KSIR News

Guilty Verdict in McGregor Murder Case

2012-02-03T04:08:00.001-07:00

(Boulder, CO) -- It didn't take a jury long to convict a young man for first-degree murder in the shooting death of Todd Walker. The University of New Hampshire student and football player was trying to protect a friend during a robbery last May when he was shot to death in Boulder, Colorado. The attorney for Kevin McGregor said their client ended up shooting Walker after struggling with him over a gun, but the jury didn't buy it. Immediately after the verdict was announced, McGregor, who is 23, was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Police Looking For Fort Morgan Armed Robber

2012-02-03T04:06:00.001-07:00

(Fort Morgan, CO) -- Fort Morgan police are looking for a man who allegedly shot at a McDonald's drive-up window and demanded money. Authorities say the incident took place early yesterday when the suspect climbed through the window and demanded cash. The man was described as a six-foot blond with a medium build and blue or green eyes. Know anything? Call police.

Residents Across Colorado Advised To Stay Home Due To Snowstorm

2012-02-03T04:03:00.001-07:00

(Denver, CO) -- Colorado residents are being urged to stay home and ride out what is forecast to be a monster storm. The Colorado Department of Transportation is asking people to stay indoors and let the plows do their work, with up to 22 inches of snow expected in the Denver metro area. More than two feet of snow is expected on the Eastern Plains with the precipitation being whipped around by winds up to 40 miles per hour on Friday. Blizzard conditions are in the forecast. Denver International Airport is experiencing dozens and dozens of flight cancellations. The storm system stretches into Nebraska and Kansas. The National Weather Service says the high snow totals will come from the system slowing down and hanging out into Saturday.

Colorado may revive circumcision funding

2012-02-03T04:02:00.001-07:00

DENVER (AP) — Circumcisions for Colorado boys could again be covered by Medicaid, a year after circumcisions were eliminated to save money.

A Senate committee voted 6-3 Thursday to restore circumcisions as a covered medical procedure for Medicaid recipients. If approved, the change would cost Colorado some $230,000 a year.

The procedure was dropped last year amid complaints that circumcisions aren't medically necessary and that the money could be better spent elsewhere. Several other states stopped paying for the optional procedure.

Supporters of covering circumcisions argued that the procedure has medical benefits and isn't purely cosmetic. The bill now heads to the Appropriations Committee.

Gov: Slow down privatizing workers comp insurer

2012-02-03T04:01:00.001-07:00

DENVER (AP) — Gov. John Hickenlooper and Colorado's only state-chartered workers compensation insurer have agreed to delay a proposal to privatize the company.

Hickenlooper said Thursday more work needs to be done on the plan for Pinnacol Assurance. Hickenlooper released a letter from Pinnacol's board of directors saying the process shouldn't be rushed.

Hickenlooper says the Legislature shouldn't act on the plan this session.

A task force reviewing the plan appeared cool to the current plan.

Pinnacol has had a rocky relationship with the state since it was challenged in 2011 over reports of lavish spending and excess profits, which some lawmakers said came from denying claims from injured workers. The company has denied those allegations.

Last month, Pinnacol was criticized for running ads touting the benefits of privatization.

GOP's health care ideas failing in CO

2012-02-03T03:59:00.001-07:00

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Republicans aren't faring well on their major health care proposals this year.

A Republican bill to repeal Colorado's health insurance exchange was defeated 5-4 Thursday in a Democrat-controlled Senate committee. The committee is led by the Democratic senator who proposed the exchange last year.

The same committee last week voted down a Republican idea to seek a federal Medicaid waiver. GOP leaders have said a federal waiver is crucial to trim health care costs. Democrats have called the waiver idea wishful thinking that could hurt the needy if approved.

The health insurance exchange is unpopular with some Republicans because it is a required element of the federal health care law.

Make My Day law for business advances in Colorado

2012-02-03T03:58:00.003-07:00

DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers advanced a proposal to allow business owners and employees in the state the right to use deadly force against suspected intruders.

The bill passed a House committee Thursday on a 6-5 party-line vote with Republican support.

The bill dubbed "Make My Day Better" expands to businesses the legal protections that exist for people who use deadly force at home.

Opponents say the bill gives too much power and immunity to business owners and that self-defense protections already exist.

Supporters say businesses shouldn't have to rely on law enforcement to protect them when seconds are critical in a violent situation.

The proposal has a good chance of passing the Republican-led House but its prospects in the Democratic-controlled led Senate are dim.

Nobody hurt when small jet runs off Pueblo runway

2012-02-03T03:58:00.001-07:00

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — A small passenger jet has run off the runway while taking off from the Pueblo airport, but none of the 10 people aboard was reported hurt.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike Fergus said the Learjet 35 was substantially damaged in the mishap Thursday evening.

It was reported shortly before 8 p.m.

