Train As a Volunteer Now Before The Next Disaster Strikes

When a disaster strikes, the first instinct of any human is to help. In the case of the Joplin tornado, Emergency Management officials had to request that people simply stay away while those trained in rescue could move in. Jessica Willingham, Chief Operating Communications Officer for the St. Louis American Red Cross says it pays to be ready in advance.






Officials have warned that this tornado season has only begun and the hurricane season is still to come. Both are expected to record breaking in the amount and strength of storms.

Financial Donations Requested For Joplin Tornado Victims

Officials are warning that the massive tornado outbreak in the south and the devastating destruction in Joplin, MO is only the beginning and more is to be expected. According to Jessica Willingham, Chief Communications Officer for the St. Louis American Red Cross, when their volunteers respond to any disaster, they must be able to have supplies in hand.






You can also text a ten dollar donation to 90999. Cell phone carriers are not charging extra fees for those texts so all of the money goes to the Red Cross.

Anti-TABOR lawsuit to be filed in Colorado

Republican and Democratic lawmakers are challenging Colorado's strict and tax-and-spending limits in federal court.

The Denver Post reported that the suit would be filed Monday.

Among those challenging the Taxpayers Bill of Rights — or TABOR — are Democratic Rep. Andy Kerr of Lakewood and former Republican state Sen. Norma Anderson.

TABOR requires lawmakers to ask voters to raise taxes. It also limits the amount of tax revenue the state can keep and spend.

The suit alleges that it violates the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of a small-R "republican" government where elected representatives make decisions on behalf of voters.

The plaintiffs are being represented by Boulder attorney Herb Fenster, a Republican, along with two Democrats, former Congressman David Skaggs and former state Sen. Mike Feeley of Lakewood.

Use Less, Save More

A little competition could help you save money!
The Environmental Defense Fund says telling people how much electricity they use at home compared to their neighbors encourages them to use less. The group today released a study of data collected from Fort Collins Utilities and 10 other utilities in six states that found customers reduced energy demand 1.8 percent from what they used before after receiving the reports.

Frenchen RE-Will Fix Budget Shortfall

Salaries are frozen in the Frenchmen RE-3 School District. That's where there's a 40 thousand dollar shortfall for the upcoming school year. The Board of Education discussed the impending budget last week and noted that the shortfall will be covered by carrying over this year's outstanding funds. The board meets next on June 23 and will act on the budget issue then.

Synthetic Drugs: A New Danger

There is an increase across the United States and recently within our community of a new trendy drug that has caught the attention of teens and it's 100% legal.

It's called “synthetic marijuana”, also known as K2, Spice, Darkness or Colorado Legal Chronic, only mentioning a few brand names. It gives users a marijuana-like high when smoked. The synthetic herb is manufactured in Asia where it can be purchased online or in local stores in the form of incense. Manufacturers spray herbs with synthetic substances that mimic the chemical THC that causes the same high-effect as natural marijuana.

Many authorities have compared the use of the drug to playing Russian roulette.

Synthetic drugs and herbal drug products like Spice and K2 are not made in a controlled environment and thus you are playing Russian roulette when it comes to these types of products. There is no way, outside of a controlled laboratory environment, to determine the chemical makeup, synthetic ingredients or amounts, and therefore there is no way to determine with any accuracy what the potentially harmful effects may be. Although the substance is sold as an “incense”, it’s displayed among tobacco products and drug paraphernalia, and not with other air freshener products normally found in other retail stores.
How harmful is it? A number of teens have been rushed to the local hospital in Fort Morgan after using synthetic marijuana where they suffered from heart palpitations and respiratory issues. The synthetic marijuana has also been known to cause panic attacks, hallucinations, delusions, vomiting, increased agitation, and dilated pupils.

The synthetic drug has been banned in European countries including Britain, Germany, Poland and France, and as many as 20 other states in the U.S. and Colorado is not that far behind.

As of this month, Colorado has passed legislation that if signed into law will ban some or all synthetic substances.

