News from Neighbors
Muslim inmates sue over ‘gassing’
STERLING JOURNAL-ADVOCATE, April 25 — A group of inmates at Sterling Correctional Facility filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court Monday afternoon alleging that they were attacked by a corrections officer over their religion last year.
The civil complaint lists Donell Blount, Cecil Mason and Terry Phillips as plaintiffs and names three defendants: Ethan Kellogg, David Scherbarth and one listed only by the last name Quinlan, all of whom are identified as corrections officers.
The complaint alleges that Kellogg “wanted to punish” a group of Muslim state prisoners for their religious beliefs, and on April 15, 2016, sprayed oleoresin capsicum gas, aka pepper spray, in a room where they were scheduled to gather for a prayer service, then closed the door until the inmates arrived. Exposure to the gas exacerbated Blount’s asthma and caused all of the plaintiffs to leave the room “gasping for air,” where they allegedly encountered Kellogg laughing at them, the complaint states.
After the gas incident, Blount began filing grievances and retained an attorney, at which time Scherbarth allegedly threatened “punitive sanctions,” the complaint continues. “Plaintiff Blount was then stripped of certain privileges, reclassified to a higher security level, sent to administrative segregation without due process, all at defendant Scherbarth’s retaliatory behest, and was also arbitrarily threatened by defendants and other officers on numerous occasions,” it states.
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Frenchman Valley Co-op announces interim CEO
THE IMPERIAL REPUBLICAN, April 27 — The Frenchman Valley Farmers Cooperative, Inc. Board of Directors announced the appointment of John Bender as interim CEO effective immediately.
Bender has been in the ag industry for 35 years and brings a great deal of experience with him as he takes on the FVC interim CEO position.
An Ohio native, Bender began his career there. He has held multiple positions in the cooperative system including 16 years as a general manager in Kansas, Indiana, Iowa and Illinois. He now calls Springfield, Ill., home.
“I look forward to working with FVC and the communities it serves to continue to strengthen its commitment to remain the area’s premier service provider,” said Bender.
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B-24J bomber replica to commemorate 1944 crash
THE CHAPPELL REGISTER, April 27 — A B-24J bomber crashed and burned in 1944 on the Peterson ranch east of Chappell, Nebraska, near the Spring Hill Dairy. Ten men lost their lives in the accident.
The place was evidently in distress upon its approach to Chappell. Those who saw the bomber an instant before the crash said it was on fire, and indications are that the machine exploded in the air. Parts were scattered over two sections near where the main section finally came to a stop.
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Haxtun BOE makes cuts to balance budget
HAXTUN-FLEMING HERALD, April 26 — Some difficult decisions were made around the table at the most recent Haxtun Board of Education meeting. Due to continued cuts in State funding and the negative factor, Haxtun School District was forced to come up with at least an extra $180,000 to operate and maintain a budget for the coming school year.
It is estimated that the Haxtun School District has lost $300,000 per year over the past few years in reductions in State funding due to the negative factor.
Administration and board members have discussed budget cuts over the past few months and held several all-staff meetings to gain input on the cuts.
At the meeting on April 18, board members voted to approve a recommended list of cuts from Superintendent Darcy Garretson.
Board members approved the list with the following cuts equaling just over $200,000: reductions in an ELL aide, cuts to Colorado Association of School Board membership and events, cutting dual enrollment where applicable, cutting out overtime for classified staff, cutting one certified teacher and a van route, aiming for fewer substitute days.
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