League to learn about veterans services

The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will meet on Nov. 8, at 9 a.m. at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores.

The guest speaker will be Rick Torres, who will discuss services provided to veterans in Montezuma County. The meeting is open to the public.

Ballot Issue pamphlets from the League of Women Voters of Colorado are available at the Dolores, Mancos and Cortez public libraries and various other locations. There are four issues on the November ballot and the League publication provides pros and cons on each of the issues. For additional information, please call Eleanor Kuhl at 970-564-0708.

Mancos alumni selected for doctorate program

Catrinna Rose Amorelli, a 2005 graduate of Mancos High School, 2009 graduate of Colorado State University and a graduate of University of New England in 2013 with a masters in occupational therapy, has been selected for the doctorate program for occupational therapy by the U.S. Army. She began her induction and training as a first lieutenant at the Army facility in San Antonio, Texas, in September.

Catrinna is the daughter of Shari Amorelli of Mancos, Colo. and Joe Amorelli of Mancos. Her sister, Gabriella Amorelli, is a student at Mesa State University, and her brother Joseph Amorelli is a career Coast Guardsman, stationed in North Carolina.

Health department warns of tularemia risk

October is the beginning of small-game hunting season. As the number of human tularemia cases in our state continues to rise, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reminds hunters to "hunt healthy."

In the past 10 years, Colorado has averaged three human cases of tularemia a year, said State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer House. "So far in 2014 we have had 11, and additional suspected cases are under investigation."

Tularemia is a bacterial disease that can affect small-game animals. It can cause illness and death in rabbits and rodents such as squirrels.

Hunters are most at risk when skinning, preparing and consuming the meat.

Hunters should harvest only small game that looks and acts healthy; wear gloves when handling small game animals, and wash your hands; cook all game meat to 160-170 F.

The Mancos Times