Bookmobile Hurting Financially

Northeast Colorado Bookmobile Services is suffering monetarily, since the counties it serves and that help fund it, are getting their funds cut. Bookmobile Director Rhonda Gronewold told the Board of Morgan County Commissioners this week that, for instance,
Logan County's share to the bookmobile was down 16 thousand dollars. She said with cuts in funding, people who are not near a library will have trouble accessing the bookmobile. It serves Morgan, Logan, Washington, Yuma, Kit Carson, and Phillips Counties.

FM Sales Tax Collection Up

Fort Morgan is still collecting more and more sales tax. Interim City Treasurer Christina Bostron gave that report to the Fort Morgan City Council at its work session this week. She said May's collections were at a five year high for the month at more than 423 thousand dollars in the treasury. But Bostron said the May dollars are down from March and April.

CTTPA Pulls Tommorw

Brush Young Farmers Truck and Hot Rod Tractor Colorado Truck and Tractor Pullers Association sanctioned pull is tomorrow. The event, at the Morgan County Fairgrounds will draw pullers from New Mexico, Arizona, Nebraska and Kansas and will benefit the youth of Morgan County. The pulls start at 7 p.m.

NJC Registration is August 8th

Monday, August 8 is registration day at Northeastern Junior College. NJC's online calendar says registration runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Officials at the college suggest to avoid waiting in those long registration lines, you get registered on August 8. NJC's registration is at Hays Student Center on the campus. For more, go to http://www.njc.edu/Admissions-and-Financial-Aid/Registration-Day-Signup

Death-Row Inmates Moved So They Can Exercise Outdoors

(Sterling, CO) -- The state is moving its death-row inmates so they can exercise outdoors. The Colorado Department of Corrections has effectively moved the state's death row from Cañon City to Sterling to settle a federal lawsuit filed by Nathan Dunlap, who was convicted in 1996 of killing four people. Dunlap claimed that being deprived of fresh air, sunshine, and outdoor exercise for 15 years is cruel and unusual punishment.

Motor Vehicle Department Plagued By Computer Outage

(Denver, CO) -- A computer outage is being blamed for a shutdown of title work and registration renewals at some Motor Vehicle Department offices. A spokesman denied the system was under attack by a virus. He said it was, quote, "just old."

Turtle Named "Bubbles" Rescued From Burning House

(Littleton, CO) -- "Bubbles" the turtle is safe today, thanks to some quick-thinking firemen in Littleton. Crews responded to a home on West Rowland Drive yesterday afternoon. Nobody was home, except Bubbles. After firefighters rescued the reptile, they said the turtle's tank was black with smoke.

If Kids Aren't In Car Seats Monday, Parents Face Tickets

(Denver, CO) -- Colorado parents will face expensive traffic tickets starting Monday if their kids aren't in car seats. The grace period for six- and seven-year-olds to ride without car safety seats ends Sunday. If children aren't properly restrained, the minimum ticket will be 82 dollars.

Father Of JonBenet Ramsey Remarries

(Charlevoix, MI) -- The father of JonBenet Ramsey is remarried, five years after his wife died of ovarian cancer. "People Magazine" reports John Ramsey married Jan Rousseaux, a Las Vegas designer, on July 21st in Charlevoix, Michigan. JonBenet, a child beauty queen, was six years old when she was found dead in the basement of her Boulder home in 1996.

Denver airport has new 4.4-MW solar power system

DENVER (AP) — A new 4.4-megawatt solar power system at Denver International Airport is expected to supply the airport with about 7,000 megawatt-hours of electricity each year.

Gov. John Hickenlooper, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and others attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the system Thursday.

The airport now has three solar array systems that airport aviation manager Kim Day says produce about 6 percent of the airport's total power requirements.

Constellation Energy built the new array and owns and maintains it. The airport will buy electricity produced by it under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

Oak Leaf Energy Partners originally developed the project. Quanta Services Intermountain Electric installed it, and Yingli Green Energy supplied about 19,000 solar panels for it.

Post office bias claim blamed on misunderstanding

GYPSUM, Colo. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union is accusing the Gypsum post office of refusing to renew a post office box rental to a woman because she is Hispanic. The Postal Service says it's a misunderstanding and is being resolved.

The ACLU alleged Thursday that Griselda Duarte was wrongly told she needed a locally issued ID. The group said Duarte provided a U.S. immigration visa and a Mexican election document with her photo on it.

U.S. Postal Service spokesman Al DeSarro says the document the woman lacked was proof of physical address. He says postal officials are working with the woman and the ACLU to resolve the problem.

The ACLU says Duarte previously rented a post office box using a Mexican election ID. DeSarro says postal regulations might have changed since then.

PETA criticizes Colo feather hair extension seller

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says a Boulder-based company that sells feather hair extensions should stop saying its feathers come from ethically treated roosters.

Fine Featherheads' website says it gets its feathers from Whiting Farms. PETA general counsel Jeff Kerr said Thursday that Whiting Farms cages its roosters in noisy, windowless sheds and kills them for the sake of fashion.

Fine Featherheads' founder didn't return messages seeking comment, but Whiting Farms founder Tom Whiting said in a written statement that his roosters have spacious, individual cages so they don't battle each other. He says his roosters live nearly a year, while chicken raised for meat typically live less than seven weeks.

Whiting Farms also supplies feathers for fly fishing.

40 Horses Seized From Yuma Co Facility

No criminal charges have been filed against anyone yet, but Yuma County Sheriff's officials on Wednesday, seized more than 40 visibly malnourished horses. Nine news in Denver reports that the horses were taken from a breeding and training facility south of Yuma. About 150 horses were on the property, but only those 40 were taken. Yuma County Undersheriff Matt Hardesty told the TV station that it was private people in the county who called his department and alerted them to the malnourished animals. The 40 horses were moved to an undisclosed location to be cared for.

Woman jumps bail on animal cruelty charges

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — A woman arrested last week on charges of animal cruelty has jumped bail after she was unable to get her animals back.

Holiday Christie was accused of felony animal cruelty and obstruction. She was released on $2,500 bond after the Larimer Humane Society seized more than a dozen dogs, two cats and four pygmy goats.

Christie called the courts this week to inform the judge that she was a thousand miles away and would be unable to attend her Wednesday court appearance.

The Fort Collins Coloradoan reports that the judge issued a bench warrant for Christie's arrest on failure to appear and violating bond conditions.

Woman jumps bail on animal cruelty charges

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — A woman arrested last week on charges of animal cruelty has jumped bail after she was unable to get her animals back.

Holiday Christie was accused of felony animal cruelty and obstruction. She was released on $2,500 bond after the Larimer Humane Society seized more than a dozen dogs, two cats and four pygmy goats.

Christie called the courts this week to inform the judge that she was a thousand miles away and would be unable to attend her Wednesday court appearance.

The judge issued a bench warrant for Christie's arrest on failure to appear and violating bond conditions, according to the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

Walton Family Foundation Donates $3.1M To Colorado Teach For America

(Bentonville, AR) -- The foundation of the late Walmart founder Sam Walton will donate three-point-one-million dollars to Colorado's Teach for America branch. The foundation announced yesterday it will donate a total of 49-point-five-million dollars over three years to Teach For America nationally. The gift is part of an effort to double the amount of member teachers.

Colorado Film School Ranked In Top 25 Nationally

(Los Angeles, CA) -- The Colorado Film School in Denver is ranked 25th nationally. "The Hollywood Reporter" posted its first list of the world's best film schools yesterday, rating the programs based on their alumni, cost to attend, facilities, industry access and their instructors. Topping the list are The American Film Institute, the University of Southern California and the Beijing Film Academy.

Death-Row Inmates Moved So They Can Exercise Outdoors

(Sterling, CO) -- The state is moving its death-row inmates so they can exercise outdoors. The Colorado Department of Corrections has effectively moved the state's death row from Cañon City to Sterling to settle a federal lawsuit filed by Nathan Dunlap, who was convicted in 1996 of killing four people. Dunlap claimed that being deprived of fresh air, sunshine, and outdoor exercise for 15 years is cruel and unusual punishment.

Berthoud's Johnstone Voted Brush Schools Superintendent

Michelle Johnstone is from Berthoud, and will now be the superintendent of the Brush School District, starting this school year. The
Brush School District Board of Education voted for Johnstone after several months of looking for the right person for the job. Her job becomes official this coming Tuesday. Board president Don Dillehay said all that's left is the contract on which they're working.

Preneman Enters Not Guilty Plea, Goes on Trial in January

Kenneth Breneman Jr. pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Tuesday in connection with a shooting at his Fort Morgan home in January. Morgan County District Court District Court Judge Douglas Vannoy set a trial date of January 9, 2012. There's a pretrial motions hearing for October 13. Breneman is going on numerous charges in connection with the shooting at his home south of Fort Morgan in which Brett Wilson of Greeley was hurt when Breneman allegedly shot him. Breneman faces up to 32 years in prison if he's convicted.

Colorado Division of Insurance Recovers 75 Million Dollars for Consumers

The Colorado Division of Insurance said this week that it recovered more than 75 million dollars in savings and benefits for Colorado consumers in the fiscal year that just ended.
Commissioner of Insurance Jim Riesberg said that the Division's missions are consumer service and consumer protection. He said he has consumer interests at heart. He added that more than half of the 75 million dollars came from the Division`s Rates and Forms Section. It reviews insurance companies requests for premium increases.

Greeley man dies while riding jet boat

BERTHOUD, Colo. (AP) — A 32-year-old man has died while riding a jet boat on Carter Lake.

A witness tells Larimer County deputies the man fell off a jet boat he was operating with two passengers on Tuesday. After struggling to re-board the vessel, the man lost consciousness.

The coroner's office identified the man as Ryan Jenkins of Greeley. The coroner said it appears Jenkins died of natural causes but the manner and cause of death are still under investigation.

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office says nearby boaters saw the incident and took Jenkins to a boat ramp, where efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

US appeals court upholds Merriman sentence

DENVER (AP) — A federal appeals court is upholding the sentence for a man who told prosecutors he had engaged in a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of more than $21 million.

