Avalanche Goalie Free on Bond in Alleged Domestic Incident

Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (var-LAH'-mawf) is free on $5,000 bond, and can travel with the his team, while prosecutors consider whether or not he'll be charged in a domestic violence case. During a hearing in a Denver County courtroom today, Judge Claudia Jordan ordered Varlamov to stay away from his girlfriend and not contact her. Varlamov, ordered to relinquish any firearms in his possession, said through his lawyer he didn't have any. He's accused of assaulting his girlfriend, kicking her in the chest and dragging her by the hair.

Denver police got a break in a cold case

Denver police got a break in a cold case. New DNA technology led to the arrest of 40-year-old Markie Lee Peoples a longtime suspect in the 1995 kidnapping and rape of a 14-year-old girl. Prosecutors allege Peoples offered the victim and her friends a car ride in March 1995. Investigators were unable to solve the case then, but in June Investigators reviewed the case again and got a match for a suspect earlier this month. Prosecutors have charged Peoples with kidnapping and sexual assault on a child. He is scheduled to appear in court, Nov. 27 for a preliminary hearing.
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The Peetz Plateau Board of Education approved an enhanced preschool salary schedule

The Peetz Plateau Board of Education approved an enhanced preschool salary schedule at their regular meeting, Tuesday. Superintendent Ben Dutton said teachers have gotten pretty substantial raises over the last couple of years, and this salary boost should bring the preschool director and assistant director more in alignment with the rest of the district. In other business, the board approved one additional FTE, so the district will be able to hire another teacher. They are looking for someone that will teach foreign language, as well as possibly a few junior high math and science courses. The board talked about what the qualifications for the position should be, teachers have also met to discuss that. Dutton is working on a job description for the position right now. The district will be advertising for the position soon.
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A Sterling family says they can finally move on after the man responsible for the bizarre death of their loved one was sentenced for the murder

A Sterling family says they can finally move on after the man responsible for the bizarre death of their loved one was sentenced for the murder. It's been two months since Roger Archuleta was found guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree assault, and just about two weeks since he was sentenced for the December 2012 death of Mikel Haynes's in a jury trial that lasted more than a week. And with the first anniversary of Haynes's death just over a month away, his family is ready to put this tragic loss behind them and move on to the next stage of their lives, said Archuletta's mother. Sterling Police officers found Mikel Haynes's body in the early morning hours of Dec. 6, 2012, at MacGregor Apartments where he was staying with Archuleta, whom he considered a friend. The cause of death was ruled blunt force trauma.
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Wal-Mart is offering a disabled man from Colorado his job back

Wal-Mart is offering a disabled man from Colorado his job back. Matt Wood lost his job as a store greeter in Durango after clocking in late for lunches. His wife told The Durango Herald that she should have been contacted first because she serves as his representative for resolving any problems at work. Wal-Mart said Tuesday that the company looked into the matter and wants Wood to come back to work. Wood and his wife have agreed to meet with store officials, Wednesday. Wood suffered a brain injury in a car crash and has worked for Wal-Mart since 2008.
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The Small Business Development Center is presenting its annual Business in Action! Conference

The Small Business Development Center is presenting its annual Business in Action! Conference Nov. 19. Registration includes breakfast, lunch, and a keynote presentation by SBDC State Director Kelly Manning, and networking opportunities. This year's forum will be held in Sterling, on the campus of Northeastern Junior College, hosted by the Monfort College of Business. To Register visit LoganCountySBDC.com.
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Residents will be able to return to parts of Riverside Park sooner than expected

Residents will be able to return to parts of Riverside Park sooner than expected. The Fort Morgan City Council and city staff got a look at how things stand in the park during a tour last week, and City Manager Jeff Wells says the southwest corner of the park and about .6 miles of trail could reopen as soon as Nov. 4. The park incurred somewhere between $3.5 and $5 million in damage, from the South Platte River floods last month. The trail that will be reopened will provide a 1.2-mile round trip for jogging and walking.
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Morgan County voters are gearing up for new rules

Morgan County voters are gearing up for new rules this Election Day. In the past, Coloradans had the option of voting by mail rather than standing in lines on Election Day. In this election, November 5, every voter in the state will get a ballot in the mail, with the option of voting in person. Also, voters can register through Election Day, rather than facing a deadline of 30 days before. Mail-in ballots must be received by 7 p.m., November 5 to be counted. You may deliver your ballot in person from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday November 2 from 8 a.m. to noon, and on Election Day. Polls close at 7 p.m.
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The Morgan County Landfill cannot accept household electronics

The Morgan County Landfill cannot accept household electronics. County environmental officials said people must not put objects such as TVs, radios, computers and other electronic devices into their trash. The state of Colorado tests landfill sites to measure metals that could leach from such electronics into groundwater, and say if the level of metals in groundwater become high enough, the county could face substantial fines from the state. Household electronics must be recycled now. Officials said if people do not stop putting electronics into the landfill, the county may have to make up the costs of the fines by raising rates. The county plans to join electronic recycling drives so that people will have places to take their items. The board has approved a contract with ALS Environmental of Fort Collins to do the testing at the landfill. The county's five wells must be tested twice a year.
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The median price of a residential home in Colorado is seeing an upswing

The median price of a residential home in Colorado is seeing an upswing. A September survey showed the price for Colorado single-family homes, condominiums, and town homes was down 2 percent from August but up 9 percent from a year earlier. The national median sales price of all residential properties in September, 2013 was up 6 percent from the same time a year ago. However, residential buying trends have been influenced heavily by those with deep pockets, according to the survey. Investors accounted for 6 percent of all sales in the Denver-Aurora area in September and 7 percent of all sales in Colorado. All-cash sales accounted for 31 percent of the purchases in Colorado in September and 26 percent of the sales in the metro area.
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Flood victims get help finding housing

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it will offer temporary manufactured homes to Colorado residents who have been unable to find housing after last month's floods. KUSA-TV reported Thursday that the agency says the 50 HUD-approved homes are needed because of a housing shortage. More than 400 families are still living in hotels. FEMA emphasizes the manufactured homes will not be the same ones used in the Katrina disaster but are HUD-approved homes similar to what you would find in any mobile home park. They will likely be placed on existing concrete pads. The federal agency says that this type of temporary housing is considered a last resort but is needed because of Colorado's housing shortage.
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Denver District Judge Picked for State Supreme Court

Gov. Hickenlooper's picked Denver District Judge William Hood III to join the Colorado Supreme Court, replacing retiring Chief Justice Michael Bender. Hood will serve an appointed term of two years, then face voters for a retainment election to a possible 10-year term. Hood is Hickenlooper's second appointment to the state's high court. Bender retires Jan. 7, and Justice Nancy Rice will take his place as chief justice. The 50-year-old Hood's been a Denver District Court Judge since 2007.

"So Help Me God" Dropped from AF Academy Oath

Air Force Academy cadets are no longer required to say "so help me God" at the end of the Honor Oath.
School officials say the words were made optional after a complaint from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, an advocacy group. Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson says the change was made to respect cadets' freedom of religion. The oath states, "We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and to live honorably, so help me God." The academy says cadets are required to take the oath once, when they formally enter the school after boot camp.

Logan Co. overnight meeting to center on flooding

This coming month's Logan County Citizens' Oversight Committee meeting focuses on response to last month's flood.

The Journal-Advocate reports representatives from a variety of agencies and organizations have agreed to participate.

These same people worked on many issues during a week that included very high river levels and a no flush order.

The meeting takes place Nov. 5 at the Northeast Colorado Health Department in Sterling at 5:30 p.m.

Lousy Start for Solar Energy Rights Auction in Colorado

The federal Bureau of Land Management's plan to auction solar-energy rights on public lands in Colorado is off to a rocky start. No bidders showed up for the first auction. Three parcels covering 3,700 acres in the San Luis Valley were offered on today, and five solar developers had expressed interest in the land. According to the Denver Post, federal officials are now trying to determine why there were no bids.

Hearing For Saudi National Who Wants to Finish Punishment at Home

Saudi Arabia's seeking the return of a Saudi national serving an eight-year state prison sentence for sexually assaulting his housekeeper and treating her as a virtual slave. At a court hearing today, Homaidan al-Turki (HO'-ma-don al-tur-KEE'), asked to be allowed to serve probation back home. State officials have denied al-Turki's request to serve out his sentence in Saudi Arabia because he's refused to undergo sex offender treatment. Fahed Al-Rawaf of the Saudi embassy in Washington asked the court to release al-Turki for more appropriate treatment at home.

Ft Morgan PD Host Drug Take Back Saturday

The Fort Morgan Police host another free Drug Take-Back event Saturday. The Ft. Morgan Times reports it's part of a nationwide effort to collect and safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications that are in many home medicine cabinets. FMPD will be set up in the northwest corner of the Colorado Plains Medical Center parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

UC Boulder Students Asked Not to Wear Halloween Costumes That Ccould Be Considered Offensive

The University of Colorado at Boulder is asking students not to wear Halloween costumes that might offend others. Dean of Students Christina Gonzales said in a message to students that dressing up as someone from another culture can lead to hurtful portrayals of other cultures. According to KMGH-TV, students are being asked to avoid wearing blackface, sombreros, and dressing up as "squaws" or cowboys.

