Good day! Belen Ward here, and happy Friday!

It's another hot March week after the snow, and we are heading into a warm week with temperatures in the upper 80s, and Sunday would be cooler at 58 degrees with some afternoon rain showers, according to The Weather Channel.

I can't help but wonder when humans first learned how to forecast the weather.
Throughout history, weather forecasting has relied on astronomical and meteorological methods, used by early civilizations around B.C. to track seasonal changes and recurring events, according to “Weather Forecasting Through the Ages" by NASA Science.

Our forecasters today use clouds as reliable indicators of current and upcoming weather, often predicting changes within 12–24 hours. Also using weather instruments and weather balloons can help confirm these predictions.

And when we observe clouds ourselves, the white, wispy cirrus clouds indicate fair weather. The dark, thick, or vertical clouds are called nimbostratus or cumulonimbus, which signal upcoming rain, storms, or snow.

Let’s get to this week’s news!

Weld County residents will get two chances to review county plans regarding a new data center in unincorporated Weld County.

One is on Monday in Greeley, but the second is much closer to home. It’s scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m., Tuesday at the Weld County Southwest Services Complex, located at 4209 County Road 24.5 in Firestone.

This is a chance to learn information about AI Data Centers and their impact on infrastructure, such as increased demand for power and water, before the County Commission meeting on April 6.

Communities across the nation have protested these new centers, causing debates with state legislators over how to regulate them. The City and County of Denver has placed a moratorium on new data centers while they are going through debates about its impacts and regulating them.

Whatever Weld County residents and officials come up with could determine how these data centers are managed in Northern Colorado going forward.

More than 1,000 young people attended the job fair to find work, to meet potential employers, and learn about the opportunities for youths aged 14 to 24. It helps young people to gain experience for future careers while hunting for summer jobs.

It also gives the employers opportunities to create new positions or hire extra temporary help. It’s a win-win for everybody.

The Aims Community College Student Art Show is an annual event that highlights students' creative talents by showcasing their work to the community. It puts work from all of Aims campuses on display in one spot on the Loveland Campus.

The exhibit also provides students with experience in presenting their art professionally, and the winner of “Best in Show” scholarship could receive scholarships of up to $350. 

As an added bonus, this year’s student show coincides with the city of Loveland’s Night on the Town Art Walk, something the city does on the second Friday of each month.

Weld County Board of Commissioners is recommending residents who own a supply of ground or well water to have it tested every year to ensure it's safe to drink. It’s part of Groundwater Awareness Week.

In addition, they should learn best practices for maintaining and treating their wells. Groundwater in private wells is not regulated by federal or local laws in Colorado.

The Bond Family Foundation established a dedicated fund to help replace hazardous consumer products, clean up hazardous areas, replace, utensils, pots and pans to help families in reducing lead hazards within their homes.

Children can be exposed to lead by eating or inhaling fragments from deteriorating lead-based paint, lead-contaminated dust, and soil in homes built before 1978.

The county has some strategies for checking your own home and making sure you and your family are safe.

Two Weld County Roads – one regularly traveled and repaved and another that has not been updated for years – will get nearly identical pavement improvements this spring.

The roads would be re-paved with a new technology process that should require fewer frequent repairs than the previous method they used.

🚃 C&S Great Western Excursion

The South Platte Valley Historical Society will present a video presentation given by Ron Ruhoff called “The C&S Great Western Excursion” at 6 p.m. April 6.

Ruhoff is a Colorado historian, photographer and videographer and his video talks about the Sugar Beet line, the railroad that linked farms and cities in the first half of the 20th Century.

It’s a free program that will be followed by a Historical Society member meeting. Guests are encouraged to bring a dish to share.

The event at the Fort’s Rendezvous Room, 2001 Historic Parkway, Fort Lupton. Take U.S. Highway going north, turn west on 14 ½ . The park will be on the right.

🚰 Metro Water Recovery offers tours and credit

Metro Water Recovery is the agency that manages and treats wastewater for 65 municipal customers from Fort Lupton south to Centennial. The group operates two treatment plants, one in Denver and the Northern Treatment Plant in Fort Lupton.

The offer regular tours at 10:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, March through November. You can sign up on their website.

This summer, they are also offering a free Teacher Development Credit opportunity during a special facility tour on June 4, 2026, from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event will focus on Wastewater and Aquatic Biology.

Their educational resources, interactive instruction, and participation in a field project are all led by the company’s own water quality scientists. It offers the chance to see innovative technologies and processes used for management and treatment.

The tour will be held at the Northern Treatment Plant, 51 Baseline Road, Brighton. Space is limited. To learn more, email Maritza at [email protected].

To reserve your spot, go to: https://forms.office.com/r/Rvr4j4fuEU.

📞 Community Reach Center offers “warm line.”

Community Reach Center is offering a warm line for those who want to talk to mental-health professionals about anxiety, lack of sleep and strained relationships, among other topics.

Call 303-280-6602 to reach professionals who can facilitate referrals to other programs for assistance.

The line is not for crisis intervention. Those feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services (1-844-493-8255) or text 38255 or visit the Behavioral Urgent Care Center, 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster.

Brighton’s community intake location is at 1850 E. Egbert St., on the second floor. It’s open from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays.

☕ Coffee With a Cop

Fort Lupton Police set aside one morning each month to share a few cups of coffee with residents a chance for police to meet with community members and discuss many topics, including parking regulations.

The meetup is at the same time on the first Wednesday of each month at Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S Harrison Ave, Fort Lupton. The next scheduled event is from 8-9:30 a.m. on April 1.

Coffee with a Cop is an easy way to get to know the men and women who serve our community and tell them about the issues that matter most to you. Remember that you can always reach our police department at their non-emergency number, 720-652-4222.

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