WRAY, Colorado - Volunteer firefighters are agreeing to remove beer kegs from their firehouse in eastern Colorado after residents complained it's unprofessional.

Fire Chief Jeff Gallegos says he doesn't have a problem with it because firefighters are not responding to fires if they are drunk. Firefighters say they sometimes toss back a cool one after they return from a fire, not before.

Many of the department’s volunteer firefighters supported the idea of having beer in the firehouse arguing that beer in the firehouse is no different than beer stored at their homes.

At a meeting earlier this week the Wauneta Volunteer Fire Department board unanimously agreed to pull the kegs from the firehouse. Vice Chief John Archer said the issue was simply costing the department too much time and energy to continue to fight.

State Sen. Greg Brophy, a Republican who represents the area, said he has no problem with kegs in the firehouse. He says the nearest liquor stores are in Wray, 15 miles away, making it difficult for firefighters to pick up beers after they've been out on a call.

FORT MORGAN, Colorado – The Fort Morgan City Council received an update Tuesday night on the progress of the runway project at the Fort Morgan Municipal airport. Council will be receiving monthly updates on the project as the city moves into the process of trying to acquire land for the new runway. David Callahan, Director of community Development for Fort Morgan, reported that surveyors have already completed their first survey of the area, and the process is moving forward smoothly. Currently, city staff is awaiting the results of a second survey. Despite the number of residents who attended the meeting Tuesday night, there was no public input when Mayor Terry McAlister solicited feedback from the public.

Council also reviewed the city's projected revenue for 2013 based on trends from the last ten years. Many of the trends are reflective of the current economic situation. Revenue streams based largely on new construction projects, such as Use Taxes and Water Taps, have seen dismal performance in recent years. However revenue from sales tax has been increasing over the course of the last couple of years. Fees for a variety of city services will also see minor changes this year as the city adjusts their fee schedule.

Council Briefly discussed the possibility of opening up a seat on the Library advisory board to a non-resident. No action was taken.

Fort Morgan Police Chief Keith Kuretich recognized members of the police force, and the public, during last night's meeting. Kuretich took time at the beginning of the meeting to talk about National Police week, and recognize a handful of residents who have proven valuable in fighting crime throughout the area. Some of the incidents recognized include residents aiding law enforcement personnel apprehend a criminal, helping a lost child, and bringing vandals to the police department's attention.

WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO) is supporting legislation that will prohibit deep-pocketed environmental groups from abusing taxpayer money for frivolous litigation.

Environmental groups have become increasing guilty of tapping the federal Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) – a law that makes nonprofit groups eligible for reimbursement of their legal fees, regardless of their own ability to pay them. In particular, a group called WildEarth Guardians has taken advantage of the fund and is using that money to target the Arkansas River Power Authority, a Colorado entity facing three lawsuits brought by WildEarth.

“This abuse of taxpayer money has gone on long enough, and it’s time we put a stop to it,” Gardner said. “If radical groups like WildEarth want to clog up our justice system with frivolous lawsuits that’s their choice, but taxpayers certainly should not be footing the bill.”

Gardner is co-sponsoring and pushing for the adoption of the Government Litigation Savings Act (GLSA), a bill that institutes tracking and reporting requirements on how much money the government pays out each year to reimburse attorneys under EAJA. It also puts in place targeted reforms to prevent taxpayer funding for well-heeled environmental organizations that file hundreds of lawsuits every year.

EAJA is a permanently appropriated fund and its disbursements have not been tracked for the last 16 years.

BRUSH, Colorado - Family Campers and RVers will be coming to the Morgan County Fairgrounds at Brush for their annual Spring Fling Rally, from Thursday, May 17 thru Sunday, May 20, 2012. This is the 11th year coming to Brush to celebrate the beginning of their camping season.

The campers will have a parade of chapters down Clayton Street on Saturday morning starting at 10:00 am, with the theme being “Thank You Brush.” All area residents are encouraged to attend this parade.

FCRV is an international non-profit organization for campers. They have over 50 chapters in the state of Colorado, the largest membership of any state or province. Their motto is: “Where strangers become friends, and friends become family.” If you would like to know more about them, come to the information booth at the Mark Arndt Event Center near the north entrance of the fairgrounds during their rally.

Fort Morgan, Colorado - Big band sound will fill the Fort Morgan Middle School Auditorium on Sunday, May 20 at 7 p.m. when the MCC Jazz Ensemble takes the stage for their spring concert. The event is free and open to the public.

Under the direction of Ron Pflug, the event’s program will feature twelve numbers, including: I’m In the Mood for Swing, Muskrat Ramble, For Once In My Life, and I Get A Kick Out Of You, with vocal accompaniment by Nathan Howe.

Musicians are Nathaniel Berman and Cynthia Christensen on alto sax; Jory Tindall and Kerry Hart on tenor sax; Lynnsey Lambrecht on bari sax; Dave Lauck, Ron Pflug and Joyce Shambaugh on trumpet; Sara Vogel, Mike Obert, and Paul Ward on trombone. Kim Pflug will be at the piano, Jeff Schiel on bass, Justin Pflug on guitar, and Randy Watson on drums.

For more information about the concert or other CACE programs, please visit www.MorganCC.edu/CACE.