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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