Gardner's Rep Holds Office Hours

Congressman Cory Gardner’s District Representative, Allan Foutz, will be holding office hours in Seibert, Yuma and near Sterling starting today. The times and locations are as follows:

Date: August 29, 2011
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 AM
Where: The Seibert Town Hall
201 Colorado Ave.
Seibert

Date: August 30, 2011
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Where: Yuma District Hospital
1000 W 8th Ave
Yuma

Date: August 30, 2011
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Where: The Office of Mr. Cheramy
The Corner of Laramie St. and Logan St.
Fleming

Date September 1
Time 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Where: Wiggins City Hall
Wiggins

Citizen Police Academy Applications Due Friday

Applications will be accepted until Friday, September 2nd, for the 2011 Citizen Police Academy that runs from September 12 - November 21.

Here's the chance for citizens to learn about all aspects of the Fort Morgan Police Department and tour law enforcement facilities. Weekly Academy topics include: Patrol, Investigations, K-9, SWAT, Code Enforcement, and more. There is no cost to participants. A serious commitment is requested. Classes will be held on Mondays from 7:00-9:00 pm in the Fort Morgan Police Dept. Training Room.

Here's the link to the application:
http://www.cityoffortmorgan.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1307

Don't Miss "Church Basement Ladies: Away in the Basement!"

Sign up to ride the bus that departs the Senior Center at 10:30 am. The bus will stop for lunch before the performance, which is at 2:00 pm. $45 cost includes your show ticket and transportation. Lunch is on you. Payment and registrations are now accepted at the Recreation Center (the Armory) at 528 State St.

Lost But Not Forgotten Group Opens Thrift Store

Attention Shoppers! There's a new thrift store in Sterling. The Lost But Not Forgotten Group's shop is a retail garage sale. Cindy Meeker opened the store last week and said the idea came from the group's getting lots of stuff from garage sale just after the group was founded. The store is at 720 South Division Avenue. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

Hurricane Irene Causes Cancellation Of 77 Flights At DIA

(Denver, CO) -- Hurricane Irene is still causing delays at Denver International Airport after 77 flights were canceled yesterday. An airport spokesman said the cancellation of 37 departures and 40 arrivals could be blamed on the storm. Officials warn that Irene's effect on airlines' operations could result in longer-than-normal lines at DIA today.

NE Colorado Boy To Plead Guilty In Parents' Murder

(Fort Morgan, CO) -- A Burlington boy is going to plead guilty in the brutal murder of his parents.

Thirteenth District Attorney Bob Watson said, "If the juvenile would agree to plead guilty to all counts and accept the maximum possible sentence from the juvenile court, I would agree not to file a transfer petition."

In his announcement last Friday Watson said he struggled for days before making a decision. The boy is accused of murdering Charles and Marilyn Long last March and attacking two of his siblings.

Sweeping school funding lawsuit enters final week

DENVER (AP) — A sweeping lawsuit challenging how Colorado funds public schools is entering its fifth and likely final week.

Dozens of education experts have testified in the case that asks whether Colorado's system of funding education meets constitutional requirements.

Parents and 21 rural school districts have argued that uneven funding across the state puts some children at a disadvantage. The state argues that more money does not necessarily mean higher achievement.

The lawsuit started in 2005, with the plaintiffs losing initial attempts. The state Supreme Court reversed the rulings in October 2009, sending the case back to district court.

Plaintiffs say they're not asking for more money but for funds to be used where they're most needed. They also seek a declaration from the court saying the state has violated its constitution.

Experts assess damage after fuel spills in creek

DENVER (AP) — Authorities are assessing the damage after a tanker truck crashed and spilled 4,000 gallons of fuel into Clear Creek.

State police say the crash occurred about 9 a.m. Saturday on U.S. 6 near the Loveland Basin ski area, leaving the driver with minor injuries.

Federal pollution officials were called to check the damage to the creek, which was tinted red because the diesel fuel for farm machinery had been dyed.

State Trooper Greg Manning tells the Denver Post that there have been reports that some fish were killed and wildlife officials have been contacted.

He says that when the truck rolled, about 4,000 gallons of fuel into the creek.

The roadway was closed in both directions by 5 p.m.

Not all agree CO should make entitlements smoother

DENVER (AP) — A Colorado proposal to make it easier to apply for entitlement programs ranging from welfare payments to food stamps has turned political.

The Pueblo Chieftain reports that Republicans say the change could cost the state millions by qualifying virtually every eligible citizen for a gamut of entitlements. Democrats insist the change would cut red tape and not expand eligibility, just make easier for the needy to receive benefits.

The entitlement discussion comes as Colorado implements a health-insurance exchange, a marketplace for insurance plans required under the new federal health care law.

The law requires exchanges to have an online eligibility application that first screens applicants for Medicaid eligibility. Under the Colorado subcommittee's proposal, applications for the other entitlements automatically would be processed. That is raising concerns among some lawmakers.

Lack of competition may scrap small town election

FORT MORGAN, Colo. (AP) — The small town of Fort Morgan may decide not to bother with local elections this November — because so far there's only one candidate for every office on the ballot.

The Fort Morgan Times reports that unless someone signals today that they plan to run as a write-in candidate for one of four offices to be decided, the election could be scrapped. Mayor Terry McAlister has no opposition for another term, and three city council seats have one candidate each.

City clerk John Brennan told the newspaper that it's unclear how the decision to hold an election will be made. Sept. 2 is a deadline for certifying ballots, but the full city council doesn't meet again until Sept. 6.

Fort Collins 'megaparty' overwhelms police

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Four people were arrested and at least 10 people taken away by ambulance after what police are calling a "megaparty" near Colorado State University.

Between 2,000 and 4,000 people were believed to be at Saturday's back-to-school party at an off-campus apartment complex. The Coloradoan reports that injuries were minor and mostly related to alcohol intoxication. A Fort Collins Police lieutenant told the newspaper that the department was "overwhelmed" by the rowdy pool party advertised on Facebook.

Four people were arrested, cited and released. Two were cited for obstructing a peace officer and two for third-degree assault.

Partygoers brought their own alcohol. CSU spokesman Brad Bohlander said Saturday evening he had not received reports of any arrests of CSU students.