Man Still Not ID'd

Police are still trying to identify a man that was involved in a serious crash earlier this month. Colorado State Patrol reports show the man sped by an officer going at least 100 mile an hour. While the name on the report shows Miguel A. Ginez-Altamirano of Greeley, investigators are still having problems with a positive ID.
The man didn't have ID at the time of the crash and the car was registered to Altamirano. Police aren't sure if it's the same person because the photo on the driver's license record of Altamirano didn't match the injured man.

Blood Drive in Brush Next Wednesday

The holiday season always leaves area blood banks hurting for supply, as regular donaors travel to spend time with family and miss blood drives. Donors are needed urgently throughout the season, and shortly after the new year a drive will be in northeast Colorado. The Brush High School Community Blood Drive is a week from today - Wednesday, Jan. 6 from noon to 5:30 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact Bonfils Appointment Center at (800) 365-0006 opt. 2 or visit www.bonfils.org

Plow Rural Roads, Legislators Urge

The state Department of Transportation plans to leave snow on nearly 2,800 miles of less-traveled rural highways during evening hours this winter, and lawmakers who represent those areas are fuming. A spokeswoman for the transportation department said the state's general practice has always been to leave those stretches unplowed overnight unless they are a school route, a hospital route or unless heavier snowfall would otherwise shut them down. The difference, said spokeswoman Stacey Stegman, is that the state has reposted signs warning drivers that roads won't be cleared between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., and the state will better enforce those hours this year. The policy applies to roads with 1,000 or fewer drivers a day, which include great swaths of roads on the Eastern Plains. Citing public safety concerns, a dozen legislators, mostly Republicans, have drafted a letter asking transportation officials and Gov. Bill Ritter to send out plows to the farther reaches of the state's highway system.

Plan for DIA LInes

If you have family members heading home today, they should plan some extra time to deal with the lines at D-I-A. More than 156-thousand people are expected to board a plane at DIA, making it one of the busiest days of the holiday season. About 153-thousand departed yesterday. .

"Drink a big cup of patience," advised airport spokesperson Erica Gingerich. New security measures related to Friday's alleged terrorist attempt in Detroit have not added much, if any, to wait times. "The reason there are lines is because it's Christmas," she said. Last Wednesday was the busiest day at DIA with more than 158-thousand travelers. Gingerich advised travelers to plan on being at the airport about two hours before departure as a precautionary measure.

Christmas Tree Recycling Starts Today

Now that the presents are gone from under the Christmas tree, it's time to take it for recycling. The City of Fort Morgan encourages residents to recycle Christmas trees and spare them from the landfill. The City is accepting Christmas trees for recycling at the Animal Shelter, 900 East Railroad Avenue from Today through Thursday. All tinsel, decorations, wire and stands must be removed from the trees and trees must be placed in the designated area at the shelter.

Sterling Woman Dies in I-76 Wreck

A Sterling woman is dead following a single-vehicle spinoff yesterday on I-76 northeast of Hillrose. The Colorado State Patrol reports 51-year old Julie Williams was a passenger in a westbound GMC Yukon driven by Patrick Mahaffey of Sterling. He lost control at milepost 100, spinning off the left side of the road into the media. Troopers say the Yukon rolled, ejecting Williams, who was not wearing a seat belt. She died at the scene. Amy Mahaffey, a back-seat passenger, and Patrick Mahaffey were both taken to Colorado Plains Medical Center. Amy Mahaffey, who was not wearing a seat belt, was reported to have serious injuries and Patrick Mahaffey, who was wearing a seat belt, had minor injuries.

Snow Ending, Blowing Continues

...SNOW DECREASING...BUT GUSTY WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW CONTINUE OVER THE NORTHEAST PLAINS...

.A LARGE WINTER STORM COVERING THE GREAT PLAINS WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE GUSTY WINDS ACROSS THE NORTHEAST PLAINS OF COLORADO THROUGH TODAY. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW HAD BLOCKED SOME RURAL ROADS...WHILE SNOW DRIFTS WERE ALSO BEGINNING TO BUILD ONTO HIGHWAYS. SNOWFALL HAS BEEN DECREASING ACORSS THE PLAINS, BUT IS STILL HEAVY BY THE TIME YOU REACH THE KANSAS BORDER. TOTAL SNOWFALL ACROSS THE PLAINS AND FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS FROM THIS STORM HAS RANGED BETWEEN 5 AND 10 INCHES IN MOST LOCATIONS.

