Wildlife officers Wednesday responded to a report of another dog attacking a calf elk on Emerald Mountain, but it was actually a bear that did the killing.

Wildlife Officer Steve Baumgartner said the person who reported the attack mistook the bear for a dog, and they found the bear in the area.

“It was just natural, normal bear behavior,” Baumgartner said.

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While investigating the incident, Baumgartner said they saw several people walking dogs off leash, and he reminded people to keep dogs on leash.

The owner of a dog was cited June 16 when her off-leash dog attacked and mortally wounded a calf elk on Emerald Mountain.

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Work begins on trail to western suburbs of town

Routt County Road and Bridge Director Janet Hruby confirmed this week that above-average rainfall in May delayed construction on a new 1.5-mile trail that will link the city of Steamboat Springs’ western limits with residential subdivisions in the vicinity of Routt County Road 42, but the project is about to ramp up.

“We will be working on the trail next week, and there is a slim chance it will be open for the Fourth (of July), more likely the week afterwards,” Hruby wrote in an e-mail.

The dirt trail is not intended to be a permanent solution to offering safe pedestrian and bicycle linkage between Gloria Gossard Parkway in the city and western suburbs including Steamboat II, Heritage Park and Silver Spur. But it’s a first step, Hruby said.

The county commissioners have authorized the use of heavy equipment and road and bridge personnel to cut the 10-foot-wide trail on three easements across different parcels of private property.

YPN to host annual Summer Solstice Party

The Steamboat Springs Young Professionals Network will kick off the summer with its annual Summer Solstice Party from 5p.m. to close today at Butcherknife Brewery on Elk River Road. The event will include music by DJS Vinja, Tony Esse and Jess Esse. Members and non-members are welcome. Guests can become a member or renew their membership at the door. Free beer and food for members. Visit steamboatypn.wildapricot.org for more information or to become a member. 

Crash course in drawing offered in Craig

A crash course on drawing with the right side of the brain, “Who Said You Can’t Draw a Straight Line?” will be offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 16 at Yampa Valley Fiberworks in Craig. The cost for the class is $30. To register, call 970-824-4383 or 970-824-9568. Class size limited. 

Wildlife film looks at the suburbanization of deer

Bud Werner Memorial Library will present a free screening of “The Private Life of Deer,” an award-winning film by Kevin Bachar, at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Library Hall. While other species may be negatively impacted by human development, it is just the opposite for the whitetail deer. Just a century ago, there were less than a million deer in North America. Today, there are nearly 30 million. The film looks at how these wild deer interact with one another, and how they adapt to living in a suburban environment.

This will be the library’s final featured film from the 2014 International Wildlife Film Festival before the films from the 2015 festival start screening in July. Visitsteamboatlibrary.org/events for more information.

Farm storage facility loans available through USDA

The USDA Colorado Farm Service Agency has Farm Storage Facility Loans available to area farmers and ranchers.

The Farm Service Agency offers low-interest loans to grain producers to build new or upgrade existing storage facilities and permanent drying and handling equipment. Loan opportunities include, but are not limited to:

■ New conventional-type cribs or bins, oxygen-limiting and other upright silo-type structures and flat-type storage structures designed for whole grain storage.

■ Perforated floors, safety equipment, quality improvement equipment, electrical equipment and concrete components considered essential for a fully functional storage facility.

Farm storage facility loans must be approved prior to site preparation, equipment purchase or construction and must be secured by a promissory note and security agreement. The new maximum principal loan amount is $500,000.

Participants are required to provide a down payment of 15 percent, with CCC providing a loan for the remaining 85 percent of the net cost of the eligible storage facility and permanent drying and handling equipment.

Additional security is required for poured-cement open-bunker silos, renewable biomass facilities, cold storage facilities, hay barns and for all loans exceeding $50,000. New loan terms of seven, 10 or 12 years are available depending on the amount of the loan. Interest rates for each term rate may be different and are based on the rate that CCC borrows from the Treasury Department.

For more information, stop by the local FSA office or visit fsa.usda.gov.

VNA offers vaccinations against hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis is a liver disease that can sometimes lead to long-term liver infection or liver cancer. The most common types are hepatitis A, B and C.

Hepatitis A is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the virus. Hepatitis B is spread through blood, semen or other bodily fluids. Hepatitis C is spread through infected blood.

Vaccines are available to prevent hepatitis A and B. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but it can be treated if caught early. Travel and/or some behaviors may increase hepatitis risk. Hepatitis A and B and other routine vaccinations are available during drop-in immunizations clinics, which are held from

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101. They are also available by appointment by calling 970-879-1632.

CDOT updating state’s bicycle, scenic maps

The Colorado Department of Transportation is upgrading its Statewide Bicycle and Scenic Byways map, giving local governments an opportunity to provide cycling information specific to their area.

Initially, bicyclists could go online and review and select state routes to ride throughout Colorado based on shoulder width and traffic volumes. It also included a search capability for lodging, bike shops, restaurants and other areas of interest. Now, local jurisdictions can add similar cycling information to the site.

“This upgrade is adding another complete dimension to the map,” CDOT’s Bicycle/Pedestrian and Byways Manager Betsy Jacobsen said. “Users will be able to zoom in and find much more detailed information than was originally available. It will also allow local jurisdictions to update their information as they make physical changes to existing facilities.”

Local agencies can access the site and request to be a “trail editor.” Once approved, they can upload their GIS files showing their local trails, routes, bike lanes, etc. Trail editors must be associated with a government agency to be approved.

To access the map, visit dtdapps.coloradodot.info/bike.

Family Ranch Rodeo scheduled for Saturday

The sixth annual Family Ranch Rodeo and fundraiser for the Routt County 4H Exchange Club is set for Saturday.

The event will begin with Gymkhana, which will include barrels, poles and stakes, from 9 a.m. to noon. Events are $5 each to enter, and prizes will be available for those who compete in all three.

Gymkhana will be followed by the sixth annual Family Ranch Rodeo. Teams will consist of four people and at least one female and one child between the ages of 8 and 17, and $200 team prizes will be available

Both beginner and experienced riders are welcome.

Food boxes available for low-income seniors

Commodities Supplemental Food Program boxes are designed to supplement the diets of low-income seniors 60 and older. The boxes, distributed monthly by LIFT-UP of Routt County to area seniors, contain a variety of nonperishable food items and cheese. If you or someone you know may benefit from this program, call the LIFT-UP Food Bank at 970-870-8804 for more information.

Steamboat Kiwanis Club seeking new members

Steamboat Springs’ Kiwanis Club is looking for new members who would be interested in providing service to the community as well as attending weekly meetings on Tuesdays at the Steamboat Springs Community Center. Annual dues are $125. Kiwanis was chartered in 1948 and is Steamboat’s oldest service club. For more information, call Bud at 970-879-0064 or Johanna at 970-879-0211.

LIFT-UP of Routt County in need of supplies

LIFT-UP of Routt County is in need of personal items for its food bank. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, dish and laundry soap and razors are currently in short supply. Donations can be dropped off at the LIFT-UP offices, 2125 Curve Court.

Volunteers wanted at Steamboat Art Museum

Steamboat Art Museum is looking for volunteers to assist in greeting visitors, assisting in special events or working in the museum’s store.

Shifts are 3 1/2 hours, one day per week Tuesdays through Saturdays during the summer and winter exhibits. 

Perks include getting to enjoy the fabulous art exhibits, meeting exhibiting artists at exhibit openings, free admission to all Saturday lectures during exhibit opening and meeting visitors from all across the country and world.

Those interested in volunteering may call Dottie at 970-870-1755 or email sam@steamboatartmuseum.org.