Thursday January 3, 2013

Statistics are out for the Colorado State Patrol's anti-DUI enforcement during the New Year's holiday enforcement and they look good.  The Patrol says no fatal crashes due to impaired driving were reported between December 28th and January 2nd.  The patrol does say the man killed when he was hit by a car on the Redlands Tuesday night apparently was intoxicated. Statewide, 81 DUI citations were issued.

A man killed while working on a car in Grand Junction New Year's Day was not crushed by the car. The Mesa County Coroner's Office says 50 year old Stephan Barley of Meeker had positioned the car to allow access underneath when the car rolled, trapping him. He suffocated.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is holding its first meeting of the year today and tomorrow in Westminster.  On the agenda are more than 40 proposed changes to big game regulations, including establishing a mountain lion hunting season during the month of April.  A full agenda is available on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.

The Colorado Lottery has announced the winning numbers from its Holiday Raffle game.  40% of the nearly 100,000 tickets available were sold and prizes are based on that 40%.  1 number was drawn for the $200,000 grand prize.  Other prizes go down to $20.  The winning numbers are listed at coloradolottery.com.

Hunters of shed antlers on public land in the Gunnison Basin are being reminded of a few restrictions during the winter. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says animals in that area are under alot of stress during the winter and shouldn't be disturbed.  Any violator can be fined $70 and be assessed five penalty points against their hunting and fishing privileges. Collectors are advised to consult CPW for rules.

A Grand Junction Business has donated $1,000 to the Western Slope Food Bank of the Rockies.  Simply-Mac, collected donations of canned food and donated funds for every computer purchased between November 16th and December 15.  The company is based in Utah and has held similar food drives there. It's the first year the Grand Junction store has taken part.

The inversion in place over the Grand Valley will likely remain through at least next Thursday, and the National Weather Service says we won't necessarily be out of the cold after that.  Service Hydrologist Aldis Strautner says it'll take a significant storm to move out cold air trapped in the valley.  He says that could come on the 10th or 11th. And while the system may move the cold air from the valley floor, more cold air is behind it.

Four seats are up for grabs on the Grand Junction City Council in the April 2nd election and at least one person is eyeing the at-large seat held by Mayor Bill Pitts.  The Daily Sentinel says West Star Aviation operations vice president Rick Brainard has picked up an information packet from city hall.  Brainard says is running in response to frustration over what he perceives as a cavalier nature in which current council members make financial decisions.