Broomfield Jail Addition Sits Idle-for Good Reason

Broomfield's spending a lot of money to house inmates at other jails while its new $11 million jail addition is empty. City officials say they have spent more than $125,000 to house inmates from its existing jail because it sometimes exceeds capacity. The new addition, finished in 2010, was built after a consultant convinced the city that the jail population would increase far beyond its 80-bed capacity. Broomfield Deputy Police Chief Jim Pfankuch says the old jail hasn't reached that capacity in more than four years. The city says it is cheaper to house the inmates elsewhere than hiring and training staff to open the new facility.

Broomfield Fracking Ban Vote Not in Yet

The results of Broomfield's fracking vote will probably be determined by a recount. The proposed five-year hydraulic fracturing ban fell 13 votes short of passing in Tuesday night's initial count. But, the tally won't be official until all overseas and military ballots, provisional ballots and other ballots with problems like missing signatures are counted and certified by Nov. 19. The grassroots group that backed the measure expects the final tally to be close enough to trigger an automatic recount required under state law. If it's not, members plan to pay for a recount. A recount could take two or three days.

FEMA Extends Flooding Distaer Registration Deadline

At state request, FEMA's approved an extension for storm and flooding survivors to register for federal disaster assistance. The Fort Morgan Times reports the new registration deadline is Nov. 30, also the new deadline to complete and return low-interest U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan applications. Those registered may be eligible for federal grants to help cover various disaster-related expenses, including rent, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. Register with FEMA by phone, 1-800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.

Residents are gearing up for the annual turkey trot

Residents are gearing up for the annual turkey trot. Same day registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day morning, and the race starts at 8:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, on Ninth Ave. Pre-registration/packet pick up is, Nov. 27, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Sterling Regional MedCenter Community Conference Room.
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Logan County mobile home residents who want to rebuild after the South Platte River flood could face new codes

Logan County mobile home residents who want to rebuild after the South Platte River flood could face new codes. During a work session on Tuesday, Commissioners met to discuss requiring that all manufactured homes be installed on a permanent foundation, as described in the 2006 international residential code. This has become an issue for Logan County residents who live on rented ground in a mobile home park on County Road 370, but need to rebuild their homes damaged in the flood. In the meantime residents of the mobile home park are out of their homes. Commissioners said that while the county doesn't want to keep people out of their homes, they do want to do what they can to avoid flooding again and "make the situation better.” Commissioners are working toward a resolution to be presented at their meeting next Tuesday, (Nov. 12), at the Logan County Courthouse. As they review regulations they plan to work with the city of Sterling's code enforcement officer. In other business, the commissioners agreed to approve a proclamation at next week's business meeting, declaring November Diabetes Awareness Month and Nov. 14 World Diabetes Day. They also agreed to light the courthouse blue for World Diabetes Day.
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Sterling police are warning residents to lock up their prized possesions after recent thefts in the area

Sterling police are warning residents to lock up their prized possesions after recent thefts in the area. It was reported that 18-inch wheels and tires, and a bicycle, with an estimated combined value of nearly $2,000, were stolen from a location in the 300 block of North Tenth Avenue between Oct. 26 and Nov. 1. And a girl’s bicycle valued at $100 was stolen from a residence on Kochia Way sometime between this past Sunday and Monday night (Nov. 3) and (Nov. 4). Authorities say make sure your belongings are put away and are not in plain sight.
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Frontier Airlines is being bought

Indigo Partners LLC is going ahead with plans to buy Frontier Airlines, even though it failed to reach an agreement with the carrier's flight attendants' union. The Phoenix-based firm agreed at the end of September to purchase Frontier from parent company Republic Airways Holdings on the condition it could successfully negotiate agreements with the pilots and flight attendants.
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Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet wants an investigation into reports the military kicked wounded soldiers out

Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet wants an investigation into reports the military kicked wounded soldiers out of the service for behavior that could be related to their injuries. Bennet said he plans to introduce a bill in Congress Thursday, that will try to determine if the military has a policy on those dismissals. The Colorado Springs Gazette reported in May that the number of soldiers discharged for minor misconduct increased 25 percent since 2009, including many soldiers who had post-traumatic stress disorder and other battle-related injuries.
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Homeless veterans are getting some help

Homeless veterans can get referrals to a range of services at the annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down in Denver. The VA event takes place today at the Colorado Army National Guard Armory. Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless can get information on benefits, housing and jobs.
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Temporary repairs to a flood-damaged road in Estes Park will begin Monday

Temporary repairs to a flood-damaged road in Estes Park will begin Monday. September flooding damaged or destroyed sections of Fish Creek Road as well as utility lines buried in the roadway. Water and electric service have been restored and a temporary sewer line is under construction. Electric, phone and Internet service repairs are also underway.
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They kept the fraud in the family

They kept the fraud in the family and now a husband and wife are facing jail time together after bilking the Mesa County Department of Human Services out of thousands of dollars. Former caseworker Venica Padilla was sentenced to 30 days in the Mesa County jail, and her husband, Tony Padilla Jr., was given a 90-day sentence, Wednesday, in connection with defrauding an adoption subsidy program of more than $53,000 by claiming they were financially supporting two adopted daughters between September 2003 and November 2009. According to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, the Padillas were charged in 2011.
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"New rules" will cost Colorado hemp growers

"New rules" will cost Colorado hemp growers. The state adopted new regulations Wednesday, which will now require farmers to register and pay a $200 annual fee, as well as $1 per acre planted. Farms will also be subject to random checks to make sure that the marijuana plants limit the amount of the chemical that gets you high. According to the Denver Post, potential pot planters are growing concerned because they these "new rules" could violate federal laws. Amendment 64, the 2012 Colorado ballot initiative that legalized marijuana, also provided for state licensing of hemp farming.
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