Tuesday October 9, 2012

A new Pew Research poll is out and shows Republican Mitt Romney leading President Obama by 49 to 45% among likely voters. KDVR in Denver called the survey the latest and strongest indication last Wednesday's debate in Denver may have been a serious setback to the president's reelection chances. Romney still trails in Ohio and if that continues, he'll need to win nearly every other battleground state to win the White House.

Grand Junction Police have released a description of a vehicle involved in a possible hit and run early Sunday.  32 year old Amber Davidovich suffered critical injuries when witnesses said a dark-colored Dodge Dakota pulled up next to her at 9th and Main, then sped away.

The Olathe Sweet Corn Festival is in limbo.  Town Trustees there not able to decide how to proceed with planning for next year.  According to the Montrose Daily Press, the festival hasn't made money since 2008 and they can't afford to foot the bill.  A work session last night centered on whether to continue bringing musical entertainment or revert to the festival's smaller, family oriented roots.

A Montrose area rancher has lost two calves to predators and says he's frustrated by the response from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.  The Montrose Daily Press says the first calf was killed September 28th on Lloyd Watson's ranch.  The second, a day later.  Watson suspects a mountain lion is responsible, but CPW believes a coyote may be to blame.  Watson says he's worried the CPW isn't taking the case seriously enough and he and other ranchers in the could lose more livestock.

A long-time Grand Junction attorney is accusing a Colorado State Trooper of threatening him during a traffic stop last May. In a letter to the Daily Sentinel and State Patrol officials, Gregory Hoskin, an attorney in Grand Junction for 47 years, said he was pulled over by motorcycle trooper Dale Smith on May 5th and got into a heated verbal exchange. Smith resigned from the patrol in July, and Hoskin's speeding ticket was not prosecuted because Smith was unavailable to testify.

Today is the last day to register to vote in the General Election, and there are a couple of ways to do it.  You can stop by a county clerks location, go to the driver's license office, or go online to GoVoteColorado.com and do it there.  The Daily Sentinel says Republican registrations lead the way in Colorado, but unaffiliated registrations are up about 20% since January, Democratic up 15%, and Republican registrations are up 9%.

The Western Colorado Drug Task Force is getting the job done, an arrest made early yesterday morning when an officer found 25 pounds of suspected marijuana in a car pulled over on I-70.  The Daily Sentinel says the man was pulled over for speeding in a construction zone and said he was on his way from San Jose, California to Denver.  The pot has an estimated street value between $60 and $65,000.

Investigators in the Denver area are gathering DNA from family members of a 10 year old girl missing from Westminster since last Friday.  The Denver Post says the DNA is being used to  compare with samples taken from the girl's backpack found over the weekend in Superior. Officials say they don't suspect family members in the disappearance and continuing their search in earnest.

 The city of Grand Junction is looking for input on a new, accessible playground at Lincoln Park.  A 250 thousand dollar great outdoors grant is allowing the city to replace the old playground and concrete sidewalks, add an arboretum trail, and take out the loop road. There's a public meeting a week from today at 5:30 at the Lincoln park barn.



Halloween is just a few weeks away and that means it's time to start thinking about Christmas.  The Salvation Army is accepting applications for Christmas assistance.   The salvation army's giving tree program starts soon and they are looking for businesses to host a tree.  You can get information about helping  at the salvation army office.

Monday October 8, 2012

Grand Junction Police are still looking for a suspect in a hit and run early yesterday.  A woman was hit and seriously injured in the 900 block of Main Street about 2:30 Sunday morning, but police aren't saying anything about the vehicle or circumstances of the incident. The Daily Sentinel says the victim is an employee who's worked at the paper for several years, although they have received no information either.

Downtown Montrose could start getting a new look thanks to a new loan option for business owners.  The DDA and city are teaming up to offer low-interest loans for some projects. The idea is to improve code deficiencies and even replace signage. The Montrose Daily Press says it's easy to qualify for a loan, the business has to be of commercial use and within the DDA boundaries.

Curbside recycling could be returning to Montrose.  The Montrose Daily Press says the city's found a way to make it work and make it easier for customers.  The plan is expected to be up and running sometime next year.

