SFC Collects More Than 100 DNA Samples

Katie's Law" allows the state to collect DNA samples from any adult arrested on new felony charges, and so far, Sterling Correctional Facility officials say they have collected about 125 samples. The law, named for a 2003 New Mexico murder victim, says that any adult arrested on or after September 30, 2010 will have their DNA sample taken if they've committed a felony offense. Logan County Sheriff's officials say the sample is gathered with a swab inside the mouth when a person is booked into SFC

MCC Jazz Ensemble Plays the Capitol

The Morgan Community College Jazz Ensemble will perform at the State Capitol tomorrow. Its part of Colorado Creative Industries Day. There are awards being handed out tomorrow too, and Fort Morgan could be bringing home an award. The city is one of 15 nominated for the governor's art award. The day will spotlight how the arts effects Colorado's economy. As many as 300 dignitaries are expected to hear the MCC Jazz Ensemble throughout the day tomorrow.

Its Girl Scout Cookie Time!

The Thin Mints, The Trefoils, the Do Si Dos, the Shoutouts!, the Thanks a lots, the Tagalongs, the Thank you berry much and SO many more. Guess what time of the year it is...ITS GIRL SCOUT COOKIE TIME! Yes, and if you didn't get to order some from your favorite scouts, you can still buy the cookies for another two weeks at cookie booths throughout Morgan County. They'll be set up at Walmart and Safeway in Fort Morgan and Country Hardware in Wiggins on different days through March 13!.

Report for Arkansas River art project out April 1

The artist Christo expects federal land managers to release a final environmental impact statement on April 1 for his proposal to suspend nearly six miles worth of fabric over the Arkansas River for two weeks.

The earliest the "Over the River" project could happen is August 2014.

The Bureau of Land Management is currently reviewing comments on its draft environmental impact statement of the proposal. The draft lists alternatives to Christo's plan, but Christo supports only his original proposal.

After the BLM issues its final environmental impact statement, it will issue a record of decision on whether the project can proceed as Christo proposed. Christo's team says it expects the record of decision in June.

Christo visited the Denver Art Museum on Saturday to discuss his work.

TX grand jury work delayed in Sen. Williams' crash

Texas authorities say it will be several more weeks before a grand jury deliberates the car accident involving Colorado state Sen. Suzanne Williams that resulted in the death of a pregnant woman.

Trooper Gabriel Medrano told The Denver Post that investigators were forced to postpone their work reconstructing the accident because of recent snowstorms. A grand jury cannot hear the case until the Texas Department of Public Safety finishes its inquiry into the Dec. 26 crash.

Authorities say Williams, who represents Aurora, was driving a Honda CR-V that drifted into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle, killing 30-year-old Brianna Gomez of Amarillo. Gomez's son was delivered at a hospital and survived.

Unions weak in CO, but fear attacks in bad economy

Gatherings of hundreds of union members on Colorado's Capitol lawn in the last week underscore fears among the state's relatively weak public sector unions that they'll come under attack in a bad economy.

Could Wisconsin happen here? Hardly, experts on both sides say. But union members and their opponents are finding plenty to clash over this year in the state Legislature.

Nationally, about 36 percent of public employees are union members. In Colorado, less than 21 percent of public employees were union members in 2009, the most recent year with available data.

Four Teens Arrested For Auto Break-Ins

Greeley cops have arrested four teenagers in connection with a series of car break-ins there. Authorities said they found evidence last week that helped solve the case while executing of a search warrant. All four teens are ages 16 and 17. The Weld County District Attorney will now decide what, if any, charges will be filed.

Loveland Dispensaries Closing Already

With the March 1st ban on medical marijuana dispensaries in Loveland a day away, some shops there are already closing their doors. Stores like Mountain Medical Leaf have been offering specials and giveaways. Voters approved Tuesday's ban on dispensaries in November.

Pediatric Surgeon And Team Operate On Lowland Gorilla

Pediatric surgeon Dr. Tom Baesl recently helped a hairy patient get back in the swing of things. Baesl told the "Gazette" he and other doctors and surgeons donated their time to remove a 177-pound lowland gorilla's appendix and an ovary, possibly saving her life. Officials say Asha of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo had a ruptured appendix earlier this month and now is recovering well. Baesl told the paper the gorilla's anatomy is similar to that of human beings.

Man Allegedly Hits Child With Vehicle, Then Flees

An eleven-year-old child was struck by a car in Pueblo and the driver allegedly drove off without checking on the victim. Authorities say witnesses claimed a 2006 Chevrolet Impala left the accident site about 8 p.m. Saturday. Officials say a witness followed the car and officers then arrested 29-year-old Eric Santisteven, charging him with felony hit-and-run. The child's condition was unknown yesterday.

Four Governors Debate Unions, Budgets

Four governors are weighing in on how to deal with organized labor as they struggle to win concessions and balance budgets. Democrats Duval Patrick of Massachusetts and John Hickenlooper of Colorado told ABC's "This Week" they were trying to reach out to public workers to convince them to give ground on pensions, benefits and wages. Republicans Nikki Haley of South Carolina and Jan Brewer of Arizona lashed out at Democratic lawmakers in Indiana and Wisconsin who fled their states to stop debate on budget-cutting bills. Haley said public workers unions were "saying no to everything."

BM Processors Likely to Move to Brush

Morgan County Commissioners are giving BM Processing a 50 percent rebate on personal and real property for the next four years. County economic development officials said this week the city of Brush has also been trying to get the company to move there, so it too offered an incentive package. They said the company would generate more than 16 million dollars for Morgan County over ten years, BM will build a new plant on Railway Avenue in Brush by next spring and the company said construction will take up to ten months. BM Processors also goes by Rocky Mountain Natural Meats, Inc

New work by artist won't be displayed in Loveland

A pastor at a Loveland church has withdrawn an offer to the city museum to display a portrait of Jesus by the same artist whose work was destroyed by an intruder at the museum last fall.

The Rev. Jonathan Wiggins of Resurrection Fellowship says he's withdrawing the offer as a precaution. California artist Enrique Chagoya tells the Loveland Reporter-Herald that he agrees.

In October, Kathleen Folden of Kalispell, Mont., destroyed a lithograph by Chagoya that was on display at the Loveland Museum/Gallery. She and other critics called the work obscene, saying it depicted Jesus Christ in a sex act.

Chagoya said his work was a critique of spiritual corruption. He painted the portrait for Wiggins after the two exchanged emails and talked.

Folden has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief.

Movie Flicks Could Cost You More Bucks

If some Colorado lawmakers get their way, paying for a movie ticket might mean skipping the popcorn and bonbons. Yesterday, a House committee held its first hearing for HB 1207, which seeks to attach a ten-cent fee to movie tickets bought in Colorado. The money gained from the fee would go to an incentive fund for paying filmmakers to make movies in Colorado. One state Representative said he'd rather let voters decide the issue rather than have legislators approve the proposed fee.

Rights Of Rare Beetle Subject Of Federal Lawsuit

A tiny beetle regarded as one of the world's rarest insects is at the center of a giant legal ruckus in Denver federal court. The "Denver Post" says three environmental groups are suing federal wildlife officials because they failed to set aside adequate habitat to safely preserve the Salt Creek tiger beetle. The beetle was designated an endangered species in 2005. In the lawsuit, the groups contend more than 90-percent of the bug's salty wetland habitat has been destroyed since that time.

Police Arrest Eight Men For Allegedly Not Helping Burned Teen

Eight men have been arrested in connection with a Valentine's Day party in Denver where a teenage boy was badly burned. Police say a party on South Decatur Street is where the men allegedly became intoxicated, and some voluntarily lit themselves on fire with lighter fluid. A 14-year-old suffered severe burns doing the stunt but police say none of the adult partygoers stepped in to help the boy. Three men, including 20-year-old Erick Perez, were arrested yesterday on charges which include attempted second-degree murder and felony child abuse.

Bottom-Up Regional Meeting Coming Up

The Governor’s Bottom-Up Economic Development Plan Initiative Northeast Regional Meeting is this coming Thursday, March 3 at Haxtun High School at 601 N Colorado from 6:30 – 9:00 pm. Region 1 includes Logan, Morgan Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma Counties. The meeting starts with dinner, then gets down to the meat of the matter: Process Plan, Next Steps and Partners. Then a chance for you to ask questions and get answers. Then there are plans for local county meetings. Be sure to RSVP for dinner to Darlene Scott at Darlene.scott@state.co.us by February 28. To get to the meeting, take Hwy 6, North on Colorado Street (main street) to Powell, turn left for l block

Thieman at Brown Bag Event

LeAnn Thieman is an accomplished author and speaker who will be in Sterling tomorrow to speak during a fundraiser for the Practical Nursing program at Northeastern Junior College. Its from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 230 of the Hays Student Center and open to the public. Bring your won lunch. Cost to hear her speech is $5 for nursing students and $10 for all others. The proceeds from the event go to the Practice Nursing program at NJC to help the students pay for graduation expenses.

