US Rep Gardner Calls For Feedback on Farm Bill

Congressman Cory Gardner was in the area recently for a series of agriculture forums with Colorado farmers. He says for those who were not able to make it to the forums, there's still a way to have your voice heard...






TAG: To access the Farm Bill Feedback Form visit Gardner's congressional website at www.gardner.house.gov.

Bill Saving Colorado Taxpayers $60-million Languishes in Legislature

KSIR-022912-Bill saving Colorado $60-million Languishes in Legislature - Both



Every day House bill 1005 sits unpased in the Colorado Legislature, taxpayers take a 164-thousand dollar hit, according to a report in The Denver Post. The bill would allow county treasuers, cities and school districts to continue investing in government back securities that have historically high returns, but have been down-graded from triple-A ratings during the current economic downturn. Colorado is the only state that has not passed legislation allowing the investments. Denver Democratic Representative Dan Pabon attributes the delay in passage to political issues that have to do with supporters of the bill.

NE Regional Science Fair Thursday

KSIR-022912-NE Colorado Regional Science Fair Thursday - Both

Budding scientists from across our region are gathering tomorrow at The Northeast Junior College Hays Student Center for the 57th annual Regional Science Fair. Approximately 70 students are set to present their research findings to judges. They are divided into junior and senior divisions, representing 6th through 8th graders and 9th through 12th graders, respectively. Sterling High is participating this year, under the guidance of Carlye Armstrong. The fair is open to the public from 3:30 to 4:30, with the awards ceremony at 5 o'clock.

City Council Puts Up 2 Items for March 6 Agenda

The Fort Morgan City Council will finally put a couple of items on the March 6 agenda that its been working on. First, whether to combine its city manager and its city attorney, which is what city attorney Jeff Wells is doing right now as the interim city manager. Second, what the city wants in a municipal judge. Wells said council could take some time deciding what it want in that position.

Columbine Survivor Speaks Out On Ohio School Shooting

(Chardon, OH) -- A survivor of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in Colorado says his first thoughts were of shock and sadness at the deadly shootings in Ohio. Craig Scott speaks at schools and hears stories from students about what they're going through. He says this is another sad story. Authorities arrested 17-year-old T.J. Lane after the shootings at Chardon High School near Cleveland.

Feds Say All Marijuana Dispensaries Near Schools Shut Down

(Denver, CO) -- Federal prosecutors are saying all of the Colorado medical-marijuana dispensaries, which operated near schools have halted marijuana sales. Letters were sent last month to dispensaries within a thousand feet of schools, warning them to close or face punishment. Drug Enforcement Administration agents reportedly checked every dispensary for compliance.

4-year-olds targeted for Colo. storybook giveaway

DENVER (AP) — Colorado 4-year-olds are in line for free storybooks from a group of libraries and literacy charities that want to have all the state's 4-year-olds reading the same book.

The "One Book 4 Colorado" initiative was announced Tuesday by Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia. The chosen book has not yet been announced.

State officials say that than 70,000 copies of the same book will be distributed to children at local library events and at Reach Out and Read clinics and doctors' offices between April 18 and April 29.

The program is sponsored by the Reach Out and Read charity and a group of public libraries.

The statewide giveaway is modeled after the Preschool One Book One Denver program.

Secretary Duncan praises Colorado school reform

DENVER (AP) — U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan says community members should hold his department accountable for being a good partner.

The Denver Post reports that at a town hall meeting Tuesday in Denver, Duncan praised Colorado in its education reforms. He said good ideas for reform are going to come from educators, not from Washington.

Duncan spoke for about an hour before more than 300 community members, educators and students.

Duncan spoke at the Evie Dennis Campus in Denver. The campus is home to both district-run and charter schools. He says it's a good example of success.

He also highlighted several federal education initiatives, including early childhood education, creating incentives for teacher diversity and income-based repayment options that allow teachers to have student debt erased after 10 years of work.

School energy measure up for CO debate

DENVER (AP) — A Democratic bill to require new Colorado schools to meet energy efficiency standards faces dim prospects in a Republican House committee.

The bill would require new school construction, and school remodeling projects considered a "significant redesign," to be energy efficient. Schools could meet the requirement by acquiring the federal Energy Star label or meeting another approved standard.

A legislative fiscal analysis says the measure would likely make it costlier for local governments to build or renovate schools. But the analysis also says local governments could save money over the long run by having more energy-efficient schools.

The proposal by Democratic Rep. Andy Kerr of Lakewood faces likely rejection in Wednesday's hearing.

Republicans who control the House generally oppose mandates on energy efficiency.

CO bill to explore federal waivers passes 1st vote

DENVER (AP) — A Republican bill encouraging Colorado agencies to seek waivers from federal regulations got initial approval.

The proposal would direct state agencies to explore whether it's possible to seek waivers from federal regulations and determine if it's possible for Colorado to implement its own rules. Agencies would report to the Legislature annually to discuss waiver possibilities.

A House committee approved the bill on an 8-4 vote Tuesday. It heads to the full House for a vote.

Republican House Leader Amy Stephens says the bill would not require agencies to seek a waiver if it's costly or administratively impractical.

Republicans have talked a lot this year about getting a waiver from Medicaid requirements but that didn't come up during the committee hearing.

Colo. lawmakers reject 'wage theft' bill

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Republican lawmakers rejected a Democratic proposal that would make it a crime to withhold wages from workers.

The so-called "wage theft" bill failed Tuesday on a party-line House committee vote. The proposal would make it a misdemeanor to wrongly hold up to $1,000 in wages, and a felony for wrongly holding more than $1,000 in wages. Employers would not be charged if they demonstrated they were unable to pay owed wages.

The U.S. Department of Labor has recognized wage theft as a national problem. The agency has hired about 300 additional investigators since 2010 to probe wage theft complaints.

Opponents said new legislation would not solve the problem and that withholding workers' wages can be addressed under the state's existing theft statute.

Abound Solar halts production, affecting 180 jobs

LOVELAND, Colo. (AP) — Abound Solar is suspending production of its first-generation solar modules, leading to 180 temporary Colorado job cuts as the maker of thin-film cadmium telluride solar modules focuses on launching a more efficient model.

Chief Financial Officer Steve Abely said Tuesday the company hopes to rehire the laid-off employees in six to nine months, after it retools its equipment and manufacturing processes to make the new module.

Loveland-based Abound Solar had about 400 employees before the cuts.

Abound Solar's first-generation module performs at a 10.5 percent efficiency. It says the new module performs at a 12.5 percent efficiency, which would be more competitive with modules from Chinese manufacturers.

Abound Solar received a $400 million loan guarantee from the federal government in 2010 but has drawn down less than $70 million.

Spain complaint dismissed against CO official

DENVER (AP) — A Colorado official's trip to Spain didn't violate state ethics rules.

The Denver Post reports that Public Utilities Commissioner Matt Baker has been cleared of wrongdoing. The Independent Ethics Commission cleared Baker Tuesday in a complaint related to a trip last year to Seville, Spain.

Baker was reimbursed by a company owned by the Spanish government for the November trade mission. The ethics panel was considering whether Baker violated Amendment 41, which includes the cap on what public officials can receive.

Baker met with executives of 15 companies interested in doing business in Colorado, according to a statement issued through the PUC.

Baker said the governor's office also approved the trip.

US Rep. Cory Gardner Holds Agriculture Forums

Fresh off a series of round-table discussions with Colorado farmers, Congressman Cory Gardner says he had a chance to talk directly to farmers about issues specific to their area...






TAG: Representative Gardner has also created a "Farm Bill Feedback Form" where local farmers can share their input. The form is available at www.gardner.house.gov.

Sterling Community Health Fair Appointments

KSIR-022812- Sterling Community Health Fair Appointments - ST


The 17th Annual Sterling Community Health Fair is set for the last Saturday in March. However, organizers say now is the time to schedule some of the screening appointments. The number to call is 521-5313. A health fair representative will return your call within 48 hours. A variety of health screenings are available at the Health Fair, but organizers warn that it is not a substitute for a thorough examination by your physician. The fair takes place at Sterling Middle School on Pawnee Avenue from 7:30am to 11am on Saturday March 31st.

Fire Victim Identified

KSIR - 022812- Fire Victim Identified -FM

The victim who lost his life in the mobile home fire outside of Brush yesterday has been identified. Ronald A. Skaggs, age 54, was identified by the medical examiner after the autoposy. The preliminary report says the cause of death appears to have been the fire. Skagss had been living at the residence and was the only occupant.
The victim in the early Monday morning fire at 26540 Rd T #4 has been identified as Ronald A. Skaggs, age 54. Mr. Skaggs had been living at that residence and was the only occupant. The Sheriff's Department and County Coroner's Office are continuing the investigation

Hasty Put Cops in Danger

The wife of a man who shot and killed a Limon police officer intentionally put officers in danger. That's from prosecutors in Kiowa where a pretrial hearing was held yesterday. They said Jackie Hasty hid in a bedroom as her husband Dennis confronted police who came to arrest him, then shot and killed officer Jay Sheridan nearly a year ago. Prosecutors said Jackie Hasty wrote to her daughter that she won though, since she wanted her husband dead, and he committed suicide after he killed Sheridan. Jackie Hasty is charged with reckless manslaughter and of being an accessory to the shooting and will be arraigned on March 13.