Grand Junction's so-called Beltway Project is at the top of the list of Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce members completing a survey on future transportation planning. 53% said completing a loop around the valley with I-70 on the north, 24 Road on the west, Riverside Parkway on the south, and 29 Road on the east with a new interchange at I-70.  The North Avenue corridor also scored high on the list of projects to be looked at.  74% of those surveyed indicated interest in continuing TABOR funding to support paying for the projects.

Mesa County Sheriff's investigators are looking for a fugitive believed to have been in the area 29 and B Roads Saturday night.  36 year old Abel Nunez has warrants out for vehicular eluding and drugs.

Crews are getting the upper hand on  the Highway 13 fire burning nearly 1,000 acres north of Rifle.  Officials say they don't expect any additional growth, but smoke may be seen from inside the fire lines.  The fire started last Wednesday and so far not cause has been listed.  the Highway 13 fire is considered 80% contained.

Gas prices in California are are record highs, but in Colorado, they're actually down 1.5 cents/gal in the past week.  ColoradoGasPrices.com says the average price yesterday was $3.69/gal, nearly 28 cents higher than the same day a year ago and 10 cents higher than a month ago.

A half mile section of 24 Road is being closed for bridge replacement starting October 22nd.  Mesa County says it's replacing three bridges crossing the Grand Valley Canal, all have been classified as "functionally obsolete." When construction starts, 24 Road will be closed between I and I 1/2, with traffic detoured to 23 1/2 Road.

The CMU campus radio station has come up with a clever way to earn some money.  They're raffling off 12 credit hours of instate tuition valued at more than $4,000.  The Daily Sentinel says President Tim Foster signed off on the deal, but was unavailable for comment.  The station's manager says the University is picking up the bill for the raffle this year, but they hope the raffle becomes a tradition.

A backpack found in the town of Superior is believed to belong to a ten year old girl missing from Westminster since Friday.  Jessica Ridgeway has been missing since not meeting her friends to walk to school. Police say they have expanded their search to the Rock Creek subdivision in Superior.

A new DU poll shows President Barak Obama leading in Colorado, but the gap closing.  According to the Denver Post, Mitt Romney's strong showing in the first presidential debate led to a 47% to 43% showing for Obama, what they say is the outer edge of the poll's 4% margin of error.

One person is dead, another in critical condition after a carbon monoxide leak at a Colorado Springs apartment complex. The Springs Gazette says firefighters were called after residents reported feeling sick.  The apartments were evacuated and the two victims found.

Friday Octoer 5, 2012

Two former Colorado State Troopers involved in the fatal shooting of a Grand Junction man two years ago have received more than $20,000 in final payouts from the state of Colorado.  The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel says the two were paid just over $10,000 each for administrative leave pay and accrued vacation.  Trooper Ivan Lawyer was found not guilty in the shooting death of Jason Kemp following a suspected drunk driving accident near Kemp's home on the redlands in July 2010.

A political forum in Grand Junction last night had a surprise visitor.  A uniformed state trooper.  The Daily Sentinel says state Representative Ray Scott had received death threats, so the CSP was there.  Scott says he wasn't the only one who received threats, but he wasn't allowed to talk about it.

More democratic presidential campaigning in Colorado, this time on the western slope.  The "Colorado Forward" RV tour is making stops in Montrose this morning and in Durango and Pagosa Springs this afternoon.  In Montrose, former Colorado Senator and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall, and others will be at Coffee Trader on Main Street at 9:15. The bus stopped in Grand Junction with little fanfare last night.

You might know him from the "Harold and Kumar" movies, today you'll know him as an Obam co-chair.  Actor Kal Penn is making stops at Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs and in Grand Junction at Colorado Mesa University.  Penn says Obama believes better education is critical to restoring middle-class security.  His stops will include a message about the importance of voting.

If you're traveling between Grand Junction and Denver next week, be ready for some lane closures and traffic stops on I-70 in the Georgetown Hill area.  C-DOT is doing some rockfall mitigation work and fencing installation...weather permitting.  The work is scheduled Monday through Thursday next week.


That Grand Avenue waterline replacement project is going to be making an even bigger impact to downtown drivers today.  The city says it's closing 5th Street at Grand between 8:30 and noon.  The good news is this construction is the final step in the the waterline replacement work on Grand.

