Wednesday December 5, 2012

For the past few years, Coloradans Against Auto Theft have been pointing out the dangers of warming up your car, leaving it running with the doors unlocked.  In the Grand Valley,  the Western Colorado Auto Theft Taskforce is taking it a step further.  Grand unction Police, the state patrol, and the Mesa County Sheriff's and DA's offices are rolling in safety tips, and steps to protect your car from theft.  They say it's important to be extra careful during the holidays.

Colorado Democrats are smiling today. Senator Michael Bennet has secured a position at the top of the National Democratic Committee, and Governor Hickenlooper has been chosen to serve as Vice Chair for the Democratic Governors Association.  In a newsrelease, the Colorado Democratic Party says Hickenlooper's inclusive, collaborative approach to leading the state is unique and can be a model for others.

Colorado Senator Mark Udall isn't giving up his stance on the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit. He's giving his 24th floor address today.  He says the PTC is important for Colorado and several other states, and the country's global competitiveness. Today Udall plans to focus on the economic impacts of the PTC on Minnesota.

Mesa County Sheriff's investigators are looking for a man who stole a donation container from the counter of Enterprise Liquor Store at 2923 North Avenue.  The suspect took the cotainer then got in an older model Chevy Van yesterday around 2:00. The man made off with donations for a high school student trying to study abroad.

The Salvation Army has announced another drop-off location for people who want to donate food or toys for Christmas Assistance.  Mesa View Retirement Community will accept donations between 9 and 5 through next Tuesday.

A Palisade winery has raised more than $1,700 for the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association. Talon Winery introduced a label called Rock Red last spring featuring a label with a "ride local/drink local" theme and set aside $1 from every bottle sold.  The winery presented the check to COPMOBA yesterday.

No new details in the deaths of two young boys left in a running SUV on the Grand Mesa last week.  2-year old William Jensen was dead when authorities arrived to an area near Powderhorn a week ago.  4-year old Tyler Jensen was taken off life-support and died at Children's Hospital in Denver. Documents in the case of been sealed and authorities have not released any new information.

Fire officials are blaming heat tape for a fire that destroyed a mobile home in Parachute.  A man staying in the trailer escaped in his pajamas and was not injured but a cat died in the fire.

A unique Western Colorado business is making its national debut on the Science Channel tomorrow.  Colorado Yurt is being featured on the series "How It's Made."  A second espisode is scheduled later this month.

Getting in and out of the Mesa County Fairgrounds on Orchard Mesa is about to get easier.  Mesa County Commissioners have approved a new signal on Highway 50 in anticipation of re-opening the old entrance to the grounds at 27 3/4 Road.  Officials say it's important to address traffic concerns as a new fairground master plan is developed.

Garfield County is challenging a BLM decision to reduce acreage available in northwest Colroado for oil shale leasing.  A protest letter has been sent to the BLM and Interior officials questioning data used by the BLM in its decision. County commissioners say commercial oil shale development is highly questionable under the BLM plan.

Aspen Skiing Company says there's not enough snow and Aspen Highlands won't open as scheduled this Saturday.  Skico tells the Aspen Times they need at least 8 inches of snow and 24 hours. Snow is in the forecast, but Skico officials say they're not going to count on it.

The City of Denver is looking to recoup some of the cost of hosting the first presidential debate in October.  Officials tell the Denver Post they spent about $500,000, including about $90,000 in police overtime. The Denver Post says the University of Denver estimated it received nearly $58 million in media exposure over the past year for hosting the debate.

Coloradans might have a say on whether the state should stay on daylight saving time.  State Senator Greg Brophy says he'll bring the issue up in the coming legislative session and would like to put the matter to a vote.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory or N-REL in Golden is teaming up with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to study the pricing trends of solar energy. N-REL says the two are working to reduce confusion in   Photovoltaic or PV pricing, and say there has been a downward pricing trend for the past two years.

Tuesday December 4, 2012

A 4-year old Palisade boy in Children's Hospital since last week has died.  Tyler Jensen had been hospitalized since he and his two year old brother were found in a running SUV on the grand mesa November 28th.  2 year old William was dead when Mesa County Sheriff's Deputies arrived after their mother called 9-1-1.  Sheriff's officials say an autopsy on William has been completed.  Records in the case have been sealed and no information is being released.

A Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce business survey says a weak economy has been replaced as the number one concern impacting businesses in the coming year.  It's the first time since the survey was started in 2008 it was not the biggest concern.  Number one was increased fees and regulations.  Healthcare costs was third on the list of concerns.

Montrose Regional Airport is the latest in the state to be equipped with Wide Area Multilateration or WAM technology to track aircraft in mountainous areas outside radar coverage.  The same systems are in place in Craig, Hayden, Steamboat Springs and Rifle, and scheduled to be installed around Durango, Gunnison and Telluride next summer.  WAM allows pilots to fly search and rescue missions and land in conditions they wouldn't have been able to before.

Last week's record Powerball Jackpot paid off for the Colorado Lottery. The $22 million in ticket sales was the highest sales week in history with more than double the average weekly sales.  Nearly $8.4 million tickets were sold last Wednesday alone.

The Salvation Army is gearing up for its annual Christmas assistance with applications due by the end of the week.  People who need information should call the Army's main office on 4th Street to find out what documents are required with their application.

Colorado is continuing its road to recovery with continued job growth predicted by a CU researcher.  Richard Wobbekind.  He says the growth will be across all sectors, although not as strong as this year. According to the Denver Post, Wobbekind is concerned with the Fiscal Cliff, saying Colorado would be significantly affected by spending cuts to federal agencies and defense because of the state's heavy stake in both.

Grand Junction Police are investigating an attempted burglary on Orchard Mesa.  The victim said someone was removing property from an apartment and fired a shot while officers were on their way. No suspects have been located.

Monday December 3, 2012

The price of gas in Colorado is down again, starting the week nearly 5 1/2 cents a gallon less than last week.  The average now $3.32/gal.  The national avg. now $3.39.

A group of small business owners urging 3rd District Congressman Scott Tipton to carry on plans not to raise taxes on the middle class and raise them instead on the top 2% of earners.  The group says allowing taxes for the middle class to remain steady is the answer to strengthening the national economy.

The Montrose City Council is on track to put a moratorium in place on applications for retail marijuana shops in the city after voters there voted against Amendment 64.  The Montrose Daily Press says a vote on the proposal is scheduled tomorrow.

The City of Grand Junction has a bright idea, Solar Power, and they're expanding a system at the Persigo Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Daily Sentinel says the city expects to save more than $350,000 over 20 years.

Grand Junction City Council looking at an April vote on an extension of Tax Payer Bill of Rights taxes.  The money collected right now is paying for the Riverside parkway.  An April TABOR override could fund any number of municipal projects including parks and major road projects.  An open house is Thursday at Two Rivers Convention Center. A survey's available on the city's website.

5 states including Colorado are announcing today a plan to increase classroom learning time by 300 hours in some schools.  The 3-year pilot program is being paid for with a mix of federal, state and district funding with a goal of boosting student achievement and making US schools more globally competitive.

An annual gathering to remember homeless people who have died in the Grand Valley called attention yesterday to nine people who died in the past year.  The Daily Sentinel says the homeless Shelter, Homeward Bound is trying to raise awareness the need for housing, especially for families.

The Town of Palisade's $7.9 million budget for next year is on the books, including a new fire station and some significant street maintenance and repairs.  The search is on for a new police chief with a higher salary than the former chief's, along with less overtime pay for officers.

That wildfire burning near Rocky Mountain National Park isn't any closer to containment, especially in abnormally dry conditions, high winds and beetle-kill trees. Fire officials are keeping a close eye on the weather concerned flames could move to the tops of the trees forcing evacuations of at least 1,000 residences.

Gun sales in Colorado are soaring, with criminal background checks required to buy a gun up 58% in the past five years. The Denver Post cites data from the CBI saying there were more than 4,000 checks run in Colorado on Black Friday.  Nationally, nearly 155,000 checks were run the same day.

Looking for a home invasion suspect: there's an app for that.  The Aspen Daily News says the son of the victim was able to track his mother's stolen phone from Basalt, all the way to Parachute where a suspect was arrested.  There's a warrant out for a second suspect.

