weighs 10 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan.

Like Salvador, Gaia was hit by a car, detaching a retina in her left eye. While she might be able to survive in the wild with such an injury, her caretakers tested her by releasing prey for her to catch. Gaia saw the prey well enough to attack it, but not well enough to kill it. So, she remains under human care.

Olow was unsure of Gaia’s age, saying she’s was an adult when she was found and has been in human care for eight years. Thus, she could be as old as 12. In the wild, golden eagles can live up to 30 years, but they can live longer in captivity.

Golden eagles are apex predators. They’ve been known to attack wolves, bighorn sheep and other large animals, with Olow saying of eagles like Gaia, “She will eat anything she can catch.”

Golden eagles are sometimes called serpentine eagles because they frequently hunt snakes. In fact, the Mexican flag depicts a golden eagle eating a snake, and the golden eagle is the national bird of Mexico and four other countries.

Color your world

Nature’s Educators has done other programs for the Jeffco Public Library branches before, as well as other library systems, cities and other entities along the Front Range.

For more information about natureseducators.org.

The Jeffco Public Library branches will be hosting other events as part of its Color Your World summer reading challenge, which runs through July 31.

For more information, visit jeffcolibrary.org.

Click through additional photos from the July 15 Talon Talk:

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The yellow flowers blanketing Elbert County are nearing the end of their season. The blooms, commonly known as greenthread, are so bright and pervasive that the phenomenon can be clearly seen from above. Sometimes called golden wave, the small (less than two inches across) flowers certainly live up to their name.

Scientifically known as Thelesperma filifolium, they’re casually called many other names, such as Navajo tea, threadleaf yellowrays, field coreopsis and Hopi or Zuni tea. Greenthread only seems to be this showy about every 10 years, making this year’s blooming season special indeed.

The Elbert County Extension Office said greenthread can be seen throughout the hillsides of Elbert County. “More visible where grass has been grazed low in the previous year. The continued early spring moisture, on slopes that drain well, followed by hot summer days can create just the right conditions to make this spectacular wildflower phenomenon,” the office stated.

Greenthread is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant. It’s native to the U.S. and gets its name from the thread-like appearance of its leaves. Many butterfly species use it as a nectar source, and bees and other pollinators seem to like it too. The “annual can be found throughout the High Plains, from South Dakota to Texas,” the Extension Office shared, and it is “typically found in large colonies in dry, sandy soils.”

To make greenthread into Navajo tea, also called cota and traditionally used by Pueblo cultures, almost the entire plant is steeped — including stem, leaves and flowers. The resulting tea tastes similar to green tea. Navajo tea can have a drying effect and is traditionally used to help reduce mucus, reduce fevers, treat kidney problems and relieve stomach aches.

For more information about greenthread and other local flora, visit Front Range Wild Ones at frontrange.wildones.org.

For more information on the Elbert County Extension Office, visit elbert.extension.colostate.edu. To speak to a master gardener, call the Extension Office, 303-621-3162, on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Extension Office provides assistance with local agriculture, horticulture, family and consumer science, natural resources and 4-H youth programs.

The office will offer a free master gardener education presentation, “Elbert County Wildflowers,” during the upcoming Elbert County Fair on Aug. 1 at 1:30 pm in the Agricultural Building Conference Room.

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If you’ve ever texted your child during lunch or counted on them to check in at some point during their day, Adams 12’s new cell phone policy might raise some questions and a few eyebrows. 

Starting this fall, students across all grade levels will face stricter rules regarding the use of phones, smartwatches and earbuds during the school day.

The policy, which took effect on July 1 and will be enforced when school starts in August, bans personal technology devices entirely during the school day, requiring them to be in either off or silent mode for elementary and middle school students.

High school students have a bit more wiggle room. They can use their phones during lunch, passing periods and open periods, but not during class.

District officials say the move is intended to help students focus and reduce disruptions, bullying, and other issues associated with device use in schools.