Woman Busted on Several Charges Last Saturday

Colorado State Patrol reported that a Fort Morgan woman was arrested last Saturday night on charges of driving while under the influence, possession of a stolen vehicle and driving while license restrained. CSP said 41 year old Bertha Ruiz was stopped on Highway 34 at the west edge of Fort Morgan. When police ran the plate on the truck she was driving, they discovered it stolen out of New Mexico. Ruiz was taken to Morgan County jail and a passenger fled on foot but was caught and released without being charged

BMS Students Could Sacrifice

Core subjects come before electives so students at Brush Middle School could lose out on their electives, without losing grades in those classes or in PE if grades in their core subjects fall. School officials say the sacrifices have to be made so that students keep up grades in the core subjects.

Brother and Sister Busted for Running Drugs

On Monday, a brother and sister were arrested for being drug couriers. Twenty-five year old Jeffrey A Nichols, Jr. and 22 year old Christy Basnett, bot from Columbia, Missouri, were stopped in separate vehicles and charged with possession and distribution of marijuana. They were arrested and taken to the Logan County Jail. They were stopped east of Brush, about two miles and nine minutes apart, and by two different troopers. Neither trooper would explain why, but they were both suspicious of their suspects during the traffic stops. A K-9 hit on marijuana in Basnett's car, and police searched and found 120 pounds of pot. Troopers said Nichols' vehicle was a decoy, that there was only a small amount of marijuana in his car. Police also found radios in the two cars, for the brother and sister to communicate any police in the area.

GOP Rejects Bottle Deposits, Soda Tax

Colorado Republicans were firmly on the side of soft drinks Wednesday, rejecting a bill to add a bottle deposit while voting to repeal sales taxes on soda.

Separate committees in the GOP-led House took up soda-related measures. The proposed 5-cent bottle deposit was rejected after lawmakers heard hours of testimony from trash bag-toting schoolchildren.

Republicans argued the deposits could cost jobs.

And another committee approved a bill to repeal last year's decision to add sales taxes to carbonated beverages, including diet drinks. The Republican sponsor says the 2.9 percent tax is an unfair burden when other unhealthy foods remain tax-free.

The soda tax repeal would save taxpayers some $12.3 million next year.

CU Regents to Remain Neutral on Tuition Bill

The University of Colorado regents plan to remain neutral on legislation that would allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at the state's colleges.

The Daily Camera in Boulder reports that CU Regent Monisha Merchant decided against introducing a resolution at Wednesday's board meeting that would have supported Senate Bill 126. She says other board members wanted to remain neutral on the bill.

A state Senate committee has approved the bill, but it faces more hurdles as it moves through the Legislature, particularly in the Republican-controlled House. The measure would extend in-state tuition to illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria, including attending a Colorado high school for at least three years.

Several CU students voiced support for the bill during the board meeting Tuesday.

Census Shows Front Range Will Gain Political Power

New U.S. Census data shows that Colorado's Front Range will keep accruing political power as fast-growing towns along Interstate 25 far outstrip their rural eastern and western neighbors. The 2010 figures, released yesterday, show that most of Colorado's growth over the last decade occurred along the Front Range. El Paso County surpassed Denver County as Colorado's most populous, while the state's eastern fringes continued to decline. The data will be used to redraw congressional and legislative districts. Colorado didn't grow enough to earn an eighth seat in Congress, but population trends mean lawmakers will have to shift political power away from rural areas.

Yahoo! Blocking Job Alerts From Pikes Peak Workforce

Anyone who's unemployed in Denver, make sure you aren't relying on Yahoo! e-mail to get alerts about job openings. That's because Pikes Peak Workforce Center officials are warning folks on the dole that Yahoo! is blocking its messages concerning those important openings. Try using Google or Hotmail instead.

So-Called Bath Salts Used As Drugs With Lethal Consequences

So-called bath salts with names like "Ivory Wave," "Vanilla Sky" and "Bliss" are being sold over the internet and in convenience stores and are being ingested as drugs. Rusty Payne, Spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Agency in Washington says the use can have lethal consequences.







The side effects can include heart attacks and psychological effects such as hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. Even scarier is the false perception that they are safe to use.







The substances are being smoked, snorted and injected and have caused deaths in several states.

National FFA Week is This Week

The Brush FFA Chapter is celebrating National FFA Week through the 26th. This year's theme is "Infinite Potential" and reflects all that represents the organization like the famous blue corduroy jacket to the future of farming. The FFA has more than half a million current members are taking part in the week all across the country. The organization will focus this week on telling the country about what it is, what it does and what it has to offer.

Ramsey Home Up For Sale Again

The Boulder residence where six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was beaten and strangled in 1996 is on the market again. The home was just put up for sale, listed at a cool two-point-three-million-dollars. In 2004, the home was purchased for just over a million-dollars. The home is currently vacant.

Effort Afoot To Repeal Tax On Sodas

Fans of carbonated beverages, rejoice. Colorado Republican Representative David Balmer of Colorado Springs has sponsored a bill to repeal the state's two-point-nine-percent sales tax slapped on sodas last year. If passed, Balmer's bill wouldn't repeal the levy on candy, which was part of last year's soda tax.

Computer Problem Slows DMV

Headaches are nothing new at the Department of Motor Vehicles, but a statewide computer snafu has made life even worse for Coloradoans. People needing driver's licenses and identification cards were periodically blocked yesterday and Friday by a problem with state computer networks. A DMV spokesperson said his department is working on a solution although no timetable was given.

Bill Tries To Empower Parents Over Schools

A bill designed to aid parents whose children go to failing schools is headed to the state Senate. House Bill 1126 passed in the state House yesterday. It requires that parents are told about their child's school's condition. It also mandates a 30-day notice and public hearing when a school needs to improve or needs a turnaround plan.

Ft Carson Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

A soldier stationed at Fort Carson was killed serving in Afghanistan. The Department of Defense confirms Sergeant Robert Sisson Jr. died Monday in a non-combat-related incident in the Kandahar District. The 29-year-old from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, was assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team in Fort Carson, Colorado.

Public Hearings For Congressional Redistricting Joint Select Committee

The Congressional Redistricting Joint Select Committee will hold its first public meetings on redrawing Congressional and Legislative district lines in Fort Morgan and Loveland this Saturday. The events are open to the public. In Fort Morgan, Senators Greg Brophy and Mark Scheffel hold a gathering at Fort Morgan High School on Saturday, February 26 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. In Loveland, they'll be at Loveland City Council Chambers at 500 E. 3rd Street in Loveland. That event is from 8 to 11 AM. For more, go to www.ColoradoSenateNews.com.

Baker Chosen for College Award

Barbara Baker, director of marketing services at Northeastern Junior College, has been named the Administrative Professional/Technical Employee of the Year for 2010. She was selected for the award by the people she works with at NJC and will be honored during a state-wide luncheon in Denver on March 2nd. Each college in the Colorado Community College System selected a recipient for this award on their respective campuses.

Baker, who has been at Northeastern Junior College since 1997, began her employment in higher education in the college’s admissions office, originally traveling to the Denver area three days a week to visit high schools and recruit students from the metro area. She worked in admissions for four years, being named the director of the office in 1999. In 2001, during a restructuring of personnel on campus, she was named director of marketing services. Baker is responsible for most all of the public information and marketing related activities at the college including promotion for student recruitment and enrollment as well as college events, programs and activities.

Baker’s career as a professional communicator now spans 29 years and has included both creative and technical communication management in newspaper, radio, magazine, advertising agency, public relations, chambers of commerce and higher education. She is also an adjunct faculty member for the college and teaches classes related to mass communications and business. Before her employment with NJC, she was self-employed for nine years in the Fort Collins area and co-taught several marketing-related community education classes and occasionally was a guest presenter in the journalism classes at Colorado State University (CSU). She is a published author. Some of her writing has appeared in national publications.

A native of southeastern Colorado, Baker holds an associate’s degree from NJC and a bachelor’s degree in technical journalism from CSU. She has been active on a number of committees and advisory groups at the college and in the community over the years, She is currently on the Logan County Economic Development Corporation’s marketing committee, assists with the Sterling Regional Med Center’s physician recruitment activities, and is a member of the Sterling High School Agriculture Advisory Committee.

The Colorado Community College System asks each college to name a Faculty Member of The Year, a Classified Employee of the Year and new this year, an Administrative Professional/Technical Employee of the Year. Pam Berns has been named NJC’s Faculty of the Year and Elaine Jones was chosen Classified Employee of the Year.

Highway Death Toll Declines

There's a downward trend in fatal crashes in Colorado. That's from Colorado State Patrol. CSP said fewer than 440 people were killed in crashes last year, whereas nine years ago, about 740 people died in crashes. CSP said by the year 2025, it wants to see zero deaths on the highways. So why is the number decreasing? Troopers say its because over time, cars have been better engineered than in the past and there are fewer drunk drivers on the roads.

Girl Scount Cookie Booths Selling Cookies

So no Girl Scouts came to your door to sell you their legendary cookies? None came to mine either! But fear not, lovers of the Thin Mint, the Trefoil, the Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookie and all the rest...the booth sales are going on NOW! Walmart and Walgreens in Sterling have offered the girls space to set up for booth sales through next week.

Bill seeks to increase parents' school involvement

A Colorado Democrat is proposing that school districts and charter schools develop plans to increase parental involvement by the summer of 2012.