Grand Jury Documents ion JonBenet Ramsey Case to be Released

A Colorado judge has ordered the release of grand jury documents related to the 1996 murder of JonBenet Ramsey. A Boulder D.A. spokesperson wouldn't say whether documents that will be released include an indictment against parents John and Patsy Ramsey. The Daily Camera previously reported that the grand jury voted in 1999 to indict the Ramseys but then DA Alex Hunter declined to pursue those charges. JonBenet was found bludgeoned and strangled in her family's home in Boulder on Dec. 26, 1996. Former District Attorney Mary Lacy said in 2008 that evidence suggests the killer was a stranger, not a family member.

Explosion Tears Apart Kitchen in Ft. Collins Apartment

Authorities in Fort Collins are trying to figure out what caused an explosion inside an apartment blew a refrigerator apart and destroyed the unit's kitchen. The Northern Colorado Bomb Squad was called in several hours after the explosion Monday night. Police say no explosives were found by the bomb squad, but declined to speculate on what caused the explosion that neighbors felt more than 100 feet away and inside their own apartments. A published report says firefighters found no one in the apartment and no evidence of a fire.

Crews Rushing to Fix Flood Damaged Roads

Contractors and Colorado Department of Transportation crews are rushing to shore up sections of road damaged by the September floods to let people into their homes before winter sets in. Colorado's congressional delegation was told Monday that roads damaged and closed by the flooding will be open by Dec. 1. A Transportation Department spokesperson says portions of some highways are being filled in with gravel.

Colorado Cantaloupe Farmers Plead Guilty in Listeria Case

The two Colorado farmers whose cantaloupes were tied to a 2011 listeria outbreak that killed 33 people have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges. Eric and Ryan Jensen entered the pleas today in federal court in Denver to six counts of introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce. A sentencing hearing's scheduled for Jan. 28. Officials say people in 28 states ate the contaminated fruit and 147 were hospitalized. The Jensens' attorneys says the brothers were shocked and saddened by the deaths, but the guilty pleas don't imply any intentional wrongdoing or knowledge that the cantaloupes were contaminated. They're suing the safety auditor who gave their farm a superior rating just before the outbreak.

Greeley AMong Areas Facing Open Burning Permits As of 11/1

Starting November 1st, properties in Greeley, Evans, Garden City and LaSalle won't be eligible for open burning permits. The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission issued a moratorium on open burning permits for those Weld County properties through March 31. All other areas of Weld County are eligible for permits. The five-month moratorium doesn't apply to exempt agricultural burning, including the burning of cover vegetation to prepare soil for crop production, weed control, maintenance of water conveyance structures related to agricultural operations, or other agricultural cultivation purposes.

Three Charged in Carr House Explosion

Prosecutors have filed charges against three people in a house explosion in Carr that may have been caused by the production of a marijuana concentrate like hash oil or marijuana wax. The Weld County District Attorney's Office says Levi Allen and Clayton Smith, both 27, have been charged with manufacturing marijuana concentrate, child abuse and arson. Meanwhile, 53-year-old Lavonne Bessler was charged with manufacturing a controlled substance for allegedly allowing the men to process the drug on her property. Authorities say Allen and Smith were taken to a hospital with severe burns on their hands and arms after the Aug. 11 explosion, and a 7-year-old boy had minor injuries. Bessler wasn't home at the time of the blast.

Who would be offended by the name of “Jesus”?

Who would be offended by the name of “Jesus”? That's a question the family of a Colorado pastor’s wife wants the answer to after she was denied the right to put the word “Jesus” on her husband's grave marker. Linda Baker, the wife of Mark Baker, pastor of Harvest Baptist Church, wanted to inscribe the word “Jesus” on the headstone inside the outline of a fish, the ancient symbol of early Christianity, but said the cemetery felt that the name Jesus would be offensive to some. Linda Baker’s family took the case to the higher up, no not God, the city manager of Sterling, which owns the cemetery. Sterling City Manager Joe Kiolbasa said the original decision was a mistake and they will be allowed to use the name of Jesus on the pastors headstone.
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It takes a village

It takes a village. That's the message Dave Long, director of the Logan County Human Services Department, delivered during a Rotary Club meeting, Wednesday, explaining that he wants people to know there is a meth problem in the Sterling/Logan County area, and it affects the community as a whole. Long said he first learned of the chemical abuse epidemic through the child welfare RED team, which stands for, review, evaluate, direct. In 2006, about 25 percent of their cases directly involved people using meth. This year that number jumped to 60 percent. Long is encouraging the community to support efforts to develop some kind of rehab program for recovering meth users. He says the meth problem is a community problem.
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Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet is urging the U.S. House to take up legislation to reform the U.S. immigration system this year

Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet is urging the U.S. House to take up legislation to reform the U.S. immigration system this year despite the recent paralysis in Washington. The Democrat is one of eight U.S. senators who crafted a bill to create a lengthy path to citizenship for those who entered the country illegally and to strengthen security along the U.S.-Mexico border. Bennet told the Inter American Press Association in Denver on Sunday that he is confident the House and Senate could reach a compromise this year on immigration reform — despite the partisan paralysis shown in the recent government shutdown. He urged the reform movement's backers — ranging from chambers of commerce to farmers and unions — to keep pushing for a final package.
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I.O.U.

I.O.U. That's what states, including Colorado, that decided to re-open national parks during the partial government shutdown are getting from the Interior Department lawyers who said Thursday that Congress will have to create legislation authorizing reimbursement. Parks apparently aren't covered by language in the final bill passed late Thursday that says the feds will reimburse states for costs incurred during the shutdown. Last week, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell struck agreements with a handful of governors that allowed national parks to re-open if states foot the bill during the shutdown. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper used state money to pay for furloughed federal employees at Rocky Mountain National Park to return to work for 10 days, but since the partial shutdown ended before those 10 days were up, the state will get some of that money back. The U.S. Senate is out for the next week in a recess, but both Democratic Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet support pending legislation to get states reimbursed.
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Coloradans are getting help from some pretty big music makers, in flood relief efforts

Coloradans are getting help from some pretty big music makers, in flood relief efforts. Look for big names, including Dave Matthews, at "Colorado Rising: A Benefit concert for Flood Relief" coming to the 1stBank Center in Broomfield this Sunday (Oct. 27). Gov. John Hickenlooper expressed gratituded to know that so many musicians are coming together for this flood relief benefit concert. All proceeds from the concert go to liveunitedcolorado.org. Sunday's event is one of many local concerts across Colorado that have brought together musicians and the community to raise money for victims. Tickets for the concert go on sale this Friday.
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Concerns that recent flooding in Colorado may curb tourism has state officicals going cyber shopping

Concerns that recent flooding in Colorado may curb tourism has state officicals going cyber shopping. The state tourism office has compiled clips from a dozen of it's counterparts in other states into a two-minute video, that urge a visit to Colorado. The online showcase, which features chromatic images of aspen-hued mountain passes, biking, and snowy peaks, stars tourism directors from, Illinois, Delaware, Tennessee, Iowa, North Dakota, Idaho, Massachusetts, Arizona, Utah, Florida, Wyoming and Montana. The video premiere, at this month's Governor's Tourism Conference in Telluride, brought tears to people's eyes, as the selfless outpouring of support touched attendees.
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Magpul Still Operating in Colorado

A Colorado based gun accessories manufacturer who vowed to leave the state because of a new gun control law is still doing business here, six months after saying it was leaving. The Boulder Daily Camera reports that the continued presence of Magpul Industries in Erie has some gun-rights supporters feeling duped. Magpul said in April that it had started making certain weapons accessories out of state, but operations continue at the plant. Some comments on the company's Facebook page accuse it of making empty threats. Magpul says it still intends to relocate its operations, but moving a company of 250 employees to new locations in multiple states takes time.

Defense Trying to Exclude More Evidence at Holmes Trial

Lawyers for Colorado theater shooting defendant James Holmes have added his emails to the list of evidence they say shouldn't be allowed at his trial. Holmes attorney's argued in court today that the affidavits and court orders used to obtain the emails were so broad they netted emails that merely mentioned Holmes but weren't sent to or from his accounts. Prosecutors say the requests had to be broad because investigators initially didn't know if Holmes had accomplices. Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to killing 12 and injuring 70 in July 2012. Prosecutors are looking for any evidence, such as emails, that would undermine Holmes' insanity defense.

ATV Accident Kills Woman Northeast of Greeley

Authorities say a 68-year-old woman is dead after an ATV accident in the town of Gill, northeast of Greeley. Weld County Coroner Mark Ward says Francis Lieser was riding the ATV near her home when the vehicle apparently got stuck. Investigators say she might have been run over as she was trying to free the vehicle. The Greeley Tribune reports Lieser's body was found yesterday.

