United Way Money Essential for Adult Basic Education

United Way of Morgan County funding is "critical" for many of the students at the Adult Basic Education program at Morgan Community College. The programs director tells the Fort Morgan Times they get no state funding, and very limited federal funding. The program gives people a chance to learn basic skills and knowledge that will help them get ahead in life. They can improve reading, writing and math skills, and also prepare for the GED exam. With a GED, studies show you can earn about $8,000 more a year than someone without one.

Charges Filed in Deadly Christmasa Day Crash in Denver

Denver prosecutors filed charges against a 37-year-old man accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a woman on Christmas Day. Prosecutors say Johnny Gilbert ran a red light and crashed into a car 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. The family was returning home from a Christmas Eve celebration. 35-year-old Dora Gaytan-Esparza was killed, her husband and their two children were injured. Gilbert's charged with vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and DUI.

Aarapahoe Shooter Entered Through Propped Open Door

The teen gunman who fatally shot a fellow student at his suburban Denver high school earlier this month entered through a door that was propped open. Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson says the Arapahoe High School door is supposed to be locked but was frequently left open. If it had been locked, Robinson thinks 18-year-old Karl Pierson, armed with a shotgun, machete and over 100 rounds of ammunition would have just have found another way inside. Investigators believe his main target was a speech team coach who had disciplined him but also say he likely wanted to hurt many others. He killed himself as a deputy assigned to the school closed in.

A former administrator for The Legacy will be rining in the New Year behind bars

A former administrator for The Legacy will be rining in the New Year behind bars. Bonnie Anderson was sentenced to two years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and two years probation, Wednesday, in connection to charges of Negligent Causing Bodily Injury to an At-Risk Adult, which is a class 5 Felony. The charge carries a potential prison sentence of one to three years. Anderson was arrested in May 2013 on charges of First Degree Assault and Crimes Against At-Risk Adults after reports that, Nancy Briggs a resident at The Legacy, was reportedly deprived of adequate food and nourishment. According to court documents, Briggs became ill due to the lack of fluids and was later transported to the hospital. She was then moved to a nursing home where comfort care was administered. She died in September 2012. Anderson was remanded to the Logan County Detention Center at the close of the sentencing last week, and will be transferred to the Department of Corrections.
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A cold front that blew in this weekend could make for a cooler New Year

A cold front that blew in this weekend could make for a cooler New Year. Monday's forecast calls for a high near 44 and low around 20. For New Year's eve, Tuesday, expect temps to be slightly warmer, with a slight chance of snow as the clock counts down to 2014. The low will reach the upper teens for New Year's Eve celebrations. New Year's Day will be mostly sunny with highs in the mid 40s.
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Weld County agencies are teaming up to help communities recover from September floods

Weld County agencies are teaming up to help communities recover from September floods. The agencies have formed a recovery board with subcommittees, case managers, counselors, churches and government coordinators. The Greeley Tribune reports the major issue now is finding housing for people displaced by the flooding. The team is also working on communications and resources to make sure assistance is not duplicated and the highest needs are being met.
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The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office says employees and customers were pepper sprayed during a robbery

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office says employees and customers were pepper sprayed during a robbery at a Jefferson County phone store on Sunday. Investigators say two men took several iPhones before running from the store. According to KMGH-TV at least 21 people were affected by the pepper spray. They were all treated at the scene and no one was hospitalized.
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Authorities are looking for a diabetic 15-year-old runaway from Wisconsin

Authorities are looking for a diabetic 15-year-old runaway from Wisconsin. Police say Breanna Gomez ran away Monday night, and she and her companions are accused of stealing two vehicles and leading police on a chase across two northeast Colorado counties, according to a news alert from the Weld County Sheriff's Office. Investigators believe Gomez is traveling with her 16-year-old boyfriend, Spencer Linville, and two other male teens. Gomez was last seen near Roggen, shortly before the group allegedly stole a light blue Chrysler Town and Country minivan with Colorado license plate. Gomez is about 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds and has blue eyes. Police say her hair may now be black. Investigators say the group may be en route to Riverside, Calif. Anyone with information about the teenagers is asked to call their local authorities.
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