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Elijah Dauber, with all of the medals he’s secured competing. Bullseye What’s News January 17, 2025 | NORTHERN COLORADO’S WEEKLY LOCAL INDEPENDENT | Vol. 32, N. 40 WELLINGTON DOUBLES WATER AND SEWER CAPACITY - PAGES 8 & 9 - LOVELAND MAN ARRESTED FOR DECEMBER BANK ROBBERY ATTEMPT - PAGE 22 - LARIMER COUNTY SHARES INFORMATION ON SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY - PAGE 23 - POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY CREWS JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES - PAGE 28 - FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL TACKLES KEY ISSUES - PAGES 29 & 30 - FORT COLLINS TEEN EXCELS IN CLAY TARGET SHOOTING SEE THE STORY: PAGES 14-15 Kinn Thai Cuisine: A Flavorful Escape in Fort Collins - PAGES 16 & 17 - new A PREVIEW OF WHAT’S GOING ON IN NORTHERN COLORADOBarn in Red Feather Lakes on January 4, 2023 (Photo by Joalie Alldredge) January 17, 2025 week of© 2025 North Forty News New SCENE Weekly All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, incluiding photocopying or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the editor, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by the copyright law. For permission requests, write to the editor, addressed “Permissions”, at the address below. info@northfortynews.com NorthFortyNews.com The views expresses in this publication are those of the respective contributor and are not necessarily shared by the company or its staff.Dear Readers, As I write this letter, I reflect on what it takes to be a local publisher in Northern Colorado. It’s a balancing act that often blends daily life’s demands with the passion for keeping our community informed. This week has been no exception. While managing my role at Bomgaars in Loveland, I had the privilege of working with many customers. Each interaction reminded me of the hardworking and vibrant people who make up our community. Between helping customers find the right tools or the best deals on winter necessities, I was also hard at work producing North Forty News—bringing together stories, coordinating with contributors, and ensuring our publication is ready to deliver the latest to your doorstep or screen. Producing this newspaper every week is no small feat. It involves juggling responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and diving deep into the topics that matter most to our readers. Yet, every challenge is a testament to my commitment to you—our community. This week, I’ve collaborated to craft articles that keep Northern Colorado informed and engaged. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve covered: • Three-Day Weather Outlook: Stay ahead of Northern Colorado’s weather with detailed NOAA-based forecasts for Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Wellington, and beyond. • City Council Updates: Key takeaways from the Fort Collins City Council meeting, including local development updates and upcoming public comment opportunities. • Marketing Mastery Series: A new installment offering insights on social media trends and how they can help local businesses thrive in 2025. • North Forty Gardener: Tips for preparing your garden for spring and beyond. • Local Events Spotlight: Highlights of events happening in and around Fort Collins, Loveland, and Wellington, including live music, art exhibits, and family-friendly outings. These stories and many others are curated to bring you the best of what Northern Colorado has to offer. Being part of this community means wearing many hats—whether helping customers find their next project’s materials at Bomgaars or crafting a headline and content for North Forty News. It’s all part of the mission to stay connected and give back to a place that has given me so much. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your week, whether through a quick chat at Bomgaars or by reading the pages of this newspaper. Your support keeps North Forty News thriving; I’m deeply grateful for that. Here’s to another week of celebrating the stories and people that make Northern Colorado unique! Warm regards, Blaine Howerton Publisher, North Forty News PUBLISHER’S LETTER BY BLAINE HOWERTON Your support helps us provide coverage of Northern Colorado communities. Support North Forty News in the following ways: • Advertise - ads@northfortynews.com • Donate - northfortynews.com/donate-now • READ - northfortynews.com/this-week Balancing Community and Commitment(Image created by ChatGPT Images)Wellington Wellington, a charming town located just north of Fort Collins, offers a close-knit community, scenic views of the Rocky Mountains, and a growing hub for local businesses and outdoor enthusiasts. TOWN DOUBLES WATER AND SEWER CAPACITY WITH COMPLETION OF MAJOR EXPANSION PROJECTS 8 Content Fort Collins Fort Collins offers a perfect mix of urban excitement and natural beauty. There’s always something going on. SOWING ANNUAL SEEDS ON SNOW 11 SEO STRATEGIES: BOOST YOUR WEBSITE’S VISIBILITY 12 -13 BULLSEYE IN NORTHERN COLORADO: FORT COLLINS TEEN EXCELS IN CLAY TARGET SHOOTING 14-15 KINN THAI CUISINE: A FLAVORFUL ESCAPE IN FORT COLLINS 16-17 CREWS QUICKLY CONTAIN SOUTH OVERLAND TRAIL