House Bill 1126 would also require school districts to have annual reviews of how their policies are working. Rep. Crisanta Duran's bill was approved on a voice vote Monday and will be voted on once more before the Senate reviews it.

Under the bill, school districts would cooperate with parents to create and adopt a parental involvement plan.

Car fee proposal back to Colorado House

Unpopular late car tag fees are under review in the Colorado Legislature, where the Republican House could resume debate on ratcheting them back.

The fees were hiked under former Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter, and the fees are very unpopular among conservatives. The Republican House is considering a bill to lower late fees back to $10, down from a maximum of $100. The bill would also allow county clerks to waive late fees.

State analysts say the bill would save late drivers about $25 million a year. The state is currently using that money on roads and transit projects. For that reason, the late fee repeal faces an uphill battle in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

The House paused debate on the fee proposal Monday and could resume debate Tuesday.

President Bush To Visit Denver

President George W. Bush will be in town Saturday. He's scheduled to visit local leaders to talk about the Alliance to Reform Education Leadership initiative, which tries to improve the performance of school principals around the nation. Bush will visit the organization Get Smart Schools, based right here in Denver.

Average Gas Prices Top Three Bucks

The average price of gasoline in Colorado is rising. Triple-A reports the average cost of a gallon of regular is now three-oh-four, the first time since late 2008 average prices in Colorado have topped three bucks. In Denver, the average price is two-99 a gallon, still below national averages.

Search For Gunman In Weld County

A masked gunman wearing a shirt with a clown on the front is the target of a frantic search in Severance. Weld County Sheriff's officials said the man barged into a home yesterday around 2 p.m. while three people were inside. The gunman backed off and fled when he was approached by the family's dogs.

State Budget Cuts Affect NJC

Governor John Hickenlooper's budget that was announced last week includes a 14.5 percent cut in funding for higher education. With the stimulus money that won't be there again, it means more than 36 million dollars lost from Northeastern Junior College's funding. NJC president Lance Bolton presented that bad news to the NJC Advisory Council last week. He said that while the college is none to pleased, it could have been worse. Rich O'Connell is a council member and head of the Logan County Economic Development Corporation. He said there's a survey that everyone should fill out at advancecolorado.com. He said its where Governor Hickenlooper is looking for ideas for fixing the budget problems.

NECALG Hleps Residents, Goverments and the Economy

The Northeastern Colorado Association of Local Governments' Executive Director says the organization had about eight million dollars last year. Larry Worth reported the numbers at the organization's annual meeting in Akron last week. Worth explained what NECALG does: he said it gets what's needed to bring services to residents and governments. Things like vehicles, fuels, computers and supplies. He said the 130 employees generate about 175 thousand dollars a month in payroll. That's then turned over numerous times, adding to local economies to the tune of as much as ten million dollars.

"Bright Futures!" Fundraiser Coming Up

"Bright Futures!" The twelfth annual MCC Foundation Gala will light up the Mark Arndt Event Center at the Morgan County Fairgrounds on Friday, February 25. It starts at 6 p.m. There's food catered by Maverick's, a dessert table provided by Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, entertaining comedy and fundraising auctions await gala guests.

Tickets are available for $35 at MCC or can be purchased online at MorganCC.edu/gala.

The cause for the evening is brighter futures for Morgan Community College students.

Funds raised will be used for scholarships to assist students with tuition and fees, book scholarships, and student equipment.

Interior designers may be regulated in Colorado

Many states regulate interior designers, and Colorado could join them under a proposal up for a hearing in the state Legislature Monday.

The bill would create a registration program with education requirements for interior designers. The interior designers would have to be certified by the state and pay annual fees before calling themselves a "registered interior designer."

Many states have similar requirements. Nothing in the Colorado bill prohibits people from calling themselves an "interior designer" - just a "registered" one.

Colorado's bill also states that registered interior designers would not be permitted to work on construction of a building or its electrical, plumbing or heating systems.

Too high to drive? Colo. considers pot DUI law

Colorado is considering setting a blood-test standard for what constitutes driving under the influence of marijuana.

It is illegal in all states to drive while impaired by drugs, but only a few states have set a measurable benchmark for how much marijuana you can have in your system to be charged with a DUI. The bipartisan proposal from Reps. Claire Levy and Mark Waller would set a limit of 5 nanograms of THC, the psychoactive marijuana ingredient.

The substance would have to be present within two hours of someone being pulled over.

Colorado's 5-nanogram proposal would be one of the most liberal in the country. Nevada and Ohio have a 2-nanogram limit.

Some medical marijuana advocates fear they'll be unfairly targeted, but Levy says the bill is about public safety.

Infighting Creates Issues For Medical-Marijuana Advocacy Groups

Infighting has caused some issues for medical-marijuana advocacy groups at Colorado's Capitol this year. Medical Marijuana Industry Group, the Association of Cannabis Trades for Colorado, and Sensible Colorado are some of the groups. State Representative Jerry Sonnenberg recently nixed a planned industry-supportive bill amendment that one group pitched as another group's tactics annoyed him. The Sterling Republican tells the "Denver Post" the, quote, "medical-marijuana community is its own worst enemy."

Five Killed In Thornton Crash

Five people were killed in a three-car crash in Thornton. Police are investigating why a Ford Expedition carrying a woman and two juveniles flew into a Chevy pickup truck carrying five more people around 6 p.m. yesterday. KMGH-TV says all five people riding in the pickup were killed and four more were hospitalized.

CU Grad Among Dead In Vietnam Boat Disaster

One of the two Americans reported dead when a tour boat sank in Vietnam has been identified as a University of Colorado graduate. KMGH-TV says 22-year-old Samantha Taylor of Norfolk, Virginia was asleep aboard the boat anchored in Halong Bay near the Vietnam-China border yesterday when it suddenly filled with water and sank. She was working as a teacher in China and traveling in Vietnam at the time of the accident. Taylor graduated from CU last year.

Bill To Allow Illegal Immigrants In-State Tuition Rate Passes

Passing its first hurdle, a bill to allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at Colorado colleges has cleared a key vote. The Senate Education Committee voted five-to-two in favor of Senate Bill 126 yesterday. Now it goes up for a vote by the Senate Finance Committee before heading to the full Senate.

Division of Wildlife to Emphasize Improvements for Water Projects

The Colorado Division of Wildlife is announcing a five-year goal to prioritize investments in water projects that benefit wildlife and wildlife recreation. The Division owns 104 dams and has a program to maintain existing facilities for safety, storage, and release. The Division has identified 17 dams and associated infrastructure in need of repairs and improvements and is seeking storage agreements, exchange-of-use agreements and other water projects with water providers and water users for this purpose.

“We have several critical water development needs, such as repairing the dam at Beaver Reservoir to allow us to store water again," said Division of Wildlife Director Tom Remington. "We also have some great opportunities, such as reaching a storage agreement with Rio Grande Reservoir operators to store Division of Wildlife water critical to our needs in the San Luis Valley."

In cooperation with Representative Jon Becker (R-Fort Morgan), the Division is exploring other opportunities that will first and foremost benefit wildlife and wildlife recreation, but will also help other entities and individuals who depend on water resources in the state. The Division intends to allocate at least $6 million for these types of projects over the next five years.

“I am glad to see the Division of Wildlife seeking additional opportunities for water development that will benefit both wildlife and sportsmen," Rep. Becker said. "At the same time, the ancillary benefit to agricultural and other interests across the state is a win-win for all involved.”

“In the face of budget issues that are creating challenges throughout state government, it is especially challenging to plan for increasing water demand while protecting natural resources over the long term,” Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Mike King explained. “There is a lot of overlap between healthy wildlife habitat and what sportsmen and agricultural communities need. We welcome the opportunity to combine these goals and find ways to make limited state funding go further.”

Morgan County Jail "Snapshot" Released

Morgan County Sheriff Jim Crone released the snapshot on the jail population for Morgan County jail yesterday. The total count was 81 which was less than February of 2010. In that month, they had a count of 103. The average population dropped steadily through 2010 with an average for the year at 93. In the snapshot for Wednesday, the largest district bond amount was $250,000 and the largest county bond set was $10,000.

Free Tax Preparation Service Offered In Sterling

If you have a household income that is less than $49,000, you can receive free tax preparation services. The service is provided in Sterling through a partnership between Northeastern Junior College and the Piton Foundation. Sherrie Lichtenwalner, Adminstrative Assistant for the Mass Science Business Department says to call her to schedule an appointment.






The service is offered on Thursday evenings through April 7th with one walk-in day on Saturday, February 26 from 9 am to 2 pm.

Education chief weighs in on union-busting -- AP

Education Secretary Arne Duncan says he's sticking up for teachers' unions in states where governors have threatened to shut them down.

Duncan wrapped up a two-day summit of union organizers, school board members and school administrators in Denver by saying he's "very concerned" about calls by governors in several states to bar teachers from organizing, or to limit their powers to bargain for pay and benefit.

Duncan says he plans to place a personal call to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican who has proposed ending bargaining rights for teachers there.

The education chief's remark won applause from the audience. The summit on improving labor-management relations in schools was attended by representatives from about 150 school districts in 40 states.