Grand Junction Police are warning of a magazine sales scam underway.  Most of the victims are college students sold subscriptions and told they would be fully reimbursed at CMU.  At least a handful of students have been scammed for hundreds of dollars.  Anyone who thinks they've been scammed should call the police department, and remember never to hand over money to anyone you don't know, or are not certain is working for a particular charity.

Democrat House District 58 candidate Tammy Theis has pleaded no-contest to a shoplifting charge she says she was tried and convicted up by the media.  Theis was cited September 6th, a few days after announcing her candidacy.  She tells the Montrose Daily Press she left a store without paying for some groceries she says she thought the clerk had rung up.  Theis is running against Republican incumbent Don Coram.  She says the shoplifting incident was unfortunate and the easiest way to put it behind was to plead no contest.

Areas around the High Park Fire in Larimer County and the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs are getting some federal help for emergency watershed protection.  The natural Resources Conservation Service has received nearly 2 1/2 million dollars for that work.  The NRCS tells the Denver Post it wanted more money, but this ought to help complete projects to stabilize soil, slow runoff and protect the watershed in areas that are considered moderately to highly burned.Colorado Parks and Wildlife are looking for information about on a bull elk killed illegally in Telluride last week.  The headless animal is believed to have been killed the weekend of September 22nd and was partially field dressed.  It had been dragged some distance by an ATV.  Anyone with information should call Operation Game Thief or the Parks and Wildlife Office in Montrose.

A former national park service employee has been sentenced to 33 months in prison and ordered to repay over 738 thousand dollars to the national park service.  Lydia White reportedly embezzled that amount while she was an employee at Great Sand Dunes National park between 2007 to 2011.  White also had written over 870 checks to her husband over the 4 year period.

Thursday October 4, 2012 (Helen Eisenman's Birthday 10-04-35, Happy Birthday Libby's mom!)

A suspect has been arrested in a late night shooting Monday at the Racquet Club Apartments. 18 year old Julio Castro Quinones of Grand Jucntion has being held on suspicion of Attempted First Degree Murder and First Degree Assault.  Quinones is accused of shooting 34 year old Phillip Burchim in the chest.  The Daily Sentinel says Burchim identified his assailant as a Los Angeles Sureno gang member.

Lawyers for accused Aurora Theater shooter James Holmes say his rights were violated when mug shot pictures of Holmes without his cartoonish orange hair were released.  The court appointed attorneys tell the Denver Post their client is mentally ill.  They say release of the mug shot compromised Homoes' right to a fair and impartial jury and due process.

Still want to get to know your Mesa County candidates?  The Grand Valley Young Professionals are holding a forum tonight with all candidates for Mesa County commissioner in Districts 1 and 3, State House district 54 and House District 55.  The forum is at 5:30 at the Art Center in Grand Junction.

The weather service predicted high fire conditions yesterday afternoon and they were right. A fire north of Rifle grew to 500 acres closing Colorado Highway 13 north of Rifle for just over 2 hours. The BLM says the cause is under investigation. 75 firefighters were on the scene yesterday along with air support.  Spokesman David Boyd says more ground and air teams are expected today. Expect more aircraft today.

A man who rode his bicycle near Grand Junction High School with a gun on his hip last month has been ordered to write a letter of apology to the school, complete 48 hours of community service and a firearms safety class. The 65 year old created a panic when the gun was spotted by students.  The Daily sentinel says the unidentified man will not be charged if he completes the terms of the deal with DA Pete Hautzinger.

Add the City of Grand Junction to municipalities against the pot legalization Amendment 64.  City Council last night passed a resolution opposing 64.

CMU President Tim Foster wants $7 million from the City of Grand Junction to build a 2nd academic building at Elm and Cannell avenues, and he took his case to the council again last night.  The Daily Sentinel says Foster showed numbers forecasting about $2 million in city sales tax annually without university growth and about $2.3 million with growth.  The project has an estimated price tag of $17 million.  Foster tells the city council without the funding, tuition would go up by 16% to pay for it.