What students and families need to know

Students are not allowed to record or take photos of others without permission, use phones to cheat or harass someone or leave class to use their devices. Any action that disrupts or violates the district’s student code of conduct may result in disciplinary action.

First-time violations come with a warning. For parents, the third strike might mean an unexpected trip to school to retrieve a phone. After that, suspension is on the table, and students may lose the right to bring their devices altogether.

And don’t expect the district to track down a lost or stolen phone. Students are fully responsible for keeping their devices secure.

Why the change?

District officials said the updated policy was shaped by an extensive community survey conducted earlier this year, which drew nearly 12,000 responses from students, families and staff.

Eighty-one percent of respondents said phones are somewhat or very disruptive to student learning in the classroom, while 75 percent said cell phones contribute to bullying or threatening behavior during the school day. 

More than half (approximately 53 percent) reported that devices were also a problem during unstructured times, such as lunch and passing periods.

At the same time, many families expressed concern about limiting access to phones entirely. 

About 67 percent of survey participants said it was important for students to have access to their phones in the event of an emergency, and 60 percent opposed locking up phones in pouches or lockers.

Support for an all-day ban was strongest among elementary families, with 83 percent in favor. 

That number dropped to 67 percent for middle school students and 54 percent for high schoolers. Still, a majority (66 percent) supported keeping phones out of high school classrooms, even if they didn’t want a full-day ban.

The change also aligns with a new state law. House Bill 25-1135 requires all public schools in Colorado, including charter schools and the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, to adopt and post a student communication device policy by July 1, 2026. 

At a minimum, each policy must outline when and where devices are prohibited and include any exceptions. Adams 12’s policy meets those requirements a full year ahead of schedule.

For many parents, the issue isn’t black and white. Some want fewer distractions but still expect their child to be reachable in an emergency. Others worry that uneven enforcement could lead to unnecessary discipline or inequity between classrooms and schools.

Some flexibility still exists

Students who need a phone or other device during the school day for health reasons, a disability or other specific academic support can request an exception. These requests must go through a formal process, either as part of an IEP or 504 plan, or by submitting a written request to school leadership.

District administrators and principals also have the authority to impose additional restrictions as needed.

As the new school year begins, parents are encouraged to review their school’s individual rules, discuss expectations with their students, and contact administrators with any concerns or special circumstances.

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The proposed development of Salisbury Regional Park has been contemplated for more than a decade. 

But now, the site plan has been approved by the Parker Town Council to move forward with new development adjacent and north to the Salisbury Equestrian Park and Sports Complex. 

An original Salisbury Park Master Plan was approved by city council in May of 2000, and the first phase of the park was constructed in 2001. After acquiring land next to the park, an additional master plan was established in 2014. 

Located on the east side of Motsenbocker Road and the newly-opened Dransfeldt Road, the 91-acre land is zoned for public facilities. This allows for a wide range of uses, including parks, recreation and open space. 

The full development of the property, known as Salisbury Park North, will be constructed in phases and is anticipated to take about five years to complete due to funding. 

“Everything depends on how much the individual phase costs,” said Bret Collins, project administrator. “If (cost comes) in higher, then we’ll have to phase the phases at that point … if they come in lower, we may be able to do more in each phase and get it done quicker.”

Although town staff did not state when the project is anticipated to begin, it does have the phases mapped out. 

The first phase of the development of the park looks to add an additional 44.8 acres of developed park land, which would include the construction of two lighted, synthetic turf multi-use fields. 

Currently, there are no lighted turf fields in the town.

The phase will also include the addition of four lighted natural grass baseball and softball fields. 

“(We) will have the only eight-field complex in the south metro area – once those four new fields are built – with our four existing fields,” said Collins. “Which is something pretty unique to this area.”

He added that some of the fields may be able to be used by the end of 2026. 

The first phase will also include a pedestrian promenade, restrooms and parking for food trucks, along with other landscaping, visitor parking and site amenities.

