Thursday, May 31, 2012
Thursday May 31, 2012
NO TROOPER CHARGES
No charges will be filed against a former Colorado State Trooper accused of bias in some DUI arrests over 4 years in Mesa County. DA Pete Hautzinger tells the Daily Sentinel he'll throw out 10 convictions stemming from arrests by ex-trooper Don Moseman. 8 others have been dropped already. Hautzinger says quote, "there's no evidence proving he knowingly or intentionally framed innocent people or was trying to manufacture evidence." Moseman parted ways with the State Patrol last December.
SUNRISE MINE FIRE UPDATE
Officials working the 6,000 acre Sunrise Mine Fire say they have 70% containment and expect full containment by Sunday. Nearly $2 million has been spent fighting the fire since it broke out southwest of Gateway last Friday afternoon. More than 600 personnel have been working the fire, including as many as six helicopters.
FIRE BAN REMINDER
Officials in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest are reminding the public about fire restrictions. They say conditions are very ripe for wildfire and want people to be extra careful in the forest. Information on the ban is available on several public lands websites.
KEEL EXTRADITION
A Grand Junction man arrested in the child abuse death of his girl friend's 19 month old son in April is sitting in jail in Grants, New Mexico awaiting extradition. 25 year old Justin Keel was arrested last week, accused of blunt force trauma leading to the death of Owen Reak. The boy died in Montrose, but the crime is believed to have been committed the day before in Grand Junction. Mesa County Sheriff's officials tell the Montrose Daily Press extradition could take two weeks or longer.
SIERRA CLUB CHANGE ON NATURAL GAS
The Sierra Club says it's finished backing natural gas as a bridge fuel to renewable energy, and will fight to stop oil and gas drilling. The Daily Sentinel cites an editorial in the Wall Street Journal suggesting the low cost of natural gas is the reason for the club's reversal, that moving from natural gas to renewable energy would take longer than expected. The Colorado Petroleum Association says it's a jobs issue and the Sierra Club is on the wrong side.
LIONS SCAM
The Grand Junction Lions Club is not making calls for donations. Police say they've received reports of someone trying to collect money. Contact police if you get any of those calls.
COLO INSURANCE SCAM
The Colorado Division of Insurance says there's a possible scam going on by someone who attempts to get personal banking info over the phone. The caller claims the state has taken over your insurance company and asks for account information to directly deposit a check. The scammer identifies him or herself as being with the "Colorado Insurance Commission" which does not exist. Contact local law enforcement if you get any of these calls.
TELLURIDE GONDOLA
The gondola from Telluride to Mountain Village is down. Mechanical problems forced evacuation of the gondola for the first time since it opened 16 years ago. 9 people and a dog were off loaded after the breakdown Tuesday. The free gondola service carries more than 2 million people in its 10 months of operation every year.
BENNET LISTENING TOUR
Staff from Senator Michael Bennet's office is in Delta County today on a listening tour about the 2012 Farm Bill. They'll be at the Bell Heddles Rec Center from 9 to 10 this morning and in Cedaredge from 2 til 3 at the Stoney Mesa Winery. Tomorrow the listening is in Grand Junction at the Old Courthouse Training Room at 1:30.
PALISADE PUBLIC GARDEN
If you live in Palisade and don't have room to garden, you do now. The new Palisade Community Garden is open with plots available for lease. Soil and water is provided with a lease for the season. You can spend from $25 to $45 depending on the plot size.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Wednesday May 30, 2012
SUNRISE MINE FIRE
Firefighters at the Sunrise Mine Fire say they have almost 50% control after gaining the upper hand along the north perimeter of the 6,000 acre fire. Heavy helicopters are dropping water on hot areas, making it safer for the crews. A forecast wind shift today is expected to help crews on the northwest corner of the fire. Work today is being concentrated on protecting structures northwest of Buckeye Reservoir near the old landing strip.
25 RD @ 6 & 50 CLOSED
The intersection of 25 Road and Hwy 6 & 50 is officially closed. No north/south traffic is allowed during 18 days of construction. East/West traffic is still moving, and right hand turns are allowed from all directions, but no left hand turns.
O.D. IMMUNITY
A new law in Colorado creates immunity for persons who report a drug or alcohol overdose and cooperate with law endorcement or emergency responders. Fear of police involvement is the number one reason people fail to call emergency services after witnessing an overdose. In 2010, Colorado ranked 3rd in the nation for deaths from overdose.
ENGLEWOOD PD OFFICER DIES
A 39 year old Englewood Police officer has died of injuries suffered when he and a motorist he had stopped were hit by a suspected drunk driver. Jeremy Bitner was an Army veteran serving in the Airborne Infantry during the Bosnian War. He was married with two children. The man Bitner had pulled over was released from the hospital yesterday.
MCSO AEDs
Rural area deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office are getting a new tool today to help save lives while responding to emergencies in remote places. Family Health West Hospital has donated two AEDs, or Automated External Defibrillators for a total of six in rural deputies' and Alternative Sentencing Unit vehicles. The AEDs give automated instruction on treating victims of sudden cardiac arrest.
HEAT IS ON NUMBERS
Stats are in from the first weekend of the 100 Days of Heat drunk driving campaign in Colorado. 6,700 vehicles were stopped over the four-day weekend with 93 arrests for suspected drugged or drunk driving and 81 arrests for other violations. Two crashes killed a total of three people, two of whom were not wearing seatbelts.
MONUMENT CRASH ARREST
A 21 year old Grand Junction man has been arrested in a crash on the Colorado National Monument. It happened early yesterday morning when a car driving by Timothy Taylor went off the road and down a 60 foot embankment. A front seat passenger suffered only minor injuries, but two people in the backseat were seriously injured and remain hospitalized. Taylor was jailed on multiple counts, including suspicion of drunk driving, reckless driving and vehicular assault.
DELTA SCHOOL INTERIM SUPER
The Delta County School District 50J is putting another patch on its administration, planning to hire the district's personnel director as the interim superintendent. Jerre Doss had been acting superintendent since the resignation in January of Mike McMillan at the request of the school board. The Daily Sentinel says the post now is being offered to Caryn Gibson, with the board expected to approve a contract with Gibson at its regular meeting next week.
SERRA OUT OF PRISON, BUT FREE
Former Montrose DA Myrl Serra is out of prison, but not out of jail. Serra entered a so-called Alford plea to charges he sexually harassed employees, and was found guilty on harassment and bond violations last fall. The Montrose Daily Press says Once he finishes a 60-day sentence in the Montrose County Jail, he's to serve 4-years probation under the supervision of the Mesa County probation department.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Tuesday May 29, 2012
MONUMENT CRASH
The State Patrol and National Park Service rangers are investigating a crash early this morning on the Colorado National Monument. A Honda Civic with 4 people inside rolled down an embankment near the Serpent's Trail Head less than a mile inside the park. Troopers say all four in the car were taken to the hospital. It happened around 3:00 this morning and troopers were still on the scene more than 2 hours later. They say alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
ENGLEWOOD POLICE OFFICER CRITICAL
The State Patrol is investigating a hit and run accident early yesterday morning injuring an Englewood Police officer and a driver he had pulled over. Trooper Nate Reid says the officer and the driver were outside their vehicles when small SUV crashed into them. The officer is described as in critical condition, the driver hospitalized with serious injuries. The 20 year old driver of the vehicle that ran was stopped several miles from the crash and faces possible charges including DUI.
PUEBLO DOUBLE FATAL
An 18 year old Pueblo man is dead and and a 16 year old passenger are dead in a rollover crash in Pueblo. The Colorado State Patrol says the 18 year old was reported speeding and ran two red lights, then lost control on a curve and rolled the Mitsubishi Outlander he was driving. The girl was thrown from the car and died at the scene, the driver died at the hospital. 3 other girls in the car suffered serious injuries. Troopers say the car had been reported stolen out of Colorado Springs.
SUNRISE MINE FIRE
The 5,300 acre Sunrise Mine fire continues to burn in rugged country 4 miles north of Paradox. It broke out in gusty wind Friday afternoon and quickly grew. Officials say the fire is 30% contained and is bieng managed by a national team with about 350 personnel. Buckey Reservoir Road, R-1 Road and John Brown Road are all closed to the pbulic. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
COLORADO GAS PRICES
The price of gas always goes up over long holiday weekends, or does it? the average in Colorado is down 2.1 cents over the past week to $3.72/gallon, 13.4 cents a gallon lower than one month ago. GasBuddy.com says it's surprised by the downward trend. The national average is $3.65/gallon.
UNCOMPAHGRE SKULL
The Mesa County Sheriff's office has released an update on a human skull found on the Uncompahgre Plateau last fall, the information is slim. According to the Daily Sentinel, a DNA profile has been extracted and all of the roughly 2-dozen combined missing person cases in the area have been ruled out. The DNA is being run through a national data base which checks for matches with profiles of arrestees and convicted felons.
