Fort Morgan Spring Clean Up Kicks Off Saturday

Fort Morgan's annual Spring Clean Up Week kicks off Saturday. City Clerk John Brennan says if you have any large items around your home, property or business, this week is the time to get rid of it...






TAG: Fort Morgan's Streets and Sanitation Departments will pick up the items free of charge. The Spring Clean Up runs through April 1. For more information, call the Sanitation Dpartment at 542-3988.

Law School Student At Center of Limbaugh Scandal to Speak in Denver

DENVER (AP) — A law student who made headlines when radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh criticized her opinion on contraception health coverage is in Denver to speak at a health care panel.

Sandra Fluke landed in the spotlight when she appeared before Congress testifying about her troubles paying for contraception without insurance coverage. Limbaugh called her a "slut," prompting a national backlash. President Barack Obama personally called the law student to offer support.

Fluke is speaking at a health care panel Friday morning with Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette of Denver. The panel marks the second anniversary of the health care law. Progressives are promoting the law as it heads to a legal challenge next week at the U.S. Supreme Court.

CO Schools to Stop Taking Attendance on Religious Holidays

DENVER (AP) — Colorado schools will stop taking official student enrollment counts on religious holidays.

Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill Thursday that would cover Jewish and Muslim holidays so those students get counted for school funding.

According to the Denver Post, the state's official count date for pupil enrollment and school funding on Oct. 1 occasionally falls during the Jewish High Holy Days of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana. Observant Jews do not work or go to school on sacred days, which are floating dates on the calendar.

Supporters say it will also benefit Muslim families that observe fall holy days.

Welfare Recipient Drug Testing Bill Advances

DENVER (AP) — A Republican measure to subject Colorado welfare applicants to drug test before they receive benefits advanced with an amendment asking that lawmakers and other elected officials also be tested annually, including the governor.

Democratic House Leader Mark Ferrandino proposed the amendment Friday and passed around small cups with pictures of lawmakers and the words "drug test." The bill moves to a vote of the full House.

Republican Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, the bill sponsor, says he was thinking of adding the amendment even before Ferrandino proposed it. Sonnenberg says the bill is needed to make sure government benefits are going to people who truly need the help, not people who are using the money for drugs.

Ferrandino says he still opposes the bill because it creates barriers for people who need assistance.

Yuma County Heartstrong Fire Latest

Yuma County Sheriff Chad Day visited Thursday with the three firefighters who were injured Sunday as they were battling the Heartstrong fire. Jennifer Stuckmeyer remains in critical condition. Officials say she has also undergone several surgical procedures as doctors treat her for severe burns. Damon Stuckmeyer and Darren Stewart were also injured, both men continue outpatient treatment for their injuries. The Sheriff's Office reports 40-50 head of cattle were lost in the blaze, however another 300-400 remain missing. Initial estimates for property damage is around a half million dollars. Authorities are now concerned about high winds whipping up soil no longer covered by brush. The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Water Contaminated

KSIR-032312-Water Contaminated - BOTH




According to a report released by the Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center, our water ways are not as clean or safe as we think they are. More than 700-thousand pounds of arsenic, lead, and other toxic cancer causing chemicals have been dumped into the state's water supply. Officials with the organization that conducted the research say the finding point to the need for restoring the clean water act back to its intended purpose when it was originally passed.

Brush Fire Dept Adds New Truck

KSIR-032312-Brush Fire Dept Adds New Equipment - FM


The Brush Volunteer Fire Department added a new tanker truck to their fleet. The 240-thousand dollar vehicle, purchased from a Minnisota company, carries 3-thousand gallons. The one board pump can move 750 gallons per minute. Fire Chief Paul Acosta says it will be very helpful in rural situations, or on the outskirts of the city.