News from Neighbors

Colorado inmates being shipped to rural county jail because of overcrowding
    AKRON NEWS-REPORTER, Jan. 3 — Jail overcrowding is nothing new, but there are no signs of it getting better in Colorado.
    County jails that are maxed out end up contracting out to other jails.
    One of those jails is 120 miles northeast of Denver and most Coloradans don’t even know it exists. It turns out the jail in the town of Akron is the beating heart of the little populated but sprawling Washington County.
    “Most sheriff offices know we’re here. The U.S. Marshals Office and the Department of Corrections know that we’re here,” said Washington County Sheriff John Stivers. “We are here to help.”
    Stivers inherited the 16-year-old jail when he took the top job a few years back.
    “Basically if you build it they will come,” he said.
    In this case, Stivers is talking about inmates from overcrowded jails in other counties who are brought to his jail.
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Smoke-free campus policy expanded
    STERLING JOURNAL-ADVOCATE, Jan. 5 — Northeastern Junior College’s smoke-free campus policy went a step further in late 2017.
    In 2009, NJC became the first college in Colorado to implement a 100-percent smoke-free campus. Now the college’s policy also prohibits the use of vaping and other electronic smoking devices, out of concerns about unknown health risks from the devices.
    “Protecting the health of our students and staff has always been one of our top concerns. The increase in use of vape and other electronic smoking devices on campus led us to expand our existing policy,” said Steve Smith, vice president of student services, in a press release from the Northeast Colorado Health Department noting the policy expansion.
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Disc golfers tough cold for good cause
    STERLING JOURNAL-ADVOCATE, Jan. 3 — The Hellfire Disc Golf Club hosted its seventh annual Throw Out Hunger tournament at Pioneer Park on Saturday, despite harsh weather conditions.
    The temperature was 5 degrees as golfers stepped onto the first tee pad to play 18 holes at 10 a.m. Part of the cost to compete included cans of food to be donated to Cooperating Ministries of Logan County.
    Hellfire was founded by Gary Mustard II six years ago with four original members and now is preparing for 75 in the new year. The group’s original goal was to grow the sport enough locally to bring larger tournaments to town, ones sanctioned by the sport’s governing body, the Professional Disc Golf Association.
    The club has succeeded and has had PDGA-sanctioned events in Sterling for the last three years, including four with over 100 participants. At major events, prize money can soar up to $100,000 for professionals, and there’s also an amateur division.
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Shooting range grant approved
    STERLING JOURNAL-ADVOCATE, Jan. 3 — The Logan County Commissioners approved a grant agreement for more than $100,000 to construct new improvements at the Logan County Shooting Sports Complex.
    The commissioners voted 3-0 in favor of a grant that will allow the county to construct one trap range and one combination trap and skeet range next to the existing trap range and to install approximately 35 archery targets to walking and static courses at the facility.
    The grant from the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Parks and Wildlife in the amount of $115,000 is the fourth grant since the range opened in October 2016. With the initial development work completed at the range, the county is now focused on expanding the recreational opportunities for shooting enthusiasts in northeastern Colorado.
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