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.