The Sterling Miracle Players are ready to scare those brave enough to enter their Hotel 666

The Sterling Miracle Players are ready to scare those brave enough to enter their Hotel 666 Extended Stay haunted house, which opens Friday. The Grim Reaper (Richard Owen) is ready to greet those who dare to enter Sterling Miracle Players' Hotel 666 Extended Stay Haunted House. More than 40 people are helping out with this year's haunted house, which runs from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 30 and 6:30 to 10 p.m. Halloween night. The haunted house is located at 326 Front St. Cost is $10.
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She's running for the seat she currently holds, but it's her first electoral race

She's running for the seat she currently holds, but it's her first electoral race. Incumbent mayoral candidate Heather Brungardt was never actually elected, she was appointed to the mayoral seat in June 2012 after the departure of then-Mayor Rocky Joy. She was one of the senior council members, and was already serving as mayor pro tem, which by proxy led to her becoming mayor. Brungardt said her commitment to various projects she initiated are what motivated her run for mayor.
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A Sterling candidate will be in the spotlight this weekend

A Sterling candidate will be in the spotlight this weekend. Vic Meyers, who is running for Colorado's 4th Congressional District in the 2014 election, will be in Sterling Saturday for a Meet 'N Greet, starting at 1:30 p.m. at the CSU Regional Engagement Center. To find out more meet Meyers at this Saturday's event.
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Residents will be receiving their ballots in the mail this week, if you haven't already

Residents will be receiving their ballots in the mail this week, if you haven't already. The Clerk and recorders office is reminding everyone to fill out the ballot with your choices, as soon as you get it, and then return it to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office or by mail. Remember to allow enough time for the ballot to reach their office! Postmarks do not count! Mail-in ballots must be turned in by 7 p.m. Election night, Tues., Nov. 5. You still have until Oct. 29 to apply by mail for a ballot. The last day to pick up a mail-in ballot in person is election day, Nov. 5.
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The case of the misspent gift cards has prompted one Denver auditor to sue the human services department

The case of the misspent gift cards has prompted one Denver auditor to sue the human services department. The department gives cards to clients to buy food, clothing, and household items, but the auditor says he needs the DHS to hand over records so he can verify how gift cards issued were really spent. An audit released yesterday (10/17) said the department records could not be released because they're confidential under state and federal law.
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Parks adjacent to the South Platte River near Brush washed away by flood waters will be restored

Parks adjacent to the South Platte River near Brush washed away by flood waters will be restored. At the Brush City Council meeting this week (October 14), officials said the city is eligible to receive funding from FEMA to help recover from flood damage, if repair costs are under $67,500. Any more than that, the city would need to apply for a grant.
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They've got the money, but aren't sure yet how best to use it.

They've got the money, but aren't sure yet how best to use it. Tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer money is flowing across Colorado for flood relief, but officials say right now it's difficult to get a handle on exactly how much it'll cost to repair homes and businesses ransacked in the September floods. The state has asked for federal assistance, but say numbers and costs vary widely depending on which counties are included. As of this week, FEMA's 190 inspectors had looked at about 21,000 properties in the nine hardest-hit counties, and there's between $300 - $500 million in washed-out roads and bridges in need of repair. Officials said that, in many cases, it's difficult for inspectors to determine what property is salvageable and what is beyond repair, and attributed that for the long road ahead of assessing damages. In hard-hit Boulder County, inspectors still can't reach some homes that are cut off by the floods.
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Brush area candidates were in the spotlight last week

Brush area candidates were in the spotlight last week. Contenders for Brush mayor, and city council, along with three of the five candidates vying for four positions on the Board of Education (BOE) for the Brush School District attended two forums as part of the Brush Chamber of Commerce's monthly luncheon, October 9, and 10 at The Carroll Building. Candidates briefly introduced themselves and answered questions from the townhall moderator, Brush attorney Helena Schultz. Questions for the candidates for mayor and city council addressed budget and economic development issues, as well as marijuana sale controls and the possibility of a backyard chicken ordinance. Seeking election on November 5 are current BOE members Mike Dixon and Warren Walker, along with John Trujillo, Diane Cox and Don Gabriel. John Gotto and Charles Schonberger are vying for Mayor. Other city candidates include, Rick Bain, running unopposed for the Councilor Ward 1 post, Kimberly A. Dkyes and Jeff Osuch are looking to fill the Councilor Ward 2 seat, and in the running for Councilor Ward 3 is Jeanine Anderson Santistevan and Cheryl Sanchez.
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State Oil and Gas Regulators Expected to Start Enforcement on Fracking Chemicals

Colorado oil and gas regulators are scheduled to take their first enforcement measures later this month against companies that fail to disclose chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing. The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports that disclosure is part of a year-and-a-half-old rule. Alleged violations involving at least 11 companies to date mostly involve a handful of wells, or in some cases a single well. Action's expected to be taken against Noble Energy, Bill Barrett Corp., Marathon Oil, ConocoPhillips, Kerr-McGee, Gunnison Energy, Laramie Energy II, McElvain Energy, Synergy Resources Corp. and Orr Energy. It is expected to take action later against Encana.

Sterling Officials Back Off Jesus on Cemetery Marker

Sterling officials are backpedaling after the family of a pastor's wife was told her cemetery marker could not include the word "Jesus" because some people might find it offensive. Relatives say faith and family were important for Linda Baker. The late woman's husband, Mark, is the pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in Ovid. The family wanted to recognize her wishes by engraving her cemetery marker with the word Jesus surrounded by the fish-like symbol of early Christianity. The manager of the city-owned cemetery said the fish is fine, but not the word " Jesus." Sterling city manager Joe Kiolbasa tells KUSA-TV the city will not censor any future religious references on headstones and cemetery markers.

Army Thinks Colorado Springs Holds Answers to Soldier Murder in Afghanistan

The U.S. Army says someone in Colorado Springs may have information that could help solve the 2009 murder of a soldier in Afghanistan. The Army's Criminal investigation Command is offering a $25,000 reward for information in the death of Sgt. Anton Phillips, who was assigned to a Germany-based maintenance company. Phillips was found stabbed to death at a base in Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan, a farming area east of Kabul. The Army won't say why Colorado Springs is the focus of its investigation, but Phillips was serving at the base alongside soldiers from Fort Carson's 4th Brigade Combat Team.

The Overland Trail Museum is still digging out from last months devastating floods, and say you can help

The Overland Trail Museum is still digging out from last months devastating floods, and say you can help. The museum was forced to close it's doors Sept. 16 after the flood swept through, leaving mud and water marks almost five feet above the floor. But now with the waters receded, work has begun to restore the grounds in hopes of reopening, and the community is getting behind the museum’s monumental fundraising efforts with events scheduled for this fall to assist in the cost of restoration. Next Sun., Oct. 27, the Old Town Bistro will be hosting a Bronco tailgate party. Then it's “Share Your Blessings” at the museums annual tea event, in Nov. Proceeds from both evens will go toward helping clean up the museum.
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There's hope and help all under one roof for flood victims

There's hope and help all under one roof for flood victims. Logan County Commissioners approved an agreement, Tuesday (10/15), with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and Franklin township, to contine using the Gary DeSoto Building as a Disaster Recovery hub. FEMA and related agencies have been set up there as a one stop shop since Sept. 16, to make it more convenient for residents imapcted by last months devastating floods to get the help they need on this long road to recovery. FEMA, the Small Business Administration and the Red Cross, will contiue to be housed at the building through Nov. 1.
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The race is on for RE-1 Valley Board of Education candidates

The race is on for RE-1 Valley Board of Education candidates. When Logan County residents get their ballots for the Nov. 5 2013 general election in the mail, one of the things they'll be voting for are directors for the RE-1 Valley Board of Education. While there are four seats up for election, only one seat, District 5, is being contested. Contenders for that seat are Cindy Johnson, Paul Jones, and Heather Harris. Ballots were mailed out to voters this week making this year's elections different from the ones in the past. Election legislation signed this spring eliminated polling places, so now all ballots go to the clerk and recorder's office.
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Colorado coach Patrick Roy is off to a good start

Colorado coach Patrick Roy is off to a good start. The Avalanche's 6-0 start has the goalie turned coach known for his fiery personality breathing easy. Behind Roy, the team can match their best start in franchise history with a win over the Detroit Red Wings, Thursday night.
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Colorado senators want residents to know they got your back

Colorado senators want residents to know they got your back. Sens. Michael Bennet and Mark Udall said Wednesday that right before the deal to end the government shutdown, they were able to get a provision included that would allow the state to get the money it needs to repair roads damaged by flooding. Members of both the House and Senate passed bills to lift the $100 million cap on emergency transportation funds for Colorado. Bennett and Udall say they were able to get the cap included in the Senate deal after days of negotiations. The cap has previously been removed for other states hit by natural disasters. But the chambers must rectify unrelated differences in their bills before a single versoin gets sent to President Barack Obama's desk. State transportation officials estimate the flooding caused between $300 and $500 million in damage to roads.
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CDOT says crews have been busy repairing bridges damaged in last months floods

