Wisconsin Teens Could Face Charges in Greeley

Four Wisconsin teens could face charges here for stealing a car and leading officers on a chase last week. The group was arrested Saturday in New Mexico. The oldest an 18-year-old, was jailed for criminal trespass. The three others were taken to a juvenile detention facility in Taos. Authorities had been looking for the teens since Thursday. The diabetes medicine for one of them, a 15-year-old girl, was found in the abandoned stolen car, raising fears she could suffer a seizure.

State Minimum Wage Rises Tomorrow

Colorado's minimum wage will increase by 22 cents tomorrow to $8 an hour. Supporters say the raise will benefit 104,000 low-wage workers statewide. The minimum for tipped workers in Colorado will also rise by 22 cents, to nearly $5 an hour. The increase is expected to help the state by boosting economic growth by nearly $19 million.

Guin Sales Background Checks Hit Record

Gun sale background checks in Colorado are at a record high, and retailers attribute the rise in part to concerns over crackdowns on guns following recent school shootings. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation's already done more than 350,000 checks through last month, which is more than all of last year. Over 2,000 criminal background checks were performed last weekend in Colorado, a high number caused by Christmas sales, a major gun show and other factors. Although the large number of weekend sales followed the deadly shooting at Arapahoe High School, state officials say they can't determine if that was another reason for higher sales.

Local law enforcement agencies are warning the public ahead of New Year's Eve revelry

Local law enforcement agencies are warning the public ahead of New Year's Eve revelry; a night which can often include dangerous 'celebratory' gunfire. Cities are attempting to curb these dangerous - potentially deadly - incidents before they begin at the start of 2014. Authorties say anyone caught randomly firing a gun will be arrested. If you see someone breaking this law, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers.
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Denver International Airport will be the first city facility to prohibit marijuana possession

Denver International Airport will be the first city facility to prohibit marijuana possession. Airport officials plan to begin enforcing the new policy on all of its property in early January, as it attempts to combat illegal interstate trafficking in the face of federal law. Recently adopted city ordinances ban the display and transfer, but not possession, of marijuana on city-owned property including parks, the 16th Street Mall, streets and sidewalks near schools. The airport has discretion to set such rules under state law and city charter, and officials said they chose to bar all possession and display of pot to eliminate confusion and make the same rules apply to all. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
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Poudre Valley (poo-der) Hospital is recommending hepatitis C testing for some patients

Poudre Valley (poo-der) Hospital is recommending hepatitis C testing for some patients after an employee at the hospital's intensive care unit was suspected of stealing intravenous painkillers. The hospital has sent letters to 210 patients and some employees asking them to get shots if they were there from Sept. 2, 2011, and Aug. 28, 2012. The Coloradoan reports no cases of liver disease associated with the virus have been reported.
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United Way Money Essential for Adult Basic Education

United Way of Morgan County funding is "critical" for many of the students at the Adult Basic Education program at Morgan Community College. The programs director tells the Fort Morgan Times they get no state funding, and very limited federal funding. The program gives people a chance to learn basic skills and knowledge that will help them get ahead in life. They can improve reading, writing and math skills, and also prepare for the GED exam. With a GED, studies show you can earn about $8,000 more a year than someone without one.

Charges Filed in Deadly Christmasa Day Crash in Denver

Denver prosecutors filed charges against a 37-year-old man accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a woman on Christmas Day. Prosecutors say Johnny Gilbert ran a red light and crashed into a car 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. The family was returning home from a Christmas Eve celebration. 35-year-old Dora Gaytan-Esparza was killed, her husband and their two children were injured. Gilbert's charged with vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and DUI.

Aarapahoe Shooter Entered Through Propped Open Door

The teen gunman who fatally shot a fellow student at his suburban Denver high school earlier this month entered through a door that was propped open. Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson says the Arapahoe High School door is supposed to be locked but was frequently left open. If it had been locked, Robinson thinks 18-year-old Karl Pierson, armed with a shotgun, machete and over 100 rounds of ammunition would have just have found another way inside. Investigators believe his main target was a speech team coach who had disciplined him but also say he likely wanted to hurt many others. He killed himself as a deputy assigned to the school closed in.

A former administrator for The Legacy will be rining in the New Year behind bars

A former administrator for The Legacy will be rining in the New Year behind bars. Bonnie Anderson was sentenced to two years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and two years probation, Wednesday, in connection to charges of Negligent Causing Bodily Injury to an At-Risk Adult, which is a class 5 Felony. The charge carries a potential prison sentence of one to three years. Anderson was arrested in May 2013 on charges of First Degree Assault and Crimes Against At-Risk Adults after reports that, Nancy Briggs a resident at The Legacy, was reportedly deprived of adequate food and nourishment. According to court documents, Briggs became ill due to the lack of fluids and was later transported to the hospital. She was then moved to a nursing home where comfort care was administered. She died in September 2012. Anderson was remanded to the Logan County Detention Center at the close of the sentencing last week, and will be transferred to the Department of Corrections.
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A cold front that blew in this weekend could make for a cooler New Year

A cold front that blew in this weekend could make for a cooler New Year. Monday's forecast calls for a high near 44 and low around 20. For New Year's eve, Tuesday, expect temps to be slightly warmer, with a slight chance of snow as the clock counts down to 2014. The low will reach the upper teens for New Year's Eve celebrations. New Year's Day will be mostly sunny with highs in the mid 40s.
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Weld County agencies are teaming up to help communities recover from September floods

Weld County agencies are teaming up to help communities recover from September floods. The agencies have formed a recovery board with subcommittees, case managers, counselors, churches and government coordinators. The Greeley Tribune reports the major issue now is finding housing for people displaced by the flooding. The team is also working on communications and resources to make sure assistance is not duplicated and the highest needs are being met.
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The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office says employees and customers were pepper sprayed during a robbery

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office says employees and customers were pepper sprayed during a robbery at a Jefferson County phone store on Sunday. Investigators say two men took several iPhones before running from the store. According to KMGH-TV at least 21 people were affected by the pepper spray. They were all treated at the scene and no one was hospitalized.
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Authorities are looking for a diabetic 15-year-old runaway from Wisconsin

Authorities are looking for a diabetic 15-year-old runaway from Wisconsin. Police say Breanna Gomez ran away Monday night, and she and her companions are accused of stealing two vehicles and leading police on a chase across two northeast Colorado counties, according to a news alert from the Weld County Sheriff's Office. Investigators believe Gomez is traveling with her 16-year-old boyfriend, Spencer Linville, and two other male teens. Gomez was last seen near Roggen, shortly before the group allegedly stole a light blue Chrysler Town and Country minivan with Colorado license plate. Gomez is about 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds and has blue eyes. Police say her hair may now be black. Investigators say the group may be en route to Riverside, Calif. Anyone with information about the teenagers is asked to call their local authorities.
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Missing Wisconsin Girl May Be in Our Area

Authorities are looking for a 15-year-old diabetic girl from Wisconsin and three teenage males who were believed to be in a stolen vehicle that led officers on a chase in northeastern Colorado. The Weld County Sheriff's Department says Friday that Breanne (bree-AN') Gomez of Eau Claire (oh klayr), Wis., is an insulin-dependent diabetic who could suffer seizures without medication. Authorities say her medication was found in a stolen vehicle that had been abandoned in Weld County after a pursuit through two nearby counties last night. The vehicle wasrecovered about 50 miles northeast of Denver and a light blue Chrysler minivan was reported stolen. Deputies say the four might be headed to Califorina.

