Latest news with #FortCollins
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'Balloon boy' Falcon Heene finally reveals how he remembers parents' hoax that shocked America in new Netflix documentary
The child who was at the center of the 'balloon boy' hoax that gripped America nearly 16 years ago has now revealed how he relished in the chaos during the ordeal. Falcon Heene, now 22, was just six years old when he captivated the nation after his weatherman father, Richard, set off a weather balloon and then claimed it was carrying his son. For two difficult hours on October 15, 2009, the silver helium balloon, resembling a flying saucer, drifted to heights of up to 7,000 feet across the skies of Colorado. Falcon's parents claimed that the boy sneaked into the balloon and a frantic search began that grounded planes and involved the National Guard. However, Falcon was found hiding in the attic at the family's Fort Collins home. Richard and his wife, Mayumi, were later sentenced to prison for what was declared a hoax. Nearly 16 years later, the Heene family is speaking out in a new Netflix documentary called 'Trainwreck: Balloon Boy' that airs on July 15. In the new trailer, Falcon confessed that thinks it's 'crazy' how much chaos he stirred. 'I think it was crazy how I was six years old and I was able to affect the whole state of the country,' he said. The Heene parents defended their actions in the trailer with Mayumi crying, 'You don't get it!' 'All I wanted to do was make a really fantastic project for the kids,' Richard said. 'Everybody starts criticizing us. I'm like, "You've got to be s******g me!"' At the time of the incident, the family had pitched for a science-based reality TV show, but it had been rejected. Mayumi later told investigators that her husband wanted attention to secure the show, and a runaway balloon with a child inside could be just the thing to clinch a TV deal. Richard and Mayumi eventually pleaded guilty to their crimes. Mayumi was charged with false reporting and Richard was charged with a felony count of attempting to influence a public servant. Richard served 90 days in jail, and the family was ordered to pay $42,000 in restitution for the emergency rescue efforts. The judge also barred them from profiting off of the incident for four years. The couple has maintained that the incident wasn't a hoax, and they pleaded guilty out of fear that Mayumi would be deported. In 2020, Richard and Mayumi were finally forgiven for their crimes when Colorado Governor Jared Polis pardoned them. 'In the case of Richard and Mayumi Heene, the 'Balloon Boy' parents, we are all ready to move past the spectacle from a decade ago that wasted the precious time and resources of law enforcement officials and the general public,' Polis said in a statement. 'Richard and Mayumi have paid the price in the eyes of the public, served their sentences, and it's time for all of us to move on.' The family has since moved to Florida, and a now grown-up Falcon has shared on his Instagram that he builds tiny homes for a living. Falcon owns Craftsman Tiny Homes, a family-run business in Archer, Florida, constructing several different models available for purchase. The tiny homes range from $25,000 to $79,000. He shared a video documenting the process of building a tiny home from start to finish.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Who are Richard & Mayumi Heene? ‘Balloon boy' parents who convinced world their son Falcon was trapped in an inflatable
BACK in 2009, Richard and Mayumi Heene were the masterminds behind a devious deception involving their son Falcon. They told authorities that the six-year-old floated away in a silver helium balloon shaped like a UFO — here's everything you need to know. 3 Who Are Richard & Mayumi Heene? Richard and Mayumi Heene were the couple at the center of the infamous "Balloon Boy" hoax that captivated the world in October 2009. The incident unfolded in Fort Collins, Colorado, when the Heenes claimed their six-year-old son Falcon floated off in a homemade, helium-filled silver balloon shaped like a flying saucer. On October 15, 2009, Richard and Mayumi alerted authorities and the media, stating that their son Falcon was trapped inside the runaway balloon. The spectacle was broadcast live, with millions watching as the balloon drifted for nearly two hours, covering roughly 70 miles before landing northeast of Denver International Airport. When the balloon was finally recovered, Falcon was not inside. Authorities launched a frantic search, fearing he had fallen out. Falcon was later discovered hiding in the attic of the family's home, safe and unharmed. Balloon boy lie unravels Suspicion quickly arose about the authenticity of the parents' story, especially after a CNN interview in which Falcon. When asked why he was hiding, the then six-year-old said: 'You guys said that — we did this for the show.' Investigators quickly concluded that the Heenes orchestrated the event to attract media attention and boost their chances of landing their own reality TV program. Influencer Haley Kalil aka Haylee Baylee breaks silence on sick death rumor with hilarious self-written obituary The couple previously appeared on Wife Swap, while Richard had pitched several reality TV concepts, including one about investigating scientific mysteries. Legal consequences Both parents eventually confessed to their roles in the hoax. Richard pleaded guilty to attempting to influence a public servant — he was sentenced to 90 days in jail and ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution. Mayumi pleaded guilty to false reporting and received a 20-day weekend jail sentence. The couple also faced eight years of probation and were required to perform community service. Motivation behind the stunt Richard is described as a self-styled inventor, storm chaser and aspiring reality TV personality. 