SFC Collects More Than 100 DNA Samples

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

MCC Jazz Ensemble Plays the Capitol

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

Its Girl Scout Cookie Time!

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

Report for Arkansas River art project out April 1

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

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

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

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

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

TX grand jury work delayed in Sen. Williams' crash

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

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

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

Unions weak in CO, but fear attacks in bad economy

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

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

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

Four Teens Arrested For Auto Break-Ins

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

Loveland Dispensaries Closing Already

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

Pediatric Surgeon And Team Operate On Lowland Gorilla

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

Man Allegedly Hits Child With Vehicle, Then Flees

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

Four Governors Debate Unions, Budgets

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