Thursday May 31, 2012

NO TROOPER CHARGES
No charges will be filed against a former Colorado State Trooper accused of bias in some DUI arrests over 4 years in Mesa County.  DA Pete Hautzinger tells the Daily Sentinel he'll throw out 10 convictions stemming from arrests by ex-trooper Don Moseman. 8 others have been dropped already.  Hautzinger says quote, "there's no evidence proving he knowingly or intentionally framed innocent people or was trying to manufacture evidence."  Moseman parted ways with the State Patrol last December.

SUNRISE MINE FIRE UPDATE
Officials working the 6,000 acre Sunrise Mine Fire say they have 70% containment and expect full containment by Sunday.  Nearly $2 million has been spent fighting the fire since it broke out southwest of Gateway last Friday afternoon.  More than 600 personnel have been working the fire, including as many as six helicopters.

FIRE BAN REMINDER
Officials in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest are reminding the public about fire restrictions.  They say conditions are very ripe for wildfire and want people to be extra careful in the forest.  Information on the ban is available on several public lands websites.

KEEL EXTRADITION
A Grand Junction man arrested in the child abuse death of his girl friend's 19 month old son in April is sitting in jail in Grants, New Mexico awaiting extradition.  25 year old Justin Keel was arrested last week, accused of blunt force trauma leading to the death of Owen Reak.  The boy died in Montrose, but the crime is believed to have been committed the day before in Grand Junction. Mesa County Sheriff's officials tell the Montrose Daily Press extradition could take two weeks or longer.

SIERRA CLUB CHANGE ON NATURAL GAS
The Sierra Club says it's finished backing natural gas as a bridge fuel to renewable energy, and will fight to stop oil and gas drilling.  The Daily Sentinel cites an editorial in the Wall Street Journal suggesting the low cost of natural gas is the reason for the club's reversal, that moving from natural gas to renewable energy would take longer than expected. The Colorado Petroleum Association says it's a jobs issue and the Sierra Club is on the wrong side.

LIONS SCAM
The Grand Junction Lions Club is not making calls for donations.  Police say they've received reports of someone trying to collect money.  Contact police if you get any of those calls.

COLO INSURANCE SCAM
The Colorado Division of Insurance says there's a possible scam going on by someone who attempts to get personal banking info over the phone.  The caller claims the state has taken over your insurance company and asks for account information to directly deposit a check.  The scammer identifies him or herself as being with the "Colorado Insurance Commission" which does not exist. Contact local law enforcement if you get any of these calls.

TELLURIDE GONDOLA
The gondola from Telluride to Mountain Village is down. Mechanical problems forced evacuation of the gondola for the first time since it opened 16 years ago.  9 people and a dog were off loaded after the breakdown Tuesday.  The free gondola service carries more than 2 million people in its 10 months of operation every year.

BENNET LISTENING TOUR
Staff from Senator Michael Bennet's office is in Delta County today on a listening tour about the 2012 Farm Bill.  They'll be at the Bell Heddles Rec Center from 9 to 10 this morning and in Cedaredge from 2 til 3 at the Stoney Mesa Winery.  Tomorrow the listening is in Grand Junction at the Old Courthouse Training Room at 1:30.


PALISADE PUBLIC GARDEN
If you live in Palisade and don't have room to garden, you do now.  The new Palisade Community Garden is open with plots available for lease.  Soil and water is provided with a lease for the season.  You can spend from $25 to $45 depending on the plot size.