No ID Yet on Fire Victim

One person was found dead after firefighters in Morgan County put out a fire in a mobile home north of Brush yesterday. Morgan County Sheriff Jim Crone said an autopsy was being performed yesterday.






Investigators said the fire broke our just before 5 a.m. yesterday, that no foul play is suspected, and that it was somehow accidentally started. Anyone with information about the fire should call police.

Conservationists dismayed with governor's message

DENVER (AP) — Thirteen conservation groups say they're dismayed with an ad in which Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper says the state has had no instances of groundwater contamination associated with drilling and hydraulic fracturing since it overhauled its oil and gas rules in 2008.

The groups say reports from The Denver Post show dozens of industry spills getting into groundwater.

Hickenlooper's spokeswoman Megan Castle says there have been spills associated with equipment failures at the surface of drilling sites that have affected shallow groundwater, but that's a different process from drilling and fracking. She says the ad's larger point is that Colorado worked with both industry officials and environmentalists to adopt tough rules for disclosing chemicals used in fracking.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Association sponsored the ad.

Colorado revisits marijuana DUI standard

DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers are again wading into the hazy debate over driving while high.

A Senate committee voted Monday to advance a bill to say drivers would be considered impaired if their blood tests positive for 5 nanograms or more of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

The vote came after hours of conflicting testimony about whether blood levels of THC are an accurate gauge of whether a driver is impaired. Marijuana activists favor instead an education effort reminding patients they cannot legally drive high. There was conflicting testimony about the prevalence of driving while high and whether it has increased since Colorado voters approved medical marijuana in 2000.

The marijuana DUI bill still awaits a vote by the full Senate, where a similar measure perished last year.

Colorado may criminalize withholding wages

DENVER (AP) — Withholding wages from an employee could become criminal in Colorado under a bill being debated at the state Legislature.

A House committee will consider a "wage theft" bill Tuesday. The bill would make it illegal to withhold wages owed to workers. Employers would not be charged if they can demonstrate they were unable to pay owed wages.

The U.S. Department of Labor has recognized wage theft as a national problem. The agency has hired about 300 additional investigators since 2010 to probe wage theft complaints.

Colorado's proposal would make it a misdemeanor to wrongly hold up to $1,000 in wages, and a felony for wrongly holding more than $1,000 in wages.

The bill faces long odds in a Republican controlled committee.

Ex-Greeley financial adviser faces fraud charges

GREELEY, Colo. (AP) — The Weld County district attorney has filed nine counts of securities fraud against a former financial adviser in Greeley, following an investigation by state regulators.

The Greeley Tribune reports 71-year-old John Brady Guyette turned himself in Saturday. He is free after posting a $100,000 bond.

An arrest warrant affidavit alleges that in 2008, Guyette misled his clients about the risks of investing in a company called Medical Capital Holdings Inc., costing his customers thousands of dollars. Guyette also is accused of failing to check the accuracy of representations about the profitability of the company, whose chief executive officer had been charged with fraud in California.

IHOP Offers Free Short Stack For National Pancake Day

(Glendale, CA) -- It's National Pancake Day, and IHOP is offering a free short stack to its guests. In return for the Buttermilk flapjacks, you'll be asked to consider leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other designated local charities. National Pancake Day has raised nearly eight-million dollars for charity since 2006. The offer is good from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at participating Denver-area restaurants. For details, visit ihopPancakeDay.com.

Proposal To Legalize Pot Qualifies For Ballot

(Denver, CO) -- An initiative to legalize limited possession of marijuana is on the November ballot. State officials announced yesterday afternoon that the campaign turned in enough extra signatures to make the ballot after falling short on their first attempt. The initiative will appear on the ballot as Amendment 64.

TV Anchor Bitten By Dog To Appear On "Today" Show

(Denver, CO) -- The TV anchor bitten by a dog says she will be interviewed on the "Today" show this morning. "9News" anchor Kyle Dyer suffered a bite on the air February 8th and underwent two surgeries, receiving 70 stitches. Dyer said the "Today" crew was at her house over the weekend, and she's now in New York for the interview.

Mobile Home Fire Under Investigation

Authorities are investigating a fatal trailer fire north of Brush this morning. Morgan County Sheriff Jim Crone says once firefighters were able to gain control of the blaze, they discovered a body...






TAG: Crone says so far, the fire appears to have been an accident and no foul play is suspected, but he admits it's earl-on in the investigation.

Fatal Fire

KSIR - 022712 Fatal Fire in Brush - FM


Investigators are on the seen of a fatal mobile home fire north of Brush early this morning. The call came in before 5am for the blaze in the 26-thousand block of Road T. When the fire was knocked down, officials found a body inside the structure. The coroners office is working to identify the victim.


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New Scholarship Money

KSIR-022712- New Scholarship Money - BOTH


A new scholarship fund established at the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado will provide significant financial assistance to one or more students who are current seniors at or recent graduates of high schools located in Morgan, Logan, Washington, Yuma, Phillips or Sedgwick counties. The Ruth Henderson Memorial Scholarship Fund will award amounts equal to one years tuition and fees. An additional 1-thousand dollars per year is available to purchase required learning materials. To be eligible, applicants must intend to pursue a career in teaching. More information and applications are availlable at Community Foundation NC-dot-Org.

Three More Arrested in Logan Co Burglary

Three more people were arrested last week in an ongoing investigation into a Logan County burglary. Morgan County Sheriff's deputies are doing the investigation, and Brush Police did the arresting of three on felony charges. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Investigator Jon Holt or Lt. Jon Horton at 867-2461.

Irizarry Urrutia Pleads Guilty

Thirty-seven year old Edwin "Izzy" Irizarry Urrutia pleaded guilty last week to one misdemeanor count of unlawful sexual content. Irizarry Urrutia was the Log Lane Village Marshal until he was arrested, and then resigned in September. It all started in mid-September in Fort Morgan in which Irizarry Urrutia was accused of having sex with two women while one of them was intoxicated. His resignation came in October 2011.

Gardner Hears From Farmers

What to area farmers want to see when Congress reauthorizes the farm bill this year? Congressman Cory Gardner worked to find out last week. He met with farmers in Yuma, Greeley and Lamar who said they're concerned about crop insurance, commodity prices and farm subsidies. Gardner also heard from farmers that they want to attract younger farmers to keep farming in Colorado alive, farmers want to turn a profit and have be able to access more capital. If you didn't get to meet with Gardner, go to his website, http://gardner.house.gov/2012-Farm-Bill to let him know your thoughts on farming in northeastern Colorado.

Udall wants feedback on creating wilderness areas

DENVER (AP) — U.S. Sen. Mark Udall says he wants the public to help him craft legislation that would create wilderness and national monument designations for two popular recreation areas in Colorado.

Udall said in an interview Sunday that 32 areas covering almost 236,000 acres in Eagle, Pitkin and Summit counties in the central mountains are under consideration as wilderness areas. He says they include additions to existing wilderness areas like Holy Cross, Eagles Nest and the Maroon Bells.

The Democratic senator also wants feedback on designating 20,000 acres on both sides of the Arkansas River between Salida and Buena Vista as a national monument. The area is known for its whitewater rafting.

Udall says he doesn't have a timeline to draft the legislation, and it makes sense to have an open-ended process.

Flight returns to St. Louis after bird strike

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (AP) — A Denver-bound Frontier Airlines flight has to make an emergency landing in St. Louis after colliding with at least one bird.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Frontier flight 297 left Lambert-St. Louis International Airport a little after 6 a.m. Sunday. The scheduled two-hour flight was cut short just minutes later when the plane hit the bird.

The aircraft landed safely at Lambert, but passengers had to be transferred to another Frontier plane because the first one sustained damage.

A federal "wildlife strike" database shows Sunday's incident was the fourth one at the St. Louis airport this year.

The Federal Aviation Administration says 23 people have been killed and 209 injured nationwide since 1990 due to wildlife strikes on aircraft.

Colorado Second Most-Liked State

(Raleigh, NC) -- Colorado is the second most-liked state in the nation. A new report from Public Policy Polling reveals 44-percent of Americans see Colorado favorably, while only nine-percent perceive the state unfavorably. Hawaii came out on top with California ranked at the bottom.

Official: Likely One Active TB Case at Longmont

(Longmont, CO) -- It seems unlikely that another case of tuberculosis is active at Longmont High School. The head of the Denver Metro Tuberculosis Control Program has said he believes the one active case at the school is most likely the only one. Test results are in for 900 students, and 108 of them have tested positive for latent TB. The director complimented the response from parents, teachers, students and health officials during the TB outbreak.

Joint Investigation Leads To Several Arrests

A joint operation involving the Morgan County Sheriff's office, Brush Police and the Logan County Sheriff's office netted three arrests and the recovery of stolen items. Morgan county Undersheriff Dave Martin...






TAG: Deputies also arrested 27-year-old Brian M. Cheatham, 36-year-old Mario M Salazar and his wife, 35-year-old Tammy jo Garcia. Anyone with information on the case is being asked to contact the Morgan County Sheriff's Office at 867-2461.

