ROCKFALL WORK
The Colorado National Monument is closing the west entrance to the park tomorrow for rockfall work. A big slab of rock over the second tunnel on the west side is considered unstable, so it's coming down. Rimrock Drive from the entrance to the campground, will be closed beginning at 8:00 tomorrow morning, and could be closed all day.
MESACO CS OPEN HOUSE
If you haven't gotten a look at the new Mesa County Central Services Building, this afternoon is your chance. The motor vehicles office, clerk and recorder, elections, and several public works divisions have been moved to the new facility in the old City Market Warehouse on North 1st Street at Main.
BURN PERMIT PICKUP
The Grand Junction Fire Department is trying to get the word out about where to get a permit for open burning. The Department's Administrative Offices have been moved for construction of the new Public Safety Complex, and the temporary location is where the permits are available. The offices are located at the City Shops complex off Broadway at West Avenue near the Riverside Parkway.
UNITED AIRLINES SUIT
The U-S Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against United Airlines, alleging the company failed to compensate a pilot's employee benefits while he was serving in the Colorado Air National Guard. The company is accused paying only the minimum to the man's account, instead of full-time benefits he would have received.
MONTROSE PASSED UP FOR ARTS AND CULTURE MONEY
The Montrose Downtown Development Authority says it didn't receive state funding as a "Creative District," but will continue to work to strengthen arts and cultural opportunities. Director Scott Shine tells the Montrose Daily Press Durango may have won grant money because of its status as a college town, and Telluride because it's economy is purely tourism-based. He says they'll continue to partner with those communities to reap benefits from them.
UNEMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Colorado’s January unemployment numbers are out and show an increase of 7/10 of a percent to 8.4%. In Grand Junction, the numbers were similar, up nearly a whole percentage point to 9.6 in January. The unemployment rate in Montrose County climbed to 11.1% and Delta County saw a drop of more than a percentage point from 9.7 to 8.4%.
SCOTT'S TRUSTEE BILL
Grand Junction State Representative Ray Scott is firming up a bill to allow County Commissioners with state appointed Public Trustees to decide whether they want to fund those offices, or handle the job with their own elected County Treasurer. Scott tells the Daily Sentinel the bill would allow counties to save that salary and office money. Public Trustees are charged with overseeing foreclosure sales. Scott says money from those sales is used for the trustee's salary and office expenses. He says that money could be returned to the county instead.
GARCO 4-DAY WEEK
Students in the Garfield Re-2 School District are going to school one less day a week next year. The school board voted for the move yesterday--part of budget cutting. Superintendent Susan Birdsey says the 4-day week will save the district about a half million dollars next year.
MARIJUANA BALLOT ISSUES
Backers of two more marijuana questions that would loosen marijuana laws have gotten the go ahead to collect signatures in an effort to get the measures on the November ballot. Proposed Initiative 70 would make it a constitutional right for people 21 and older to possess up to 4-ounces of marijuana. Proposed Initiative 65 would allow doctors to prescribe pot for any medical condition. The Denver Post says the latest OKs bring to five, the number of marijuana issues potentially heading to the ballot.
LOVELAND SKIER DEATH
Another death on Colorado ski Slopes. A 71-year old man injured on an expert run at Loveland Ski Area Saturday died of those injuries in Denver. The man's name wasn't released.
RAMSEY SPEAKS OUT ABOUT DAUGHTER
John Ramsey, the father of 6-year old beauty queen JonBenet killed in Boulder in 1996, is speaking out about putting children on public display. Ramsey tells ABC it now believes it's not a good idea. Ramsey's promoting a new book and says thinking about those things now makes him cringe.
