Colorado
Who was Jesse Hamric? Colorado teen dies after jumping into electrified Virginia lake during 4th of July celebrations
A Colorado teen died after jumping into an electrified lake during 4th of July celebrations. Friends of 18-year-old Jesse Hamric realised something was wrong as soon as he dove into the water at Smith Mountain Lake outside Roanoke, Virginia.
Hamric’s friends jumped into the water after him, and immediately felt themselves getting shocked. They sustained injuries themselves, but managed to pull Hamric out, WDBJ reported. One of the friends called for help, while another began CPR on Hamric.
Hamric was eventually rushed to a hospital by a rescue crew. He later died. Two of his friends sustained minor injuries.
Fire crews investigated the incident and an official with the Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Rescue Dive Team confirmed that there were electrical currents in the water where Hamric died, caused by stray voltage spreading from a dock at a private residence located nearby. No foul play is suspected in Hamric’s death, according to ABC13.
Who was Jesse Hamric?
Hamric was a Steamboat Springs native. At the time of the incident, he was visiting friends with his family. Hamric excelled on the football and baseball teams in Steamboat Springs High School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and had just graduated in May.
“Ever since I first met that kid, I mean, he’s like one of a kind,” Hamric’s friend Alex Schwab told KDVR. “You see him and you just, like, he always has a smile on his face.”
“Still can’t even like process it. I’m so upset by it,” he added.
Hamric was the son of Jay Hamric, the school’s principal, according to Independent. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of a recent Steamboat Springs High School graduate,” the school said in a statement. “Please take a moment to care for yourself, lean into those around you for support, and care for each other. Our thoughts are with all of you.”
A GoFundMe has been launched to “support the family and to fund a “Jesse Cyrus Hamric Foundation for Courage and Love”.” “Jesse was a dearly loved friend, bringing light and positivity everywhere he went, and he will be missed everyday,” the page reads.
Colorado
Watch CBS Colorado’s GOP Governor Primary Debate
Colorado
Colorado Springs youth hockey coach arrested in Douglas County child sex-crimes investigation
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is seeking potential additional victims after a youth hockey coach who lives in Colorado Springs was arrested for child sex crimes.
The sheriff’s office said Colorado Springs resident 40-year-old Rory Nathaniel Mushlin was arrested Thursday following a tip that he was engaged in inappropriate behavior with minors.
According to deputies, Mushlin is being held on suspicion of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, unlawful electronic sexual communication – person of trust, obscenity and internet sexual exploitation of a child.
Deputies said he has been employed as a youth hockey coach at South Suburban Sports Complex in Highlands Ranch since January 2023. They said the team he coached would practice at the Parker Field House and the Family Sports Center in Arapahoe County.
DCSO says multiple underage victims have been identified.
“Because of the suspect’s coaching position and regular interaction with youth sports programs, investigators are working to ensure all potential victims are identified and provided with support‚” the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said.
Mushlin is being held at the Douglas County Detention Facility on a $75,000 bond.
If you have any information about this case or think that a child you know may have had inappropriate contact with the suspect, you are urged to reach out to Douglas County Detective Clay at sclay@dcsheriff.net.
Copyright 2026 KKTV. All rights reserved.
Colorado
Imagine a world where the Colorado gas pump knows your credit score (Letters)
Imagine a world where the gas pump knows your credit score
Re: “Polis vetoes ‘surveillance pricing’ bill,” June 3 news story
Gov. Jared Polis’ veto of the anti-surveillance pricing bill proves once again he’s just a Republican wearing a liberal costume. His excuse? The bill, which would have banned companies from using AI and “big data” to manipulate prices and wages based on your personal circumstances, might “interfere with the free functioning of markets.”
Sure. Because nothing says “free market” like corporate algorithms tracking your every vulnerability to extract maximum blood from your stone. This isn’t capitalism; it’s corporate sharecropping scaled to the state level.
Consider this hypothetical: A software engineer gets laid off but has some savings. On the way to a job interview, he pulls up to a gas pump. Between inserting his card and pumping, the oil company runs an instant “wealth check.” Seeing his healthy savings balance, the algorithm spikes his price per gallon.
He arrives at the interview. Instead of offering a salary based on market value and experience, the employer scrapes data on his time out of work, his dwindling savings, and his chronic illness. They craft an offer just high enough to keep him from drowning, complete with a health plan that conveniently excludes his condition.
Is this the “free functioning of markets?” No. It’s an asymmetric data war where citizens are completely outgunned. But hey, as long as Gov. Polis can keep defending the “freedom” of monopolies to pickpocket your data, who cares about the actual people?
For someone who just moved from Florida in part to escape this nonsense, Polis disappoints.
Tom Gawronski, Evergreen
Climate crisis is front-page news
Re: “U.N.: Next five years could smash temperature records,” May 29 news story
Banging the climate crisis drum: Last Friday, The Denver Post relegated a major U.N. climate report to page 12. Ho-hum, the world scientific community keeps banging that old drum about the climate. No big deal. We haven’t gone off the cliff — yet.
But there is a cliff there. Scientists just don’t know when the edge — the tipping point — will be reached.
Have you noticed all the floods, droughts and temperature records we are experiencing (again) this year? Are you concerned about this being a really bad fire year? Drill, baby drill continues as President Trump says we have to produce more oil, while the report concludes that oil and gas is the major contributor to the issue. Ho-hum.
As a committed climate activist, I plan to keep banging that old drum and supporting the rapid transition away from oil and gas to renewable energy.
Marc Alston, Denver
Sarah Woodson for House District 42
Sarah Woodson is a breath of fresh air for the residents of House District 42. A new voice of reason and common sense for everyday Aurorans stressed out by politicians on the far right and left who only support special agendas, not their constituents.
It was 40 years ago that Aurorans trusted another homegrown centrist political newcomer who went door to door to listen to his neighbors and represent them, not the special interest lobbyists that swarm over our Capitol like the miller moths and locusts of summer.
It takes a strong voice from a future leader like Sarah Woodson who listens first to the people and serves them, and not the special political insects. Too many people are again suffering real economic hardships, like how to simply pay for this week’s groceries, while the politicians of the far right and left play off one another and do nothing to help the common people.
It is time again to support a homegrown political newcomer who will serve us, the people, not them, the special interests.
Steve Ruddick, Aurora
Editor’s note: Ruddick is a former Aurora state representative.
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