SECO Newts

12/06/2024

🚫🏊‍♂️

High flows and some minor flooding either ongoing or expected for the lower Arkansas River below Lake Pueblo, downstream through La Junta, from continued reservoir releases.

09/06/2024

🦎 VS🌪️

Spotted southwest of John Martin Reservoir State Park out over open country last night.

09/06/2024

We weren’t about to brave the lightning, but glad to share when someone else did!!

08/06/2024

If anyone knows who is writing SECO NEWTS, please let me know. People keep asking me and I’d like to continue to provide other people’s names. Thanks in advance. 🦎

07/06/2024

We had lunch in Lamar’s beautiful Willow Creek Park today. Fortunately, we didn’t need the coroner. We weren’t sure if he would be available or not. 🦎

07/06/2024

So long, Pueblo Red Lobster. 🦞
Cheddar Bay Biscuits VS Bankruptcy

A live TV news station covering breaking news and traffic for Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Southern Colorado with a strong investigative team

07/06/2024

Surplus VS Return on Investment

We are so happy to see a public bid that we absolutely will not bring up the bucket truck situation. Nope. 🤐

07/06/2024

I couldn’t bring myself to post 20,000 sunset pics like the competitor I don’t compete with, so you get a blue sky pano of the Comanche National Grasslands. (Click the photo for the full effect.)

06/06/2024

Prairie dogs RIP

06/06/2024

SECO Newts won’t be posting frivolous videos of frolicking prairie dogs this evening. In the vein of the coroner drama, we are going to keep the FUN in funeral and tell a true, but tragic, story of death.

I ran over a baby prairie dog today outside of Fowler. I didn’t do it on purpose, but its little sand colored body blended in with the highway and before I knew it, I had run it over. Don’t hate me. I’m a newt and can barely see over the steering wheel and I also cried for at least seven miles afterwards.

But, let’s talk about prairie dogs. Although they are cute rodents, they destroy crops, carry the plague, create holes that will snap a cow’s leg, and they are actively burrowing holes near cemeteries in SE Colorado. Yeah…not so cute anymore, are they? 🤮 Yes, the state of Colorado spends a lot of money trying to manage their population…that would be YOUR tax money, so we aren’t too eager to celebrate them.

06/06/2024

Temper Tantrum VS No Means No

Hello, Prowers County Taxpayers! Guess who is paying for this nonsense? YOU.

The hour Rose sat there, the time of your administrator, all of the things your commissioners COULD have been spending time on to make your lives better…cha-Ching.

But, let’s entertain the published Coroner letter (sections in quotes) with a Newtie OPINION:

“Firstly the fact that the Commissioners invited these people…”

Thank God for transparency. Thank God people are participating in their government. But really, you invited the news to live stream the meeting. Wasn’t that like inviting the entire universe? So, it would seem like you approve of an audience only if you choose it. 🤡

—-
“…and gave them so much information on an active death case is disgusting.”

Under § 30-10-601, autopsy reports are public record. I didn’t hear anything that one could not find in an autopsy report. There was no release of PHI of any sort.
—-

“This is not the first time these people have been called to a public meeting.”

Welcome to life as an elected official. Actually, every citizen is invited for every meeting…it’s called the public notice. Again, this seems okay if you invited them.

——

“There was no delay caused by this situation.”

Was there a delay when you took the time to call the commissioners and tell them to pick up the body? It seems like you openly admitted to delaying arriving on the scene as you sought a solution to you working over 20 hours.

—-
“I have been donated for free a transport van from a neighboring county.”

No, no, no. The BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS had a van donated to them. The board retains possession of all county property. Was the neighboring county willing to pay for the maintenance and the insurance indefinitely? Yeah, didn’t think so. This is a fiscal decision. The board makes all fiscal decisions, even for other elected officers. You can’t control a budget if you have one elected office, such as yours, doing rogue spending.
—-
“…but the commissioners said no for no apparent reason.”

Just because you don’t understand the reason doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. 😉 Additionally, a reason was provided during the meeting.
—-
“This case did not tie up EMS, law enforcement or anyone else. So for the commissioners to twist it this way was again, disgusting.”

Incorrect. The audience member stated this, not the commissioners. The commissioners actually became quiet when the lady brought this up, so are you calling a citizen disgusting? 🤔
——
“The commissioners have not even entertained the idea.” (Of a full time coroner.)

They listed the meetings where this was discussed and the fiscal, legal, and administrative research invested into the matter. This cost money to do. It sounds like they provided fact based information into why they made their decision to keep the position part time and how they provided adequate financial backing for the job to be performed by those working under the direction of the coroner.

—-

“Legislation has said our county should be full time but left it to our County Commissioners to decide.”

That’s not what it says. It provided an option to the commissioners. It’s not a legal directive.

—-
“I do not feel it is up to the commissioners to decide.”

Legally it is, no matter what you feel.

——
“The commissioners by statute only have to work 2 days a month and are paid full time wages, the Coroners Office by statute has to provide coverage 24-7.”