A major snowstorm was moving into Colorado at the time, but Fergus didn't know if weather was a factor.

The runway was closed while crews removed the plane.

ARMED MAN FIRES SHOT INTO McDONALD’S DURING ROBBERY

2012-02-03T03:33:00.001-07:00

Fort Morgan Police said an armed man climbed through the drive thru window at the McDonald's Restaurant yesterday, fired a shot, demanded money and fled through the drive thru yesterday morning. Police said it happened around 1 a.m. and that nobody was hurt. Police are now looking for an older model white and blue Ford Bronco II as a vehicle of interest in the crime. If you know anything, call Crimestoppers or Fort Morgan Police.

Gun Fire At Local McDonalds

2012-02-02T10:37:00.001-07:00

KSIR 020212 Robbery at mcDonalds -FM

Gun fire this morning at the Ft. Morgan McDonalds Restaurant. Police say a bullet was fired through the drive up window during an armed robbery before dawn this morning. No one was injured.

The suspects may have been driving an older model ble and white ford bronco-two. If you have any information about the crime, call the Ft. Morgan Police at 970.867.5678

Fort Morgan McDonald's Robbed at Gunpoint

2012-02-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

Fort Morgan Police are investigating an armed robbery overnight at a McDonald's. Investigators say a man walked up to the drive-up window just before 1 am and shot through the window. Employees say the man climbed through the window and demanded money. He exited the building through the window and fled the scene. The suspect is described as a white male, between 6-feet and 6-feet 6-inches tall with a medium build. The gunman had blond curly hair and either blue or green eyes. Police are looking for an older model white and blue Ford Bronco II as a vehicle of interest in the crime. Police are asking anyone who may have information related to this crime to contact the Fort Morgan Police Department at (970) 867-5678.

Get Pets Vaccinated

2012-02-02T05:02:00.001-07:00

After a rabid skunk was discovered near Brush, the Northern Colorado Health Department reminds residents to keep their pet's vaccinations up to date. NCHD officials say an unvaccinated pet that comes in contact with a rabid animal may have to be put down. The Morgan County Humane Society will be holding several low-cost rabies vaccination clinics on Fridays and Saturdays this month. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 970-542-6416.

Online Job Openings Increase

2012-02-02T03:59:00.001-07:00

(Undated) -- Job openings online are up in Colorado. There were nearly 88-thousand separate job vacancies posted for Colorado in January. The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine Data Series reports that's an increase of 21-hundred from December.

CU Lineman Accused Of Lighting Fire In Bar

2012-02-02T03:57:00.001-07:00

(Boulder, CO) -- A University of Colorado football player is facing charges for allegedly lighting the contents of a bucket on fire at a Boulder bar. Police say 21-year-old William Garrett Pericak set the bucket on fire early Sunday, refused to leave, and acted aggressively. He then reportedly gave the bartender a "chest-bump."

Republican Colorado Lawmaker Might Leave Party

2012-02-02T03:56:00.001-07:00

(Denver, CO) -- The Republican lawmaker who was recently stopped by Denver police on suspicion of drunken driving is threatening to leave her party. Colorado Representative Laura Bradford said yesterday she's considering becoming an unaffiliated voter. A House ethics investigation against her is continuing, even though Denver police have admitted she didn't use her position to avoid a DUI arrest.

Colo. lawmakers consider trans-fat ban in schools

2012-02-02T03:51:00.001-07:00

DENVER (AP) — Colorado is taking aim at junk food in school cafeterias as it considers the nation's toughest school trans-fat ban.

A Colorado House committee is expected to hear a bill Thursday to forbid any trans-fat in school food — not just the food served through regular cafeteria lunches.

That would mean vending machines, after-school bake sales and popular "a la carte" items on lunch lines such as ice creams or pizza would have to be produced without artery-clogging trans fats.

Several states already limit trans-fat in school cafeterias, but none has a trans-fat ban that extends before and after school.

Colorado has the nation's lowest obesity rate, but young people are becoming fatter along with their counterparts in other states.

Lions apparently not enough to keep intruders out

2012-02-02T03:48:00.001-07:00

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — With 120 lions, tigers and other big cats on the grounds, the owner of a Colorado refuge didn't think he needed a security system.

Nick Sculac says he changed his mind after two January break-ins at Serenity Springs Wildlife Center, 20 miles east of Colorado Springs.

The Colorado Springs Gazette reports someone scaled a 10-foot fence lined with barbed wire and cut a hole in a cage, letting three tigers out. Workers found the tigers roaming the compound the next morning.

Days later, employees arriving for work found two people inside the compound trying to pet a cougar through its cage. Sculac says they scaled the outer fence and drove away.

Sculac says nobody was hurt.

He says he hired a guard and is shopping for a security system.

WINTER STORM WARNING

2012-02-02T03:45:00.001-07:00

..MAJOR WINTER STORM APPROACHING COLORADO...