Denver First Batch of Recreational Pot Licenses

The first batch of Denver businesses approved to sell recreational marijuana are getting their licenses.
The city is giving out licenses to the owners of 42 medical marijuana shops and growers Friday. Denver's one of 19 municipalities and seven counties in Colorado that will allow retail sales of recreational pot to those 21 and older under voter-approved Amendment 64. Only existing medical marijuana businesses in Denver are now allowed to make the transition to recreational sales. Of the 42 approved so far, eight are retail shops, 30 are growers and four are infused product manufacturers.

Greeley Museum Trying to Acquire Historical Letters

The Greeley History Museum is asking for donations to buy more than 300 letters from colonists in 1869 who were interested in establishing what became Greeley. Museum manager Dan Perry says the letters are part of an estate that is being settled and have to be appraised and sold within two months. Two fourth-generation Greeley residents went to the museum last week to offer to sell the letters valued at $15,685. The museum says the letters can't be donated, and the museum is not allowed to buy artifacts with its budget, so they're asking for the public's help. The letters were written in response to a call from Nathan Cook Meeker, Greeley's founder, who was trying to start a utopian agricultural community.

GiOP Plans to Introduce Changes in New Gun Laws

The GOP leader in the Colorado House says his party will try to overturn or change the gun restrictions Democrats passed earlier this year. Rep. Brian DelGrosso says legislation will be introduced in the next session to repeal the 15-round limit on ammunition magazines, as well as revisit expanded background checks, but did not provide specifics on possible legislation. The restrictions that took effect July 1 led to the recall ouster of two Democratic state senators. Democrats control the House by a wide margin and have a one-vote lead in the Senate.

Logan CO approves MOU with DOC

Logan County's commissioners have approved an MOU between the county and the state's Department of Corrections.

The agreement helps emergency cooperation between the two entities.

The Journal-Advocate reports Commissioner Dave Donaldson saying the MOU applies to labor and equipment between the county's emergency management office and Sterling Correctional Facility.

Travel ramping up at DIA

Flying out this evening or tomorrow? Leave some extra time.

Denver International Airport expects 170,000 passengers overall by the end of the day, and another 170,000 overall tomorrow.

DIA anticipates a million passengers passing through it this week alone.

CO already at record number of gun checks

Colorado has already reached a record number of gun background checks for the year.

The state says it has already experienced 355,000 of them. That represents an increase of 20,000 from all of last year.

A new state law requires checks for all private sales. That has produced 5,000 additional filings.

Unveiling continues for Capitol dome

Crews have started peeling the protective covering from the refinished dome at the Capitol in Denver. The surface has a new gold coat. It may take at least one more full day to remove the covering. Construction on the observation deck may finish next summer.

Prisoners want more exercise

Lawyers are seeking to expand a lawsuit filed over the lack of outdoor recreation at Colorado's high-security prison. State prisons chief Rick Raemisch tells the Denver Post that virtually all options are being examined to solve the problem at the prison in Canon City. Three inmates have sued over exercising in a cell with a barred window 6 inches wide.
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A Christmas Eve shooting left one man dead

A Christmas Eve shooting left one man dead outside an Aurora bar. Police say witnesses told them they heard gunfire on a street after an altercation involving a few individuals that started in the Rack'em Billiards and Sports Bar late Tuesday night. The man's name has not been released.
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Marijuana advocates can ring in the new year with a victory

Marijuana advocates can ring in the new year with a victory. After weeks of scrutinizing applications, causing delays in processing, Colorado became the first state in the country to issue special licenses for recreational-marijuana businesses, Monday, and those busineses could begin producing and selling marijuana to anyone over 21 on Jan. 1. Officials at the state's Marijuana Enforcement Division slipped 348 approved licenses into the mail and sent them out to stores, product-makers and cultivation facilities, and say assuming the businesses also have the approval of their local governments they could open up shop at midnight Jan. 1, 2014. Most of the 136 marijuana shops scheduled to open are in Denver, but stores with approved state licenses also pop up in places from Telluride to Alma to Garden City. Marijuana advocates hailed the finalized licenses as a victory for Coloradoans who voted to legalize pot in November 2012.

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Ft Carson Welcome Home Ceremony Tonight

Fort Carson is holding a Christmas Eve welcoming ceremony for about 35 soldiers returning from duty in Afghanistan. The soldiers are with the 748th Ordinance Company, which deployed to Afghanistan in March. The ceremony's tonight at 9:30 p.m. at Fort Carson's Special Events Center. During their deployment, the company supported U.S.-led coalition missions, trained Afghan special forces and police, and disposed of 50 improvised explosive devices. It also disposed of 5 tons of captured explosives.

Juvenile Justice Bill Expected in Next Session of Legislature

Juveniles arrested in Colorado would be guaranteed attorneys at detention hearings under a bill being drafted by lawmakers and child advocates. It's an effort to address issues raised by child advocates who say nearly half of juveniles in state courts don't have legal representation during criminal proceedings, and that could have long-term consequences. The bill's expected to be introduced during the legislative session that begins next month. It would require courts to make sure juveniles have an attorney during detention hearings - the first hearing after being taken into custody. Juveniles would be appointed an attorney if they can't afford one.

More Time to Sign Up for Health Coverage

Coloradans who need health care coverage starting on New Year's Day now have even more time to sign up. The CEO of the state's health care exchange, says staffers will help anyone who signs up by Friday get coverage. Yesterday was the original deadline but Connect For Health Colorado at first extended it to today after the White House gave people in states without health care exchanges more time to sign up.
Colorado's call center is closed tomorrow, but open again Thursday and Friday. You can continue to sign up online 24 hours a day. Over 5,000 signed up for coverage Monday, the most in a single day; and 43,000 have signed up since October.

Today is Health insurance Deadline Day

Colorado's health care exchange website and phones are busy with people signing up for coverage starting in the New Year. Today's the final official day to enroll for coverage starting Jan. 1. However, the deadline on the federal health care website has been extended through Tuesday and Colorado officials say they're confident they can also guarantee coverage for anyone who signs up then too. Enrollment' been slow s so far, even though the state hasn't experienced the kinds of computer problems seen elsewhere. About 35,000 people have signed up for coverage. That's expected to rise to at least 36,000 by tomorrow.