Road Conditions as of 5am

Road conditions: I-76 from Denver to Fort Morgan is reported to be snow packed in spots with blowing snow, high wind and icy conditions. From Fort Morgan to Nebraska, I-76 is reported Icy and snow-packed in spots. I-70 from Denver to Kansas is reported to be snow packed in spots with blowing snow, high wind, and icy spots as well. US-36 from Watkins to Kansas is reported icy and snowpacked in spots. Colorado 71, US-24 and other numbered highways in northeast Colorado are reported in similar shape, with snow pack and ice in spots. No road closures are reported.

Fort Morgan Police Ask for Burglary Leads

Fort Morgan Police are asking for public help in their investigation of a burglary last week. According to police, the burglary occurred on December 13th sometime between 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. in the 600 block of Aspen Street. The homeowners had been out and returend to find the front door was slightly open and the garage door had been opened as well. Someone had taken a laptop computer and cash, with a total value more than $5,800. The burglars had spent some time in the home looking through rooms. Police currently have no leads in the case and are asking anyone who may have been in the area and seen anything suspicious to please call police at 867-5678 or Crime Stoppers at: 542-3411.

Latest Winter Weather Advisories

...SNOW AND COLD HAS RETURNED TO NORTHEAST AND NORTH CENTRAL COLORADO...

SO FAR...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS HAVE GENERALLY RANGED BETWEEN 1 AND 4 INCHES...WITH THE HEAVIEST SNOW FALLING ACROSS LARIMER AND WELD COUNTIES INCLUDING GREELEY AND FORT COLLINS. SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE HAS ALSO PRODUCED HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS OVER THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE STATE.

For Logan and Washington Counties,
A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM TOMORROW. aREAS OF DENSE FOG AND FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL GIVE WAY TO MORE WIDESPREAD SNOW EARLY THIS MORNING. PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT AND THEN TAPER OFF TOMORROW MORNING. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 7 INCHES ARE EXPECTED. NORTH WINDS OF 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH WILL INCREASE TO 20 TO 35 MPH TONIGHT AND TOMORROW...WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH BY TOMORROW MORNING.

AREAS OF DENSE FOG AND FREEZING DRIZZLE MAY RESULT IN ICY ROADS THIS MORNING. SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE RESTRICTED VISIBILITIES LATER TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT AND THURSDAY. ROADS AND HIGHWAYS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME SNOW COVERED WITH HAZARDOUS AND SLOW TRAVEL CONDITIONS...AND ROAD CLOSURES ARE POSSIBLE TONIGHT AND THURSDAY.


FOR MORGAN COUNTY:
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 TOMORROW MORNING. PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT...AND THEN TAPER OFF BY DAYBREAK THURSDAY.

ACCUMULATION/WIND...TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED. NORTH WINDS INCREASING TO 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH EARLY THIS EVENING WILL PRODUCE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. ROADS AND HIGHWAYS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME SNOW COVERED
WITH HAZARDOUS AND SLOW TRAVEL CONDITIONS. BLOWING SNOW WILL DROP VISIBILITIES TO JUST A FEW HUNDRED FEET IN OPEN AREAS.

Log Lane Fire

Emergency responders say a Log Lane couple was critically injured in a fire at their home yesterday. Dwayne Melvin and Carolyn Dalpe were taken by ambulance to Colorado Plains Medical Center and then transferred by helicopter to North Colorado Medical Center’s burn unit with burns and severe smoke inhalation. According to a sheriff's department news release, Melvin ran from the burning home to a neighbor's to call 911 and get help. That neighbor, Bernie Ewertz, called 911 and then helped Melvin drag Ms. Dalpe from the burning home. Melvin ran back inside the residence to try and find a dog and when he re-appeared, Ewertz pulled Melvin outside and prevented him from returning. According to Sherrif Jim Crone, the actions of Mr. Ewertz very likely helped save Ms Dalpe’s life and in all likelihood prevented Mr. Melvin from being more seriously injured and quite possibly being killed, by stopping him from re-entering the home. It appears the home will be a total loss from the fire, which is believed at this point to be of an accidental nature.

Winter Weather on the Way

FOR MORGAN AND WELD COUNTY ALONG WITH MOST OF THE FRONT RANGE, A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 5PM THURSDAY.

FOR LOGAN AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES ALONG WITH MOST OF EASTERN COLORADO AND KANSAS, A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 PM THURSDAY.