Wednesday October 3, 2012

Police in Delta have not released the name of a man killed Monday night at H-38 and 1575 Roads, but several media outlets say the victim is  27 year old Chad Koch.  Delta Police are saying very little about the incident that left Koch dead.  The cause of death has not been released as the investigation continues.

The City of Montrose has a budget in hand for 2013, 16% lower than 2012 and given unanimous approval by the city council.  The Montrose Daily Press says nearly $800,000 in cuts were made through an increase in early retirements, some job reassignments and restructuring, and a few layoffs.  Included in the budget is a $3,000 bonus for City Manager Bill Bell, credited with saving $125,000 by not hiring an assistant city manager.

A Hampton Inn and Suites franchise in Craig has agreed to pay $85,000 to settle a case brought by non-Hispanic employees who said they were fired because the owners believe non-Hispanics are lazy.  According to the Denver Post, the US EEO Commission agreed with at least three Caucasian workers who were fired.  The company has agreed to rehire the employees and train owners, managers and supervisors on federal anti-discrimination laws.

A man shot at the Racquet Club Apartments Monday night knew the man who shot him and tells the Daily Sentinel that man is a gang member from Los Angeles. 34 year old Phillip Burchim told investigators from his hospital bed an altercation started after a group of people were making a deal for marijuana. The Sentinel says witnesses saw four men speeding away from the apartments in a dark sedan.

School District 51 will probably get less money from the state after official enrollment counts taken Monday.  Officials say the number of students is higher than the number predicted, but still nearly 200 students less than last year.  The Daily Sentinel says the district has 11 days to add in students who were absent Monday, before sending in its official number.

Get ready for some crazy weather in the Colorado high country.  A red flag warning has been posted for nearly all of western Colorado starting at 1:00 this afternoon.  The National Weather Service in Grand Junction says high winds combined with low humidity, high wind and dry foliage are making way for dangerous conditions.  It's all due to an approaching cold front.  There's a freeze watch in the highest elevations for temperatures in the 20s tonight. Denver could also see temperatures fall to around 31 degrees Saturday night.

Hurricanes have been named for years, now blizzards are getting names.  the Weather Channel tells the Denver Post Draco, Virgil and Rocky are some of the possible names.  The idea is to raise awareness and reduce risks, danger and confusion for people in the storm's paths.  Some say it's a marketing scheme for The Weather Channel since it gets to set parameters for what makes a "name-worthy" storm. 26 names, one for each letter of the alphabet are ready to go.

Tuesday October 2, 2012

Another shooting in Grand Junction, this one at the Racquet Club Apartments at 29 and Orchard.  Mesa County Sheriff's spokeswoman Heather Benjamin says a man was shot around 11:00 last night, his condition unknown.  No one had been arrested and no suspect information released.

Mitt Romney has a new man on his team.  Former Denver Broncos Quarterback John Elway. Elway endorsed the Republican nominee campaigning in Denver yesterday before tomorrow's first presidential debate.  Elway says he's endorsing Romney and Congressman Paul Ryan "because the pair have the courage to make decisions and tackle challenges leading to results and real change."

A body found in an irrigation canal in Grand Junction Sunday has been identified as 51 year old Kenneth Cottingham. Cottingham had been missing since last Tuesday and his body was found not far from where his vehicle was discovered later that week.

Getting around Denver during the Presidential debate tomorrow'll be tricky.  C-DOT has plenty of road closures set, including a six mile stretch of I-25. C-DOT has several detours set up and full details at cotrip.org.

The Western Slope conservative Alliance is continuing its series of forums on property rights with State Treasurer Mark HIllman.  Hillman will speak at the Alliance's October meeting Thursday at the Grand Junction City Hall.  The group says it's a bonus meeting with speakers from the Heritage Foundation and the Center for Foreign Policy Studies, discussing Middle East issues.

If you don't get your fill of debates after Wednesday night, You'll have a chance for a local candidate forum in Grand Junction Thursday.  The Grand Valley Young Professionals is hosting candidates for District 1 and 3 Mesa County commissioner, State House districts 54 and 55, and 3rd Congressional District candidates Scott Tipton and Sal Pace.  The forum is at 5:30 at the Art Center at 7th and Orchard.