CDOT says crews have been busy repairing bridges damaged in last months floods. The Colorado Department of Transportation said yesterday (10/16) two inspection teams have been working since flood waters began to recede to determine the impact the floods had on the bridges, and they've already assessed about 411 bridges on the state highway system that potentially had been impacted by recent flooding in northeast Colorado. Of the 411 bridges, officials said 120 were determined to be stable but in need of repair. The remaining 291 are open with no need for repair. None were determined to be destroyed and in need of replacement. Inspectors are continuing to work with cities and counties to assess damage on over 800 bridges off the state system. Several highways remain closed, including U.S. 34 and U.S. 36 between Estes Park and Lyons, State Highway 7 between Lyons and Hwy. 72, and Hwy. 72 through Coal Creek Canyon.
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The city's tax levy didn't budge

The city's tax levy didn't budge. Fort Morgan City Council gave its first approval Tuesday night (10/15), of an ordinance that would set the city's property tax mill levy at 13.254 mills upon each dollar, which is the same as it has been for many years. City Manager Jeff Wells said this is the lowest in Morgan County. The council has scheduled a public hearing and second reading of the ordinance for the Nov. 5 regular council meeting. The council can still make changes to the initially passed budget following the public hearing and during the second reading. Any changes would become amendments to the ordinance, which could be finalized after the second reading. The ordinance sets the 2014 city budget and property tax mill levy for the city and appropriates all revenues of the city to its various departments and operations.
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colorado Cantaloupe Farmers Will Plead Guilty in Listeria Outbreak

Two Colorado cantaloupe farmers charged in a deadly listeria outbreak plan to plead guilty under a deal with federal prosecutors. Eric and Ryan Jensen were charged last month with introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce. The Food and Drug Administration said the rare move was intended to send a message to food producers. The agency says conditions at their farm led to the 2011 outbreak that killed 33 people. They each faced up to six years in prison if convicted of the original charges.

Want to know how to navigate your way through Obama Care?

Want to know how to navigate your way through Obama Care? Well, you can attend the Colorado Small Business Development Center's Affordable Care Act seminar at the CSU Regional Engagement Center in Sterling Wednesday. The seminar, from 1 to 3 p.m., will include SBDC experts sharing information on how new healthcare reforms will impact businesses. Small businesses interested in learning more. Call 970-352-3661 for more information.
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It's lights out at two local ballfields, and it's for a good cause

It's lights out at two local ballfields, and it's for a good cause. The lights on the north and south ball fields at Pioneer Park, and on Perry Mason field will be shut off, after the regional softball tournament Sterling High School is hosting is over. A fire department has requested to use one of the fields Nov. 2 for a tournament to raise money for flood victims; there will be no lights on the field at that point.
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Divorcing Colorado was the topic of discussion during a public forum at the Sterling Public Library, Monday night

Divorcing Colorado was the topic of discussion during a public forum at the Sterling Public Library, Monday night. The Logan County Citizens’ Oversight Committee (LCCOC), along with the League of Women voters, joined the discussion about the pro and con on the 51st state effort, which began with Colorado’s northeastern counties separating from Colorado. The Logan County Commissioners voted to take the issue to the voters to ask if the county should pursue the possibility of secession. The ballot question does not ask for approval of secession. Other issues addresed during the meeting included, taxing of marijuana, Amendment 66, which promotes funding for schools, and council and school board contests. The Sterling City Council has three seats and the mayor’s seat up for grabs this year.
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Traffic control barricades are in place at the Sherman crossing

Traffic control barricades are in place at the Sherman crossing. The Sherman Street railroad crossing is expected to be closed until at least Wednesday after a tractor-trailer that was too low to the ground snagged and bent the railroad track, Tuesday afternoon, forcing the entire crossing to be shutdown for repairs. BNSF Railway was mobilizing repair crews from the Front Range and planned to work through the night to reopen the crossing, but say residents should prepare to avoid the Sherman Street crossing until further notice.
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Local farmers say flood waters may have contaminated their crops

Local farmers say flood waters may have contaminated their crops. Farmers continue to assess the damage to their land and crops a month after historic floodwaters washed over much of Boulder County, and say their main concern is whether crops that had been soaked in possibly contaminated floodwaters is safe for consumption. Individual farms in Boulder County sustained tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage from September flooding, and they may have to throw out thousands of dollars worth of produce for fear of health risks. According to the Food and Drug Administration's guidelines on evaluating the safety of flood-affected food crops, if an edible portion of a crop is exposed to floodwaters, it is considered tainted and should not be consumed by humans. For crops that were possibly near floodwaters, a case-by-case evaluation is recommended, ultimately leaving the final decision up to the farmer. Floodwaters can possibly carry sewage, various chemicals, heavy metals, pathogens and other contaminants, according to the FDA. State testing already has found high levels of E. coli in parts of the Boulder County flood zone.
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Help for Colorado flood victms is coming from across the miles

Help for Colorado flood victms is coming from across the miles. About 75 engineers from the Kansas National Guard are heading to Colorado this week to help rebuild highways damaged by massive flooding. The Kansas Guardsmen were expected to leave for Boulder, Wednesday, and stay in Colorado for the next 18 days. The Kansas National Guard has sent personnel to other states in past years to battle forest fires and help with hurricane recovery.
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mcb

Morgan County voters will soon start seeing ballots for the 2013 coordinated election in the mail

Morgan County voters will soon start seeing ballots for the 2013 coordinated election in the mail. The Morgan County Clerk and Recorder's Election Office mailed out 13,432 ballots, yesterday (10/15), to the county's registered voters. All voters in the county will recieve ballots by mail. Ballots may be returned to the Fort Morgan election office, between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday now until Election Day, Nov. 5; 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Nov. 2, or 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Nov. 5. Oct. 28 is the last day that voters will be able to register to vote in this year's election, or change their registration. This may be done in person at the election office or online at govotecolorado.com. All ballots must be returned to the Morgan County Clerk and Recorders office, by 7 p.m. Nov. 5 to be counted in the election.
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You still have time to enter the Sterling Public Library's pumpkin and gourd decorating contest

You still have time to enter the Sterling Public Library's pumpkin and gourd decorating contest. People can drop off their pumpkins and gourds Oct. 14-19. Judging will take place Oct. 21 and the vegetables will remain on display through Halloween, so the public can vote on their favorite. Also, the library's annual Fright Night, featuring Halloween stories and activities, will be Oct. 21.
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mcb

Members of the Sterling Fire Department visited area elementary schools during fire prevention week, last week

Members of the Sterling Fire Department visited area elementary schools during fire prevention week, last week. This year's theme is Prevent Kitchen Fires, and Sterling firefighters visited students at Ayres Elementary, Thursday, and showed a video with tips for preventing kitchen fires. Pluggy the fire hydrant also talked to the students about the importance of smoke detectors, and how to stop, drop and roll if they catch on fire. At other schools, older students got to use the department's smoke house to practice escaping from a fire. At the end of their presentation, the firefighters gave students a plastic fire helmet to decorate, and some stickers. They also gave them pictures to color for a coloring contest. Deadline to turn in the pictures is this Friday (Oct. 18). Several winners will then be chosen to visit the fire station for a pizza party.
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mcb

Pot smokers won't be able to light up, if Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, has his way

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock plans to introduce an ordinance this week that would make it illegal to possess, smoke or give away marijuana in city parks and other public places. Proponents of the constitutional amendment that allows recreational marijuana use and the American Civil Liberties Union say the ordinance is unconstitutional.
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Some Colorado immigrants are having a tough time putting thier lives back together after the September floods

Some Colorado immigrants are having a tough time putting thier lives back together after the September floods. More than 300 immigrants flooded out of their homes in Evans, Milliken and Longmont are living in warehouses, churches or hotels, or are crammed into the spare rooms of friends and family. Some are also suffering racial attacks or inflated rental rates. The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, said they've received reports that some owners are asking for higher rent or for a bigger down payment when they learn that potential renters do not have documents. The immigrants — most of them from Mexico — are continuing to receive local help as they face these challenges, but many do not qualify for federal aid.
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Mail ballots going around in Logan Co.

Expect something in the mail in Logan County this week.

Mail ballots go out to voters, making this year's elections different from the ones in the past.

Election legislation that the governor signed in the spring eliminated polling places.

This year, all ballots go to the clerk and recorder's office at the county courthouse. However, next year's elections feature two additional sites.

The Journal-Advocate quotes clerk and recorder Pam Bacon saying those who lose ballots and need replacements would have to go to one of those three places next year.

United Presbyterian craft fair bigger than ever

The United Presbyterian Church Craft Fair in Fort Morgan this year had 28 booths, the biggest fair yet.

Organizer Shari Lucas described the event to the Fort Morgan Times as the fifth annual edition.

Lucas said she asked the church five years ago whether or not she could start a fair like this one and invite the community into the church.

A-Basin kicks off ski season

The ski and snowboard season has opened a few days earlier than last year.

People hopped onto the lifts yesterday at A-Basin, the first mountain to open in North America.

Loveland may open sometime this week, and Copper Mountain and Wolf Creek hope for the first week of next month.

CBI to review thousands of untested rape kits

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation may revisit five-thousand untested rape kits.

This responds to a new state law requiring police departments to inventory and submit the numbers of the untested kits to the C-B-I.