3 He met Mayumi, originally from Japan, at an acting school in Hollywood, and they married in 1997. The couple ran a film-editing business and were known for their eccentric pursuits, including storm chasing and UFO hunting, often involving their three sons — Falcon, Bradford and Ryo. Aftermath Despite their guilty pleas, the Heenes have maintained their innocence, claiming they were pressured to confess under threat of Mayumi's deportation. In 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis pardoned both Richard and Mayumi Heene. The family has relocated to Florida. Trainwreck: Balloon Boy A documentary directed by Gillian Pachter revisits the notorious 2009 Balloon Boy hoax. The film is part of the Trainwreck anthology series, which explores headline-grabbing disasters and media frenzies from around the world. Episodes of Trainwreck started dropping on Netflix on June 10, 2025, with Balloon Boy available for streaming from July 15.
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
Police officers in Northern Colorado shoot man who allegedly had knife
A man is in the hospital after being shot by police late Sunday night in Northern Colorado. Police vehicles can be seen on Monday morning outside the home where the shooting happened in Fort Collins. CBS According to Fort Collins police, officers responded to an argument at a home near Eastdale Drive and Stover Street at about 10:30 p.m. That's in the East Dale neighborhood. They say a man was armed with a knife and wouldn't follow commands to put it down. Officers opened fire, shooting him. He was taken to the hospital -- and is in custody. His condition at the hospital wasn't made public as of Monday morning.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Your guide to whitewater rafting on the Poudre River
Whether you're a lifelong resident or just visiting for a day or two, there aren't many Colorado experiences that top whitewater rafting. And some of the best river-running in the state is in Fort Collins' backyard, on Colorado's only nationally designated 'Wild and Scenic' Poudre River in Poudre Canyon. Four businesses in and around Fort Collins and another in Estes Park offer a variety of daily trips on the Poudre from late spring through the end of August or beyond, as water levels allow. 'June's the time to go if you want the big waves,' said Bob Klein, owner of A Wanderlust Adventure. 'If not, July and August are good, too. It's still exciting and fun at that time.' No experience is required, although some trips include more challenging rapids than others, according to the outfitters. Minimum age requirements vary by company and trip difficulty. Otherwise, 'if you can get on the bus safely and walk down to the boat, you can go rafting with us,' said Ella Zuellig, a guide with Mountain Whitewater. Outfitters provide guests with paddles, life jackets and helmets, and all have additional gear, including paddle or splash jackets, wetsuits and neoprene booties, available, often for an extra fee. Trips run as scheduled, rain or shine. Each of the five rafting companies operating in the Poudre Canyon have been doing so for decades, and all operate under permits issued through Roosevelt National Forest that limit the number of boats and visitors on the river at any one time. Starting and ending points may vary, based on the season and water levels. 'That's one of the beauties of the Poudre, is we have lots of miles of river we can run,' said Kyle Johnson, co-owner of Rocky Mountain Adventures. Advance reservations are recommended. Prices vary by outfitter, trip and day. Here's a list of the five outfitters operating in the Poudre Canyon: A1 Wildwater — 2801 N. Shields St., Fort Collins. Phone: 970-224-3379 or 800-369-4165. Website: A Wanderlust Adventure — 4120 W. County Road 54G, Laporte. Phone: 970-482-1995. Website: Mountain Whitewater — 1329 N. U.S. Highway 287, Fort Collins. Phone: 970-419-0917. Website: Rapid Transit — Estes Park, trips meet at Estes Park High School, 1600 Manford Ave. Phone: 970-577-7238 or 800-367-8523. Website: Rocky Mountain Adventures — 1117 N. U.S. Highway 287, Fort Collins. Phone: 970-493-4005 or 800-858-6808. Website: Coloradoan reporter Kelly Lyell can be reached at KellyLyell@ Follow him on and This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Guide to whitewater rafting on the Poudre River in Colorado
The Guardian
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