Becker: Agreement Benefits Sportsmen, Citizens

Representative Jon Becker of Fort Morgan, said yesterday that an agreement
with the Department of Natural Resources to channel more money into water storage projects that would benefit both sportsmen and the citizens of Colorado.

“This is a win-win for both the wildlife and agriculture communities,” Becker said. “We have created more opportunities for sportsmen while keeping more of our water from leaving the state.”

The agreement came from discussions with DNR and the newly formed Citizen’s Wildlife Advisory Council, a broad-based group of stakeholders that work on wildlife issues. CWAC was formed to open a
dialog to address the adversarial relationship between the sportsmen
community and landowners. The group is bi-partisan and has worked to find common ground between various stakeholders.

The CWAC voted to support Becker in his plan to pull the bill if the agreement with DNR is finalized citing that the compromise is of benefit to both sides. The major concern of the group was that Federal Dingell-Johnson/Pitman-Robertson monies would still be available.
Becker and DNR agreed that those dollars would still be utilized by the DOW and these water projects would benefit sportsmen as well as all the citizens of Colorado.

HB 1150 with its amendments would have designated money within the Division of Wildlife for water projects. With this agreement Becker will ask for his bill to be postponed indefinitely on Monday.

“Representative Becker understands the benefits of water storage to both communities and has successfully negotiated a plan that will benefit both wildlife and agriculture,” commented CWAC chairman and chairman of the House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources committee, Representative Jerry Sonnenberg. “Jon has hit the ground running as a freshman legislator to find common sense solutions to
problems that face Colorado.”

Link To Porn Website Sent Via State Worker's E-mail

A Colorado Department of Human Services employee has been accused of utilizing work e-mail to send a link to a website with naked men. KUSA-TV reports the e-mail came from an administrative assistant at the Wheat Ridge Regional Center, which serves adults who have developmental disabilities. The agency tells the station the 31-year-old woman has no contact with clients, but it's unknown if she actually sent the link herself. CDHS officials say the incident is being investigated.

Bolivian Lions Arrive At New Home

Officials say 25 lions saved from small traveling circuses in Bolivia have made it to their new home in Colorado. The lions landed at Denver International Airport yesterday and were taken in trailers to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg. U.S. agriculture, fish and wildlife and customs workers examined the Bolivian cargo plane and the crated large cats about 4:30 p.m. Animal Defenders International saved and brought the cats to Colorado.

Democrats Criticize Governor's Proposed Education Cuts

Governor John Hickenlooper is getting criticized by those in his own political party over his budget proposal that includes cuts to education funding. Hickenlooper wants a total K-12 education decrease of 332-million dollars and to hike the state's general fund reserve. Democrats, who control the Senate, say they won't support many of the governor's major 2011-12 budget proposals. Senate President Brandon Shaffer tells the "Denver Post" their goal is to decrease educational cuts the governor is suggesting.

Six Colorado Borders To Shut Down

Borders will close six of its bookstores in Colorado. Locations in Aurora, Dillon, Littleton, Greeley, Boulder and Grand Junction are among the nearly 200 slated to close nationwide after the company's announcement it filed for Chapter Eleven bankruptcy in New York. The stores were targeted for closure because each one failed to generate enough business.

Markey Heading For DC

Former Colorado Congresswoman Betsy Markey is taking a job with the federal government. After serving one term in the state's 4th District, Markey was hired as the assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs in the Department of Homeland Security. The "Greeley Tribune" reports Markey begins her new job next week.

2nd Pot Bust For Colorado State Troopers on I-76

A traffic stop yielded a large marijuana bust for Colorado State Patrol troopers… the second in a week. Le Preece Wilkinson was pulled over by Trooper Christopher Romine three miles east of Brush on Interstate 76 for a traffic violation when nearly ten and half pounds of marijuana were found in the trunk. Romine says the incident is still being investigated.






The incident was the second marijuana seizure this week. On Saturday, Troopers found seven pounds after another traffic stop on I-76.

College Activates Emergency Response Team For Fireworks

A local college is reevaluating their emergency response after an incident earlier this week. A call to the Sterling Police department about shots being fired ended with four students at Northeastern Junior College being charged with Discharge of Explosive Devices (fireworks). The four students, Mitchell Jergensen, 20; John Price IV, 22; Dustyn Cope, 19; and Dillon Sanders, 18. allegedly shot the fireworks off at Herboldsheimer Hall at around 2:30 PM on Tuesday. The college did activate their emergency response team in response to the initial call.

Death of Colorado Inmate Investigated as Homicide

State officials say an inmate was killed at a prison in Sterling, and the death is being investigated as a homicide.

The Department of Corrections says 38-year-old Cleveland Flood was found dead at about midnight on Saturday.

An autopsy was conducted Monday but the cause of death hasn't been released.

KUSA-TV in Denver says it was given a photo of the victim in a blood-spattered cell. State officials say they are trying to determine who leaked the photo because it's a sensitive part of the investigation.

Officials say another inmate is considered a suspect, but that inmate's name hasn't been released.

Chancellor: Eliminate Standalone Journalism Degree

University of Colorado-Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano is recommending that the school eliminate its standalone journalism degree and transfer tenured faculty members to the graduate school.

The letter by DiStefano to CU President Bruce Benson Monday is part of an effort to develop a new interdisciplinary program that reflects the changes in the media industry. He's suggesting replacing the current journalism degree with a double major — journalism and another subject — or a major with a certificate or minor in journalism.

A panel is also is recommending a new program for information and communication technology, which would offer interdisciplinary curriculum at undergraduate and graduate levels.

The Boulder Daily Camera reports that the CU regents will discuss the fate of the journalism program in their Feb. 23 meeting.

UC Experiments on Shuttle

Containers built at the University of Colorado will carry two experiments aboard the final voyage of space shuttle Discovery. The craft is scheduled for launch on Feb. 24 after a delay of nearly four months. The cylinders built by BioServe Space Technologies in CU-Boulder's aerospace engineering sciences department are carrying experiments designed to study bacteria and a biofuel plant's cell cultivation.

State Department Admits It Made Mistake With Tax Letters

The Colorado Department of Revenue's mistake left some taxpayers with less money in their bank accounts. The state department says it accidentally mailed lien and garnish letters to thousands of banks. State officials said they accidentally mailed 57-hundred letters to banks and other entities January 28th and said follow-up letters noting the mistakes were mailed February 4th. Anyone who believes the mistakes impact them may call the revenue department.

DIA Asks FAA To Evaluate Programs After Runway Incursions

FAA officials are looking into recent runway incursions that occurred at Denver International Airport over the last month. The "Denver Post" reports airport manager Kim Day asked the agency to do a, quote, "candid, systemic evaluation of all our airfield safety and training programs." A Key Lime Air cargo plane February 9th reportedly missed a turn onto a taxiway, winding up on an active runway while a Frontier Airlines jet was taking off. Officials say January 31st an airport vehicle went onto an active runway as an airplane got ready for takeoff.

Loopy Calls For Deeper Cuts To Education

Governor John Hickenlooper's 2011-2012 budget calls for big cuts in education. In his proposal yesterday Hickenlooper suggests cutting K-through-12 education by 322-million dollars more than was cut the previous year. Overall, his budget proposes using 258-million less from the general fund in order to meet the state's one-point-five-billion-dollar shortfall.

"A Matter Of Balance" Teaches Proactivity Toward Falls

A special program by the Colorado State University Extension office will start on February 23rd for seniors that want to be proactive about falling.






Luann Boyer, Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent in Morgan County says the program is free to person 60 years of age and older. To register, call Colorado State University Extension in Morgan County at 970-542-3540.

MCC Foundation Gala To Be Held With Bright Futures Theme

"Bright Futures!" The twelfth annual MCC Foundation Gala, will held at the Mark Arndt Event Center at the Morgan County Fairgrounds on Friday, Feb. 25. 1






Mary Zorn, Director of Marketing and Communications at Morgan Community College says comedian Edith Weiss will also perform. Tickets are available for $35 at MCC (542-3108) or can be purchased online at MorganCC.edu/gala.

Four Cars Broken into Near NJC, Charmony

Sterling Police are investigating four separate car break ins, and all four in the NJC and Charmony areas. The break ins happened a week ago. Police estimate the total damage to all four vehicles at about two thousand dollars. Police said that save for the area and similarity of the crimes, they have little to go on. If you know anything, call police or call Crimestoppers.

Police Bomb Squad Detonates Grenade Found By Prospect Lake

Colorado Springs Police Department's bomb squad yesterday took out and detonated a live grenade discovered on Prospect Lake's east shore in Memorial Park. Authorities say the Regional Explosives Unit was asked to go to the park around 10 a.m. Police say the military-type hand grenade was quote "live," bundled in duct tape and altered a little. Anyone who knows how the grenade wound up near Prospect Lake is urged to call police at 444-7000.

Rescued Lions Heading To Colorado

Twenty-five Bolivian lions rescued from poor conditions in South American traveling circuses are heading to a Colorado wild animal facility. Officials from the Weld County Wild Animal Sanctuary near Keenesburg say the animals will join almost 300 other wild animals already living there as part of Operation Lion Ark. The lions come to Colorado thanks to a three-month effort by Bolivian authorities and overseas animal rescue agencies.

