The Lost Creek Guide December 21,2022

Northern Water Secures Key Federal Permit for Dam Complex around Fort Collins

The $2 billion NISP reservoir and pipeline network is much closer to reality after the Army Corps of Engineers gives go-ahead.

by Michael Booth, The Colorado Sun

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Friday approved the key federal permit sought by Northern Water since 2004 to build a controversial $2 billion reservoir and pipeline project around Fort Collins, bringing major changes to the Cache la Poudre and South Platte Rivers closer to reality.

Environmental groups and some local officials have fought the Northern Integrated Supply Project for decades, saying it would drain more of the Poudre River at key times and represents old, discredited thinking about bringing water to growing Front Range communities. Northern Water, meanwhile, has fought in multiple courts and local government agencies to deliver the 40,000 acre-foot of water rights to dozens of towns and water agencies.

“This action is the culmination of nearly 20 years of study, project design and refinement to develop water resources well into the 21st century,” Northern Water General Manager Brad Wind said. The project also allows the 15 participating communities to grow without drying up more northern Colorado farmland.

Opposing environmental groups vowed to continue to fight the two reservoirs, the planned move of U.S. 287 in northern Larimer County, and diversion projects involved in NISP. Save the Poudre, the most vocal and litigious opponent, said it would sue to block issuance of the Army Corp.’s “404” permit, just as it has with other dam projects.

“The Cache la Poudre River is the heart and soul of Fort Collins and we’ve dedicated 20 years to protecting it. NISP would not just drain the river, but also drain the culture and economy that Fort Collins has built around the river,” said Save the Poudre founder Gary Wockner. “We tried to reach a compromise solution with Northern Water, but they refused, so we are suing to stop this environmentally devastating project.”

Northern Water said Friday it could start construction work on the proposed Glade Reservoir, planned for a spot northwest of Fort Collins where U.S. 287 will be relocated, as early as 2025. The water agency still needs approvals from various local governments.

Environmental groups have sued to overturn Larimer County’s issuance of a 1041 local construction permit, and Fort Collins has delayed consideration of a pipeline route through city neighborhoods until it creates its own 1041 rulemaking process. The 1041 permits are named after a state legislature bill from the 1970s governing local approvals of multijurisdiction projects.

The groups in the past have used lawsuits to fight the Windy Gap/Chimney Hollow project by Northern Water, and Denver Water’s expansion of Gross Reservoir Dam in Boulder County.

Still, Northern Water has called issuance of the 404 “Record of Decision” a major milestone it looked forward to receiving before the end of 2022, after years of revisions and delays. The permit includes provisions for mitigating harm to the watershed caused by the construction of Glade and Galeton reservoirs, and by diversion of water from the Poudre.

Northern Water says mitigation plans it has agreed to will restore long-absent flows to parts of the Poudre through the middle of Fort Collins, which runs nearly dry in late summer and fall. Much of the Poudre and South Platte river flows over the decades have been diverted for municipal and farm uses throughout northeastern Colorado.

Save the Poudre and others have long contended that the new projects will divert spring mountain runoff from the Poudre into the new reservoirs at a time when the moisture is needed by local plants and wildlife.

Northern Water spokesman Jeff Stahla acknowledged the project can still be delayed by lawsuits over the 404 permit and other aspects of the proposal.

“That certainly is available” to the opponents, Stahla said. “You look at this and say this is the end of a long journey, but there are still many, many steps ahead.”

Northern Water has worked on the geology and design of the dam that will create Glade Reservoir between a hogback and a ridge currently split by U.S. 287. The projected total cost after 30% of the design was finished was $1.6 billion in 2020. That figure is more likely to be in the $2 billion range by the time construction starts, Stahla said.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Corps of Engineers is tasked with analyzing the threats construction poses to wetlands and the need for the water supply.

“The corps has concluded that the project’s 40,000 acre-foot yield will meet a substantial amount of the 15 Northern Front Range participants’ future water needs,

Progress Brings Change

In the November 2022

the

of

announced that

been a

in

years. Progress brings change, and as such, this building will be going under demolition over the next coming weeks to make room for a new development. This property has been purchased by 245 Market Street, LLC and is planned for a new 7-11/Laredo Taco Convenience store and gas station. This location is zoned a Commercial Highway , which is a use by right for this property. 245 Market Street, LLC has submitted their application for this intent and this project is now under staff review.”

“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light” George Washington “If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed” Thomas Jefferson

We pray for both of you.

Newsletter

Town

Keenesburg

Deno’s, previously Charlie D’s and Roosters at 245 Market Street, has

landmark

Keenesburg since 1986 and has gone through several name and menu changes over the

Northern Water Secures Key Federal Permit for Dam Complex around Fort Collins

Way of the World

by Bob Grand, Lost Creek Guide

The election is over, but people are still talking about the big Red Wave that did not happen. The consensus is two things, Donald Trump and the issue of abortion. They both override the core issues of quality of life that we all are concerned with. Bill O’Reilly has an article on Tribalism this week where he describes we have two tribes now competing in the United States, as opposed to have having a unified country solving our core issues in a bipartisan way. The Civil War was the last big tribal event in the country as opposed to the efforts with World War I and II where people united to defend the country against the threat of evil in the world. Can we overcome that? Donald Trump’s policies were good, focusing on our core issues but that was not enough to overcome his personality issues. Hopefully, he will go on after this election and retire gracefully. Do I think that will happen? Not sure it will, part of what makes Trump what he was is his ego. Can he overcome that? It is what the Republican party needs, but I am not sure he can. The abortion issue is quite another subject. The overturning of Roe vs Wade at the Federal level did not ban abortions it just sent it back to the individual states to decide. That was not how the one tribe, and the media portrayed it. I am not smart enough to know when a fetus becomes a viable entity but that to me is a key point. How all the animal rights people can talk about protecting endangered species and not have a similar view towards the unborn child, who is, at some point, a viable human being. An extraordinarily complex issues that many people have a personal stake in not resolving on both sides of the aisle.

Speaking of vested interests, the southern border immigration issue continues be unmanageable. The Governor of Teas is threatening to sue many NGO’s (non-government organizations) for aiding and abetting illegal immigration activities. The United States does not have a good history of dealing with Central and South American nations regarding human rights. The decision over the years was to support many right-wing dictatorships who terribly suppressed the people in their countries, in the name of fighting communism. The case was really to line their own pockets at the expense of their citizens and the United States supported that under the guides of fighting communism. That history should not allow the ignoring of the United States Constitution by not protecting our sovereign borders. Denver this past week has been overwhelmed by a couple of hundred Venezuelan undocumented immigrants and after opening their doors, Mayor Hancock realizes the city does not have the resources to support them or certainly anymore. Does anyone ask what the total fiscal impact to us, the taxpayers, is in terms of health and welfare, education, housing, etc., etc. of allowing this unchecked violation of our sovereignty? Our federal officials held a hearing on the tragic event in Colorado Springs involving the Club Q shootings. That event was terrible and in no way should be tolerated yet do they hold hearings on the continuing, shootings in Chicago and other gang related activities in the country? No, the spotlight was on Club Q and by God they had to have a piece of it. Shameful.

Illegal immigration, drugs, gang related activities have big dollars associated with it, very big dollars both legal and illegal. You have to wonder do people want to work towards solving the problems or just grow their budgets to fight the evil, increasing it year after year? When do we say enough, work towards solving the problem as opposed to lining your pockets one way or another.

NISP got its 404 approvals from the Corp of Engineers, yet all are warning about the oncoming lawsuits by the environmental groups to delay it more. As mentioned earlier, are there too many dollars involved to do the right thing. People should be held accountable that if they bring a lawsuit and lose, they pay the other side’s legal fees and in the event of a major public project reimburse the government for the increase costs in labor and material incurred because of the delay. Maybe introduce some sanity.