Some residents and business owners in the Lyons area got a big surprise in their mailboxes Friday

Some residents and business owners in the Lyons area got a big surprise in their mailboxes Friday. 280 people found checks for up to $5,000 to help them as they rebuild their lives following September's flooding. The Lyons Community Foundation and the Lyons Community Church's Community Basic Needs and Emergency Fund distributed more than $950,000 to peopole who submitted applications asking for help. Most weren't notified in advance that they were selected to receive money. The money came from individual and corporate donations and some proceeds from October's benefit concert featuring Dave Matthews.
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Tis the season, and local authorities are warning consumers to be cautious of identity theft

Tis the season, and local authorities are warning consumers to be cautious of identity theft. Police say they've seen in increase in debit and credit card fraud over the past weekend, where thieves obtain consumer account information when credit and debit cards are used. The account information can then be used to withdraw cash or purchase items in other areas around the country. Credit and debit card fraud happens throughout the year, but officials say consumers should especially be vigilant during the holiday season when transactions are typically higher with the increased spending on gifts and holiday parties.
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Friday marked 100 days from the start of the September floods

Friday marked 100 days from the start of the September floods, and Wednesday, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper showed his support for ongoing flood recovery efforts in the 24 counties where flooding occured. He applauded Colorado united for helping communities deal with the floods aftermath, and said he and his family will spend Christmas in Estes Park, one of the communities most devastated by the floods, to help support local businesses in that area.
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The victim in that shooting at a Colorado High school earlier this month, has died

The victim in that shooting at a Colorado High school earlier this month, has died. Gov. John Hickenlooper and other officials from the state offered their condolences Sunday to the family of Claire Davis after the 17-year-old, who was clinging to life, lost her fight to survive, Saturday. Claire was the victim of the Dec. 13 shooting at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, at which the gunman took his own life. At the request of her family and friends, The Denver Foundation announced it had created a fund in Claire's name on Dec. 16. The foundation said the Arapahoe High School Community Fund honoring Claire Davis will support mental health care, anti-bullying programs, and other community needs.
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Get in the Christmas spirit with the Sterling Miracle Players

Get in the Christmas spirit with the Sterling Miracle Players. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Frosty the Snowman,” the birth of Jesus, whatever your favorite holiday story is, you'll be able to hear it in Sterling Miracle Players' upcoming production of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told hitting the stage Friday. In addition to the familiar holiday stories, the production will also feature “Every Christmas Story Ever Told,” with a twist, some help from the audience. Those who attend the production will get to enjoy some holiday comedy with the added bonus of supporting local students. A portion of the proceeds from the show will go to local educational music programs. “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” show times are 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, at the Dorothy Corsberg Theatre on the Northeastern Junior College campus.
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Medical-marijuana patients will be paying less

Medical-marijuana patients will be paying less annually beginning early next year. The state board of health voted Wednesday to lower the $35 fee patients pay by 57 percent to $15. The change is mainly because of the fact that the registry's state fund has made more than enough money to cover administrative costs, according to a report from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
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Colorado's minimum wage will increase

Colorado's minimum wage will increase by 22 cents on New Year's Day to $8 an hour. Supporters say the raise will benefit 104,000 low-wage workers statewide. The minimum for tipped workers in Colorado will also rise by 22 cents, to nearly $5 an hour.
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A Canon City councilman has been convicted

A Canon City councilman has been convicted of harassment but cleared on charges of assault and disorderly conduct. The Daily Record reports that Michael "Colby" Katchmar got the verdict yesterday. He accused of being involved in an altercation with an elderly couple at a wine-tasting event in May.
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1.6 million Coloradans heading home for the holidays

The 1.6 million Coloradans that AAA is projecting will travel 50 miles or more for the holidays should have pretty good road conditions. The NWS calls for light snow in the mountains and around the foothills with some accumulation over the weekend. Winter officially begins Saturday, but today's temperatures are expected to be slightly cooler than yesterday (Thu), with a high around 36. Overnight, the low will stay in the upper teens, forecasters say, with a slight warm up Saturday, making it a nice weekend for late-season shoppers to hit the stores with mostly sunny skies and a high of around 40.
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Blood Donors Needed

Colorado's blood supply is at a critical low and Bonfils Blood Center is putting out an urgent call for donations. Demand for blood in the state spiked recently and donations have tapered off. Doctors say there is a special need for donations from people with Type O negative blood because they are universal donors who are compatible with most patients. The Denver Post reports Bonfils had 32 units of Type O negative blood on hand on yesterday, compared with 100 to 200 units on a typical day.

Aarapahoe Students Getting Back Into School Building

Students are being allowed back in to Arapahoe High School for brief visits that are providing some comfort following last week's shooting. Juniors and seniors were allowed inside for two hours today to get things they had to leave behind after a gunman opened fire, wounding one student before killing himself. Underclassmen are scheduled to report tomorrow. Students were able to meet their teachers, walk the school's halls and gather in the cafeteria to talk and eat homemade cookies. Some said they were nervous to return. Classes will resume in January.

Hickenlooper 2014 Agenda

A year after saying "the time is right" for a gun-control debate, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is laying out a much more modest agenda for 2014. Hickenlooper says he doesn't want to see any of those laws repealed. But he told reporters he'd consider tweaks to some of them, without specifying what changes he'd agree to. The governor announced no major new initiatives. He says he hopes next session is marked by bipartisanship. That's an unlikely outcome as Hickenlooper seeks re-election and Republicans are within a single seat of controlling the state Senate.

Sedgwick County is getting a new judge

Sedgwick County is getting a new judge. The Thirteenth Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet Jan. 21, at the Sedgwick County Courthouse to interview and select nominees for the office of county judge, as a result of the Honorable James M. Wittler's resignation, effective Feb. 7, 2014. Applications are available on the court's home page at, courts.state.co.us, and must be filed no later than Jan. 6, 2014. Late applications will not be considered.
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I just want some answers

I just want some answers. That's what Mark Pierson, the father of the Arapahoe High School gunman, told the Denver Post, Monday, as he and his ex-wife, Barbara, expressed remorse and compassion for the incident involving their son, calling on school officials to be more forthcoming with details about the interactions they had with, 18 year old Karl Pierson, before he walked into the Centennial school Friday afternoon seeking revenge that ended with him shooting and seriously wounding 17-year-old Claire Davis, before fatally shooting himself. Mark Pierson said he and his ex-wife attended multiple disciplinary hearings with school officials earlier this year, and say school officials, including librarian and debate coach Tracy Murphy, the target of thier son's rage, should have to answer questions about their interactions with their son, who was a member of the debate team. Investigators say Karl Pierson had been nursing a grudge against Murphy and had made a verbal threat against him.
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Teens caught with gun on school campus

Weld County authorities say two teens exchanged a handgun at Mead High School but there's no indication they were planning to commit any violence at the school. Sheriff John B. Cooke said in a statement Tuesday that deputies became aware of the incident Saturday when one of the teen's parents contacted them to say the teen had someone else's firearm. Bureau chief Steve Reams said investigators believe they had the handgun at the school on Friday but didn't display it. The teens have been removed from school and the sheriff's office has recommended that they be prosecuted. The final decision will rest with the district attorney's office.
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Weld County Teens in Trouble Over Handgun

Weld County authorities say two teens exchanged a handgun at Mead High School but there's no indication they were planning to commit any violence at the school. Sheriff John Cooke says deputies became aware of the incident Saturday when one of the teen's parents contacted them to say the teen had someone else's firearm. Bureau Chief Steve Reams says investigators believe they had the handgun at the school on Friday but didn't display it. The teens have been removed from school and the sheriff's office has recommended that they be prosecuted.

Investigators Think Arapahoe Shooter Had Seversl Areas Targeted

Investigators believe the gunman who opened fire at Arapahoe High School had selected at least five spots he wanted to target on his rampage. The Arapahoe County sheriff says letters and numbers corresponding to the labels of the school library and four adjacent classrooms were written in marker on Karl Pierson's arm. Investigators are looking into who was in the rooms to see if those people were deliberate targets of the gunman. Authorities have previously said they believed a librarian who headed the speech and debate team was Pierson's intended target.