The kits contain untested D-N-A evidence that sexual assault victims provide in rape cases.

Some agencies have called the testing of all the kits unnecessary.

Anti-fracking measures appear on next year's ballots

Voters in Colorado have made their state a hydrofracking battleground.

The Denver Post reports ballot measures in Boulder, Broomfield and Fort Collins call for moratoriums on oil and gas drilling, while one in Lafayette desires an outright ban.

Some groups keep pushing for a moratorium or ban for the whole state. Supporters say they have safety concerns, as well as a mistrust of the state effectively regulating the industry.

The 2013 election will soon be in full swing

The 2013 election will soon be in full swing, but this year's election will be somewhat different. Thanks to new election legislation, which was passed this spring, polling places are no more and all elections will now be by mail ballot. Another change voters can expect is no more registration deadlines. But while there is no registration deadline, residency requirements remain in place. Ballots go out in the mail Tuesday. If you don't get one, you can stop by the Logan County Courthouse.
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Insurance claims from damage in the September flood was the focus of discussion during the Sterling City Council meeting last week.

Insurance claims from damage in the September flood was the focus of discussion during the Sterling City Council meeting last week. Members were updated about the damage at the Overland Trail Recreation Area, and Museum where several buildings had 3 to 5 feet of water; as well as the headworks facility for the waste water treatment system. Damage to that site is still under evaluation, and officials said they applied for federal assistance, but the city won't know how much they'll get until estimated costs are tallied. The city has 60 days from applying to submit repair estimates. Ironically, the council's flood prevention and protection ordinance had already been in the works, and now meets FEMA requirements to make flood insurance coverage available within the community.
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"Thank you chief for being to us what we want to be for others."

"Thank you chief for being to us what we want to be for others." Those were the sentiments expressed by friends, family, and coworkers who gathered this weekend to mourn the loss of Sterling Police Chief Roy Breivik. People from across the miles, including officers from Castle Rock and Wyoming, were also among those who had come to pay their respects, to a man they celebrated as "honorable, loyal, strong, and kind". The closing of the ceremony included a 21-bell salute by the SPD officers, and a "last call" from dispatch, where they thanked Breivik for his service, dedication, loyalty and friendship, and then signed off. Breivik had been chief of police for the last eight years.
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The Durango City Council is holding a public hearing on the contentious issue of accessory dwellings

The Durango City Council is holding a public hearing on the contentious issue of accessory dwellings, also known as mother-in-law apartments and alley cottages. The issue has divided residents between those who like the income potential from renters and those who fear it will lead to overcrowding and loss of privacy in their neighborhoods. The debate is part of a new land-use development code.
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The Denver District Attorney's Office has cleared a police officer who shot and wounded a man

The Denver District Attorney's Office has cleared a police officer who shot and wounded a man accused of killing a neighbor and using makeshift explosives. A report released Monday states that Sgt. Jerry Heimbigner committed no crime when he shot 31-year-old Daniel Abeyta, who is accused of wounding his wife, and killing a neighbor, Aug. 16. The officer shot Abeyta after after he was alerted that Abeyta shot at a propane tank with gunpowder on top. Abeyta is facing several charges, including first-degree murder.
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Two young children are safe after a truck that was stolen in Commerce City was recovered by police

Two young children are safe after a truck that was stolen in Commerce City was recovered by police. According to the Denver Post, the mother of the children went into a store on Sunday and their father went to a nearby liquor store. Police say the father left the unlocked truck running, and someone got into the truck and drove off. The children were unharmed and police say no arrests have been made.
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Officials say signs of child abuse was reported at least three times

State officials are looking into reports that hospital and daycare workers alerted the Pueblo County Department of Social Services of signs of child abuse at least three times before several children were removed from their home. Reports indicate that several of the children suffered burns and broken bones before they were removed. State child welfare officials say it was a serious situation that should have been brought to the attention of state social services. Deputies arrested the children's adoptive aunt and her husband last month. They are facing charges of felony child abuse.
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Mayor Michael Hancock wants to act now to stop public pot smoking

With Denver poised to allow recreational marijuana sales, Mayor Michael Hancock wants to act now to stop public pot smoking. Under an ordinance he plans to introduce Monday, possessing or smoking marijuana would be illegal in city parks, Denver's downtown pedestrian mall and recreational facilities. Even the smell of marijuana coming from private property would be barred.
Colorado voters passed an amendment last year that allows recreational pot use but it prohibits public consumption. Nevertheless, there has been some public smoking following recent pot giveaways by marijuana advocates. Tens of thousands of people have also attended annual marijuana rallies.
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mcb

A winter storm warning is in effect for portions of western Colorado

A winter storm warning is in effect for portions of western Colorado. The National Weather Service said Monday up to 10 inches of snow could fall in the Elkhead and Park mountains. Communities included in the warning include Toponas (tuh-POE-nus) and Buford. Forecasters say visibility could be less than a mile at times.
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Money's Available to Help Fix Flood Damaged Irrigation Systems

The Colorado Water Conservancy Board's offering $15 million in low-interest loans and $1.5 million in grants to help Colorado irrigation water providers start repairing damage from last month's floods. The Greeley Tribune reports damage to northern Colorado irrigation systems was widespread. Many irrigation canals, dikes and diversion structures were damaged or destroyed. The South Platte Roundtable's agreed to contribute an additional $150,000 for grants. The grants are limited to $25,000 each and are intended to pay for technical assistance, such as consultation with engineers and other experts, rather than construction.

School Tax Ruling Expected Tuesday

A judge's expected to rule Tuesday on the validity of a ballot question seeking to raise taxes for Colorado schools. Opponents of Amendment 66 say they've identified enough suspect signatures on petition ballots to put the ballot measure in question. They made their case during a court hearing in Denver today. The school tax proposal has already been printed on ballots, but if the tax opponents prevail, votes on the ballot question won't be counted. The measure would raise some $950 million a year.

Who will cover the costs of repairs from flood damage?

Who will cover the costs of repairs from flood damage? That is the question the city of Sterling's Parks, Library and Recreation Department is asking as work to repair damages caused by the South Platte River flood continues, including damages at the hard hit Overland Trail Recreation Area, but say they aren't sure if FEMA will cover those costs. The board said they did put in an emergency aid request yesterday (10/10). Some of the repairs can be covered by the city's insurance, and officials said the museum has already started a restoration fund they're asking people to donate to.
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mcb

There are pros and cons for Colorado if 10 northeastern counties secede

There are pros and cons for Colorado if 10 northeastern counties secede and become the 51st state. Colorado could stand to benefit financially and the educational system could see improvements. But what's left of Colorado would also lose half of its lucrative oil wells, much of its prime farmland, and some of the lowest crime areas in the state, according to recent analysis. In addition to the 10 northeast Colorado counties that have a secession vote on November's ballot, Moffat County in far northwest Colorado also will vote on whether to leave, christening it as Baja Wyoming. Voters will decide next month on the state of their state. Both houses of the U.S. Congress would have to agree.
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mcb

Aurora shooting defendant James Holmes is back in court

Aurora shooting defendant James Holmes is back in court as his lawyers challenge possible trial testimony about computer analysis and data. A judge is hearing arguments about the issue today (fri. - 10/11). Police seized Holmes' computer equipment after the shooting. Holmes' lawyers are challenging testimony from experts who examined the equipment, saying prosecutors must show the testimony would be reliable.
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mcb

It's the case of the cemetery caper

It's the case of the cemetery caper. A Grand Junction man is accused of stealing $9,000 worth of flower urns from a cemetery, many of them from the graves of veterans. A judge ordered 26-year-old David Gillespie held on $5,000 bond in the thefts of 15 brass urns from Memorial Gardens. The cemetery estimated that the urns are worth $600 a piece. The Daily Sentinel reports that Gillespie is accused of selling 11 of them to a metal company for a total of $124.
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They're hiding something

They're hiding something. That's what the family of a teen killed in an avalanche at Vail Mountain last year believes, and says there is "substantial evidence" that employees have given misleading information, altered documents, and failed to do slide mitigation work. Depositions obtained by The Denver Post say Vail's ski patrol director wrongly led a state agency to believe that the resort had done avalanche mitigation in the weeks before 13-year-old Taft Conlin was killed.
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Emergency responders in the state of Colorado are striving for better

Emergency responders in the state of Colorado are striving for better. This month 29 ER volunteers were accepted into a program known as STRIVE that will provide them with up to $5,000 per year in tuition reimbursement, including some Brush Volunteer Fire fighters. The program was funded by a DHS SAFER grant that was awarded to the Colorado State Firefighters Association earlier this year. The program will continue until 2017 and the next application deadline for Spring 2014 is March 1. To learn more, visit VolunteerFirefighter.org/CO.
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Morgan County road crews are still hard at work repairing the damage from September's flood

Morgan County road crews are still hard at work repairing the damage from September's flood. County crews got MCR 9 open. It had been washed out in several places between Highway 144 and MCR W, but it will take some time for the roads to be completely restored, Morgan County officials said this week. The Morgan County board of commissioners approved a permit allowing a water line to trench across MCR 31 to bring water to cattle. County road crews have done a good job responding to the flood so far, authorities say, and they appreciate residents patience for the long haul ahead.
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Greeley Lawyers Question 51st State Weld Commissioner Actions

Three Greeley attorneys are challenging whether Weld County commissioners have the authority to initiate the 51st state movement. The three, Robert Ruyle, Stow Witwer and Chuck Dickson have sent a letter to County Council Chair Don Mueller, saying the state constitution grants individual citizens the authority to alter their form of government, but there's no such power granted to county commissioners.