Pueblo Police Working With Social Networking

A new Pueblo police policy says officers cannot identify themselves as members of the force on their personal social network accounts unless they've been authorized by the chief.

The Pueblo Chieftain reported Monday that the policy affects social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Officers are no longer allowed to post photos of themselves in uniform or wearing department emblems or carrying department equipment. The policy also bars employees from gossiping about the department with outsiders.

The policy went into effect on Jan. 31.

The chief says the policy is intended to prevent any online behavior that reflects negatively on the police department.

A similar policy is being drafted by the Pueblo County sheriff's office to regulate the its deputies' social network sites.

Colorado Lawmakers Kill Arizona-Style Immigration

Colorado lawmakers have killed a bill that would have copied Arizona's immigration law.

A House committee unanimously voted to kill the bill on Monday at the request of the sponsor, Republican Rep. Randy Baumgardner.

Baumgardner says he acted because of the cost taxpayers would face if the law is challenged.

Baumgardner's proposal would give law enforcement the authority to arrest people they suspect are in the country illegally.

Senate Republicans have a similar proposal pending and say they intend to go forward with it. Another immigration proposal would require state employers to use E-Verify to confirm a worker's legal status.

Immigrant rights advocates protested the bills Monday outside the Capitol.

The Number of Colorado Fams and Rnaches Falls in 2010

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service says there were an estimated 36,100 farms and ranches in the state in 2010. That would be down by 100 operations from 2009.

The agency says about 31.2 million acres in Colorado are in farms, and the average size of each farm is 864 acres.

Nationwide, it says, the amount of land in farms rose last year by 100,000 acres to about 920 million acres. There are an estimated 2.2 million farms nationwide. The number has held roughly steady the last two years.

Noble Energy Buys Land in Greeley

Noble Energy has bought 23 acres of land for $2.45 million in west Greeley for a field office where it plans eventually to employ about 300 people.

The Greeley Tribune reports that the Houston-based company closed the deal Friday. Noble Energy plans to build a 66,500-square-foot office, scheduled to open next year.

Noble and other companies, including Anadarko Petroleum Corp., are revving up activity in northeastern Colorado's Wattenberg oil and gas field, which lies in parts of Weld, Larimer, Adams, Boulder and Broomfield counties. Part of the Niobrara Formation, considered an important oil play, underlies the area.

Larimer Co. Jail Has Flu Unit

The Larimer County jail has opened a special housing unit because of a flu outbreak.

The Coloradoan reports that about 10 inmates are in the unit. County health officials say five flu cases have been reported at the jail in Fort Collins.

Sheriff's officials say it's routine to set aside special housing during flu season to try to reduce the number of people getting sick. There are about 500 inmates at the jail.

County health officials say flu is "pretty widespread" in Fort Collins.

Body Found In Bijou Creek May Have Been There Two Years

It may be weeks before the body that was found in the Bijou Creek east of Wiggins on February 4th can be identified…. That's according to Morgan County Sheriff Jim Crone.






Crone says they believe they know who the person was and that there was no foul play involved. They can say it was a male, at least 40 years of age. The body was found inside of a tent at the site and could have been there for up to two years.

Fort Morgan Police Contend With Six Cases of Graffiti

Over the weekend of February 5th and 6th, Fort Morgan police had to contend with several vandalism incidents involving graffiti at locations between Riverside Park and South Elm Street and as far west as Barlow Road.






Community Resource Officer Roger Doll says that in most cases blue, red or black spray paint was used. If you have any information, you are asked to call the Fort Morgan Police Department at (970) 867-5678 or . Crime Stoppers at (970) 542-3411.

Police Looking for Copper Thieves

Logan County Crimestoppers needs help finding whoever stole copper wire in late January. Sterling Police said that there was a burglary at Phipps Electric on Jefferson Street between 8 a.m., January 25 and sometime on January 26. They said somebody got into the place and took a large amount of copper wire worth more than ten thousand dollars. Anybody who knows anything is asked to call police or call Crimestoppers.

CPMC Garners $250,000 Award

Colorado Plains Medical Center has received LifePoint Hospitals' 2010 High Five Award for delivering what the company says is excellent health care. The award is the highest yearly recognition in the LifePoint system. The five points noted for the award are:
Strengthening the hospital's role in the community.
Delivering compassionate, high quality patient care.
Ensuring fiscal responsibility.
Supporting physicians.
Creating excellent workplaces for employees.
The award also netted CPMC a 250 thousand dollar check to improve on its excellence and to help in the hospital's growth.

Shops Busy on Valentine's Day

Employees at flower shops, gift and card stores, and confectioneries will be working frantically today to help you make Valentine's Day for your sweetie. This is THE day of the year when all those stores sell more cards, flowers and candy than any other day of the year. Restaurants will probably be just as busy tonight at there are numerous candlelight dinners to celebrate love on this Valentine's Day.

EEK! Rat delays flight from Seattle airport -- AP

Alaska Airlines had to delay a flight about to leave Seattle-Tacoma International Airport when a rat was seen scurrying in the cabin.

The airline says the flight from Seattle to Denver had just pulled away from the gate Thursday morning when the little stowaway was spotted. The 737 jetliner returned to the terminal and passengers and crew boarded another plane about 90 minutes later.

Airline spokeswoman Bobbie Egan says the plane won't be returned to service until maintenance workers make sure the rat didn't damage equipment or chew any wires — and an exterminator certifies the plane is rodent-free.

Egan says workers also are trying to figure out how the rat got aboard. She says in cold weather, "sometimes rodents can seek shelter in strange places."

New foreclosure filings dip in Colorado in 2010

Housing officials say new foreclosure filings in Colorado fell in 2010, but the number of foreclosure sales at auction rose.

The Division of Housing said this week there were 42,692 foreclosure filings in 2010. That's down 8 percent from a record 46,394 filings in 2009, when people suffered layoffs during the recession.

But the number of foreclosure sales at auction was 23,891 in 2010, up almost 17 percent from 2009. The division says the high number of foreclosures in the pipeline in 2009 boosted the number of sales at auction in 2010.

New foreclosure filings fell in Front Range metropolitan counties in 2010 compared with 2009. But in Mesa County in western Colorado, filings rose nearly 30 percent, and foreclosure sales at auction rose 173 percent.

State Looks at Midyear Budget Cuts

The Democrat-controlled state Senate has given preliminary approval to a series of midyear budget adjustments that cut nearly $217 million from this year's general fund in order to balance the budget. The cuts don't hit schools, but Republicans say it takes money that otherwise could have gone to local governments.

Personal Bankruptcies Rise In Colorado

More people are filing for bankruptcy in Colorado. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Colorado reports bankruptcy filings jumped 17-percent in 2010. Meanwhile, business bankruptcies fell for the first time in four years.

Educators Brace For Cuts

Statewide public educators are preparing for expected funding cutbacks when Governor John Hickenlooper releases his budget recommendations tomorrow. That's when Hickenlooper unveils a proposal for the 2011-2012 budget before the legislature's Joint Budget Committee. Some educators say K-through-12 education could be slashed by 400-million dollars. The state is facing a one-point-one-million-dollar budget shortfall.

Boulder Supermarket Magnate Resigns

The billionaire supermarket magnate who co-founded his empire with one store in Boulder has resigned in the wake of charges he solicited sex from an underaged female in Arizona. Phoenix police say 52-year-old Michael Gilliland, the co-founder of Wild Oats Markets and founder of Sunflower Farmers Market, was released from an Arizona jail Friday after posting bond following his arrest the previous day on suspicion of felony child prostitution. Cops say he solicited sex from a female who said she was a minor. Sunflower Markets issued a statement that said in part that Gilliland expects to be exonerated.

CU Prof: Egyptian Military Keeping its Status

University of Colorado assistant history professor John Willis says while the Egyptian military may appear to be keeping the peace, they're really trying to keep their place in politics and industry in the country. That, Willis says as protesters call for Hosni Mubarak's ouster. Willis said that when Mubarak said yesterday that the end to his regime was being negotiated, it was a battle of words between the regime and military leaders. As Egyptians waited for Mubarak to announced his departure, he told them yesterday that he would still not leave until the September elections.

Scammers Steal Little Girl's ID To Buy Porn

Wells Fargo bank is investigating after someone hacked into a three-year-old Parker girl's checking account and bought pornography. A check drawn on Kimberly Figg's account was cashed by BBU Interservices, an online porn distributor. Fox 31 reports that hundreds of people have filed complaints about BBU Interservices accessing their bank accounts.

Reyes' Family Could Drop Suit for Apology

An attorney for the family of a suspect shot and killed by officers after a Weld County sheriff's deputy was fatally shot says his clients might drop legal action for an apology.

Denver attorney Michael Evans sent a notice this week to the Weld County sheriff's department and the Greeley and Evans police departments saying that Rueben Reyes' family might sue unless a settlement can be reached. The family claims officers used excessive force when they shot Reyes.

Sheriff John Cooke told the Greeley Tribune Thursday that he wouldn't write a letter of apology.

Officers say they shot Reyes after he shot and killed Deputy Sam Brownlee during a struggle Nov. 23. They say Reyes stopped in Evans after leading them on a chase in a car reported stolen.