According to the Parker Parks and Recreation website, the second phase is slated for 2026 and will involve the construction of a 17-court lighted pickleball complex, two tennis courts with striping for four more pickleball courts. 

“Which will allow the town to hold tournaments,” Collins said. 

The third phase – which will include a community hub pavilion, an outdoor fitness area and a playground – is anticipated to be constructed in 2028. 

The fourth phase, to be expected in 2029, will include a bike park and overlook pavilions. 

The finished park will also include two basketball courts, a decorative garden, public art displays and a connection to the Cherry Creek Regional Trail.

Stacey Nerger, senior planner for the town said that in addition to the already-established access to the park, another vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle access will be provided along Motsenbocker Road. 

Because there are several buildings part of the project – including restrooms, storage and concessions in the park – there will need to be a water and sanitary sewer line constructed. According to town documents, the town will construct the line and Parker Water & Sanitation District will provide the ongoing maintenance. 

While all councilmembers expressed excitement for the project, Councilmember Anne Barrington said that this “is the type of investment the town wants and needs.”

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City Forester Bryan McCoy is on the frontlines in the battle against the voracious Emerald ash borer, the killer of millions of ash trees and considered the most destructive tree insect pest in North America.

“They move quickly into the ash trees, and they are so aggressive that even healthy trees die within two or four years after being infected,” McCoy said.

Trees may be well into their death throes, but many people don’t realize that the first signs of fatal infections is the thinning of leaves at the very top of the tree, he said.

“Most are only concerned about what’s going on at eye-level of a tree,” McCoy said. “They don’t think to look up.”’

Westminster has about 69,000 ash trees on private property, just part of the 1.2 million in the Denver-metro area. The city has been assessing city-owned ash trees on city property for treatment since 2013, McCoy said.

The city estimates one out of every seven trees in Westminster is an ash.

The city completed a tree inventory in 2023 to identify ash trees in the city’s Right-Of-Way areas, within about 12 feet from the curb into a yard or property. The study found 3,174 ash trees worth preserving.

The city says that ash trees that do not meet the treatment criteria must be removed because the infected ash trees will eventually die. Removing untreated trees early temporarily slows the spread of Emerald ash borers, reduces the risk to tree workers, and can speed up replanting efforts by prioritizing re-planting locations.

The city treated those trees between July and September 2023 using a micro-injection system that put the product directly into the tree trunk, according to the city website.

Untreated trees to be removed

The city does not have enough personnel to remove tainted trees on private property, McCoy said. He urges property owners to use a different species of tree to replace their ash.  

“The ash borer only infests that ash tree,” McCoy said. “We really encourage everyone to get a different tree to help stop the spread of the EAB.”

To help pick a new tree, the Colorado Department of Agriculture offers a database of registered nurseries and landscape contractors.  

The Emerald ash borer is native to Asia and was introduced into North America sometime during the 1990s, probably via ash wood pallets or wood packing material, according to Colorado State University’s Warner College of Natural Resources.

Since its initial discovery in southeastern Michigan in 2002, the insect has killed millions of ash trees throughout the central and northeastern United States and Canada, according to CSU.  An infestation was first detected in Colorado in the City of Boulder in September 2013. Approximately 15 percent of the trees in Colorado’s urban forests are ash, making this insect a major threat to urban forests statewide, says CSU

EAB has spread to other cities and towns on the Front Range and Thornton is the first Colorado city east of I-25 to confirm EAB. The insect was recently detected in Oregon as well, McCoy said.

On a recent afternoon, McCoy walked down a sidewalk behind several businesses near Sheridan Boulevard and found numerous signs of Emerald ash borer infestation. Several round holes penetrated the bark of ash trees, signs that the hungry insect was gorging throughout the tree.

Ash trees are popular because they throw off plenty of shade and are colorful in the fall, McCoy said. If left alone, he added, they can live several decades. “But these (near Sheridan) may not make it much longer,” McCoy said. “It’s sad.”

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