You can help a child in Logan County have a merry Christmas who might not otherwise

You can help a child in Logan County have a merry Christmas who might not otherwise. The Logan County Chamber of Commerce's Project Christmas Truck is helping some Logan County families in need, and the chamber is looking for people willing to help make this holiday a little better for them and their children. Families register their children to receive gifts that were on their wish list which are noted on ornaments hanging on trees at participating community businesses and the Chamber. Wrapped gifts must be received by Dec. 18. Cash donations are also accepted, which the Chamber uses to purchase gifts for children whose ornaments were not selected from a tree. For more information, contact the Logan County Chamber.
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Sterling is mourning the loss of a beloved community leader and longtime philanthropist

Sterling is mourning the loss of a beloved community leader and longtime philanthropist. Frank Walsh, known for his kindness and generosity, passed away late Saturday. Walsh, and his wife of more than 60 years, were known for funding various community projects, including the Overland Trail Museum's High Plains Education Center, the Sterling Recreation Center's outdoor pool, the expansion of Sterling Public Library, he contributed to the Blue Spruce Residence Hall at Northeastern Junior College, and helped build the David Walsh Cancer Center at Sterling Regional MedCenter. The cancer treatment facility is named in honor of their son, who lost his battle with cancer. Tennant Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for Frank Walsh's services. He was, 92 years old.
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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a lawsuit claiming a Colorado Springs man defrauded investors of more than $31 million

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a lawsuit claiming a Colorado Springs man defrauded investors of more than $31 million. The lawsuit accuses Daniel Coddington of promising investors returns as high as 475 percent. According to the Denver Post, Coddington and his Golden Summit Investors Group claimed they were using investor funds in an equities trading program that relied on mortgage obligations. About a dozen other companies and individuals were named in the lawsuit.
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A former employee at a Colorado Springs school district has pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor

A former employee at a Colorado Springs school district has pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Investigators say 34-year-old Tonya Harri, who was a food service worker, gave alcoholic beverages to minors. According to KKTV-TV, Harris is being sentenced to three years supervised probation and 100 hours of community service.
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A 15-year-old girl from Colorado who was reported missing has been found

A 15-year-old girl from Colorado who was reported missing after a car crash Monday has been found safe in Utah. Louisville police say Rachel Gooding-Lord was in a car that rolled on Interstate-70 near the Bakersfield exit in the mountains. Her mother, Anne Gooding, tells KMGH-TV she does not know how her daughter got to Utah. The girl's location in Utah was not disclosed.
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Aarapahoe High School Released to School District

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is allowing school district administrators back into the Arapahoe High School facility where a gunman shot a student at point-blank range before killing himself. Sheriff Grayson Robinson says investigators finished their work over the weekend and gathered the evidence they needed.
Crime scene investigators included the sheriff's office, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the FBI.
18-year old Karl Pierson shot Claire Davis at point-blank range Friday before killing himself as the result of an apparent dispute with a school staff member. The Littleton Public Schools district hasn't said when classes will resume.

State Loses Employee Info on 19,000

The state of Colorado has notified nearly 19,000 current and former employees they have lost some of their sensitive information. The Denver Post reports that a device containing the employees' names, Social Security numbers and possibly addresses is missing. The state says there's no indication the data has been misused or stolen. A state employee apparently lost a USB drive containing the information. It disappeared in late November. Officials initiated a search and when the device couldn't be found, they began the processing of identifying what information it contained in order to know which current and former employees needed to be notified.

Families who lost everything in the fall floods will still have a merry Christmas

Families who lost everything in the fall floods will still have a merry Christmas, thanks to some Sterling Middle School students. The students collected a bus load of items that they took to Milliken Elementary Friday, to help kids who were affected by the devastating flooding back in September. The schoolwide project will benefit children from families that lived in a trailer court that was pretty much washed away. The students also raised over $251, which was used to by Payless gifts cards for each elementary student, so they can buy shoes.
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Sterling residents who dream of raising chickens in their yard edged a little closer to that becoming a reality

Sterling residents who dream of raising chickens in their yard edged a little closer to that becoming a reality. After months of waiting, a group of residents who proposed changes to a “draft chicken ordinance” that was approved by the Sterling Planning Commission but rejected by the council, saw some progress at last weeks meeting, as members moved closer to approving the chicken law. The City Chickens representatives said they would research and answer any questions or concerns that might come up as the ordinance is finalized for consideration, and said revisions to the draft ordinance would be made before presenting the final draft to the council for approval. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 14, but the council will call for a special meeting if the need arises.

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Christmas could find many rolling the dice

Christmas could find many rolling the dice. Colorado officials are considering legislation that would allow online gambling, after legislation drafted earlier this year, that would have authorized Internet poker, was delayed. The industry says it will continue to explore the issue, with another push possible when lawmakers return next year.
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Vigil held for student wounded in Arapahoe High School shooting

About 500 people gathered for a vigil last night for the student critically wounded in the Arapahoe High School shooting. Students and others held candles to show support for 17-year-old Claire Davis. The senior was shot Friday afternoon and was in critical condition at Littleton Adventist Hospital.
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Just one day after Colorado's Arapahoe High School shooting, more than 200 people sang and offered prayers in Denver to remember those killed one year ago in the Connecticut school shootings. Twenty-six people rang a bell Saturday at Cheesman Park for the 20 students and six adults killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The Denver Post reported the crowd joined together to sing "Amazing Grace" at this weekends ceremony. Among those attending was Megan Sullivan, who lost her brother, Alex, in the 2012 Aurora movie theater shootings. Sullivan offered a message of hope for those touched by school violence.
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Authorities say an 18-year-old who wounded a fellow student before killing himself at a suburban Denver school

Authorities say an 18-year-old who wounded a fellow student before killing himself at a suburban Denver school, Friday, had a shotgun, a machete and three malotov cocktails in his backpack. Arapahoe County Sheriff's officials said this weekend that Karl Pierson, who had ammunition strapped to his body, wanted revenge against a faculty member. Robinson also says the Arapahoe High School student legally bought the shotgun on Dec. 6.
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Authorities say a 60-year-old man was killed in a ski accident at Telluride

Authorities say a 60-year-old man was killed in a ski accident at Telluride. San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters tells the Telluride Daily Planet that Scott Harlow of Norwood was skiing down Pick 'N Gad on Wednesday afternoon when he left the intermediate run and struck a tree. Masters believes Harlow was not wearing a helmet.
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Man gets 65 years for fatal drug robbery

A 28-year-old man who acknowledged his role in a fatal drug robbery at a downtown Colorado Springs hotel has been sentenced to 65 years in prison. The Gazette reports a judge sentenced Michael David Brown, of Delta, on Friday for the March 15 shooting death of 36-year-old James Klinger. Authorities say Klinger was dealing methamphetamine when a drug heist plotted by Brown and two co-defendants took a violent turn.
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SunMart's Gift of Hope Campaign is back

SunMart's Gift of Hope Campaign is back. The supermarket is continuing it's efforts to work with organizations within the community to better the lives of family, friends, and neighbors. Through this campaign the Sterling store partners with the Cooperating Ministries of Logan County to bring aid to local families in need. Through the end of the year you'll be asked at the register to make a $1, $3, or $5 contribution, and organizers say 100 percent of the dollars you donate will be given to Cooperating Ministries of Logan County.
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The state's 160 pot shops, set to open in Colorado, New Years eve, aren't sure they'll be opening at all

The state's 160 pot shops, set to open in Colorado, New Years eve, aren't sure they'll be opening at all. Legal marijuana sales go into effect Jan. 1, but so-called ganjapreneurs say planning grand openings will have to be put on hold as they navigate a maze of regulations and red tape before finding out whether they've been approved to open their doors to adults over 21. The small number of recreational dispensaries, and the last-minute uncertainty on whether they'll be allowed to open, has some in the industry warning of pot shortages and spiraling prices for recreational shoppers.
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mcb

Looking for that special Xmas gift?

