Fire and Meth Lab

Fort Morgan volunteer firefighters responding to a fire call this week - discovered a meth lab in the home... the call came in for a house fire at 1-thousnd grant street on Wednesday night, but the city says it was just a piece of furniture inside that was burning... firefighters found suspicious items that could be consistent with a meth lab, and they called fort Morgan police... One resident of the home, 26 year old Jessica Riddell, was arrested on suspicion of three felony charges: unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of material to manufacture methamphetamine, and child abuse. The felony child abuse charge stemmed from the fact that a child was present in the home, according to police. An arrest warrant was issued for 26 year old Richard Riddell, also of 1000 Grant St., on the same charges. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Richard Riddell is asked to call the Fort Morgan Police at 867-5678.

Longmont Attempted Murder and Assault

A 29-year-old man arrested after a shootout with a Longmont police officer has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault.  Jonathan Shank pleaded guilty today to all the charges filed against him and he did not receive a plea deal in the case.  Authorities say Longmont police officer Brent Cairns pulled over a car Shank was driving on May 22 because the headlights were off.  Police say Shank's blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit for driving.  He faces up to 128 years in prison when he's sentenced June 6.

Vaccines Bill

The State House has given initial approval by voice vote today to a bill requiring parents to watch a video on the benefits and risks of immunization if they seek an exemption for vaccines for personal reasons.  Colorado is one of 18 states that allow parents and students to opt out of getting required vaccines if they submit a statement of exemption based on religious or personal beliefs.  Under the bill, religious and medical exemptions would not be affected.  Supporters of the bill insist they're trying to educate parents while preserving choice, opponents say it eats away at parental control.

Wildfires & Agriculture

A bill to help prevent agricultural fires from starting wildfires is on the ropes in the Legislature.
The bill would allow county commissioners to ban agricultural burning along with campfires when fire risk is high.  It was a recommendation from a legislative panel that suggests ways to reduce wildfires. The Senate delayed a vote on the agricultural burning bill today because its sponsor wants to kill the plan because farmers oppose it.  Lawmakers have worked on modest proposals this year to address wildfires, but have stayed away from more ambitious measures.