Bomb threats shake Durango
During Wednesday’s bomb threat, we updated the article dozens of times as new information was available. A brief article and story came first, followed by photographs, then video and finally a map of locations affected. One element I feel was missing was a time line with a concise way to see when the evacuations were called, when students were transferred, response times for authorities and finally when various buildings were cleared and the threat reduced. If you have any other suggestions on how we can provide better coverage in these instances, please comment below or contact me at jstephenson@durangoherald.com.
Video by Shaun Stanley and Josh Stephenson. Post and map by Josh Stephenson
View Bomb threat locations in a larger map
Huntin’ for a chicken
When one of our reporters returned from a recent City Council meetingwith talk about the chicken that walked in and sat down in the closing minutes of the night, I chided him for a picture. A cell phone photo, anything. Why wasn’t a photographer called? With a description in the story, we had to have a photo of this mysterious chicken.
The following day, Marc Snider with Exposure Productions, who produces the City Span 10 programming, dropped off the DVD. Sweet, we were able to grab video.
Our curiosity blossomed, with the story topping our most read list later that day and a number of television stations clambering for the footage. All calls were forwarded to Snider.
Eventually, it ended up on television stations in Denver and Albuquerque as well as the Huffington Post and websites as far away as Tamba Bay.
In case you didn’t catch it the first time around…
If video fails to appear, please hit the ‘refresh’ button on your web browser.
35mm and a handi-cam
With more staff shooting video at the Herald these days, I’ve been doing more work with a camcorder the size of a Red Bull can, leaving the pro gear for others to use. With roots in the still photography world, I miss having a limited depth of field. As a Canon 5d Mark II isn’t in the cards, I researched a way to use my 35 mm lenses on my Red Bull can. Here is the result with some how-to below.
Depth of field adapters from Letus and others run near the one thousand dollar range, twice what my Canon HF100 cost. I was impressed with the TwoNeil Adapter, but even that seemed costly, so with a leftover focusing screen, a thirty dollar macro lens, a 9 dollar set of extension tubes and some designs downloaded from this site, I have my very own do-it-yourself 35mm adapter.
Video and post by Josh Stephenson
Elk, research, hunting and file video
Reporter Garrett Andrews has been investigating the uncertain future of land once occupied by the old Fort Lewis College. This 2008 footage is from a relatively feel-good visit to the Elk Research Institute, a current tenant of the land. At the time, youth were darting the herd with tranquilizers and cutting off antlers for what was said to be research related to chronic wasting disease. Institute staff said removing antlers from young elk would keep them from challenging mature males. The staff maintained that the fittest animals would naturally possess a resistance to the disease. While this theory has yet to be proven, critics point out that what has been proven is that the fittest elk bring in more money from hunters.
video and post by Josh Stephenson
The weekender
Eric Drummond has charged forward with a new weekly video podcast called “The Weekender.” Arts and Entertainment editor Ted Holteen brings his radio experience into the fold, voicing the piece, while Eric handles the visuals and production. It wraps up the weeks top stories and highlights sports and art events taking place over the weekend, wrapping up with a quick weather forecast. When we get a few more in the system, it will be offered as a podcast for download, so check back soon.
Weekender by Eric Drummond and Ted Holteen, post by Josh Stephenson
Single Speed World’s invade Durango
The Single Speed World Championships were in town and while I didn’t have enough time to cover all the events I would have liked, I was able to piece together a video of the main race Saturday. Local Travis Brown was way out front but fell, opening the door to Ross Schnell, who threw his leg over a home-built single speed for the first time the previous day. Schnell, from Grand Junction went on to win it with a plastic guard supporting his mending broken hand. Heather Irmiger hadn’t pushed the pedals on a single speed for over half a decade, but while drinking “way too much wine” on a motorcycle trip, her sponsor Gary Fisher gave her a new fixed gear ride, so off she went for the win. While she did not accept any beverage from the many people along the course offering beer and jello shots to riders, Irmiger said she woke up with enough of a hangover that she didn’t feel like she was cheating. Part race, mostly party, the SSWC was fun for at least a couple thousand in Durango. Bringing smiles to many faces on the final ascent to the finish line were four Fort Lewis students, part of the group Waiting on Trial, that played some solid bluegrass overlooking Horse Gulch. For more of the shenanigans, check out the race blog.
