Area News In Brief: Burke’s case continued

By Staff

MONTROSE — Band director Andrew Burke’s case was continued Thursday, after his attorney said further investigation was being done.

Burke, 37, is accused of having sexual relations with a student, twice while she was still a minor. He’s been charged with sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust.

The case was continued until 9 a.m. Aug. 6. Burke is free on bond.

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Gibson considering plea deal

MONTROSE — A plea agreement is in the works for the woman accused of running down her husband in her car.

Sharon Gibson is suspected of assault in a May incident. Police allege she turned across three lanes of traffic and intentionally struck her husband with her car. Gibson has said it was an accident. She was re-arrested in June on allegations she violated a restraining order by contacting her husband to get him to drop the order, but has since bonded out again.

Her public defender, Harvey Palefsky, said Thursday they received a plea offer, but he did not announce what the proposed disposition entailed. Gibson was cleared to move back into her apartment, since her husband and children were no longer living there. She returns to court July 16.

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Nucla Fourth of July celebration

NUCLA — The Fourth of July will be jam-packed in Nucla, with its parade, water fights, games and fireworks.

The Nucla Naturita Area Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center announced the following schedule:

Pancake breakfast: 7 to 9 a.m., Moose Lodge

Parade: Assembles at 10:30 a.m. on Third Street by the Catholic church; parade begins at 11 a.m.

Barbecue: Noon to 2 p.m., town park, $7/plate

Games: 1 to 5 p.m., town park

Water fights, sponsored by the Nucla-Naturita Fire Department: 2 p.m., town park. Registration is required by calling Dusty at 417-6586, or Sweet Pea Company at 864-235. Participants must have safety equipment, ideally, a full-face helmet or, at a minimum, a helmet and eye protection.

Fireworks: 9:30 p.m., followed by a free concert featuring Broken Logic.

For more information, call the chamber at 865-2350.