Denver's Mayor Going for No Pot in Parks

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock wants to ban the city's huge April 20 marijuana smoke outs as well as free joint handouts in city parks. Hancock tells Colorado Public Radio that he and City Councilman Chris Nevitt will introduce an ordinance on Monday that would better define the city's ban on public consumption of marijuana. The ordinance would say that all Denver city parks are drug-free zones.
Public consumption already is outlawed under Colorado's law legalizing recreational marijuana. Tens of thousands have attended the annual marijuana celebrations at Civic Center Park.

Stevie Vigil Expected to Plead Guilty in Gun Case

The woman accused of giving Evan Ebel a gun that was used to kill the Colorado corrections chief Tom Clements will plead guilty. Stevie Marie Vigil (VEE'-hil) attorney in a court filing says she intends to plead guilty to giving a firearm to a felon without any concessions from federal prosecutors. Daniel Smith says he can't discuss why she's changing her plea. A guilty plea could help Vigil gain a lighter sentence. The 22-year-old faces up to 10 years in prison. Prosecutors haven't indicated what kind of sentence they're going to request from the judge.

It was a murder mystery at the Overland Trail Museum

It was a murder mystery at the Overland Trail Museum. There were at least two dozen youngsters and a handful of parents who braved the darkness to become the first visitors welcomed on the grounds of the museum since it closed due to flooding last month. The museum remains closed to the public, but already scheduled events like Saturday's Another Night at the Museum are being held, with some changes. Due to fears about contamination from the South Platte flood, visitors, hunting for clues to solve the mystery, were confined to the east side of the grounds. When the museum will reopen to the public is still a mystery, but officials said they are hoping to be back to normal by December, adding that holiday events, including A Child's Christmas on the Prairie, Dec. 7 and three open house nights, will go forward as scheduled.
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Helping flood victims was the topic of discussion at Tuesday night's Sterling City Council meeting

Helping flood victims was the topic of discussion at Tuesday night's Sterling City Council meeting. Members got their first official look at the proposed 2014 budget, and noted that with the declaration of a disaster due to the flood, the city has had to use the insurance fund, which includes a 3 percent emergency appropriations, to cover any flood-related expenses. Officials said that a large portion of those costs will be reimbursed by insurance, or FEMA. The council approved first reading of an ordinance for additional appropriations of $735,889 in expenses for the year, and increased their revenue by $98,231. A public hearing has been set for Oct. 22.
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Denver police are looking for a sex offender who escaped

Denver police are looking for a sex offender who escaped after being arrested for failing to register with authorities. Police say 48-year-old Eugene Martinez was chained to a bench at police headquarters but managed to slip out of his handcuffs and get away. He escaped just after noon. Police are offering a $2,000 reward for help finding him.
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An expert says four Colorado boys who were found undernourished and unable to speak face a long path to recovery, but there is hope

An expert says four Colorado boys who were found undernourished and unable to speak face a long path to recovery, but there is hope. The brothers, ages 2 to 6, were removed from a filthy Denver apartment last month and placed in state custody. A University of Colorado pediatrician says the boys will need a healing relationship that teaches them they can trust adult caregivers.
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Pueblo County officials have agreed to allow recreational marijuana sales next year

Pueblo County officials have agreed to allow recreational marijuana sales next year. The Pueblo Chieftain reports that County commissioners voted Wednesday in favor of marijuana regulations that set the framework for licenses, enforcement and fees, but limited the number of dispensaries that can transfer from medical to recreational next year. No more than 10 dispensaries will be able to transition into Pueblo's new market in 2014. Pueblo currently has six dispensaries in business and four more in the various stages of applying.
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Money could run out for more than 90,000 Colorado veterans

Money could run out for more than 90,000 Colorado veterans. If the federal government doesn't reopen in the next few weeks, veterans might not get their pension and education checks on the first, because the cash is not there without additional appropriations from Congress. The good news is, veterans will still be able to receive medical services because the costs — about $650 million a year to Coloradans alone — have been prepaid. But members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee — including Rep. Mike Coffman — are so worried about the harmful effects on veterans, they met with VA Secretary Eric Shin-seki on Capitol Hill, Wednesday to press him for answers. Staffers on the veterans committee say their greatest fear is that the Nov. 1 deposits will be delayed if the government remains partially shuttered for another week or two. The money will not be in the bank to make the payments. Colorado veterans receive more than $1 billion a year in compensation and pension benefits and another $284 million in education reimbursements.
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State Offering Refunds for Some Hiunting Areas Hit by Flooding

Game management units in Northeastern Colorado affected by flooding are offering refunds for rifle season hunting licenses, although many units are again huntable as lands and properties return to normal after last month's flood. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says refunds and restoration of preference points or exchanges of licenses for the remaining seasons will be allowed in units 19, 20, and 29 (roughly the area from I-25 west to the Continental Divide between Broomfield at the south and Fort Collins at the north) for bear, deer and elk licenses for the regular rifle and PLO seasons. Affected hunters will receive letters explaining how to apply.

State Wildlife Areas Reopening After Floods

Colorado's reopened most of the flood-damaged State Wildlife Areas today, but they say hunters should be aware that landscapes may look different than last year and to take caution and expect downed fences. Reservations for the opening weekend of waterfowl season on properties that are open will begin immediately. Hunters are being encouraged to scout their hunting area in the daylight because many traditional hunting areas and access paths have been considerably altered. The Jean Tool State Wildlife Area in Morgan County is still closed.

Flooded Out Rail Lines Fixed--But..

The rail lines west of Denver, washed out by flooding have been repaired, and Amtrak says it hopes to have news on when it can resume passenger service sometime this week. Freight trains are running again between Denver and Grand Junction. Calli Hite of the Union Pacific Railroad tells the Glenwood Springs Post-Independent that there's a backlog of freight that takes precedence over passenger traffic on the UP's tracks. Since the floods, Amtraks' routed its trains to the north from Denver to get to Salt Lake City. Passengers going to Glenwood Springs or Grand Junction are using chartered buses or getting replacement tickets for a later date.

Experts Says There's Hope for Malnourished Denver Boys

An expert says the four boys who were found undernourished and unable to speak in a filthy Denver apartment, face a long path to recovery, but there is hope. The brothers, 2 to 6, were placed in state custody last month. Their parents were in court yesterday on child-abuse charges. Diane Baird, a pediatrics instructor at the University of Colorado medical school, says the boys will need a healing relationship that teaches them they can trust adult caregivers. Baird, who isn't directly involved in the case, says they face longer-term problems in building relationships with other people and in their sense of self-worth.

It's game on for local hunters, but officials warn, the flood has changed things

It's game on for local hunters, but officials warn, the flood has changed things. Starting Wednesday, (Oct. 9), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) started opening most of the State Wildlife Areas along the South Platte River that have been closed for the past several weeks, but say flood waters cut deep holes in many places along the South Platte and adjacent waterways, and hunters are encouraged to test water depth with a stick or branch when crossing a channel. Many of the boundary fences have been washed out, and will be fixed or replaced as soon as possible. All hunters are strongly encouraged to scout their hunting area in the daylight since the traditional hunting areas and the access paths have likely been considerably altered. Look out for debris including downed barbwire fences, and expect to find many of the foot bridges washed away. Reservations for the opening weekend of waterfowl season will begin immediately, on properties that are accessible.
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MEANWHILE

CPW is offering refunds on a few game management units in Northeastern Colorado for rifle seasons. Officials said, in response to the flood, they previously offered exchanges or refunds and reinstatement of preference points for hunters in units and seasons adversely affected by the flood in the early seasons, but advised, many units are still huntable. As additional lands and properties return to normal in the northeast region, CPW says some areas remain accessible for hunters.
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The Morgan Game and Fish Conservation Club is still digging out from under last month's floods

The Morgan Game and Fish Conservation Club is still digging out from under last month's floods. The natural springs and private game and fish area, at Muir Springs (rhymes/"fewer"), just North of Log Lane Village, which escaped devastation, is where the club holds trap shoots and fishing events at the private fishing ponds, and rifle range. Club members have spent considerable time over the years working on the recreation area at Muir Springs, and say, so far the full extent of the damage had yet to be determined as of late last week, because the water levels were still too high to get to many parts of the recreation area. The club hopes to have the ponds back in shape for the next Fish for Fun Day.
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Kopp Starts Race for GOP Gubernatorial Nomination

Former GOP State Senator Mike Kopp today kicked off his bid to oust Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper next year with appearances at Red Rocks Amphitheater, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Kopp, a Jefferson County Republican, is the fourth Republican to run against Hickenlooper, who's seeking re-election. Kopp's a former Army Ranger who served in the Gulf War and a former "hotshot" firefighter. He joins Secretary of State Scott Gessler, State Sen. Greg Brophy and former Cong. Tom Tancredo in the Republican race.

