On May 5, 2023, the Chaffee County Communications Center received information of a possible impaired driver who was observed swerving on U.S. Highway 50 in Poncha Springs.

The caller advised that the driver of the vehicle was stopped at a local business in Poncha Springs.

Deputies responded to the location and contacted the driver of the vehicle matching the description provided by the caller. After a brief investigation the driver was arrested for suspected DUI, and further investigation revealed that the driver was in possession of illegal narcotics.

The suspect was identified as Misty M. Rusch a 48-year-old female from Pagosa Springs. Rusch was found to be in possession of 19 grams, over 275 pills, of Fentanyl, 2 grams of Methamphetamine and a large sum of U.S. Currency.

Rusch was booked into the Chaffee County Detention Facility and charged with:

• Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Fentanyl, a Class 2 Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, Drug Felony 4
• DUI and DUID

Rusch is being held on a $10,000 cash only bond.

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Dan R

Danny “Dan R” Ridenour has been in radio and television broadcasting for over 40 years, starting as a senior in high school in Rogers, Arkansas. His radio career has had stops in Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma, and eventually, Colorado. Dan enjoys being involved in the community, having been a member of the Upper Arkansas Service Club and is currently on the board of directors for the Salida Community Center and is a member of the Chaffee County Fair Committee. He and his wife Carrie spend their days doing everything the mountains have to offer: hiking, camping, fishing and skiing. They've raised 3 children and have 2 grandchildren.

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