Shawn Merriman was sentenced last year in U.S. District Court in Denver to spend 12 years and seven months in prison and to pay restitution. He had pleaded guilty to one count each of mail fraud and forfeiture.

He was once a bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Merriman had raised questions about how his sentence was calculated, but the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday affirmed his sentence.

Man pleads not guilty in Colo. bookstore bomb case

DENVER (AP) — A man accused of breaking into a suburban Denver bookstore and planting three homemade bombs has pleaded not guilty.

David Lawless appeared in Denver federal court Wednesday. A judge ordered him held without bail. His trial is scheduled for Oct. 3.

Lawless is charged with two counts of arson and one count of using a destructive device during a crime of violence.

Defense lawyer Andres Guervara declined to comment.

Lawless is accused of leaving the bombs at a Borders Books and Music store at the Colorado Mills Mall on June 25. An indictment also accused of trying to destroy a Denver restaurant the day before, but details were unclear.

Authorities haven't given any motive for the attacks.

Colorado panel reviewing school discipline policies

DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers are reviewing the state's sometimes strict policies for punishing students while other states analyze an issue student advocates say has gotten out of hand.

A panel studying school discipline met for the first time Monday to see if changes are needed to zero-tolerance policies implemented after the Columbine High School shootings and other high-profile cases of youth violence.

Lawmakers say students are sometimes referred to police in cases that previously would have resulted in a simple trip to the principal's office.

Hickenlooper tours Colorado to tout economic plan

DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper is touring Colorado to promote an economic initiative he unveiled last week that aims to help the state recover from the recession.

Hickenlooper is visiting businesses in Durango, Grand Junction and Hayden on Friday to talk about his "Colorado Blueprint" plan. It outlines dozens of goals for Colorado government leaders to reach on business regulation, increasing tourism and work force education.

The plan was one of Hickenlooper's most prominent promises during his campaign for governor last year.

Colorado's 64 counties participated in formulating the economic plan.

America's First State-Certified Medical Marijuana Training School Is Suspended

(Denver, CO) -- Colorado authorities suspended the nation's first state-certified medical marijuana training school. Denver's Greenway University offered courses on subjects from growing to selling medical marijuana. But the Colorado Department of Higher Education ordered Greenway on Tuesday to stop teaching and refund fees paid by students. Owner Gus Escamilla is accused of providing false statements on paperwork filed with the state.

MCC Best to Work For

The Denver Business Journal says Morgan Community College in Fort Morgan is the only Colorado institution on The Chronicle of Higher Education’s list of “Great Colleges to Work For.” The choices were made after considering nominations from 310 colleges.

Carnival Mega Passes Now On Sale

Carnival Mega Passes are on sale at Logan County Chamber of Commerce. For only $50.00 your child can have unlimited rides during the 2011 Logan County Fair.

American Idol 11 Holding Auditions in Denver

Wanna make a go at being the next American Idol? Fox 31 reports the auditions are going on now through Friday in Denver. This'll be season 11 of the FOX program that attempts to find the best talent in the country. American Idol held auditions in Denver for Season 5. Ace Young became a finalist that year. Season 9 auditions in Denver produced Casey James.

Krazie Ladies Krafts Closed

Another area business has been hit by the economy, this one in Brush. Krazie Ladies Krafts closed on July 16. The business was a place to get handicrafts, like pottery, blankets, paintings and more. The owners, Lori Lewis, Barbara Allen and Jackie Hamburg, said they closed up shop because of a lack of sales.

Flags Lowered to Honor Soldier

Gov. John Hickenlooper has ordered flags flown at half-staff on all public buildings statewide tomorrow, July 28, in honor of Spc. Nathan Beyers, who was killed earlier this month in Iraq. The 24 year old Beyers, who from Littleton, died on July 7 of injuries he suffered when insurgents attacked his convoy with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the U.S. Army, D Company, 145th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Cavalry Heavy Brigade Combat Team, in Post Falls, Idaho. Before joining the 145th, Beyers served in the Colorado Army National Guard. He is survived by his wife and daughter who was born on Veterans Day last year. Flags should be lowered from sunrise to sunset.

High Plains Education Center Opens Monday

The High Plains Education Center at the Overland Trail Museum officially opens on Monday. It has classrooms, a community meeting room and two years ago, wasn't even in the planning stages. The center took less than a year to build, and about eight months before that to plan. As the museum looks to the future now, a exhibit looks at the past, present and potential future. The museum will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m on Monday and admission on that day will be free. The center's funding came from Frank and Gloria Walsh.

Fire at CSU Equine Lab

Firefighters are still trying to figure out what caused a fire at CSU's Equine Reproduction Lab yesterday. Investigators say the fire did about 12 million dollars in damage. People from everywhere bring their animals for fertility issues. None of the dozens of horses on the property were hurt.

Last Movie Night Tonight

It’s the last movie night of the summer at Sterling Public Library. Tonight at 7 there will be a fun family movie. The library will provide a snack, but you must bring your own bottled beverage.

Gov. to speak at faith-based education conference

DENVER (AP) — Gov. John Hickenlooper will speak to a U.S. Department of Education conference in Colorado focusing on how faith-based and secular organizations can collaborate to help improve schools.

Hickenlooper is speaking to the conference Wednesday. The meeting includes federal education officials and community leaders from Colorado.

The program is part of an initiative from the White House.

More Than 200 Basic Cadets Hit With Stomach Flu

(Colorado Springs, CO) -- More than 200 basic cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy are sick or recovering after reportedly getting the stomach flu. Officials say as of yesterday about 240 basic cadets were suffering from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea or had just gotten over those symptoms of viral gastroenteritis. About 180 basic cadets were healing in isolation at Vandenberg Hall, a cadet dormitory, while active duty personnel possibly affected were sent home. Officials say people can prevent it by washing their hands and cleaning possibly infected surfaces with a ten-percent bleach solution.

Denver On Top Ten U.S. Destinations For Singles

(Southlake, TX) -- Denver is on the list of Top Ten U.S. Destinations For Singles. Travelocity and Match.com analyzed summer transport engagement information and found Denver to be the Number Seven destination for unmarried people. The top three are Las Vegas, New York City and Los Angeles.

U.S. Postal Service Considers Closing 63 Colorado Post Offices

(Washington, DC) -- The U.S. Postal Service is considering closing 63 out of 390 Colorado post offices. About 37-hundred post offices around the nation are slated for shutdown. The postal service lost eight-billion dollars last year and wants to close ten-percent of its offices.

Papaya Recall In Colorado For Possible Salmonella Contamination

(Denver, CO) -- Papayas are being recalled in Colorado due to possible Salmonella contamination. The papayas are the product of Agromod Produce of McAllen, Texas, and were sold in Colorado at Walmart stores. One confirmed Colorado illness has been identified. For information, call (800) 385-7658.

Medal Of Honor Recipient Moves To Colorado

(Fort Collins, CO) -- The man who recently received the Medal of Honor is moving to Colorado. Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta has left the military and will start school at Colorado State University next month. Giunta says he moved to Colorado because it was his wife's turn to pick where they would live. They're expecting their first child in September.

Four Medical Helicopters Requested In Kenosha Pass Three-Vehicle Crash

(Kenosha Pass, CO) -- Multiple injuries are being reported after four medical helicopters were requested at the scene of a three-vehicle head-on crash in Kenosha Pass. The incident happened yesterday afternoon in the Pike National Forest north of Fairplay. U.S. 285 was closed for more than two hours.

Coroner Identifies Body Found In South Platte River Near Deckers

(Jefferson County, CO) -- The Jefferson County coroner's office is naming the man whose body was pulled from the South Platte River near Deckers. Casey Allen Gallacher of Mesa, Arizona, was found Monday morning. He disappeared Sunday during a family tubing trip.

West Street Construction Almost Done

They're almost done! The construction work is nearing the end on West Street between Platte Ave. and Riverview Ave. The striping of the newly paved street will take place on Tuesday and it will re-open in the next day or two. Thank you for your patience while this important project was completed.

West Street Construction Almost Complete

They're almost done! The construction work is nearing the end on West Street between Platte Ave. and Riverview Ave. The striping of the newly paved street will take place on Tuesday and it will re-open in the next day or two. Thank you for your patience while this important project was completed.

Rec Center, Litrary, Museum Schedule Changes for Fair Week

Logan County Fair Week is coming up August 8 through the 13, and during that week, the Sterling Recreation Center will close at 6 p.m. The closing will include the outdoor pool, but all the other activities will go on as scheduled. Also, on Saturday, the 13, the building will be open from noon to 6 p.m. The Sterling Public Library and the Overland Trail Museum will also be closed until noon on Aug. 13.

Social Security Offices Cut Public Hours

Starting August 15, Social Security field offices nationwide will close to the public 30 minutes early each day. That means open hours that were from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will now be open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue said that doesn't mean employees will get a break though. He said they'll still have to work their regular hours. Astrue said by cutting the hours that the public is in the office, the agency will cut overtime for employees. He said that with the billion dollar cut the agency suffered, there was no choice but to cut public window hours.

Book Nook Closing

Whether it was technology or the economy as a whole, The Book Noon in Fort Morgan is closing. Owner Bonnie Newman says everything's on sale starting now, and running through August 31. Newman owned the store for seven years, having bought it from its previous owners, and she worked for them for ten years before taking the plunge on her own.

Webb: Legislative maps give CO GOP House majority

DENVER (AP) — Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb is denouncing Republicans for proposed legislative maps he argues dilute minorities' power, ignore constitutional requirements and seek to give the GOP a comfortable lead in the Colorado House.

The comments from Webb, a Democrat, are the most critical yet from a member of a bipartisan commission working on the once-a-decade process of drawing new state House and Senate districts to account for population changes.

In a strongly worded seven-page statement, Webb accused Republicans on the panel of trying to create what he calls "Republican leaning strongholds where none existed before."

Republican commission member Mario Nicolais denies the charges, but says he's willing to talk with Webb about his concerns about minority representation.

Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins In 'Top 100 Places To Live'

(Brighton MI) -- Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins are on the list of America's "Top 100 Places to Live." The RelocateAmerica website listed the communities that are well-positioned for economic recovery, considering such factors such as employment, education, community leadership and overall quality of life. The "Top 10" will be announced August 2nd.

Greeley Woman Admits Using Credit Cards Of 101-Year-Old

(Greeley, CO) -- Police say a Greeley woman admitted using the credit cards of her 101-year-old patient. Adrienne Stagner was arrested Thursday and charged with 31 counts of identity theft, possession of meth and possession of marijuana. The victim's grandson alerted authorities to the possible thefts.

Visiting Strippers' Car Wash Leaves City Employees In Hot Water

(Denver, CO) -- Like your job? You might now want to do this: four Denver city employees are in hot water, after they allegedly took their work trucks to a car wash run by strippers. "9NEWS" reports several shirtless city workers were spotted posing with bikini-clad strippers Friday afternoon outside the Diamond Cabaret. The city announced yesterday that four Department of Public Works employees are on "investigatory leave."

Greeley Elections Could Be Canceled For Lack Of Interest

(Greeley, CO) -- Greeley's next election might be canceled for the first time in history. With about a month left for potential candidates to declare interest, nobody is challenging the mayor or city council incumbents. The city would save about 50-thousand dollars if November's election is called off.

Colorado Businesses Breathe Sigh Of Relief About NFL Season

(Denver, CO) -- Colorado businesses are breathing a sigh of relief as NFL players and owners finalize plans to start the new season. Yesterday, the NFL Players Association unanimously approved a new ten-year collective bargaining agreement, after owners ratified the contract Thursday. "ESPN.com" reports the deal that ended the 136-day lockout gives owners about 53 percent of league revenues, while players get about 47 percent. The previous agreement reportedly split revenues almost equally between the two sides.

Funeral Held For Family Killed In Wyoming Flood

(Wheatland, WY) -- Family and friends turned out today for the Colorado woman and three children killed last week in Wyoming. Laurel Constantinides and her daughters were camping when their van was swept away by raging flood waters. The woman's husband, Alex Constantinides, was able to survive.

Kidz Ark Hopes to Reopen

The owners of Kidz Ark say they'll fight suspension of the facility's license. The Colorado Department of Human Services has ordered that the licenses be suspended Linda Littlefield said late last week that she had not had time to respond the issues for which the state said Kidz Ark was shuttered. She said the state's charges are unfounded. In a statement to the media, Littlefield said quote -- "We believe that we do and have provided a safe environment for these kids as their health and physical well-being are our first priority," the statement says. "Because of significant issues that some of our residents have regarding their personal circumstances that has led to their placement with us, we have had some recent physical incidents that have resulted in minor injuries to residents, the details of which we are not permitted to delve into due to legal requirements of confidentiality." Littlefield said she wants to get the matter cleared up and reopen the Kidz Arks in Sterling and New Raymer.

Indian Sculpture Missing from College

On July 12, Fort Morgan Police were called to Morgan Community College to take a report of artwork missing from a display.

The missing piece of art is a sculpture of an Indian woman grinding corn. It is a bronze statue approximately seven inches tall. It is part of the “Harmsen” collection and may have been engraved with the name of the sculptor.

The item was accounted for in June during a regular inventory and was discovered missing on July 12. The value of the sculpture was estimated at $500.

Attempts were made to contact other MCC staff and employees to see if the statue had been moved to another location, but the sculpture remains missing and it’s possible it may have been stolen.

Police are asking anyone with information about this, or any other case, to call the Fort Morgan Police Department at (970) 867-5678.

If a person wishes to provide an anonymous tip, they can call Crime Stoppers at (970) 542-3411 and may be eligible for a cash reward or submit your tip online.

Morgan Co Commissioners Work or Redrawing Lines

The Board of Morgan County Commissioners will hear what its electorate thinks of setting new commission districts tomorrow. The hearing starts at 9 a.m. This will give anyone in the three current commission districts a chance to have their say about how the districts are laid out. Since the 2010 Census, district lines have to be redrawn to even out the population, so several people could be in a new commission district after the lines are redrawn.

Puppies Stolen

Nearly 20 puppies were apparently stolen from Carm's Kennel in Peetz last week. Owner Carmen Revord worries about the animals' safety. Sterling Police said that the dogs were stolen sometime between 8:30 p.m. July 20 and 8:30 a.m. July 21 and are worth about seven thousand dollars. Revord said those animals taken were some of the smallest and some require more than just the puppy food that was also stolen. If you know anything about the stolen puppies, call Crimestoppers. You could be eligible for a reward.

Wheat, barley farmers say they need less rain

GREELEY, Colo. (AP) — Northern Colorado's wheat and barley farmers say they need hot, dry weather over the next few weeks to protect their harvest.

Farmers tell the Greeley Tribune they anticipate an average yield, but that recent afternoon storms in the area are giving their crops "water stains," which can indicate mold. Farmers won't know how their crops have done in the wet weather until they receive germination tests.

Bob Hamblen of the Colorado State University Boulder County Extension Office says this year's yield should be in the lower average range, which is 85 bushels per acre to about 110. Hamblen says the rain has been good in some ways but that wheat and barley crops have had enough.

House chairman says he won't seek re-election

MEAD, Colo. (AP) — The chairman of the Colorado House Transportation Committee says he won't seek a fourth term next year.

Republican Rep. Glenn Vaad of Weld County tells the Longmont Times-Call he may run for state Senate in 2012 instead.

A state reapportionment commission has given preliminary approval to an updated map that would change the boundaries of Vaad's current House seat in southwest Weld County. Vaad tells the newspaper that he has decided not to run in the new district.

Vaad said he's considering running for a Senate seat currently held by Republican Rep. Shawn Mitchell. Mitchell is term-limited and cannot seek re-election next year.

Pot, marriage could play roles in '12 Colo. races

DENVER (AP) — Colorado's position as a key battleground state in the 2012 presidential race comes with a wrinkle neither party seems to like: A freewheeling ballot initiative tradition that could put both legalizing marijuana and gay marriage before voters on Election Day next year.

Marijuana activists have begun gathering signatures to ask voters to allow pot for recreational use, a direct challenge to federal drug law. And gay-marriage advocates were cleared last week to start petitioning for a repeal of a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Proponents of both measures still must get enough signatures before the questions go to ballots.

Democrats and Republicans aren't publicly talking about what Colorado's ballot proposals mean for next year's race.

However, leaders of both parties say Colorado is a must-win for President Barack Obama.

Norway suspect borrowed from Unabomber's manifesto

DENVER (AP) — Parts of the manifesto written by the suspect in Norway's terrorist attack were taken almost word for word from the writings of "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski.

The passages copied by Anders Behring Breivik appear in the first few pages of Kaczynski's manifesto. Breivik changed a Kaczynski screed on leftism and what he considered to be leftists' "feelings of inferiority" — mainly by substituting the words "multiculturalism" or "cultural Marxism" for "leftism."

Breivik is accused of killing at least 93 people Friday by setting off an explosion in downtown Oslo and then gunning down campers on a nearby island. Kaczynski is in federal prison for mail bombs that killed three people.

Breivik did not cite Kaczynski, though he did for others whose writings he used.

Pueblo Makes List Of 100 Best Places To Live

(Pueblo, CO) -- Pueblo residents are hoping their city will make the top ten on RelocateAmerica's list of the best places in the nation to live. The town already made the organization's 14th annual "Top 100 Places to Live" list. RelocateAmerica, which offers community profiles to consumers who are moving, selects the cities based on site nominations and issues most crucial to relocating homeowners and consumers for the coming year. The Top Ten Overall Winners will be publicized August 2nd.

Colorado's Spaceflight Industry Is Blasting Off

(Colorado Springs, CO) -- Colorado is ready to be in the middle of human spaceflight. The space shuttle program has ended and fears about U.S. space leadership are increasing, but Colorado companies are moving ahead with space enterprise. Companies based here are developing spacecraft to bring Earth residents to Mars, asteroids and other faraway places, as well as vehicles for trips to the international space station. Mark Sirangelo, head of Sierra Nevada Space Systems, the Louisville, Colorado, company making a reusable space plane, tells the "Denver Post" the aerospace industry in Colorado is, quote, "good and getting better."

Health Department Issues Ozone Alert For Front Range

(Denver, CO) -- The health department says an ozone alert will be in effect for the Front Range until 4 p.m. today. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued the alert yesterday afternoon. Officials said exposure to ground-level ozone can cause acute respiratory problems and trigger asthma attacks.

Denver Teen, Three Others Mauled By Bear In Alaska

(Anchorage, AK) -- A Denver teen is in stable condition after he and three others were mauled by a brown bear in the Alaskan wilderness. Sources say 17-year-old Samuel Gottsegen and three other students in a wilderness survival course were attacked Saturday night near Chulitna, about 120 miles north of Anchorage. Gottsegen was stabilized yesterday after surgery at Providence Hospital in Anchorage.

Jr Rodeo Registration Deadline is Today

Entries are due today for the youth rodeo that kicks off the Morgan County Fair this weekend. The rodeo is sponsored by Colorado Junior Rodeo Association and the Morgan County Fair Board. You can email applications through the website, coloradojrrodeo.com. The rodeo is open to those from 5 to 18 years old. The rodeo starts at 9 a.m. this coming Saturday, and everybody's welcome.

Arapahoe coroner investigating jail suicide

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) — The Arapahoe County coroner is investigating the apparent suicide of a murder suspect.

Sheriff Grayson Robinson says 48-year-old Russell Brunecz was found in his cell on Thursday with his jail jumpsuit wrapped around his neck.

The sheriff's office says the man was being held without bond for investigation of first-degree murder.

Colorado unemployment dips to 8.5 percent in June

DENVER (AP) — Colorado labor officials say the state jobless rate has fallen for a fourth straight month, but this time it's because there's fewer people in the workforce rather than higher employment.

