Wednesday August 22, 2012

Montrose County's doing what it can to get the word out about West Nile Virus.  4 human cases have been reported in Delta County so far this year, at least one in Mesa County, and although there have been no human cases in Montrose County, officials there are urging people to be cautious.  About one in 150 cases becomes severe and can lead to encephalitis and meningitis.  As of August 14th, 693 cases had been reported in 43 states, leading to 26 deaths.

The City of Montrose is excited about the US Pro Challenge Bike Race.  Racers and spectators have left, but merchants and residents are still talking about the Montrose Stage.  The Montrose Daily Press says spectators were treated to autographs from the cyclists and even got to see another professional atlete.  Barry Bonds was in attendance.  Jenni Sopsic with the Montrsoe Association of Commerce and Tourism says it added another layer of excitement to the race.  The Challenge today moves from Gunnison to Aspen.

A deal between prosecutors and an admitted sex offender may not work out.  The Daily Sentinel says 47 year old Thomas Dausel was arrested in February of last year, accused of putting his hands down a boy's pants and trying to take him from a park near Rocky Mountain Elementary School.  A plea deal called for 12 years in prison after Dausel plead guilty to felony 2nd Degree Kidnapping and Misdemeanor Unlawful Sexual Contact.  According to the Sentinel, Judge Valerie Robison agreed to a delay requested by Dausel's defense, but said she has reservations about deal and may put a stop to it.

A Grand Junction man in the country illegally for ten years has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to selling cocaine and enlisting his 16 year old son and 20 year old daughter to help.  According to the Daily Sentinel, Federico Lerma was the head of a drug distribution ring resulting in at least 14 arrests in January and February.  Lerma will be deported after his state prison term, his kids are trying to stay in the U-S.

Republican State House District 54 candidate Jared Wright says he's staying in the race, despite what he calls mistakes with his former job at the Fruita Police Department and personal finances.  Many are asking Wright to get out of the race after published reports of his filing for bankruptcy last year and losing his job with Fruita during an internal investigation. The Daily Sentinel says Wright apologized to a small group of supporters last night, saying he's learned from poor choices and decisions he's made and will not leave the race.

Parents in School District 51 aren't finished compaining about new bus routes.  The Daily Sentinel says the District's received over a hundred e-mails and more voicemails about the new walking boundaries of 2 miles instead of 1.  The District says it hopes to save $650,000 through the new boundaries this year.

Two Clifton brothers have been ordered to stand trial on charges they murdered a Fruita man earlier this year.  Julio and Jose Ortiz were arrested after 31-year old Abel Roper was stabbed to death March 1st.  The Daily Sentinel says text messages and a photo of Jose with a wounded and bloodied hand are some of the evidence prosecutors presented.