Looking for that special Xmas gift? Then make sure you come on out to the annual TPO Holiday Craft Bazaar where you'll find lots of great gifts. More than 40 booths are expected, and organizers say more keep signing up. Booths will offer things like jewelry, Christmas ornaments, paper crafts, candy, and much more. Children will be performing dance and song during the day, and some kids will bring their robots to show off. The bazaar is scheduled for this Saturday at the Wiggins Elementary School, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and proceeds benefit the elementary school.
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mcb

OneMorgan County got an economic boost Tuesday

OneMorgan County got an economic boost Tuesday. Colorado Gives Day brought in $3,405 for OMC. Other local non-profit organizations also benefited by Colorado Gives Day, with $2,400 in online donations through Coloradogives.org, $200 in cash donated at an open house and $805 donated through the silent auction bids. All donations made online at Colorado Gives Day goes to the organizations that donors are supporting.
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MEANWHILE

During this weeks annual OMC meeting, Greg Wagers was chosen as the chairman of the OneMorgan County Board of Directors. OMC also announced it is currently accepting applications to fill three other seats left vacant on the board. Anyone intersted is welcome to apply.
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mcb

A bear is wandering around Basalt

A bear is wandering around Basalt. Normally this is the time of year bears should be hibernating, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials told The Aspen Times that the bear may have been awakened by something natural or man-made and then likely began looking around for calories to remain awake.
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mcb

Boulder's Naropa University has suspended a religious studies professor for not speaking

Boulder's Naropa University has suspended a religious studies professor for not speaking. The Boulder Daily Camera reports professor Don Matthews launched a silent protest against racial bias on campus last week. The unorthodox teaching technique led to complaints that he refused to speak during classes.
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mcb

A 6-year-old boy suspended for kissing a girl will get a fresh start

A 6-year-old boy suspended for kissing a girl will get a fresh start. Canon (canyun) City school officials have modified the elementary students record, and Instead of the term "sexual harassment," they will document his behavior as misconduct. The girl's mother told the Canon City Daily Record that the school district has done a great job of protecting her daughter.
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mcb

Synthetic marijuana is being blamed for puttng hundreds of Coloradans in the hospital

Synthetic marijuana is being blamed for puttng hundreds of Coloradans in the hospital. During an outbreak earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control says 221 people got sick, and of the 127 cases they investigated, 10 were admitted into intensive care. Authorities said there were no deaths reported. Most of the patients were treated and released.
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mcb

The race is on in Logan County

The race is on in Logan County. Five of the county’s elected officials, all Republican, have officially announced their candidacy for the 2014 election. Sheriff Brett Powell, Coroner Dave Tennant, Assessor Peggy Michael, Clerk and Recorder Pam Schneider and Treasurer Patty Bartlett, have all said they will be seeking another term. The District 3 Logan County Commissioner seat currently held by Republican Dave Donaldson is also up for grabs in November, but he has made no announcement yet concerning his plans. To date no Democrats or Unaffiliated candidates have announced intentions to seek a county office, and currently the Republican Party holds all eight of the county seats.
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mcb

Sterling, authorities said, may be where an Iowa runaway could be hiding out

Sterling, authorities said, may be where an Iowa runaway could be hiding out. The family says they think 17 year old Cody Darrell, who has family members in Sterling, might be headed to the area, after he disappeared from his Charles City, Iowa, home, Dec. 4. According to a friend of the family, he took his truck, alarm clock, toothbrush, his mother's GPS and money. The teen is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. The the high school junior's family has set up a "Help Find Cody Darrell," Facebook page. If you have any information about Cody's whereabouts you're urged to contact the Charles City Police Department.
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mcb

Colorado wine drinkers are buying more local wines

Colorado wine drinkers are buying more local wines and spending more to support the homegrown industry. According to the Denver Post, sales of local wines jumped from $19 million in 2011 to $28 million last year. Production in Colorado grew to 335,000 gallons, which is a 14 percent increase from the previous year. Industry representatives say the growing numbers suggest a maturing market that is focusing more on quality and building a demand for local wine.
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mcb

Employees at East Morgan County Hospital (EMCH), in Brush are spreading the love

Employees at East Morgan County Hospital (EMCH), in Brush are spreading the love. During a recent food drive, the staff collected more than 1,500 nonperishable food items to be donated to a local charity. Organizers said the event, which began as a food drive for the holidays, was held in November, with everybody really getting into the spirit of the cause of people helping people. The donated items were delivered to the Brush Recreation Center for distribution, and was the largest donation ever received by the center. Plans are to continue the event next year.
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mcb

Carbon monoxide poisoning is blamed for one death and seven sicknesses in Commerce City

Carbon monoxide poisoning is blamed for one death and seven sicknesses in Commerce City. The poisonings were discovered yesterday morning. One man died and seven more people in the home were sick. A doctor who treated the ill family members told KMGH that the cause appears to be a malfunctioning furnace. Adams County deputies say no foul play is suspected.
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mcb

Colorado auditors say a state vocational program for people with disabilities paid $315,000 during 19 years for one individual and $203,000 during 32 years for another — neither of whom reached their employment goals

Colorado auditors say a state vocational program for people with disabilities paid $315,000 during 19 years for one individual and $203,000 during 32 years for another — neither of whom reached their employment goals. Those findings released yesterday were among several that auditors say highlight a lack of oversight and accountability within Colorado's Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
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mcb

A group of health organizations led by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment wants to make it harder for parents of students to decline vaccinations

A group of health organizations led by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment wants to make it harder for parents of students to decline vaccinations. The Denver Post reports current exemptions allow more than 4 percent of kindergartners to arrive at school without inoculations required by law.
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mcb

Golden has lifted evacuations after a flood threat from a broken ice dam subsided

Golden has lifted evacuations after a flood threat from a broken ice dam subsided. The city evacuated the Clear Creek RV park and the Canyon Side Condos yesterday after an ice dam broke in Clear Creek. The city said a wall of water was about 4 feet high when it hit the mouth of the canyon and was expected to flow into Golden. KUSA-TV reports the city now says the threat of flooding has passed.
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mcb

Mom Charged in Child Shooting

The mother of a 3-year-old Frederick boy who accidentally shot himself in the head has been charged with criminally negligent child abuse resulting in death. Dione Warren, turned herself in to authorities last night. Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck says he took Warren's loss into account in weighing charges but said she was negligent for leaving her son alone at home where he could access a deadly weapon. According to police and court records, Sheine Steine, shot himself after finding a handgun between the mattress and a bed frame. The gun belongs to Sheine's stepfather, who hasn't been charged.

