Wednesday September 19, 2012

No injuries, and little damage when an ultralight aircraft crashed into a Grand Valley Power line on Glade Park.  74 year old James Dittrick took off from his private landing strip yesterday morning just after 10:30 when unexpected wind forced his craft into the lines on a neighbor's property.  About a dozen customers lost power for a few hours.  Dittrick walked away with only a minor scratch.

The Grand Junction Economic Partnership is trying a new marketing tact.  Social Media.  Footage from an Outdoor Video Contest has been compiled and posted on on the GJEP website, Facebook, Twitter, a blog and now YouTube. Executive Director Kelly Flenniken says it's all part of an effort to more creatively promote the Grand Valley.Parents and kids who want to learn about safe driving can find out more at a presentation tomorrow night.

Three local insurance agencies are bringing in Time2Drive, a chance for parents and teenagers to use a driving simulator and fatal vision goggles to better understand the risks young drivers face.  Time2Drive is tomorrow from 5:30 to 7:30 at Grand Jucntion High School.

Every schoool in District 51 now has an Automated External Defibrillator, a piece of equipment that can restore a normal heartbeat to someone with cardiac arrest.  Community Hospital donated 36 of the devices, paid for with funds raised by the hospital's foundation. The foundation also plans additional funds to train staff to use the AEDs as well as First Aid and CPR.

The Colorado Riverfront Commission does more than collect money to build the river trail.  Last night the commission presented District 51 with $6,000 for the Get Kids Outdoors initiative.  The money is set aside for field trips for students to visit sites along the riverfront.

Colorado Senator Mark Udall hasn't given up his push for continuation of the wind Production Tax Credit.  Udall has pledged to address congress every day it's in session arguing for the credit he says will protect thousands of high-skill and good-paying jobs in Colorado and several other states.  Udall's 19th address is scheduled this morning.

No injuries, and little damage when an ultralight aircraft crashed into a Grand Valley Power line on Glade Park.  74 year old James Dittrick took off from his private landing strip yesterday morning just after 10:30 when unexpected wind forced his craft into the lines on a neighbor's property.  About a dozen customers lost power for a few hours.  Dittrick walked away with only a minor scratch.

The Vail Pass bike path is getting a needed resurfacing, closing the trail between Vail and the top of the Pass.  Cyclists WILL be allowed on the path Fridays through Sundays.  Besides resurfacing,  C-DOT is installing permanent mile markers and improved safety signage and striping.  The popular path was built in the 1970s.

The City of Montrose will continue picking up trash in the city limits, and a local private company will take it to the landfill. According to the Montrose Daily Press, the city signed off on a 6 year contract with Cornerstone Enterprises last night.  Municipal services director Jim Hougnon [how-non ?] says the plan saves the city money on tipping fees, vehicle wear and tear, fuel, and staff time.

A man killed Sunday in a dirt bike accident in Montrose County has been identified as 33 year old Cody Browning.  Browning was a chef at the RnR Sports Bar in Montrose.  A fund for Browning's two daughters has been set up at NuVista Credit Union.

Officials at the Museum of the West are trying to repair a piece of art vandalized at the museum at 4th and Ute in downtown Grand Junction. John Otto is credited with the establishment of the Colorado National Monument and had the rock carved in 1915. It has a couple of symbols that look like swastikas carved into it, and they've been defaced with a concrete substance.  The museum tells teh Daily Sentinel the carvings were meant as good luck symbols and differ from swastikas which are turned a quarter to the right.

Fire services in the Grand Valley could change in light of a survey comissioned by the Mesa County Fire Chiefs Association.  The Daily Sentinel says the study found consolidation between the Grand Junction and Clifton Fire departments could better serve the city and Pear Park with a new station there.  The study also found combining services between the East Orchard Mesa and palisade departments could expand volunteer staffing.