Cattle Borne STD Has State Officials Concerned

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is reminding cattle owners to test their herd for Bovine Trichomoniasis. (See Pronunciation Cut) Colorado State Veteranarian Keith Roehr (Roar) says the disease can be devestating...






TAG: Roehr says more than a dozen cases of Bovine Trichomoniasis have been confirmed in eight Colorado counties, including neighboring Weld County.

*For a correct pronunciation of Bovine Trichonomoniasis, listen to this cut in the Clips folder:

Globetrotter Trainer Murder

Harlem Globetrotters Murder

The man who shot and killed Harlem Globetrotters Trainer Thomas Bashline last November will spend the rest of his life in prison with no possibility of parole. That was the sentence imposed upon Draton Phillip Mares in a Greeley Courtroom yesterday. Bashline and Mares met through an ad on Craigslist. The two were at Bashline's home when Mares convinced him to lie on his bed for a massage. Mares then blindfolded Bashline, put a pillow over his head, then shot him. Investigators were able to connect Mares to the crime through the use of DNA, a series of text messages, and feathers that were found at the victim’s house that were also stuck on Mares shoes.

Police Continue To Search For Kayla Chadwick

Fort Morgan police continue to search for clues in the case of a missing teen. Chief Keith Kuretich says Kayla Chadwick disappeared March 27, and hasn't been seen since...






TAG: Kuretich says anyone with information about Kayla's disappearance or whereabouts should contact Morgan County Crimestoppers at 542-3411.

High Ratings For Ft. Morgan Schools

High Ratings For Ft. Morgan Schools

The Ft Morgan School Board accepted the state's accreditaion for the district at last nights meeting. The state gave the district a "Performance" rating, the highest accredication available. Two schools, Baker Central and Fort Morgan High School, received "improvement" ratings, one level below performance. Sherman Early Childhood Center, Pioneer, Green Acres and Columbine Elementary Schools and Fort Morgan Middle School all received "performance" ratings. Lincoln High School's rating is pending school performance framework results from the state.

Log Lane Village Approves Alleway Cleanup Program

Officials in Log Lane Village have set the fees associated with an alleyway cleanup project. Local property owners had been ordered to cleanup the alleys but town officials say most have not complied. Last week, the Log Lane Village Board of Trustees approved an ordinance to charge property owners by the hour for cleanup crews. Property owners will have 48 hours to clean their property after being given notification. If the property owners do not comply, a crew will be sent out and property owners will be charged $100 per hour. Fees payable to the Morgan County Landfill will also be charged as well as a 5-percent inspection fee after the cleanup is done.

USDA FSA Payments

KSIR-101212-USDA FSA Payments

The USDA Farm Service Agency says payments under the CRP and DCP programs will be out soon...as long as all producer eligibility requirements are met. Payments could be affected if producers have not submitted the required AGI forms. Affected producers will need to submit the proper AGI forms before payments can be issued. In addition, producers who signed up for CRP emergency haying and grazing and did not pay in advance will notice that their annual rental payment was reduced by the acreage that was hayed or grazed.

Sexually Violent Predator Moves Near Sterling Elementary School

Sterling police notified residents last night about a sexually violent predator who moved into the area a week ago. Fifty three year old Michael David Simpson moved from Fort Morgan to Sterling and now lives at a home on King Court, north of Platte Street and a block west of Campbell Elementary School. Colorado law requires police to hold a community notification meeting whenever a sexually violent predator moves into the area. City hall was packed Thursday night with scores of residents who attended the meeting.

Golf Cours Advisory Board Discusses Driving Range

Fort Morgan city leaders met Thursday at the clubhouse at the city-owned Quail Dunes Golf Course. The Municipal Golf Course Advisory Board met to discuss among other things, new policies at the golf course as well as ongoing improvements to the driving range. The board is also looking for more members. Head golf pro Tyler Tarpley also updated the board on Quail Dunes' finances in addition to the course's management and maintenance. The board will meet again on November 9.

Fort Morgan Planning Commission to Meet 10/22

Fort Morgan's planning commission will meet on Monday, October 22. On the agenda for the meeting will be a presentation from community planning consultant Jessica Ibanez. She will deliver a Colorado Brick Council Educational Presentation. In recent weeks, crews have been installing brick pavers throughout parts of downtown Fort Morgan. The planning commission meeting is free and open to the public. The meeting will be held at 4:30 inside the council chambers at City Hall.

Sterling Clean up

KSIR-101112- Sterling Cleanup


Sterling's Annual Citywide Clean up gets underway next week. its an opportunity for residential trash customers to dispose of oversided or bulky items...as well as any other household rubbish...that is legally disposable at the Logan County Landfill. Examples of items accepted by the city include: mattresses, lumber, furniture, bed frames, cabinets, washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, microwaves and water heaters. Anything containing freon is not acceptable. The city has divided residential neighborhoods into four areas, and city crews will only pick up items on the designated days for each area. All items should be available for pickup no later than 7 a.m. on the first date for that area.

Merino Girl Chased

KSIR-101112- Girl Chased


The Logan County Sheriffs office says an 11-year-old girl reported being chased to school in Merino this morning. She said she was walking to school when she heard footsteps behind her. When she looked back, she saw a white male, who was about 40-50 years old and bald, with a grey beard and a medium build, that appeared to be running toward her. The male was dressed in a blue T-shirt and blue jean shorts. He didn't say or yell anything at her. Deputies checked the area after she reported the incident at the school and didn't find anyone who matched that description. A neighborhood canvas was also completed in regards to the incident. Anyone with information about the suspicious male is asked to contact authorities.

Jessica Ridgeway

KSIR-101112-Jessica Ridgeway

-Tips are coming in from around the country in connection with the case of 10-year old Jessica Ridgeway, who went missing last week. The Huffington Post, an on line newspaper, reports that Police in Portsmouth New Hampshire are investigating an abandoned car with Colorado plates that is linked to a reported sighting of the missing girl. On Sunday, a woman informed police that she'd seen a girl who looked like Jessica in a light blue station wagon. The car turned up abandoned behind a Walmart this morning. Meanwhile, Police in Arvada have yet to positively identify the body found yesterday evening..but the search for Jessica continues.

State Forest Service Selling Beetle Kill Trees

The Colorado State Forest Service has begun harvesting beetle-killed trees and selling the timber. Forester Ryan McNertney says three Grand County sawmills are processing the wood and selling it...






TAG: McNertney says this is a new tool in forest management and not only cuts down on operating costs for the Forest Service, but it also helps the local economy.

Logan County Commissioners Increase Tourism Information Center Budget

Logan County commissioners have approved two Lodging Tax Board projects. During Tuesday's meeting, commissioners approved a proposal to spend $2,000 to advertise a pair of Master Chorale concerts. The first is December 16, the second is in May of next year. Commissioners also approved a $25 budget increase for the Logan County Tourist Information Budget which is now set at $7,875. Other business included extension of an agreement between Logan county and Banner Health to restock medical supplies in the county's ambulances. Finally, commissioners approved another agreement between the county and Centurylink for use of the county right of way below County Road 48 for a new telephone service line. That project will be completed by the end of the month.

Greeley Man Killed In Monday Crash

A 45-year-old Greeley man died in a three-car collision Monday east of Greeley. Weld County Coroner Mark Ward said Roger Hanson died at North Colorado Medical Center. Authorities say Hanson was driving a minivan westbound on U.S. 34 at Weld County Road 87 near Dearfield when he crossed into the eastbound lanes. A pickup truck driven by 52-year-old Richard Henry was traveling eastbound and swerved to the left. The two vehicles side-swiped on the passenger sides of the vehicles, causing Hanson's van to rotate again and strike another pickup driven by 58-year-old Deborah Veltri. Henry suffered minor injuries. Veltri was transported to North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley with serious injuries. All three drivers were wearing seat belts and were alone in their vehicles. There is no suspicion of alcohol or drug use. Hanson is the 33rd person to die on Weld roads this year compared to 27 last year at this time.