The Department of Labor and Employment said Friday that the seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 8.5 percent in June, down from 8.7 percent in May and 8.8 percent in June 2010, based on household survey results.

Labor officials say employers added 4,500 nonfarm payroll jobs from May to June. In that time, the labor force fell by about 10,500 people, and there were about 5,800 fewer Coloradans with jobs, causing the unemployment rate to drop.

About 2.45 million Coloradans are employed, and about 228,400 are looking for work.

The national unemployment rate was 9.2 percent in June.

Former coach sentenced to life for sex assault

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — A former Broomfield High School teacher and wrestling coach has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old student.

Travis Masse will serve at least 10 years before he is eligible for parole, according to the Boulder Daily Camera.

District Judge Thomas Ensor told Masse he dashed his own promising prospects in life with his decision to sexually pursue his students.

Colorado tops national average for drugs, alcohol

DENVER (AP) - A federal survey says Colorado is among the highest in the nation for use of marijuana, cocaine and alcohol.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the number of young adults in Colorado who said they had used marijuana in the past year was 38 percent, compared with a national average of 29 percent. The study says illicit drug use was 3 percent higher than the national average of 8 percent.

The state also had higher-than-average rates of people with major depression and serious thoughts of suicide, according to the Denver Post.

A four-year grant has helped the state screen 100,000 patients through federal health clinics and primary doctors.

Airplane Makes Emergency Landing On Montana Highway

(Darby, MT) -- A small plane is forced to make an emergency landing on a Montana highway. Pilot James Hollis of Erie, Colorado, thought he had run out of fuel yesterday morning and landed on a stretch of U.S. Highway 93, just north of Darby. The retired air traffic controller was lucky the highway was empty and the Cessna 182 touched down without incident. As it turns out, the engine had fuel left in a second tank and Hollis was able to takeoff after being cleared by officials.

Last Week for Sterling Public Library Programs

Next week is the last week of Sterling Public Library’s Passport Please series. Monday, July
25th at 2:00 p.m. the program will focus on Australia. Kids will learn about Australia, and
Denise has several great stories to share before the craft. The craft this week is a kangaroo container.

If you attend the program you will be given a passport that will be stamped. Once the
passport is stamped, and you check out books before 9:00 p.m. on the following Tuesday,
you will win a prize.

Next week is also the last week of Summer Reading. Be sure to stop by the library and turn in your reading time. The last day to turn in reading time is July 29th.

RE-1 Valley BOE Discusses Weapons Policy

The RE-1 Valley Board of Education is revising several of its policies. The board voted this week to change its policy on weapons in school. Sterling Police Chief Roy Breivik said that in the past two years, there have been more than a dozen incidents in the schools here that involved knives. They were either found on students or used to threaten other students. Nearly two dozen students were sent to the Sterling Youth Services as a result. Breivik said there is no reason for knives in school, so the board said it will discuss the issue further at an August 22 workshop at 6 p.m.

Carpenter: Adapt to Change

Adapt to the changes. That's what the CEO of Colorado Plains Medical Center's management company, LifePoint Hospitals said. Bill Carpenter told medical professionals in Fort Morgan this week that with the health care environment, rural hospitals like ours, will have to get on board with health care reforms. That means new standards in medical records requirements. Carpenter said that will be difficult for small hospitals, but had high praise for CPMC that it could be done.

Democrats pick replacement for legislative vacancy

GREELEY, Colo. (AP) — A longtime Weld County educator has been appointed to the state House to fill a vacancy created when Democratic Rep. Jim Riesberg of Greeley was named Colorado insurance commissioner.

Democratic officials said Dave Young was appointed Thursday to House District 50, which covers eastern Greeley, Garden City and Evans. Young has taught junior high in Greeley and is a faculty member of the University of Colorado-Denver's online education program.

Young says creating local jobs and protecting schools should be every lawmaker's focus.

Gov. John Hickenlooper named Riesberg the state insurance commissioner in June.

Under state law, a committee of members of the same political party as the departing lawmaker appoints a replacement.

Midwest, Plains bankers optimistic on economy

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Rural bankers in 10 Midwest and Plains states continue to hold a positive outlook about the economy, although their optimism has dipped slightly from previous months.

A monthly survey of bankers released Thursday says the Rural Mainstreet index dipped from 56.0 in June to 55.7 Anytime the index, which ranges from 0 to 100, is over 50, it suggests the economy will expand over the next six months.

Creighton University Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, says that while the index remains above 50, several other indicators included in the survey have been slipping.

Bankers in rural parts of Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming are surveyed.

GAO: Blocked fuel line hampered military satellite

DENVER (AP) — Government auditors say a piece of cloth stuck in a fuel line may have been the reason a military communications satellite hasn't yet reached its planned orbit after launch last August.

A Government Accountability Office report released Thursday says the cloth was likely left by accident during the manufacturing process.

The Air Force Space Command, based at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and contractor Lockheed Martin came up with a work-around plan and say the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite will reach its orbit this year.

Lockheed Martin says there is no "smoking gun" but says the problem was likely an unspecified foreign object in the fuel line.

Air Force officials said they weren't immediately prepared to comment.

Two more versions of the satellite are planned for launch in 2012.

Bus wreck in Colorado state park injures 7

SALIDA, Colo. (AP) — Federal, state and local agencies are investigating a bus accident in a state park in southern Colorado that injured seven people.

Authorities say a bus owned by Vessels for Honor Rafting Company rolled on its top on Colorado 50 along the Arkansas River late Thursday afternoon. Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman Debbie Frazier says seven people were taken by ambulance to a Canon City hospital.

Frazier says she doesn't know the extent of the injuries or what caused the accident. She says there were 38 people on the bus, which was pulling a trailer with rafts on it.

The accident occurred on the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area near Salida.

Missing Canon City man identified as drowning victim

CANON CITY, Colo. (AP) — An apparently homeless man who drowned in the Arkansas River has been identified as a Canon City man who had been missing for about three weeks.

The Fremont County coroner's office said Thursday that 55-year-old Mike Ruggiere drowned in the river. He was identified after rafters reporting seeing a body in the water.

The man's friends tell authorities that they last saw him after he jumped in the river to clean up.

Beer Fest Comes To Springs Tomorrow

(Colorado Springs, CO) -- ROAD TRIP! The 2011 Springs Beer Fest is tomorrow at noon in downtown Colorado Springs. Old Chicago restaurants in the area are hosting the event, which will highlight beers from more than 30 breweries at Antlers Park. The Jake Loggins Band and Andy Clifton and Company will perform, restaurants will offer food, and a rock-climbing wall and other family entertainment will be on tap.

Services Are Set For Woman And Children Killed In Flood

(Wheatland, WY) -- A visitation will be on Sunday in Wyoming for four people in a Colorado Springs family killed in a flash flood. They'll be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, then again from 9 to noon Monday at Platte Funeral Chapel in Wheatland, Wyoming. Officials say 39-year-old Laurel Constantinides and her children, eight-year-old Hanna, five-year-old Zoey and two-year-old Lucia died in the flood on Wyoming Highway 130 Tuesday. Their funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Monday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wheatland and a second memorial service will occur at noon on Wednesday at the Antlers Hilton in Colorado Springs.

Hundreds Of Rabbits Seized From Arvada Property

(Arvada, CO) -- Jefferson County sheriff's deputies are reporting they seized about 200 rabbits from a woman's property in Arvada yesterday. A spokesman said the animals were hungry and, quote, "aggressively thirsty." Officials visited the home on West 75th Avenue after receiving a tip about possible animal cruelty from CrimeStoppers.

First Lady Michelle Obama Will Speak In Aspen Tuesday

(Aspen, CO) -- First Lady Michelle Obama is set to speak Tuesday at a private fundraiser in Aspen. The White House announced the event was organized by the Democratic National Committee. It will take place at the home of Jim and Paula Crown with roughly 100 people expected.

Columbine High yearbook pulled from auction

DENVER (AP) — An auction house has pulled a 1999 Columbine High School yearbook from auction after a former student said it was stolen.

Sarah Bay says she was surprised when bidding reached $700 on an online auction site. She said it isn't for sale. The person who took the yearbook has not been identified.

Bay was a junior at Columbine High School in 1999, during the worst school shooting in American history.

Her yearbook, printed just before the shooting, features smiling photos of the murderers and the 13 people they murdered before killing themselves.

Nate Sanders, who runs the auction site, tells KMGH-TV he had no idea the yearbook was stolen.

Sanders said he bought it on eBay for about $1,700 from the person he thought was the owner.

Former CU football player faces charges

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — A former University of Colorado football player has pleaded not guilty to charges of being an accessory to a sexual assault.

Police say Michael O'Connor was having consensual sex with a 22-year-old woman in December when Michael Sipili, another former CU football player, entered the room and raped the woman.

Police said O'Connor tried to cover up the assault and gave conflicting statements to police, according to the Boulder Daily Camera.

Colorado university donations increase

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The University of Colorado system and Colorado State University are seeing big increases in private support.

The University of Colorado raised more than $210 million in the last fiscal year, its biggest single-year total ever. That's an 11 percent increase.

At CSU, more than $85 million was raised in the fiscal year ending June 30, an increase of 47 percent and the second-highest total ever.

A report by the Giving USA Foundation says gifts to education rose more than 5 percent nationally between 2009 and 2010, according to the Denver Post.

Balloon boy saucer to go on display in Colo. store

DENVER (AP) — A Colorado man who bought the balloon boy saucer says he plans to display it at his sports card store in the Denver suburb of Aurora, then cut it up for souvenirs.

Michael Fruitman says he acquired the inflatable from a California attorney representing Richard and Mayumi Heene (HEE'-nee), who says Fruitman paid $2,502 for it in an auction.

Fruitman says it will go on display Thursday at Mike's Stadium Sportscards.

The silver, UFO-like helium balloon gripped the country's attention in 2009 when the Heenes said their 6-year-old son had floated away in it.

They were charged when it was discovered the boy was never onboard and had to pay $36,000 in restitution.

The Heenes lived in Fort Collins at the time but moved to Florida.

