FBI looks at unruly air passenger incident

The FBI is investigating an incident involving an unruly airplane passenger that took place on a plane while it was in flight to Yampa Valley Regional Airport on Saturday.

There was a dispute on the plane that had to do with a passenger being served liquor, said Dot Wehrly, spokeswoman for the FBI's Denver office.

Wehrly said that not many details are available at this point, but that her understanding was that the dispute did not get physical. If it had happened on the ground, it could have been considered disorderly conduct, she said.

By the time the plane landed, the dispute apparently was under control, she said.

Because the incident could become a crime aboard an aircraft, the matter will be referred to the U.S. Attorney's Office for a preliminary look to see if charges could be filed.

The incident is being investigated by the FBI because it took place in the air.

Man arrested on suspicion of ethnic intimidation

A 33-year-old Phippsburg man was arrested on Saturday at Wal-Mart after allegedly making racial slurs to an employee.

Anthony Ray Matthews was arrested on suspicion of ethnic intimidation and harassment, both misdemeanors, and is being held at the Routt County Jail.

Steamboat Springs Police Officer John McCartin said Matthews tried to cash a $5,000 check, which the Wal-Mart employee refused to do. Then Matthews began yelling and calling the employee "inappropriate names" and threatening him, McCartin said.

Matthews left the store, and police later arrested him at his home. Matthews' wife also allegedly was calling the employee names, but McCartin said she could not be arrested because there was no one to watch her children, so she was given a citation.

Food assistance available at LIFT-UP offices

U.S. Department of Agriculture commodities are being distributed at the LIFT-UP of Routt County offices in Steamboat Springs, Hayden and Oak Creek through The Emergency Food Assistance Program. Call 870-8804 for more information about income eligibility and each office's hours of operation.

Pink scarves benefiting cancer awareness on sale

Pink scarves benefiting the Yampa Valley Breast Cancer Awareness Program are available at Epilogue Book Co. The scarves were made by volunteer knitters to help the fight against breast cancer.

Defensive driving class

to be held Tuesday

An "Alive-at-25" defensive driving class is from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Steamboat Springs Community Center. Completion of the class allows new drivers to get their learners permits at age 15 1/2, and may help reduce insurance costs for young drivers. Register and pay the $30 class fee online at Alive-At-25.org.