SNOW WILL DEVELOP TONIGHT AND BECOME HEAVIER WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THE SNOW WILL THEN TAPER OFF THURSDAY.

SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES IN MORGAN AND WELD COUNTIES, 5 TO 10 INCHES IN LOGAN AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES, ARE EXPECTED. NORTH WINDS OF 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH WEDNESDAY WILL INCREASE TO 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY.

AT THIS TIME...THE HEAVIEST SNOW AND STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR FROM THE FAR EASTERN PLAINS OF COLORADO INTO KANSAS AND NEBRASKA. HOWEVER...ANY CHANGE TO THE TRACK AND INTENSITY OF THIS STORM COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ACROSS NORTHEAST AND NORTH CENTRAL COLORADO.

NECALG to Increase Budget

The Northeast Colorado Association of Local Governments is increasing its budget for next year. Executive Director Larry Worth says the budget will go up about a million dollars in 2010:






The money may be a one-time shot in the arm, Worth says, depending on whether Congress chooses to extend the federal stimulus plan past its scheduled expiration next September.

Peetz Phone Coop Gets Broadband Grant

The first handful of awards from the federal government’s $7.2 billion broadband stimulus program includes funding for a northeast Colorado project. A $1.5 million project proposed by the Peetz Cooperative Telephone Co. is part of $182 million in grants announced by Vice President Joe Biden yesterday. The grants are meant to improve high-speed Internet access in areas of United States that lack it. The local telecom for the Peetz area, along the Colorado-Nebraska state line north of Sterling, Colo., said in its application it would use the money to connect about 550 locations to high speed Internet, which would spur economic activity and access to distance learning and telemedicine services.

Applications Being Taken for Ward 1 Council Seat

Fort Morgan officials are taking applicaitons now for the open seat for Ward 1 Council Member. According to a vacancy announcement on the city website, applicaitons are being taken through January 4th. Qualifications to be appointed to the unexpired term include being a resident of Fort Morgan for at least one year, being a resident of the first ward at the time of appointment, being a citizen and a qualified elector. The term runs for nearly two years, through January 2012.

Former FM Administrator Takes Lyons Admin Job

A former Fort Morgan City Administrator is coming back to Colorado. Victoria Simonsen, who was in Fort Morgan from 2000 to 2004, was chosen from a field of 44 applicants to be the Town Administrator in Lyons. Simonsen has been City Manager in Albert Lea, Minnesota since she left Fort Morgan. Her last day there will be February 12th, and she starts in Lyons March 1st. She's moving back to Colorado for family reasons, she says. Her long-term boyfriend is from Colorado. She's taking a pay cut to make the move, going form $100,000 a year in Minnesota to $82,000 a year in Lyons.

Police Warn of Scam Currently Operating in Area

Area police are warning residents about a phone scam that has claimed several victims in northeast Colorado. Fort Morgan police call it the "Hi, it's me scam." The caller calls the unsuspecting victim and does not give a name, saying only, “it’s me”, and gives a reason why they urgently need money. The reasons are usually emergency situations such as an arrest, traffic accident, or medical bill. The fraudster convinces the victim they are a relative and asks them to not to tell anyone else because they don’t want to get into trouble with their family. Area victims have been told various ruses, but a common theme seems to be that a
relative, usually a grandchild has been arrested in Canada and they need money to post a bond or retrieve a vehicle from impound. Police say these calls are scams, and if you receive a call from someone asking you to use a wire transfer to send money to another location, especially out of the country, be absolutely sure who and where, and that you know the person is who they say. Nearly 7-thousand dollars has been lost by area residents this way.

Hybrid Snow Plow on Golden Streets

Hybrid vehicles have now come to an unexpected place -- behind a snow plow. Erase the image of a Prius pushing a blade from your head right now -- Jefferson County officials have modified a hybrid dump truck to be what they believe is the country's first hybrid snowplow. The 2009 International Model 7300 Hybrid is normally used as a delivery vehicle. Fleet services tricked out the truck to push a plow, while reducing hydrocarbon emissions from a typical diesel snowplow by as much as 65 percent, according to the county. County officials said the hybrid snowplow will use 30 percent to 50 percent less fuel than standard snowplows, a real savings given the roughly $250 cost to a fill the snowplow's tank. Officials will measure the performance of the $162,240 snowplow before deciding whether to add more to the fleet.

