Tuesday January 8, 2013

The family Jason Kemp, shot to death by a Colorado State Trooper in July of 2010, have reached a settlement with the State Patrol. Kemp was shot after a minor hit and run accident near his home. Troopers tried to get into his house, he tried to stop them and was shot to death.  Two troopers were involved and later fired--after one was found not guilty, and charges against the other were dropped.  According to the Daily Sentinel, Kemp's parents will receive more than $1 million.  The settlement also calls for more training for current and future troopers.

A Do Not Burn order is in place in Mesa, Delta and Montrose Counties for the next three days. Air Quality Specialist Ed Brotsky says a strong inversion has been in place since about December 19th, and since then, only a couple of days have qualified for an OK advisory.  Under the No Burn advisory, the health department asks people not to burn in non-EPA approved stoves and fireplaces.  The order is mandatory within the City of Grand Junction.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has approved some new ground water protection rules it says are among the strongest in the country.  Under the rules, rig operators are required to sample nearby water wells before and after drilling activities in order to identify potential problems.  The O&G commission has been collecting similar data for years and has over 6,000 samples in a water quality data base accessible online.

There's more fake cash in the Grand Valley and more counterfeit bill reports to the Grand Junction Police Department. They say business owners should train employees to spot the differences like paper that doesn't feel like other bills, the size of bills, or missing watermarks.  The bills in circulation are ofter 20s, police say they've seen everything from 5s to 100s.

Colorado Parks and Recreation has $1.7 million it wants to hand out as grants for outdoor recreation in the state.  Local governments and local groups can apply for the funding as matching grants for project benefiting fishing, shooting ranges or boating. Application periods vary for projects and information can be found on the Parks and Wildlife website.

The District 51 School Board has a full agenda for tonight's work session.  The board is looking at safety issues, the possibility of changing the school calendar, school choice, and Senate Bill 191 which establishes new requirements for evaluating teachers and principals. Statewide regulations are to be in place by next fall, and finalized for the 2014-2015 school year.

A trial date has been set for a former Grand Junction Police officer and firefighter accused of sexual assault on a child.  42 year old Eric Janusz was arrested last year, accused of having an affair with an underage woman. KREX TV says the trial will begin March 11th.

A Colorado State Senator plans to introduce legislation that would allow parents to buy alcohol for their children in bars and restaurants. Senator Greg Brophy says the bill is crafted after a law in Wisconsin which allows parents of returning service members to buy their children drinks.

Mesa County's two new commissioners are being sworn in this morning.  John Justman and Rose Pugliese are taking over for Janet Rowland and Craig Meise, both of whom were term limited out of office.


Rocky Mountain Health Plans is being recognized by the Wellness Council of America with their highest award designation.  The Platinum award recognizes the group's effort to continue to meet health promotion standards and demonstrates a commitment to improving the health and well being of its employees.  Rocky Mountain Health plans is the only Colorado company to receive the platinum designation.

The state health department is encouraging people to test their home for radon during National Radon Action Month.  Testing works best when all doors and windows are closed.  The health department provides coupons for reduced cost radon kits on the Colorado.info website.  Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the country.

The BLM wants public comment on the environmental assessment for a natural gas project near Debeque.  The plan is for up to 24 wells north and south of I-70.  The EA is online at the BLM website. Comments are being taken online or by mail.

The Colorado Avalanche information center issuing a warning that the potential for avalanches in western Colorado remains high and that skiers and hikers could trigger large slides in the northern San Juans, Summit County and Steamboat Springs.