Logan County Campaign Sign Destruction Decried

While authorities are still trying to figure out "whodunnit," the Logan County Republican Party has issued an official reaction that condemns the destruction of a campaign sign last week. The incident occurred sometime between 9 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. Thursaday. It comes on the heels of other incidents involving mutilated American flags and damaged or stolen Republican campaign signs in mid-September. The Republican campaign signs that have been vandalized mainly have been those supporting Logan County Commissioner candidate Rocky Samber and Presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Logan County Republicans Chairman Conrad Bostran called for a response from local Democrats. So far there has been no official response. Authorites are still investigating the vandalism.

Breast Feeding

KSIR- Colorado #1 for Breast Feeding


A new distinction for Colorado...The CDC says we are the number one state in the country for the number of mothers who exclusively breast feed their babies for the first six months. According to studies, breast fed babies are healthier and grow into healthier children. There are so many benefits to breast feeding that 70 percent of Colorado Hospitals no longer give away gift bags to new moms that include infant formula, and some hospitals keep their formula locked up out of sight.

Logan Commissioners Meet

KSIR-Logan Commissioners Meet


All three Logan Counrty Commissioners were present at yesterday's meeting. It was the first time in three weeks they'd all been present. Among the items they dealt with as approving an agreement between the county and Highline Electric for use of the county's right of way under County Road 290 for a primary underground cable. The Road and Bridge department will oversee the work, which should be completed tomorrow.

Ft. Morgan High Homecoming

KSIR-FT. Morgan Homecoming

The Fort Morgan High School community homecoming carnival is this evening at Legion Field. The carnival includes food, games and activities such as a football toss, bag toss, pie a teacher in the face, a petting zoo, a community bonfire, an athlete car smash and athlete recognition. Homecoming royalty will be crowned at halftime of tomorrow night's football game. Kickoff time is 7 p.m

new Crime Lab

KSIR-1`00212-Crime Lab

Tomorrow begins a new era in law enforcement for Northern Colorado. Ground breaking is set to take place for a new 20-thousand square foot crime lab to serve the needs of police agencies in the region. The new facility is being constructed in The Greeley Business Park, at the Southeast cornersn of highway 34 and 257. Law enforcement leaders have been working to get the crime lab built for nearly a decade.

Man Assaults Blind Woman

KSIR-100212-Man Convicted of Assaulting Blind Woman

In Weld County District Court today, 50--year old James Kenneth Rodgers was setenced to two years in jail. He was accused of groping a blind woman and failing to register as a sex offender. Rodgers, a transient and convicted sex offender, admitted to the assault, which took place in a Greeley laundromat earlier this year. .

City Surplus Auction

KSIR-100212-Surplus Auction


The City of Fort Morgan will auction a variety of surplus equipment including car, trucks, a forklift, bicycles, office furnishings, machinery and other items at a City Surplus Auction on Oct. 13. It starts at 10am at the city's training facility property on East Burlington Avenue. . Interested buyers should arrive early to register with the auctioneer to bid.Potential bidders can view the items to be offered at the auction on Oct. 11 and 12 by calling Fort Morgan Police Lt. Darin Sagel at (970) 542-3933 to arrange a time to visit the site. The auction items will be locked up until the auction day and no drop-in viewing will be permitted.A full listing of the property to be auctioned can be found on the City's website

Anthrax Quarantine Lifted

KSIR-Anthrax Quarantine Lifted - ST

The Colorado Department of Agriculture's State Veterinarian's office announced Friday that it has released four quarantines associated with the recent anthrax cases in Logan County. None of the ranches involved remain under quarantine. The original case was announced on Aug. 8. More than 50 head of cattle died due to the anthrax outbreak. The quarantine was in effect for 30 days after the last confirmed death, and was lifted on Sept. 25.

Ft. Morgan School Board

KSIR-100112-Ft. Morgan School Board Meets Tonight

During tonight's meeting, The Ft. Morgan Board of Education is scheduled to take a look at the school system's fiscal health. The district got the state's report, and tonight, Financial Officer Mike lee will talk about how The Ft. Morgan District's finances compare to the state averages, and perhaps to those of some neighboring districts. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30pm.