BRADFORD WON'T RUN
House District 54 Repubclians are holding their Assembly tomorrow, with two announced candidates for the seat held by Laura Bradford. Bradford yesterday announced she will not run for re-election. Palisade viticulturist Rusty Price and Fruita Police Officer Jared Wright. The Primary is June 26th.
MEGA MILLIONS ODDS
If you're looking to play the Mega Millions, you need to buy your ticket by 7:30 tonight. Colorado Lottery spokesman Tom Cargal says chances to win the big one aren't all that high, but you might win something. A ticket sold at a King Soopers in Brighton matched 5 numbers Tuesday, and with the Megaplier option, is worth a cool $1 million. The Jackpot is up to $540 million now, making it the largest jackpot ever in the world.
ELECTION REFORM
Secretary of State Scott Gessler is applauding passage out of committee, of an election clean-up bill he says helps clarify recall procedures and rationalizes election timelines. Gessler says the bill joins a growing list of bi-partisan bills to improve election administration in Colorado.
EAGLE FIRE BAN
Little moisture and worsening fire conditions have led Eagle County authorities to issue a ban on open burning. All issued open burning permits are now suspended, and burning ouside approved areas is also prohibited.
EARLY MORNING HOUSE FIRE
Grand Junction Fire investigators looking for the cause of a fire that significantly damaged a home in Riverside this morning. A neighbor called it in at 3:00. A mother and teenage son were able to get out, but a dog died in the fire. Spokesman Mike Page says the fire appears to have started outside and worked its way into the attic.
More violent and property crime in Grand Junction. The Police Department says violent and property crime increased 23% last year to a five year high. Police Chief John Camper tells the Daily Sentinel the spike could be attributed to "double counting" where a robbery investigation might also be counted as a theft, since theft is part and parcel to numerous other crimes.
LOWER NORTH FORK LATEST
Firefighters in Jefferson County say they're trying to get ahead of winds forecast in the area this weekend. The Denver Post says containment of the Lower North Fork fire has grown to 45% now, and most evacuees are being allowed to return home. The forecast calls for near record high temperatures and 20 mph wind gusts -- 30 to 40 mph at higher elevations.
MEGA TAXES
People buying Mega Million lottery tickets aren't the only ones with jackpots in their eyes. With the jackpot now at $540 million dollars, the state says a single winner from Colorado would owe the state anywhere from several hundred thousand dollars in taxes over the next 26 years, to more than $18 million if they took the jackpot in one lump sum.
MONARCH CLOSING
Powderhorn is closing this weekend, on schedule, but at least one Colorado resort is closing early. Monarch Mountain says it's closing a week early because of a lack of snow. The resort says this has been the 6th driest in the past 70 years. Statewide snowpack is 60% of average.