Oooh, wee Tommy. Please. Sit.
If the commissioners only worked two days a month, things would fall apart really fast. In fact, if they ever decided to check out after 40 hours in a week, stuff would fall apart. Being a commissioner is, indeed, a 24/7 job. They have a never-ending list of duties and obligations, and the moment something goes wrong…they get the call. Who did you call when you were refusing to respond? Yeah. A commissioner. See how that works? Do you think you’re the only one who calls them on nights and weekends? Bwahahaha. No. And while your job is important, try orchestrating assets and assistance when the county has a wildfire, flood…their list is way longer than yours.

—-
“This clearly states the Commissioners can change the status of part time to full time. “

Yeah, in two years. Do we need to hear you cry about it for two years? Worse yet, do we have to pay to hear this whining? Suck it up, buddy. You’re part time. You don’t like it? Resign.

—-
“When one of our County Commissioners, Wendy Buxton-Andrade does not even live in this county…”

Prove it. What’s her driver’s license say? Where does she receive mail? You’re deflecting. You aren’t going to win this battle, so maybe stop harassing her.
—-
“There is never any public input or attendance to commissioner meetings.”

But… you just complained about people coming and you seemed to convince the media to come easily enough. Is it only important to you to get the media there when you want your own way? Well, that seems like tinder for the harassment fire.

——

Listen, Tommy. I know this stinks for you, but you aren’t going to win this battle and making everyone as miserable as you for the next 18 months will only cost the taxpayers money.

Furthermore, this is yet another example of special interest folks asking over and over and over again…and harassing…elected officials into changing their minds. There are lots of examples throughout the valley. No doesn’t mean no here. It means push until I break them so I get my way. This needs to change.

05/06/2024

Summation for those who are confused, even after watching the whole video:

Prowers County Coroner, Thomas Dunagan reports that in his year and a half in office, he has made multiple requests to the Prowers County Board of County Commissioners to make him a full-time employee.

Coroners in the State of Colorado are mostly part time elected officials. Exceptions come in the larger population counties. Prowers is on the border of being a large/ small county. All surrounding counties have part time coroners.

The county administrator explained it was cheaper to keep him part time and increase his budget to pay his staff than to make him full time. His budget was increased to do this.

Tom argued there had been 50 deaths in Prowers County this year and that he has 4 grants he’s managing and he goes over 20 working hours each week.

Tom argued state and federal wage guidelines. Although debated by the commissioners, the administrator, Rose, the county attorney, and audience members for nearly an hour, Tom seemed to struggle with the concept of how he is paid.

Commissioner Cook reported that there have been two incidents where Tom called him and said he’s over his 20 hours for the week and the commissioners can go pick up the dead bodies.

In late May, one of these incidents occurred, causing a dead body to lay in a yard for an extensive, but undefined period of time.

Holly Ambulance board member argued that the ambulance staff were kept at the death scene for an extended period of time because of the coroner’s refusal to report to the death scene. She noted that had this kept them from another life or death call, resulting in a fatality or injury, the coroner and Prowers County would be sued.

The coroner argued he has to work three jobs to pay his bills.

The coroner reported he’d always go pick a dead body up, but did not dispute that he resisted doing so on two occasions as a method of leveraging his requested pay increase.

Although we are a parody news source, we understand the gravity of loss and failure of government. When making informed decisions about your government regarding this matter, here is our opinion:

Both the state and federal wage laws quoted by Coroner Dunagan are not applicable to his position. Although technically a county employee, his pay is regulated by the State of Colorado under multiple statutes. To clarify how he is paid: He is a part time elected official with a salary set by the state for that office. He is sworn to perform all duties required of his office despite the number of hours it may or may not take. While the Board of County Commissioners…the holders of the purse strings for all county fiscal matters (including property), have the opportunity to pay him full time under recent state legislation, they chose not to based upon the fiscal analysis and the data the collected from other counties and the county attorney.

The “20 hour work week” is not based on law, past practice, or anything other than something the coroner invented.

Neither the commissioners nor the sheriff can perform the duties of the coroner under state law. Simply, the coroner must perform the duties he was elected to do.

Regardless of pay, the coroner is required by both law and ethics to NOT LEAVE A DEAD BODY LYING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. The people of Prowers County deserve better.

Elected officials are not permitted, by state statutes, to spend money on attorney fees at their own discretion. The Board of County Commissioners, as the only people with budgeting powers, cannot provide the fiscal oversight they are required to perform by law, if some other elected official decides to spend thousands on his own attorney. By law, the coroner is responsible to privately pay for all of his own private attorney fees.

The county attorney was available for him to seek legal advice under matters allowable by state law.

House Bill 22-1273 was signed into law providing protections for elected officials. Calling a commissioner and threatening to not pick up a dead body of someone known by that commissioner appears to be a form of intimidation used by the coroner to get his own way in terms of his pay. Commissioners need to be free of threats and intimidation to perform their jobs in service to the citizens.

