Sex Predator Arrested

A sexual predator on the run since his conviction in Denver in April of last year is under arrest in Michigan.  The U-S Attorney's Office in Denver says 55 year old Richard Heeringa was one of their 15 Most Wanted fugitives.  He was arrested Saturday by a task force including officers in Michigan, federal agents and the Douglas County, Colorado Sheriff’s Office.

Nation's Report Card

The "Nation's Report Card" is out and shows Colorado 4th and 8th grade students outpace most other states in math and reading assessments.  The National Assessment of Educational Progress says 5 states outperformed Colorado 4th graders in scale score on math, and 8 states were  better in reading.  8th grade scores were even better, with only 2 states above Colorado in math, and 3 states scoring higher in reading.


[For the complete results, visit http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/]

Hartman Re-Assigned

Dan Hartman, the state's marijuana enforcement officer, has been re-assigned after a controversial letter that some say suggested that Palisade voters should not vote to ban medical marijuana dispensaries.  Hartman will become the new director of the Division of Racing Events.  Colorado Attorney General John Suthers denounced the letter this week, saying it was inappropriate.  Palisade voters will decide the fate of dispensaries today.

Whitewater Drilling Plan

A new plan is in place for a company that hit oil near Whitewater while test drilling for natural gas.  Fram Operating LLC now plans to drill 108 wells from a dozen pads in the area.  The BLM will be hosting an open house and public comment period on the plan.  The open house will be held on November 8th at the Double Tree Inn.  The comment period will run until December 1st.

Fatal Crash in Garfield County

Two Grand Junction men are dead after a rollover accident north of DeBeque.  24 year old Andrew Marquez, and 25 year old Travis Oropeza were working for Oxy. USA and on their way to a  drill rig when the accident occurred.  The truck they were driving slid off the road in the Logan Wash area, and rolled over 1,000 feet down a steep embankment.  The accident is under investigation.

Mesa County Elections Drop Off Locations

BALLOT DROP OFFS ARE OPEN UNTIL 7PM NOVEMBER FIRST

*THE OLD MESA COUNTY COURTHOUSE

*THE DMV IN MESA MALL

*CLIFTON DMV

*GOODWILL ON 24 1/2 ROAD

ALL LOCATIONS OPEN UNTIL 7PM NOVEMBER 1ST

Garfield County Fatal Crash

The Colorado State Patrol is investigating a fatal crash on private property in Garfield County.  Trooper Nate Reid says two men were in a pickup on a gravel road near County Roads 204 and 492.  The truck went off the side of the road and rolled a thousand feet, landing on another private gravel road.  Both men died at the scene.  Their names have not been released.