This year's High Plains Expo was a roaring success!

This year's High Plains Expo was a roaring success! Kim Sellers, executive director of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce, said the crowd of 1,500-plus, on Father's Day weekend, included people from at least five states. And while the event faced some weather challenges, Sellers said the rain delay served as an intermission, which was good for the food vendors. The Expo also included booths featuring local businesses, offering homegrown products for men and women. Sellers said the event went so well she's already reserved the Logan County Fairgrounds for next year, and expressed her appreciation to the Logan County Commissioners, and the county Road and Bridge crew's hard work. She also offered her thanks to everyone who helped set up and run the Expo.
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There's a new face at the Sterling Police Department

There's a new face at the Sterling Police Department. Robert Michael Donahue was sworn in Monday as their newest badge holder. Donahue was just hired after recently graduating from the police academy at Aims Community College in Greeley. Before that he lived in Loveland and graduated from Loveland High School. Donahue will bring a bit of experience to the department, albeit of a different sort; the new officer most recently worked in security as a loss prevention detective for a "major department store chain.
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Sterling residents are being warned to secure their vehicle

Sterling residents are being warned to secure their vehicle. Two residents discovered their 2006 Honda CRF 150F Dirt Bike had been stolen. They reported the vehicle theft from their home on Bannock St., which they told police occurred anywtime between Sunday night (June 16) and Monday morning (June 17). Police are looking into the burglary.
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Two Weld County horses have tested positive for rabies

Two Weld County horses have tested positive for rabies. The horses were on separate premises and their cases are unrelated. So far this year, three horses have been euthanized after testing positive for rabies. The first case was confirmed in Logan County in April. The Colorado Department of Agriculture is encouraging livestock and pet owners to discuss the need for rabies vaccination with their local veterinarian and to monitor their animals for behavioral changes.
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Camp Invention proved to be a mecca for molding young minds

Camp Invention proved to be a mecca for molding young minds. 65 future scientists, engineers and technology-minded youngsters crammed the halls of Brush High School through the week of June 10, for the sixth annual, nationally-acclaimed Camp Invention. The school was transformed into a virtual lab complete with modules in each room, and projects that offered eager young minds entering grades one through six a hands-on opportunity to delve into the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, (STEM). In partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Camp Invention organizers, once again brought the week-long summer day program to Morgan County, encouraging young minds to discover their own innate creativity and inventiveness.
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More Coloradoans are keeping their homes

More Coloradoans are keeping their homes. Foreclosure filings dropped 50 percent in metro counties in May compared with the same period last year. The Colorado Division of Housing said Wednesday it's the lowest level in May since 2007. Foreclosure filings are the initial filing that begins the foreclosure process.
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Hindsight is 20/20, and local fire officials are looking ahead of this years wildfires with new rules

Hindsight is 20/20, and local fire officials are looking ahead of this years wildfires with new rules. La Plata County officials and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe are setting restrictions in southwest Colorado to prevent wildfires. The restrictions that begin Wednesday include using permanent fire rings or grates for campfires in campgrounds, limits on outdoor smoking and requirements that vehicles have spark-arresters in areas at risk. Agencies are taking action because of a half-dozen wildfires burning across Colorado.
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It took about 60 seconds, Thursday, to grant a preliminary hearing to a Sterling stabbing suspect

It took about 60 seconds, Thursday, to grant a preliminary hearing to a Sterling stabbing suspect. 20 year old Skyler Nestor, is accused of stabbing Wyatt Barber, after he threw a snowball at Nestor's truck while he was leaving a New Year's house party in Atwood. A Logan County District Court judge granted Nestor's request for the hearing, which will determine if there was probable cause to suspect he committed the crime. His next hearing was set for July 25.
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If you can talk the talk, you'd better be able to walk the walk

If you can talk the talk, you'd better be able to walk the walk. That's what local Christians are saying as they prepare for the Walk to Emmaus (a - may - us). The original walk occurred more than 2,000 years ago following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Today's Walk to Emmaus movement began more than 30 years ago, but it is based on the Bible story told in Luke 24. The modern day Walk to Emmaus is a re-enactment of that early walk through a 72-hour retreat, giving believers an opportunity to meet the Christ in a new and life-changing way. Local organizers say that more than 1 million people, referred to as "pilgrims" are participating all over the world. Pilgrims will join the walks at local churches, including congregations in Loveland, Fort Collins, Denver, and Fort Morgan.
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Nearly 250 people will pull an all-nighter for a good cause tonight

Nearly 250 people will pull an all-nighter for a good cause tonight (Friday). Members of 23 teams will start walking around the Fort Morgan Legion track Field at 6 p.m., with at least one member of each team on the track until 6 a.m. Saturday, for the Morgan County Relay for Life, which so far, has raised more than $51,000. The event starts with opening ceremonies and a lap of the track by cancer survivors and caregivers. The public is invited to this family friendly event, which will also feature activities to keep the kiddo's busy, including face painting, a tug of war, sack races, a Fort Morgan Rotary Club dunk tank, a water balloon war, and much more.
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Rising Gas prices in Logan County have some residents raising their eyebrow

