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• HWY 50 now closed east of Pueblo

  March 23, 2013 4:17 PM

  C-DOT has closed US HWY 50 east of Pueblo in both directions from Pueblo to Rocky Ford. Crews say the closure is due to conditions in the area getting worse. Now word on when the highway will reopen. more »

• Picture of dog in Rocky Ford causes some controversy Play Video

  January 28, 2013 4:37 PM

  A picture we received this weekend causes a slight uproar among some people in Rocky Ford. Some felt it was a case of animal abuse, but we spoke to the police chief in Rocky Ford who says it's a misunderstanding. "I believe he did the correct thing by... more »

• Toy drive for kids in Otero and Crowley counties tonight in Rocky Ford

  December 1, 2012 1:43 PM

  'Tis the season! People in southeastern Colorado are coming together Saturday to help kids in the area have a merry Christmas. Saturday night is the Wayne Kash Memorial Biker's Toy Dance at the Elks Lodge in Rocky Ford. It runs from 7 p.m. until midnight. Admission is $5 or... more »

• Efficient farming methods researched in Rocky Ford Play Video

  September 5, 2012 6:23 PM

  When you get ready to eat dinner with you family, take a closer look at those vegetables. What you may not know is that some of them have been genetically modified. We found out more on the research that's making farming more efficient. It's been around for over 120... more »

• Melon growers rebounding after outbreak

  August 18, 2012 3:07 PM

  ROCKY FORD, Colo. (AP) - Nearly a year after tainted cantaloupes from southeast Colorado sickened hundreds and caused a nationwide melon scare, farmers in Rocky Ford say they're having a strong season. This year's crop is smaller, with less than half the acreage in cantaloupes compared to last year. But... more »

• Rocky Ford Growers excited for melon season Play Video

  July 14, 2012 5:52 PM

  Rocky Ford melons hit grocery store shelves Friday and were quickly selling out. It's a sigh of relief for growers who were hit hard last year by a listeria outbreak linked to Jenson Farms in Holly. In all, 30 people died and nearly 150 others were sickened in 28... more »

• Several fires burn 100 acres near La Junta

  November 18, 2011 10:09 PM

  La Junta and Rocky Ford firefighters have a probable cause for several fires that burned 100 acres along Hwy 350. According to the La Junta fire chief, the investigation is still open, but they believe the cause was a truck or trailer with a bad wheel bearing. Several... more »

• Fires burning near La Junta

  November 18, 2011 6:36 PM

  Several fires are burning on Hwy 350 six miles south of La Junta. The La Junta Fire Chief says via Twitter that the highway is closed due to smoke from milemarker 66 though 63. Fire crews are getting the upper hand on the fires. La Junta and Rocky Ford... more »

• Rocky Ford High School evacuated due to bomb threat

  November 10, 2011 5:09 PM

  Rocky Ford School District Spokesperson Carol Wilson has confirmed to News 5 that a bomb threat was communicated to school officials by a student around mid-day Thursday. Officials immediately evacuated students and staff from the school to the athletic field where parents were eventually allowed to come pick up their... more »

• Rocky Ford High School on lock down

  November 10, 2011 3:31 PM

  News 5 has just confirmed with police officials in Rocky Ford that Rocky Ford High School is on a lock-down condition. Police will not release why at but has confirmed that there is no access to the school at this time. The initial call went to police dispatch at... more »

• Rocky Ford farmers trying to clear their name

  September 19, 2011 12:23 AM

  Farmers in Rocky Ford are scrambling to clear their name after a listeria scare was mistakenly linked to the area. Health Department memos claimed the tainted cantaloupes were from the "Rocky Ford Region". Just recently it's been learned that the cantaloupes in question were actually from the Jensen Farms... more »

• Voluntary recall issued for Jensen Farms cantaloupe

  September 15, 2011 8:31 AM

  HOLLY, Colo. (AP) - The Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to eat cantaloupes from a southeastern Colorado farm after the farm issued a voluntary recall. Jensen Farms spokeswoman Amy Philpott said Thursday one of the farm's Rocky Ford cantaloupes tested positive for Listeria, but more tests... more »