Lawsuits should not be the only recourse, but sometimes the system actually works. Oberlin College had to pay the owner of Gibson’s Bakery and Food Mart $36.6 million dollars in settlement for a lawsuit filed by the store for defamation of character. The case involved a minority student who was stopped after robbing a bottle of wine, who later admitted his guilt. The school elected to launch a vicious campaign against the store claiming racism. They did not wake enough. Well long story short the Court said no you owed, and they paid, $29 million to the store and attorney’s fees and interest for another $6.6 million. Sometimes you have to sue and sometimes you win.

The latest on DNC staffer Seth Rich, the young man who was killed in Washington by what was purported to be a robbery attempt gone bad, although nothing of value was taken, appears to indicate that he was the source of the inside leak to WikiLeaks about the DNC and the Russian collusion story against Trump. How strange we have not heard very much about this from the mainstream media. The information was discovered and turned over by the FBI. You wonder why people have conspiracy theories. Our federal government employees should not be partisan focused on protecting us for our own good. They should be objective. If they cannot be, they should not be working in the federal government.

Our major political parties should be focusing on working towards improving our quality of life. A tough job no argument, but can they really be expected to change from a course of contact that they have been on for these many years. Only we can keep sending them the message, change or do not get elected. We need to become one tribe, big enough to cover all of us and our diverse interests. A challenge, but a goal to be worked toward, not ignored to serve the selfinterests of the selected few.

Have a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. As usual your comments and thoughts are always appreciated. publisher@lostcreekguide.com

The LosT Creek Guide, LLC

Cherish and Defend Religious Freedom this Christmas Season

By Ambassador Callista L. Gingrich

As twinkling lights illuminate Christmas trees and children’s stockings hang above fireplaces, Christians across America prepare for Christmas.

This year, an estimated 112.7 million people will travel to be with their families and loved ones to celebrate this special time of year. Many will attend Mass or church service to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

As Americans, we are fortunate to have the freedom to openly celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Sadly, many around the world are denied this fundamental human right.

Today, more than 80 percent of the world’s population lives in countries where religious freedom is highly or severely restricted. For millions of people – repression, violence, and discrimination are a part of daily life.

For instance, in North Korea, Kim Jong-Un continues to strip the Korean people of their fundamental right to worship freely. Some organizations estimate that 50,000 to 70,000 Christians are in prison for exercising their religious beliefs in North Korea. Through fear, intimidation, and retribution, the Kim regime has repressed freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

In China, the Chinese Communist Party targets Christians, who make up the country’s largest religious minority. Thousands of Christian churches in China have been shuttered, worshipers have been arrested, and images of religious figures have been replaced with pictures of General Secretary Xi Jinping. Through its “sinicization of religion,” the Chinese Communist Party attempts to control faith by demanding that all religious groups and worshippers support the Party and its ideology.

In the Middle East, Iran continues to persecute religious minorities, including Christians – especially those who convert from Islam. Women who refuse to comply with the government’s restrictive Islamic dress code are subject to arrest, beatings, and other punishments.

After Mahsa Amini was arrested by Iran’s morality police for wearing a hijab incorrectly, which led to her sudden death in custody, protests erupted across the country in one of the most significant shows of opposition to the Iranian regime since the 1979 Revolution. According to the Human Rights Activists’ News Agency, so far, at least 490 protestors, including 68 children, have been killed during the demonstrations. The group also reported that more than 18,200 people have been arrested in connection with the protests.

Additionally, for Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, religious freedom poses a significant threat to their grip on power. Nicaragua’s Catholics, which make up more than 50 percent of the country’s population, have been a strong force of resistance and, as a result, have been targeted for voicing their opposition to the authoritarian Ortega-Murillo regime.

As of July 20, the U.S. Department of State reported that, in 2022, the legal statuses of more than 800 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have been canceled by the Ortega-Murillo regime. The Missionaries of Charity, a religious order established by Saint Teresa of Calcutta, was among the hundreds of charitable organizations forcibly closed by the regime, and the sisters were expelled from the country.

The residence of prominent regime critic Bishop Rolando Álvarez was raided in August, and the bishop, along with priests, seminarians, and a cameraman, were arrested. On December 13, the Bishop was ordered to remain under house arrest and was charged with crimes of conspiracy. He is currently awaiting a hearing in January.

Whether in North Korea, China, Iran, or Nicaragua, dictators and oppressive regimes around the world have at least one thing in common; they fear faith and freedom, because faith and freedom threaten their authority and control.

Tragically, this is just a fraction of the attacks against religious freedom faced by people of faith every day. As Bishop Alvarez correctly stated, “We have to respond to hate with love, despair with hope, and fear with the strength and courage given to us by the glorious and resurrected Christ.”

As we gather with loved ones this Christmas, let us gives thanks for the blessings of freedom and be reminded of our responsibility – not only as Americans, but as people of faith – to cherish and defend religious freedom around the world.

State Plastic Pollution

Act Become Effective Jan. 1, 2023

Reduction

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, the state will require businesses and retail food establishments with more than three locations in Colorado to charge customers a $0.10 fee for each single-use plastic and paper bag used at the point of sale. The State of Colorado passed House Bill 21-1162 in 2021, also known as the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, which institutes a bag fee on carryout bags in Colorado.

Between January 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024, a store may furnish a recycled paper carryout bag or a single-use plastic carryout bag to a customer at the point of sale if the customer pays a fee of 10 cents per bag. Beginning January 1, 2024, a store may furnish only a recycled paper carryout bag to a customer at the point of sale at a fee of 10 cents per bag and prohibits businesses and retail food establishments from providing single-use plastic carryout bags to customers.

Certain retail food establishments, and small businesses that operate solely in Colorado and have three or fewer locations, may provide single-use plastic carryout bags. Additionally, the carryout bag fee does not apply to a customer that provides evidence to the store that the customer is a participant in a federal or state food assistance program. For additional exemptions, visit www.brightonco.gov/bagfee.

Letters to the Editor are encouraged. Letters may be edited for length, libelous, or inappropriate content. All letter submissions should include name, address, & phone number for verification purposes. Letters are published at the editor or publisher’s discretion. Opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Lost Creek Guide or staff.

Bob Grand - Publisher 303-732-4080 publisher@lostcreekguide.com lcgnews.com Delivering on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month and sent to all Postal Boxes. Our hours are Tuesday, Weds, & Thursday 10am to 3pm. Call or email us for advertising rates.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, the act prohibits a retail food establishment from distributing an expanded polystyrene product (more commonly known as Styrofoam™) for use as a container for ready-to-eat food in this state.

The State of Colorado requires any store located in the City of Brighton begin charging the 10 cent bag fee on every bag starting January 1, 2023. The store is entitled to retain 4 cents of the bag fee revenue, and must remit the remaining 6 cents to the City of Brighton on a quarterly basis. Businesses also have the option of not providing any single-use bags.

For more information about the carryout bag fee visit www.brightonco.gov/ bagfee.

Republicans Must Review the 2022 Failures

After the disappointing, for some of us shocking, 2022 election results, there must be a Republican effort to rethink what happened. by Newt Gingrich

After the disappointing, for some of us shocking, 2022 election results, there must be a Republican effort to rethink what happened.

The danger is, with all the distractions and trivia of Washington, the effort could be the usual, surface-level review. Too often, hard problems and facts that challenge the institutional culture of Republican professionals are avoided. The bias against dealing with them is great because they seem impossible to solve.

That scenario would be a disaster for Republicans in 2023.

What we need is a profoundly deep, challenging examination of the party – and a thorough study of where American politics and government truly are.

Too often, Republicans try to understand the world through limited models of government and politics which simply don’t reflect reality. This failure to think through and master the real world of contemporary power is tragic, and it weakens America’s future.