RE-1 Valley Board of Ed Approves Major Purchases

KSIR - RE-! Valley Board of Ed approves major purchases - ST



At their meeting earlier this week, The RE-1 Valley Board of Education decided to make some major purchases. In a 5 - 2 vote, the board decided to purchase a new 77-passenger bus, and a 3-quarter ton maintenence truck. The money for those purchases will come from the mill levy overide. The board also agreed to spend more than a quarter-million dollars to restore some bleachers, with the money coming from the original capital reserve fund. That expenditure received unanimous approval.



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MCC Offers Free Tax Prep

KSIR - 022412 Morgan Community College Offers Free Tax Prep - FM

It the thought of doing your own taxes gives you a headache, Morgan Community College may a have a solution for you. Tomorrow, from 9am to 3pm, they're offering free tax preparation. It will take place at 920 Barlow Road in Ft. Morgan.

June Primary By Mail

The primary election this June will be a mail in ballot. That's what Morgan County Commissioners voted for at their meeting this week. We told you before how County Clerk and Recorder Connie Ingmire polled residents to see if they wanted a mail in ballot, and because of that, it will be a mail in ballot. The election will be on June 26.

Open Seats on Yuma City Council

The city of Yuma is looking for those who want to run for public office. That's because there are five seats up for grabs on the Yuma City Council. Four of the five are four year term seats, and the fifth is a two year term seat. There are no term limits, so the incumbents can run again. If you want to run, pick up nomination petitions at City Hall. They have to be returned by March 2. Council election is a mail in ballot, due April 3.

Hickenlooper: Rural lawmakers' pay hike is right

DENVER (AP) — Gov. John Hickenlooper says a scheduled $33 daily pay hike for rural lawmakers is "the right thing to do," even though it's politically unpopular.

Hickenlooper says he's sympathetic to the issue because the per diem daily increase would go to lawmakers who live furthest from the state Capitol. Hickenlooper made the comments Thursday during a luncheon with newspaper publishers and editors with the Colorado Press Association.

The per diem increase from $150 to $183 takes effect July 1 unless lawmakers pass legislation to delay it, like they did in 2010.

Lawmakers passed a bill without debate last week authorizing $189,420 for the per diem increase. The Pueblo Chieftain first reported on the bill's approval, which some lawmakers see as bad timing because of tough budget times.

The bill passed 34-28.

Postal Service to close 4 facilities in Colorado

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The U.S. Postal Service is closing four mail processing centers in Colorado as part of a broader plan to consolidate or close facilities around the country, starting in mid-May.

Postal Service spokesman David Rupert says centers in Alamosa, Colorado Springs, Durango and Salida will close, affecting 272 employees. He says the Colorado Springs center employs about 250 people, Alamosa employs five, Salida employs one and Durango employs 16.

He says some affected workers could be reassigned or retrained, while others could retire.

The work of the centers will shift to centers in Denver and Albuquerque, N.M.

The Postal Service has targeted 264 facilities around the country for closure, but 41 won't be closed or consolidated right away pending additional reviews.

The consolidations are expected to eliminate roughly 35,000 jobs.

NTSB interested in weather before plane crash

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — A federal investigator says a plane that crashed while approaching Yampa Valley Regional Airport in a snowstorm didn't have its landing gear down.

The twin-engine Cessna 414A crashed Sunday, killing the pilot and a passenger and injuring the passenger's husband and three children.

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Jason Aguilera tells the Craig Daily Press there could've been many reasons the wheels were up.

Aguilera says the weather remains one of the most important factors investigators are reviewing. Airport officials have said the visibility dramatically fell from about 10 miles to less than a quarter of a mile before the crash.

The crash killed 75-year-old pilot Hans Vandervlugt and Gaby Humpal, whose family was traveling from Texas to Steamboat Springs for a ski vacation.

State Has Fewer Apartment Vacancies

(Undated) -- Colorado has fewer apartment vacancies. The state Division of Housing reports the vacancy rate was five-point-six in the last quarter. That's two-tenths of a percent lower than the same quarter of 2010. Denver's rate was five-point-four-percent, the lowest for the period in 12 years.

Kids Have Way To Hide Sexting

(Jefferson County, CO) -- Parents are being warned that kids have a way to hide their sexting. Mike Harris with the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office says young people are downloading "Text Plus" or "Text Free" apps and hiding their messages. Parents who check their kids' phones may not know to search there. Harris says young people don't realize the social and legal consequences of sexting.

Police Will Cite School Bus Driver

(Jefferson County, CO) -- The Colorado State Patrol is citing a school bus driver involved in a crash. But a decision hasn't been made on what the offense will be. David Wayne Shaw was driving for Jefferson County Schools Tuesday when police say he turned left on a green light and hit three teens in a crosswalk. Two teens were treated and released from St. Anthony's Central Hospital and a third went to Children's Hospital.

Three Police Departments Checking Bulletproof Vests

(Phoenix, AZ) -- A trio of police departments in the Valley is checking bulletproof vests made by Custom Armor Technologies in Colorado. Phoenix officers are not wearing them since they failed a lab test. Surprise Police Sergeant Norm Owens says its 130 officers are not wearing the faulty vests. Glendale police spokesman Brent Coombs said the department ordered a review the same day Phoenix called for replacements.

Man Accused Of Assaulting Ex-Wife, Children

(Northglenn, CO) -- Authorities suspect a man assaulted his ex-wife and children in their Northglenn home. CBS4 reported William Johnson and his children were rescued early yesterday from a fire at a duplex on York Street and were hospitalized in critical condition. Johnson's ex-wife was reportedly injured but was released from the hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

RE-1 Vally Schools Nix "Race to the Top" Funds

The concern over federal mandates has kept the RE-1 Valley Board of Education from pursuing about 27 thousand dollars in Race to the Top Funds. Superintendant Betty Summers said the money would have been applied to the curriculum alignment and test assessment activities they are already working on, as well as to pay for minor salaries dealing with oversight of the grant.

Colorado Kids In Poverty

KSIR-0223212- Colorado Kids in Poverty

New Census analysis shows the number of Colorado children living in communities of concentrated severe poverty skyrocketed over the last decade. After the 2000 census, 20-thousand Colorado kids met the criteria. The 2010 Census show that number has increased by 360 percent to over 92-thousand. Only Alaska and Vermont saw higher rates of increase.

RE-1 Valley Schools Opt Out Of "Race To The Top"

KSIR-022312 RE-1 Valley School Board Opts Out of Race To The Top

The RE-1 Valley Board of Education decided not to pursue at least 27-thousand dollars in Federal Funding through the "Race To The Top" program. Superintendant Betty Summers said the money would have been applied to the curriculum alignment and test assessment activities they are already working on, as well as to pay for minor salaries dealing with oversight of the grant. However, board members voted it down sighting concerns about what kind of federal mandates could be attached to the money.

Banner Health Clinic Hosts Open House

Banner Health is opening a new clinic in Fort Morgan. Practice Manager Karen Zack says they're hosting an open house this afternoon. Residents will be able to tour the new facility and meet Banner's health care providers...






TAG: Zack says the new clinic will offer full family practice services, including well-child and preventative visits for children and adults as well as illness and injury care. The new Banner Clinic is located on 909 E Railroad Avenue in Fort Morgan.

High Winds Subside in Logan, Weld Counties

The high winds should start dying down this morning, especially in Logan and Weld Counties. The National Weather Service issued a hig wind warning yesterday afternoon, and the winds kept up all night. Some Xcel Energy customers experienced momentary power outages last night, but officials with the company say those too, should be resolved today.

City Adopts Building Codes

After years of work on it, the city of Fort Morgan has new building codes. Council passed the ordinance that establishes those codes at their meeting this week. That means the city's building codes mirror those of the International Code Council's 2009 Building Codes, but with changes for Fort Morgan.

CDC Updates Listeria Death List, Could Increase To 36

(Atlanta, GA) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is updating its list of deaths caused by Colorado's cantaloupe listeria outbreak. The CDC said yesterday the death toll stands at 32, as of December 8th. But since then, at least four deaths have been linked to the same listeria strain.

DHS Beefing-Up Security In Four Corners Area

(Denver, CO) -- Don't be surprised if you see more guns and badges while driving around the Four Corners area. The Department of Homeland Security is beefing-up security there to crack-down on drug cartel activity.






That's Lt. Bruce Holiday with the Farmington, New Mexico Police Department. He says prison sentences will be a lot stiffer since the feds are involved, as opposed to state charges. The Four Corners region is made up of the Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona borders.

Salamander up for another vote in Colorado

DENVER (AP) — The western tiger salamander faces another test on its path to being named Colorado's official state amphibian.

The Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee was scheduled to consider the designation Thursday.

A Denver primary school class suggested the designation, which has already been approved by the House.

The western tiger salamander is found in every Colorado county.

3 injured when home explodes near Durango

DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — Firefighters say a girl and her parents are recovering at hospitals after their home near Durango exploded, shortly after the father smelled gas.

Upper Pine River Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Bruce Evans says a propane company employee arrived at the home Tuesday night to find it had exploded. Evans says the employee found the girl huddling inside a car for warmth, with temperatures in the teens. He says she got to the car from her home despite having a broken leg.

