D-51 PROPERTY
District 51 continues to look everywhere for budget cuts with a projected $5.1 million to $8.1 million shortfall expected for the 2012-2013 school year. The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel says the district owns 75 properties on 800 acres and theoretically all could be sold. Officials say school property is worth the most, but not always sellable. The Basil T. Knight Center is one administrative building that could be closed, sending 35 workers to other district buildings. The value of that property those is only about $619,000 with no guarantee of a sale.
BIRGFELD REMAINS
The bones of Paige Birgfeld, found south of Grand Junction last week, are headed to Denver for examination by a forensic anthropologist. The Daily Sentinel says the skeleton was examined Friday at Community Hospital and the Coroner's Office is now taking it to Denver, hoping the specialist might see something local investigators missed. When the bones will make the trip hasn't been decided.
CMC TUITION HIKE
Students at Colorado Mountain College are looking at another tuition hike, this one 5.6% to 7.1%. The Boad of Trustees voted for the increase yesterday in response to expected state revenue cuts of as much as $300,000 or more next year.
Re-2 4-DAY?
District 51 in Grand Junction isn't the only western slope district looking at 4-day school weeks. The Garfield Re-2 school board has a proposal up for consideration at its meeting this afternoon. Re-2's anticipated budget shortfall for next year is $1.7 to $2.2 million. The Daily Sentinel says the 4-day week option is one of several options being considered.
SPEEDER JAILED
A 21 year old man remains jailed after a high speed chase with state Troopers. According to the Daily Sentinel, Jordan T. Criswell was arrested on 17 charges about 1:00 Sunday morning. He's accused of running from the trooper at speeds as high as 80 miles an hour in a 30 mile an hour zone. Criswell is held on $50,000 bond.
BLM O&G-LEASE WEBSITE
The BLM is rolling out a new website to allow people to easily get involved in the quarterly oil and gas lease process. The goal is to encourage public participation by making it as easy as possible. There's a public involvement calendar and information on upcoming oil and gas lease sales from the BLM's Colorado office at blm.gov.
SULLIVAN SUPPLIER SENTENCED
A man who supplied drugs in the meth for sex ring involving former Arapaho County Sheriff Pat Sullivan has been sentenced to 3 years in prison. The Denver Post says 49 year old Timothy Faase pled guilty to dealing meth last month. Sullivan was arrested in November on charges of possession and distribution, attempting to influence a public servant and misdemeanor prostitution charges.
SNOWBOARDER V SKIER INJURIES
A new study by The American Journal of Sports Medicine says snowboarders have a slightly higher rate of injury than skiers. According to the Vail Daily, the most common type of injury for snowboarders is wrist injuries; while for skiers, it's an ACL sprain. The study found the highest rate of injury among young, inexperienced, female snowboarders.
WRIGHT ANNOUNCES
Fruita Police Officer jared Wright announces his candidacy for the State House District 54 seat held by Laura Bradford. While a student at Mesa State College, Wright worked as an aide for Satee Representative Matt Smith. He'll announce in Delta at 10:30 this morning and in Grand Junction at 12:45.
TIPTON IN WESTERN COLORADO
3rd District Congressman Scott Tipton is in Grand Junction today, continuing talks with small businesses about what can be done in Washington to generate growth and job creation. Tipton was in Delta last night for a town hall meeting, another is scheduled in Grand Junction Thursday at 5:30. Tipton will finish the week with a tour of Intermountain Resources Lumber Mill in Montrose.