Another Flooding Fatality

A body found in Larimer County has been identified as that of a woman who was seen swept away by massive floodwaters on Sept. 13. The County coroner says 60-year-old Patricia Goodwine of Cedar Grove drowned. Her body was found yesterday in a debris field west of Loveland. She was swept away by floodwaters that destroyed the home she had lived in for 37 years. Her death brings to nine the number of confirmed fatalities in the disaster, which damaged or destroyed nearly 2,000 homes, washed out hundreds of miles of roads and cut off many small mountain towns.

"We're going to miss his leadership."

"We're going to miss his leadership." That's a sentiment echoed by former co-workers of Sterling police chief Roy Breivik who died Sunday, (Oct. 6). Breivik joined the Sterling Police Department on Oct. 2, 1978, as a patrolman, and worked his way up the ranks becoming the SPD's 25th chief in 2005. Friends and family will gather to remember Breivik at a memorial service set for 11:00, this Friday morning (Oct. 11), at the NJC Ballroom in the Hays Student Center. Breivik was 59 years old.
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Logan County child care providers affected by last months floods are getting some help

Logan County child care providers affected by last months floods are getting some help. The local Small Business Development Center and the Small Business Administration will be at a meeting, tonight (Oct. 8), discussing the programs available for disaster recovery through their agency. Laurie Jones of Logan County SBDC will also speak on the free servies available to business owners through her organization. The meeting will be held at 6:00 at the CSU Engagement Center in Sterling.
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Gov. John Hickenlooper is going to bat for Morgan County

Gov. John Hickenlooper is going to bat for Morgan County. The governor took the opportunity to view the flood damage in Orchard and Goodrich, Friday, and said he intends to speak to the state head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency about the lack of individual relief for the people of Morgan County. Hickenlooper said during the tour of flooded areas with county commissioners, he met a dozen different people that are homeless because of the devastating floods last month. He said he does not know why people who live on opposite sides of county lines would receive different support from FEMA, but he intends to find out. He said he'd keep an eye out to make sure that FEMA does what they're supposed to do.
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mcb

Prosecutors Get Theater Shooter's Mental Health Records

Prosecutors in the Colorado theater shootings have received defendant James Holmes' mental health records from the state hospital and a university he attended. The records were turned over at a hearing Monday. Prosecutors are entitled to the records because Holmes pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murder and attempted-murder charges. He's accused of killing 12 and injuring 70 in a July 2012 attack. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Holmes was treated by a psychiatrist at the University of Colorado, Denver and underwent a sanity evaluation at the state hospital.

Their paying it forward, and helping brides to be in Loveland

Their paying it forward, and helping brides to be in Loveland. A line of women wrapped around a Loveland bridal botique, Sunday for its annual wedding dress giveaway. The Loveland Wedding Center is continuing a tradition to help brides as part of a longstanding effort to help others. The owners got the idea from another store. According to the Loveland Reporter-Herald the dresses are given out on a first-come, first-served basis with no proof of financial need required. Any alterations to the dresses will be handled at cost.
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The federal Bureau of Land Management is planning to reseed portions of areas where two wildfires burned this summer

The federal Bureau of Land Management is planning to reseed portions of areas where two wildfires burned this summer. BLM spokesman Chris Joyner said local officials are waiting on approval from the Washington office to reseed about 380 acres of the nearly two-square-mile Wild Rose Fire in Rio Blanco County north of Douglas Pass. According to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel the agency also is looking to reseed about 200 acres of the three-square-mile Citadel Fire north of Meeker.
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A law exempting civilian military workers has been upheld

A law exempting civilian military workers has been upheld. Nearly 3,000 government employees at Colorado's Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy, and the North American Aerospace Defense Command received notice this weekend to return to work, Monday. 130 civilian workers are also working again at the Pueblo Chemical Depot. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said, yesterday more personnel can be exempted as essential under the law.
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College Students Getting Shots After Exposure to Rabid Bat

Two students from the University of Northern Colorado are getting shots after they tried to rescue an injured bat that later tested positive for rabies. The Weld County health department says the students put the injured bat in a cage in their dorm room and it was later found to have the potentially deadly disease. Health department officials say the students are healthy and will continue classes while receiving the treatment. The health department says no other students are at risk. Weld County's health department has confirmed 25 animal rabies cases so far this year, including 14 skunks, six bats, two horses, a cow, a fox and a cat.

Legislators to Assess Flood Recovery

Colorado lawmakers plan to address the state's flood recovery efforts and discuss whether there's a need for legislation in the disaster's aftermath. Legislative leaders say they'll convene a bipartisan panel of 12 lawmakers that will begin meeting soon. The lawmakers will tour areas damaged by last month's floods and get input by residents who were affected. The legislative group also plans to get feedback from disaster experts and responders on recovery efforts and review state laws to determine whether new statutes are needed.

And the winner is.....

And the winner is.....
127 photo entries of people, places, events, and landscapes depicting life in Sterling and Logan County, were submitted for the Tourist Information Center's photo contest. Rick Jandegian's windmill at sunset photo took home first place, along with a $100 award. Second place and a $50 prize went to Jennifer Crow for her photo of a farmer moving hay bales. BreAnna Rodriguez received third place and $25 for her black and white close-up of a sunflower. Jandegian and Rodriguez are both Sterling residents; Crow is from Atwood. A photo contest gallery can be seen at, facebook.com/DiscoverSterling.
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A local service organization is spreading the love across the miles

A local service organization is spreading the love across the miles. The Sterling Lions Club recently shipped 18 bags of eyeglasses to the Dominican Republic for a woman's group there that partners with the Peace Corps. Doctors traveled three hours from the capital to participate in a day-long event the group coordinated, and gave free eye exams before distributing the glasses. Donated eyeglasses are sent to the Sterling club from all over Colorado, and are shipped all over the world. To date more than 500,000 people have been fitted with corrective lenses from this program.
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It was hometown heaven at the Clavis Club Craft Fair

It was hometown heaven at the Clavis Club Craft Fair. Morgan County residents showcased hand made products made right here at home. The craft show, held at the club in northwest Fort Morgan, featured Jewelry, woodwork, candles, and more, all locally-made products from the hands of Morgan County residents.
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The High Alpine ski expansion project is under way at Copper Mountain

The High Alpine ski expansion project is under way at Copper Mountain. Project developers say the project on Tucker Mountain, Union Peak, and Copper Peak will expand terrain for advanced and expert skiers. The Summit Daily reports helicopters are dropping construction supplies high on the mountainsides and workers are building fences, pouring concrete, and installing lift towers for the project.
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The carcass of a coyote has been found on University of Colorado

The carcass of a coyote has been found on University of Colorado South Campus land near Boulder. University police spokesman Ryan Huff said the animal had been shot in the head and its paws removed. Wildlife officials say it is legal to kill coyotes year-round in Colorado, but there are laws governing where they can be killed.
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A local restaurant is lending a helping hand to workers left to fend for themselves because of the partial government shutdown

A local restaurant is lending a helping hand to workers left to fend for themselves because of the partial government shutdown. Federal employees, left without a paycheck, can get a free meal at Poor Richard's. The Colorado Springs restaurant is offering the deal to government employees with appropriate ID, and said it hopes other restaurants will follow suit, if the furloughs last past the weekend.
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There are two new faces in the senate

There are two new faces in the senate. Former City Councilman Bernie Herpin of Colorado Springs, and retired deputy police chief George Rivera of Pueblo, both Republicans, will take the seats held by exiled Democrats, John Morse, and Sen. Angela Giron. The Republican replacements were sworn in, Thursday, as the new state senators, after Morse and Giron were voted out of office for their support of stricter gun laws, in an earlier recall election. Herpin claimed Morse's Senate President post, and Rivera unseated, Giron.
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The Ft. Morgan City council is trying to learn from a mistake

The Ft. Morgan City council is trying to learn from a mistake. Members, voted Tuesday night, to approve spending more than $500,000 to pay the city's portion of a legal settlement against Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, for alleged violations between MEAN and Southwest Power Pool. SPP alleged MEAN "improperly tagged network paths" when scheduling power, but City Manager Jeff Wells, says how or why the $6.3 million settlement has anything to do with the city still remains unclear. Wells said he would continue to harp about this until questions are answered, but several council members suggested he use that energy to convince MEAN to partner with Creative Energy Solutions for a waste-to-energy plant in Fort Morgan that would provide power to MEAN. Wells said he would consider pushing MEAN to participate in the CES project as a way for them to make it up for the costly mistake.
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A high-speed chase of up to 110mph, rattled rush hour motorists Monday