Get paid to lose weight

Get paid to lose weight. Colorado's free Weigh and Win program is coming to Brush, making it the first one in the northeastern Colorado area. Weigh and Win is a free program that pays people to achieve a healthy weight. It helps participants incorporate healthy eating and active living habits into their daily routines through personalized coaching. During a recent meeting held at East Morgan County Hospital, organizers determined the Weigh and Win kiosk will be housed in a private area adjacent to the East Morgan County Hospital lobby. Participants will weigh in at the community kiosks to help track their weight loss. For more and to register, visit WeighandWin.com, where numerous program tools are also available.
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mcb

A whooping cough epidemic that began in 2012 is continuing to surge in Colorado

A whooping cough epidemic that began in 2012 is continuing to surge in Colorado. As of Nov. 16, nearly 1,200 cases of pertussis were confirmed in Colorado, up from 419 in 2011. According to the Denver Post the state health department blames ordinary disease cycles for the spike. Whooping cough, also called pertussis, typically isn't life-threatening for teens and healthy adults, but it can kill infants and people with weak immune systems. It's a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It often starts with cold-like symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough. The cough becomes more severe and becomes a high-pitched whoop.
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mcb

A 6-year-old boy has been suspended from school in Canon City (CAN-yun) for kissing a girl on the cheek

A 6-year-old boy has been suspended from school in Canon City (CAN-yun) for kissing a girl on the cheek. School officials are accusing the boy of sexual harassment and they want it on his school record. The boy's mother tells KRDO-TV her son was suspended once before for kissing the girl and had disciplinary problems, but the girl did not object to being kissed. A School District RE-1 official says the repeat offenses meet the school policy definition of sexual harassment and they hope the tough standards will force the boy to change his behavior.
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mcb

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center says avalanche danger for the Vail Summit area, Grand Mesa and Steamboat Springs is considerable

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center says avalanche danger for the Vail Summit area, Grand Mesa and Steamboat Springs is considerable. Forecasters said Tuesday most of the danger to backcountry skiers and hikers is near the tree line, where the snowpack is weak, but no injuries have been reported. More snow is expected Tuesday night in the northern Colorado mountains.

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mcb

CU cheating reports up

Reports of cheating have increased at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

However, campus officials say that has resulted from students in the Honor Code Office doing a better job of raising awareness of the tools faculty can use to find it.

The Daily Camera reports the office receiving 279 reports of cheating for the year ending in July. That trumps the 202 received the previous year.

Sterling to discuss cemetery and chickens tomorrow

Sterling's city council meets tomorrow night to discuss a cemetery and chickens.

It does not sound like much, but the Journal-Advocate reports this odd combination could make for a long evening.

The Friends of Sunset Memorial Gardens has worked for a year to improve the cemetery north of town. The Colorado Association of Cemeteries made a series of recommendations in June. The committee working with the cemetery owners has suggested that it would like the cemetery to fall under control of a governmental entity or a new special cemetery district.

Meanwhile, a chicken ordinance would allow city residents to raise them in their yards. A Facebook group sent it to the planning commission, which then passed it on to the council with some suggested changes. The council in August decided not to adopt the amendment from the commission, and instead develop its own ordinance.

Ribbon cut for band shell at City Park

People may notice something different at Fort Morgan's City Park.

Morgan Community College president Kerry Hart used scissors to cut the ribbon for the Dahms-Talton Band Shell there.

The Fort Morgan Times reports Mary Zorn from the organizing committee saying a full dedication and celebration takes place in May at a time when people can better enjoy the shell.

Zorn says people can sponsor memorial bricks. Little ones come as little as $100 each, but the big ones run $1,000.

People hoped Saturday's ceremony would have included music in the shell, but the unusually cold weather made that impossible.

City engineer Brad Curtis claims the cold also delayed some work on the shell. He says incomplete spots include the roof, electrical fixtures, and the memorial brick wall.

Some Colorado college students may be on Santa's naughty list

Some Colorado college students may be on Santa's naughty list. Cheating is up at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Campus officials say that's because students in the Honor Code Office are raising awareness of academic dishonesty. The Boulder Daily Camera reports the office received 279 reports of cheating for the year ending July 31, up from 202 during the same time period the year before.
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MCB

Winter weather that has converged on at least 20 states, causing hundreds of canceled flights and downed power lines, barely brushed northeast Colorado this weekend

Winter weather that has converged on at least 20 states, causing hundreds of canceled flights and downed power lines, barely brushed northeast Colorado this weekend. However, forecasters warned residents would see wind chills of 15 to 25 below 0, bringing with it hazardous road conditions, Saturday. Clear skies were expected by Monday, and the National Weather Service predicts temperatures may finally rise above freezing by Wednesday, with a high near 33 expected. MEANWHILE ........ Some residents living in Golden are on alert because of water overflowing the banks of frozen Clear Creek. Authorities warned, residents of the Clear Creek RV Park to be ready to evacuate, Monday if necessary. Several trails in Golden are closed due to high levels of frozen water, and several parking lots along the creek are also closed.
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mcb

Flood zone receiving millions from HUD

Colorado can expect millions of dollars in federal funding following September's floods.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has directed $63 million in grant money for flood recovery in several parts of the state.

Boulder, Weld and Larimer counties stand to receive 80 percent of the money. Those counties suffered the heaviest damage.

Old Town Bistro, Santas of Sterling exchanging cookies

People on Santa's naughty list tomorrow can learn how to bribe him.

Old Town Bistro and the Sants of Sterling's Miracle Letter Program hold a Cookie Buffet and Gingerbread House Contest from 9 a.m. to noon.

The event takes place at the old city hall building on Poplar Street.

The Journal-Advocate reports sales of cookies by the pound and the auctioning off of gingerbread house entries. Proceeds support the Miracle Letter Program.

Morgan Co. court considers Miranda issue

Court in Morgan County considers whether or not police respected a woman's legal rights.

Attorneys from both sides yesterday made motions in the case of 34-year-old Cassandra Bustos of Fort Morgan.

The Fort Morgan Times reports Bustos stands accused of burglary and assault following a stabbing in June in Brush. Twenty-two-year-old Christopher Hernandez later died at East Morgan County Hospital from the stabbing.

Police records show Bustos telling them Herandez and another person had come to help her pick up her things at an apartment. An affidavit, however, shows an altercation ensued with the person who lived there.

The case's main issue focuses on whether or not officers stepped over Bustos' Miranda rights. A public defender yesterday motioned to supress some evidence coming from police interviews with Bustos.

The next hearing in the case takes place in February.

ABATE toys go to kids

The ABATE motorcycle club Wednesday delivered toys for children on Wednesday.

Club members dropped them off at Caring Ministries, the Morgan Community College Magic of Christmas Tree, and the sheriff's office Santa's Golden Stars.

They also brought toys to Carina Ministries in Yuma.

Caroline Cawley from ABATE tells the Fort Morgan Times that the club collected some toys on their annual toy run in October. She says 70 riders showed up to give at least one toy each to needy children.

The motorcyclists meet in one place annually and bring the toys, then they drive around Fort Morgan with a truck full of them and help from police.

Funeral director convicted for fraud

A former Greeley funeral director now has a dozen felony convictions.

A jury yesterday found Paul Acuna guilty on fraud charges.

The panel concluded Acuna forged funeral contracts and took Weld County's human services department for over $13,000.

Prosecutors say he doctored contracts to receive low-income assistance for funerals and then pocketed the money.

Motorists beware of low temps

These temperatures may not set records, but they may still cause problems for travel by themselves.

People should keep winter preparedness kits in their vehicles should they need assistance. Items include snow brushes, flares, extra clothes, food and water.

