Monday October 15, 2012

A quick reminder to make sure chimneys and fireplaces are cleaned for the coming winter season.  Grand Junction firefighters were able to put out an apparent fireplace fire yesterday morning after a family reported smoke in their home on Little Park Drive.  The fire and damage were considered moderate and containment to the fireplace area and ceiling above.

The Board of Mesa county Commissioners this morning is set to consider a new tax rebate.  A resolution on the consent agenda says the board will adopt a policy establishing a tax rebate for new businesses opening facilities--and for existing business that expand--in Mesa County.

The ballot's in the mail...mail-in ballots for the November election are being mailed out beginning today.  Close to 78% of eligible voters in Mesa County can expect their ballots this week.  The Daily Sentinel says voters who've requested mail-in ballots and haven't received them by the end of the week should contact the county clerk's office.  5 early voting centers around the county will open October 22nd.

The Colorado State Patrol has released the name of a woman killed in a crash on Highway 50 Friday.  23 year old Amanda Lynn Chavez died when her car crossed the center line and median and hit an oncoming car.  The Mesa County Coroner says lack of a seat belt and speed are considered factors in the crash.

A new Denver Post poll shows Amendment 64 to legalize limited possession of marijuana in Colorado continues to lead, but that lead has dropped below 50% support.  Among likely voters, the poll shows 48% in support, 43% opposed.

Gas prices are down again this week in Colorado.  It's the same old thing though, they're down less than 2 cents.  ColoradoGasPrices.com says the average is now $3.68 a gallon.  National gas prices were down about a penny more than Colorado's, putting the national average about 20 cents a gallon higher than this time last year.

Mesa county sheriff's investigators apparently looking into a shooting Saturday night at Infinity Night Club at 30 Road and North Avenue.  The Daily Sentinel says a female victim and the person who shot her were taken to area hospitals.

Investigators in Westminster are doing all they can to find a suspect in the abduction and murder of 10 year old Jessica Ridgeway last week.  Officials say they're following all tips, and expect some false alarms.  A report of an attempted abduction of a 13 year old boy in Golden turned out to be a misunderstanding, but investigators say they want to receive any and all tips that could be related to the Ridgeway case.

The timing was eerie. A reported child abduction in Cody, WY the same day Jessica Ridgeway was reported missing in Colorado. Now investigators say a man has been arrested in that case in Montana and the case has no ties to the kidnapping and murder of Jessica. Police in Westminster tell The Denver Post they're scouring the crime scene, saying that can tell them alot about the killer.

 A mountain lion believed to have killed five sheep near Cortez has been put down by wildlife officers.  They  tell The Cortez Journal a dead sheep was used as bait. the lion trapped and then euthanized last Thursday.