Program Coming to Brush to Help Families of Those With Mental Illness

Family members of people living with a serious mental illness can greatly benefit from a program sponsored by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Colorado. They're offering the Family-to-Family Education to residents of Morgan County and other eastern counties. The Brush News Tribune reports the sessions will be Wednesdays at the East Morgan County Library in Brush for 12 weeks, starting the 11th from 6 to 8 p.m. The course will cover information about various disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar, and PTSD, along with coping skills for handling crisis and relapse; basic information about medications; listing and communication techniques; problem solving, recovery and rehabilitation and self-care around worry and stress.

Sierra Club Steps Into Drilling Battle in Greeley

The fight over whether to expand oil and gas drilling near a Greeley high school may not be over. The Sierra Club's asking state regulators to deny Synergy Resources a permit for the site near Northridge High School now that councilors have rejected an appeal by residents. Club member Lauren Swain tells the Greeley Tribune that the state's net setback rules for drilling are still inadequate. Synergy already has permission for 15 wells and plans to add three more, along with 36 more oil and water tanks. Residents worry that's too industrial for the area though the company says it wouldn't be able to drill all 18 wells at once.

A License to Hunt Drones

Colorado bow hunting season is underway, and rifle hunters are lining up for a hot new license: $25 to shoot down a government drone over the village of Deer Trail. Supporters admit the licenses would be only symbolic, and a town election authorizing them is over a month away. Still, The Denver Post reported that about 1,000 people have applied for one. Residents of the tiny town east of Denver are still split on the ideal. It's part protest against government surveillance and part promotion to get Deer Trail some attention. It's working, at least on the second point. UNCLE Sam's The federal issued a warning against shooting at drones.

State's Prison Director Resigns-No Reason Given

Colorado's going to have to find a new Director of Prisons. Mark Flowers, the man who took over the job 4-months ago, is leaving. Flowers told employees in an email today he was resigning, but there's been no explanation of why. DOC's Executive Director Rick Raemisch (RAY'-mish) recently took over the department. He replaced Tom Clements, who was murdered at his home in March. Flowers was in charge of the wardens of the state's prisons. He started May 6 and formerly worked for the Virginia Department of Corrections.

RE-1 Valley students are being prepared for the 21st century

RE-1 Valley students are being prepared for the 21st century. The Colorado Commission on Higher Education and the Colorado State Board of Education recently approved the Endorsed Diploma program, which recognizes specific achievements above and beyond what is expected to earn a high school diploma. The program does not offer different diplomas for students who achieve less than RE-1 Valley’s approved expectations, but, explained RE-1 District officials, it does recognize students who have learned specific skills they otherwise might lack, as defined by the Colorado Department of Education, to succeed in the 21st century. The school board believes the Endorsed Diploma program will ensure students are up to par to succeed in college.
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An egg vandal is terrorizing Sterling residents

An egg vandal is terrorizing Sterling residents. Police said they got a complaint of an assault, Monday, on N. Eighth Ave., from a resident who advised he'd been hit by an egg as he was walking along Platte Street. He told police he felt something hit him in the side and then heard laughing from a car as it sped past him. He gave police a description of the car, and believes he could identify it if he saw it again. Officers searched the area for over 30 minutes but didn't find the egg throwers. Later on, police got a call from a Westminster resident who said that they found a smashed egg near the driver side door of a Pontiac Fire parked along N. Seventh Ave., as well as a paint chip on the car. The vandalism occurred sometime between Sunday and Monday nights. Police are continuing to investigate the egg-vidence.
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Business is booming at Fort Morgan's brand new Hampton Inn

Business is booming at Fort Morgan's brand new Hampton Inn. The Hotel chain opened over the Labor Day weekend, and officials are hopeful it should encourage travel and business in the area. Building the new and lavish facility came when there was a need for a larger motel to meet the needs of travelers of all kinds, and officials said motel and hotel space is needed in Morgan County with all the construction crews and oil industry explorers recently, adding the city motto of People, Partnership and Progress holds true with this facility, and is just the beginning of an opportunity to build a city that is conducive to business and attracts families.
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No one showed up to speak either in favor of or against an ordinance banning commercial recreational marijuana establishments

No one showed up to speak either in favor of or against an ordinance banning commercial recreational marijuana establishments, at the Fort Morgan City Council meeting, Tuesday night. Members gave final approval to the ordinance that would prohibit retail businesses, commercial growing operations, and smoking clubs within city limits. At public forums held last spring, the majority opinion favored a ban, but there were those who wanted to allow and regulate such establishments. Officials noted, that the ordinance does not take away adults' rights under Amendment 64 to grow, possess or use small quantities of marijuana at home in Fort Morgan or to purchase it at retail establishments permitted in other parts of the state.
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It's a free for all for Marijuana in Colorado

It's a free for all for Marijuana in Colorado. Police say pot is showing up on the black market in greater quantities than ever before, and it's reaching as far away as Illinois, New York and Florida. Earlier this year, police got wind of a plane carrying 42 pounds of high-grade, vacuum-sealed marijuana that was flown into Kan. Law enforcement raided the plane immediately after it landed, and arrested four Colorado residents. Police are warning, marijuana grown in Colorado for out-of-state distribution remains illegal under state law.
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