THE STORM SYSTEM WILL BRING SNOW TO THE AREA STARTING LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUING INTO SATURDAY MORNING. THE STORM WILL BE SLOW MOVING, SO A PROLONGED PERIOD OF
SNOW IS POSSIBLE FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH MUCH OF FRIDAY NIGHT. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS ITS NOT CLEAR THE PATH OR INTENSITY OF THE STORM, BUT IT DOES APPEAR THAT OVER EASTERN COLORADO THE SNOW WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY STRONG WINDS CREATING BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. IF THE STORM BECOMES EVEN SLOWER AND
MORE CONSOLIDATED THEN AMOUNTS MAY EVEN BE HIGHER THAN FORECAST.

CITY PUBLIC TV CHANNEL BACK ON THE AIR

2012-02-01T17:26:00.001-07:00

Channel 17 resumes with city information, announcements

Fort Morgan’s Channel 17, the city public-access cable television channel, has returned
to the air after a few days of downtime to make equipment upgrades.

Channel 17 resumed its rotating lineup of informational slides and announcements on
February 1. The channel went off the air except for live broadcasts on Jan. 26.

During the interruption, Channel 17 was still able to broadcast live events such as
a Robbery Prevention and Survival Workshop hosted by the Fort Morgan Police
Department on Jan. 26. That workshop was videotaped and is available for viewing on
the city’s Web site at www.cityoffortmorgan.com.

The city Web site also contains a wide range of information on city services, programs,
departments and activities.

Channel 17 will continue its live broadcasts of Fort Morgan City Council meetings on the
first and third Tuesdays of each month, starting at 6 p.m.

Sterling City Council Gearing Up For Busy Year

2012-02-01T11:01:00.001-07:00

City officials in Sterling have laid out a total of 54 projects they would like to undertake this year. The city manager addressed the council this week to discuss those projects. Pat Lawson sits on the Sterling city council. He says 2012 will be a busy year...

TAG: Lawson says he's looking forward to working with Logan County officials on those and other projects in the coming year.

Colorado Above Average Financially

2012-02-01T04:06:00.001-07:00

(Colorado Springs, CO) -- Colorado is in the top half of all states when it comes to residents' financial security today and their ability to create a more prosperous tomorrow. The Assets and Opportunity Scorecard ranked Colorado 22nd overall. The state earned above-average marks in education and in business and jobs. It rated average in financial assets and income, but received a failing mark on healthcare.

v25% Of Coloradans Have Nearly No Savings

2012-02-01T04:03:00.001-07:00

(Denver, CO) -- More than 25-percent of Colorado residents have nearly no assets to weather a financial crisis. The figures were released yesterday in the "2012 Assets and Opportunity Scorecard" by the national nonprofit Corporation for Enterprise Development. Colorado ranked 22nd in the country overall, behind the top states of Vermont, North Dakota and Minnesota, and ahead of the worst states of South Carolina, Alabama and Nevada.

CU, Poudre Valley combine for new hospital system

2012-02-01T03:59:00.001-07:00

DENVER (AP) — The University of Colorado Hospital is combining with Poudre Valley Health System's two hospitals in Fort Collins and Loveland to form University of Colorado Health.

The venture was announced Tuesday. The new combined system says it will have nearly 10,000 employees and annual net revenue of $1.5 billion.

The three hospitals will retain their names: University of Colorado Hospital in the Denver suburb of Aurora, Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins and Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland.

Bruce Schroffel, president and chief executive of the university hospital, says the new system combines academic and community medicine.

Schroffel will be president and chairman of the board of the new system.

Rulon Stacey, president and CEO of Poudre Valley Health System, will be CEO of the new system.

Santorum campaigning for 2nd day in CO

2012-02-01T03:56:00.001-07:00

DENVER (AP) — Former Sen. Rick Santorum is back in Colorado Wednesday looking for Republican caucus support as he tries to position himself as an alternative to Mitt Romney in the GOP presidential contest.

Santorum planned to spend his day in some of Colorado's most conservative areas. Santorum planned to talk to Republicans in Colorado Springs and in Arapahoe and Teller counties.

Santorum and Ron Paul both stopped in Colorado Tuesday. Both faced certain losses in Florida, so they have been courting caucus-goers in other states.

Santorum placed third in Florida Tuesday behind Romney and Newt Gingrich. Santorum said the Republican race is "wide open."

Colorado's non-binding Republican precinct caucuses are Tuesday.

Most of Colorado's presidential delegates won't be assigned until the state GOP assembly in April.

Man Busted Big in Logan County

2012-02-01T03:54:00.001-07:00

This guy's in big trouble:

Lieutenant Joe McBride with the Logan County Sheriff's Office says 31-year-old Gabriel Vazquez also led deputies on a chase through parts of Sterling and struck several cars before bailing out of his vehicle and trying to make a run for it. Vasquez is in jail with no bond..