Rising Gas prices in Logan County have some residents raising their eyebrow. Only the other day, some Sterling residents say, they were in Ft. Morgan and the price was 42¢ lower, and for them that raises some questions, including asking the Sterling City Council and Logan County Commissioners to investigate this blatant disparity. This is not the first time there has been such a discrepancy, and some residents are concerned that the city council doesn't have their best interest at heart. Officials say, in Ft. Morgan the price of gas is cheaper because of oil company competition. Therefore, to make up their losses, other communities, which include Sterling, are paying higher prices. But Sterling citizens say that takes money out of the city's pocket.
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Store owners will not have to hide the marijuana magazines

Store owners will not have to hide the marijuana magazines they sell. Colorado regulators will not enforce a new law requiring marijuana-themed magazines to be kept behind the counter at stores that sell them. In an emergency rule issued Wednesday, regulators with the state Marijuana Enforcement Division concluded the law is unconstitutional. The state attorney general's office signed off on the emergency rule. The legislature adopted the new law earlier this year as part of a major bill for regulating recreational marijuana sales. The law says that marijuana magazines be sold behind the counter in stores that people under 21 are allowed to visit — such as a bookstore or newsstand.
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Last week was touch and go in Sterling

Last week was touch and go in Sterling. Severe weather stopped short of the city limits, but northern Logan County and Sedgwick County were holding their breath as severe thunderstorms brought golf ball sized hail and the threat of tornadoes. Severe thunderstorm or tornado watches/warnings, and flood advisories, were on and off, with flooding reported in the Fleming area.
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If you've ever wanted to be on the school board, now's your chance

If you've ever wanted to be on the school board, now's your chance. The RE-1 Valley Board of Education accepted the resignation of it's District 1 Director, and board members declared the seat vacant, at a special meeting, Monday. Applications to fill the empty spot will be accepted through, June 26. Applicants will then be interviewed by the board during the next regular meeting, on June 27. In other business, the district also announced the application for a Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant to upgrade Caliche School's 39-year-old water system was accepted by the BEST committee. It will now go to the State Board of Education for approval either June 12 or 13, after they approve it the district will be sent a cash contract.
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Taxpayers will be footing the bill for a hearing to determine if Secretary of state Scott Gessler, misused office funds

Taxpayers will be footing the bill for a hearing to determine if Secretary of state Scott Gessler, misused office funds. The case began in October when Ethics Watch filed a complaint, after Gessler used nearly $1,300 to go to Florida last year for a Republican lawyers conference. While in Florida, he attended the Republican National Convention, then bought a new ticket to fly home early after an e-mailed threat against his family. Afterwards, Gessler began charging his office $40 a month for his home security system, a matter the ethics commission considered adding to the complaint, but chose to dismiss from the case. Gessler repaid the money on May 23, and it was uncertain if the hearing would be necessary, but yesterday (mon) The Colorado Independent Ethics decided to hold the hearing on Friday. Gessler, a Republican, is considering a run for governor next year.
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You'll have a chance to support your local farmers this summer

You'll have a chance to support your local farmers this summer. The Chamber of Commerc's annual Brush Farmers Market is setting up shop for all things homegrown at the Brush Grocery Kart parking lot, with the first one to begin Saturday, June 29 and run through September 21, from 8 to 10 a.m. Booth spaces will be made available for the entire season, which includes a total of 13 Saturdays. Set up for vendor’s booths will begin at 7:30 a.m. and may consist of food, crafts, retail or information. All food, however, must be homegrown and no electricity is available. Bring your own tables and chairs. For more information on the market or on registration, call the Brush Area Chamber, or e-mail them at brush@brushchamber.org.
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Morgan County is gearing up for for a day of fun, food and farming

Morgan County is gearing up for for a day of fun, food and farming, at the third annual Antique Tractor and Power Show this weekend. Collections of several items in the category of agriculture and antique will be on display, and you're invited to bring your rusty or restored tractors, vintage farm trucks, antique tools, toy collections, and more during the day-long event, at the AMA Complex in Brush, this Saturday morning, (June 8). The ever popular event is free, and various vendors will offer breakfast starting at 6:30. Gates open at 6 a.m.
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Elbert County commissioners are reconsidering a tax philosophy that has left them strapped for cash

Elbert County commissioners are reconsidering a tax philosophy that has left them strapped for cash while Lincoln County reaps the benefits of wind power. The disparity arose after Elbert County voters approved a sales-tax increase that stipulated the county could not tax equipment on new projects because it wants to be business-friendly. Lincoln County now gets the benefits after a new wind farm that straddles both counties became operational in December.
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Fleming Summer Reading Program

The Fleming Community Library is inviting you and your children to dig into reading this summer: The summer's theme centers around what lies beneath our feet; buried treasure, insects and dinosaur bones. The programs begins Tuesday and will be on every Tuesday and Thursday, until the final day of the program on July 29th. Reading sessions go from 9:15 a.m. to noon. For more information, call Sandy Kincie at 265-2046. I'm Matthew Harding