US Rep Gardner Announces Legislation Aimed At Domestic Energty Production

During a press conference this morning outside of a Colorado gas station, Congressman Cory Gardner announced legislation that would link tapping the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve to increases in production of domestic energy...






TAG: Under Gardner's bill, any drawdown of the reserves would require leases for further oil and natural gas exploration on federally owned lands.

Agri-Business Up Ticking In Logan County

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A report in the Denver Post says record high prices for corn and wheat, along with increased crop yields are causes for optimism in the Logan County Agri-business sector, after years of recession. The price surge is also generating an uptick in acreage expansion and equipment replacement by local farmers. The reports says the trickle down effect has helped push retail sales up by 32 percent over the last two years in Logan County. Bankers are also seeing loan volume decline as farmers begin to reduce their debt load.

Xcel offers Energy Rebates

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Non residential Xcel Energy customers in the Sterling, Merino and Brush areas are now eligible for cash rebates if they upgrade fluorescent light bulbs to new T-8 or T-4 bulbs, which use one-third less electricity...This according to CSU Extension service community energy coordinator Tim Edgar. The process begins with an energy audit. You need to call Edgar to make a reservation by this Wednesday. Following the audit, you'll need to purchase and install retrofit kits in your existing fixtures. Then Xcel issues the rebate check. Edgar's number is 970-522-3200, extension 276. There are also rebates for Colorado seniors on fixed income for heat payments.

Tornadoes in Midwest, South a Reminder

The weekend tornadoes in the Midwest and South killed nearly 40 people in five states. They also reminded Windsor, Colorado of a tornado four years ago that did millions in damage, destroyed buildings and threated people's lives. 9News reports that Windsor residents and business owners say the memories of what happened in 2008 are still fresh in their minds, and what happened over the weekend reminded them of surviving the twister.

Teacher on Leave after Incident at Merino HS

We don't know much yet, but a Merino High School teacher has been placed on administrative leave as of last Thursday. Superintendent Robert Sanders said he can't say more than that, since its a personnel matter. he did confirm that Spanish teacher Sam Edgar is the teacher in question. Sanders said Edgar will be on leave until the school board's next meeting on March 12.

FM BOE Considers Sup Candidates Search Goes on

Today is the day the Fort Morgan Board of Education zooms in its search for a superintendent. During its executive session this afternoon, board members will pare down the list. After that, finalists will come to Fort Morgan for interviews on the 16th and 17th, then on March 19th, the board decides on its new superintendent. Current supe Greg Wagers retires in June. The regular BOE meeting starts at 7:30 tonight at the school support center at West Platte Avenue and West Street.

First Presbyterian Votes To Split

(Colorado Springs, CO) -- A Colorado Springs church has decided to leave its main governing body. The First Presbyterian Church downtown voted Sunday to split from the national body, ending a ten-month process initiated by church leaders. Nearly 90-percent of the church's membership endorsed the move. Church officials said the split is due to more than the main body's decision to allow openly gay ministers.

Decomposed body found in tree near Boulder

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Authorities are investigating after hikers discovered a decomposed body hanging from a tree in a canyon in Boulder.

Cmdr. Rick Brough with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office says the body was discovered in the Elephant Buttress area of Boulder Canyon west of the city over the weekend. Foul play is not suspected.

Brough says the coroner's office will release the person's name after family members have been notified of the death.

Blagojevich Freedom Winding Down

(Undated) -- Rod Blagojevich's time as a free man is winding down. He's expected to turn himself in by next Thursday. The former Illinois governor will serve his 14 year sentence at a low-security federal prison in Littleton, Colorado. He has asked to be enrolled in a substance abuse program at the prison, which could shave about a year off of his time. There's still some speculation that his wife, Patti, and their two daughters are planning a move to Colorado to be closer to Blagojevich.

Gas Prices in Colorado 50-Cents Less Than Nation

(Undated) -- Colorado drivers have at least one thing to be happy about. Gas prices in the state are more than 50-cents below the national average, a good statistic as prices creep higher and higher. The national average is three-74, while Colorado's average is about three-20. Experts predict that gas prices could reach four-25 a gallon by the end of next month.

Four Colorado Companies On "Most Admired" List

(Denver, CO) -- Denver has several companies on "Fortune Magazine's" list of America's most-admired companies.






Tom Clark with Denver's developmental committee. Arrow Electronics is on the list, as is packaging company Ball Corp., Chipotle Mexican Grill and DaVita Healthcare. Clark says companies with great reputations help make Denver what it is.