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Flu Shot Clinics Tomorrow

A reminder that the H1N1 flu vaccine is now available to everyone in the area served by the Northeast Colorado Health Department, and there are two mass clinics tomorrow. The first is in Yuma at the Quintech Building; the second is in Wray at the Wray Rehabilitation and Activities Center. They will both be from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. or until vaccine runs out. H1N1 vaccinations from NCHD are free of charge.

In order to speed up the process of a large walk-in clinic, residents are urged to visit the health department’s web site, www.nchd.org, and print out the appropriate H1N1 consent forms listed on the front page. There are two forms listed in both English and Spanish, one for adults age 18 and over and one for children. A separate consent form must be filled out for each person receiving a vaccination. Those that print and fill out the forms prior to showing up at the clinic will move through the check-in process faster.

Fort Morgan Farmer Jailed in Water Rights Issue

In a case being watch by water rights-holders across the plains, a Fort Morgan farmer believed to be the first sent to jail by a Colorado water court on allegations of stealing water is now free but owes penalties to the state. Craig Kroskob explained his side of the story to KUSA last night:






To protect senior water rights holders, wells in the South Platte Basin cannot be pumped unless there is first an agreement with the state to replace the water. District Water Engineer Jim Hall told the Greeley Tribune Kroskob was pumping water from the basin from five of his wells though he didn't have a legal right to it and kept pumping for about 100 days from each well despite a cease-and-desist order in 2005 from the courts. Krosskob has documentation that the wells aren't in the South Platte basin; that's the key point of disagreement.

Tri-State May Accept More State Supervision

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Co., the supplier for many area REA's, and an environmental group have submitted a proposal that would allow more input into the utility's planning while maintaining its independence. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has been considering whether to increase its oversight of Tri-State, Colorado's second-largest utility. Environmentalists say Tri-State is too dependent on coal-fired power plants. Tri-State had objected to more state involvement in its planning. It serves customers in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.

AP: Colorado Tops in Do-Not-Call Registrations

Colorado tops the nation in participation in the Do Not Call Registry. Attorney General John Suthers says that a new report by the Federal Trade Commission shows Colorado has the highest participation rate. More than 3.8 million people in Colorado has registered their phone numbers with the program as of Sept. 30. That's over 78-percent of the state's population. The report showed high participation rates were also found in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Delaware. Alaska had the lowest participation.

MCC Announces Donation to Benefit Glenn Miller Project

Morgan Community College Foundation officials say a donation from the The Dahms-Talton Foundation is an early Christmas gift. The bequest of 10-thousand dollars in stock is earmarked for the Glenn Miller Music Project. According to an MCC news release, the gift will help build the $200,000 endowment to sustain the project for years to come. Since its inception last spring, the Glenn Miller project established an MCC Jazz Ensemble and produced a CD entitled "Home Grown: The Music of Glenn Miller." The CD is being used by the Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce to promote Morgan County.

AP: Meeting Carbon Goal Means New Power Lines

A state report says Colorado needs new, well-planned transmission lines to meet its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020. The report by the Governor's Energy Office says existing policies will allow Colorado to reach about 40 percent of the goal in Gov. Ritter's Climate Action Plan. There is a lack of capacity on the high-voltage transmission lines where Colorado's best renewable energy resources are found, according to the report. It suggests regulatory changes to speed up construction of power lines for large-scale renewable energy projects, increased natural gas production, onsite renewable energy production and improved energy efficiency.

CBI Says H1N1 Vaccination Fraud is Being Emailed in State

The Colorado Fraud Investigators Unit of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has issued an alert warning e-mail recipients of a new phishing scam circulating through the Internet. The scam attempts to solicit personal information by suggesting that, in order to receive a vaccine for the H1N1 virus, they must register with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via the Internet. Officials say if you respond, you'll leave yoruself open to identity theft. The information requested through this e-mail message would never be requested by the CDC. The email claims it is necessary to register with the CDC before you can receive an H1N1 shot -- this is not correct.

To And Through Scholarship Available Soon

The new Colorado To and Through Scholarship is offered to help Colorado students access and complete higher education. According to officials at Morgan Community College, the scholarship will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning January 1st. The first 250 eligible students will receive $2,500 to use toward their 2010-2011 higher education expenses. $600,000 is designated to help students in Colorado get to and through college beginning January1, 2010.

State School $ Likely to Decrease Next Year

Area board of education members and superintendents are learning for state officials what they can expect in the way of budget cuts next year. State funding is expected to go down between 3-percent and 6-percent, according to officials at a meeting in Fort Morgan this week. With school spending making up 42-percent of the state budget, legislators say they will be hard-pressed to leave K-12 education alone as they struggle to balance the budget with falling tax revenues and the effects of Amendment 23. Local schools' costs are going up, including required contributions to the Public Employees' Retirement System.

