He was an actor, playing a role.

He was an actor, playing a role. That's what investigators are saying about the man targeted in a shooting at the Atwood Sinclair Station in August 2012. Eric Morales was shot twice by at least three men, who allegedly were trying to rob him, in front of a gas station. But investigators said this was a setup, because Morales allegedly "scammed" the sister of one of the shooters out of $750, and after the shooting, witnesses said Morales asked a third party to "get rid of the gun as he was bleeding out on the sidewalk," and to dump a bag of meth into the South Platte River. Morales apologized to the court yesterday, and said this near death experience has helped him recognize his wrongs. A judge said he understood Morales used his gun in self defense, but added he put himself in that position by dealing drugs. Morales was sentenced to 2 years behind bars.
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"Permit-happy."

"Permit-happy." That's what Sterling city officials said could happen if a new sidewalk ordinance is taken to the extreme. The city council tabled an ordinance that would have given an outline of what could be put on any sidewalk, "sidewalk area," or "portion of the public right of way." It would also give the city the right to issue a revocable permit to businesses, which some argued, would force them to get a city permit for anything placed on a public right of way. The concern stemmed from one part of the ordinance, which states that "any obstruction, tree, shrub, etc., shall be removed by the owner of the adjacent premises, if the city manager orders it, unless "a revocable permit" was previously approved to use that portion of the sidewalk. The city council will address concerns at their May 28 meeting, .
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There was a changing of the guard at Brush High School

There was a changing of the guard at Brush High School. There were 16 candidates up for the vacant principal seat at BHS, but it was teacher and Interim Director of the building's Response to Intervention, (RtI) program Dan Kennedy, who will fill the position. Kennedy, who has 18 years of experience in education across Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico, was approved at last week's meeting of the Brush Board of Education. While serving as a teacher at BHS from 2005 to May of last year, Kennedy taught U.S. History, Economics, Government, Civics and Current Issues.
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The Suncor spill north of Denver is still posing a threat to water supplies

The Suncor spill north of Denver is still posing a threat to water supplies. After 18 months of cleanup around Suncor's oil refinery, contamination of the South Platte River is diminishing, but concentrations of cancer-causing benzene in the water remain six times higher than the national safety standard. The spill, detected in November 2011, still ranks among the toughest environmental challenges in the region. Another oil and gas industry spill this year tainted Parachute Creek in western Colorado. Spills from industry pipelines and storage facilities at 12 other locations have contaminated groundwater with benzene, as well, prompting the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to hold companies accountable for the big spills, ordering a quick of all benzene from soil, water and air.
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Less people are committing crimes in Ft. Morgan, or they're not getting caught

Less people are committing crimes in Ft. Morgan, or they're not getting caught. A report released this week, showed fewer prisoners were held at the Morgan County Jail last year, with the average daily population at about 93 prisoners, down from 111 in 2006. But, those inmates were more difficult to handle, according to the annual report presented to commissioners Tuesday. Records showed that 186 inmates had chronic, long-term mental illness, and jailers were on suicide watch, 71 times, with two or three watches simultaneously. Officials say this reflects the fact that the jail is handling more and more mentally ill people, who are usually there on relatively minor offenses.
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Santa's coming to Sterling

Santa's coming to Sterling. With summer just around the corner, the Miracle Letter Program and the Santas of Sterling are sponsoring a Children's Bicycle Safety Day this Saturday, (May 18) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sterling Fire Station. Santas of Sterling will teach kids bicycle safety and maintenance. Area businesses are providing materials, labor and refreshments. Santas of Sterling is also starting a bike exchange program. The public is invited to trade, swap or give the organization a bike to be given to another child. The Mel's Bike Project is in memory of Melvin Meekins, who was known as “the bicycle man.” After he retired he started taking bikes in and fixing them, refurbishing more than 600 bicycles. For more information about Bike Safety Day or Mel's Bike Project, call (970) 580-6580.
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Ready or not, here we come world.

Ready or not, here we come world. Those were the sentiments ecohed by seventeen students who walked into the Haxtun High School gym Sunday afternoon, and walked out alumni. Several mentions were made during the graduation ceremony of the close connections the classmates have to one another, and to their community. The classmates, collectively, have received more than $100,000 in scholarships to date for 2013. Following the recessional to the class song, "Friends We Won't Forget" by Lee Brice, the graduates formed a receiving line outside to greet their friends, family and neighbors and say a final farewell to their high school careers.
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Logan County may be in for a “summerlike” week

Logan County may be in for a “summerlike” week. Forecasters are predicting yo-yo-ing temperatures throughout the week, with very little chance of rain to cool things down. Tuesday should be the worst of it; other than a slight breeze throughout the county, expect to bake in hot, dry conditions that will have highs topping out at about 98 in Sterling. That’s more than 20 degrees above May’s average high of 74, though it still doesn’t beat the record of 102 set in 2003. After today's sweltering heat, look for high's in the 80's through the weekend, the NWS says.
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Security camera's caught a suspect stealing from Mr. D's Ace Hardware last week

Security camera's caught a suspect stealing from Mr. D's Ace Hardware last week. Police say someone wearing a gray hoodie with a Nike swish logo on the front and blue jeans walked into an office on two occasions, minutes apart, and grabbed over a thousand dollars in cash from an unsecured safe, May 4. Investigators say someone may have been casing the store, because the money was taken around 3:00 that afternoon when no one was around. Fort Morgan Police say witnesses described the get away car that the suspect used as a dark colored boxy looking pickup. The case is currently under investigation. There have been unverified rumors that the same thing happened at other stores in the area.
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Worried about taking your computer to the shop because they charge you just to find out what's wrong? Worry no more

Worried about taking your computer to the shop because they charge you just to find out what's wrong? Worry no more. Morgan County computer users have a new option for computer repair and service after the grand opening of Computer World recently. Computer World focuses on computer repair, system optimization and virus removal, and the owner says they offer free diagnostic service, and they will not start work without your approval. Also, the shop usually finishes work the same day, and the idea is to offer affordable services. The new shop is located in Fort Morgan, but says repairmen will come to you if you're home bound.
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