Neighboring ranchers found her parents under about 4 to 6 feet of debris. One adult was flown to a hospital for critical injuries, exposure and burns. The other parent's injuries weren't disclosed.

Friends rescued the injured family dog Wednesday.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation.

Winds fuel flames of 2 Boulder County fires

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Firefighters have contained a grass fire east of Lyons that prompted warnings for residents to leave as high winds fueled 10- to 15-foot flames.

The fire was reported around 6 p.m. Wednesday and burned about 20 acres before firefighters said they had contained it a little more than an hour later. Boulder County emergency officials say they had made 42 notifications through an automated system asking for evacuations. Residents are waiting to hear when they can return home.

Earlier Wednesday, Boulder County officials alerted 1,300 households about a grass fire in Boulder on city open space and property owned by IBM. The 45-acre fire was contained around 5 p.m.

Gusts as high as 88 mph were reported Wednesday southwest of Boulder.

The cause of the fires wasn't immediately known.

Udall: National debt threatens national security

DENVER (AP) — Sen. Mark Udall says the national debt is one of the biggest threats to national security that requires cuts to the military budget and finding ways to rein in Medicare and health care spending.

Udall hosted a national security forum and panel discussion in Denver Wednesday that includes Admiral James A. "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, former Iraq and South Korea Ambassador Christopher Hill, and Kenneth L. Wainstein, former Homeland Security Adviser and Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the justice department.

Udall says he supports efforts currently under way to find ways to cut some $500 billion from the military budget over the next 10 years while still dealing with threats such as Iran's nuclear program and upheaval in Syria.

New Sterling PD Officer Begins Training Program

Sterling PD swore in a new officer yesterday but before Phillip Boyles begins his new beat, MajorTyson Kerr says he's got to make it through the department's 18-week field training program...






TAG: Boyles served in the US Air Force Reserves before graduating from the Law Enforcement Training Academy at the Community College of Aurora.

Local Churches Band Together For Lenten Celebrations

KSIR - Local Churches Band together for Lenten Celebrations - ST


The Logan County Ministerial Alliance is hosting weekly Lenten Trysts. The Trysts are brief worship services followed by lunch for the community. Each Wednesday a different minister leads the service, and the pastor's church provides the meal. The Trysts will take place at Christ United Methodist Church, at 12:05 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 22 through April 4, Today, Rev Ed Bigler the third of Christ United Methodist Church lead the service. Next Wednesday Rev. Wendy Kalan of Peace Luthern is scheduled.

Aurora Armed Standoff Ends Peacefully

KSIR - 022212- Standoff in Aurora Ends This Morning - BOTH


An apparent domestic dispute that escalated into an armed overnight standoff ended peacefull this morning in Aurora. Police were called to the Fountain Village Apartment Complex before 3am. Residents in apartments near the incident site were evacuated, after determining they were dealing with an armed man who had a 2-year old child with him. Hostage negotiators and the SWAT team took the man into custody shortly before 7am. The child was unharmed.

Three Busted after Chase and More

A Morgan County Sheriff’s Office investigation into individuals in possession of stolen property, ended with the arrests of three people on felony charges Saturday, including a foot chase with an armed ex-con who attempted to disarm a Brush police officer. Illegal drugs, and firearms thought to have been stolen from a recent Logan County burglary, were recovered in the possession of convicted felons.

On Friday investigators followed a suspect vehicle with a male and female occupant, into the Sterling area. Working with Logan County Sheriff’s Office investigators, it was determined the occupants were possibly involved in the recent burglary of a rural Logan County residence, where numerous firearms were stolen.

After further investigation, Logan County investigators requested Morgan County take the male and female into custody. Morgan County investigators were later able to locate the vehicle in Hillrose and the two suspects were tracked early Saturday morning to a residence at #17 Weisbart in Brush. Information indicated the male suspect, Fabian San Miguel, was with several other people and likely armed with an assault rifle and a handgun.

Sheriff’s deputies and investigators and Brush police officers surrounded #17 Weisbart at about 4:25 a.m. and upon ordering San Miguel out of the house, he jumped out a back window and began running. San Miguel was immediately pursued by officers and while attempting to subdue him, San Miguel resisted arrest and at one point grabbed Brush Police Corporal Chris Pelton’s rifle.

Unfortunately for San Miguel, Pelton is a SWAT officer who is also skilled in the mixed martial arts and an amateur fighter. Pelton quickly subdued San Miguel, who was taken by deputies to Colorado Plains Medical Center for a medical clearance before being taken to jail. During the struggle a handgun and a quantity of suspected methamphetamine was dropped by San Miguel.

During a subsequent search of the residence at #17 Weisbart, a .223 semi-automatic rifle was recovered and a sawed-off shotgun was discovered hidden in a crawl space, along with suspected psychedelic mushrooms and Ecstasy and indications of possible drug trafficking.

San Miguel, age 32 recently of Sidney, NB, was held in the Morgan County Jail on felony charges of Possession of a Weapon By A Previous Offender, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, Possession of Schedule I Controlled Substance, Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance, and Attempting To Disarm A Peace Officer. He will also likely face charges in Logan County related to the burglary.

San Miguel’s criminal history in Colorado and Nebraska includes auto theft, drug possession and sale, burglary, parole violations and flight/escape charges.

San Miguel’s girlfriend, Brandee J. Maxson, AKA Brandee J. Butts, age 26 of Sidney, NB, was in the residence at #17 Weisbart and was arrested on burglary charges. She was transferred to the Logan County Jail later Saturday morning and will likely face additional charges in Morgan County.

Anisa Noletubby, age 33 of Brush, was arrested later Saturday morning and charged with Possession of a Weapon By A Previous Offender, and Possession of a Dangerous Weapon.

San Miguel and Noletubby were held without bond pending advisement in Morgan County District Court.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Investigator Jon Holt or Lt. Jon Horton at 867-2461.

Thorpe named CEO for East Morgan County Hospital

BRUSH, Colo. (February 20, 2012) - Linda Thorpe has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of East Morgan County Hospital (EMCH) effective Monday, Feb. 20, Banner Health Western Region President Jim Ferando announced. Thorpe had served as the hospital’s interim CEO since last July.

“Linda is a respected executive leader within Banner Health,” Ferando explained. “Her more than 20 years of healthcare experience, much of which has been serving in leadership roles at East Morgan County Hospital, makes her a perfect fit for this role.”

Thorpe’s career with Banner Health began with the Lutheran Health Homecare organization in 1992. She then assumed various assignments with the organization that ultimately led to her most recent role as the chief financial officer (CFO) at EMCH in 2003. She also has served three interim CEO assignments at the hospital. “As a senior hospital leader for the past nine years, Linda has been involved with every major decision within the facility and is uniquely positioned to help us accomplish our future vision,” Ferando said.

Thorpe holds a bachelor of science in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from the University of Northern Colorado and is a licensed certified public accountant (CPA).

“I am very honored to be chosen as CEO at East Morgan County Hospital,” she said. “I have witnessed and shared multiple accomplishments with the EMCH team and am very excited to continue the momentum we have started in our strategic initiatives of growth, finance, patient satisfaction, quality and people. I welcome the future challenges of Healthcare Reform and will work hard to successfully position EMCH for the future. In addition, I look forward to continuing our focus on developing effective relationships with patients, staff, providers, and community stakeholders. EMCH is a great organization and will continue to deliver on Banner Health’s mission of making a difference in people’s lives through excellent patient care.”

Thorpe said she and her husband, Brad, along with their two daughters; Emily, 9, and Amanda, 7, are excited about the opportunity to become even more engaged in the Brush community.

About East Morgan County Hospital
Located in northeast rural Colorado, East Morgan County Hospital is a 25-bed critical access hospital serving Morgan County and northeastern Colorado. It is owned by East Morgan County Hospital District and operated by Banner Health. The facility offers the latest technological advances in medicine, so that residents can receive high quality care without leaving their hometown. These technology advances include usage of electronic medical records (EMR), the innovative iCare program and state-of-the-art computerized tomography (CT scan) technology.

About Banner Health Phoenix-based Banner Health is one of the largest, nonprofit health care systems in the country. The system owns or manages 23 acute-care hospitals, long-term care centers, outpatient surgery centers and an array of other services including family clinics, home care and hospice services, and a nursing registry. Banner Health facilities are located in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. To learn more about Banner Health, go to http://www.bannerhealth.com.

TV Anchor Has Second Surgery After Dog Bite

(Denver, CO) -- A TV news anchor is doing well after a second surgery on injuries from a dog bite. On February 8th, Kyle Dyer was interviewing the owner of an Argentine Mastiff who had been rescued from an icy pond, when the dog bit her. Dyer had 70 stitches removed and 20 new stitches inserted Monday.

Longmont Teenager Accused Of Assaulting Officer At School

(Longmont, CO) -- A 16-year-old student in Longmont is being accused of assaulting a police officer at his school. Silver Creek High School officials were reportedly suspending the unidentified boy yesterday afternoon when he fought back. The school resource officer suffered a cut on his hand, and the boy was tasered and arrested.

