Outdoor Expo Coming June 19 and 20

The outdoor Expo is planned for June 19th and 20th. It's being held at the Logan County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For a very small entry fee, you can take part in many activities including disc golf, a bicycle rodeo, fishing contests for children and a full tractor pull on Sunday, and many booths with services, activities and shopping opportunities under the grandstands.
Sunday’s highlight will be the NJC Young Farmers’ tractor pull. Purchase of a ticket to the tractor pull also allows you into the Expo activities. For more information about taking part in the weekend or to attend, please call the Logan County Chamber of Commerce at (970) 522-5070, or contact any Chamber Outdoor Committee member.

4 Arrested on Drug Charges, More Coming

A two and a half month investigation has led to the arrest of four Morgan County residents on drug charges. In a joint operation between the Morgan County Sheriff's Office, Fort Morgan Police Department and Eastern Colorado Plains Drug Task Force, warrants were served on four people, identified in the police reports as Anthony Hunt, Heather Strange, Levi Cross, and Cory Fisher, all from Fort Morgan.
The investigations started as a result of tips from the public as well as intelligence developed by investigators and patrol officers.
Additional arrest warrants have been issued and information on those people will be provided once they are taken into custody, the release said.

Joint Operation Busts 5 Alleged Drug Criminals

Morgan County Sheriff Jim Crone says a 2-1/2 month investigation by local and regional law enforcement has led to the arrest of five residents on felony warrants for distribution of methamphetamine and other drug crimes. In a release last night, Crone identified the five as 31-year old Anthony Hunt, 24-year old Heather Strange, 19-year old Levi Cross, 19-year old Cory Fisher, and 18-year old RaeAnna Krehmeyer. All but Krehmeyer are from Fort Morgan -- she is from Brush. Crone says the investigation, which started from public tips and other information gained by patrol officers, will produce other arrests. Further warrants have been issued, he said, and names of those arrested will be released once they are in custody. The arrests involved a joint operation between the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Morgan Police Department, and Eastern Colorado Plains Drug Task Force.

CSU Extension Hires Community Energy Coordinators for NEC

Colorado State University’s Golden Plains Area Extension Service has recently hired two community energy coordinators. Their job? To help residents of Morgan, Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Yuma and Washington counties with simple and accurate information about energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities. Tim Edgar will be based in the Logan county Extension office, while Rich Mullaney will work from his office in Holyoke. Their focus right now is to work with REAs, counties, cities and other entities to develop partnerships and an advisory board to give guidance for the program.

Two Arrests made in Happy Butts Store Robbery

Thanks to the teamwork of the Fort Morgan Police Department, Brush Police Department, and the Morgan County Sheriffs Office, two persons have been arrested and charged with armed robbery five days after the Happy Butts cigarette store was held up at knife point. Fort Morgan and Morgan County officers responded, and began collecting information that was later used to identify two suspects that were being investigated by Brush Police Department in an unrelated criminal matter. Information was obtained that led to the surveillance of the two suspects and a search warrant of a residence. Items located in that search led to the identity of the two suspects. Based on interviews conducted by the Fort Morgan Police Department, warrants were obtained for the two suspects allegedly involved. Patrick Joseph Estrada, 27 of Log Lane Village and Miguel Angel Gamboa, 19 of Brush, were arrested on Tuesday, May 18th, and each is charged with Aggravated Robbery, Class 3 Felony, and Felony Menacing, Class 5 Felony. The two were arraigned in Morgan County District Court and are currently being held on $100,000 bond. The investigation continues in this case and another armed robbery that occured on Monday, May 17th, at the North Main Conoco.

