EAGLE, Colo. (AP) -- Just outside the Eagle Pharmacy on downtown's main drag, a sign cautions townspeople about talking to the media types searching for clues about Kobe Bryant and his alleged sexual assault victim.
The sign reflects a growing local weariness with a case that's expected to keep this mountain town in the spotlight a lot longer than most locals would like.
Inside the store, a cashier was heeding the call.
``People come by and say `Good for you,''' she said before refusing to give her name.
This community of about 3,500 people straddling Interstate 70 about 30 miles from Vail is dealing with a media onslaught in the wake of the Bryant charges. The county fair and rodeo closed Sunday night, but motels and restaurants are filled this week with a different kind of visitor.
A few blocks from downtown, a temporary parking lot across from the county courthouse was jammed with television satellite trucks. Workmen were building a string of covered platforms for the obligatory live camera shots outside the court where Bryant will appear on Wednesday.
The basketball star's first courtroom appearance will likely be brief, lasting just a few minutes while Bryant is advised of the charge against him, his rights and the possible penalty he faces. He is free on $25,000 bond.
Bryant lost a bid last week to skip the proceeding, which will be a much more solemn affair than his appearance Saturday night at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, where he went with his wife, Vanessa, to accept a 2003 Teen Choice Award as favorite male athlete.
Bryant held his fist in the air after claiming his trophy, made a peace sign with his fingers and waved to fans on the arrivals line. He also kissed his wife's hand.
For Wednesday's brief hearing before Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett, Bryant is expected to jet into Eagle and then quickly back out again.
The attention, though, will be intense. On Monday, Gannett rejected Bryant's request to keep cameras out of the courtroom, saying it was unlikely that the presence of cameras would jeopardize his right to a fair trial.
``Defendant's objections are general in nature and do not allege any specific prejudice which may result from expanded media coverage'' of the hearing, the judge wrote.
The media influx has not only created a boom to local motels and restaurants, it has forced the county sheriff to take some special precautions.
Authorities walked along the courthouse grounds Monday, inspecting a media overflow tent and a roped area where photographers will stand to grab a snapshot of the NBA star.
Bryant will appear before Gannett in a courtroom with 68 seats, far fewer than what can accommodate the number of reporters covering the case. The courthouse's other two courtrooms will be empty by the time Bryant shows up.
Everyone attending the hearing will go through a metal detector, and at least five deputies will be assigned to the courthouse. More than half the seats will go to the media.
``It's going to be a challenge,'' Eagle County Undersheriff Ken Wilson said. ``We've never had anything in Eagle County this big.''
Almost everyone connected to the case is under a gag order, but that hasn't stopped the gossip around town. The alleged victim is known by many, and for a few days after Bryant was charged her friends spoke freely about her.
Little about the alleged assault, which occurred about 20 minutes away at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, has been revealed publicly. The alleged victim reported it to police the next day.@@
The sign reflects a growing local weariness with a case that's expected to keep this mountain town in the spotlight a lot longer than most locals would like.
Inside the store, a cashier was heeding the call.
``People come by and say `Good for you,''' she said before refusing to give her name.
This community of about 3,500 people straddling Interstate 70 about 30 miles from Vail is dealing with a media onslaught in the wake of the Bryant charges. The county fair and rodeo closed Sunday night, but motels and restaurants are filled this week with a different kind of visitor.
A few blocks from downtown, a temporary parking lot across from the county courthouse was jammed with television satellite trucks. Workmen were building a string of covered platforms for the obligatory live camera shots outside the court where Bryant will appear on Wednesday.
The basketball star's first courtroom appearance will likely be brief, lasting just a few minutes while Bryant is advised of the charge against him, his rights and the possible penalty he faces. He is free on $25,000 bond.
Bryant lost a bid last week to skip the proceeding, which will be a much more solemn affair than his appearance Saturday night at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, where he went with his wife, Vanessa, to accept a 2003 Teen Choice Award as favorite male athlete.
Bryant held his fist in the air after claiming his trophy, made a peace sign with his fingers and waved to fans on the arrivals line. He also kissed his wife's hand.
For Wednesday's brief hearing before Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett, Bryant is expected to jet into Eagle and then quickly back out again.
The attention, though, will be intense. On Monday, Gannett rejected Bryant's request to keep cameras out of the courtroom, saying it was unlikely that the presence of cameras would jeopardize his right to a fair trial.
``Defendant's objections are general in nature and do not allege any specific prejudice which may result from expanded media coverage'' of the hearing, the judge wrote.
The media influx has not only created a boom to local motels and restaurants, it has forced the county sheriff to take some special precautions.
Authorities walked along the courthouse grounds Monday, inspecting a media overflow tent and a roped area where photographers will stand to grab a snapshot of the NBA star.
Bryant will appear before Gannett in a courtroom with 68 seats, far fewer than what can accommodate the number of reporters covering the case. The courthouse's other two courtrooms will be empty by the time Bryant shows up.
Everyone attending the hearing will go through a metal detector, and at least five deputies will be assigned to the courthouse. More than half the seats will go to the media.
``It's going to be a challenge,'' Eagle County Undersheriff Ken Wilson said. ``We've never had anything in Eagle County this big.''
Almost everyone connected to the case is under a gag order, but that hasn't stopped the gossip around town. The alleged victim is known by many, and for a few days after Bryant was charged her friends spoke freely about her.
Little about the alleged assault, which occurred about 20 minutes away at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, has been revealed publicly. The alleged victim reported it to police the next day.@@