Medical Marijuana Law Changing

Changes to medical marijuana law in Colorado have cleared their first hurdle.

A House committee signed off Thursday on changes to the nation's most expansive set of regulations for how pot is grown and sold. Most of those rules haven't taken effect yet, but lawmakers are making changes to some parts that elicited complaints from patients, doctors and law enforcement.

House Bill 1043 now moves to another House committee before it goes to the full body. The bill's changes include extending a moratorium on state licenses until 2012, and a new 500-plant limit for makers of products infused with cannabis.

Colorado Continues Spring Ahead, Fall Back

Coloradoans will continue to change their clocks once a year during daylight savings time after a proposal to end the time change failed in the Legislature.

Democratic Rep. Edward Vigil, who sponsored the bill, joked after the bill failed that it was "a dark day for Colorado."

Vigil's measure would have repealed the advancing of one hour the second Sunday in March and moving back one hour the first Sunday in November. It would mean Colorado would permanently be on U.S. Mountain Standard Time.

Vigil says he was bringing the bill on behalf of working mothers, children, pet owners and other people "who just can't deal with daylight savings." He cited a study that says people suffer more workplace injuries after daylight savings.

Body Found North of I-76 Not Yet Identified

The Morgan County Sheriff's Office have not yet released the name of the person found dead in the channel of the Bijou Creek north of I-76. Sheriff Jim Crone says it was NOT murder.






If you have further information, you are asked to call the Morgan County Sheriff's office at 970-867-2461.

National 2-1-1 Day Recognizes The Service

Today is National 2-1-1 Day and Betsy Porter, Executive Director of the United Way of Morgan County says the service is easy to use.






2-1-1 not only will help people find assistance, you can also call to find places to volunteer in your community.

Gov. Hickenlooper orders flags lowered Thursday in honor of Specialist Joshua Campbell

Governor John Hickenlooper ordered flags be lowered to half-staff on all state and federal buildings on today in honor of Army Specialist 22 year old Joshua R. Campbell of Bennett. Specialist Campbell died on Jan. 29 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Initial reports indicated that he died of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Specialist Campbell was assigned to the 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion of the 82nd Sustainment Brigade, Fort Bragg, NC.
Specialist Campbell’s parents live in Bennett and Brighton. Private services are scheduled for Thursday in Aurora.

Mobile Food Bank Comes to Logan Co Fairgroundsd

Logan County Commissioners said yes this week to a mobile food pantry at the Logan County Fairgrounds. Cooperating Ministry of Logan County made the request on behalf of the Food Bank of the Rockies. The food bank will part the truck at the fairgrounds on March 23, May 25, and July 27. Food will be distributed on a first come, first served basis and more dates will be announced. You don't have to prove income or fill out forms. If you need food, just go.

Lawmaker Wants End to Daylight Savings Time

A state lawmaker is proposing that Colorado end daylight savings time.

Democratic Rep. Edward Vigil's proposal would mean that Colorado would be on U.S. Mountain Standard Time all year and would repeal the advancing of one hour the second Sunday in March and moving back one hour the first Sunday in November.

House Bill 1067 will be heard Thursday afternoon in the State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.

Leprino Foods to Hire Hundreds in Greeley

About 1,200 people have turned out for a series of meetings about jobs at the Leprino Foods Co. plant in Greeley. Leprino tells The Tribune that it expects about 3,000 people to apply for the 77 openings it will have this year at its new cheese factory. The company expects its workforce to expand to 500 over the next three years.

Reyes' Family Plans to Sue Officers

The family of a suspected car thief whom authorities say shot and killed a Weld County sheriff's deputy plans to sue officers for shooting the suspect, who died from his wounds. Denver's KMGH-TV reports the family of 20-year-old Rueben Reyes blame Greeley, Evans and Weld County officers for excessive force in the Nov. 23 shooting. The family is seeking $250,000.

Gov at Ft Carson Today

Governor John Hickenlooper is meeting with leaders at Fort Carson to discuss growth at the Army base south of Colorado Springs.

The meeting today will also focus on the economic impacts of the Army post's expansion on neighboring communities. Fort Carson is the second-largest employer in Colorado with an economic impact of nearly $2.5 billion.

While in the area, Hickenlooper also plans to meet with senior leaders at Peterson Air Force Base.

Hickenlooper Invites Cabinet To Stay At Governor's Mansion

Governor John Hickenlooper has invited Colorado Cabinet members who live outside of the metro area to stay overnight at the empty governor's mansion. Hickenlooper opted not to move into the seven-bedroom mansion, but to live with his wife and son at their Park Hill neighborhood home. The governor hopes shared living will boost productivity among the Cabinet members, including eleven who are from outside the Denver area. Cabinet members would do their own cleaning and cooking.

Denver Judge Rules Prayer Luncheon Is OK

A federal judge in Denver yesterday rejected an effort to stop a prayer luncheon at the Air Force Academy. U.S. District Judge Christine Arguello decided plaintiffs including Air Force Academy Professor David Mullin and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation don't have legal grounds to oppose it. That means the lunch planned for today can occur. The luncheon will feature speakers representing various faiths including Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism.

Delays Prompt CDOT To Offer Toll Refunds

Hundreds of motorists who used Interstate 25 toll lanes yesterday morning will get refunds. Colorado Department of Transportation officials tell KMGH-TV they will offer refunds to drivers who drove in lanes from 7:30 to 10 a.m. due to huge delays. A power outage at 19th Street in Denver backed up vehicles into the HOV/toll lanes, creating the delay. Refunds will be either one-dollar-25-cents, two-dollars-75-cents, or four dollars depending on the time they were driving on I-25.

Icy Roads Keep Auto Body Shops Hustling To Find Parts

Icy roads are keeping auto body shops in the state busy, but some are having trouble finding parts they require to fix damaged vehicles. Denver's Addison Auto Body and Repair Shop owner Jim Addison tells KUSA-TV he recently had two whole buildings filled with damaged cars getting fixed. Addison said it can be difficult to get parts to the store as quickly as they used to be able to get them as businesses have cut back. He adds that almost every part from a Saab vehicle must be special-ordered.

DMV: Glitch To Be Fixed By Monday

A computer server glitch is blamed for a problem at the DMV that's prohibited clerks from printing titles to vehicles since Monday. A DMV spokesperson said the problem doesn't affect driver's license renewals or license plates. The problem should be fixed by Monday.

State Trooper Suspended For Brawl

A Colorado State Trooper is under suspension for his involvement in a New Year's Eve bar fight with friends police contend are known drug dealers. Greeley police say a group of people, including 30-year-old trooper Jorge Leal, was asked to leave the Cactus Canyon Bar in Greeley Mall, which instigated a fight outside in the parking lot. Leal was cited for disorderly conduct and third-degree assault. He's suspended until an internal investigation by troopers is complete.

Ashcroft's Colorado Appearance Nixed

A stop along the speaking circuit of former U.S. Attorney General and Missouri Governor John Ashcroft has been canceled in Colorado. Ashcroft was scheduled to speak in Fort Collins during the nonprofit group Character Fort Collins' Courageous Leadership series. No official reason was offered for the cancellation, but the announcement comes after a declaration by the group Strength through Peace that its members would protest Ashcroft's invitation if he spoke in Fort Collins.

Colorado State Patrol Youth Academy Taking Applications

The Colorado State Patrol Youth Academy offers about forty young men and women the opportunity to learn leadership and what it's like to be a trooper at no cost to them or their families.






Captain Gaylon Grippin with the Colorado State Patrol says the application deadline for the program is March 1. Call (970) 522-4696 or go online at http://csp.state.co.us/youth _academy.html.

Fort Morgan Rec Center Sweetheart Dances February 18th

The Fort Morgan Rec Center will be decked out for Valentines on February 18th for the Senior Sweetheart Dance from 2 to 5 PM that is followed by another Sweetheart Dance for ages 10 through 12 at 7:30 PM.






Brad Weese with the City of Fort Morgan Rec Department says admission is $5 at the door. Call 542-3921 for more information.

Job Fair Next Month

The Sterling Workforce Center is holding a job fair next month and encouraging employers to register to meet potential employees. The job fair is on Thursday, March 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Bank of Colorado Event Center. Some high schoolers could be in attendance to learn about different careers. For more, contact the Sterling Workforce Center at (970) 522-9340.

Local Test Scores Beat National Average

Fort Morgan Middle School test results are better than the national average. The board of education also learned on Monday that Fort Morgan High was below the national average on PLAN tests. Lincoln High School will test later this school year. Eighth Graders take the Explore tests and 10th graders take the PLAN tests. Assistant Superintendent Joy Perry said the scores are great news for assessment and curriculum. Average composite score at Fort Morgan Middle School was 15.7, the national average was 14.9. Fort Morgan High School students had a PLAN composite of 16.5, the national average was 15.9.

Cooke to Implement Recommendations -- AP

Weld County Sheriff John Cooke says he plans to implement most recommendations from a review team's report on what led to a deputy's death in November. Sam Brownlee was shot with his own weapon as he, an Evans police officer and two other deputies wrestled with a suspect after a high-speed chase that started in Morgan County. Cooke says one recommendation to hire a full-time training officer will require budgetary approval from county commissioners, but another recommendation to review the county's multijurisdiction pursuit policy is under way.