• Rocky Ford weathering Listeria outbreak

  September 13, 2011 8:46 PM

  It's a town known for its mouth watering cantaloupe and juicy watermelons. But lately, this melon capital has been in the spotlight for a different reason. Four deaths in Colorado and New Mexico have a possible connection to Rocky Ford cantaloupes. "I've had three people so far that didn't... more »

• Two more cases of listeria reported in El Paso County

  September 13, 2011 4:36 PM

  El Paso County Public Health has received two additional reports of Listeria in older adults, although laboratory results regarding whether they are linked to the multi-state outbreak are still pending. El Paso County now has a total of four Listeria cases including one death. "We advise people at... more »

• Mike & Mike's Neighborhood: Arkansas Valley Fair

  August 17, 2011 7:13 PM

  Today Mike Daniels is live at the Arkansas Valley Fair in Rocky Ford! The town is famous for its cantaloupes but there's also plenty going on this week at the fair grounds! For more information click here. If you'd like Mike to visit your neighborhood or event send... more »

• Fire charred 2,000 acres

  March 21, 2011 9:34 PM

  The fire south of Rocky Ford burned an estimated 2,000 acres Monday afternoon. It's 99% contained as of Monday night, according to the Otero County Sheriff's Office. Fire crews will mop up and check for hot spots throughout the night. With the help of high winds, the fire jumped... more »

• Evacuations lifted; crews putting out hot spots

  March 21, 2011 7:52 PM

  Fire crews are putting out hot spots from a fire south of Rocky Ford. Evacuations of two areas of Otero County have been lifted. We don't know yet how big the burn area is, or how many people were evacuated. We'll bring you more as we get it. more »

• Evacuations continue but crews getting the upper hand

  March 21, 2011 6:13 PM

  Fire crews appear to be gaining control of a wildfire burning south of Rocky Ford. Road DD.75 and Highway 10, Road 18 are under evacuation orders. We're not sure yet how many people are under evacuation orders at this point or how many acres have burned. We have... more »

• Fire burning near Rocky Ford

  March 21, 2011 3:54 PM

  Fire crews from Rocky Ford, La Junta and Manzanola are battling a fire in Rocky Ford. It's burning near HWY 10 Rd 18. The La Junta Fire Chief reports it's possible that one structure has burned. We'll bring you more here as we get it. more »

• Fire burning in Otero County

  February 19, 2011 9:01 PM

  Rocky Ford officials say a fire is burning on Hwy. 71, south of 350. Both roads are closed in the area. Officials say there aren't any structures threatened at this point. They aren't sure yet how big it is or what caused it. more »

• Water service restored to Rocky Ford

  December 28, 2010 11:59 AM

  Water service has been fully restored to residents in Rocky Ford, however a mandatory boil order is in place for at least the 24 to 48 hours. Rick Ritter, executive director of the Otero County Health Department says any time there is a break in a closed water system there... more »

• Rocky Ford water main break fixed

  December 27, 2010 8:41 PM

  Water should be running again in Rocky Ford around 8 p.m. Monday according to City Manager Dan Hyatt. The entire town has been without water for three days. Rocky Ford's mayor says four water mains broke beginning on Christmas, affecting the town's 4,000 residents. Several restaurants and businesses were... more »

• Rocky Ford water: boil order when water returns

  December 27, 2010 2:25 PM

  The City Manager in Rocky Ford tells News First 5's David Ortiviz there will be a boil order in place when water is restored. The city has been without water since Christmas Day when four water mains were broken. Repairs should be complete this afternoon. Residents should... more »

• Updated: Rocky Ford water should be back this afternoon

  December 27, 2010 9:10 AM

  A series of water main breaks have left several people in Rocky Ford without water. Mayor Mac Holder tells News First 5 that four water mains broke over the weekend, most likely on Christmas Day. Holder says that 3 of the four lines have since been repaired and that... more »

