Sterling law enforcement notified residents through a reverse emergency notification system of an escape from Sterling Correctional Facility overnight.

Calls went out from the Sterling Police Department a little before 1 a.m. reporting the escape of Douglas J. Alward, a 48-year-old white male, who last seen at 9:09 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22.

Alward is described as 6'1", 152 pounds, with blue eyes and a shaved head. He may be wearing dark green prison-issue clothing or gray sweats and a white shirt, according to the message. He is considered dangerous. Katherine Sanguinetti, the Department of Corrections public relations director, told the Associated Press "we don't know if he broke into someplace and got a weapon."

Residents are encouraged to call 911 immediately to report anything suspicious.

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The city of Fort Morgan is updating its land use planning documents, and city residents and property owners are encouraged to attend the third in a series of public meetings regarding the project on Thursday, Aug. 26.

The meeting will be structured as a public open house and will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Senior Center, 110 Sherman St.

An overview presentation summarizing the draft comprehensive plan and draft land use code will begin at 6:30 p.m.

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Dustin Smith of Fort Morgan died early Thursday at University Hospital in Denver of severe burns suffered in a house explosion and fire south of Fort Morgan.

Smith, an employee of Ruppel's Plumbing in Fort Morgan, was critically burned June 24 in an explosion and fire in rural Adams County while working on a house there.

After the explosion, Smith drove himself from the house located about 10 miles south of the Morgan-Adams county line toward Fort Morgan on County Road 19 until he met first responders heading south toward the scene.

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Colorado State Patrol is reporting an accident with a serious injury that occurred on Highway 144 at the intersection with Highway 34 in Morgan County yesterday.

At 2:44pm, a vehicle driven by Maria Vergara-Flores was hit by a vehicle driven by Kaelin Hunt as Hunt attempted to turn onto Highway 34.  Flores' vehicle spun before coming to a rest with none of the 4 occupants in the vehicle injured.

Hunt's vehicle, in which she was riding alone, spun and rolled one complete time before coming to rest right side up.  Everyone involved was wearing a seatbelt, but Hunt was still transported to Colorado Plains Medical Center with serious injuries.

Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be a part of the accident which is still being investigated by CSP.

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Unprecedented declines in mail volume and increasing operating expenses have taken their toll on the United States Postal Service, that, earlier this month, posted its largest third-quarter loss at $3.5 billion.

Mail volume totaled 40.9 billion pieces – down approximately 700 million pieces, or 1.7 percent, from a year ago.

Liquidity remains a major concern as the end of the fiscal year approaches. Cash flow appears to be sufficient for 2010 operations, however it is uncertain whether cash flow, together with a maximum available borrowing amount of $3 billion, will be enough to fund the congressionally-mandated $5.5 billion payment to the retiree health benefit fund on Sept. 30, and retain sufficient liquidity into 2011.

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