Triple-A says roadside assistance calls around Denver increase 50 percent during cold snaps.

Wind chill advisory for the direct south, cold tonight in NE Colo.

Yuma, Kit Carson, and Cheyenne counties all have a wind chill advisory tonight into late tomorrow morning.

The National Weather Service says readings may drop as low as twenty-one degrees below zero in these areas. You get those when temperatures hover at zero and winds blow ten to twenty miles per hour.

Anyone in this corner of the state who has to go outside tonight should dress adequately and minimize exposure. Ensure animals have warm dry shelter and acess to food and fresh unfrozen water.

Whooping cough very present in Phillips Co.

Health officials continue expressing concerns over whooping cough on both the regional and state levels.

The Northeast Colorado Health Department says that it has learning of 14 such cases int the last month in Phillips County.

The department says most the cases pertain to school-aged children. While the cases center on Phillips County at this time, case rates remain high statewide.

Health officials want people who cough or have family members who cough for two weeks to see their healthcare providers and ensure their vaccinations remain updated.

Principal takes over as Peetz Plateau superintendent

A principal assumes superintendent duties for now for the Peetz Plateau School District.

The Journal-Advocate reports the school board approving hiring someone to act as superintendent and high school principal for next school year. The district continues working on a job description for that position.

As for who finishes this school year as the district's leader, that responsbility now belongs to principal Mark Collard.

Current superintendent Ben Dutton resigns at the end of this month.

The board has also approved the recommendation to hire one of the school's teachers to help Collard in areas that include discipline, supervision of athletic competition, non-instructional evaluations, and daily instructional support.

Dutton says the district interviews soon for that position, and the board should receive a recommendation for the hire at its next meeting on Wednesday. The district also needs to hire a long-term substitute to replace that teacher.

Wiggins Elementary wins state award third straight time

Wiggins Elementary has won the Colorado Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award for the third straight year.

The award recognizes schools exceeding expectations of academic growth, as well as surpassing improvements for growth gaps.

Principal Tara Boyer tells the Fort Morgan Times that the school's teachers enjoy a luncheon for their hard work on December 20th.

Superintendent Gary Bruntz says when the Transitional Colorado Achievement Program results surfaced in August, Wiggins did very well last year as a district in general. However, he says the elementary students performed exceptionally well.

Ft Morgan Not Getting Middle School Money

The Fort Morgan School District says the money they thought was heading here to build a new middle school has been delayed. The Fort Morgan Times reports a district statement says they may have to submit a new grant application for capital construction help from the Building Excellent Schools Today program. The district is working closely with BEST to resolve the situation.

State Health Exchange Chief Wants Raise

The head of Colorado's state health care exchange is asking for a year-end raise and bonus even though enrollment numbers are not meeting expectations. Patty Fontneau's currently paid over $190,000/year. Her salary is supported by Colorado taxpayers. The board of directors for the exchange has yet to approve Fontneau's request. The Denver Post reports enrollment figures so far are short of expectations. Officials' high-end projection for how many people would enroll in an insurance plan through December was more than 61,000. But earlier this week, they reported just under 10,000 people had bought private health insurance plan.

$63-million Coming from HUD for Flood Recovery

The federal government will provide $62.8 million to help individuals and communities rebuilding from flooding in northeastern Colorado. The money will come from HUD's disaster recovery program and is aimed at supplementing previous funding from federal agencies like FEMA. The HUD grants can be used for housing repairs, economic development and infrastructure and flood protection. Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet say the money could potentially help thousands of Colorado residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

A Colombian national is returning to federal court in Denver on a weapons charge

A Colombian national is returning to federal court in Denver on a weapons charge after his arrest during raids on medical marijuana businesses. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Thursday for 49-year-old Hector Diaz on one count of possession of a firearm while in the U.S. on a business or tourism visa. Diaz is the only person reported to have been arrested during the Nov. 21 raids on more than a dozen sites, most of them related to medical marijuana businesses in Denver and Boulder. Prosecutors have not said whether he is linked to the pot investigation, nor have they disclosed the reasons for the raids.
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mcb

Show me the money

Show me the money. The head of Colorado's state health care exchange is asking for a year-end raise and bonus, despite complaints from some Colorado buyers about the state website. Some buyers are confused about whether they can keep their current individual insurance policies, and enrollment numbers are short of expectations. The raise request was first reported by the University of Colorado publication Solutions. The current, more than $190,000 a year salary, is supported by Colorado taxpayers.
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mcb

Mother Nature almost bypassed Morgan County, but officials are warning people to be prepared for winter weather that could be worse with the next storm

Mother Nature almost bypassed Morgan County, but officials are warning people to be prepared for winter weather that could be worse with the next storm. A bitter cold snap has dropped temperatures to near 30 degrees below zero in northwestern Colorado, and while the rest of the state is struggling with freezing weather, ice and snow, the Ft. Morgan area has only seen a dusting of snow so far in the latest storm. Colorado Department of Transportation officials said area highways were in good condition, but warned, there are some drifts and icy spots you'll have to watch out for. Fort Morgan crews were out overnight watching streets for signs of icing, and sand was put down in Brush and Wiggins as a safety precaution. Public schools in Morgan County were open. According to the National Weather Service, Greeley and Fort Collins saw about three inches of snow. The temperature in Meeker hit 29 below zero just before sunrise, and some mountain areas are reporting up to a foot of snow, with more possible.
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mcb

Broomfield Voters Approve Fracking Ban

A recount shows Broomfield voters narrowly approved a 5-year moratorium on fracking, but opponents are challenging the vote-counting process and some voters' eligibility has been questioned. The Boulder Daily Camera reports the recount showed the measure passed by 20 votes out of nearly 21,000 ballots counted. Opponents filed suit yesterday alleging elections officials didn't give their representatives access to monitor the recount. Broomfield officials deny the claim. Officials say the eligibility of up to 18 ballots has been questioned. They say a full review will be completed this week.

With a winter storm bringing frigid temperatures to Colorado, the Colorado Department of Agriculture reminds everyone to protect their pets

With a winter storm bringing frigid temperatures to Colorado, the Colorado Department of Agriculture reminds everyone to protect their pets during cold weather. Officials say if animals have prolonged exposure to cold conditions, despite having fur, they are still susceptible to hypothermia. Hypothermia is most likely to occur when an animal is wet. The signs of hypothermia are violent shivering followed by listlessness, apathy, a temperature below 97 degrees, and finally, collapse and coma. If you believe your pet is suffering from hypothermia, consult your veterinarian immediately. Prevention is the best medicine.
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mcb

All aboard

All aboard. Not so fast say leaders of several northern Colorado cities who told Sen. Michael Bennet Monday that train horns blasting warnings as they roll through communities have knocked economic development off the tracks. Train operators are required to blast their horns at least 15 seconds before locomotives reach all public grade crossings, but Fort Collins city council members say this means train horns blast nonstop for an eight-block stretch through town, which disrupts business, and affects quality of life. The alternative under federal law is to construct "quiet zones" — which usually means installing new flashing lights and barricades to make crossings safer and is often too expensive to consider.
Officials asked Bennet to continue to push the Federal Rail Administration to soften regulations around train horns. Bennet said he and other members of Colorado's congressional delegation are aware of the economic impact of obtrusive train noise and are making inroads to loosen noise requirements.
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mcb

Lakewood HS Students Give for Flood Relief

Denver-area high school students who won Katy Perry's lip-dub school spirit contest are donating more than $9,000 to help Coloradans affected by disasters, including September's floods. Students at Lakewood High School presented a giant check to the American Red Cross during a rally this morning.
A video featuring more than 2,000 students lip-syncing to Perry's "Roar" won the school a free concert in October. The students challenged high schools across the country to raise $1,000 each for a charity of their choice. The Lakewood students raised money by selling merchandise and collecting donations.