Friday November 30, 2012

The family of a man shot and killed by a state trooper in 2010 have reached a settlement with the state.  Jason Kemp was killed after a minor traffic accident.  Two troopers followed him to his apartment and shot him after he refused to come out. Both troopers have since been fired. According to the Daily Sentinel, the deal must be submitted to the state for approval.  Terms haven't been released.

A Grand Junction man has pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault on a child, and now could face life in prison.  51 yea rold Mark Bustamante had been a volunteer mentor in the Mesa County Partners program when he was arrested last summer.  The Daily Sentinel says a plea agreement calls for Bustamante to be sentenced to anything from probation to a maximum 24-years to life in state prison.

Colorado State University has some extra money to research plants for bioenergy crops.  The rising cost of petroleum is generating increasing demand for biofuels.  Some estimate the global market for biofuels trade could reach $520 billion.  A team of professors at CSU have received a $2 million grant to study re-engineering plants for biofuels.  The CSU team was chosen from 4,000 applications.

The State Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety is looking to close inactive coal mine openings in Montrose County.  The Montrose Daily Press says the agency has closed inactive mines in the region in the past, but at least one new report has been made, leading officials to suspect others.  Federal funding for the program is expected in 2014.

Investigators in southwest Colorado are not letting up in the search for a missing 13 year old Dylan Redwine has been missing for nearly two weeks... investigators saying he's not a runaway and focusing their search yesterday on his father's home in Vallecito.  As many as 50 officers from agencies including the FBI are actively involved in the search.

Governor Hickenlooper is looking to get a plan in place if Congress doesn't do something to avert the so-called fiscal cliff.  According to the Denver Post, Colorado stands to lose $2.1 Billion in revenue and federal funds affecting everything from defense contractors to local governments and more next year.  Hickenlooper says he has leaders from state agencies planning for the fallout if $109 billion is cut from the federal military and domestic spending budget.

Tuesday November 6, 2012 ELECTION DAY

We expect shorter lines at the following Vote Centers:

Fruita Civic Center - Library
325 E. Aspen, Fruita

Clifton Road & Bridge Shop
3202 C 1/2 Road, Clifton / OM

Mesa County Fairgrounds - Building C
2785 Highway 50, Grand Jct


Vote early in the day, if you can. Lines tend to get longest late in the afternoon.
All 10 of the Vote Center locations are listed on our website: www.mesacounty.us.  Just click on Voter Information. (If you have a mail ballot that you want to drop off in person, the ballot box locations are also listed on this page.)



Experts from Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming and Nevada are coming to Grand Junction this week to talk about helping communities cope with the possibility of future water shortages in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The 3-day conference is sponsored by the Water Center at CMU. You can get a schedule and information on the water center website at ColoradoMesa.edu.

If you haven't heard enough about the Michael Blagg Murder case, here's a chance to get more.  A new program on Investigation Discovery is airing tomorrow night.  Blagg was convicted of murdering his wife Jenifer in 2001, his 6 year old daughter Abby has never been found.  The episode airs on the series The Devil You Know tomorrow night at 8:00.

There's always a higher voter turnout for presidential elections, and this one is no different.  As of last night, 75% of Mesa County's active voters had cast ballots early or by mail.  Ten vote centers are set up around Mesa county. A list of those with the shortest expected lines is posted on our facebook page, along with a link to the clerk's office for a list of all ten voting sites.

I-70 is open again at Dotsero after a crash involving two semis shut down the eastbound lanes for hours yesterday afternoon.  The state patrol says two trucks were headed east when the one in the rear struck the one in front. The truck in the rear rolled causing the closure.  traffic was rerouted to Highway 6 as crews worked to clean up the mess.  The driver of the truck in the rear was cited for Careless Driving.  Neither driver was injured.

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge will be back in Montrose next summer if the Montrose city council has anything to say about it.  The Montrose Daily press says the council voted unanimously last night to make $30,000 available to the Montrose Association of Commerce and Tourism's application to play host.

Montrose County Commissioners have voted to to suspend impact fees for new construction.  It's the third time the board has made the move in an effort to encourage new development.  The Montrose Daily Press says the county found in the current economic climate, the fees were a deterrent to construction and wouldn't add much help to the county anyway.

