Monday January 7, 2013

The Montrose Police and Sheriff's Departments are getting passing grades after a mock-shooting drill at Olathe High School Saturday.  When officers got to the school, they were informed the situation was a drill ... their guns and ammunition were traded for replica weapons and paint balls.  Sheriff Rick Dunlap tells the Montrose Daily Press the drill was being planned about two weeks before the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings and only those doing the planning knew it was coming up. School officials say they learned a lot from the drill, too.

More suicides were recorded in 2012 in Mesa County than any other year.  The Daily Sentinel this morning cites a report from the County Coroner's Office showing 47 deaths by suicide last year, up from 43 in 2011. Most had been treated for mental health issues and most were also under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of their death.  And already this year, the coroner's office has investigated two suicides.

The BLM is out with some new regulations on public lands drilling designed to protect wildlife.  The U-S Fish and Wildlife Service says it's recommending improving waste water facilities and marking fences to keep birds from flying into them.  A local energy industry group tells the Daily Sentinel most of the proposals are already being followed and aren't needed.  A conservation group says the policy should result in a more consistent approach to wildlife protection.

Statewide snowpack is at 70% of average to start the new year, and reservoir storage is still low, about 68% of average.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service says snowpack improved greatly during December, climbing from just 36% of average.

New information about prosecutors case against accused Aurora Theater shooter James Holmes today.  A preliminary hearing begins in Arapahoe County.  The Denver Post says prosecutors are expected to present evidence related to each of the victims, 12 people killed and 70 others who were wounded or shot at. The hearing is expected to last all week.

Authorities have not released the name of a man who shot and killed three people in Aurora Saturday before police shot him to death, but neighbors are talking about 33 year old Sonny Archuleta, calling him a talented artist who "went over the edge." The Denver Post says the neighbors identified the victims as Archuleta's sister, her boyfriend, and Archuleta's father-in-law.  Archuleta's wife escaped, jumping from a second floor window.

Steamboat Ski Resort is celebrating its 50th birthday with a 10 day party starting Friday.  The Denver Post says a 25-year old time capsule from 1988 will be opened that day, followed by a week of concerts and festivities and the annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill featuring cowboys from the Denver Stock show.

No new information about a crash on the Grand Mesa in which two people were killed.  It happened Saturday morning at the parking area for the County Line trail head.  A car pulled into the path of an oncoming SUV that swerved into the lot, killing two people and hitting a car in the lot. The crash is still under investigation.

The Grand Junction Lions Club is getting ready to announce the recipients of grants from this year's carnival and raffle. $1 million has been raised by the downtown club in the past 6 years.  Donations over the past 84 years total more than $4 million in charitable giving.