Consider how big the gap between potential and reality currently is.

There is a huge cultural majority that disapproves of Big Government Socialism and favors Free Market Capitalism (18 percent to 82 percent). Most Americans also reject woke lectures on race and believe that a person’s character is more important than his or her skin color (91 percent are with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on this point). A cultural majority also deeply disapproves of brainwashing young children with radical ideas about sex and gender (72 percent oppose teaching school children they can change their gender).

These people should all be Republican voters, but they aren’t.

Republicans must learn why this massive cultural majority is not translating into a political majority. This will require sober self-reflection and serious analysis. It’s not a fluke that we can’t attract these people. We are simply failing to. In the politics of campaigning – and the act of governing – Republicans have not mastered the systems, principles, and patterns needed. Until we do that, we can’t win a landslide election and then govern effectively.

A deep review of the Republican failure would look at things most post-election projects ignore – or facts from which they hide. Republicans must look at the real world, not the ideal world they imagine.

Real Fact-Finding

Republicans must gather the facts. Virtually everyone’s initial analysis of the election results mistook individual races for voter behavior and extrapolated based on the misconceptions. The fact is: Republicans won substantially more U.S. House votes than Democrats. Currently 50.7 percent of House races went for Republicans versus 47.7 percent that went for Democrats. This was a six-point turnaround from Democrats’ 50.8 percent to Republicans’ 47.7 percent margin in 2020.

As Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report put it: “Democrats fell off a cliff in Florida and New York, where their House candidates underperformed Biden’s 2020 margins on average by 13 points. GOP mini waves also hit California and Oregon where Democrats underperformed by 7.6 points each.”

None of these facts fit the initial analysis. So, fact-finding means reviewing all the major polls and comparing them with what really happened with different groups in different states.

Close the Resource Gap Republicans must account for the real resource imbalance. Analysts too often simply match Republican fundraising dollars up against Democrat fundraising dollars. This is a mistake we’ve repeated for decades. It profoundly understates of the scale of the challenge in reaching voters. The truth is Democrats’ resources are legion and can’t neatly be listed on a spreadsheet.

If Saturday Night Live savages Herschel Walker three days before the runoff, what is that worth? If Mark Zuckerberg pours $419 million into turnout efforts in Democrat precincts, how do you record or counter that? If the FBI and Twitter block the New York Post from reaching millions with its story about Hunter Biden’s laptop just weeks before the election, are they helping Democrats get elected? If Twitter kicks the incumbent president off its platform, is that an in-kind gift to the Biden campaign? If Google routinely blocks Republican fundraising appeals the last four days of the month, how much money are we losing? When the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development organizes voter drives on the President’s order, are they serving Republican and Democrat voters equally? If famously liberal universities that actively punish conservative speech run voter registration operations, who do you think that helps? None of these efforts show up on traditional Federal Election Commission reports. Republicans must figure out how to codify and overcome them.

Compete in Modern Elections

The election calendar has changed, but Republicans don’t seem to understand the new requirements for effective competition. Voting starts in mid-September. Hoarding advertising money to mid-October doesn’t work anymore. Early voting is a fact. Republicans must learn to maximize it (and focus on non-voters more intensely). Shifting resources from late TV buys to early voting efforts may hurt consultants’ wallets, but it may win more elections. Republican nominees who come out of tough primaries with no money and stay off the air for six or seven weeks – while their Democrat opponents and the news media define them – become irrevocably damaged (see Mehmet Oz’s campaign in Pennsylvania). Republicans focus on campaigns. Democrats focus on elections. The difference is profound. Republicans must change.

Stop Hitting Yourself

Attacking our own candidates is harmful. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Super PAC spent $4 million against the GOP nominee in New Hampshire. It hurt. The McConnell Super PAC also publicly pulled out of Blake Masters’ race in Arizona in mid-October. That jarred the campaign and cost it momentum. While Republicans criticized our own candidates’ quality, the Democrats nominated a stroke victim who could barely talk in Pennsylvania and a radical who ultimately lost in Wisconsin. There is a grave danger that Trump vs. anti-Trump cannibalism in 2024 will lead to a 1964 Barry Goldwater vs. Nelson Rockefeller-style disaster. (We dropped to 140 seats in the House and 32 seats in the Senate). Republicans should all be interested in avoiding that.

Learn from Success

We need to study the clear, major GOP victories. The resounding victories in

Florida, Ohio, Texas, and Iowa should become the basis for a usable model. The House Republicans gained seats for the second election in a row (while the Senate Republicans were losing seats for the third election in a row). What can Republicans learn from our own successes?

Get with the Times

The impact of university and college election efforts must be studied. The scale of the GOP defeat among the younger generation is a warning sign that we need profoundly new approaches if we are going to survive. If TikTok is legal, Republicans must learn to compete on it. The depth of younger Americans’ commitment to the environment and global warming requires a conservative climate solution. Debating whether the climate is an issue is a losing proposition. A modular nuclear powerhydrogen production system would be a conservative answer to carbon loading that would produce energy, jobs, a stronger economy, and virtually no carbon emissions. We need a fight over the best way to solve environmental problems rather than a proenvironment vs. anti-environment model. We know which side younger and college educated voters will pick.

See You in Court

Lawfare is a system Democrats understand and employ 365 days a year. Democrats routinely use the legal system to attack and delegitimize their opponents. They understand that the constant, subtle application of legal challenges can change the election environment – even if they don’t ultimately pass muster in court. Bombarding state legislatures and election officials with legal threats scare them into agreeing to radical election models that favor Democrats. This has become a niche legal industry for Democrats. In fact, there is a clear effort to drive Republican lawyers out of politics and leave the GOP defenseless against activist attacks.

Breaking ID Politics

We are now experiencing pure identity politics. Performance simply does not matter. How else do we explain New York re-electing the Democrat governor despite crime, inflation, and the decay of New York City? How else do you explain the staunch Democrat control of Chicago – no matter how bad the city government performs? Breaking through on identity politics and figuring out what messages would get people to shift their votes would be a huge step toward turning the massive cultural majority into a political majority.

Learn Some Damn Empathy

The Democrats use symbols, fear, victimhood, and emotions while Republicans tend to use facts, logic, reason, and rationality. The entire Democrat campaign on abortion was based on fear and potential victimization. For over half a century, the racial politics of the left have emphasized fear and emotion. The recent consolidation of the sexual politics vote has been based on fear of repression, elimination of the rights, and job discrimination.

Erik Erickson warned about the emotional counterattack Democrats may make over Hunter Biden:

“Tens of millions of Americans are dealing with the effects of addiction on their families and those of friends and other loved ones. What is the GOP response going to be when the media casts Biden as a sympathetic dad trying to help his son overcome his battles with addiction? They are absolutely going to do that.”

Republicans don’t need to make cheap emotional appeals – but they need to be ready for them. Countering symbols and emotion with logic makes you look cold and heartless. Instead, answer with a higher ideal. Answering Erikson’s example, Republicans should have a strategy that is bigger than Hunter Biden that emphasizes unfair special treatment or national security more than personal failings.

These are the kinds of fundamental problems Republicans need to research, think through, debate, and solve to have a serious, realistic, plan for 2024 and beyond.

Newly Elected Officials Sworn in at December 5th, 2022 Keenesburg Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

At the December 5th, 2022 regular meeting of the Keenesburg Board of Trustees the newly elected officials were sworn in:

Aron Lam – Mayor, 4- year term

Cindy Baumgartner, Trustee, 4 – year term

Jarred Frazer, Trustee, 4 – year term

Leroy Blackston, Trustee 4- year term Wilbur Wafel, Trustee – 2 year term

Cindy Baumgartner was appointed Mayor Pro Tem

All Town Officers were reappointed except the Town Manager. All town committee assignments were made for the Trustees.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Morgan County REA Sets New Record for Capital Credits Returned to Members

By Morgan County Rural Electric Association

There are many benefits to being a rural electric cooperative. One of the best perks comes each December in the form of capital credits.

