FATAL CRASH NEAR CRAIG
The Colorado State Patrol is still investigating a crash near Craig that killed three men. All 3 were in a car headed west on Highway 40 about 2:30 Saturday morning when the car crossed the center line and smashed head-on into a semi. The semi caught fire, but the driver was able to escape with moderate injuries.
AURORA SHOOTER IN COURT
The Aurora movie theater shooter will hear formal charges today. The Denver Post says James Holmes faces numerous counts of murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and other offenses. New details could also be released. Media outlets are asking the judge to unseal the case file. They also want access to a notebook Holmes allegedly mailed to his psychiatrist prior to the shootings.
KIWANIS BLOOD DRIVE
The Kiwanis Club of Grand Junction continues it's 75th anniversary celebration with a St. Mary's Blood Bank donation drive of 75 pints of blood. The goal reached last week with donations from Kiwanis Club members and others who donated in the name of the club.
COLORADO GAS PRICES
The price of gas in Colorado is down another 3 cents a gallon to an average $3.48 yesterday. ColoradoGasPrices.com says that compares with the national average of $3.50/gal. The website says prices are now 12 cents a gallon lower than a month ago, and one cent a gallon lower than a year ago. GasBuddy.com's Senior Petroleum Analyst believes higher fuel commodity prices will lead to higher prices at the pump over the next week.
FISH KILLED
Colorado Parks and Wildlife says a large fish kill on the Colorado River above Dotsero can likely be blamed on heavy rains flushing mud, debris and sediment into the river. Wildlife managers say it appears thousands of fish found dead along the river likely succumbed to the contaminated water. They say the fish were especially susceptible because of earlier stress from low flows and high temperatures brought on by drought conditions.
MOAB LOOKING FOR COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR
The Grand County Council in Moab is still looking for a new council administrator after their top candiate turned down the job. Martin Black said the $75,000 salary offer wasn't enough, that another $10,000 would do it. But in the end, the County Council said no. The Moab Times says the Council is expected to take up the matter at its next regular meeting August 7th.
GJ RAINFALL
Grand Junction is still way behind normal for rainfall on the year, but rain early Sunday morning is making a dent. The Daily Sentinel says .98 inches of rain has fallen so far this month, nearly twice the usual amount. Total rainfall for the year though, is still about 2 1/2 inches below normal.
WRIGHT TO SPEAK OUT
The former Fruita Police Officer running for the House District 54 seat in the state legislature says he'll hold a press conference today to clear the air about why he resigned his post in Fruita last week. KKCO TV says Jared Wright issued a press release promising full transparancy. The City of Fruita has said only that a personnel issue led to Wright's resignation last week.
AURORA VICTIM FUND GROWS
The Aurora Victim Relief Fund has taken in $3.1 million. The manager of online giving for the community First Foundation tells the Denver Post the money is being divided among ten trusted nonprofit organizations providing a host of services to survivors and their families.
OPERATION HOMEFRONT SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
A group called Operation Homefront is holding its annual Back-to-School Brigrade to collect school supplies for military kids. It's a national movement with links at OperationHomefront.net, or on facebook. In Grand Junction, Dollar Tree stores at Teller Arms and in the Rim Rock Shopping Center are offering to help get supplies to Operation Homefront.
SALVATION ARMY BACK-2-SCHOOL SHOPPING
20 needy children in Mesa County are getting a back-to-school shopping trip from the Salvation Army. 20 volunteers are being matched up with the kids for $80 shopping sprees for new clothes, coats and shoes. The trek to Target is tomorrow morning in Grand Junction.
NEW CMU HOUSING
Colorado Mesa University's 5th residence hall in the past six years is set to open this fall and a public open house today will show off the new construction at 12th and Orchard. The Daily Sentinel says the $11 million apartment building has 59,000 square feet and room for up to 192 residents. Construction on another student housing project is expected to begin in two weeks.
