Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Wildfires force evacuations in Colorado; blazes continue in Oklahoma, Texas Robert IDeller THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AGUILAR, Colo. — Wind whipped wildfires destroyed at least five houses in southern Colorado and forced the evacuation of several hundred residents Sunday, authorities said. Two fires had burned over 5,400 acres in Huerfano and Las Animas counties, not far from the New Mexico line. One started as a controlled bum earlier in the week that flared up again despite efforts to keep it down. Wind gusting up to 50 mph prevented authorities from using airplanes to drop slurry on the fires, said Pam Martinez of the Huerfano County Sheriffs office. Firefighters were investigating the extent of the damage, and watching for more flareups. The land around Aguilar, a town of about 1,000 residents, is •covered with sagebrush and grass, and the nearby hills are dotted with pinon and ponderosa pine. “This just points out that we are very dry in Colorado even though its winter,” said Barb Timock, a U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman. “No matter where we are in Colorado, but especially along the Front Range, we ought to be thinking about being extremely careful with fires outdoors.” Drought conditions and gusting wind have spread dozens of wildfires across, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico over the past two weeks. At least 475 homes have been destroyed by the winter blazes and five people have been killed. In Oklahoma, high wind and unseasonably, warm temperatures created prime conditions again Sunday for grass fires. Firefighters in southern Oklahoma were trying taming one wildfire that had already charred about 900 acres near Coalgate, said Richard Reuse, a spokesman for a state command center. “The big problem today is going to be an expected wind shift coming in from the north,” he said Sunday. “If firefighters aren’t aware of the wind shift while they’re putting out a fire, it could get really dangerous for them.” In Texas, more than 60 wildfires were reported across the state, but most were only a few dozen acres in size. Burn bans and more firefighting resources, such as aircraft and equipment, have helped firefighters get the blazes under control, said Forest Service fire information officer Jim Caldwell. EdAndrieski / The Associated Press A firefighter walks out of the woods after putting out a hotspot on a wildfire near Aguilar, Colo., on Sunday. Two wind-whipped wildfires burning in southern Colorado Sunday have destroyed at least five houses and forced the evacuation of several hundred homes. Judge upholds order allowing Catawbas to operate video poker (Deg Human) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A judge upheld his earlier ruling Friday that allows the Catawba Indian Nation to operate video poker on their reservation despite a statewide ban on the games. Judge Joseph Strickland denied Attorney General Henry McMaster’s request to reconsider his Dec. 13 ruling. McMaster wanted the rehearing, a necessary step before filing for an expedited appeal before the state Supreme Court. Strickland also accepted additional affidavits in favor of the state’s position. Last month, U.S. Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., joined McMaster in opposing Strickland’s ruling. Sworn statements from Spratt and Mark Elam, a former lawyer for the late Gov. Carroll Campbell, were included in McMaster’s motion. The tribe sued the state in July, saying it needed to open a video gambling parlor to recoup profits lost at its Rock Hill bingo hall when South Carolina began a statewide lottery in 2002. A week before Strickland’s Dec. 13 ruling, the tribe’s executive committee voted to delay opening such a facility in hopes the General Assembly would instead allow the tribe to operate an electronic bingo hall in Orangeburg County. Work Study Students NEED A JOB? > Earn while you learn! Work-Study positions at the Columbia Area Mental Health Center offer an opportunity to gain valuable work experience. We’re looking for bright, enthusiastic students who may be considering a career as a mental health professional - or those who just want a rewarding work experience! Positions available year round and, we’ll work with your school schedule. YOU MUST ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY FOR WORK-STUDY THROUGH THE USC OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID TO QUALIFY FOR WORK-STUDY EMPLOYMENT. PROGRAM ASSISTANT ASSIGNMENTS IN ADMINISTRATIVE OR CLINICAL AREAS, DEPENDING ON YOUR INTERESTS AND EXPERIENCE, GOOD ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS ESSENTIAL. Tell us about yourself. Fax or email your resume to us, (please specify work study applicant) including any past work experience or skills, your major and year. Be sure to include your social security number and a number where you can be reached (tell us the best times to call) FAX (803) 898-4835 OR EMAIL DDW84@SCDMH.ORG OR CALL (803) 898-4830 Sooth Carolina's Largest Coin Laundry VOUR.E IN! a ■ TODAY, *" JANUARY 9 7pm-10pm Hourly Discounts’ 7- 8pm 20% Off General Reading Books & School Supplies 8- 9pm 20% Off Clothing & Gifts 9- 10pm 10% Off Used Books } IK