Animals Found In Hot Truck; Woman Arrested In Fort Collins

(Fort Collins, CO) -- A woman is facing felony animal cruelty charges after authorities in Fort Collins found 21 animals suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion in the back of her rental truck. Holiday Ann Christie was reportedly moving from Idaho to Texas when Larimer County sheriff's deputies responded to reports of a dog at large Tuesday afternoon and discovered 15 dogs, two cats and four pygmy goats in the truck. The Larimer County Humane Society is now caring for the animals.

Man Facing Charges For Alleged Theft Of Bronze Sheep Sculptures

(Lakewood, CO) -- A man is facing theft charges in connection with the disappearance of two life-size bronze sheep sculptures from the White Fence Farm. On Tuesday, Lakewood police arrested Moises Rodriguez Fernandez, after he reportedly tried to sell one of the sculptures to a Denver metal recycling service. The sculpture, worth an estimated 15-thousand dollars, was decapitated, and authorities are still looking for the second one.

Salud Opens

Salud Family Health Center building in Fort Morgan officially opened this week. There were speakers to talk about it, there was food, and there were tours of the long-planned center. And there was a group of people protesting the money being spend on the center. They protested those in Congress who cut funding for Salud, but then showed up to yea-rah its opening.

Two Hurt in Washington Co Crash

Colorado State Patrol says two were taken to Colorado Plains Medical Center in Fort Morgan Tuesday after their cars collided at Washington County Roads P and 55. CSP said 60 year old Pete Brautigam of Hillrose and 47 year old Celeste K. Baker of Merino were hospitalized after Baker, heading south on P failed to yield to Brautigam, and her car hit his. Baker was cited on a charge of careless driving causing injury.

South Platte Back in its Banks

The South Platte River is getting back to where it's supposed to be: inside its banks. The flooding that drove it over its banks followed last week's severe storms across the state. Emergency personnel said the river crested at Sterling on Sunday at nine feet, three inches.

Motorcyclist Hospitalized, After Crash

Sterling Police say one man was hurt when an SUV and a motorcycle collided yesterday morning at North Fourth and Walnut Streets. Police said it happened just after 6:30 as the motorcyclist was heading south on North Fourth and a Dodge Durango that was eastbound on Walnut ran the stop sign and hit the bike. The motorcycle driver was taken to Sterling Regional MedCenter, then flown to Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland for treatment. The other driver wasn't hurt, but was cited for failure to yield and careless driving causing bodily injury.

High Plains Education Center Opens August 1

Colorado Day is Monday, August 1. That's also the day that the new High Plains Education Center at The Overland Trail Museum in Sterling opens. The museum stays open longer that day, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will have free admission. They started building the education center last September, after nearly a year of making plans for it. It has more than five thousand square feet of space, and was paid for with a donation from Frank and Gloria Walsh.

Free Birth Control Could Be on the Way

Free birth control could become a reality. A new recommendation would offer all FDA approved contraception at no cost to women.
The proposal could soon be added to a list of services insurers must fully cover under President Obama’s health care law.

A report from the non-partisan Institute of Medicine, women would not have to pay deductibles or co-pays for contraceptives, sterilizations or reproductive education. Right now under most health care plans, birth control is only partially covered.

First West Nile Case Reported This Year

Colorado is reporting its first case of West Nile virus this year, after a 47-year-old Longmont woman tested positive for the virus in early July. She developed a severe headache, body aches and extreme fatigue. The woman was not hospitalized and her conditions have since improved. West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes and it can be fatal. Recent heavy rains and pools of stagnating water along the Front Range would normally increase th mosquitoes, but local health departments say they're not sure why the mosquito count is down this summer.

Lawmakers plan climb to help repair Capitol dome

DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers are trying to raise public awareness on the need to repair the crumbling Colorado Capitol dome.

State Democratic Rep. Cherylin Peniston toured the dome Wednesday to see how water and a freeze-thaw cycle is quickly destroying what she calls a Colorado icon.

The cast-iron enclosure of the dome has deteriorated so badly that a 10-pound chunk of cast iron fell off in 2007. Public tours of the dome have ceased since then.

Several state lawmakers are hiking Mt. Democrat and Mt. Lincoln next week to highlight fundraising needs for ongoing repairs.

Repair costs are estimated to be $17 million. Officials are trying to raise $12 million to bridge the costs and are asking people to make donations through text messages.

GOP upset about political flier sent by CO school

DENVER (AP) — Two Republican lawmakers say they're worried about back-to-school fliers Brighton parents received that promote a Democrat's proposed ballot initiative to raise Colorado's income and sales taxes to help fund schools.

Sen. Nancy Spence and Rep. Tom Massey sent a letter Wednesday to the state education commissioner asking him to remind district administrators that schools are barred from sending political fliers to parents. Spence and Massey say the flier was distributed by the principal at Brighton's Prairie View High School.

Democratic Sen. Rollie Heath is working on getting signatures to put a tax proposal on the November ballot. Democratic Senate spokesman Eddie Stern says he doesn't know whether such a flier was sent.

But he says Democrats agree that administrators should be aware they shouldn't send political literature to students' parents.

Colo. Borders arson suspect in federal custody

DENVER (AP) — A Denver man accused of breaking into a suburban Borders bookstore and placing three homemade bombs has appeared in federal court .

Thirty-year-old David Lawless was in court in Denver Wednesday to hear the charges against him. He's facing two counts of arson and one count of using a destructive device during a crime of violence.

His arraignment and bond hearing are scheduled July 27.

Lawless was arrested in Clear Creek County on charges of drunken driving and resisting arrest shortly after the alleged attack June 25. He is now in federal custody.

Authorities haven't given any motive for the attack.

ID released on man who died after scuffle at zoo

DENVER (AP) — Autopsy results are pending on a man who died after an altercation with police and security guards at the Denver Zoo.

The Denver medical examiner has identified the man as 29-year-old Alonzo Ashley of Denver. An autopsy was performed Wednesday.

Police say he began to convulse and stopped breathing after he was arrested Monday. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police say officers were called to the zoo because Ashley threatened his girlfriend and attacked a security guard. They say he bit an officer and a security guard during the scuffle.

Police say officers pressed a Taser against Ashley's skin, but didn't shoot the electrical barbs at him. They say officers found drugs on him.

The Denver Post reports that Ashley's girlfriend disputes some of the officers' statements.

Frontier Grounds Flights Due To Storm Damage

(Denver, CO) -- Frontier Airlines has grounded nine flights today, a day after it canceled about 20 flights to and from Denver because of hail damage to several of its planes. Hail at DIA damaged 18 of the Denver-based airline's fleet last week. Passengers should check frontierairlines.com to see which flights are canceled.

Soldiers Return To Fort Carson

(Fort Carson, CO) -- Dozens of soldiers from the 62nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company are back with their friends and family members. The 40 soldiers came back to Fort Carson after spending a year doing more than 800 emergency missions in Afghanistan. Officials say for their work, five Purple Hearts were given and 17 Bronze Stars, as well as other military decorations.

Man Ha dDrugs in Him when He Died

We told you yesterday about that man who got into it with police at the Denver Zoo and then died. Turns out, he apparently had drugs in his system. Police said 29 year old Alonzo Ashley died at a Denver hospital after the incident at the zoo. His family said Ashley became dehydrated in the 90 plus degree temps, and police said he got into a fight with them. Police did not say what kind of drugs were in the man's system.

COLORADO ECONOMIC RECOVERY

DENVER (AP) — Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper is releasing details of a statewide economic development plan his office says will set a course for Colorado to recover from the recession.

The initiative released Wednesday is Hickenlooper's most ambitious undertaking during his first year in office and was one of the major highlights of his campaign promises last year. The plan outlines six areas the state will work to improve on to boost the economy. They include a focus on making it easier for businesses to do their taxes, promoting tourism, increasing access to capital for businesses and attracting technology companies.

The details of the governor's economic agenda come after discussions with thousands of people across the state and input from all 64 counties.

Last military unit leaving former Denver air base

DENVER (AP) — A one-time Cold War bastion in Denver took another big step in its transformation to a civilian neighborhood of homes, schools and shops on Tuesday as the last military unit prepared to leave.

The Air Reserve Personnel Center is the last military holdover on the former Lowry Air Force Base.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday for its new $17 million, 80,000-square-foot headquarters at Buckley Air Force Base in the east Denver suburb or Aurora. Workers report to the new building on Aug. 1.

Lowry was opened in the late 1930s as a training base for Army Air Corps bomber crews and technical specialists. The Air Force closed Lowry in 1994 with the end of the Cold War and budget cuts.

Last military unit leaving former Denver air base

DENVER (AP) — A one-time Cold War bastion in Denver took another big step in its transformation to a civilian neighborhood of homes, schools and shops on Tuesday as the last military unit prepared to leave.

The Air Reserve Personnel Center is the last military holdover on the former Lowry Air Force Base.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday for its new $17 million, 80,000-square-foot headquarters at Buckley Air Force Base in the east Denver suburb or Aurora. Workers report to the new building on Aug. 1.

Lowry was opened in the late 1930s as a training base for Army Air Corps bomber crews and technical specialists. The Air Force closed Lowry in 1994 with the end of the Cold War and budget cuts.

Woman Pleads Guilty to Mortgage Fraud Scheme

DENVER (AP) - A 38-year-old Colorado woman has pleaded guilty to working with two other people in a mortgage fraud scheme.

The U.S. attorney's office for Colorado says Kimberly White of Elizabeth pleaded guilty in federal court last week to one count of wire fraud. She faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison when sentenced Sept. 30.

A federal grand jury indicted White in May 2010.

Federal prosecutors say over four months in 2005, White participated in a scheme to defraud various financial institutions and commercial mortgage lenders involving 13 Denver-area properties.

Two others were sentenced to about nine months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $1.2 million in restitution each.