More backing for Colorado's marijuana legalization bill amendment 64.  Former Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo, The Liberty Caucus and other state republicans are coming out in support of the measure today.  The group say they'll make their announcement this afternoon at the Colorado State Capitol Building.

If you want to get in on this year's Mesa County Online Tax Lien Sale, now is the time.  County Treasurer Janice Rich says registration begins next week for the sale closing November 1st.  Details are available at mesataxsale.com.  A tax lien represents unpaid real estate taxes and purchase of those liens represents an interest-earning investment. You purchase the tax lien, not the property.

A Ridgway based Christian ministry is under fire for a publication urging "Vote Republican".  The Montrose Daily Press says Americans United for Separation for church and State complain the ministry can say all it wants about politics, but must give up it's 501-C-3 status.  The Ridgway Christian Center/Praise Him Ministries says it's done nothing wrong.  The AU says it is not only targeting conservative-leaning churches, but those who lean the other way.

When you pick up your Montrose newspaper this morning, don't be surprised by the front page color.  It's pink.  The publisher says that's on purpose, for a purpose.  The Montrose Daily Press is paying tribute to all breast cancer survivors and everyone who's been affected by breast cancer.

Community Hospital's been talking about it for years, moving from its old digs north of the CMU campus to 23 1/2 and G Roads.  And it looks like they're jsut about ready to break ground.  The hospital tells the Grand Junction City Council the move will take place in phases, with the first phase a 90,000 square foot office building including doctors offices to be complete in December of next year.  The city already has money set aside in next year's budget for improving G Road for access to the facility.

Monday October 1, 2012

You might not have noticed, but the price of gasoline in Coloado is down compared with last week.  Not a lot, but it IS down, 1.1 cents.  ColoradoGasPrices.com says the average yesterday was $3.71...the national average $3.79.  The website says typically there's a downward trend at the pumps, but no so much this year.  They say the late arrival of cooler temperatures may be to blame.

United Way of Mesa County is ready for another wine-tasting event Wednesday to help raise money for their cause.  The group has a lofty goal this year year of $1.25 million dollars and hopes to raise that any way they can.  The Fisher's Liquor Barn "United Way Food & Wine" is Wednesday at Two Rivers Winery on the Redlands.  Tickets are available at Fisher's and the United Way office at 4th and White.

A body has been found in a canal near the eastbound I-70 on ramp at Horizon Drive.  51 year old Kenneth Cottingham if Grand Junction was reported  missing last Tuesday, he pickup found on the canal bank.  The Daily Sentinel says the body found yesterday appeared to have been in the water for several days.

It's been a year since Greyhound discontinued bus service between Grand Junction and Durango, but it could be on its way back.  The Daily Sentinel says a nonprofit group is applying for C-DOT grant aiming for roundtrip service between Durango and Grand Junction, with stops in Cortez, Telluride, Ridgway, Montrose and Delta.  If the grant comes through, service could start up by May of next year.

Grand Junction Police are investigating a shooting at the Mesa Inn on Horizon Drive.  It happened around 9:30 last night.  Spokeswoman Kate Porras says a gun was fired inside one room, the bullet traveling through a wall and injuring a person in the other room.  Injuries were minor and police are still trying to figure out what happened.

The first presidential debate is in Denver Wednesday and already plans are in place.  Romney is said to be preparing in Colorado, President Obama in Nevada.  The President is practicing with Senator John Kerry playing Mitt Romney in mock debates.  Romney getting his "Obama" from Senator Rob Portman of Ohio.

Corn and hay are nothing new when it comes to feeding cattle, but pine fiber? otherwise known as beetle kill.  They're expirementing with that at JBS Five Rivers Cattle Feeding.  The trial started in May and so far don't have data on effectiveness of the feed.  Five Rivers tells the Greeley Tribune the drought toll on corn and soybean crops, and other traditional feed sources led to the beetle kill trial.

Mesa County authorities say they've solved a year old murder with the arrest of former Fruita resident Billy Joe Delacey.  The 36 year old was arrested Friday in Pennsylvania. Delacey is accused of beating 26 year old Luis Alberto Vasquez Oliva to death in August of last year.  Sheriff's investigators say Oliva was a male escort Delacey met for sex on Craigslist.