The state statutes do not allow for the coroner’s pay to be increased for another year and a half. Punishing the commissioners for their decision to influence their decisions and refusing to perform the duties of one’s office is recall worthy.

The unauthorized credit card charges, the pressure to pay privately incurred attorney fees, and trying to push the board to own a van they didn’t vote to acquire…all cherries on this hot mess sundae.

05/06/2024

LASD Property Grabs VS WHHHHYYYY

Special School Board Meeting: Tuesday, June 4th

05/06/2024

7.25 Inch Texas Hail VS EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH

A new state record! As they say everything is bigger in Texas!

Info via Tim Marshall: Val and Amy Castor documented this 7.25” hailstone 3 miles WNW of Vigo Park, TX at 7:37pm 6/2/24 and set a new state record (pending) shattering the previous record of 6.4" in Hondo, TX in 2021!

05/06/2024

Oncoming Train VS Apprehended Suspect

Fort Lupton police apprehended Yareni Rios-Gonzales in a case where she was suspected of brandishing a gun in a road rage incident.
Platteville police responded to assist.
She was handcuffed in inside of their cruiser.
Police did not notice that they were parked on railroad tracks.
Video shows Rio-Gonzales screaming as the train approached.
She sustained a few broken ribs and other injuries.
The two cities, about 30 miles south of Denver, will jointly cough up the $8.5 million.
They reached an agreeable settlement instead of going to court.

No newts were harmed in this incident.

A live TV news station covering breaking news and traffic for Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Southern Colorado with a strong investigative team

05/06/2024

Giraffe VS Toddler
🦒 VS 👧

A family in Texas says they went through quite the scare when recently visiting a wildlife center.

05/06/2024

We’ve heard from many of you that you’re angry that lawmakers don’t seem to consider rural Colorado. Come hear what Representative Ty Winter has to say about it.

05/06/2024

SECO Newts slithered on over to the City of Las Animas’s page and gave it a like. Much to our horror, we noticed we were follower #666.
The horrors persist, but so do we.

05/06/2024

People of Las Animas vs Juneteenth

Multiple followers have reached out to SECO Newts to ask why the City of Las Animas will be CLOSED for Juneteenth.
Our government and legal reporter, Perry Newtson, explained it is because they are following the holidays set by the State of Colorado and advised that if someone doesn’t like it, let this serve as a reminder that you voted for this clown show of a government.

05/06/2024

We watched it so you don’t have to, folks! Juicy clips in the comments.

Prowers County Coroner vs Prowers County Commissioners

County Administrator vs Accusations of Laughing

Elected Duty vs I’m Not Getting Paid to do This

Oh Yes You Are Getting Paid To Do This vs Still Not Getting It

Scowling Accusations vs Please Sit Down

Who Is Picking Up The Body vs Not my Job

Body in Yard vs Really Long Time

Holly Ambulance Time vs Coroner Temper Tantrum

Understanding Statutory Pay Guidelines for Elected Officials vs Just Not Getting It

Pay Your Own Lawyer vs But the DA Wrote Me a Letter

$1984 Unapproved Credit Card Charge vs Docked Expense Reimbursement

Wendy’s Picking On Me vs Prove It, Buddy!

Still Not Getting It vs We Give Up…He’ll Never Get It

Rose vs How to Explain Law to a Third Grader

I Know Your Secrets vs We Are Off-Topic

05/06/2024

They’re heeeere.
Go into the light…there’s peace and serenity in the light.
Carol Anne! Carol Anne!!

Miller moths are making their westward journey from the plains to the mountains. Here's what to know for moth season in Colorado.

04/06/2024

DEATH vs NOT REALLY
Newts love surprises!!

Constance Glantz, 74, was pronounced dead for a second time Monday afternoon, authorities said.

04/06/2024

WATER FOUNTAIN vs THE PLACE WHERE WISHES COME TO DIE

04/06/2024

SHORTAGE OF FUNDS TO HOUSE DISABLED ADULTS vs BILLIONS SPENT TO HOUSE HOMELESS ADDICTS

A live TV news station covering breaking news and traffic for Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Southern Colorado with a strong investigative team

04/06/2024

PHOTOGRAPHY MAJOR vs INFLUENCER

04/06/2024

MAINTENANCE FREE EXTERIOR vs FUTURE COST TO REPAINT

Opioid Reduction Mural in process! Great community volunteers to help with painting!

04/06/2024

Authorities VS Gruesome Discovery

Authorities in Indiana are continuing to identify human remains found at an alleged serial killer’s property.

04/06/2024

🦎🦎🦎

04/06/2024

NEWTS vs THINGS YOU CANT UN-SEE

🦶🤯🦶

A live TV news station covering breaking news and traffic for Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Southern Colorado with a strong investigative team

03/06/2024

FBI vs CRIMINAL
An individual has posted video of the FBI outside of the home of Clayton Spano.

All parties are presumed innocent. We are saying a little newt prayer for all involved.