Hackers Change Signs To Warn Of Zombies And Vampires

(Pueblo, CO) -- Zombies and vampires are not hazards drivers would expect to find on local roads. But hackers have been changing the safety messages on electronic road construction signs in Colorado Springs and Pueblo to suggest these creatures from horror movies are on the roadways. That means drivers are not getting the messages they are supposed to see in construction zones. Co-owner of Barricade and Sign Rick Bowman tells KRDO-TV the messages may be humorous but they can be dangerous because they don't warn motorists of detours and changes to the roadway.

RE-1 Valley Board Changes Track Name

Sterling High School's track has a new name. At Monday's RE-1 Valley School Board meeting, the board decided to go along with the suggestion to name the track in honor of long time coach and teacher Gene Carara. So the official name is now "the Gene Carara Track at Tiger Stadium' and the name change won't cost anybody anything. The board voted unanimously for the name change.

Around the World Today

Sterling Public Library will provide Languages Around the World today at 7:00 p.m. The program is for children of all ages Denise will share several stories during the program. We also have several special guests for the program that will teach us all a few words in another language. We also have a special craft planned to finish the evening.

If you are enrolled in the Summer Reading Program and have not yet turned in your
reading time, remember that the last day to turn in time is July 29th at 5:00 p.m.

Kidz Ark Owners to Fix Probs

Owners of Kidz Ark say that while the state suddenly suspended their operating license, they'll work with the state to regain that license. Linda Littlefield is one of those owners. She said that the state does not have sufficient grounds to suspend their license. Colorado Department of Human Service suspended the license after a complaint. Littlefield said in a statement that Kidz Ark will fix whatever problems in residents' safety the state says they have.

Local Grad Becomes Judge

A Weldon Valley High School grad will become a district judge and fill a new position. Mary Deganhart, will serve in the Seventh Judicial District which includes Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties.

Weldon Valley BOE Meets Tonight

Weldon Valley`s Board of Education will set goals for itself and for superintendent Robert Petterson when it convenes at 7 tonight. The board will hear about student numbers for in-district and out of district students.

Travel South America ata Sterling Public Library

Travel to South America with Sterling Public Library. Sterling Public Library will
provide the Multicultural Art Challenge today at 3:00 p.m. This program is for kids age 10 through 15. Since we are focusing on South America this week we will be making empanadas and rain sticks. As a special treat we will make fruit empanadas. While these special treats are baking kids will make a rain stick as many kids do in South America.

You must register for the class and may do so by calling 522-2023 or stop in the library.
Classes are limited to 25.

FAA Investigating Air Traffic Controller Accused Of Working While Drunk

(Longmont, CO) -- Federal Aviation Administration officials are investigating a Colorado air traffic controller accused of working while drunk. Sources say the controller's blood alcohol content was twice the legal limit on July 5th when he was tested about six hours into his shift. The veteran controller works at the Denver Center in Longmont.

Real estate agent sentenced in Ponzi scheme

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — A Fort Collins estate agent and sports booster convicted in a Ponzi scheme has been sentenced to six years in the state Department of Corrections.

The Coloradoan reports that 68-year-old Jerry Brumit apologized to the several victims during the sentencing Monday. He added his intentions were good.

Brumit pleaded guilty in May to two counts of investment fraud. He was accused of promising to invest money from friends and real estate customers, but instead spent it on himself or to repay others.

Prosecutors say the fraud occurred from the mid- to late 2000s. Some of the victims said they lost their retirement savings.

Brumit has been ordered to repay about $600,000.

Authorities say he could be sent to prison or a halfway house.

Man dies after fighting with guards, police at zoo

DENVER (AP) — A man involved in an altercation with two police officers and two security guards at the Denver Zoo has died.

Police spokesman Sonny Jackson says officers were called to a disturbance at the zoo around 5 Monday evening. He says the man scuffled with the officers and guards, who were injured.

Jackson says the man then stopped breathing and the officers administered CPR. The man died at the hospital about an hour later.

The man's name and age haven't been released.

Jackson says it's unclear what started the disturbance. A woman with the man wasn't injured, so police don't know if it was a case of domestic violence as initially believed.

The officers and guards had bite wounds, sprains and other injuries.

One was treated at the hospital and released.

Sign up for the upcoming FMMGA Better/Both Golf Tournament

Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24. Saturday will be one best net ball on odd holes, two net total on even holes. Sunday will be two net total on odd holes, one best net ball on even holes.

60 dollars for annual pass holders, 85 dollars non-annual pass holders. On Saturday make your own tee-time before 1:00 pm, on Sunday, 8:00 am shotgun start. For more information or to register, call the Pro Shop at (970) 867-5990.

Coffee with a Cop Tomorrow

Coffee with a Cop is coming up tomorrow night. Meet with officers in a relaxed, informal setting to ask questions, offer comments or suggestions. The event is at Morgan Community College Cottonwood Room 101.

Wiggins Water Project Off and Running

Wiggins water project got underway last week, the town began taking bids for the various different facets thereof. The town council was told that nearly 30 contractors showed up for a pre-bid meeting on Wednesday. Tim Holbrook of Industrial Facilities Engineering is overseeing the project. He told council that the USDA finally approved the plans for the project, as did all the other agencies that needed to give their approval, so construction could begin.

RE-1;s Marostica Goes To Washington DC

RE-1 Valley School District assistant superintendent Ron Marostica went to Washington DC last week and told lawmakers about the "Whole School Benefits of Reading Recovery," part of Literacy Education for All, Results for the Nation or LEARN Act. Marostica went to talk to lawmakers about funding for the literacy programs. The bill would authorize more than two billion dollars for both new and existing state and local literacy initiatives, for students in all grades.

To learn more about the LEARN Act visit, http://govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-2272. For more information on Reading Recovery, visit readingrecovery.org.

Banner Wins Tech Award

One of Health Care's Most Wired companies for 2011 is Banner Health. The company owns and operates several hospitals in northern Colorado, including East Morgan County Hospital in Brush. The recognition comes from Hospitals and Health Networks magazine. The award focuses on Infrastructure, Business and administrative management, Clinical quality and safety, and Care continuum for patients.

Tessera Solar drops proposed Colorado project

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — Tessera Solar has withdrawn its proposal to put thousands of parabolic dishes in southern Colorado to collect the sun's energy and turn it into electricity.

The Pueblo Chieftain reports Tessera told Saguache County officials in writing Monday that an ongoing local government review over the last several months had led the company to withdraw. A company spokeswoman denied the newspaper's request for a phone interview Tuesday.

Residents had expressed concerns about noise and other potential effects of the proposed project.

The dishes Tessera planned to use would have had engines to convert solar energy into electricity. Tessera had estimated its project would have employed 40 people.

Another company, California-based SolarReserve, has proposed building a pair of 100-megawatt plants northeast of Center, but it hasn't submitted a final application yet.

Colorado mother wishes for meeting with son's killers

DENVER (AP) — New Colorado legislation encourages prison officials to try to facilitate meetings between victims and their offenders to help both parties find closure.

As many as 200 people want to meet their offenders and are on a list with the Colorado Department of Corrections. But prison officials say lack of funds will make it difficult to implement a program to make the meetings happen soon.

Corrections officials say facilitating such reconciliation meetings is a process that takes months to ensure the victim and the offender are emotionally and mentally ready.

The idea for the meetings is part of a bill signed into law that emphasizes an alternative sentencing option known as restorative justice, which favors restitution instead of imprisonment. It takes effect Aug. 10.

Alabama, California, and Vermont have similar laws.

Fort Carson soldier from SD killed in Afghanistan

FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) — The Defense Department says a Fort Carson soldier was killed in combat in Afghanistan.

The military said Sunday that 40-year-old Sgt. Lex L. Lewis of Rapid City, S.D., was killed Friday when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire in Farah Province.

Lewis was a cavalry scout assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, part of Fort Carson's 4th Infantry Division.

He joined the Army in 1999 and was on his third deployment. Fort Carson officials say he served in Iraq in 2003 and 2004 and again in 2008 and 2009.

He had arrived in Afghanistan in June of this year.

His decorations included two Army Commendation medals, five Army Achievement medals and two Meritorious Unit citations.

Passport Please: South America Today

This week Sterling Public Library’s Passport Please series today at 2:00 p.m. will focus on South America Kids will learn about the cultures in South America. Denise has several great stories to share with everyone before the craft. The craft this week is an umbrella. Kids will have lots of opportunity to use their creativity in this project.

If you attend the program you will be given a passport that will be stamped. Once the
passport is stamped, and you check out books before 9:00 p.m. on the following Tuesday, you will win a prize.

Don’t forget the end of Summer Reading is nearing. If you still want to participate,
you may still sign up and complete several levels to earn prizes. The last day to turn in
reading time is July 29th.

Three Compete for Miss Rodeo Logan County

Three local ladies are competing for the crown of Miss Rodeo Logan County. They'll serve for a year, reigning over this year's fair and related events. The three in contention for the crown are Elisha Rice and Kelsey Bornhoft, both of Atwood and Jaclyn Nienhuser of Peetz. Nobody's competing in the Miss Rodeo Logan County Sweetheart contest. That's the competition for girls form 9 to 15 years old. The Sweetheart also serves during fair week. Kelli Blough of Fleming is this years, Miss Rodeo Logan County and Shelby Rich of Sterling is her attendant. This years pageant is on August 6 at the Gary DeSoto Building at the Logan County Fairgrounds.

Coffee With a Cop Next Wednesday

Coffee with a Cop is coming up on Wednesday, July 20th. You can meet with Fort Morgan police officers in a relaxed, informal setting to ask questions, offer comments or suggestions. The event is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Morgan Community College Cottonwood Room 101

DAs Know Who Belongs to Stolen Social Security Numbers

There's a new development in the case of those workers from the Wildcat Dairy farm. Prosecutors in the 13th Judicial District say they know who belongs to some of the social security numbers that some of the workers used to get their jobs. That didn't keep a Morgan County Judge from lower bonds for two more of the eleven who have been in jail since their arrests on June 1. Javier Lievanos and Ramon Hernandez got their bonds reduced from $50,000 to $5,000. DAs said they had not talked with the actual owners of the social security numbers.

