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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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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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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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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