Morgan County REA is pleased to announce that this year the MCREA Board of Directors approved $4.3 million in capital credits to be returned to MCREA members. This is the largest patronage capital retirement in MCREA’s 85-year history.

Capital credits are a pillar of the cooperative model. While investor-owned utilities send profits to shareholders, MCREA—a not-for-profit electric co-op— returns remaining funds to our members. Those funds help MCREA manage rates, cover emergency expenses, and reduce the amount of money the co-op needs to borrow from outside lenders to build, maintain and expand a reliable electric distribution system.

When financial condition permits, the MCREA Board elects to retire remaining funds—also called patronage capital—from a given year. Those who were members during that time are sent a capital credits check based on how much power they purchased in the year that is being retired. This reflects the member’s contribution to, and ownership of, the cooperative.

In October, the MCREA Board elected to fully retire 2016 MCREA patronage and partially retire 2004 Tri-State G&T patronage. Those who were MCREA members during these years received their capital credits checks this month. Even if someone is not a current MCREA member, but was in 2004 or 2016, a check was sent their way.

It is important to make sure MCREA has your correct contact information, so that capital credits checks can make their way to you. You can update your contact information by visiting MCREA’s office or by giving its billing department a call at (970) 867-5688.

MCREA, a member-owned cooperative, is dedicated to serving its members by providing safe, reliable energy with a strong tradition and vision for the future. The cooperative is proud to deliver this record-setting amount of capital credits to its members, as it reflects the efforts of MCREA’s board and employees to operate the electric cooperative as efficiently as possible.

Oberlin

Bakery it called ‘Racist’ Over $36 Million After Years-Long Defamation Lawsuit

College Pays

Gibson’s Bakery and Food Mart received $36.6 million from Oberlin College

By Adam Sabes | Fox News

Ohio court upheld $32 million win against Oberlin College over false racial accusations.

Gutfeld and guests discuss the Ohio court’s decision to grant a $32 million victory to a bakery over Oberlin college students due to false racial accusations on ‘Gutfeld!’

Oberlin College in Ohio has paid out over $36 million to Gibson’s Bakery and Food Mart after years of attempting to overturn a jury decision which found the college defamed the local bakery.

In 2016, Allyn Gibson, the son of Gibson’s Bakery and Food Mart owners David Gibson and Allyn Gibson, chased and tackled a Black student who was suspected of stealing a bottle of wine on Nov. 9, 2016. Two students at Oberlin College, who are also Black and were friends with the student who stole the bottle, got involved in the incident which became physical.

In a statement to Fox 8, an Oberlin College spokesperson said that the institution paid $36.6 million to the bakery, which covers the damages awarded, legal fees, and interest accrued.

Brandon McHugh, an attorney representing the Gibson’s, confirmed to WKYC that the funds were received.

OHIO BAKERY CELEBRATES DEFAMATION WIN OVER OBERLIN, VOWS TO REBUILD WHAT FALSE ACCUSATIONS OF RACISM DESTROYED

“We can confirm that all funds have been disbursed and that the family is continuing with the process of rebuilding Gibson’s Bakery for the next generations,” McHugh said.

The three students were arrested and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges, court documents state.

In 2017, the owners of Gibson’s Bakery and Food Mart sued Oberlin College, alleging that the school libeled them and caused harm to their business.

OHIO COLLEGE RACKS UP MILLIONS IN INTEREST ON CASH OWED TO BAKERY OVER FALSE RACISM ALLEGATIONS

Oberlin College students protested outside the bakery following the shoplifting incident. During a protest, former Oberlin College vice president and dean of students, Meredith Raimondo, handed out flyers stating that the bakery is a “RACIST establishment with a LONG ACCOUNT of RACIAL PROFILING and DISCRIMINATION,” according to court documents.

College resources were also used to print flyers and buy food and other supplies to support the protesters. Additionally, the school stopped buying food from the bakery.

While a jury made a judgment in favor of the bakery, ordering Oberlin College to pay $44 million, the damages were lowered to $25 million. A court ordered Oberlin College to front an additional $6.5 million to cover its legal expenses in 2019.

Oberlin College appealed the case all the way up to the Ohio Supreme Court,

WIGGINS SCHOOL DISTRICT 50J DECEMBER NEWS

GOOD PEOPLE OF TIGER NATION: Fall semester comes to a close October Count: The Colorado Department of Education finalized its annual October student count for each school district. Wiggins School District is up over 40 students from last year, with a total of 874 students enrolled. This number has grown since October and continues to grow as families continue to move into the district.

Mill Levy Certification:

The Board Of Education voted to keep the mills paid toward the secondary and new elementary bonds at 14.695 mills. Keeping the mill levy at this rate will allow the district to bring in $4,491,552.91 which gives the district the ability to keep taxes low in future years if oil and gas production takes a hit.

CTE Immersion Pathway: Wiggins High School has partnered with Morgan Community College in offering its students enrolled in one of MCC’s CTE programs a pathway to graduation. MCC’s CTE programs include welding, automotive service technology, automotive collision repair, electromechanical technology, media design, marketing and advertising, and precision ag. Students who complete this program earn a certificate in these fields with the potential to earn their A.A. degree as well.

Girls Wrestling: Coach Christensen and a handful of female wrestlers addressed the board to gain support to start a girls wrestling program. He reported that eight girls committed to forming a team, a schedule has been created, and the girls already have uniforms they can wear. The Board of Education proudly supports this endeavor and wishes the girls the best on their inaugural season!

Congratulations:

• High School Girls Volleyball Team - 3rd Place at State

• Volleyball All Conference: Avery Burdette, Tyleigh Fehseke, Riley Hunt, Kennedy Kerr

• Volleyball All Conference Honorable Mention: Talyn Mese

• Volleyball All State 1st Team Avery Burdette and Tyleight Fehseke, 2nd Team Kennedy Kerr, Honorable Mention Riley Hunt

• Congratulations to the High School Football Team for making it to the Elite Eight

• Football All Conference: Julio Flores, Laith Ibrahim, Cole Kerr, Americo Lorenzini, Omar Perez, and Pepper Rusher

• Football All Conference Honorable Mention: JR Meyer

• Cross Country All State Honorable Mention: Cade Green

• Cross Country Team received Academic All State Honors

• Sam Adamson competed against more than 1200 students across the state to earn All State Choir Honors

Sterling Boys Basketball Squeaks By Brush, 55-54

by Paul Dineen, Get The Picture Sports LLC

The Sterling Tigers traveled down I-76 to take on the Brush Beetdiggers on December 9. In a close game throughout, the Tigers led by three at the half and held on for a 55-54 win. A shot by the Beetdiggers with under a second left missed the mark. A second shot off the rebound went in, but was taken just after the buzzer.

Junior Ryder McConnell led Sterling with twenty-three points (including fifteen on 3-pointers) plus eleven rebounds. Ethan Thyne added nineteen points.

For the Beetdiggers, senior Kaden Castrup scored seventeen and pulled down eleven rebounds. Aidan Gutierrez notched a dozen points.

Mirroring the tight score, the teams were close in a scoring source breakdown. Both teams netted nine 3-pointers. Both attempted twenty-five 2-pointers, with Brush having the slight advantage in results, getting twenty-four points to twenty-two. So, with Brush being +2 so far but losing the game by one point, where did those other three Sterling points come from? The foul line, of course. Sterling shot six of eleven, while Brush was three for six from the charity stripe, giving Sterling their one point advantage in the game. This was despite Sterling outfouling Brush, 15-13.

Brush, 2-2, was scheduled to play at Fort Morgan on Dec 17, then two on the road after the break. Those are followed by Weld Central, 2-1, visiting Brush on January 14. Brush is #22 in 3A RPI.