• Bar fight ends with two stabbed one dead in Rocky Ford

  December 19, 2010 5:07 PM

  Rocky Ford Police report that at 1:09am Saturday calls came in to police reporting a fight a Johnny's Tavern with unknown weapons. When officers arrived they found two men with stab wounds. The first victim was Keith Ornellas age 22 and the second Joshua Cornell age 18. Both were... more »

• Troopers make $300K marijuana bust

  October 30, 2010 11:40 AM

  State troopers have arrested a man they say was carrying over $300,000 dollars worth of marijuana in his car. They stopped the 2001 Cadillac CTS at about 10:00 p.m. on Thursday just west of Rock Ford. The driver who is from Northglenn was reportedly speeding and the vehicle's registration had... more »

• Murder victim's brother-in-law reported missing

  August 19, 2010 7:37 PM

  A bizarre twist in a murder in Otero County. News First 5 has learned a few days after a man was found dead in a field, his brother-in-law was reported missing. The missing man, Julian Pena is now a person of interest, according to Otero County Sheriff Chris Johnson. On... more »

• Have you seen this man?

  August 10, 2010 7:14 PM

  Rocky Ford Police are trying to find a man who may have talked to suspects before a shooting happened. Surveillance pictures show a man who wears his sunglasses under his chin. At first glance it appears to be a beard, but closer inspection shows sunglasses around his neck. ... more »

• Governor requests help for melon farmers

  August 6, 2010 7:00 PM

  Gov. Bill Ritter Friday announced he has requested federal disaster assistance for Otero and Montrose counties where freezing temperatures and severe hail affected crops. Gov. Ritter sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking for Secretarial Disaster Designation. In Otero County, frost and freezing temperatures devastated melon... more »

• Rocky Ford PD still looking for shooting suspects

  August 2, 2010 7:45 PM

  A Rocky Ford couple is recovering after being shot in their store on Saturday afternoon. "At approximately 4 p.m. our dispatch center received a 911 call of a possible shooting at La Nortena clothing store." explains Rocky Ford Police Chief Frank Gallegos. Investigators tell News First 5 two men,... more »

• Cantaloupe: how sweet it is

  August 2, 2010 6:37 PM

  It's melon time! Cantaloupes from Rocky Ford are ready for harvest and the sweet treat is popping up at farmer's markets, supermarkets, and in summer salads. Farmers say this year's harvest is about two weeks behind what's typical. That's because farmers planted late because of a cool spring.... more »

• Authorities continue to investigate death of Rocky Ford man

  July 23, 2010 3:34 PM

  The Otero County Sheriff is still looking for clues in the suspicious death of a man from Rocky Ford. The family sent us this photo of the victim--Ronnie Griego, 44. On July 18, Griego's body was found in a pasture on County Road 11, southwest of Manzanola. The coroner says... more »

• UPDATE: Drivers want light at dangerous intersection

  March 31, 2010 6:32 PM

  A dangerous intersection in Rocky Ford is getting more attention these days. There have been multiple accidents recently, leaving several people hurt. One driver says she's scared for her family to drive through it. Improvements to the intersection could be making the problem worse. There was a bad wreck Tuesday... more »

• Fire Chief wants light at dangerous intersection

  March 31, 2010 12:39 PM

  Here's what I'm working on today. In the past few weeks several bad accidents have happened at in intersection in Rocky Ford, causing multiple injuries. The most recent crash happened yesterday. A two car crash, sent two people to the hospital. The intersection is Highway 50 and Highway 71. The... more »

• Rocky Ford company donates water purifiers to Haiti

  January 18, 2010 8:05 PM

  People in Haiti are running out of many supplies including perhaps the most essential, clean drinking water. But some relief will arrive tomorrow from Colorado. A company in Rocky Ford is sending more than a dozen water purifiers to the island nation. Innovative Water Technologies says its goal is to... more »

• Early morning accident sends three to hospital

  November 28, 2009 11:38 AM

  The Colorado State Patrol is investigating a serious early morning accident near Rocky Ford. The crash occurred on Colorado Hwy. 266, 2 miles east of Rocky Ford around 1:30a.m.on Saturday. Troopers say A 2004 Nissan Pickup Truck, driven by a 37 year-old male Rocky Ford resident, was traveling... more »