Marostica: Colorado Looking at Tough Times

We've made it through the past couple of years because of the federal stimulus money, but Don Marostica, the director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade said in Sterling last week that when the new governor comes in in January, he's looking a nearly 1.5 billion dollar budget cut in the face. He also said the state has had to borrow nearly half a billion dollars to cover the unemployment trust fund. He said the feds say they want that back too. Marostica said Colorado is looking at some tough times.

Nobody Hurt in Minor Crash

No one was hurt last week when a truck that Gordon Kahl of Sidney Nebraska was driving collided with William Kaiser's Ford Taurus. Kaiser's from Sterling. The crash happened at South Fifth and Columbine Streets in Sterling. Kahl told police there was a street sweeper westbound on Columbine that obstructed his view just before the collision. Kaiser confirmed the street sweeper, but Kahl was cited for not stopping at the intersection.

MCC Foundation/Cargill Pro-Am Golf Tournament Today and Tomorrow

The 11th annual MCC Foundation/Cargill Pro-Am Golf Tournament is set for today and tomorrow at the Fort Morgan Municipal Golf Course. The 2010 tournament is a two-day event for pro-am teams. The first day of play begins at 12:30 P.M. on Monday and the second day of play commences with a shotgun start at 8:00 A.M on Tuesday. The tournament proceeds benefit the MCC Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports Morgan Community College.

Played under a variable best ball format, each pro-am team of four is made up of one golf professional and three amateurs. There are still slots available for the event, according to Frasier. Players can contact the FMGC Pro Shop or visit the Morgan Community College website www.MorganCC.edu for registration details.

Sponsors, professionals, amateurs and their guests are invited to a social event at 6:00 P.M. after the first day of play. Morgan Community College Founders Room is the place for food and fun and a cash bar. A Calcutta auction will highlight the evening.

MCC Offers Tax Prep Classes

Morgan Community College is offering two classes for tax preparation, one this fall from October 6 through December 8 which allows for real world experience in preparing tax returns for others. The fall semester class meets on Wednesdays from 4 to about 6 P.M. The course includes the basics of tax code and how to prepare tax returns using professional tax software. Students can become IRS certified while earning two college credits. The other class is during the spring semester, from January through March.

The spring semester class, ACC 133, requires at least 30 hours of work in January--March at the free tax site at Morgan Community College preparing tax returns for lower-income families. Morris says this is a great experience for students wanting to enter the field of business s, for older adults as an encore career, or for anyone else who is eager to learn a new skill that can be used for public service or for hire.

The free tax preparation site, Tax Help Colorado, is made possible by the support of the Piton Foundation. Families who earn less than $52,000 annually are eligible for the service. Students who complete the fall course, pass the IRS certification exam, and apply their skills for Tax Help Colorado as a community service will have great additions to their résumés.

To register, go to www.MorganCC.edu