The Grand Junction City Council has agreed to send $30,000 in funding next year to the detox program at Colorado West Regional Mental Health Center.  The daily Sentinel says not the entire council is behind the move.  Councilman Jim Doody and Mayor Pro Tem Laura Luke expressed reservations.  Police Chief John Camper told the council the detox facility is a necessity.

The Denver District Attorney has launched a criminal investigation into whether Secretary of State Scott Gessler violated the law by using state funds to attend a partisan event.  The group Colorado Independent Ethics Commission has begun an investigation of its own.  The Denver Post says a trip to a Republican national lawyers Association meeting Florida is in Question.  Gessler was reimbursed from his office's discretionary account for the trip.

Monday November 5, 2012

Grand Junction Fire investigators looking for the cause of fire at a set of apartments in a hotel at 718 Horizon Drive. It was reported just after midnight in a ground floor apartment with possible extension to a second floor unit. A total of 7 people were evacuated, all given new rooms in the motel.

You might not have heard CDOT talking about problems with sun glare, but they are.  The problem is in the Floyd Hill area where the sun's angle during late fall and early winter can blind morning drivers.  CDOT's website lists several precautions drivers should take to avoid problems.  Messages are also being displayed on electronic signs in the area.

The Grand Valley Fire Protection District is looking for the cause of a fire at two units of a complex in Battlement Mesa.  The fire was reported in two units just after noon yesterday.  Both were destroyed, four others suffered significant water damage.  The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is looking into the fire.

Police in Grand Junction are looking for a man who robbed a consignment shop on Main Street Saturday afternoon.  The robber pointed a gun at the owner and demanded money.  then left with cash. It's the second robbery of a small business in less than two weeks.

If you have a mail-in ballot for tomorrow's election, you'll need to drop it off at one of the Mesa County Clerks offices before 7:00 tomorrow night.  Ten voting centers will be set up from7 to 7 tomorrow, those locations listed on the Clerk's website.
As of Friday, more than 51 thousand voters in Mesa County had cast ballots, that's 67% of the county's total 76,000 active voters.

The Montrose city Council meeting set for tomorrow night is being held tonight instead.  The Montrose Daily Press says the council will consider a purchase order for a $25,000 planning grant from the state Department of Local Affairs for design and engineering of an ADA-accessible white water park on the Uncompahgre River.  They'll also decide whether to approve an application for Montrose to serve as a host city for the 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge bicycle race.

The price of gas in Colorado has fallen nearly 5 cents a gallon in the past week now at $3.48 a gallon. That's close to 22 cents a gallon lower than a month ago.  Nationally, the average is $3.51/gal.  GasBuddy.com is predicting a continued fall in prices, with the possibility of a national average around $3.35/gal by Thanksgiving.

More allegations against a former Grand Junction Police Office and fire fighter set to stand trial in March accused of an affair with an underage girl in 2000.  The Daily Sentinel says a second woman has come forward saying 42 year old Eric Janusz made uncomfortable sexual comments to her in 2003-04 when she was underage. The paper says prosecutors intend to use the testimony to show a pattern similar to Janusz's sexual assault case.

Tomorrow is election day, but the presidential candidates aren't overlooking Colorado's status as a swing state in the election.  Texas Governor Rick Perry is in western Colorado today holding four meet and greets including two in Grand Junction. The Daily Sentinel says Perry will stop at Republican Headquarters on 1st Street at 11:00 then Clifton at Starvin Arvin's at 12:15.  Perry moves on to Delta this afternoon  at two followed by Glenwood Springs at 5:00.

Ads in the Daily Sentinel for house District 54 Libertarian candidate Tim Menger, are being paid for by a libertarian supporter from Littleton.  The ads are running through tomorrow.  Menger is running against Republican Jared Wright and has said he hasn't and won't take any money for campaigning.  Wright in the meantime has raised over 22 thousand dollars in his quest to win the house district 54 seat.

The Colorado Association of Realtors has released a new report compiling local real estate data from around the state.  It shows homes in southwestern Colorado were on the market longer than the state average.  The average time a house was on the market over the last 2 years was 191 days in southwestern Colorado, compared to the state average of 103 days.