Lots of Locals at NISP

The Northern Integrated Supply Project is still in the planning stages -- its been in the works for years. built despite water falling from the sky one day last week, hundreds turned out in Loveland to hear more on the water supply project that would build two reservoirs and delivery pipelines for the northern part of the state. Our area was well represented at the gathering with a Morgan County resident, a Fort Morgan resident, four local water officials and two city council members. They heard from several on the project's progress including state Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg and Congressman Cory Gardner. All those who spoke to the crowd touted the importance of getting NISP built. Officials with NISP said it will take a long time to get it built and in use.

Fatal horse virus taking economic toll

The outbreak of a fatal horse virus is taking a toll on horse shows, auctions and other events.

Colorado now has eight confirmed cases, 22 suspected cases and 10 facilities quarantined in six counties in Colorado. Horse owners are hesitant to take their horses anywhere, forcing horse shows to cancel events.

Colorado State Fair organizers have voluntarily canceled three horse events in Pueblo and other horse events across the state are being canceled or delayed.

The Denver Post reported on Friday that Colorado's horse industry is estimated at $1.6 billion.

Colorado unemployment rate dips to 8.8 percent

The Colorado labor department said last week that the unemployment rate fell to 8.8 percent in April from 9.2 percent in March as the state added about 2,200 nonfarm payroll jobs.

The unemployment rate was two-tenths of a percentage point lower than April 2010, when it was 9 percent.

The labor department's executive director, Ellen Golombek, said on Friday that it's encouraging, but she'd like to see the trend continue for several months before reading too much into the numbers.

The national unemployment rate for April was 9 percent, down from 9.8 percent a year earlier.

The state labor department says Colorado added about 3,500 jobs in the trade, transportation and utilities sector in April; about 2,100 jobs in services; and about 1,200 in leisure and hospitality.

Fort Carson Soldier To Plead Guilty In Taliban Killing

A Fort Carson soldier is pleading guilty to killing a Taliban prisoner last year in Afghanistan. Attorneys for David Lawrence say he will admit shooting the terror suspect in the face while guarding him at a detention facility. Several military psychiatrists say Lawrence was suffering from severe mental illness at the time.

Divorce Rate Plunges During Recession

Married couples in Colorado aren't splitting-up as much as they used to, and the recession might be the reason. The divorce rate has plunged to four-point-two percent, the lowest in four years. The National Center for Health Statistics says because of the poor economy, people are just "worn-out" and might not have the energy to go through with divorce proceedings.

State Treasurer Searching for Owners of Millions in Unclaimed Property

There could be some good news involving money this morning. The State Treasurer’s office say it has more than 200-million dollars worth of unclaimed property and it has yet to find all the rightful owners. Officials say that everything from insurance claims and cash to property and gift cards are left behind, all for the pickings. If there is a name attached to the property, then the department hold onto them until claimed. To check if you have any unclaimed items of value, head to the website www.Colorado.gov/treasury/gcp/index.html.

North Sterling State Park Has 44 Campsites Available for Memorial Day Weekend

North Sterling State Park officials will open the Chimney View Campground on Thursday, May 26, for the Memorial Day weekend. All sites in the campground are non-electric and will be available on a first-come first-served basis, starting at noon on Thursday. You can't make reservations for the campsites here because they'll be closed most of the summer because of state budget cuts, but it will be open for the holiday weekend. You can check availability by calling North Sterling State Park, (970) 522-3657, starting today.

Fishing at North Sterling has improved over the past two years and wipers are being caught from shore and boat, said park manager Dave Piper. Some of the wipers are reaching lengths over 22 inches. Piper and North Sterling’s staff are looking forward to kicking off the summer during the Memorial Day holiday. The fishing season will be great because the shade population has increased, and so have walleye, wiper, crappie, catfish and other fish populations. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.

Alternate Routes Advised Today and Tomorrow

Delays are expected at the Main Street railroad crossing in Fort Morgan on Monday and/or Tuesday as BNSF Railway does some maintenance work on the tracks. Crews have been working on the tracks there for some time, and have reached the point at which rerouting traffic is necessary. This won't be a full road closure, but traffic will be affected and there could be delays as traffic is flagged through the area. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes to avoid delays.