High Winds Expected In Foothills, Front Range

(Denver, CO) -- High winds are expected in the foothills and Front Range today. The National Weather Service said gusts could reach more than 120-miles-per-hour with heavy snow rolling into northwest Colorado. For the metro area, forecasters are predicting unseasonably warm temperatures and mild breezes. Check the latest travel conditions at COtrip.org.

Three Students Hit By School Bus

(Jefferson County, CO) -- Three students are expected to be OK after being hit by a school bus while walking home from school. This girl was walking with the group and was lucky she wasn't hit.






Colorado State Patrol says the girls were hit near South Simms Street and West Brandt Avenue yesterday afternoon as the bus was making a left-hand turn. The driver will be facing charges. Police say the investigation is continuing, but so far there was no indication of drugs or alcohol.

Unemployment discrimination bill rejected in Colo.

DENVER (AP) — Job postings that state unemployed applicants need not apply will remain legal as a Republican state House committee rejected a discrimination measure.

The House Economic and Business Development Committee voted 7-5 Wednesday against a proposal to forbid employers from stating in job postings that unemployed candidates would not be considered.

The measure was proposed by Democratic Rep. Dan Pabon of Denver, who argued that residents struggling to find work are fighting uphill against discriminatory jobs ads. Pabon pointed out that employers already have regulations on how to post jobs. For example, they can't state that certain races won't be considered.

Republicans countered that being unemployed is not a legally protected class and that advertising limits could hamper employer free-speech rights.

Proposed ban of Colo. traffic cameras fails

DENVER (AP) — Lawmakers rejected a proposal to ban red-light and speeding cameras in Colorado.

Opponents of the bill cited safety concerns and the importance of allowing municipalities to decide the matter on their own.

The legislation would have prohibited cities and towns from using the automated traffic enforcement devices on streets or highways. Republican Sen. Scott Renfroe says municipalities are using the cameras to generate revenue, not to improve safety.

The Colorado Municipal League and law enforcement opposed the legislation.

A Senate committee voted down the bill Tuesday evening.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says nine states have laws banning the use of photo traffic enforcement.

Colorado man treated for listeria infection dies

MONUMENT, Colo. (AP) — A law firm representing a Coloradan who was treated for listeriosis after eating cantaloupe says the man has died.

The Marler Clark firm says Mike Hauser of Monument died Tuesday.

It's unclear if Hauser's death will be included in the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's list of at least 30 deaths nationwide linked to an outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe from Jensen Farms in southeast Colorado.

The family referred questions Tuesday to their lawyers. The law firm says it believes Hauser died of a different infection that sent him back to the hospital after he had recently returned home from treatment for listeriosis.

The CDC has said the outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe this fall was the deadliest outbreak of food borne illness in 25 years.

Woman charged with murder in grandson's death

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) — A 60-year-old woman whose grandson died after being taken to a hospital has been formally charged with first-degree murder.

Adams County District Attorney Don Quick said Tuesday that Doris Becky Trujillo also has been charged with child abuse resulting in the death of 4-year-old Gabriel Andres Trujillo of Commerce City. The Adams County coroner says his death Friday was a homicide due to blunt force injuries to the head and neck.

Documents in the case have been sealed by a court order.

Trujillo is due in court for a hearing Feb. 28.

State records show she had been caring for Gabriel and also had been awarded custody of Gabriel's sisters, ages 10 and 13.

She doesn't have any previous arrests.

Strong winds for Colo., Wyo. through Thursday

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Strong winds are expected in parts of Colorado and Wyoming through Thursday.

Stretches of Interstate 25 from Colorado to Wheatland, Wyo., were closed to light, high-profile vehicles Tuesday evening.

A high wind warning is in effect in Colorado through 5 a.m. Thursday for the eastern slope of Front Range mountains and foothills, with gusts up to 100 mph possible. Parts of Colorado 128 and Colorado 93 south of Boulder were closed because of gusty winds Tuesday night.

A 60 mph gust was reported Tuesday in Arlington, Wyo. Gusts up to 80 mph are possible in the Absaroka Mountains.

The northwest flow bringing the wind is forecast to bring up to 3 feet of snow to the Tetons.

The snowfall should raise Wyoming's snowpack from is 89 percent of average.

Man Dragged By Pickup Truck

KSIR - 022112 Man Dragged by Pick Up Truck


Westminster police are investigating a violent weekend attack that left a 20 year old man with a fractured skull, broken neck, and a broken jaw. Jordan Sweaney told police he slapped the side of a pickup truck after it almost hit him. The driver turned the vehicle around, pulled up next to Sweaney, grabbed him by the collar and drove off, dragging him down the road at speeds estimated to be around 30 miles per hour.
The driver was a white male in his 20's with a southern accent. He's estimated to be about 6 feet tall, weighing about 175 pounds. The pick up is a full size Chevy that might have a "Z-71" logo.

In a bizarre twist, Police say there were a number of witnesses to the incident, but they are refusing to cooperate with investigators because they claim to be associated with a group known as "The Jugalos". The FBI classifies the group as a fast growing, violent, and loosely organized hybrid gang. Members are said to be fans of the rock band, "Insane Clown Posse".

Fort Morgan Fire Department to Test Alert Towers

The Fort Morgan Fire Department will spend Wednesday testing emergency alert towers. Crews will also be doing some maintenance to the towers. Officials say they will sound alarms in Fort Morgan, Log Lane Village and Morgan Heights. According to a release from the department, the testing will continue throuought the day. Residents should be aware that the sirens will sound at different times tomorrow.

Sterling P.D. Welcomes New Officer

The Sterling Police Department is welcoming a new member. Officer Phillip Boyles was sworn in this morning at the City Hall Council Chambers. Boyles joins Sterling P.D. from Aurora. He recently graduated from the Community College of Aurora Law Enforcement Training Academy. Boyles is also an Aurora Central High School Graduate. He served in the US Air Force Reserves. Before Boyles can hit the streets, he must complete the department's rigorous 18-week Field Training Officer Program.

Emergency Alert Tower Tests Wednesday

KSIR - Emergency Alert Tower Tests Wednesday -FM


If you hear the emergency alert tower sirens go off on Wednesday, it may be part of a maintenence and testing program being conducted by the The Fort Morgan Fire Department. The sirens will sound in Ft. Morgan, Log Lane Village, and Morgan Heights. Officials say the test may be repeated for several hours. .

Budget Discussed Tonight

The RE-1 Valley Board of Education considers its budget at tonight's meeting. The meeting set for tonight because of President's Day yesterday, and will be at 7 p.m.. Superintendent Betty Summers says board members will talk about the 2012-2013 budget. The public can take part in budget discussions on February 27 at Caliche High School and on March 12 at Sterling High School. Both of those meetings are at 7 p.m.

Woman Alive Thanks to CPR and Officer Deher

A Greeley Police officer helped to bring a woman back to life last week. Billee Foster said her 72 year old mother had a heart attack, and she called 911. Eaton Officer Josh Dreher said Sonja Hutchison died in front of him. He started, and continued chest compressions until firefighters arrived. Dreher too is an EMT and a CPR instructor, and says heart disease is the number one killer of women. But now Miss Sonja. She's alive and well thanks to Officer Josh Dreher.

Colorado House to Look at Limiting BPA

Nine news dot com is reporting that there was a bill introduced in the Colorado house to limit exposure to Bisphenol-A, or BPA, which is found in baby bottles. Rep. Daniel Kagan (D-Englewood) introduced his consumer protection act, which would ban the use of BPA in baby bottles and pacifiers. PA is also found in household plastics. Research has shown that the chemical can leak into food from containers that are made with BPA. Kagan said, "Six or seven states have banned BPA in some form or another. In those states, it has been totally successful. The BPA baby bottles and sippy cups have just stopped going into the states. But the states that haven't yet banned BPA are the ones where these BPA containing bottles and sippy cups are being, sort of, dumped."
The FDA is also taking steps to reduce human exposure to BPA across the country.

Denver Travelers Stuck Due To Crease In Passport

(Denver, CO) -- A Denver family on their way to Belize is stuck in Dallas because of a crease in one of their passports. "Fox31" reports Kyle Gosnell was denied boarding by American Airlines due to a damaged chip in his passport. Gosnell, along with his wife and son, will visit the passport office today to hopefully get new documents. The airline is paying for their hotel.

ytner: Avalanches "Don't Care" How Smart People are

(Breckenridge, CO) -- A Breckenridge woman who survived an avalanche wants people to be careful while they're on the slopes.






Meesh Hytner says a lot of people go away from marked trails because of better turns and fewer people to deal with. The professional snowboarder was caught in the avalanche near Montezuma last month. Six people have died in avalanches this year in Colorado.

House approval on guns during state of emergency

DENVER (AP) — House lawmakers approved a bill to forbid the state from seizing Colorado residents' firearms during a declared state of emergency.

Republican House Leader Amy Stephens says the bill is about emergency preparedness. The proposal passed the Republican-led House Monday with bipartisan support but it's likely to be defeated in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Stephens says her proposal is one that several states have implemented after Hurricane Katrina, when there was mass looting.

The National Rifle Association says 31 states have legislation in place similar to what Colorado lawmakers are considering.

