Friday January 11, 2013

The Judge in the James Holmes theater shooting case has set an arraignment this morning, but Holmes' attorneys say they aren't ready and will likely ask for a delay.  According to the Denver Post, the attorneys are looking at an insanity plea, but specifics are very involved and will take time before such a plea is entered.  If the plea is successful, a person found not guilty by reason of insanity is committed to the state psychiatric hospital until well enough to be released--which may be never.

The Grand Valley's Homeless Shelter, Homeward Bound has a new director.  Douglas Karl has been chosen to lead HomewardBound and help move the shelter into the future.  Interim Director AJ Johnson made the announcement saying he's looking forward to working on a smooth transition with Karl.

Mesa County AmeriCorps is celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by calling for Random Acts of Kindness,  Director Angie Bertrand says the group would like to see county residents join the movement of taking part in 26 Acts of Kindness.  Anything from shoveling someone's sidewalk, to giving blood.  They're encouraging anyone who does an act to post it on the Mesa County AmeriCorps Facebook page.

Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Bender is delivering the biennial State of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the legislature today. Bender will cover the public's trust in the rule of law, collaboration between the courts and the justice system and public needs.

The Western Colorado Drug Task Force is at it again, searching buses that stop in Grand Junction, and finding illegal drugs. According to The Daily Sentinel a Wilmington, California man was arrested Wednesday after officers said they found 5 pounds of suspected meth in two of his suitcases.  Victor Rocha is being held on $150,000 bond.

The U-S Fish and Wildlife Service wants to list the Gunnison sage grouse as an endangered species, saying it is going extinct.  In an effort to save the sage grouse, the Service wants to protect them by setting aside 1.7 million acres in southwest Colorado and southeast Utah and in a federal notice posted today a 60day comment period is being launched.  Fewer than one-tenth of the birds historical population have survived in fragments around western Colorado.

The City of Grand Junction and CDOT are hosting an Open House next Tuesday to talk about projects to improve safety and traffic flow on Highway 6 at 22 Road.  It all has to do with the planning of the new "diverging diamond" plan at the nearby I-70/ 6&50 interchange.  The meeting's at the Westgate Inn from 4 until 6.

A new pot group called Smart Approaches to Marijuana is up and running in Denver, started by a group of former government officials led by Patrick Kennedy. They say they want to quote "focus on practical changes in marijuana policy that neither demonize users nor legalize drugs".  Smart Approaches will work with state partners including Smart Colorado led by Bob Doyle.

Dylan Redwine disappeared while visiting his father over thanksgiving weekend in Durango.  The investigation into the disappearance of Redwine continues. over 30 thousand dollars has now been raised for information leading to Dylan's whereabouts.

Winter weather can mean higher heating and utility bills for small businesses.  The small business majority is offering a reference guide for small business owners on energy efficiency programs that can help business owners save money.  the guide is available at their website smallbusinessmajority.org

The spike in flu cases in the state has caused some health care providers to run out of flu vaccines, especially on the front range.  In Mesa County, the health department says it does have flu vaccines as do many individual providers.

Governor John Hickenlooper calling for universal gun background checks at his state of the state address yesterday.  Background checks are already conducted for retail sales and gun shows, but the governor wants like to see that expanded to private sales.  Hickenlooper also calling for bipartisan action on marijuana regulations and action on civil unions.

fortunately no injuries reported and no damage when a man in his seventies drove his Lexus through the front doors of the Safeway at 29 Road and Patterson.  The car ended up parked between a display of chips and bagels.  He was ticketed for the incident.