Read Across America Kicks Off Nationally and Locally Tomorrow

Well, there we were… we were working like that, when who should show up, but the Cat in the Hat. Tomorrow, Dr. Seuss will turn 107 years old and all across the country… teachers, students, parents, military personnel… will all be celebrating the thrill of reading with the 14th Annual Read Across America event. National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel encourages everyone to get involved.






Read Across America will kick off at the White House with First Lady Michelle Obama and a celebrity cast. Local events will be held at schools and libraries near you. For more information on how you can get involved, go to www.nea.org/readacross.

Social Security Office Hours

The Sterling Social Security Office will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 16. The office is located at 508 S. 10th Ave., at the Logan County Department of Human Services.

The Fort Morgan office will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 9. The Fort Morgan office is located at 800 E. Beaver Ave.

New applications for benefits are not accepted at the Fort Morgan or Sterling offices. Call 1-800-772-1213 for an appointment.

Encore Career Project Open House at MCC

The Encore Career Project will hold an Open house and reception at Morgan Community College Spruce Hall is planned for March 9, at 5:30 P.M. preceding the general information session for health career programs. That starts at 6:00 P.M. Attendees will tour the new Nursing, Health Technology and Science Addition and Renovation at MCC and learn about the application process and prerequisites for the various health care programs.

Among the opportunities at MCC is the Encore Health Career Project, a program designed for individuals 50-plus who are looking for new careers, going back to work after retirement, or moving up in their current jobs in health care. The project focuses on health care certification or, in some cases, such as nursing, a degree. Encore helps students navigate the college system from start to finish including mentoring and job placement assistance. Program options include; Emergency Medical Technician, Phlebotomy Technologies, Medical Assistant Clinical and/or Medical Office Assistant , Massage Therapy, Nurse Aide, Pharmacy Technician, Massage Therapy and Nursing.

Encore is also about building a support network, meeting new people, building an employment portfolio, and giving back to the community.

Financial assistance is available for those who are eligible. Make an appointment today to find out more about how the Encore Health Career Project can benefit you. Call Lorrie (970-542-3160) or visit the MCC website: morgancc.edu.

Colorado marks 150th anniversary

Happy birthday, Colorado!

The state marked 150 years since it became a territory on Monday, and Colorado lawmakers passed a resolution marking the sesquicentennial.

President James Buchanan approved the creation of the Colorado territory on Feb. 28, 1861, after a gold rush around Pikes Peak drove settlers to the area.

Colorado was named for the Colorado River and was carved from land in the territories of Utah, Kansas, Nebraska and New Mexico.

Colorado achieved statehood in 1876, a century after the U.S. gained independence.

That gives Colorado its nickname "Centennial State."

It was the 38th state admitted to the union.

Hickenlooper in Washington, D.C. for national governor's meeting

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has been visiting Washington, D.C., for the National Governors Association meeting.

Governors were at the White House on Monday to meet with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their wives. Obama also met privately with Democratic governors on Friday.

Obama said public employees should not have their rights infringed upon as states look for ways to cut spending.

In Colorado, Hickenlooper has upset some fellow Democrats with his proposal to slash education funding to help balance the state budget.

He plans to be back in Colorado on Tuesday to sign several bills into law.

Lawsuit challenges Loveland pot dispensary ban

Three medical marijuana businesses and some patients have filed a lawsuit seeking to block the city of Loveland's new ban on medical marijuana dispensaries.

The lawsuit was filed Monday in Larimer County District Court, a day before the city's deadline for existing dispensaries to close.

A voter-approved amendment to the state constitution allows registered patients with certain medical conditions to use limited amounts of marijuana. But last year, state lawmakers gave cities the option of banning dispensaries.

Voters in Loveland chose to do so in November.

The lawsuit argues Loveland's ban on dispensaries, including ones that were open before city voters banned them, is unconstitutional and will deprive patients of local sources of medical marijuana.

The city attorney didn't immediately respond to an e-mail sent by The Associated Press after business hours seeking comment.

Judge: Ex-CU player accused of rape can be tried

A Boulder County judge says prosecutors have enough evidence to try a former University of Colorado football player on a charge of sexual assault.

The judge on Monday ruled Michael Sipili should stand trial.

Sipili is scheduled to enter a plea to the charge on April 15.

An arrest affidavit says 21-year-old former CU football player Michael O'Connor was having consensual sex with a 22-year-old woman early Dec. 4 at his apartment when Sipili entered the room.

Police allege Sipili then raped the woman.

The Daily Camera reports Sipili's defense team questioned the accuracy of his accuser's memory.

O'Connor is charged with being an accessory to a crime and is scheduled to enter a plea March 18.

Four Arrested In Douglas County Double-Homicide

Four people, including one victim's husband, have been arrested for a double-homicide. Authorities yesterday said Monument 38-year-old Christopher B. Wells faces first-degree murder charges for the deaths of his wife, Amara Wells, and her brother-in-law, Robert Rafferty Junior. Officials say Christopher Wells was divorcing 39-year-old Amara Wells. Her body and 49-year-old Rafferty's body were discovered at Rafferty's home southwest of Castle Rock February 23rd.

Ruined Art Will Cost Montana Woman

The destruction of a piece of art critical of Jesus Christ will cost a Montana woman almost seven-thousand dollars. Kathleen Folden smashed a display case and ripped a print titled the "Misadventures of the Romantic Cannibals" last fall inside the Loveland Museum. Yesterday, a judge ordered Folden to pay for damaging the lithograph and for various charges accrued by the city of Loveland.

Williams Case Could Go To Texas Grand Jury Soon

Texas State Troopers say they need a few more weeks before their evidence in the car crash involving Senator Suzanne Williams can be forwarded to a grand jury. Troopers say Williams drove over the center lane of a Texas highway in December and collided with a car driven by Brianna Gomez. Gomez died but her unborn baby was delivered by cesarean section. Troopers say they'll recreate the crash and send their conclusions to a grand jury for prosecution of Williams.