Restricting employee credit checks passes 1st vote

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Senators gave initial approval to a measure restricting employers from using consumer credit information against job applicants unless the job they're applying for is in the financial or security sectors.

Democratic Sen. Morgan Carroll says people who have lost jobs in the recession have taken a hit on their credit report and now have a tough time finding employment because consumer credit information is used against them.

More than a dozen states this year are considering legislation similar to Colorado's.

Opponents of the bill say businesses should be allowed to use all information available to them when making hiring decisions and that the legislation opens them up to lawsuits by disgruntled applicants.

The bill got preliminary approval in the Senate on Monday but faces a tough road in the GOP-controlled House.

Woman's remains are missing after being mailed

DENVER (AP) — A woman's family is trying to find out what happened to the woman's remains, which her daughter tried to send through the mail from Arizona.

Lynn Young of Aurora tells KUSA-TV in Denver that she mailed an urn with the remains of her mother, Ann Dodge, in Sun City, Ariz. on Jan. 28. The shipping label later arrived in Young's mailbox, but there was no package.

Young says she didn't know that the Postal Service requires cremated remains to be sent by registered mail to keep them out of the bulk delivery system, and the clerk didn't ask her the specific contents of the package.

Postal Service spokesman David Rupert says Postal Service workers are doing all they can to find the urn.

Colorado Air Force officer among 4 killed in crash

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The Defense Department says an Air Force officer from Colorado Springs is among four people killed when a military plane crashed in Djibouti, Africa.

The military said Monday that 30-year-old Capt. Ryan P. Hall died Saturday when the U-28 crashed.

Hall was a pilot with more than 1,300 combat flight hours. He was assigned to the 319th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

The Air Force says the plane was returning from an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission for the war in Afghanistan. Officials say initial indications are that hostile fire didn't cause the crash.

Also killed were 29-year-old Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock of Newnan, Ga., 26-year-old 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens of Bend, Ore., and 26-year-old Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten of Upper Marlboro, Md.

I-70 Closed Across Eastern Plains

KSIR - Winter Weather Hampers Travel - BOTH


The winter weather is making travel tough and dangerous today. The Colorado Department of Transportation closed nearly 150 miles of I-70 across the eastern plains this morning because the snow and wind made it unpassable.

Denver Police Search For Escapee

KSIR - Denver Police Search For Escapee


Denver Police searched for a prisoner today who escaped from Denver Health Medical Center while receiving treatment for a gunshot wound. 21-year-old Samuel Govea got away from authorities at about 8 p.m. last night. In addition to felony escape, Govea also faces a number of other charges, including burglary, assault and failure to register as a sex offender.

Ft. Morgan Sears Seeks New Owner

KSIR - 022012 Ft. Morgan Sears Seeks New Owner - FM

The owner-operator of the Sears Hometown Store in Ft. Morgan for the past 6 years did not renew his contract, so Sears is looking for a new entrepreneur to take over the location near East Platte Avenue and Barlow Road.

A Sears spokesman said the new owner will be responsible for start up and on going operating expenses associated with the store. However, the stores are supported by the Sears retail network, which includes providing inventory, advertising, delivery and support training. Details about the opportunity are on line at sears dealer stores dot com.

Senior Center Gets Donation From Morgan County

The Fort Morgan Senior Center received a $2,000 donation last week from Morgan County. City Clerk John Brennan says the senior center can always use extra money...






TAG: Just last month, the Fort Morgan Senior Center installed new flooring thoughout the facility. Brennan says the work has already been paid for so the county's donation will likely go to offset other costs.

Girl Scout Cookies Sales Up

You've heard the saying: Its Girl Scout Cookie Time! Sales of the popular eats are underway, and not near the end, this year's sales have already surpassed those of last year. Rotarians found out last week that at this time last year, sales were just under 11, 500 boxes. This year, so far, 14 thousand boxes. This is the organization's biggest fundraiser of the year.

Michelle Obam and Daughters Ski In Aspen

(Aspen, CO) -- First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters were spotted Saturday skiing in Aspen. The "Aspen Daily News" reports they stayed at the home of Jim and Paula Crown, owners of the Aspen Skiing Company. No public events were scheduled during the visit.

Coal production increased 10.4 percent in 2011

DENVER (AP) — After seven years of decline, coal production in Colorado increased 10.4 percent in 2011 to nearly 28 million tons as companies tapped into new markets abroad.

The state Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety says employment at Colorado's 10 mines also rose 12 percent to 2,363 in the first nine months of 2011. And, there are plans for four new mines and eight expansions of existing mines.

Stuart Sanderson, president of the Colorado Mining Association, tells The Denver Post that "after some tough years, this is good news." But not everyone is so happy.

Ted Zukoski, an attorney with the environmental law group Earthjustice, questions if it makes sense to use public lands to mine coal for overseas markets like China and Europe.

Shelf Road area campsite fees to rise March 1

CANON CITY, Colo. (AP) — The Bureau of Land Management is raising fees for two Shelf Road Recreation Area campgrounds north of Canon City.

Starting March 1, fees for The Bank and Sand Gulch will increase from $4 to $7 for individual sites. Fees for group sites will rise from $8 to $14.

The BLM originally had proposed raising the fee for individual sites from $4 to $10, but several members of the public said that was too much.

Keith Berger of the BLM says the increased revenue will be used to upgrade restrooms, campsites, roads and signs.

The Shelf Road Recreation Area had about 64,000 visitors in 2008, representing a threefold increase since 2005.

The BLM says maintenance costs for the campgrounds have increased by more than 25 percent since 2006.

Piece of World Trade Center on display in Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — A piece of the World Trade Center destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks is on display in Pueblo.

The thin 6-foot-long, 500-pound section of steel beam is a gift from the Center for American Values in Pueblo and will be officially unveiled during a ceremony in May.

The Pueblo Chieftain reports a flatbed fire truck brought the beam into town Friday under the escort of local firefighters, police and sheriff's deputies. It will be on display at the center until Thursday.

Center leaders say they want to have the beam affixed to two granite pillars that will face toward New York.

Fire Chief Chris Riley says "it's a time of reflection as a member of the fire service."

Assistant US Attorney dies while snowshoeing

DENVER (AP) — A spokesman for the Colorado U.S. Attorney's Office says an assistant U.S. Attorney died while snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park.

U.S. Attorney John Walsh says 64-year-old Bob Mydans collapsed just after 3 p.m. Saturday and couldn't be revived. Walsh tells The Denver Post Mydans "was a rock, a true mainstay of this office, and never hesitated to take on difficult work, and to do it extraordinarily well."

Mydans joined the Department of Justice in 1980 and handled criminal cases at the Washington D.C. headquarters. He later moved to the Western District of Oklahoma City and served as an assistant U.S. Attorney before transferring to the Colorado office in 1991.

Colorado U.S. Attorney's spokesman Jeff Dorschner says Mydans' talent for handling complex cases led to an assignment in the economic crimes section.

Plane crashes in storm in Colo.; 2 dead, 4 hurt

DENVER (AP) — Authorities say two people are dead and four others injured after a private airplane from Texas crashed just short of an airport runway during a heavy snowstorm in Colorado.

The Denver Post reports the crash happened at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden, about 25 miles west of the ski resort town of Steamboat Springs. Airport officials say the plane was carrying six people.

Few other details were released, including the victims' names and the type of plane involved.

Airport manager David Ruppel says investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board were en route to begin their investigation into the cause of the crash.

The four injured people were taken to a Steamboat Springs hospital.

Information on the extent of their injuries wasn't immediately available.

School District Lay offs

Eagle School District Layoffs - Both

In what may be a sign of the times, The Eagle Colorado school district laid off roughly 70 employees in the last 48 hours. Officials say the cuts were not as deep as had been originally anticipated last fall. The move will save the district 5.5 million dollars during the next school year.

MCC Hosts Health Clinics

Morgan Community College Health Clinics - FM


Morgan Community College partnered with the Northeast Colorado Healthy Department to host two healthy child clinics on the Ft. Morgan campus this week. 33 first year nursing students were on hand to help with health screening for children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years.
This years events induded developmental screening, plus vision, hearing, dental check ups and immunizations.

Avalanche Danger High This Weekend

KSIR 021712 Avalanche Danger High This Weekend

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center issued a warning today for back country outdoor enthusiasts, saying the danger is High through the Presidents Day weekend. Six people have died so far this season in Avalanches, the latest being yesterday when a skier was swept under on Wolf Creek pass. Two others were seriously injured and required hospital care.

Closings for Preidents' Day

Monday is President's Day, so lots of governmental offices, the post office, and some banks and businesses will be closed. Federal, state, and local governmental offices in our area will be closed, there's no mail delivery or trash pick up. Other places may be closed for the day too, so call before you go.

Elementary School Loncked Down

RE-1 Valley School District reported on its website yesterday that when a person was asked to leave the playground at Campbell Elementary and wouldn't, the school went on lockdown for a short time. Sterling Police were called, responded immediately, found the person had left the school property and was taken into custody. All the students and staff inside the school were safe.