Sterling, 5-1, is off until after the break at home on January 4 versus Liberty Common, 1-4. Sterling is #9 in 4A RPI.

Premier Farm Credit Welcomes Ty Groshans

November 30, 2022 – Ag lender Premier Farm Credit is excited to announce that Ty Groshans has been hired as a Loan Officer.

“Ty will be a great asset to our lending team and we’re proud to have him join us,” said Steve Kaiser, Chief Lending Officer. “He brings agricultural marketing experience from his time working in the cattle industry. He has a passion for customer service and enjoys working with people. His background will serve him well in his new role as a Loan Officer.

“I am looking forward to learning more about the ag lending business and working with farmers and ranchers in northeast Colorado. Growing up and raising my family here, I am thankful to be able to continue to live and work in this area. Serving ag producers as a Loan Officer for Premier is a great fit for me,” added Groshans.

Ty graduated from Otis High School before obtaining his bachelor degrees from Colorado State University in Ag Business and Animal Science. He and his wife Jamie live near Akron with their two daughters and have their own cow/calf operation. Prior to his position at Premier, Ty was a sales representative for DVAuction and represented various livestock breed associations.

Mr. Groshans can be reached at the Yuma lending office at 970-848-5839 or on his cell phone at 970-630-5025. We invite producers to stop by any of Premier’s locations in Yuma, Sterling, Fort Morgan or Holyoke, call, or email anytime.

As a part of the Farm Credit System, established in 1916, Premier Farm Credit offers reliable and consistent credit to agriculture and rural communities, today and tomorrow. Premier Farm Credit is wholly owned by its borrowers and has aggregate loan volume of over $900 million. You can find them on the web at premieraca.com, or on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.

Brush senior center Kaden Castrup attempts a shot, defended by Brush junior Ryder McConnell. Castrup scored seventeen and had eleven rebounds.

Ryder McConnell led all scorers with twenty-three for Sterling. Here, he defends against Kaden Castrup.

Aiden Gutierrez moves on Sterling defender Dayten Diorio. Gutierrez scored twelve for Brush.

Business Spotlight: Twin Beaters

Based out of Fort Morgan, Colorado, Twin Beaters is your one-stop shop for handcrafted jams, jellies, hot sauces, loose-leaf teas, and more. The company was founded in 2021 by Madeline Hagan and Kyle Tawney, both of whom had been selling their handmade goods at local markets together. After seeing the demand for locally sourced and handcrafted consumables, the two knew they had to expand their operations.

Now, Twin Beaters offers a wide variety of consumable goods, including over thirty jam and jelly flavors, pie fillings, syrups, seven different hot sauce flavors, and over ten loose-leaf tea blends. In addition to their everyday collection, limited edition seasonal products are offered throughout the year. Some of the current Holiday products include a Holiday Jam with black grapes, cranberries, orange zest, and clove, and a delicious Chocolate Orange Jam, inspired by the classic chocolate orange candies sold during Christmas Time. Custom and pre-made gift baskets are also available year-round, as are bulk and custom orders.

Madeline and Kyle travel around Colorado attending different markets and selling their handmade goods. In addition to the markets they attend, Kyle’s hot sauce, Just The Tip hot sauce, is available for purchase in The Flower Petaler in downtown Fort Morgan. Their other products are available online in their Etsy shop. Both have dreams of further expanding their operations, and they are currently undergoing the process to manufacture and sell all of their products in stores.

Madeline has a background in herbalism and is a certified Integrative Health Practitioner. She incorporates many aspects of herbalism into her loose-leaf tea blends to provide natural remedies to customers. She started canning jellies and jams in 2019 and found a passion for it, and since then has canned thousands of jams, jellies, and pie fillings!

Kyle has always had a passion for cooking and has over ten years of experience working in restaurants. He received his certificate in Culinary & Hospitality Management in 2012. His inspiration for Just The Tip hot sauce emerged as he couldn’t find a hot sauce on the market with the right amount of heat, flavor, and thickness. As such, his “Original” flavor was formed and since then he has made over ten different hot sauce flavors!

Twin Beaters is focused on supporting local economies and uses local ingredients when possible. All of their products are made in small batches, ensuring high quality and delicious taste! If you are interested in shopping their products or would like to place a custom order, visit them at www.twinbeaters.com or contact them at twinbeaters@gmail.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram @twinbeaters to see their creations or view their event schedule!

Friend, Happy early Thanksgiving! As you get ready to hop in the car for your road trip or get your head start on cooking we’ve got some exciting news to share with you.

A few weeks ago, Kids at their Best was invited to attend the El Pomar Foundation’s Awards for Excellence ceremony at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.

We’re beyond excited to let you know that at that event we were honored to receive the organization’s 2022 Rural Award for Excellence in recognition for the tireless work we’ve been doing over the past 16 years!

On top of the award, we were also awarded a $30,000 grant to expand our work from one of the El Pomar Trustees.

Team KATB with the Rural Award.

We received the award because of our dedication to the youth we serve. What started out in 2006 as a program to feed hungry youth during the Summer months has now expanded to become Northern Colorado’s largest foodbank and most importantly a self sustaining year-round leadership program that provides a path out of poverty and into college and a career.

Kids at their Best is getting the recognition that we deserve but we still have a lot more work to do and a lot more room to grow. That’s why we are asking that you donate $25 or whatever you can spare so we can build on this momentum and make 2023 our biggest year yet!

Donate!

And with the holidays coming up, we hope that you will consider getting your wreath and holiday decor from our partner Gift it Forward. Enter the code: KIDSATCO002 - then shop & checkout like normal and we’ll receive a portion of what you buy!

Thank you for your support. We could not have done this without you.

Jodi Walker

Founder/Executive Director Kids at Their Best

Kyle and Madeline with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at their booth during Miracle on 4th Street in Downtown Longmont on November 13th, 2022

Northern Water Secures Key Federal Permit for Dam Complex around Fort Collins continued from page 1

and that NISP is the least environmentally impactful means of satisfying that need,” Northern Water said.

Northern Water said the project will eventually serve 250,000 people in cities and towns including Erie, Windsor, Fort Morgan and Lafayette, as well as customers in the Fort Collins-Loveland Water District.

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com

GOCO Awards City $400K toward Soccer Complex

Grant will allow much-needed recreation project to go forward in 2023

Fort Morgan’s plans for a new park and sports field complex near the city’s fieldhouse got a big boost this week when Great Outdoors Colorado announced the award of a $400,000 grant to help fund the project.

The 120,000-square-foot park will include turf areas for sports and field activities, a walking trail, and other amenities that will support visitors year round. The project expands upon existing amenities, including a 3,000-squarefoot inclusive playground and a 1,400-square-foot splash pad installed during fieldhouse construction.

These new features will support a centralized location for outdoor recreation in the city, complementing the services and programming offered through the fieldhouse; provide outdoor recreation access for surrounding neighborhoods; and help mitigate maintenance issues occurring at other neighborhood parks in Fort Morgan due to overuse.

The grant is part of GOCO’s Community Impact program, which develops and revitalizes parks, trails, school yards, fairgrounds, environmental education facilities, and other outdoor projects that enhance a community’s quality of life and access to the outdoors.

The city sought design feedback from residents at several community events. The project also leverages funds committed by the city and a $250,000 grant from the Colorado Health Foundation and is slated for completion in 2023.

To date, GOCO has invested more than $6.2 million in projects in Morgan County and partnered to conserve 7,444 acres of land here. GOCO funding has supported Brenda Joy Bike Park, the Weldon Valley Preschool playground, Riverside Park flood restoration, and Pioneer Skate Park, among other projects.