Tickets Still Available for Sunday Air Force Band Concert

There is just a short time left to get free tickets to Sunday's special holiday concert by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band. Some tickets are still available at the Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce office at 300 Main St., but they must be picked by Friday. The free performance will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Glenn Miller Auditorium at Fort Morgan High School. You need to be seated in the auditorium at least 15 minutes before the 3 p.m. start time. The doors are scheduled to open at 2:30 p.m.

AP: DPS Board to See A Marriage Counselor

The Denver school board has hired a marriage counselor to deal with rifts exposed after a rancorous meeting with newly elected members. New board member Andrea Merida voted against reforms at a troubled middle school this week. She and other opponents question whether the reforms, which were approved, are legal. The board will meet with a marital counselor at a special meeting Thursday at the five-star Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs to sort through the disputes

AP: Denver Has High-Speed 'Net. Plains -- Not So Much

While most Denverites have access to broadband Internet, here on the plains -- well, not so much. The Governor's office says about 97 percent of Colorado households have some high-speed Internet service available without an extraordinary commitment of resources. In Colorado's 15 most rural counties, at least 20-percent of homes lack convenient access to broadband. That's the finding of a broadband mapping survey released yesterday by the state and broadband advocacy group Connected Nation.

Christmas Event at Overland Trail Museum Saturday

The Overland Trail Museum’s third annual “A Child’s Christmas on the Prairie” is this Saturday. The event offers local families a chance to celebrate the holiday with activities including cookie decorating and making ornaments. Organizers say the event, which runs from 1 to 3pm on Saturday, is open to kids of all ages. Families will get to enjoy the holiday decor hung around the museum as well as trim the tree located in the Karg Barn. There will be Christmas stories and caroling, plus cookies and cider for refreshments. And yes, Santa will be there.

AP: DIA Security Breach Bineg Investigated

A Denver television station is reporting that a top-level police officer is being investigated for allegedly bypassing security at Denver International Airport. KCNC-TV cites anonymous sources who say Denver Police Division Chief David Fisher illegally used a special electronic access card to bypass security screeners to board a plane. Denver police Lt. Matt Murray told KCNC that the TSA is involved and that police also are investigating. He would not provide details.

CSU Students Oppose Gun Ban

Only a few universities in the country allow students to carry guns on campus. One of them, Colorado State, is considering a change. Before the decision is made, however, the school wants to hear what students think. Last night the student governing body voted overwhelmingly in support of keeping CSU a conceal-and-carry campus. CSU spokesperson Brad Bohlander says the Public Safety Team and the president's cabinet are united against the issue. Besides Utah, where universities aren't allowed to ban guns, CSU is one of only a handful of universities across the country allowing concealed weapons.

Ft. Morgan Police Blue Santa Event is Saturday

Now in its 9th year, the Ft. Morgan Police Department's Blue Santa program focuses on older adults and disabled persons living alone. Many of the recipients have no family living close by and spend the holidays alone. This Saturday, Fort Morgan police officers and other volunteers will be in the community at Safeway and Wal-Mart between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., collecting non-perishable food items, personal hygiene items or monetary donations for the Blue Santa program. Items collected will be sorted into care boxes and delivered to local residents who have been referred to the program.

NJC President Throws Hat in Ring for Florida Job

According to media in Florida, the president of Northeastern Junior College has applied to become St. Petersburg College's next president. Applications were due last night, and Lance Bolton is listed as one of 25 applicants in a report on the St. Petersburg Times web site. Others applying for the position include the Mayor of St. Petersburg, who has an extensive education background, and a former St Petersburg College official now working at another Florida college. Bolton is one of three college presidents to apply for the job.

AP: Arrest Made in Greeley Cold Case

An arrest has been made in a 32 year old Greeley kidnapping and murder. Marcello Maldonado-Perez was arrested in Port Charlotte, Florida yesterday. Police say he's responsible for kidnapping, raping and killing Mary Pierce back in 1977. Pierce was 22-years-old at the time and working at a 7-Eleven in Greeley when police say she was kidnapped. A customer called police when he found the store empty. When her body was found two days later in a field outside town, investigators discovered she'd been stabbed repeatedly and sexually assaulted.

