Prairie Express a Success During the Logan County Fair

Maybe it was because of the Logan County Fair, but Officials with South Platte Valley Regional Transportation Authority say ridership on Prairie Express was us this July over last. Dora Devie with the authority said there were about 2450 riders and trips, which figured to about 7500 miles and fares totaling more than 440 dollars. The Prairie Express offered free rides from 12:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday during the fair and from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Officials say 27 people took the free rides. Now, RTA says it will seek membership into the Logan County Chamber of Commerce.

NJC Needs "Sterling Hospitality" This Sunday

Do you want to help out on move in day at NJC? They could use your help. Students start moving in on Sunday, the 22nd at 9 a.m. Northeastern Junior College has about a one percent increase in enrollment over last year, so there are more students moving in. Students and their families say that having locals help them move in also helps to acclimate them to Sterling, as well as the NJC campus. So bring whatever you have that can tote some college kid's stuff to their rooms, and come on and help.
To find out more, including where you would need to be on this date to help, please contact the housing office at 521-6655 for details..

Rolling School Start Dates Coming Up

You still have a few more days until school starts, but many students in the RE-1 Valley School District went to school last Friday to register. Other schools followed suit and wrapped up registration last Friday as well.
The Journal Advocate reports that second chance and new students at the Learning Center should contact the Learning Center to set an appointment to register for classes.
Also, new students who want to enroll at Darrell Smith High School need to complete an application packet and return it to the school office by Thursday, Aug. 19.

For more school start dates, check our website, ksir.com.

Start dates for area schools:
Frenchman School District - Tuesday, Aug. 17
Buffalo School District - Thursday, Aug. 19
Haxtun School District - Thursday, Aug. 19
Holyoke School District - Thursday, Aug. 19
St. Anthony Catholic School - Monday, Aug. 23
RE-1 Valley School District - Wednesday, Aug. 24
Peetz Plateau School District - Wednesday, Aug. 25
Northeastern Junior College - Move-In Day, Sunday, Aug. 22; classes start Tuesday, Aug. 24

Wiggins Waits for State on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

The town of Wiggins has joined other nearby municipalities in putting the quietus on medical marijuana growing and dispensing operations. The town council voted for a temporary moratorium on the centers that cultivate, manufacture or sell marijuana or marijuana-infused products inside Wiggins town limits. Wiggins is waiting for the state to enact the legislation that will regulate the dispensaries. The Fort Morgan Times reports that Vail and Superior have banned medical marijuana operations, Denver, Boulder and Northglenn have chosen to regulate it and it looks like Aurora is headed for a ban, Light said.

PLR Board Discusses A Couple of Agendae

It wasn't their usual meeting place last week, but the Parks, Library and Recreation Board met at the Overland Trail Museum so curator Kay Rich could show members what was on her agenda. She showed the boar the plans for the new Overland Trail Heritage Culture and Education Center, saying it will hold exhibits on Logan County's people, water development and energy industry. The city is also re advertising the PLR director's position even though board members found out last month that there are nearly 30 applications for the opening that they'll narrow to about half a dozen to interview.

Anonymous Tip Lead to Ocanas Capture

So how was Logan County Detention Center escapee Joel Ocanas captured on Friday? It was an antonymous tip to the Logan County Sheriff's Department that led to his arrest. Sterling police made the arrest Thursday night. They found Ocanas near Filmore Street in Sterling and was taken in without incident. He's back in the Detention Center without bond. The Journal Advocate reports the history of Ocanas' short lived freedom: He was reported Thursday morning as escaped from the Logan County Detention Center after he failed to return from work release. Ocanas left the Detention Center on August 10, at about 7:44 p.m. for work release. He was employed in the oilfields and provided a work release schedule of 7:45 p.m. to 9:45 a.m. On August 11, Ocanas failed to return from work release. He now faces charges of escape, added to the numerous charges that landed him in jail in the first place.

Motorcycle Storage Saves Lives

A business designed to reduce motorcycle fatalities is now open in Evergreen. Drive Smart stores motorcycles overnight for bikers who've been drinking, free of charge. The business got its start at the local Cactus Jacks Saloon and is sponsored in part by Ride Smart Foothills Motorcycle Safety Coalition and the state Department of Transportation.

Log Lane Village Sets Hefty Fines for Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

A medical marijuana dispensary opened in Log Lane Village could pay as much a 300 dollars a day for every day its open. The town's board of trustees voted to adopt an ordinance last week that makes the dispensaries illegal inside the town limits. Further penalties could mean the person or persons who open the dispensaries could be jailed for up to 90 days. Log Lane Village, believed to be the first in Colorado to adopt banning the centers, could also get a court injunction to stop the goings on in any medical marijuana center.

FM BOE Selects New Member

This is the day that the Fort Morgan Board of Education will select the person who will fill a vacancy on that board. There are two candidates for the job: Vickie Lapp is a retired secretary to the board and the superintendent and David Kauffman is a local accountant. Both candidates will be interviewed tonight at 7 p.m. at the board's work session, then one will be appointed at the public meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Fort Morgan Police Investigate Two Burglaries in the Same Day

Even a week after they happened, Fort Morgan Police are investigating two burglaries that happened on the same night.
Police say on August 9th, the first call came in of a residential break-in in the one thousand block of Simpson Street. A tenant who lives in the house told police that they came home to an opened door and a broken window. Two gaming systems and the games were gone. Police say the alleged thief probably got in through the window and left via the door. The total take was more than 500 dollars. The second incident was at a business in the 200 block of South Sherman Street was burglarized. Police say the cash register and display cases were broken into and items were missing. Police say a video camera in the business caught the image of the thief and police collected evidence at the scene. If you know anything about either burglary, call Fort Morgan Police.