Spirit Airlines Returning To Denver

(Denver, CO) -- We've got Spirit, yes we do. Spirit Airlines will be back in the Denver market in May as the ultra-low-cost air carrier has announced its return to Denver International Airport. Spirit says it will offer nonstop daily service to Chicago O'Hare, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas and Dallas-Fort Worth, starting May 3rd. The airline is known for its base fares as low as nine-dollars.

Steamboat Ski Area lift ticket price tops $100

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The price of a single-day lift ticket at Steamboat Ski Area has topped $100.

The Steamboat Pilot reports that as of Friday, skiers and riders who walk up to the ticket window for a single-day adult lift ticket will have to pay $105. That's $6 more than the previous price.

Tickets purchased online at least five days in advance will remain $99 per day.

It's not the highest price in Colorado. A person walking up to the ticket office Friday at Vail or Beaver Creek would pay $116. A ticket purchased online at least seven days in advance would cost $105.

Aspen Skiing Co. also charges more than $100 for single-day lift tickets at the window.

Colorado sheriff to send $25,000 bill to Romney

DENVER (AP) — A Republican sheriff in Colorado says his agency spent more than $25,000 on security costs when Mitt Romney held a rally this month, and he'll be sending the bill to the GOP presidential candidate's campaign.

Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson tells KCNC-TV in Denver he deployed 61 deputies for about four hours when Romney held a rally Feb. 6 that drew about 4,200 people to a school.

Robinson had said earlier this month that he would send all political campaigns the tab when his deputies have to close roads, direct traffic and put in overtime because of campaign events. Nevertheless, he said he would still make events safe, regardless of whether campaigns pay.

Robinson also sent bills to U.S. Senate campaigns in 2010, but the candidates never paid up.

Film incentives bill gets its first approval in CO

DENVER (AP) — A bill to increase film incentives for productions in Colorado cleared its first hurdle in the House.

The proposal would increase a tax rebate the state gives production companies from 10 percent to 20 percent. It's a figure that's comparable to other states but not as high as others. The refund is given to filmmakers to help offset costs for in-state expenditures.

The bill passed out of a House committee Thursday. Supporters say having movies made in Colorado would help tourism and local economies because productions would spend money on location.

Hundreds of movies have been filmed in Colorado but the number has dwindled in the last 15 years because other states offer better incentives.

Vote delayed on Colo. school discipline overhaul

DENVER (AP) — A vote on an overhaul of strict school punishment policies adopted after the Columbine High School shootings has been delayed.

A Senate committee debated the proposal but some lawmakers were concerned the bill has become too complicated and they ran out of time to make changes Thursday. A vote will happen later.

The bill would eliminate zero-tolerance policies that lawmakers say force schools to suspend or expel students for minor offenses.

Supporters of the legislation say the goal is to give teachers and administrators more discretion over school discipline instead of referring students to police. Supporters say the 1999 Columbine shootings and other high-profile cases of youth violence have caused lawmakers and school administrators to overreact.

Opponents of the bill say it's too prescriptive has too many reporting requirements for schools.

Bill addressing Colo. child care rules defeated

DENVER (AP) — Senators have rejected a Republican proposal to limit the scope of how Colorado regulates child care businesses.

A Senate committee killed the bill on a 6-3 vote Thursday. The legislation from Republican Sen. Kevin Lundberg would've limited the Colorado Department of Human Services to issuing regulations that deal only with health and safety. Lundberg proposed the legislation because of outcry from child care businesses about rules the department is considering that seek to promote early childhood education.

The department's rules originally would've dictated the number of crayons per box at child care businesses and the color of dolls for children. The department is no longer considering those proposals, but they're continuing to draft new rules.

Lundberg says he wanted to do away with red tape.

Pot activists make 2nd attempt for CO ballot

DENVER (AP) — Marijuana legalization activists in Colorado say they won't fall short this time making statewide ballots.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol planned to turn is some 12,000 petition signatures to state officials. That may give the activists more than they need to get a legalization question on Colorado ballots this fall.

Two weeks ago, the pot activists were told they were short about 2,500 valid signatures to put legalization on ballots.

The pot activists will find out by the end of the month whether their second effort is enough.

Marijuana legalization is already headed to ballots this fall in Washington state.

Colorado voters considered but rejected a pot legalization measure in 2006.

Fugitive brothers enter pleas in Colorado

WALSENBURG, Colo. (AP) — Two of three fugitive siblings who were the focus of a nationwide manhunt last summer have pleaded guilty to reduced charges in Colorado.

Twenty-one-year-old Ryan Dougherty (DOUGH-ehr-tee) and 26-year-old Dylan Stanley-Dougherty appeared in Huerfano (WEHR'-fah-noh) County district court in Walsenburg Thursday.

Dylan Dougherty pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree assault and faces up to 32 years in prison. State court administrator's office spokesman Jon Sarche (sahr-SHAY') says Ryan Dougherty pleaded guilty to five counts of menacing and faces up to 20 years in prison.

Their sister, 29-year-old Lee Grace Dougherty, pleaded guilty last week to reduced charges. She pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and two counts of menacing, all felonies.

All had previously been charged with more serious offenses related to their capture Aug. 10 following a chase in southern Colorado.

The trio was accused of shooting at a police officer in Florida, as well as robbing a Georgia bank.

FORT MORGAN SENIOR CENTER RECEIVES FUNDING

Money from county can offset costs, buy needed items

The Fort Morgan Senior Center has received more than $2,000 in funding from Morgan County.

The Morgan County Council on Aging, through the Morgan County Board of County Commissioners, distributes money every year to all Morgan County senior centers. This year the Fort Morgan senior center received a check in the amount of $2,072.

The money can be used to offset costs of activities and event programs or to purchase needed items for the senior center.

Senior Center Coordinator Jane Perkins said the city and the many seniors who use the center are extremely grateful for the contribution.

Too Many Cases, Not Enough Workers

The Colorado Department of Human Services has unveiled a number of reforms aimed at improving the state's child welfare system. Deborah (Duh-BOR-Uh) Beck-Massey is the executive director for Caring Ministries of Morgan County. She says the biggest problem is too many cases, not enough case workers.






Beck-Massey admits the issue isn't as simple as hiring more people. She says too many new child welfare caseworkers aren't adequately trained. Case in point: that of three year old Caleb Pacheco, whose mother now faces a murder charge after the boy was found dead under their mobile home in Sterling after the boy was happy living with his aunt, and his mother was allowed to demand his return to her.

Pet Respirators

KSIR 021612 Pet Respirators - BOTH

Several local fire departments received free pet respirators from an organization known as FUR-ever friends. Founder Betty Eubanks says the idea is for all of the fire vehicles in the plains to have th equipment necessary to revive a pet that's been overcome by smoke, or almost drowned. Fort Morgan, Brush, and Sterling are among the fire companies receiving the equipment.

Local Child Welfare Advocates React to Colorado Reforms

The Colorado Department of Human Services has unveiled a number of reforms aimed at improving the state's child welfare system. Deborah Beck-Massey is the executive director for Caring Ministries of Morgan County. She says the biggest problem for the state is too many cases and not enough case workers...






TAG: Beck-Massey admits the issue isn't as simple as hiring more people. She says too many new child welfare caseworkers aren't adequately trained to handle the realities of real child abuse.

Log Lane Village Passes Abandoned, Junk Vehicle Ordinances

If you thought Log Lane Village had an ordinance covering junk or inoperable cars, it didn't, but does now. The Board of Trustees passed a couple of ordinances that cover those vehicles. One of them is for those vehicles that have been parked on the towns streets for some time, with no known owner. Town Marshal Fred Cook said before he takes legal action, which the ordinance now gives him, he'll try to find the owner and find out what's up. The other ordnance has to do with those vehicles that are on the streets, and don't run. Again, Cook said he'd talk with the owners to see what can be done before any legal action is taken.

Governor Signs Teacher Evaluations Bill Into Law

(Denver, CO) -- Colorado teachers and principals will be evaluated differently, now that Governor John Hickenlooper has signed House Bill 1001 into law. The new rules were passed Tuesday, and the signing took place yesterday morning. Fifty-percent of teacher evaluations will be based on student test scores. The Colorado Department of Education is currently testing the model evaluation system in certain districts.

Dog Who Bit TV Anchor To Go Home

(Denver, CO) -- The Argentine Mastiff who bit a Denver TV anchor is expected to go home Saturday. "Max" bit 9News Anchor Kyle Dyer last week, when she tried to nuzzle up to the dog during a segment about his rescue from an icy pond. Max is being held on ten-day quarantine at the Denver Animal Shelter. Dyer was released from Denver Health Medical Center last week after reconstructive surgery.

Denver airport official loses security privileges

DENVER (AP) - The Denver airport's director of government affairs has had her security privileges suspended for 180 days after trying to bypass a security checkpoint to board a flight.

Airport employees get badges they can use to gain access beyond security checkpoints, strictly for business purposes. Denver International Airport spokesman Jeff Green says mayoral appointee Heather Barry tried to use her badge Feb. 3 to bypass a checkpoint to board a plane with her daughter.

Green says U.S. Transportation Security Administration officials stopped Barry before she boarded the flight and sent her and her daughter through the security checkpoint, then confiscated her badge.

Barry called her use of the badge a mistake.

Green says that over the past three years, 42 employees have violated airport safety protocols of varying degrees.

