NEW WORKFORCE CENTER
Mesa County is in the planning stages for a new workforce center. The center provides resources for both employers and those looking for jobs. The center's been housed in an old building owned by Hilltop Community Services which is now looking at other options for the space. The Daily Sentinel says the county expects to use money from its capital improvement fund for the $7.5 million facility north of the Community Services Building on 29 1/2 Road. No timeline for construction has been released.
LA PLATA COUNTY MURDER
A 26 year old Ft. Lewis College student from Utah is dead, a Durango man being held on suspicion of 1st degree murder. Authorities say 26 year old David Jones was found dead at a campsite after a reported shooting early Saturday morning. La Plata County Sheriff's officials say the two were not camping together and did not know each other.
RIVERFRONT TRAIL ASSAULT
Grand Junction Police haven't released any information about an assault and attempted robbery on the Colorado Riverfront Trail. It happened at about 6:30 last Friday morning on the trail near Broadway.. the victim suffering serious injuries.
MESACO DEMS CELEBRATE
Mesa County Democrats say they're still looking for a headquarters and hope to open by Labor Day. In the meantime, the Obama For America Headquarters in the Valley Plaza is holding a grand opening at 6:00 tonight. You can get information about democratic events at MesaDems.com.
25 ROAD SET TO RE-OPEN
Work is continuing on Highway 6&50 at 25 Road, with the intersection set to re-open next Thursday morning. Signals are being installed and work on curb and gutter, and the frontage road is continuing. Construction on the project began last April.
I-70 PROJECT MOVES LANES
Resurfacing work on I-70 between Fruita and Mack is moving right along, with traffic being moved from the westbound lanes to the new eastbound concrete lanes. The switch will mean two way traffic on the new lanes by tomorrow, and remaining in those lanes through the completion of the project in November. C-DOT says the work will close the eastbound I-70 on-ramp in Loma with traffic detoured onto Highway 6&50 to use the eastbound on-ramp at Fruita.
NEW GJPD STATION OPENS
The City of Grand Junction opened the main lobby of the new Police Station with little fanfare over the weekend. Anyone with police business can use the parking lot at 6th and Ute for access to the new building. The new station also has a separate entrance for sex offenders to register with the agency. The lobby and records sections are open from 7 to 7 Monday through Saturday and 8 to 6 on Sundays.
CSU AIR QUALITY RESEARCH
CSU researchers want to study emissions from natural gas operations in Garfield County and are scheduled to make a presentation to County Commissioners there today. Some residents in Battlement Mesa are worried nearby drilling is exposing them to hasardous substances. CSU says the study will include well development from drillnig to completion, including hydraulic fracturing.
COLORADO GAS PRICES
ColoradoGasPrices.com is out with its weekly report, showing the average price for a gallon of gas in the state is up 1.1 cents in the past week to $3.49/gal yesterday...up nearly a nickle compared with the same day a year ago, and down 3.2 cents in the past month. The national average is $3.70/gal.
STOLEN GUN ARREST
An antique revolver stolen from a private museum in New Mexico has been recovered, after its owner saw the suspected thief on a tv appraisal show being filmed in Wheatridge. The Denver Post says the weapon was seen on the Discovery Channel's "American Guns" in February. That led to a sting set up with Colorado and New Mexico authorities who arranged to buy the weapon. 65 year old Wylie Newton of Erie was arrested and returned to New Mexico August 5th.
HICKENLOOPER AT DEM CONVENTION
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper is scheduled to speak at the Democratic National convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hickenlooper also had a speaking time slot at the convention 4 years ago.