Also, while I wish I could have had this done earlier, below is a map of all registered entrants. You can grab the center bar to slide the name tab over for a better look. Sort by name, city or state and zoom in for more detailed locations. Also go around the globe to see who came from as far away as Spain, Norway and the Philippines.
video and post by Josh Stephenson
City council approves emergency ordinance
Durango city councilors on Tuesday voted to approve a 60-day moratorium on the issuance of business licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries. Two more dispensaries were issued only hours before the meeting, bringing the number of providers operating in the city to four. The emergency ordinance was voted in 4 to 1 despite City Manager Ron LeBlanc acknowledging that no more applications had been filed.
post and video by Josh Stephenson
Feds seize couple’s artifacts
Federal authorities confiscated thousands of ancient artifacts from the house of a Durango couple in a sweeping investigation of possible grave-robbing on public lands.
Antiquities dealer Vern Crites, 74, and his wife, Marie, have been indicted for trafficking, theft and grave desecration. The couple voluntarily surrendered their vast collection, which includes numerous items of potentially high archeological significance, including antler flutes and Navajo prayer sticks.
post by Josh Stephenson – video by Eric Drummond
This is not a fun run
Endurance runners register for the Hard Rock 100 in Silverton with a variety of goals in mind, but winning is not usually one of them. One thing that amazed me about the winning woman was the interview after her 3rd place overall finish.
While a number of male competitors had spoken of the importance to stay mentally focused with eyes trained on the obstacles ahead, Diana Finkel conceded she looks around at wild flowers and wildlife to the point that she has become lost after running off the trail.
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post and content by Josh Stephenson
Snowdown videos, mapped
Snowdown is always filled with crazy competitions and questionable behavior. As best as we can, the Herald staff tries to accurately represent the festivities while not crossing the line into dangerous territory. The video above will give you a short taste of what we covered on the video front, but for a better look, visit the video map from the 2009 In Da Nile Snowdown. Also check out the 2008 Ye Olde Snowdown video map here.
Christmas Light Parade
For an article about this years Christmas Parade of Lights, we compiled a video and panoramas of some of the stunning decorations, including some maps to locate the homes and all the spots featured throughout the city and county. Click here or on the photo to enter the project.
post and project by Josh Stephenson
Durango Public Library opens
A week of special events accompanied the Grand Opening of Durango’s new public library, so along with 360 degree panoramas showing the new building, slideshows and video gave a look at the festivities including poetry classes, art presentations and barbershop quartets, culminating in fireworks above Rim Drive. Deanna Marcum from the Library of Congress even came to celebrate. The library has gone through a number expansion projects since Andrew Carnegie donated $12,500 for the original building over a century ago. The new facility came at a cost of 19 million. Click here or on the image to enter project.
post and project by Josh Stephenson
La Plata County Fair – 2008
What a busy week at the La Plata County Fair. Updated daily, this project ended up with 4 slideshows, 5 videos and 4 panoramas along with a schedule of events. Yodit Gidey and Jack Pincus compiled one slideshow, while the rest was done by yours truly. The demolition derby kicked off with a tribute to State Trooper Mark Dold, who died in a motorcycle crash and had been a staple at the event. The video includes a group building a tribute car to crash in his honor. Other fair staples here include the rodeo, midway and livestock competitions. Click here or on the photo to enter project.
post and most content by Josh Stephenson
FLC Spring Commencement
As one of our first attempts at panoramas, we included 2 from the Spring Commencement ceremony at Fort Lewis College, along with a video. While not perfectly aligned and not true 360 degree virtual reality panoramas, we hope this gives readers a better sense of what the event atmosphere was. Click here or on the image to enter project.
post and project by Josh Stephenson
