Good morning southern Colorado and here's what you need to know on your Wednesday morning.
If you'd like to read the full story, be sure to click on the story headline.
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Heavy snow expected tonight through early tomorrow morning
The forecast could get really fun late today and tonight due to a chance for convective snow! Convective snow is when a snowstorm has elements that act like a thunderstorm. You can get really heavy pockets over very small and localized areas.
Today we're looking at the mountains and surrounding towns for the heaviest snow. Western El Paso county down through the Wet and Sangre De Cristo Mountains will see the heaviest snow through the overnight hours.
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More fake unemployment claims than legit ones in CO since the start of the pandemic
We continue to follow up on the unemployment fraud impacting people across southern Colorado. The widespread fake claims are impacting people who didn't apply for the benefits and those who are waiting on the crucial benefit dollars to make ends meet during these difficult times.
The newest development in this story comes as the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment confirms to News5 that since the pandemic began its office has received more suspected fraudulent unemployment claims than real legitimate ones.
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Fremont County moving to Level Blue on state dial Wednesday
Fremont County officials announced the county would move into Level Blue on the state's COVID-19 dial Wednesday morning. Fremont County moved into Level Yellow on Feb. 5 after seeing a declining number of COVID-19 cases. Within Level Blue, the county is eligible for outdoor and indoor variances and can have 50% capacity or 175 people for indoor dining.
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IRS: All stimulus checks have been sent. What to do if you didn’t get one
The IRS said on Tuesday that all of the economic impact checks from December’s stimulus bill have been sent to Americans. According to the IRS, 147 million checks were sent to Americans, totaling $142 billion.
The IRS said it is possible that some stimulus checks are still in the mail, but the agency was required to have all checks out by Jan. 15. Some of the checks were sent via prepaid debit card last month. The prepaid debit cards were sent to some of those whose banking information is not on file with the IRS. The IRS told those expecting a paper check or debit card to watch their mail carefully.
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New food pantry opening in Pueblo's food desert
The new food pantry opened Tuesday in Pueblo's food desert where customers can come and pickup food for their families, completely free of charge.
Ever since the neighborhood's Safeway closed its doors several years ago, those living on Pueblo's East-side struggle to access quality food. The market will be open three days a week, but Care and Share asks that users limit their visits to once a week, that way everybody who needs food can get their fair share.
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