‘Wait-and-see’ attitude as state continues to confront revenue shortfalls

By Matt Lubich
The Johnstown Breeze

Wait and see, worry a bit, but work with what you get.

That’s the bottomline reasoning of the Re-5J Board of Education and administrators, as the district, like school districts across the state, tries to plan for the coming year amid the continuing financial downturn.

June 24, the board adopted the budget for the 2009-10 school year. The action came the same week it was announced the state faces an additional estimated $384 million shortfall in projected tax revenues.

“The main thing is the budget is conservative,” Superintendent Dr. Martin Foster said this week. “It already takes into account the state’s financial situation.

“We’ll just try to withstand some of these shortfalls, but my fear is there will be more. It could be a very interesting budget year.”

Milliken man charged with manslaughter, four counts of child abuse, connected to January wreck on Highway 60

By Martin B. Hamilton
The Johnstown Breeze

GREELEY – Scott Huggins of Milliken, charged with felony manslaughter and four counts of felony child abuse following a fatal accident in January east of Milliken on Colorado Highway 60, is slated to appear next week in Weld County Court.

A motions hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday (July 6).

Starting July 4, statue visitors are welcome

By Alexandra Marks
The Christian Science Monitor

NEW YORK – On July 4, visitors to the Statue of Liberty will again be able to climb the narrow, 168 spiraling stairs to her crown.

It will be the first time since 9/11, when the terrorist attacks shut down the beloved symbol of freedom.

The decision to reopen the interior of the statue marks a change in the United States as well: The nation has grown more comfortable with the security requirements imposed by the threat of terrorism, homeland security experts say.

As a result, America is also more confident in promoting freedom and opportunity – the country’s original raison d’être (to use a French phrase in honor of the people of France, who gave Lady Liberty to the country in 1886).

By Moises Velasquez- Manoff
The Christian Science Monitor

When considering the environment, here’s another question to ponder.

Are you planning to have a backyard barbecue and wondering whether to use charcoal or propane?

A new study in the journal Environmental Impact Assessment Review compares the two and finds propane – a fossil fuel – is better for the environment than charcoal, which is a biofuel.

Three home games remain on schedule

Hoping to catch an opposing batter offguard, Roosevelt J-M Post 70 pitcher Cole Wadsworth changed his stance and used a sidearm delivery in a recent game at Rough Rider Ballpark in Johnstown. Wadsworth is one of many players who both pitch and play other positions for the team that competes in both the Northern Colorado Baseball League and American Legion B. The team heads into a key stretch of the season next week when it wraps up its home schedule before beginning postseason play on July 16. Photo by Martin B. Hamilton

The Johnstown Breeze

JOHNSTOWN – Postseason competition is already on the horizon for the Roosevelt J-M Post 70 baseball team.

Three home games scheduled for next week precede the conclusion of the regular season for the Rough Riders, who carried an overall record of 14-12 into Wednesday’s home game against Eaton. The contest counted for both the Northern Colorado Baseball League and American Legion B.

Post 70 slipped to 8-10 in NCBL action after dropping both ends of a double-header Tuesday at Eaton. It was the Riders’ final wood-bat twinbill of the season.