A high-speed chase of up to 110mph, rattled rush hour motorists Monday. The Washington County Sheriff's Office advised the Logan County police that they were in pursuit of a suspect on Highway 63, headed right towards Logan County. The LCSO joined the pursuit after it reached County Road 25 and C.R. 10, where the suspect drove into a pasture and the vehicle caught on fire. Police say Stacy Kloberdanz, fled the scene and eluded police. Officers got a citizens tip the next day, and the suspect was located in the area of C.R. 8 and C.R. 29. He was arrested, and taken into custody without incident.
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Sterling’s drinking water is cleaner

Sterling’s drinking water is cleaner. The plant, in an effort to meet water safety standards, has installed a series of filters, and chemical treatment stages designed to remove impurities to make it drinkable. The goal is to reduce the amount of contaminants in the city’s water system. The new water treatment system is working, but officials said, it won't be completely online and operational until mid to late January 2014. Taxpayers helped fund the $29 million project with a voter-approved bond issue.
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Gov. John Hickenlooper has decided not to convene a special session of the state Legislature to deal with issues involving Colorado floods

Gov. John Hickenlooper has decided not to convene a special session of the state Legislature to deal with issues involving Colorado floods. Some issues of concern included laws to address looting and potential fraud, but the governor has decided those issues do not require lawmakers to come back to work before the regular session convenes in January. The governor plans to be in Evans, Milliken, Loveland and Commerce City, Thursday to meet with elected officials, as well as community and business leaders to discuss flood damage. The damage to state highways alone is about $430 million, officials said, with 200 miles of roads and 50 bridges destroyed. The floods, triggered by unusually heavy rains, caused eight deaths and damaged or destroyed nearly 1,800 homes.
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A River Runs Through It

A River Runs Through It. That's the name of an award winning movie, but today it's the story of Coloradans who are debating whether rivers that strayed as much as three-quarters of a mile in last month's floods can or should be moved back to their old channels. Irrigation companies that pull water from rivers for farmers to use on crops say the old channels should be restored where rivers moved away from diversion structures. Otherwise, they say, those structures would have to be replaced at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Greeley Tribune reported Thursday that Dick Wolfe, head of the state Division of Water Resources, says the issue raises many questions, including who would pay for moving the rivers and who has the authority to do so.
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Thousands of federal workers in Colorado Springs are feeling the ripple effect of the bitter budget battle in Washington

Thousands of federal workers in Colorado Springs are feeling the ripple effect of the bitter budget battle in Washington. According to The Washington Post, military installations such as Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base and Schriever Air Force Base are in one of the nation's top city's that are most dependent on its federal workforce. Colorado Springs accounts for 55,000 federal workers, or 18.8 percent of the workforce. Federal offices around the Pikes Peak region ground to a near standstill after thousands of workers were sent home on unpaid furloughs this week.
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A Pueblo man pleaded guilty, Thursday, to charges in the death of his 5-month-old son

A Pueblo man pleaded guilty, Thursday, to charges in the death of his 5-month-old son, last year. 25-year-old Anthony Angel faces 16 to 25 years in prison at his sentencing hearing on Nov. 11. Angel pleaded guilty to child abuse, which resulted in his son's death. In exchange, prosecutors dropped murder and assault charges. Angel was arrested Nov. 21 after his son, Antonio, died in an Aurora hospital.
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Stay Away From Flood Damaged Oil And Gas Drilling Gear

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is warning people to stay away from flood-damaged oil and gas production equipment and tanks. Regulators say tanks and other equipment from oil and gas facilities may still be pressurized and contain flammable liquids. They also warn that the equipment may be unstable and shift, fall or roll.

Regulators Find Another Oil Spill

Another oil spill due to flooding has been found in northern Colorado. State regulators say about 1,200 gallons of oil spilled from a PDC Energy location just east of Greeley. It's the 15th oil spill detected and brings the total amount spilled to about 43,000 gallons. Inspectors have been checking drilling operations in the Wattenberg Field for two weeks but about 20 percent of the wells still must be inspected.

State Pleased With Health Exchange

Colorado officials say they are pleased with the state's new health exchange program, despite a few computer problems on opening day. CEO Patty Fontneau says the program is working to improve customer service after more than 79,000 people visited the state's web site and created 5,500 accounts as of 8 p.m. yesterday. Connect for Health Colorado said the average wait time was about 4 minutes, even though the exchange website temporarily was overwhelmed by tens of thousands of visitors for about an hour, briefly preventing consumers from creating new accounts. Wait times fluctuated throughout the day, based on call volume. Coverage doesn't start until January, and people without health insurance have until the end of March to sign up.

A Sexual Assault suspect is on the run

A Sexual Assault suspect is on the run. The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating
20 year old Damian Ortega, wanted on a felony warrant for sexual abuse of a child. Ortega is 5-11, 150 lbs, with brown eyes and black hair, which police say he may have shaved off or cut short. He goes by the street name of “Drama”, and has numerous tattoos on his face, neck, both hands, and arms, and was last known to have in either, Fort Morgan, and, or the Hillrose area. If you see Ortega, please notify your local law enforcement immediately.
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What do a ballerina, a fashionista, and a hunter have in common?

What do a ballerina, a fashionista, and a hunter have in common? They're all costumes worn by area residents pets, during the Tail Waggin' Dog Show Saturday, at the Brush Oktoberfest. The pooches also performed tricks, with their owners hoping to place, as a panel looked on, judging on originality, overall appearance, and presentation in the costume contest. Judges scores were based on the time it took for a response, originality, the number of steps, and the presentation of tricks. To take Best of Show, a dog must do well in both the costume and trick categories.
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It was a measly first pay out for investors who lost millions to jailed businessman Philip Rand Lochmiller

It was a measly first pay out for investors who lost millions to jailed businessman Philip Rand Lochmiller. Backers pumped more than $30 million into Valley Investments on promises of up to a 16 percent return, but the first distribution of money from the now defunct Valley Investments came to less than 1 percent. But officials say more money could be paid back once accounts are settled. Lochmiller told investors he was putting their money into affordable-housing projects in Colorado, Utah and Idaho. Instead, he used the money for debts he owed on other deals gone bad. The money was also used for personal expenses. Lochmiller is serving 33 years in prison on fraud charges.
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A Sexual Assault suspect is on the run

A Sexual Assault suspect is on the run. The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating
20 year old Damian Ortega, wanted on a felony warrant for sexual abuse of a child. Ortega is 5-11, 150 lbs, with brown eyes and black hair, which police say he may have shaved off or cut short. He goes by the street name of “Drama”, and has numerous tattoos on his face, neck, both hands, and arms, and was last known to have in either, Fort Morgan, and, or the Hillrose area. If you see Ortega, please notify your local law enforcement immediately.
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Health Exchange Overwhelmed on Day One

Colorado's health exchange website was overwhelmed by volume on its first day and is advising consumers they can't create more accounts under the Affordable Care Act until further notice. The Connect for Health Colorado website is where consumers without insurance can buy plans. It ran a banner encouraging visitors on Tuesday to keep browsing until its full services are restored. Connect for Health spokesperson tells The Denver Post that consumers had created 1,000 accounts early today before new accounts were suspended.

Morgan Cty Sheriff After Sex Assault Suspect

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office need your help. They're looking for 20-year old Damian Ortega, identified as a suspect in a sexual assault on a child. The Brush News Tribune reports Ortega has ties to the Fort Morgan and Hillrose areas. He's 5'11", 150, brown eyes and black hair-which may be shaved or cut very close, has gang ties and uses the street name "Drama." He has a number of tattoos on his face, neck, hands, and arms, particularly a pair of lips with the letters "xoxo" on the right side of his neck. If you see Ortega, call local law enforcement immediately with an exact location and any vehicle information.

Church members of First Presbyterian in Sterling, who have physical challenges are getting a helping hand

Church members of First Presbyterian in Sterling, who have physical challenges are getting a helping hand. The state recently awarded the church, built in 1918, a $200,000 grant for much needrd renovations, including an elevator system to assist those who have mobility issues because of multiple staircases in the 24,000 square foot worship center. Work is to be completed by 2015. A fundraising concert will be held at First Presbyterian, this Thursday, (Oct. 3) at 7 p.m.
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Logan County residents, impacted by the recent floods, will still be able to get assistance

Logan County residents, impacted by the recent floods, will still be able to get assistance. The Disaster Recovery Center at the Gary DeSoto Building at the Logan County Fairgrounds is still open and will remain open for as long as necessary. The DRC is where FEMA, the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Red Cross, and Logan County Human Services have personnel available to assist Logan County residents affected by the South Platte River flood. Hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. As of Sunday, (Sept 29), FEMA had approved $229,994 for 169 flood survivors in Logan County. Statewide more than 20,000 people have received more than $32 million collectively for disaster assistance, including grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help recover from the effects of the disaster. To register with FEMA, you can stop by the DRC or Apply online anytime at DisasterAssistance.gov
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A group of citizens in Colorado Springs went vigilante on a home robbery suspect, Monday

A group of citizens in Colorado Springs went vigilante on a home robbery suspect, Monday. Police say the homeowner, Frank Giunta, jumped on 35-year-old Michael Wright's back after he caught the burglar ransacking his garage. Giunta held the suspect down and others joined in to help keep him there until law enforcement arrived. The citizens were not identified.
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