Bill Would Give Offenders Chance To Take Responsibility

A bill introduced yesterday by a Denver lawmaker would create a process for victims of crimes to face their offenders under an idea experts call "restorative justice." Representative Pete Lee of El Paso County introduced House Bill 1032 as a way to offer restitution instead of imprisonment, and he says it offers a chance for offenders to accept responsibility for their actions. But the bill has its detractors who contend it doesn't focus enough on what victims want.

State House Democrats Back Pay-Go Regulation Proposed

Colorado House Democrats yesterday backed legislation that would mandate legislators who want to restore tax exemptions or create new ones to first say what will be cut to fund the tax break. Republicans said the bill was a, quote, "gimmick," saying the state already has to pass a balanced budget. They also asked why Democrats were interested now in a pay-go rule when they lost the majority. The bill will be discussed in a committee hearing tomorrow.

Colorado Does Not Require Pharmacists To Counsel Patients

Pharmacists in Colorado are not mandated to counsel patients about new medicine. A Safeway pharmacy accidentally gave pregnant Fort Lupton resident Mareena Silva medicine that ends pregnancies rather than the antibiotic she sought. Safeway in a statement tells KMGH-TV pharmacy workers are told to quote, "ask and listen to the patient's full name and date of birth" before dispensing medicine. Pharmacist and associate professor at the University of Colorado Gina Moore says she tells students to also verify patients' addresses before giving medicine.

Missing Brighton Boy With Autism Found In Greeley

A missing 14-year-old Brighton boy who has autism was discovered safe outside a Greeley library yesterday afternoon, around 35 miles from his home. Police say a Greeley resident recognized Brennen Mungia as media had covered his disappearance and called police around 2 p.m. Police and FBI agents are trying to determine how he got to Greeley after he vanished from Brighton High School Monday at 12:30 p.m. Authorities were concerned about the boy being outside in chilly, snowy weather overnight.

Pueblo Teen Wins State Honor For Volunteer Work

A Centennial High School junior will be going to Washington, DC, where she might be announced as one of the nation's top youth volunteers. That's after 16-year-old Lindsey Buxman was honored as Colorado's top youth volunteer for this year in her age group. Buxman started a campaign to get a ballot measure passed to pay for a ten-million-dollar renovation of Memorial Hall in Pueblo. The measure, 2B, was passed in November, and renovation will likely take two years.

Arapahoe Basin Snow Safety Director Dies While Skiing

The snow safety director at Arapahoe Basin collapsed and died yesterday while skiing at Aspen Highlands Bowl. The Pitkin County Sheriff's Office said 50-year-old Leif Borgeson fell ill while hiking to the top of the run he was set to ski down. An official cause of death hasn't been ruled.

Glen Miller Orchestra To Perform Benefit Concert

The music programs at RE-1 Valley schools will have a unique fundraiser on February 24th with a performance by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Don Johnson, Director of Choral Studies says the Orchestra has ties to Sterling.






The performance will be at 7 p.m. at Sterling Middle School. Tickets are $15 for adults, or $10 for students.

Owner of Burnt Truck Is Not Suspected of Arson

Back in the evening of January 3rd, Fort Morgan police were called to the 400 block of East Railroad Avenue on a report of a truck on fire. The fire appears to be intentionally set, but the truck's owner is not a suspect.






Community Resource Officer Roger Doll says that they would like to speak with anyone who has information about this case. If you do, you are asked to call 970-867-5678 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers 970-542-3411.

Valentine's Day Parents Night Out

The Sterling Seventh-day Adventist Church is offering to watch your kids while you have a "Parents' Night Out" on Valentine's Day, February 14. The childcare is free and it for kids three years old and up. Its from 6 to 9 p.m. and is for parents who might not otherwise get a night out without the kids. Call for reservations at (970) 466-1661.

Residents May Consider Whether To Hike Movie Costs

Residents in Denver and around Colorado this fall may vote on whether to boost the cost of seeing movies to try to draw more movie directors, actors and producers here. House Bill 1207 requires legislators to approve the ten-cent hike to generate four-million dollars to attract film and TV production to the state. Bill sponsors say they can't boost state revenues without asking residents to vote on it. The proposal will be discussed in a public hearing later this month.

DIA Is Under Snow Alert As Snowstorm Expected Today

DIA said yesterday it had been issued a snow alert after some airlines started dispensing travel waivers as a snowstorm is expected to hit the state this morning. Officials say the Denver metro area will likely see several inches of snow today. Denver International Airport is under a Level A Snow Alert, meaning it's predicted the airport will see one to three inches of snow by 4 a.m. today. DIA sent workers last night to pre-treat roads around the airport.

Arctic Air, Heavy Snowfall Expected To Stop Traffic Today

The second wave of arctic air in a week will likely bring chilly weather and hard travel conditions to nearly all of Colorado today. Officials predict the Denver metro area will be hit with five to ten inches of snow. A mix of winds up to 40-miles-per-hour, temperatures below ten degrees and many inches of snow may make traffic stop this morning. Winter storm warnings are in effect for many areas around the state.

Report: Blunders Led To Deputy's Death

An investigation into the fatal results of a tense police chase through multiple Colorado counties last November has revealed authorities made a series of ill-fated moves. These actions allegedly culminated in Weld County Sheriff's deputy Sam Brownlee being shot with his own weapon by the suspect he was pursuing. In a total review of the actions by all agencies involved that day, a three-person panel appointed by Weld County Sheriff John Cooke found several things went wrong before Brownlee was killed by suspect Rueben Reyes, including a dispatcher in Morgan County failing to report the suspect was armed and dangerous. Investigators remain uncertain of how Reyes actually wrestled Brownlee's weapon away from its holster before he fired the three fatal shots at the deputy.

Police Warn of Internet Predators

Police in Colorado are warning parents about the dangers of online predators. Sex offenders are using social networking sites, such as Facebook, to look for potential victims. Colorado Springs Police Sergeant Bill Dehart wants all parents to monitor the online habits of the kids. Police say too many parents are unaware that there are potential online predators looking for an opportunity to meet your child everyday.

Four Hurt When Ambulance Slide on Icy Interstate 76

Four people, three ambulance attendants from Sterling and the patient, who's from Atwood, were hurt when their ambulance slid on ice on westbound I-76 last Thursday and rolled into the eastbound lane. Colorado State Patrol said the driver, 19 year old Ashley Pippitt, passengers 27 year old Marci Hodges and 40 year old Dan Schellenger, all of Sterling, and the patient, 80 year old Carlyn Helmut of Atwood were all hurt in the incident. Helmut was supposed to go from Sterling Regional MedCenter to North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley for surgery, but instead, wen from Colorado Plains Medical Center in Fort Morgan and on to the Greeley facility for the surgery and was last reported in fair condition. The others were all treated and released from CPMC.

In separate incidents a Fort Morgan man and a Sterling man were cited for careless driving but not seriously hurt when their vehicles slid out of control on the interstate last week.

Wiggins Principal Leaving

Wiggins High School Principal Archie Shipp has turned in his resignation, saying he'll leave at the end of the school year. The board of education will take it up at their meeting on Wednesday. Superintendent Steve Neel said the board will begin the search for a new principal. They'll also hear several policy changes and consider middle school schedule changes at the meeting.

Potential Hunger Strike Averted at Morgan Co Jail

Morgan County Sheriff Jim Crone said when a pod of prisoners expressed grievances at the Morgan County Jail, they then threatened a hunger strike over the weekend. The sheriff said neither the hunger strike or the grievances lasted for long. Crone said prisoners complained that their children under 18 years old were not allowed to visit them anymore. Crone said that ban went into effect on February first. He said it was in place for the safety of the children. When prisoners complained about the quality and quantity of food, Crone said they're being fed what is required, and they shouldn't expect more.

Logan County Crimestoppers Seeks Public's Help With Sterling Robbery

The Sterling Police Department has exhausted all leads pertaining to a burglary of eight handguns back in July. Chief Roy Breivik says he believes that someone knows something.






Individuals with information could earn up to $2,500 through Logan County Crimestoppers if they report it by Feb. 18, 2011. If you have any information on this crime or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at (970) 522-EYES (3937) or (800) 444-3776.

Fort Morgan Blood Drive To Be Held Tomorrow

A blood drive will be held tomorrow from noon until 5:30 at the Fort Morgan Elks Club located at 430 State Street..






Julie Scott, Public Relations Manager for Bonfils Blood says you can still make an appointment to donate by calling 1-800-365-0006 Option 2.

Sheriff, Coroner Investigating Death in Morgan County

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and Morgan County Coroner’s Office are investigating the death of an unknown person after human remains were found Friday afternoon in the channel of the Bijou Creek north of I-76. An autopsy has been scheduled but due to the advanced state of decomposition, cause and manner of death, and identity of the person, may not be determined for some time.

Fort Morgan Council Suggests Combining Boards

Fort Morgan City Council is considering consolidating some advisory boards into one, with more members, but they want your input. At this week's meeting, the recommendation was made for a Citizen Advisory Board that would four boards: the parks and rec board, the library board, golf course board and the senior center advisory board. Council members say those boards have trouble getting people to show up and sometimes have no quorum to vote on issues. The recommendation for the new board is for 15 members, thereby having enough to vote on issues. The members would be from across the age and income spectrum.

