Reager Announces Coroner Candidacy

A Sterling man has announced his candidacy for Logan County coroner. Mike Reager is not affiliated with a political party, and will begin seeking the 132 voters signatures he needs to get on the ballot by petition. According to a news release, he will begin the signature-gathering effort tomorrow. He has served as a Deputy Coroner in Logan County for four years, and in the same capacity in Larimer County for 15 years. He says he's running simply to offer voters a choice. The only other candidate to file for the race is Republican Dave Tennant.

Ethanol Truck Crash Closes I-76 Near Brush

Colorado State Patrol Troopers closed a portion of I-76 near Brush yesterday evening after semi-truck driver going too fast rolled his truck while trying to maneuver around a clover-leaf exit ramp. The resulting spill, which happened about 6:35pm, brought in HazMat crews from Sterling and Limon. The truck driver suffered cuts and scrapes and was taken to Colorado Plains Medical Center in Fort Morgan. Traffic on I-76 from mile marker 89 to 92 were temporarily closed for clean up.

Fort Morgan Named to Tree City Honor

Fort Morgan has once again been recognized by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community. The award, which has been bestowed upon Fort Morgan 11 times now, is for the community's commitment to urban forestry. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. According to a news release, Fort Morgan will celebrate Arbor Day on Thursday, April 29, at 8:30 a.m. at Green Acres Elementary School. Second-grade studentswill help plant a tree at the school in honor of Arbor Day.

Man Arrested for Crashing Stolen Car

Colorado State Troopers say a man was arrested this weekend in Wiggins after he crashed a stolen car. 26-year old Alan Sidebottom was jailed on multiple charges Saturday, according to a CSP release yesterday. Troopers say just after 11 Friday night, Sidebottom was westbound on Hwy 144 at a high rate of speed in a stolen vehicle. He lost control on a curve and traveled off the left side of the road, going airborne and smashing into numerous trees. Surprisingly, he was able to leave the scene, and was not contacted by troopers for several hours. Once he was taken into custody, he was checked for injury at CPMC and booked in to the Morgan County Jail. Troopers are still working the auto theft investigation.

Fort Morgan Newspaper Vending Machines Stolen

Fort Morgan Police are asking for information on the theft of three newspaper vending machines stolen from the Fort Morgan area. The machines were taken from three different locations within a twenty-four hour period. The entire machine along with newspapers and coins were taken. Most likely the newspaper dispensers were taken, the coin boxes were broken into, and the coins stolen from the machine. It’s possible the machines have been discarded somewhere after the money was stolen. If the intent was to steal the coins from the vending machines a charge of burglary may apply to the thieves who took the devices, resulting in a felony charges. Residents throughout the county are asked to be on the look-out for newspaper machines that may have been abandoned in fields, ditches, or other remote locations. Anyone finding a machine is asked to call the authorities in their area or if they have information on who committed the thefts to call the Fort Morgan Police Department at (970) 867-5678. If a person with information wishes to remain anonymous they can call Crime Stoppers at (970) 542-3411 or submit your tip online and remain anonymous.

Guns Will Result in Expulsion

School officials in Fort Morgan say that if a student is caught with a gun on campus, that is no way around expulsion, period, regaurdless of the circumstances. Federal law requires expulsion for bringing any firearm to school, even if it was left in a vehicle by accident — for example, after a hunting trip — said Superintendent Greg Wagers.
Board members will be voting on a policy that will bring the district into compliance with federal law, he said. There had been some leeway in the past, but no more Wagers says. Board members will be voting on a policy that will bring the district into compliance with federal law, he said.

Young Farmers Institure Held in Sterling

Over 190 members, sponsors, advisors and guests were in attendance at the Forty First Colorado Young Farmers Educational Association Institute. It was held earlier this year at the Ramada Inn in Sterling, Colorado. In a news release yesterday, organizers said the members of the local Chapter hosted the educational and fun filled Institute. The Front Range Chapter received the bid to host the 2011 Institute at a location to be selected at a later date. As part of the three-day event, several awards were made on Saturday evening.