Guv Says Rural Counties Will Be Heard

Gov. John Hickenlooper told this mornings winter conference for Colorado Counties, Inc., that votes in 11 rural counties on whether to secede from Colorado led to debates that will ultimately make the state stronger. Hickenlooper's been criticized by some rural Colorado counties for legislation he signed this year, including new gun restrictions and renewable-energy standards for electricity cooperatives. That frustration prompted 11 counties this year to hold a vote on whether to secede from Colorado. Six counties voted no. The Governor repeated his pledge to listen more to rural communities across the state and says Democrats who control the Colorado Legislature will do the same.

Most of Colorado Has Drought Conditions

Despite some decent early snow, drought conditions persist through most of Colorado. The U.S. Drought Monitor says 75% of the state is in some form of drought. Conditions are the worst in the Arkansas Valley in southeastern Colorado. Parts of Bent, Crowley and Otero counties are listed as being in exceptional drought, the worst designation. The South Platte and the North Platte basins, hit by September's flooding, are listed as drought free. The Pueblo Chieftain reports that municipal water providers aren't too worried right now because there's more water in storage than at this time last year.

With temp's expected to plummet, Sterling residents will have to bundle up for the parade this week

With temp's expected to plummet, Sterling residents will have to bundle up for the parade this week. Temperatures will bottom out Thursday, just in time for the annual Parade of Lights through downtown Sterling. The 6 p.m. parade will run down Poplar from Front to Fourth Street, then up to Main Street and back to Front. A high of 5 to 11 degrees is predicted for the day, with lows of 7 below to 1 above zero that night. Those who brave the frigid temps to see the parade may want to warm up at the After Glow Open House at Christ United Methodist Church. Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, along with pies from Village Inn, while viewing dozens of nativity scenes on display, following the parade.
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mcb

Denver Sheriff's Department failed to investigate dozens of serious allegations of deputy misconduct

Denver's independent monitor says the Denver Sheriff's Department failed to investigate dozens of serious allegations of deputy misconduct over the past two years, including inmate claims that deputies choked them, sexually harassed them and used racial slurs. According to the Denver Post, the monitor determined that there were 861 inmate complaints filed that there were serious complaints that included allegations of excessive force, sexual misconduct and bias. The monitor questioned decisions by the department's internal affairs bureau to investigate only nine of those cases. The report also says the sheriff's department failed to notify the monitor's office of misconduct complaints as required by city laws. The sheriff's department denies the allegations and says its procedures have been praised in the past.
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mcb

A Colorado Springs police officer accused of stealing his own blood sample to avoid a DUI charge is due in court Tuesday

A Colorado Springs police officer accused of stealing his own blood sample to avoid a DUI charge is due in court Tuesday to hear the charges against him. Police arrested David Rosenoff after he crashed his own car while off duty on Nov. 10. He was taken to the hospital for a blood test and released. Shortly after, the arresting officer said the blood sample was missing from his patrol vehicle. According to KOAA-TV, Rosenoff is facing charges of DUI and felony tampering with evidence. He is on leave without pay and has declined comment.
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mcb

A former Berthoud (BUR-thud) police officer has pleaded not guilty to beating his daughter

A former Berthoud (BUR-thud) police officer has pleaded not guilty to beating his daughter. Jeremy Yachik, who's daughter accused him of beating her with ropes and tying her hands, appeared in Larimer County Court Monday, on four counts of child abuse and one count of false imprisonment. According to the Loveland Reporter-Herald, he will now face a four-day jury trial, set to begin March 11. Larimer County Sheriff's Sgt. John Feyen will serve as the town's police chief during the investigation. Meanwhile, Berthoud Police Chief Glenn Johnson has been put on administrative leave.
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mcb

Permanent Repairs for Flood Dmaaged Roads Could Take Four Years

Colorado transportation officials say it could take up to four years to make the permanent repairs needed to fix highways damaged by September floods. The magnitude of the task is still being assessed while highway managers consider the types of technological and engineering changes they need to make to keep 485 miles of damaged roadway less vulnerable to mass flooding. According to the Denver Post, construction crews made a Dec. 1 deadline to get 27 highways reopen, but a lot of work remains to be done.

Broomfield Fracking Vote Recount Underway

A recount of Broomfield's fracking vote is underway amid criticism from Secretary of State Scott Gessler about how the city handled the state's new voter registration law. The count is expected to wrap up Wednesday. The first count showed the measure passing by 17 votes, close enough to trigger a recount.
Gessler said last week the county counted ballots from people who were ineligible to vote and rejected ballots from legitimate voters. Broomfield officials say 18 ballots weren't counted the first time because the voters didn't affirm that they met the residency requirement.

Sterling's new water system is flowing

Sterling's new water system is flowing. The new reverse osmosis treatment plant is officially online, and public works officials said although it will take a while for the treated water to circulate into the city's water storage tanks, so far, the water is safe to drink. Testing for the contaminants which prompted the new treatment system is ongoing and will continue until levels reach EPA regulations, but officials said the plant is on track for the enforcement order deadline, which is January 2014.
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mcb

The Christmas shopping season is underway

The Christmas shopping season is underway. And like Black Friday, thousands are gearing up for Cyber Monday, when the focus turns to online deals. Just as Black Friday debuted early with some retailers opening their doors Thanksgiving day, some online stores started Cyber Monday deals yesterday, and even as early as Saturday. The Cyber Monday “Sunday” crowd included JC Penney, Walmart, who got things jumpin' on Saturday, and Target. Target is holding a Cyber Week.
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mcb

It could take years to repair highways damaged by September floods

Colorado transportation officials say it could take up to four years to make the permanent repairs needed to fix highways damaged by September floods. The magnitude of the task is still being assessed while highway managers consider the types of technological and engineering changes they need to make to keep 485 miles of damaged roadway less vulnerable to mass flooding. According to the Denver Post, construction crews made a Dec. 1 deadline to get 27 highways reopen, but a lot of work remains to be done.
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mcb

A Western Slope water task force is urging Front Range water users to find other sources

A Western Slope water task force is urging Front Range water users to find other sources to meet projected water shortages. The Colorado roundtable is one of nine groups set up by the state Legislature eight years ago. It holds monthly meetings and has 37 members representing various interests, including agriculture, water utilities, environmental concerns, recreational users, and federal and state agencies. According to the Aspen Times, members of the Colorado River Basin Roundtable say the Front Range already relies too much on their water.
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mcb

It's business as usual today for several Durango locations, shutdown after a mercury scare, last week

It's business as usual today for several Durango locations, shutdown after a mercury scare, last week. The Durango Transit Center, Durango Public Library, Durango Community Shelter, Town Plaza Coin Laundry, and Manna Soup Kitchen had to be evacuated after dangerous mercury levels leaked from containers in a backpack. Several people had to be decontaminated. The Detox center of La Plata County remains closed. Mercury can be poisonous if it becomes a vapor and is inhaled.
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mcb