Serving the Longmont & Firestone Corridor
Longmont · Firestone · Colorado Front Range
Sunday, July 12, 2026 | Edition No. 026
The Boulder Peak Triathlon took place Sunday morning in Longmont, drawing hundreds of athletes to the city. Event: Olympic-distance triathlon featuring swimming, cycling, and running. Location: Longmont reservoirs and roadways. Impact: Temporary road closures in effect 6 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Friday Event: The Carbon Valley Regional Library in Firestone hosted "Dino Bones Resist Painting" for children at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Ongoing Programs: The library continues summer reading programs and children's activities throughout July.
Longmont Police took a report of auto theft in the 1200 block of South Hover Street this weekend. Residents reminded to lock vehicles and remove valuables. Crime Prevention: Police urge residents to report suspicious activity immediately.
The Frederick-Firestone Fire District continues work on the Flight 629 Memorial at Station No. 6 in Firestone, commemorating victims of the 1955 United Airlines bombing. Dedication Date: Scheduled for July 29, 2026. Significance: Memorial will honor the 44 victims of the first confirmed case of air sabotage in U.S. commercial aviation history.
Firefighters achieved major progress overnight as containment on the Aspen Acres Fire jumped to 40% Sunday morning, allowing more evacuated residents to return home. Current Status (July 12, 2026): Size: 97,505 acres. Containment: 40% (up from 34% Saturday). Personnel: 2,000+ firefighters. Structures Lost: 851 confirmed (337 homes). Cost to Date: $47 million. Beulah Reopens: The hard-hit community of Beulah began allowing residents to return Sunday under escorted access. Power restoration ongoing. Water systems being tested. Weather Help: Weekend storms dropped 0.5-1.5 inches of rain on fire areas, dramatically reducing fire behavior. Humidity levels doubled from earlier in the week. "We're in a much better place," said incident commander. "The rain was a gift."
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Colorado Springs Police arrested three suspects Tuesday following an extensive months-long investigation into drug trafficking. Details: Operation targeted distribution networks in Colorado Springs area. Agencies: DEA Colorado Springs Regional Office, CSPD.
New data shows median home prices in Carbon Valley communities continue rising despite higher interest rates. 2026 Median Home Prices: Firestone: $600,000+ (up 12.7% year-over-year). Frederick: $560,000 (up 10% year-over-year). Dacono: $485,000 (up 2% year-over-year). Context: The growth reflects continued demand for Front Range housing, with Carbon Valley outpacing many Denver metro areas. Limited inventory and new construction are driving prices higher. Impact: First-time buyers increasingly priced out; rental demand rising.
Alphonso Abeyta has completed restoration of Colorado's oldest church using 50,000+ adobe bricks and traditional methods passed down through generations in the San Luis Valley. Location: Beside Colorado's oldest church. Method: Traditional adobe construction techniques. Significance: Preservation of Hispanic cultural heritage in Southern Colorado.
Sunday Event: Fundraiser for Victory Service Dogs at Seven's Gate Taproom, Colorado Springs. Time: 4-7 p.m. Purpose: Support training and placement of service dogs for veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Sunday Event: 12th Annual Ranch Horse Roundup at Kit Carson Riding Club. Time: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Beneficiary: Local military families. Location: 6775 Cowpoke Road, Colorado Springs area.
Political campaigns are increasingly using AI-generated texting to engage voters, with bots taught to sound like candidates sending personalized messages. Technology: Advanced language models create conversational text messages. Concern: Voters may not realize they're interacting with AI, not humans. Regulation: Limited oversight of AI campaign communications. Impact: 2026 midterm campaigns deploying tool nationwide.
Despite President Trump's declaration that the ceasefire is "over," back-channel negotiations continue between U.S. and Iranian officials. Status: Military strikes paused; diplomatic talks ongoing. Focus: Strait of Hormuz shipping access and nuclear program limitations. Mediators: Qatar, Oman, Pakistan facilitating discussions.