US night-sky agency threatened by Trump administration funding cuts
The Trump administration appears poised to cut the US Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division (NSNSD), a little-known office that works to rein in noise and light pollution in national parks, a task that is seen as a vital environmental endeavor. Advocates say the division's work is quiet but important – many plants and animals rely on the darkness, and light pollution is contributing to firefly and other insect die-offs. The office led efforts to reduce light pollution at the Grand Canyon and snowmobile noise that drowned out sounds emanating from the Old Faithful geyser, among other initiatives. 'They're a small but mighty program,' said Kristen Brengel, vice-president of government affairs for the National Park Conservation Association, which advocates for the national park system. 'When you think about it, the national parks are a full sensory experience … and there are scientists behind the scenes who are making sure that you have that world-class experience,' Brengel added. The office is an example of what would be lost if the Trump administration is successful in implementing deep cuts to the US National Park Service, shifting its focus from enhancing and preserving parks to simply managing visitors. The agency's stewardship budget, which funds the NSNSD's office of about 10 employees, is facing a proposed reduction from about $375m to $185m, and advocates say the office is almost certainly threatened. The National Park Service's Fort Collins, Colorado, office, out of which the NSNSD operates, was initially targeted by Elon Musk's 'department of government efficiency' for closure. Court battles have tied up the Trump administration's reduction-in-force (RIF) proposals, for now putting its National Park Service plans on hold. 'Our concern is that this little-known division will be decimated amid the cuts because its work is underappreciated,' said Ruskin Hartley, CEO of DarkSky International, which shares data with the NSNSD and has a similar mission. The NSNSD and the National Park Service did not respond to requests for comment. The NSNSD was established in 2000 with an aim to 'protect, maintain, and restore acoustical and dark night sky environments' throughout the park system. In practice, that's meant a combination of improving lighting in public parks, preserving darkness for wildlife, performing research and promoting dark sky tourism, which is booming, Hartley said. Light pollution is increasing globally at about 10% annually, and around 60% of all known species are nocturnal and rely on the darkness, DarkSky estimates. Light pollution is particularly hard on migratory birds that rely on the moon and stars to navigate, and are drawn to bright light sources, and the light can also disrupt plants' photosynthesis process. The NSNSD in recent decades helped lead projects that aimed to improve lighting at many of the nation's 430 parks, seashores and sites. It retrofitted 5,000 lights in the Grand Canyon national park with lower-watt LEDs that reduced spillage into the sky, and which turned the area into a certified dark sky park. It also adjusted the lighting at the Mt Rushmore national park to reduce spillover, and improved lighting at the Gateway Arch in St Louis. The latter's lights are now turned off during periods of heavy bird traffic in migratory season. Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion The NSNSD also aims to ensure people can see the stars. For its purposes and those of DarkSky International, the definition of a 'dark sky' is anywhere in which one can view the Milky Way, Hartley said. About 83% of the US population lives in an area where they cannot. 'You want to have lighting that protects and respects the natural darkness in those parks,' Hartley said. The NSNSD has also 'pioneered' ways to measure, assess, and track changes in natural darkness over time, and it publishes papers on night sky quality, Hartley said. The NSNSD's sounds department helped resolve a 2013 controversy over snowmobiles at Yellowstone. Dozens of extremely loud two-stroke snowmobiles that would gather daily at the Old Faithful geyser were drowning out its sounds, scaring bison and generally degrading the experience, Brengel said. Employees from the NSNSD measured the noise, determined the level at which natural sounds could be heard and wildlife would be less scared. It helped develop rules that required quieter four-stroke snowmobile engines, and limited their numbers to 10 at a time. The effort was seen as a happy compromise, Brengel said. 'They figure out ways to maximize natural sounds while still getting people out in the parks,' Brengel said. 'It's an innovative program that ensures the visitor experience stays intact.' The fight over reduction-in-force proposals in court is important to the NSNSD's survival, Brengel said, but her group is also alerting members of Congress to what the park service cuts would mean. Should the cuts go through, the park service would become a 'visitors' service agency', Brengel added, and would be unable to protect cultural and natural resources, as is statutorily mandated. 'We would sue,' Brengel said.