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces. GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Created when voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1992, GOCO has since funded more than 5,600 projects in all 64 counties of Colorado without any tax dollar support. Visit GOCO.org for more information.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! www.facebook.com/cityoffortmorgan

Return Envelopes no longer provided with Utility Bills

Change effective Jan. 1, will reduce waste

City of Fort Morgan utility customers are being advised that the city will no longer provide return payment envelopes with city utility bills starting with January 2023 billing statements.

The decision was made because an increasing percentage of utility customers pay their bills either online or in person, meaning that many of the envelopes provided are not used. Stopping the practice of providing return envelopes will greatly reduce waste and expense.

Customers can continue to mail utility payments or pay at the Utility Billing office at 710 E. Railroad Ave. Numerous other payment methods are also available, including Auto-Pay, Xpress Bill Pay and drop boxes in the community:

Drop Boxes - Customers can drop off payments at any of the drop box locations listed below. Drop box payments are picked up daily at 8 a.m., Monday through Friday, except posted holidays.

City Complex: 710 E Railroad Ave. (By the drive-up window)

Edwards Right Price Market: 1201 E Platte Ave. (By cash registers)

Walmart: 1300 Barlow Road (Customer Service Area)

Auto-Pay - You can sign up for automatic payment from your checking account. Please visit or call the Utility Billing Department for more information.

XPRESS Pay - Go to www.xpressbillpay.com to pay your bill online. For assistance, call 1-800-720-6847.

Customers can also call in to the city Utility Billing office at 970-867-4350 during regular business hours to make a payment over the phone.

See the Frequently Asked Questions sheet attached with this release, or call the Utility Billing office with any questions.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! www.facebook.com/cityoffortmorgan

CPW Reminds People to Stay Safe on the Ice This Winter

Bring the correct equipment to stay safe and warm on the ice this winter.

DENVER - Frozen waters provide unique recreation opportunities for people to go places that are inaccessible by foot most of the year. Whether ice fishing, skating, sledding or snowshoeing, it is important to take the right precautions and bring the correct equipment to keep you and your family safe.

On November 22 at Crystal Lake Park in Littleton, teenager Dyllan Whittenburg became trapped under ice when he and three other teenagers fell through the barely frozen lake. Dive crews with the West Metro Fire Protection District retrieved him, but he sadly died two days later at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Nearby neighbors were able to rescue the other three teenagers using hoses, extension cords and rope.

This tragedy marks the 41st water-related fatality in Colorado this year. It is vital for Coloradoans to understand the dangers water and ice can pose.

“When you fall into icy waters, cold water immersion shock can cause you to involuntarily gasp and inhale water” said Grant Brown, CPW’s boating safety program manager “Your body will conserve heat by reducing blood flow to your arms and legs, making it difficult to swim and pull yourself out of a hole in the ice. Bringing the correct equipment like a life jacket, ice picks, and warm clothes, can save your life.”

CPW reminds people to stay safe on the ice this winter. While a great reason to get outdoors in the winter months, ice can be dangerous without proper preparation and an understanding of the dangers.

Conditions

Weather conditions along Colorado’s Front Range can change quickly; it is important to check weather and ice conditions before trekking out onto the ice.

• Check with the agency that manages the body of water for current conditions before you head out.

• Always assume that unsafe ice conditions may exist.

• Ice conditions can vary across different areas of the same lake.

• Ice near a structure like a dock or log will be significantly thinner than ice in the center of a lake.

• Ice near moving water like an inlet or outlet will be thinner as well.

• Drill test holes to measure thickness in different areas as you venture out.

• Four inches of ice is generally considered safe for people ice fishing and ice skating.

• OHVs need at least six inches of ice thickness. Cars and medium trucks require 8-15 inches of ice.

Equipment

Bring the right equipment to make an ice trip more enjoyable and potentially save your life.

• Dress appropriately in warm clothes and layers.

• Bring a friend or family member and walk separately as you traverse the ice.

• Wear a life jacket and whistle, and bring ice picks and rope. If you fall in, a life jacket will keep you afloat, a whistle can call for help, and ice picks and a rope can help you and rescue crews pull you out of the icy waters.

• A float coat can keep you warm and keep you above water if you fall in.

• For ice fishing, bring a hand or powered auger to drill holes and check ice depth.

• A popup tent and heater can keep you nice and warm.

• Bring a sled to easily carry your equipment.

• Ice cleats can help prevent slips and falls.

Education

Become educated about ice conditions and visual cues that can help keep you safe on the ice.

• The safest ice is solid, clear ice that froze very quickly. Four inches of solid, clear ice is considered safe for walking.

• Milky-colored ice indicates more freezing and thawing has occurred and is considered less safe than clear ice.

• Watch for pressure ridges in the ice, sections where two ice sheets meet and rise up higher than the rest. These are generally less safe than other sections of the ice, especially if riding a snowmobile.

• Pressure ridges can melt into open water during the warmer parts of the day.

• Ice is always expanding and contracting and can make popping and cracking noises that sound scary. These sounds are actually ice forming and are completely natural and safe.

• In Front Range lakes, ice along the shoreline can thaw during the warmest parts of the day. If temperatures will get above freezing, get off the ice before noon to avoid getting stuck.

• Keep your pets on a leash and under control at all times. People have fallen through the ice attempting to rescue a dog that wandered into open water.

CPW offers ice fishing and ice safety classes during the winter months. Check CPW’s website for a calendar of upcoming classes and events.

To learn more about ice safety, visit our website: https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/ Pages/IceFishingSafety.aspx

Brush Takes Home Triangular with Weld Central, Sterling

by Paul Dineen, Get The Picture Sports LLC

A boys varsity, triangular wrestling meet between Weld Central, Sterling and Brush was held at Brush on December 8.

Team results:

Brush 83 - Weld Central 0 (42 Brush points due to forfeit*)

Brush 63 - Sterling 12

Sterling 58 - Weld Central 19 **

* Forfeit: no Weld Central wrestler in the weight class.

** Forty-two Sterling points and six Weld Central points were due to forfeits.

Individual results:

Thirty-three wrestlers participated: fourteen for Brush, twelve for Sterling and seven for Weld Central. Twelve wrestlers were undefeated on the night -- excluding win by forfeit. Five of those were 2-0: wt class

113 Kaleb Grauer (Brush)

132 Nick Dardanes (Brush)

138 Axton Haswell (Brush)

150 Tanner Ludgate (Brush)

165 Ritchie Bruno (Brush)

The other seven undefeated were 1-0:

106 Blayden Larsen (Brush)

120 Aiden Ortega (Sterling)

144 Seth Marick (Sterling)

157 Josue Mayorga (Brush)

175 Cole Curtis (Brush)

190 Christaun Astorga (Brush)

215 Dominick Ontiveros (Brush)

Brush over Weld Central 83-0

150 (Brush) Tanner Ludgate over (Weld Central) William Ellerman

157 (Brush) Josue Mayorga over (Weld Central) Markus Weems

165 (Brush) Ritchie Bruno over (Weld Central) Wyatt Gerkin

175 (Brush) Cole Curtis

190 (Brush) Christaun Astorga

215 (Brush) Dominick Ontiveros

285 (Brush) Chad Schilling

106 (Brush) Blayden Larsen

113 (Brush) Kaleb Grauer over (Weld Central) Gavin Kitzman

120 (Brush) Oscar Mendoza

126 (Brush) Alizar Acosta

132 (Brush) Nick Dardanes over (Weld Central) Owen Reininger

138 (Brush) Axton Haswell over (Weld Central) Tyler Herman 144 (Brush) Riley Tuck over (Weld Central) Jaime Carbajal