Spending standoff continues at Colorado Capitol -- AP

A standoff between Colorado Democrats and Republicans over state spending has ramped up.

The GOP on Thursday called off plans to work for compromise on a spending plan for next year.

The matter in the state Legislature has to do with a nonbinding resolution on spending the Legislature usually adopts without controversy. This year, Republicans newly in charge of the House, changed the resolution to ratchet back what state budget-writers should plan to spend next year.

Democrats in control of the Senate balked, and the two sides were to begin ironing out differences Thursday. But the House changed course and spiked plans to compromise.

Democrats accused the GOP of showboating on spending because the resolution is largely symbolic. A deadline to recommend a spending plan has already passed.

Fort Carson soldier convicted in woman's slaying

A jury has convicted a Fort Carson soldier of first-degree murder in the death of a 19-year-old woman, whom he got to know over the internet.

The Gazette in Colorado Springs reports that 23-year-old Robert Hull Marko, convicted Thursday, faces a mandatory penalty of life in prison without parole when he's sentenced Feb. 28. The jury convicted Marko of the rape and murder of Judilianna Lawrence in 2008.

Prosecutors say Marko raped Lawrence, bound and gagged her, tied her to a tree and slit her throat. Marko's attorneys argued that their client, who served in Iraq, is mentally ill and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Before the trial, Marko pleaded guilty two counts of aggravated sexual assault on a child in a separate incident.

UNC Enacts Hiring Freeze, Other Cost-Cutting Plans -- AP

University of Northern Colorado President Kay Norton has announced plans to freeze some hiring to help cover a projected $14 million shortfall in the next school year.

Norton said Wednesday that the university in Greeley will freeze the hiring of all non-faculty positions with annual salaries of more than $25,000. The Greeley Tribune reports that Norton is also asking UNC employees to help find $5 million in permanent cuts.

Norton says the university will immediately carry out strategies for covering the anticipated funding shortfall, including putting off equipment and technology purchases and capital projects. The school is also assessing travel expenses.

Littleton Man Flees Cairo As Nation Revolts

A Littleton man is back in Colorado this morning after a harrowing week trying to flee Egypt as the country sat in the midst of a revolution. Seventy-year-old David Armstrong tells the "Denver Post" he arrived in Cairo January 25th, the same day Egyptian citizens began calling for the ouster of Egyptian President Honsi Mubarak. Armstrong said he was fortunate to hop a departing flight Sunday from Cairo to New York where he stayed until yesterday because of snowy conditions.

Four Injured When SUV Crashes Into McDonald's

An SUV crashed into an Aurora McDonald's yesterday injuring as many as four people including a ten-year-old girl. Officials said three people were hospitalized after a GMC Yukon careened into the restaurant as the driver tried to elude another vehicle. The girl suffered minor injuries because of broken glass.

Casino Thief Had Colorado Ties

A man who once lived in Pueblo has been accused of cleaning out a Las Vegas casino during a bold robbery last year. Las Vegas undercover cops arrested Tony Carleo Wednesday night at the Bellagio Hotel, the same location where they say he copped a load of poker chips valued at one-point-five-million dollars on December 14th. His heist attracted worldwide acclaim after surveillance footage surfaced on the Internet showing him robbing the casino wearing a black motorcycle helmet. Carleo is also the son of Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge George Assad.

Feds Now Taking Up Cause For Man Held In Pakistan

Federal officials have made a request to release a man with Colorado ties from custody in Pakistan. Raymond Allen Davis of Highland Ranch is being held in Pakistan where prosecutors say he is responsible for fatally shooting two Pakistani civilians a week ago in Lahore. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari personally Wednesday in an attempt to negotiate his release. The U.S. State Department contends Davis holds diplomatic immunity because the alleged shootings happened while he was working as a staff member at the U.S. Embassy.

Brush Man Looks For History of Civil War Vets Buried At Cemetery

Steve Rohde of Brush is on a mission to gather information, artifacts or records on 30 Civil War veterans that are buried in the Brush Cemetery. The items can either be copied or put on display in the new military exhibit that recognizes the 150th Anniversary of the start of the Civil War at the Brush Area Museum and Cultural Center.






You can reach Rohde at 970-842-4658.

The cemetery`s known Civil War veterans are:
Henry G. Allen, Stephe K. Amrine, Ebenezer E. Brownlee, Solon K. Cheadle, Henry W. Dean, George Dodd, Andrew M. Garrett, Clark W. Green, Joseph S. Jackson, William C. Kelly, Ephraim Kerr, Josiah L. Lee, John H. McGinnis, Joseph G. McGregor, James T. Mitchell, George H. Munger, Francis V. Stevens, M.L. Stevens, Henry J. Stoops, Jno. J. Stowers, Thomas O. Tennant, Robert Weir, Joseph H. Williams, Samual I. Wright, George H. Hall and Thomas E. Mote.

Harrington Proposes Farmers Market

Sterling could have a Farmer's Market at Knowles Field. Pat Harrington oversees the community gardens there and you have to figure, if you're growing the veggies there, why not sell them there! Harrington told Sterling City Council that the market would operate from the second week in March until the last week of October and be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Harrington said he wants to set up a board to over see the market. The city said there needs to be a permit to open the market on the city owned property. Sterling would get a cut of the proceeds from the farmer's market.

Group Of Ministries Offers To Fund State School Breakfast Program

A group of Colorado Springs-area ministries have offered to pay for a state school breakfast program for awhile. But Colorado's Department of Education wants to wait to see if the Legislature will commit the money for the program before taking the 124-thousand-229-dollar one-time donation. The Community Roundtable, a coalition of parachurch organizations including Focus on the Family, made the offer. Department of Education spokesman Mark Stevens tells the "Gazette" the coalition in an e-mail said it would give the money, quote, "if the funding doesn't come through."

Colorado Springs-Based U.S. NORTHCOM Helping In Winter Storms

Colorado Springs-based U.S. NORTHCOM or Northern Command is assisting in other parts of the nation where serious snowstorms have struck. The Department of Defense selected McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in Oklahoma, Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as FEMA Incident Support Bases. Those bases will support getting supplies and equipment to places impacted by extreme winter weather. The Department of Defense says it has the ability to save lives and offer air lift, medical support, communications and catastrophic planning.

Brighton Man Arrested On Child Abuse Charges After Boy Dies

Brighton police have arrested Donald Scarlett in connection with the death yesterday of a two-year-old boy. Cops say the 31-year-old man inflicted the injuries sustained by Michael Harris, who died at Platte Valley Medical Center a day after he was rushed there by paramedics. Authorities didn't say if Scarlett has been charged yet with the boy's death.

Air Ambulance Plane Makes Hard Landing

Landing gear trouble forced an air ambulance plane to make a hard landing at Centennial Airport last night. Six people were on board. One person was taken to the hospital. South Metro says that person was the one with a medical condition and was already supposed to go to the hospital.

Study Abroad Students Evacuated

Four students who were studying abroad in Cairo will be taking classes in another country. The University of Colorado at Boulder cancelled its Egyptian study abroad program for the semester. The director of international education says the students will be evacuated to Europe and be enrolled in another program.

KSIR+ (Fort Morgan, CO)

A Colorado businessman says he had to fight to get home after chaos broke out in Egypt. Erich Hauser says protests erupted at his hotel and workers had to block the doors to keep gangs and looters out. He says he fought through mobs of people at the Cairo airport. Some people used luggage carts to push through the crowds. Hauser says he passed out because of lack of oxygen and when he got up, Egyptian people were holding him. He says he saw the good and bad of humanity in just a few hours.

Congressman Sponsoring Bill To Ban Federal Money For Most Abortions

Colorado Springs Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn is one of the sponsors for a bill that would ban using federal money for almost all abortions. The bill would offer some exceptions to the ban, including in cases of "forcible" rape. The bill indicates "forcible" rape would not include so-called non-violent but non-consensual sex including statutory rape or when the victim is drugged. The bill's primary sponsor is Congressman Christopher Smith, a New Jersey Republican.

Pueblo Schools Stay Open Despite Closures In Frigid Temperatures

Chilly temperatures led many school districts around Colorado to cancel classes yesterday, but some in Pueblo stayed open. Pueblo City Schools District 60 and Pueblo County School District 70 held classes but started two hours late. Some parents tell KKTV-TV they did not like the delay, saying it was inconvenient for working parents and the weather was too cold for school. Pueblo City Schools District 60 plans to close schools today.

Free Child Development Screenings Offered At Morgan Community College

Free child development screenings will be offered by the Morgan Community Nursing Program on Monday and Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:30 PM for children ages birth to six years.






Joyce Bryant asks that if you are interested in having your child screened, please call her at 542-3239.

Fort Morgan Police Are Warning About A Case of Credit Card Fraud

Fort Morgan police are warning the public to check your credit card records after a citizen found charges totaling $1,598 dollars. Community Resource Officer Roger Doll says the victim first contacted their credit card company.






If you suspect you are a victim of credit card fraud, first contact your company and then call your local police department.