2 women changing tire hit, killed by semi

DENVER – Authorities say two women from Texas are dead after they were hit by a tractor-trailer while changing a tire on Interstate 70 near Limon.

Sgt. Mike Baker with the Colorado State Patrol said the semi registered in Louisiana was hauling livestock when it struck the women at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other died at a hospital.

Killed in the crash were 48-year-old Shun Jones, of Carrollton, Texas, and 38-year-old Amanda Omo-Iyamu, of Balch Springs, Texas.

N.M. settles emissions case with oil refinery

SANTA FE – A Texas-based oil refining company has agreed to pay New Mexico $444,000 in penalties to settle emissions violations at its plant near Gallup.

The New Mexico Environment Department announced the settlement with Western Refining of El Paso last week. The department claims the company violated state air pollution standards by allowing excess sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants to be emitted at the Ciniza refinery. The violations took place between July 2009 and March 2012.

Hole repairs will take 1 month, up to $2M

LEADVILLE – It will take about a month and up to $2 million to repair a 100-foot-deep hole beside U.S. 24 on Tennessee Pass.

The Colorado Department of Transportation said Friday it hopes to award a repair contract by Tuesday after an emergency bidding process.

A one-mile section of the highway will remain closed in both directions until the repairs are done. CDOT said it hopes to reopen the highway in time for the USA Pro Challenge cycling race, which plans to use the route Aug. 23.

The hole opened Monday when the soil gave way above an abandoned railroad tunnel that collapsed. Repairs will include stabilizing the tunnel and filling the cavity.

Motorists can still get to locations on either side of the closure, including the Camp Hale recreation area.

Associated Press