Thursday February 7, 2013

A bill to improve school safety has passed out of the State Senate Judiciary Committee.  Grand Junction Senator Steve King's School Resource Officer bill would help school districts better utilize SROs to put their unique training and experience to work, bridging the gap between the community and schools. The bill now moves to the Senate Education Committee.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office is warning people about a couple different scams popping up again.  One is a lottery or sweepstakes scam, the second involves Craigs List. Information on both scams is on the Sheriff's Office website.

Three teenagers in trouble in Fruita, suspected of breaking into a home and stealing weapons.  It happened Tuesday morning near 21 and H Roads.  The victim knew one of the suspects and called police reporting the burglary and providing a vehicle and license plate. A 14 year old boy and girl, and a 17 year old boy were picked up a short time later.  Both boys had active warrants for their arrests, the girl was released to her parents.

The Town of Palisade has a new Police Chief.  Colorado Springs Police Sgt. Tony Erickson. Town Administrator Rich Sales made the announcement yesterday calling Erickson the best selection among six finalists who visited Palisade last month.  Former Chief Caroll Quarels was asked to step down last November.

A Boulder greeting card business says it's worried about the effect of losing Saturday U-S Mail delivery.  Blue Sky Publishing's president tells the Denver Post the move overall is not good for the company.  He says Blue Sky experiences a rush from September through early December and Saturday deliveries are especially important during that time.

Add Grand Junction to the list of Colorado municipalities stopping marijuana facilities in town. KREX-TV says the city council last night passed a resolution doing that and asking the City Manager and City Attorney to monitor any legislative or administrative actions that might cause the council to change their decision.


Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton arrested on suspicion of DUI Tuesday night in Thornton , where he lives year round.  Helton releasing a statement saying he is very sorry for the transgression.  The Rockies releasing a statement saying they are disappointed in Helton and that this type of behavior is taken seriously by the organization.

The BLM Advisory Council is set to meet next Wednesday in golden at the Denver West Marriott.  The Council agenda includes a discussion on the Grand Junction Field Office Resource Management Plan, and an update on drought mitigation efforts in the region.  The 15 member citizen advisory council  is appointed by the Secretary of the Interior and meets quarterly.

State officials setting up new statewide hotline for people to report abuse and neglect.  175 children died of abuse in the state over the past 6 years and this is intended to help reduce that number.  The state is also setting up website where the public can track child welfare departments in the state.

Governor John Hickenlooper and Colorado Commissioner of Education Robert Hammond urging all school based educators to complete a statewide survey of teaching and learning conditions.  Responses are anonymous and confidential.  Educators receive a personal security code which allows them to go online and provide their feedback.

Another counterfeit bill used at a Grand Junction business, this time a fake 100 hundred dollar bill.  Montrose Police also reporting an increase in counterfeit bill there.  Business owners should always verify the authenticity of bills.  If the bill doesn't look or feel right, alert your local authorities.

Protests and criticism from the public have prompted the BLM to drop 20,000 acres from the February oil and gas lease sale in the North Fork Valley.  The Daily Sentinel says the BLM received nearly 200 protests from ranchers, wineries and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and others.

Colorado senator Mark Udall supporting President Obama's decision to move swiftly to appoint a new secretary of the interior following Ken Salazar's resignation announcement.  the president nominating REI CEO Sally Jewell for the position.

A Texas man is suing C-DOT and two contractors over injuries he suffered in a crash while riding his bicycle on Highway 82 last summer.  The Aspen Times says Daniel Herndon's suit claims the defendants didn't post signs warning of danger from the work being performed. The suit seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages.