OM FIRE
An open burn is being blamed for a fire on Orchard Mesa. 27 firefighters from Grand Junction, Clifton, and Lands End Fire Departments responded to the call just after 1:00 yesterday. One outbuilding burned to the ground, and three other structures and several vehicles were also threatened. Grand Valley Power also responded for fallen power lines. Open burning is not legal during a Red Flag Warning, even with a permit.
RED FLAG WARNING
When there's a Red Flag Warning in effect in the Grand Valley, it means open burning permits are not valid. A Red Flag Warning continues today and the Grand Junction Fire Department is advising people who want to burn this weekend to check the weather service website to the latest warnings before burning.
EAGLE FIRE
Fire investigators in Eagle County are looking for someone who may have started a wildfire with a cigarette, The fire yesterday burned only a small area near Wolcott, but authorities say it shows the importance of being careful in severe dry conditions.
LNFF ADDRESSES
Addresses of 1 in 6 homes in Jefferson and Broomfield counties are entered incorrectly in data bases used to warn residents in emergencies. The Denver Post says that is one reason for problems with evacuation notifications during the Lower North Fork Fire last week. One of the three fatalities should have received a call, but didn't. The company that provides the data base says it's working to fix the problems with the system and has manually corrected the addresses within the Lower North Fork fire zone.
SW MALL BOMBER
It's been just about a year since an explosive devise was found in a Denver area mall. It had been lit and started a small fire, but didn't detonate. Now the man who pled guilty has been sentenced to life in prison. U-S Attorney John Walsh says the sentence for 66 year old Earl Albert Moore recognizes the grave nature of the crime and its consequences, sending a clear message to anyone seeking to do public harm.
MONUMENT- PARK?
The committee looking into changing the Colorado National Monument to a National Park is holding more open houses to gather public input. The open houses are next Tuesday and Thursday, with two more the following week. You can get the complete schedule from the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.
NEW MEDICAID PROGRAM
Mesa County DHS is getting the word out about a new Medicaid expansion progam for adults without dependent children receiving Medicaid and are at or below 10% of the Federal Poverty Level. The program's called AWDC and is limited to 10,000 people statewide. Those interested should contact the Mesa County Department of Human Services.
PALISADE RIM TRAIL
The new Palisade Rim Trail System will formally open tomorrow with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The 3-mile loop trail takes hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers to the top of the Palisade Rim, for views of Palisade and the east end of Grand Valley. The ceremony is at 2:00 tomorrow at the trailhead off Highway 6 just south of the I-70 exit 44.
MURDER DETAILS
New details in the arrest of a pair of brothers accused of stabbing a Fruita man to death. According to the Daily Sentinel, Abel Roper and Jose Ortiz were kicked out of Cruisers bar on Horizon Dr. after fighting over a girl. That led to a road rage incident on I-70 and the stabbing of Roper in the Pioneer Village Mobile Home Park in Clifton March 1st. Roper was stabbed 13 times. Jose and Julio Ortiz are being held on a total $3 million bond, charged with 1st Degree Murder.
JUVENILE ADULT FILINGS
A bill taking away prosecutors' ability to charge juveniles as adults and putting that task in the hands of judges is on the governor's desk. The Senate passed the measure yesterday on a bi-partisan vote. Grand Jucntion Senator Steve King sided with prosecutors saying the bill would endanger public safety by curbing their ability to stop potentially dangerous juvenile offenders by giving them longer sentences in more prison-like youth programs.