Brush over Sterling 63-12

144 (Sterling) Seth Marick over (Brush) Riley Tuck

150 (Brush) Tanner Ludgate over (Sterling) Braydon Evans

157 (Brush) Josue Mayorga 165 (Brush) Ritchie Bruno over (Sterling) Lucas Resch 175 (Brush) Cole Curtis over (Sterling) Jackson Morales 190 (Brush) Christaun Astorga over (Sterling) Bryan Joffre 215 (Brush) Dominick Ontiveros over (Sterling) Adolf Orran 285 (Brush) Chad Schilling 106 (Brush) Blayden Larsen over (Sterling) Tavin Moser 113 (Brush) Kaleb Grauer over (Sterling) Manuel Renteria

1:41 0:52 1:50 0:56 2:46 3:07 3:34

4-0 5:52 2:48 2:53 1:55 1:08 0:18 6-4

Fall Fall Fall Forfeit Forfeit Forfeit Forfeit Forfeit Fall Forfeit Forfeit Fall Fall Tech.Fall

Decision Fall Forfeit Fall Fall Fall Fall Forfeit Fall Decision

120 (Sterling) Aiden Ortega over (Brush) Oscar Mendoza 126 (Sterling) Aiden Young 132 (Brush) Nick Dardanes over (Sterling) Alex Rodriguez 138 (Brush) Axton Haswell over (Sterling) Sam Lange

Sterling over Weld Central 58-19

165 (Weld Central) Wyatt Gerkin over (Sterling) Lucas Resch 175 (Sterling) Jackson Morales 190 (Sterling) Bryan Joffre 215 (Sterling) Spike Mailman 285 (Sterling) Adolf Orran 106 (Sterling) Tavin Moser 113 (Sterling) Manuel Renteria over (Weld Central) Gavin Kitzman 120 (Sterling) Aiden Ortega 126 (Sterling) Aiden Young 132 (Weld Central) Owen Reininger over (Sterling) Alex Rodriguez 138 (Sterling) Sam Lange over (Weld Central) Tyler Herman 144 (Sterling) Seth Marick over (Weld Central) Jaime Carbajal 150 (Weld Central) William Ellerman over (Sterling) Braydon Evans 157 (Weld Central) Markus Weems

7-4 2:27 1:04

2:22 14-4 9-1 1:20 2:10 8-2

Decision Forfeit Fall Fall

Fall Forfeit Forfeit Forfeit Forfeit Forfeit Major Dec. Forfeit Forfeit Major Dec. Fall Fall Decision Forfeit

144 class: Seth Marick (Sterling, right) over Riley Tuck (Brush) (Decision 4-0)

132 class: Owen Reininger (Weld Central ) over Alex Rodriguez (Sterling) (major decision 9-1)

215 class: Dominick Ontiveros (Brush, bottom) over Adolf Orran (Sterling) (Fall 1:08)

150 class: Tanner Ludgate (Brush, standing) over Braydon Evans (Sterling) (Fall 5:52)

113 class: Manuel Renteria (Sterling, right) over Gavin Kitzman (Weld Central) by major decision, 14-4)

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Add Layers of Protection to Financial Strategy

To achieve your financial security, and that of your family, you will need to create a comprehensive strategy. But for this strategy to succeed, you’ll need to guard it from various challenges –and that means you’ll need to build in different layers of protection.

What are these challenges – and what types of protection can be used to defend against them? Consider the following:

• Challenge #1: Protecting your ability to reach your goals – To achieve your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement, you’ll need to build adequate financial resources. And that means you’ll need to create an investment portfolio that’s suitable for your objectives, risk tolerance and time horizon. And you’ll need to keep your long-term goals in mind when adjusting your portfolio during times of volatility.

• Challenge #2: Protecting your family’s future if you’re not around

– Hopefully, you will live a long life and always be around to support your family. But the future is not ours to see – and if something were to happen to you, how would your family cope? Their chances could be much better if you have adequate life insurance. Proper coverage could help pay off your mortgage, pay for your children’s higher education and allow your family to continue its lifestyle.

• Challenge #3: Protecting your income should you become temporarily disabled – If you were to become ill or temporarily disabled and could not work for a while, the disruption in your income could jeopardize your family’s living situation, or, at the least, lead to an inability to pay bills in a timely fashion. To protect against this threat, you may want to consider adding disability insurance. Your employer may offer a short-term disability policy

11/12/2020 12:41:50 PM

as an employee benefit, but it may be insufficient, either in duration or in amount of coverage, so you might want to look at a private policy.

• Challenge #4: Protecting your long-term investments from shortterm needs – Life is full of unexpected expenses – a major car repair, a new furnace, a large bill from the dentist, and so on. If you did not have the money available to deal with these costs, you might be forced to dip into your longterm investments, such as your IRA or 401(k). Taking money from these accounts earlier than you intended could incur taxes and penalties, and, even more importantly, could reduce the amount of money you have available for retirement. To help protect these investments from short-term needs for cash, try to build an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in cash or a liquid

account.

• Challenge #5: Protecting your financial independence – You would probably do all you could to avoid ever becoming a burden to your grown children – which is why it’s so important to maintain your financial independence throughout your life. One potential threat to this independence is the need for some type of long-term care, such as an extended nursing home stay, which can be extremely expensive. A financial professional can suggest protection strategies to help you prepared for these types of costs.

It can be challenging to keep your financial strategy intact – so do whatever it takes to protect it.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

by Julian Shen-Berro, Chalkbeat

A student receives extra support at Jefferson Elementary in Berwyn, Illinois.

Sebastián Hidalgo for Chalkbeat Students are continuing to regain academic ground lost during the pandemic, but a full recovery could take years, according to a new report.

Test scores from fall assessments given by testing company NWEA offer the latest look at how students are performing after the pandemic’s disruptions. The data, collected from nearly 7 million third to eighth graders across the U.S., shows the gaps between pre-pandemic and current students are continuing to shrink, though overall scores remain lower than they were pre-COVID.

The findings come as a slew of studies have painted a picture of diminished academic performance in the wake of the pandemic, particularly among those who were already struggling.

“The distance between test scores for kids now relative to historical trends continues to shrink,” said Karyn Lewis, an NWEA researcher. “[But] it’s not a steady upward march towards recovery — we’re seeing some unevenness.”

The rebound wasn’t consistent across grades, racial groups, or schools, with the youngest and oldest students recovering more slowly, the researchers found. But the fall scores show some sustained incremental progress.

The tightening gaps between pre-pandemic and current cohorts of students came in part thanks to a diminished “summer slide” — meaning students lost less ground between spring and fall in 2022 than in prior years. Still, those strides amount to just a fraction of the overall gaps.

“It’s good that we bottomed out, but I would juxtapose that against the fact that the bottoming out is in a pretty deep trough,” said Dan Goldhaber, director of the Center for Education Data and Research at the University of Washington. “From what I have seen, the climbing out of that hole is pretty modest.”

The NWEA researchers’ estimates project a full recovery taking from as little as two years to five or more years for students across reading and math in different grades. But Goldhaber noted that other factors might delay recovery.

“You’d need these kinds of gains from year to year” to see that trajectory, he said. But the additional funding schools could use to sustain that growth may not be there for that long. “If we’re five years out … that’s beyond when school systems will have the federal funding to implement programs,” he said.

The youngest cohort of students with NWEA scores this fall — a group of now third graders who were kindergarteners when the pandemic began — had the largest gaps between their reading scores and their pre-pandemic peers’, according to the report. Meanwhile, the oldest group of students — current eighth graders — have also rebounded more slowly than students in other grades, according to the report.

For those third and eighth graders, NWEA researchers estimated that full academic recovery in both math and reading was five or more years away.

Education researchers warn even a return to pre-pandemic performance levels doesn’t address inequities that have long plagued the nation’s schools. And across grade levels, Black and Hispanic students, as well as highpoverty schools, tended to see the widest gaps between pre-pandemic scores and scores now, according to the report.