Nobody Hurt in Distracted Driver Crash

A FedEx delivery truck went off the interstate on Wednesday, and Colorado State Patrol said it was caused by driver inattention. CSP said 50 year old Miroslav Drljaca of Chicago was driving a tractor and double trailer combo semi eastbound on I-76 when his attention was diverted from driving and he lost control of the rig. CSP said the rig ran off the road, into the median and across the westbound traffic lanes. It finally stopped when it hit an embankment. Neither Drljaca nor the other person in the rig were hurt, and Drljaca was ticketed for reckless driving.

DIA Hailstorm Causes Wisconsin Governor To Sleep On Floor

(Denver, CO) -- Wednesday night's hailstorm caused Denver International Airport to become the bed for a visiting governor. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker tweets he slept on the floor in a conference room at DIA's A concourse after his flight was canceled. Walker notes the airport staff was "outstanding" and got him a blanket and small pillow. He was headed to Salt Lake City for the National Governor's Association meetings.

Man Killed In Northglenn After Tow Truck Rolls Over Him

(Northglenn, CO) -- A man working underneath a tow truck is dead after the vehicle rolled over him in Northglenn. The unidentified man was rushed to Denver Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. If you witnessed the accident, call (303) 450-8893.

Two Bodies Found In SW Colorado Plane Wreckage

(Silverton, CO) -- Officials are saying they've found two bodies in the wreckage of a single-engine plane in southwest Colorado. The unidentified man and woman were discovered yesterday in the mountains near Silverton. The "Durango Herald" reports the plane likely crashed on Stoney Pass Wednesday night or yesterday morning.

Balloon boy parents auction off UFO-like craft

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — A silver, UFO-like helium balloon that gripped the country's attention when a former Colorado couple said their son had floated away in it is back in Colorado after an online auction.

An attorney for Richard and Mayumi told the Coloradoan in Fort Collins Thursday that an Aurora man paid $2,502 earlier this month for the balloon.

Perry Rausher says the man didn't want his name released because he plans a news conference.

Rausher says he deducted $60 from the sale for fees and the rest will go to Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief.

The Heenes, who moved to Florida, were charged when it was discovered their 6-year-old son was never on the balloon.

They had to pay $36,000 in restitution to authorities who responded to the 2009 incident.

Soldier tried to bring explosive onto plane in Arizona

YUMA, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities say a U.S. Army private who tried to bring a small amount of explosives on board a United Airlines flight from Arizona to Los Angeles has been released from custody.

U.S. attorney's office spokesman Robbie Sherwood says 19-year-old Pfc. Christopher Eric Wey of Fort Carson, Colo., was detained Wednesday after Transportation Security Administration screeners at the Yuma airport found about a quarter-ounce of military explosives in his bag.

He was charged Thursday with attempting to carry an explosive onto an aircraft and transporting stolen explosives. Court documents say he took the C4 explosive during a recent training course and planned to show it to his family and then get rid of it.

A federal magistrate in Yuma released him without bail Thursday.

His federal public defender declined comment.

Colorado Front Range in store for more severe weather

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — More severe weather hit the Denver area and eastern Colorado Thursday, unleashing heavy rain on already-soaked areas.

Several counties in north-central Colorado and the Denver area were under a severe thunderstorm watch Thursday. Sheets of rain swept through Denver and the suburbs as evening rush hour started. Cars were partially submerged in spots where water backed up and water gushed through normally dry gulches.

A rock slide closed a lane of a highway in the mountains west of Boulder, where crews were still trying to clear mud from roads after up to 1.3 inches of rain pounded the area Wednesday night.

Some roads were closed again Thursday afternoon and an evacuation center was reopened at a YMCA.

Barlean Out as City Attorney

The city of Sterling and its attorney have parted company.

Sterling Mayor Larry Fetzer said, "Council decided that the city would be better served by making a change at this time. And they also would like to express appreciation to Kelly for his years of service to the city."

The council met in a long closed door session on Tuesday and quelled rumors that had been afloat as to whether Barlean was still with the city. The city will pay Barlean a total of more than 85 thousand dollars as part of the separation agreement to cover salary and benefits.

OSHA Cites FM Company with 13 Violations

OSHA -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration did an inspection recently at Delta Oilfield Tank Company LLC in Fort Morgan and cited the company for more than a dozen violations. OSHA says the company exposed its employees to hazards like no proper eye protection, not training employees properly for their jobs, issues with proper lifting, using forklifts and more. The company makes oilfield products and could pay nearly 53 thousand dollars in penalties. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.

Contests Now Lead to Morgan County Fair

Morgan County Commissioners have approved the rules for the upcoming Morgan County Fair. What rules? I thought the rules were to have fun! Anyway, the fair is still a few weeks off, but things like shooting contests are underway now, and will continue until July 24. First Christian Church is again hosting the annual Fashion Revue on July 25. The public event is at 7:30 p.m. Those are just a few items and more is available at:
www.extension.colostate.edu/morgan

Loveland Woman Dies When Homemade Dune Buggy Crashes

(Weld County, CO) -- A Loveland woman was killed in a crash involving her homemade dune buggy. The Colorado State Patrol says Joy Lutz died on Monday when her buggy was plowed into north of Platteville. The buggy's driver, Wally Birkley, is still hospitalized in Loveland in serious condition. The driver of the car that hit them, Julie Gunter, has been cited for careless driving causing death.

HUD Giving Millions To Colorado For Public Housing

(Denver, CO) -- Colorado is getting over 12-million dollars from the federal government for public housing. HUD Regional Administrator Rick Garcia calls the funding essential because it can be used for energy efficient upgrades and new roofs. The money is part of HUD's Capital Fund Program.

Study Says Sick Leave Used As Vacation Time

(Washington, DC) -- A new study claims too many people use sick leave as vacation time. The Employment Policies Institute studied sick leave in response to Denver's ballot initiative wanting paid sick time for all workers. Washington DC-based EPI says it's against the ballot initiative, calling it a "free lunch" for employees and believes it could hurt the economy.

Colorado Department Of Labor Preparing For Layoffs

(Denver, CO) -- Some employees at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment are preparing to join the ranks of the unemployed. Even though the department is already overwhelmed with unemployment claims, it is expecting to lay off between 30 and 100 workers. In 2008, 30-thousand Coloradans had active unemployment claims, but that number is up to 137-thousand this year.

New Wind Farm Up And Running

(Weld County, CO) -- Colorado's newest wind farm is up and running near the border with Wyoming. The 475-million-dollar, 250-megawatt facility was dedicated yesterday in Weld County. The Cedar Creek 2 farm has 123 turbines on 30-thousand acres about 20 miles north of New Raymer.

Airman Who Disappeared In North Vietnam Will Be Buried Tomorrow

(Air Force Academy, CO) -- An Airman who vanished in action in 1966 over North Vietnam is going to be buried with full military honors tomorrow. Canon City resident Colonel Leo S. Boston will be buried at the Air Force Academy. He was part of the 14th Air Commando Wing assigned to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, and vanished while the pilot of an A-1E Skyraider leading a search and rescue mission. From 1966 to 2005 joint U.S.-Vietnam teams recovered human remains and they positively identified him April 4th of this year.

Coffee With A Cop in a Week

Coffee with a Cop is coming up a week from today, Wednesday, July 20th. Meet with officers in a relaxed, informal setting to ask questions, offer comments or suggestions. The even is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cottonwood Room 101 at Morgan Community College. Its free, so bring a friend or two.

Shop the L this Weekend

The Logan County Chamber of Commerce's annual Sidewalk Sales are coming up on Friday and Saturday. The theme for the event, "Shop the L" -- as in local, Logan County, and what the chamber calls Sterling's L since most of the shops are on a route that looks like an L. Chamber officials say its more than just moving stuff outside shops to sell on the sidewalks, there will be activities both Friday and Saturday.

Legislators Could Consider Caylee's Law

Like lawmakers in other states, Colorado legislators are considering a law to protect missing children and punish their parents. State legislators say they're getting bombarded with communiques that demand "Caylee's Law". Lawmakers say they've received first a few, then hundreds of the same email, wanting the law as a response to the not guilty verdict for Casey Anthony. People have written to their representatives that they don't want the same thing happening in Colorado. Denver Attorney Dan Recht told FOX 31 that the law would not help save kids. He said quote -- "Imagine the things that happen in a family within the hour of a child's accidental death. And to make it a felony if they fail to call the authorities within the first hour is crazy. o come up with general legislation as a response to one case often leads to bad legislation." Lawmakers though, say they are considering the law based on the number of emails, phone calls and letters they've received since Anthony's acquittal.

Work Getting Done in DC?

The Denver Post reports that as deficit-reduction talks between the president and congressional leadership continue to drag on in the heat in Washington D.C. From the offices of Democratic Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, little else is being accomplished. The Post reports that since January, Bennet has introduced nine bills and been an original co-sponsor of 39 more,
including several pieces of legislation aimed at improving No Child Left Behind and the Oil Independence for a Stronger America Act, which decreases the country's reliance on foreign fuel. Udall has introduced 18 bills and been an original co-sponsor of another 27, including greening the Defense Department, two renewable-energy bills and legislation that would increase lending by credit unions. Nothing proposed so far by either this year has become law. The Senate has voted only 107 times since January — the bulk of them votes on appointments. That compares with 230 votes taken by the Senate in the last Congress at this time in 2009. Udall said he has never seen Washington act like this. House members claim that they are passing budgets and legislation that meet a brick wall on the Senate side. Congressman Cory Gardner, the Republican from Yuma, said quote -- "We're doing a lot of work here. We've already voted to eliminate some (tax) subsidies. . . . The House has voted to cut $2 trillion in spending."

Colorado Employment Outlook Rosier

(Denver, CO) -- Employment figures are improving in all nine of Colorado's large counties. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said yesterday that employment rose in the nine counties from December 2009 to December 2010. Weld County led the state with a two-point-nine percent gain and was eleventh in the nation for growth.