Police Investigating Second Armed Robbery

Fort Morgan Police are investigating another armed robbery that occurred at about 11:00p.m. Monday night. The robbery was reported by an employee from North Main Conoco located at 1300 North main Street. The employee reported the man came into the business and walked to the bathroom. The employee was grabbed from behind and the male suspect displayed a knife. After taking an undisclosed amount of money from the register, the suspect ran from the store southbound. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male wearing a knit cap, dark jacket with a hood and blue jeans. The suspect used one of his hands to diguise his face during the incident. The employee was not injured during the robbery. Dispite the immediate arrival of officers, the suspect was not located. This is the second armed robbery in the same general area within a week with similar characteristics. Anyone with information concerning these robberies is asked to call Detective Sergeant Sharp at 542-3940, Fort Morgan Police at 867-5678 or Crime Stoppers at 542-3411 or tips can be submitted online using the Crime Stoppers link at www.cityoffortmorgan.com

Police Investigating Strong Armed Robbery

The Fort Morgan Police Department responded to a call of a robbery that occurred at Happy Butts, 922 Main Street, Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:25 pm. Police are looking for two men who walked into the store from the back entrance and approached the sales clerk allegedly pulling a knife out and held it to the clerk's throat. The men allegedly went around the counter, and made her open the register. The men fled with cash and checks from the register and a white colored lock box about the size of a brief case. They were reported to be in their early twenties, wearing dark ball caps, brown jackets and black scarfs concealing their lower faces. They were last seen running south down the alley and east on 8th Avenue. Anyone with any information on the suspects is urged to contact the police department at (970) 867-5678 or Crimestoppers at (970) 542-3411 and remain anonymous. You may also submit your tip online and remain anonymous.

Update on Missing Greeley Woman

U.S. Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado urged the U.S. Embassy in Nepal to begin an investigation into the disappearance of 23 year old Aubrey Sacco of Greeley. A family friend and spokesperson Aileen Barry said at least two search parties were going into the Langtang National Park in Nepal, where Aubrey started a long trek on her own on April 20 and has not been heard from since. Barry said family members became concerned when Aubrey hadn't checked back in.






The trek usually takes 10-15 days to complete and is not considered dangerous, with plenty of opportunities along the way for food and water. The problem is communication, which gives the Sacco family hope that Aubrey may just be out of reach of phones. The Nepal government, local Sherpas, local police and the embassy have all pledged help to find her.

Blood Drive in Fort Morgan Tomorrow

It's time for a blood drive in Fort Morgan. Bonfils Blood Center will be here tomorrow at the Armory. It's from noon to 5pm. Walk-ins are welcome, but online appointments are encouraged. Appointments can be scheduled online at www.bonfils.org. Those scheduling appointments online should reference code 0274 when searching for the donation location.

Hit and Run Vehicle Sought

Colorado State Patrol troopers are asking for public help locating a red pickup that caused quite a bit of damage when it crash and the driver fled the scene. According to a crash report released yesterday, the unknown driver was westbound on Colo. 34 near Morgan County Road 21. The pickup went off the right side of the road, collided with a mailbox, a Qwest utility box, and a fire hydrant. The driver fled the scene. Troopers believe the pickup to be a 4-door red model that was occupied by two males and two females. The red pick-up should have fresh front-end damage. Anybody with information about the red pick-up or the identity of the driver is asked to call the Colorado State Patrol at 970-522-4696.

Missing Fort Morgan Man

Fort Morgan Police are officially listing a man we told you about on Tuesday as missing. The department is asking public help in locating an Edgar Gerdes. He's been missing for a week. Gerdes lives in Fort Morgan, and may be driving a Maroon 2004 Dodge 2500 Colorado License Plate # 385-RNB. Mr Gerdes does suffer from some medical conditions requiring medication. He was last seen wearing a short sleeved striped shirt, blue jeans, and a ball cap with “Bass” on it. Mr. Gerdes could be in the Morgan County area or travelling to Iowa. He is an avid fisherman and could be at a campground or fishing area. According to a release late yesterday, Police have been unsuccessful in locating Mr. Gerdes and are asking for community help. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Fort Morgan Police Department at (970) 867-5678.

Swim Lesson Registration Starts Today

Registration opens today for swiming lessons in Fort Morgan. You can sign up for individual or group classes, with coursework targeted by age group, at the Fort Morgan Recration Center. All swim lessons meet at the Riverside Park Pool.
Prices are $20, $25, or $30 depending on the program chosen, with individual lessons goign for $12 each or ten sessions for $90. Registration is also available online at the city web site.