Friday November 2, 2012

Republicans in Montrose are getting ready to welcome GOP Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan to town. Doors open at 8 for the 10:00 speech at the Montrose Regional Airport.

Democratic 3rd District challenger Sal Pace is campaigning strong in the final days before the elections he has stops planned today in Leadville and Edwards.  He'll also be in Rifle at the Midland Building on E. 3rd at 1:30 this afternoon.  Pace's day starts in Grand Junction at 1226 Ute.

The Western Slope Air Watch is back up and running, asking resident to voluntarily not use non-EPA certified wood and pellet stoves and fireplaces on days when temperature inversions could trap wood smoke in the valley. Daily forecasts use blue or read air quality status to let residents know when it's ok or not ok to burn. The program runs through the end of February.

Bus travelers are getting back their route between Durango and Grand Junction.  The Durango Hearald says Road Runner Transi plans to start service in May on a route Greyhound dropped last year because is wasn't profitable.  A non-profit associated wit the Southern Ute Indian tribe has received a grand to offer daily service, CDOT has also chipped in. One-way tickets will cost about $45.

Early skiers and snowboarders are getting a couple of new options today with the opening of Copper Mountain and Keystone Resort.  Arapahoe Basin and Loveland are already open.  The state ski industry is hoping for a better snow year to help bounce back from a lackluster year last year.  The national climate predication Center is hazy on what might be on tap.

A 22 year old Grand Junction man has pleaded guilty to vehicle homicide and misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment in a crash that killed a grandmother walking along a street in a Pear Park neighborhood with her grand daughter a year ago.  50 year old Darinda Brown died of her injuries several days after Joseph Weixel drove his SUV onto the side walk.The Daily Sentinel says Weixel faces six to 8 years in Mesa County Community Corrections.  He could face prison only if he's not accepted into community corrections or if he's rejected later.

Early voting ends today in Colorado.  already 1.3 million ballots have been cast by mail or early voting ahead of next Tuesday's election.  In Mesa county, 48,609 voters have voted early or returned mail ballots.  That's 61.27% of active registered voters.

Eagle County sheriffs deputies investigating 4 small homemade bombs found in the Blue Lake area of El Jebel. The bombs caused no significant damage and investigators say they may have been part of a Halloween prank.  the bombs were small soda bottles filled with yellow liquid.  If you locate an object that fits that description, don't touch it and call 911 immediately.

Individuals and families in need of low income energy assistance can now pick up 2012-2013 applications at the Mesa County Health Department,  The program helps with winter heating bills.  Residents applying for LEAP benefits must meet eligibility requirements and income guidelines.

Governor John Hickenlooper announced budget proposals for next year. An improving economy means lawmakers didn't have to make drastic cuts to schools and other state services because of increased tax revenue.  overall, the governor is proposing a 5.4 spending increase over last year. Under Hickenlooper's proposals, state employees would get a raise, more money would go to schools and colleges and seniors would get a property tax break.

The Us Attorneys office in Denver has filed charges against a juvenile in the Weber Fire in Mancos this summer.  the fire caused over 5 million dollars in damages.  The juvenile faces 2 counts of juvenile delinquency after allegedly gathering leaves and underbrush around a bush before setting the fire with a lighter on government land in weber canyon.

Congress's failure to extend the wind production tax credit has cost the state of Colorado more jobs.  Vesta Wind Systems shut down their research and development department in Lewis-ville leading to 60 layoffs.  Senator Mark Udall had been pushing for the extension of the tax credit since June, giving regular speeches on the senate floor.

Montrose and Mesa Counties are gearing up for a busy election day.  Mesa county is closing the downtown motor vehicles and records office Tuesday to ease traffic in the area.  In Montrose county, the motor vehicle office close because staff from the office will be assisting with the election.

The public is getting a chance to express opinions about this year's Grand Valley Transit route changes.  GVT is holding an open house all day Monday to get citizen feedback on how the route changes are working for them. The route changes have helped the GVT with on time performance currently at 98 percent.  The GVT also wants opinions on a proposal to move the Greyhound bus station two blocks south to the GVT operations facility.