Adams Co. Deputy Facing Charges For Allegedly Breaking Teen's Jaw

(Adams County, CO) -- A sheriff's deputy in Adams County is facing charges for allegedly breaking a teenager's jaw. Twenty-eight-year-old Deputy David Morrow turned himself in yesterday. Morrow is accused of punching a verbally combative and highly intoxicated 15-year-old boy in the face last month, while the teen was restrained on an ambulance gurney.

Jerry Seinfeld selling Colorado home for $18 million

TELLURIDE, Colo. (AP) — Comedian Jerry Seinfeld has a deal for you.

Seinfeld is selling his home in Telluride for $18 million.

The 14,000-square-foot, 12-bedroom, contemporary ranch home is fully furnished. It sits on almost 27 acres in a subdivision.

Denver's KMGH-TV reports the home features four fireplaces, a 5,000-square-foot deck, a guest house and a private road.

Don't miss this Sunday's Volunteer Fire Dept. Memorial Golf Tournament!

Sign up now for the annual Firemen's fundraising golf event. This event is a 2-Person Scramble format that begins with an 8:00 am shot gun start.

Entry fee is $60 per team (green fee and cart are not included). Lunch will be provided and there will be door prizes! Prizes will also be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, paid for two separate flights. For more information call the Pro Shop at (970) 867-5990.

Crone: At least one more day of expected heavy rains and possible severe weather today.

From Morgan County Sheriff Jim Crone:

If we get another “toad strangler”, please be kind to others and don’t drive through high water on city streets. People who live there or have businesses don’t appreciate waves of water washing into their living rooms or stores.
And in the country, when you see water washing across a graveled county road or paved roadway, you do not know what is in the middle of that water. I have seen washouts of up to 8 FEET deep underneath. Driving through something like this is a good way to end up on a sheriff’s office or state patrol media release. Please avoid these areas and wait until the water goes down so you can see what’s there (or not there), or find another route.
The Platte is up again, still nowhere near flood stage, but heavy rains could push the river up and out at least temporarily and other small, narrow-channeled creeks such as the Beaver, Badger, Rock, and Wildcat could become impressively “raging” in short periods of time.

For today and tonight:
Thunderstorms will develop in the mountains by early afternoon and over the foothills and adjacent areas of the Front Range Urban Corridor by mid to late afternoon. Over the northeast plains thunderstorm activity will increase by tonight. The storms will have the potential to produce very heavy rain with rainfall
amounts of 1 to 2 inches in the mountains and foothills with locally up to 3 inches in a few spots. Over the Front Range Urban Corridor and northeast plains rainfall amounts up to 2 inches will be possible with locally up to 4 inches in a few areas.

With rivers and streams already running high due to previous snowmelt heavy rains could quickly lead to flash flooding in the mountains and foothills and in the four mile burn area of Boulder County. In addition rock and mudslides will also be possible. At lower elevations additional heavy rains on top of saturated soils
from previous rainfall the past week could quickly lead to flash flooding as well.

Meanwhile isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible over northeast
Colorado with hail to one inch in diameter along with winds gusts to 60 mph. In addition a brief tornado could also occur.

For Wednesday through Monday:
The chance of late day showers and thunderstorms should continue across the forecast area through the period. Temperatures will stay around seasonal normals.

Spotter activation will not be needed today or tonight but rainfall reports will be appreciated due to the potential for very heavy rain.

SVPRTA Holds Hearing

The South Platte Valley Regional Transportation Authority is considering the
proposed ballot issue to continue the one-tenth of one percent sales tax to fund operating the Prairie Express. The authority held a public hearing on the ballot issue at last week's meeting. Four years ago, 175 thousand dollars a year was approved to help support SPVRTA, and was due to sunset this year, unless voters approve more funding. The issue will give voters a chance to evaluate the service and decide if they want to keep funding it.

Free Slurpees At 7-Eleven

Those looking to beat today's heat can go to any Denver metro area 7-Eleven. The convenience store chain is giving away free small Slurpees in honor of it's 84th birthday. The free Slurpee is good for today only.

Food Around the World at Sterling Public Library

Sterling Public Library will provide Food Around the World on Thursday, July 14th
at 2:00 p.m. The program is for children of all ages. During the program Denise and
Connie will be demonstrating how to make foods from other countries. After all the
recipes have been prepared, kids will get to sample several of the foods. If you are enrolled in the Summer Reading Program and have not yet turned in your reading time, remember that the last day to turn in time is July 29th at 5:00 p.m.

Auto Owners Report $3,500 in Damage

For a second time within one week, Fort Morgan Police are investigating vandalism to

vehicles that caused serious damage.

The first incident occurred on June 26 in the 200 block of Cherry Street and caused

$1,500 in damage. The second incident was reported July 2 in the 300 block of Meeker

Street and resulted in $2,000 damage to the vehicle.

In both cases, the body of the vehicle was scratched or dented. The owner in the most

recent incident reported the taillights and windshield had also been broken.

The vandals struck while the vehicles were parked during the early morning hours.

There are no suspects in either case and police do not think the incidents are related.

Police are looking for additional information about these cases and are asking anyone

with information to call police at 867-5678.

Tips can be given anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 542-3411. Anyone

with information can also submit a tip online and remain unidentified by visiting

www.cityoffortmorgan.com and following the Crime Stoppers link on the side of the

Logan, Morgan, Washington County Deputies, Brush Police and CSP Stop Felon

Logan County Sheriff's deputies were making a routine traffic stop on Sunday when 27 year old Michael Wilson sped away, and deputies gave chase. Logan, Morgan and Washington counties' deputies, Brush Police and Colorado State Patrol were also involved in aspects of the pursuit. The chase started on Highway 6, moved to I-76, and deputies used stop sticks to flatten tires, but Wilson kept going, then jumped out of the car and fled on foot, Officers nabbed him at gunpoint and arrested him. Turns out Michael Wilson had several outstanding warrants and a loaded .25 caliber weapon in his vehicle, hence, the pursuit. He's now in the Logan County Detention Center on a 75 thousand dollar bond.

WANTED FELON ARRESTED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE DEPUTY

STERLING, COLORADO - On July 10th, 2011, Logan County Sheriff’s Office Deputy M.
Williams conducted a routine traffic stop at mile marker 393 on Highway 6. Deputy Williams
contacted the driver of a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier, later identified as Michael Wilson, DOB 11/18/
84. At one point during the traffic stop, Wilson drove away from Deputy Williams at a high rate
of speed.

A high speed pursuit ensued with speeds in excess of 100 MPH. Deputy Williams, other Logan
County Sheriff’s Office personnel, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office personnel, Brush Police
personnel, Washington County Sheriff’s Office personnel, and Colorado State Patrol were also
involved in aspects of the pursuit.

Wilson began eluding on Highway 6, later driving onto I-76. Morgan County Sheriff’s Office
utilized stop sticks at mile marker 92 on I-76, disabling Wilson’s driver’s side front tire. Colorado
State Patrol disabled the remaining tires using stop sticks at mile marker 91. Wilson continued
driving until mile marker 90. Wilson exited his vehicle and was taken down at gun point at which
point he was placed into custody without incident.

Further investigation into the matter showed that Wilson was wanted on several felony warrants
out of Adams County Sheriff’s Office for Identity Theft and Aurora Police Department for Motor
Vehicle Theft. In addition, the vehicle Wilson was driving had also been reported as stolen out of
Denver.

Wilson, a convicted felon, had a loaded .25 caliber handgun in the vehicle. A search warrant was
obtained and several narcotics items were located, charges pending.

Wilson is being held at the Logan County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond. Wilson has
been charged with: Theft by Receiving a class four felony, Vehicular Eluding a class 5 felony,
three counts of Criminal Attempt a class 5 felony, Possession of Weapons by Previous Offender
a class 6 felony, Driving Under Restraint a class one misdemeanor, two counts of Reckless

Endangerment a class three misdemeanor, and Prohibited Use of Weapons (while under the
influence of liquor or controlled substance) a class 2 misdemeanor.

###

Thunderstorms soak parts of Colorado, again

DENVER (AP) — Thunderstorms with heavy rains and lightning have prompted flood advisories across Colorado and delayed flights at Denver International Airport.

Airport officials say arriving and departing flights were delayed up to a half hour Monday evening because of the weather. The National Weather Service said from 2 to 3.5 inches of rain fell in northeastern Colorado in the afternoon.

Heavy rain also fell in the western Colorado mountains, the Denver area and the northern part of the state. Denver's KDVR-TV reports that lightning is believed to be the cause of a house fire in the south suburb of Lone Tree.

Much of western Colorado and the Front Range, including the Denver area, have been hit the past few days with downpours.

KUSA-TV reports that several mudslides occurred over the weekend.

Colorado woman petitioning for John Denver Peak

ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — The late singer John Denver's song "Rocky Mountain High" celebrated his adopted home of Colorado. Now, a Colorado woman wants to honor him by naming one of the state's peaks after him.

J.P. McDaniel of Littleton tells The Aspen Times that she has collected about 1,000 signatures in support of naming the eastern peak of Mount Sopris near Aspen after the singer-songwriter.

Denver lived in the Aspen area from 1970 until his death in a plane crash near Monterey, Calif., in 1997.

McDaniel says her petition to the federal government for John Denver Peak is intended to honor the singer's environmental legacy. She says the nearly 13 thousand-foot peak is visible from land he donated to the Windstar Foundation, an environmental organization.

The U.S. Board of Geographic Names would consider the request.

Colorado financial computer system has risk of failure

DENVER (AP) — State officials say the computer system that is the backbone of Colorado's financial workings is outdated and could trigger a failure that would prevent critical governmental transactions.

A report released Monday says the failure of the Colorado Financial Reporting System would paralyze the state's ability to process checks to vendors that provide services to the state and make it impossible to know Colorado's true financial position.

The evaluation from the state's Auditor's Office says the computer is at risk of failure because it's based on obsolete technology and programming code from 20 years ago that few people know how to use.

The evaluation recommends that the state keep employees with knowledge of the system and work with lawmakers to get funding to modernize it in the coming years.