“That we are recovering, that we didn’t go down and stay down, that we’re moving up — it’s an important data point,” said Alex Bowers, a professor at Columbia University’s Teachers College. “But throughout all of these reports, we are continually seeing the historic gaps between different demographic groups of students who have been underserved throughout the system.”

“Paying attention to that,” he added, “there is a lot of work to do.”

Julian Shen-Berro is a reporter covering national issues. Contact him at jshen-berro@chalkbeat.org.

Friends of Raymer is Awarded Grant to Restore Mercantile

New Raymer’s Centre Avenue will be receiving a boost soon. The Truxaw and Kruger Grocery / Seldin’s Cash Grocery building has just been awarded a $191,357 grant! This grant is one of only 20 grants to be funded this round through the State Historic Fund, created in 1990 through the approval of gaming in Colorado. More than 75% of the grants administered by the SHF are currently allocated to the rural areas of Colorado.

The awardee is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Friends of Raymer. Organized in 2017 to preserve and restore the buildings along historic Centre Avenue in New Raymer, Friends of Raymer has been hard at work preserving the heritage of the area and sharing the local history with visitors and youth in the area. The group’s first project, the Truxaw & Kruger Grocery/Seldin’s Cash Grocery Store, is a two-story wooden false-front building typical of frontier towns. It is one of the few remaining in this area. The group has devoted the last five years to various grants and fundraising in an effort to restore this building along with the Star Filling Station and the Raymer State Bank, designated on the National and State Historic Registers, respectively. The Truxaw building has also been added to the State Historic Register.

The three historic buildings occupy one intersection along Centre Avenue in the tiny town of New Raymer. The goal to is make all three buildings usable spaces for the community again. The Truxaw building was the first building built when the town was platted in 1910, then known as Truxaw & Kruger Grocery, and later Seldin’s Cash Grocery. It began as a mercantile selling dry goods, groceries, and everyday staples, with the merchant’s family living upstairs.

The grant funding will allow the building to be restored to an era when New Raymer saw its heyday. Plans include installing a small library extension with support from the High Plains Library District and a museum in the front of the building made to resemble the old-time post office and mercantile.

The Friends of Raymer has been working with the State Historic Fund for several years, applying and receiving several grants as part of the process that is required by the fund when restoring a building. Since 2018 when the building was listed on the State Register of Historic Places, the Friends of Raymer applied for and received a $12,000 grant for a Historic Structure Assessment, a $35,000 grant for construction documents prepared by Architect, Barbara Darden, and a $50,000 grant to begin the construction on the building by stabilizing the foundation. Jon Sargent of Deep Roots Craftsmen has been working to ensure that the foundation has been updated this fall and winter.

This large grant of $191,357 was awarded by History Colorado and requires a cash match of $63,786. Friends of Raymer would like to thank all their donors such as local businesses and residents, as well as the challenge grants received from the Boettcher Foundation and the Gates Family Foundation. The small nonprofit depends entirely upon the support of their community to make these projects a reality.

In years to come, it is the Friends of Raymer’s goal to restore Centre Avenue to its former role as a vital part of this community once again. More information can be found about this project as well as the other projects they have been working on at

2022 Wiggins School Fair a Great Success

The 2022 Wiggins School Holiday Craft Fair was a huge success! We had 57 vendors including Scentsy, Tupperware, Mary Kay, Color Street, handmade treats, wreaths, home décor, tumblers, clothing, jewelry and more! People from the town of Wiggins and surrounding areas were able to browse and shop in the elementary gym. The fair included a gift basket silent auction that raised $731 toward supplies for the elementary art and music program. A kids’ Gingerbread House contest was held, as well. The kindergarten classes all made a house to present and several others from preschool through 6th grade. We gave awards for three categories: Santa’s Choice, Most Festive and Best Traditional. Thank you to all the vendors and shoppers who attended!

2022 Wiggins School Craft Fair

The Beauty of God & Country Photography by Patricia Lentell

by Tracy Donaghy

Emergency Repair for the Brush Lateral Canal Along US 34 Starts Today

27.

This work will require full closure of the westbound lane for crews to safely work in the ditch. All eastbound traffic will be detoured, and westbound traffic will remain on US 34. This project will be completed by June 2023.

Water from this section of the Brush Lateral Canal is eroding the soils underneath the roadway shoulder of US 34, causing it to sink. The paving will be removed and replaced with sheet piles, which are sections of metal sheet material with interlocking edges that are driven into the ground to assist in providing earth retention and excavation support. The sheet piles will deter water from saturating under the roadway and prevent the erosion from happening, while shoring up that portion of the roadway. This will strengthen and reinforce the canal wall and keep the canal in top condition so it can continue to store and supply water for irrigation.

Travel Impacts

• Daytime work hours will be from sunup to sundown, Monday through Friday with some work occurring during the weekend if needed.

• On Monday, Dec. 5, alternating single lane closures will be placed to allow for temporary striping along this section of roadway.

• On Tuesday, Dec. 6, eastbound traffic will begin the detour. This configuration will be maintained until late spring.

Detour

Eastbound traffic will be detoured at CR 24 north to I-76 east to CO 71 south and rejoin US 34.

Project Contact Information

For additional information about this project, contact the project team.

• Project website: US 34 Brush Lateral Canal Repair — Colorado Department of Transportation (codot.gov)

• Project information hotline: 970-360-4602

• Project email: r4emergencyrepair@gmail.com

Transfer degrees from MCC to a Colorado university means a higher chance of success and less debt.

MORGAN COUNTY — The Colorado Department of Transportation has secured federal funds to begin emergency repairs on the Brush Lateral Canal along US 34 between Morgan County Roads 25 and

“This project is a result of securing federal emergency funding to make sure our roadways remain safe for the traveling public.” Said Heather Paddock, Regional Transportation Director. “This stretch of roadway is used to transport important agricultural and freight resources as well as the traveling public.”

- ObituaryMartha Virginia Haffner

Martha married Richard G. Haffner

Lupton, CO.

Martha grew up on the family farm in Keenesburg, CO. She graduated from Weld Central high School in 1963. Received her Bachelors degree and her Masters Degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

In her working career she taught Art for a brief time in Brush, CO, and found herself utilizing her college background in working as a job Service Coordinator for Weld County and Larimer County. For many years she enjoyed the white waters of Colorado. Rafting the rivers of the Poudre Canyon, the upper and lower waters of the Colorado River and Arkansas River. She enjoyed playing golf on many of golf courses in Northern Colorado. Martha also love dancing alongside her husband and many of her friends from Greeley.

Martha is survived by her husband Richard of Greeley.

Christmas Services at Community UMC

By Pastor Linda Meyer

Community United Methodist Church of Keenesburg will celebrate their Christmas Eve Service on Saturday, December 24, 2022, at 5:00 pm. The service will include Christmas Carols, scriptures, and candle lighting. We have our Christmas Eve services early so that attendees are able to spend the rest of the evening with their family.

We will also have a Blue Christmas Service on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 7:00 pm. This service is for people who may be grieving a loved one, or struggling with life changes, or just finding it difficult to get into the Christmas spirit.

Both services are open to the public. We hope you will join us for one, or both, services.

Community UMC is located at 195 South Main Street in Keenesburg. Both services will also be livestreamed on our YouTube page, https://www.youtube. com/@communityunitedmethodistch6628 . Links will be posted on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CommunityUMCKeenesburgCO .

Martha V. Haffner was born on August 22, 1945 in Denver, to David and Dorcas (Majors) Schmidt.

on February 27, 1970 in Fort

Keene Clinic

McCarthy Trucking

Larry French Accounting

111 E. Railroad Avenue, Fort Morgan CO 80701 Phone: 970-867-9040 Fax: 970-867-9008 larry@larryfrenchaccounting.com

2022 Olde Time Christmas in Wiggins

The Beauty of God & Country Photography by Patricia Lentell