HOME FIRE 27 POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY CREWS JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES 28 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL TACKLES KEY ISSUES 29Loveland Loveland blends creativity with small-town charm. It’s the Northern Colorado hub for Larimer County’s events. LOVE IS IN THE AIR: LOVELAND KICKS OFF 79TH VALENTINE SEASON WITH EXCITING EVENTS AND TRADITIONS 18-19 LOVELAND MAN ARRESTED FOR DECEMBER BANK ROBBERY ATTEMPT 22 Region Northern Colorado blends innovation with a strong sense of tradition, making it a unique place to live and work. LARIMER COUNTY SHARES INFORMATION ON SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY 23 LARIMER COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKS HELP LOCATING MOST WANTED SUSPECT 30 Content It's not just news. It's your neighborhood. Be Informed. NorthFortyNews.com/subscribe Greeley Greeley is a vibrant city known for its agricultural heritage and thriving arts and cultural scene. The City is helping residents live healthy. NURSE WELL-BEING CONFERENCE 2025: EMPOWERING NORTHERN COLORADO’S HEALTHCARE HEROES 25NorthFortyNews.com Page: 8January 17, 2025 The Town of Wellington has reached a significant milestone with the completion of extensive expansion projects at its Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), a crucial step to meet the demands of the town’s growing population and booming commercial development. The projects, which broke ground in the spring of 2022, have successfully doubled the capacity of the town’s water and sewer systems. This expansion ensures Wellington’s ability to provide reliable, high-quality utility services to residents and businesses for years to come. “This is new territory for Wellington,” said Mayor Calar Chaussee. “These expansion projects allow us to grow responsibly as a town while ensuring consistent and sustainable water and sewer services for our community.” INVESTMENT IN WELLINGTON’S FUTURE The $92.2 million investment—split between the WTP expansion ($39 million) and the WRF expansion ($53 million)—was funded through a combination of low- interest loans from Colorado’s State Revolving Fund (SRF), Wellington’s Water Enterprise Fund, and reserve funds. The SRF is a key resource for financing water, wastewater, and WELLINGTON WTP-Drone: The Town of Wellington’s Water Treatment Plant is seen in this drone photo from October 2024. The photo was taken about a week after Final Completion was achieved on a major expansion project at the plant. (Courtesy/Hensel Phelps) Wellington Doubles Water and Sewer Capacity with Completion of Major Expansion Projects EDITORIAL NorthFortyNews.com CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE.NorthFortyNews.comPage: 9January 17, 2025 WELLINGTON stormwater infrastructure projects statewide. Both projects were delivered on schedule and under budget, showcasing efficient planning and execution. Additionally, the expanded facilities were designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for further upgrades if needed in the future. KEY PROJECT MILESTONES Water Treatment Plant (WTP): • Old Capacity: 2 million gallons per day (MGD) • New Capacity: 4.2 MGD • Substantial Completion: July 1, 2024 • Final Completion: October 17, 2024 Water Reclamation Facility (WRF): • Old Capacity: 0.9 MGD • New Capacity: 1.8 MGD • Substantial Completion: October 1, 2024 • Final Completion: June 13, 2025 (existing facility renovations underway) BEHIND THE BUILD The success of these projects is attributed to collaboration across teams and skilled contractors. Hensel Phelps led the WTP project, while Moltz Construction oversaw the WRF expansion. Both projects were designed by Jacobs Engineering. “These projects required significant staff time and management,” said Nathan Ewert, Deputy Director of Public Works for Engineering. “Our success was made possible by well-qualified contractors, dedicated subcontractors, and strong support from Wellington’s Public Works, Operations, Planning and Building, Finance, and Administration teams.” BY THE NUMBERS Water Treatment Plant (WTP): • Total Man-Hours: 157,945 • Pipe Installed (Buried/Interior): 6,500 linear feet / 2,500 linear feet • Concrete Placed: 4,000 cubic yards Water Reclamation Facility (WRF): • Total Man-Hours: 185,370 • Pipe Installed (Buried/Interior): 11,100 linear feet / 4,220 linear feet • Concrete Placed: 7,700 cubic yards RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY IN MARCH To celebrate these achievements, a ribbon- cutting ceremony is planned for March, where town officials will commemorate this leap forward in Wellington’s infrastructure. Residents are encouraged to learn more about Wellington’s water and sewer services by visiting wellingtoncolorado.gov. These completed projects mark a new chapter for Wellington, supporting responsible growth and ensuring essential services for the thriving Northern Colorado community. WRF-Internal: A construction crew works to complete a room in the new expansion at the Town of Wellington’s Water Reclamation Facility in late 2024. Substantial Completion on the expansion project was achieved in October 2024. (Courtesy/Town of Wellington)Next >