Outstanding Colorado Young Farmer Chapter
-Winner - Front Range Chapter
-Runner-Up - Arickaree Chapter
Outstanding Colorado Young Farmer Chpater Community Service Award
-Northeastern Junior College Chapter
Outstanding Northeastern Region Colorado Young Farmer
-Cindy Johnston, Front Range Chapter
Outstanding Colorado Young Farmer Agri-Service Award
-Jason Lorenzini, Fort Morgan Chapter
Outstanding Colorado Young Farmer Agri-Business Award
-Jerry Wernsman, Northeastern Junior College Chapter
Honorary Members
-Dennis Atwell, Pioneer Seeds
-Mel Fritzler, Retired Premier Farm Credit
-Rick Sanger, Premier Farm Credit
Special Recognition
-Bob Leisy, Formerly with DeKalb Seeds
-Steve Edwards, Retired NC+ Hybrids

Interpretive Pullout Work Begun in Fort Morgan

Fort Morgan City officials say the Rainbow Bridge Historic By-Way Interpretive Pull-Out construction project has begun. The north entrance to Riverside Park, and the approaching turn lane, are currently blocked during the project, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of May. The south approach to the Bridge is the area under construction where crews are creating a pedestrian plaza, lighting, information kiosks, and landscaping - all part of the $350,000 project.

FM Humane Society Vaccination Clinic

Fort Morgan Humane Society has announced it will will host a low-cost vaccination clinic this Saturday. The clinic runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the animal shelter. Rabies vaccine is important this time of year. If caught from another rabid animal, the disease always proves deadly. If a rabid animal bites a human, there are rabies shots for humans that, while very painful, are life-saving. If you need more informaiton on the vaccination clinic Saturday, call 542-6416.

Heritage Foundation Auction Set

We're only a couple of weeks from the Heritage Foundation's annual auction. It's one of three major events sponsored annually as fund raisers. This year the auction will be Friday, April 30. The evening will start with the Museum's galleries being open until 6:30 pm for auction goers. The auction itself will be at the Elks Lodge with the preview starting at 6:00 pm and the auction starting at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $10.00 per person and include beer, wine, appetizers, and a chance from the door prize basket. Other chances will be available for $1.00 each. Tickets are available from Board members, at the Museum, or by calling 542-4010.

Sterling Spring Cleanup Set

It's spring cleaning time in Sterling. The annual spring cleanup starts next week, according to city officials. The city cleanup is designed to help residential trash customers in discarding oversized items from their households. Crews will pick up any items that are legally disposable at the Logan County Landfill. Examples of accepted trash include mattresses, lumber, furniture, bed frames, cabinets, washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, microwaves and water heaters. Appliances containing freon, such as freezers and air conditioning units, will not be accepted unless they are certified “freon free” by an approved freon reclamation center. Residents are asked to sort tires, metal and wood into separate piles and to bag, box or bundle loose material.

Fort Morgan Police Continue To Investigate Burglary

Fort Morgan Detectives are continuing to investigate a burglary that occurred in the early morning hours of April 1st. Two suspects broke into a business at 527 State Street and stole more than $1,000 dollars of merchandise and caused over $700 in damages. Surveillance cameras caught images of the thieves and the photographs have been publicized in the news and on the police department’s website. Morgan County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 dollars for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for the burglary. A person giving information can remain anonymous and still receive a reward by calling 542-4311. Anyone with information on this or other crimes is asked to call the Fort Morgan Police Department at 867-5678, call CRIMESTOPPERS at (970) 542-3411, or submit your tip online and remain anonymous. Police are hopeful that someone will recognize one or both men in the photos and provide information that will help solve this case.

RED FLAG WARNING - NO BURNING ALLOWED

A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM TODAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES.

SOUTH WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 40 MPH OVER THE PALMER DIVIDE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. IN ADDITION...RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL DROP TO AROUND 15 PERCENT
DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS. THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES WILL CREATE DANGEROUS GRASSLAND FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

HUMIDITIES ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE THIS EVENING...ALTHOUGH WINDS WILL REMAIN GUSTY.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING OR IMMINENT. MORGAN COUNTY SHERIFF JIM CRONE SAYS THAT MEANS ALL BURNING IS NOW PROHIBITED, EVEN IF YOU HAVE A BURN PERMIT.