Tuesday October 2, 2012

Another shooting in Grand Junction, this one at the Racquet Club Apartments at 29 and Orchard.  Mesa County Sheriff's spokeswoman Heather Benjamin says a man was shot around 11:00 last night, his condition unknown.  No one had been arrested and no suspect information released.

Mitt Romney has a new man on his team.  Former Denver Broncos Quarterback John Elway. Elway endorsed the Republican nominee campaigning in Denver yesterday before tomorrow's first presidential debate.  Elway says he's endorsing Romney and Congressman Paul Ryan "because the pair have the courage to make decisions and tackle challenges leading to results and real change."

A body found in an irrigation canal in Grand Junction Sunday has been identified as 51 year old Kenneth Cottingham. Cottingham had been missing since last Tuesday and his body was found not far from where his vehicle was discovered later that week.

Getting around Denver during the Presidential debate tomorrow'll be tricky.  C-DOT has plenty of road closures set, including a six mile stretch of I-25. C-DOT has several detours set up and full details at cotrip.org.

The Western Slope conservative Alliance is continuing its series of forums on property rights with State Treasurer Mark HIllman.  Hillman will speak at the Alliance's October meeting Thursday at the Grand Junction City Hall.  The group says it's a bonus meeting with speakers from the Heritage Foundation and the Center for Foreign Policy Studies, discussing Middle East issues.

If you don't get your fill of debates after Wednesday night, You'll have a chance for a local candidate forum in Grand Junction Thursday.  The Grand Valley Young Professionals is hosting candidates for District 1 and 3 Mesa County commissioner, State House districts 54 and 55, and 3rd Congressional District candidates Scott Tipton and Sal Pace.  The forum is at 5:30 at the Art Center at 7th and Orchard.

More backing for Colorado's marijuana legalization bill amendment 64.  Former Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo, The Liberty Caucus and other state republicans are coming out in support of the measure today.  The group say they'll make their announcement this afternoon at the Colorado State Capitol Building.

If you want to get in on this year's Mesa County Online Tax Lien Sale, now is the time.  County Treasurer Janice Rich says registration begins next week for the sale closing November 1st.  Details are available at mesataxsale.com.  A tax lien represents unpaid real estate taxes and purchase of those liens represents an interest-earning investment. You purchase the tax lien, not the property.

A Ridgway based Christian ministry is under fire for a publication urging "Vote Republican".  The Montrose Daily Press says Americans United for Separation for church and State complain the ministry can say all it wants about politics, but must give up it's 501-C-3 status.  The Ridgway Christian Center/Praise Him Ministries says it's done nothing wrong.  The AU says it is not only targeting conservative-leaning churches, but those who lean the other way.

When you pick up your Montrose newspaper this morning, don't be surprised by the front page color.  It's pink.  The publisher says that's on purpose, for a purpose.  The Montrose Daily Press is paying tribute to all breast cancer survivors and everyone who's been affected by breast cancer.

Community Hospital's been talking about it for years, moving from its old digs north of the CMU campus to 23 1/2 and G Roads.  And it looks like they're jsut about ready to break ground.  The hospital tells the Grand Junction City Council the move will take place in phases, with the first phase a 90,000 square foot office building including doctors offices to be complete in December of next year.  The city already has money set aside in next year's budget for improving G Road for access to the facility.