Tuesday June 5, 2012

HORIZON DRIVE SHOOTING
Grand Junction Police aren't saying much about a shooting at a motel on Horizon Drive.  It happened about 11:00 yesterday morning at Affordable Inns.  One man was shot in the stomach and taken to the hospital. Investigators are looking for two men who they say may have "information" about the shooting.  They were seen leaving in a silver or grey 4-door dodge diesel pickup. You can get their descriptions on the Crime Stoppers website, 241STOP.com.

BEAR KILLED
An aggressive black bear has been killed in Dinosaur National Monument's Lodore campground.  Park staff shot the bear a week ago Sunday after several confrontations dating back to last year.  On May 27th, the bear entered two campsites and stole food.  He was shot after showing no fear of people.

AG TAX
Colorado agricultural producers are getting a tax break thanks to a new law signed yesterday.  It reclassifies the sale of certain agricultural products as wholesale instead of retail, making them no longer subject to sales tax.  The measure repeals the "Ag Tax" on things like livestock feed and pesticide used in the production of final goods like crops to be sold.

LNF FIRE HELP
More help from the state for victims of the Lower North Fork fire that destroyed 23 homes and killed 3 people last March.  The fire was started when a controlled burn in the area rekindled.  Bills signed into law yesterday make it easier for victims to get compensation from the state and amends the Governmental Immunity Act to free up more than the $600,000 the state is liable for under current law.

MCC INDY CANDIDATE
Voters in Mesa County likely have another independent candidate to choose from in November. Jana Bingham Gerow turned in signatures to get a place on the ballot for the District 1 County Commissioners seat.  Independent John Leane has already turned in signatures.  Gerow needs 750 valid signatures to get on the ballot.  She turned in more than 1,100.

WESTERN STATE NAME CHANGE
Western State College will become Western State Colorado University August 1st under a bill signed by the governor yesterday.  Western joins Adams State College in Alamosa, and Metro State in Denver changing their names to University this year.  Mesa State College in Grand Junction became Colorado Mesa University last year.

RECORD HIGH
Early spring, early summer.  The high temperature in Grand Junction yesterday tied the record 98, recorded in 1977.  The temp today isn't expected to be a record, but it'll still be way above the average in the mid 70s.

RED FLAG WARNING
A Pacific storm with a Cold Front is moving into the area today with strong winds increasing throughout the day.  The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag warning for eastern Utah and western Colorado and is calling for wind gusts of 35 to 50 miles per hour.  Hot temperatures, gusty winds, low afternoon humidity and dry fuels will create critical fire weather conditions across all of eastern Utah and western Colorado this afternoon and evening.