Thursday May 24, 2012

100 DAYS OF HEAT
C-DOT is kicking off its 100 Days of Heat this weekend, a summerlong effort to crack down on alcohol-and-drug impaired driving.  Last summer, 67 people were killed in alcohol related crashes between the Memorial and Labor Day weekends.  Law enforcement agencies across the state will be using increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints in their efforts to crack down.

TRAINING FIRE
Fire ban or not, the Grand Jucntion Fire Department is ready for some live fire training today.  An empty building on Struthers Avenue near the Colorado River is being burned to make way for Kannah Creek Brewing's new facility and the old building has to go.  Spokesman Mike Page says the live fire training is essential for new recruits.  He says the training is one type of fire still allowed under the county's burn ban.  The fires will be lit throughout the day.

BBQ SAUCE RECALL
A Durango company is recalling bottles of its Honeyville Honey Barbecue Sauce because it might contain undeclared fish, putting people with fish allergies at risk.  The sauce has Worchestershire sauce in it and THAT sauce has anchovies in it. You can return the product where you bought it.

HYDROELECTRIC GROUND BREAKING
The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association and DMEA are breaking ground tomorrow on the South Canal Hydroelectric Project. DMEA says it's one of the largest renewable energy projects in Western Colorado producing 6,000 kilowatts of power, 27 million kilowatt hours of electricity, equal to the power used by more than 3,000 homes.  Tomorrow will be the last opportunity to see major elements of the construction including large trenching and 11 foot pipes taking the water from the canal to the powerhouses.

HIGH SPEED ARREST
A 49 year old woman arrested after a chase on I-70 reaching speeds over 100 miles an hour. The Daily Sentinel says it happened yesteray afternoon when Michelle Phegley refused to pull over for a state trooper on Highway 6&50 near 22 Road.  Instead, she took off and headed west on I-70 where she finally pulled over a few miles later. Phegley was arrested at gunpoint after the chase.

VET THEFT
A 26 year old Grand Junction woman has been arrested, accused of stealing narcotics on the job and selling them for a profit.  The Daily Sentinel says Jacinta Goad worked at Redlands Pet Clinic and admitted to police taking five bottles of narcotics and selling them.  An arrest affidavit says the woman took the drugs in response to a bad financial situation.

RMNP ROAD RESTRICTIONS
If you're planning a drive through Rocky Mountain National Park, chances are you'll have to be in a tour bus.  The National Park Service says starting Tuesday, a 5 mile stretch of Bear Lake Road between Trail Ridge road and Glacier Basin Campground will be closed to private vehicle traffic between 9am and 4pm. Work includes new retaining walls, more pullouts and parking, bridge repair, widening and resurfacing.

BAT CONTACT
Authorities in Denver are looking for anyone who may have had contact with a bat at the Denver Zoo last Sunday.  The Denver Post says a zoo employee was bitten by the bat and it has tested positive for rabies.  People can be exposed to rabies when they assist, feed or handle wild animals.  They don't have to be bitten or scratched.