AP: Another Complaint Filed Against Ethics Watchdog Group

A former Colorado state senator has filed an ethics complaint against an attorney representing an ethics watchdog group, accusing her of misrepresenting facts in a legal case. Andy McElhany lodged the complaint against Chantell Taylor. The Colorado Springs Republican says Taylor falsely accused him of misusing private funds to run a political Web site even though a district attorney investigated and refused to file charges. A similar complaint filed by Republican Congressman Mike Coffman was rejected last month after the council ruled that Coffman's complaint was ambiguous. Taylor said her organization won't stop investigating allegations of wrongdoing in political campaigns

Local Man Jailed on Sex Abuse Charge

A Fort Morgan man is held on 100-thousand dollars bond on charges he sexually abused a 6-year old and a 7-year old child over a period of time. Jesus Jimenez is charged with sexual assault on children and enticement of children. According to Fort Morgan Police Chief Keith Kuretich, the charges alleged Jimenez "committed a pattern of sexual abuse and tried to persuade, attempt or invite children to a sexual act." Jimenez has been jailed since mid-November awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Sonnenberg to Participate in Rose Parade

An area student will soon appear on national TV. Josh Sonnenberg, State President of the Colorado FFA Association, will walk alongside RFD-TV’s “FFA TODAY” float Jan. 1 in the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade. The RFD-TV float honors the National FFA Organization, a dynamic youth organization helping more than a half million students pursue careers in science, business or technology of agriculture. Careers in this diverse industry include biotechnology, horticulture, forestry, production farming, research scientist and environmental management. According to a news release, Josh will help apply seeds and flowers to the float the last few days before the parade and participate in Tournament festivities.

Brophy: Texting Law Unneeded

We've been talking all day about the new law that makes texting while driving illegal in Colorado. Area representative Greg Brophy from Wray says the law is unneeded:






He went on to say that as he reads the law, a trooper could have pulled him over and issued a ticket while Brophy was scrolling through his address book to find the radio station number to call. The law is what's called a primary law, meaning troopers can pull you over for no other violation than the illegal phone use.

AP: CO Man Wanted for Child Sex Crimes Collared in VT

The U.S. Border Patrol says an agent apprehended a Colorado man wanted on sexual assault charges after he had crossed into Vermont from Canada. The Border Patrol says 50-year-old Glen L. Vigil was spotted Saturday in Derby Line after an agent saw fresh tracks coming from Quebec. The agent followed the tracks and found Vigil in the woods with his luggage. The Border Patrol says a record check found the Adams County Sheriff's office has six warrants for Vigil on charges that include sexual assault on a child. He now awaits extradition to Colorado.

Greeley Census Office Opens Tomorrow

The U.S. Census Bureau will officially open tomorrow in Greeley with fanfare that includes Greeley Mayor Tom Norton and other local and state dignitaries. The census count begins in four months, and operations will be more visible throughout northern Colorado. Offices will organize communication with the public on census activities, as well as recruit, hire and train workers to conduct outreach operations, the release stated. The entire operation will impact federal, state and local funding as well as the reapportionment of congressional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

AP: Ritter Marks Start of Cell Phone Ban Today

Gov. Bill Ritter is helping mark the start of a statewide ban on texting while driving by honoring Colorado Springs-area students who helped design public awareness announcements to publicize the new law. He also was joining legislators and state transportation and safety officials at a news conference in Denver today to discuss the ban. As of midnight this morning, it is illegal for drivers to send text messages, e-mail or tweet while driving. The new law also bars those under 18 from talking on their cell phones while driving.

The Class Ring -- Dying Tradition?

For many of us, a class ring is one of the required rites of passage through our high school years. But for our kids -- maybe not so much. For many Colorado students, high school no longer represents the social focus of years past. Increasingly mobile populations churn student bodies and dilute even long-standing traditions. And there's the economy, of course. Class rings are a bit out of vogue because they're becoming more and more thought of as a luxury item.

Authorities Release Name of CO Man who Died at Grand Canyon

Authorities have identified the Colorado man who fell to his death from the rim of the Grand Canyon over the holidy weekend. He was identified as 62-year-old Holt Vaughn from Broomfield. Vaughn was visiting the national park with his son, daughter-in-law and other family members when he fell over the edge of the South Rim. The cause is still being investigated by the National Park Service. Vaughn was a retired social worker who assisted veterans, and was a disabled Army veteran. On average, three people a year die falling from the canyon rim. About 5-million visitors flock to the canyon annually.