3,000 Fort Carson troops heading for Afghanistan

FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) — About 3,000 Fort Carson soldiers are preparing for a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan.

The troops are from the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division.

The brigade is holding a color-casing ceremony at Fort Carson on Thursday. The casing of unit colors is a military tradition signifying the unit's readiness for deployment.

Soldiers will depart over the next several weeks.

Their mission will be to train and develop Afghan security forces as the U.S. and its allies draw down their troops there.

The 4th Brigade's previous deployment ended in June 2010 when the troops returned to Fort Carson after a yearlong stay in Afghanistan.

Post-Columbine school discipline rules revisited

DENVER (AP) — School discipline policies adopted after the 1999 Columbine High School shootings are getting a second look in Colorado.

Lawmakers will consider a bill Thursday aimed at giving education officials more discretion over expulsions and police referrals. The goal is to eliminate zero-tolerance policies that lawmakers say have led to mandatory expulsions for bringing a fake gun to school or getting into a minor scuffle.

Supporters of the legislation say the Columbine shootings and other high-profile cases of youth violence caused lawmakers and school administrators to overreact. About 100,000 students in Colorado have been referred to police during the last decade.

Republican Sen. Keith King says he supports the idea of eliminating zero-tolerance policies but opposes the bill because he says it's too prescriptive.

A Senate committee is hearing the bill.

Colorado civil union bill advances toward showdown

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Senate has given first approval to civil union legislation that would grant gay couples rights similar to married couples, joining several other states in taking up the issue this year.

The vote Wednesday brings gay couples a step closer to a showdown in the Republican-controlled House, which is likely to determine the bill's outcome. A Senate committee approved the legislation on a 5-2 vote with one Republican joining Democrats.

A similar bill failed last year. It's expected to clear the full Senate for votes in the House.

More than a dozen states allow either civil unions or same-sex marriage.

The governor of Washington state signed a bill legalizing gay marriage Monday, and the New Jersey Senate passed a similar measure the same day. Both face challenges.

Also, civil union laws took effect this month in Hawaii and Delaware.

New Grants To Help MCC Students

New Grants To Help MCC Students - FM

New grants available to current students at Morgan Community College could signficantly reduce the cost of their education. The Spring II grant offers 82-dollars per credit hour for online and on campus courses. Applications for the grants and registration can be completed at MorganCC-dot-edu and at the student services office on campus

TABOR Challenged in Federal Court

KSIR- 021512 TABOR Challenged In Federal Court - BOTH



Colorado's Taxpayers Bill of Rights...better known as TABOR.... faced a direct challenge in Federal Court today. Attorneys representing the state asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by legislators claiming TABOR violates the US constitution because it strips legislative bodies of the power to tax and spend. TABOR forbids state lawmakers and local elected bodies from raising taxes without a vote by the people. Governor John Hickenlooper sides with those asking that the suit be dismissed. The Federal Judge hearing the case has no deadline to decide whether or not to allow the case to continue.

MCC Offers Spring Grant

Morgan Community College is offering a new grant available this semester. Darrell Moody has the details...






The Spring II Grant pays $82 per credit hour for all Spring II courses taken on campus and online. The Spring II semester offers both eight and ten week courses that are scheduled to begin in the next few weeks. MCC's Student Services office reports there are nearly three dozen classes being offered for the Spring II semester. There are more classes availble through the Colorado Communith College Online program. To apply for the grant or to find more information on the Spring II semester, visit www.morganCC.edu. You can also visit the Student Services office on campus.

Red Cross Helps

Two house fires, two families displaced, and the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter is helping both. One fire was in Akron and displaced two adults, the other in Fort Morgan, two adults also helped. If you can help, redcross.org.

Court Appearance For Columbine Student Accused In Hammer Attack

(Littleton, CO) -- Officials say a 14-year-old girl accused in a hammer attack at Columbine High School appeared in court yesterday. On Monday, the girl reportedly injured a 15-year-old girl and a male student, Aaron Flowers, who tried to intervene. The 14-year-old is facing assault charges. Both victims are expected to make full recoveries.

50 More Latent TB Cases Expected At Longmont High

(Longmont, CO) -- The doctor in charge of testing students at Longmont High expects to find 50 more cases of latent TB. Dr. Randall Reves said Monday during a meeting with parents that 54 or 55 students of the first 124 tested showed positive results for latent tuberculosis, which is not contagious. After one student was diagnosed with active TB last semester, officials began the testing regimen.

Inventor: Flying Electric Generator Could Have Helped New Orleans

(Denver, CO -- A Colorado inventor has created a way to bring power back to areas devastated by natural disasters. Len Shepard says the "flying electric generator" is essentially a cross between a kite and windmill.






Shepard thinks the electric generator will use the jet stream to bring power to the ground. He also says it could have helped out with Hurricane Katrina if the air space around New Orleans had been cleared.

Trader Joe's plans to open Boulder store in 2013

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Officials with Trader Joe's say the grocer will open its first Colorado store in Boulder next year.

The Daily Camera reports the 14,000-square-foot store will be built in the Twenty Ninth Street retail development.

The Monrovia, Calif.-based specialty grocer operates more than 365 stores in nearly three dozen states.

Loveland, Colo. still stamping Valentine's cards

LOVELAND, Colo. (AP) — Volunteers in Loveland are still stamping Valentine's Day cards sent to the northern Colorado city for its romantic postmark.

For 66 years, people from around the world have been sending pre-addressed and stamped cards to Loveland to be postmarked and re-mailed to their loved ones. However, some people request that their cards not be stamped until Feb. 14.

Loveland Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Nicole Yost says an estimated 150,000 valentines have come in this year. She said Tuesday that cards will probably still trickle in through the end of the month.

Each year, about 175,000 cards pass through the city from across the country and over 100 countries.

They're also stamped with a verse, known as a cachet, that changes each year.

Bid preference for hiring locally gets first nod

DENVER (AP) — Senate Democrats approved legislation to provide bidding preferences to companies that employ mostly Colorado workers despite strong opposition from business groups.

Democrats say the bill is meant to bring more jobs to the state by providing an incentive for companies to hire Colorado workers. But businesses told lawmakers that it will create regulatory burdens and potentially increase costs because companies with lower-priced bids could lose.

The bill got its first approval Tuesday with Republicans voting no. The GOP-controlled House is likely to kill the proposal if it gets there.

The proposal is one that Senate Democrats have heralded as one of the main features of their agenda to spur job growth this session.

Similar legislation sponsored by Democrats failed in the previous session.

Colo. civil unions bill gets first hearing

DENVER (AP) — Same-sex couples are going to the Colorado Capitol to testify for a bill that would grant them similar rights to married couples.

The proposal is one of the most anticipated this session and likely to be among the most emotionally charged. Similar legislation failed last year in the Republican-controlled House after easily passing the Democratic-led Senate with bipartisan support.

The bill would grant same-sex couples rights similar to those of married couples, including the ability to be involved in their partner's medical decisions. It also would enhance inheritance and parental rights.

The proposal is expected to clear a Senate committee Tuesday.

About a dozen states allow either civil unions or same-sex marriage.

The New Jersey Senate passed a gay marriage bill this week but a veto is expected.

Banking for pot shops rejected in Colorado

DENVER (AP) — Medical marijuana is legal in 17 states, but the industry has a decidedly black-market aspect — it's mostly cash-only.

Colorado lawmakers considered a bill setting up a special cooperative banking institution.

But the first-of-its-kind measure was defeated Tuesday.

Lawmakers from both parties worried that because marijuana is illegal under federal law, states can't step in to help dispensaries and growers store and borrow money.

Wrong-way semi driver gets prison in deadly crash

KIOWA, Colo. (AP) — A semitrailer driver who troopers say drove about 11 miles in the wrong direction on Interstate 70 before causing a deadly, head-on crash near Limon (LY'-mun) has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Thirty-four-year-old Jason Ross received the maximum sentence Tuesday. He pleaded guilty in November to 10 counts, including vehicular homicide and driving under the influence on the night of Dec. 26, 2010.

Prosecutors say Ross had spent that afternoon drinking before he started driving west on eastbound I-70 near Limon that night. Other drivers called authorities, and a police officer with lights and siren on tried unsuccessfully to get Ross to pull over before Ross crashed head on into another vehicle.

The crash killed 71-year-old Martin Hernandez of Lamar and injured Hernandez's wife and granddaughter.

Wrong-way semi driver gets prison in deadly crash

KIOWA, Colo. (AP) — A semitrailer driver who troopers say drove about 11 miles in the wrong direction on Interstate 70 before causing a deadly, head-on crash near Limon (LY'-mun) has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Thirty-four-year-old Jason Ross received the maximum sentence Tuesday. He pleaded guilty in November to 10 counts, including vehicular homicide and driving under the influence on the night of Dec. 26, 2010.

Prosecutors say Ross had spent that afternoon drinking before he started driving west on eastbound I-70 near Limon that night. Other drivers called authorities, and a police officer with lights and siren on tried unsuccessfully to get Ross to pull over before Ross crashed head on into another vehicle.

The crash killed 71-year-old Martin Hernandez of Lamar and injured Hernandez's wife and granddaughter.