ROMNEY IN CRAIG
Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is in Craig this morning, at the invitation of the owners of a local hotel. The couple tells the Denver Post the energy industry is over regulated and they want help from Romney. Romney's stop is the second in western Colorado this campaign season. He's off to Las Vegas for a high-dollar fundraiser with Donald Trump and Newt Gingrich after the stop in Craig.
AVON CONDO FIRE
A huge fire in Avon has completely destroyed a $1.3 million, four unit, 3-story condominium complex, and 3 acres of hillside behind it. One firefighter and one resident were treated at a hospital for unknown injuries and released. 3 of the units were occupied when the fire broke out yesterday afternoon.
COLORADO FAIR SHARE DAY
A group saying the richest one 1% aren't paying their fair share is marching on downtown Denver today, saying corporations should be made accountable to the communities they do business in. The Colorado Fair Share Day Coalition says Wells Fargo is an example of a company earning $69.1 billion over the last 4 years, but paying an only 3.8% income tax rate
The State Patrol and National Park Service rangers are investigating a crash early this morning on the Colorado National Monument. A Honda Civic with 4 people inside rolled down an embankment near the Serpent's Trail Head less than a mile inside the park. Troopers say all four in the car were taken to the hospital. It happened around 3:00 this morning and troopers were still on the scene more than 2 hours later. They say alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
ENGLEWOOD POLICE OFFICER CRITICAL
The State Patrol is investigating a hit and run accident early yesterday morning injuring an Englewood Police officer and a driver he had pulled over. Trooper Nate Reid says the officer and the driver were outside their vehicles when small SUV crashed into them. The officer is described as in critical condition, the driver hospitalized with serious injuries. The 20 year old driver of the vehicle that ran was stopped several miles from the crash and faces possible charges including DUI.
PUEBLO DOUBLE FATAL
An 18 year old Pueblo man is dead and and a 16 year old passenger are dead in a rollover crash in Pueblo. The Colorado State Patrol says the 18 year old was reported speeding and ran two red lights, then lost control on a curve and rolled the Mitsubishi Outlander he was driving. The girl was thrown from the car and died at the scene, the driver died at the hospital. 3 other girls in the car suffered serious injuries. Troopers say the car had been reported stolen out of Colorado Springs.
SUNRISE MINE FIRE
The 5,300 acre Sunrise Mine fire continues to burn in rugged country 4 miles north of Paradox. It broke out in gusty wind Friday afternoon and quickly grew. Officials say the fire is 30% contained and is bieng managed by a national team with about 350 personnel. Buckey Reservoir Road, R-1 Road and John Brown Road are all closed to the pbulic. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
COLORADO GAS PRICES
The price of gas always goes up over long holiday weekends, or does it? the average in Colorado is down 2.1 cents over the past week to $3.72/gallon, 13.4 cents a gallon lower than one month ago. GasBuddy.com says it's surprised by the downward trend. The national average is $3.65/gallon.
UNCOMPAHGRE SKULL
The Mesa County Sheriff's office has released an update on a human skull found on the Uncompahgre Plateau last fall, the information is slim. According to the Daily Sentinel, a DNA profile has been extracted and all of the roughly 2-dozen combined missing person cases in the area have been ruled out. The DNA is being run through a national data base which checks for matches with profiles of arrestees and convicted felons.
ROMNEY IN CRAIG
Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is in Craig this morning, at the invitation of the owners of a local hotel. The couple tells the Denver Post the energy industry is over regulated and they want help from Romney. Romney's stop is the second in western Colorado this campaign season. He's off to Las Vegas for a high-dollar fundraiser with Donald Trump and Newt Gingrich after the stop in Craig.
AVON CONDO FIRE
A huge fire in Avon has completely destroyed a $1.3 million, four unit, 3-story condominium complex, and 3 acres of hillside behind it. One firefighter and one resident were treated at a hospital for unknown injuries and released. 3 of the units were occupied when the fire broke out yesterday afternoon.
COLORADO FAIR SHARE DAY
A group saying the richest one 1% aren't paying their fair share is marching on downtown Denver today, saying corporations should be made accountable to the communities they do business in. The Colorado Fair Share Day Coalition says Wells Fargo is an example of a company earning $69.1 billion over the last 4 years, but paying an only 3.8% income tax rate
Friday, May 25, 2012
Friday May 25, 2012
DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER
It's no secret law enforcement will be out in full force this weekend and all summer in an effort to keep drunk drivers off the roads. In Eagle County they're rolling out the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign. The Gore Range DUI Task Force says the campaign has been responsible for a 20% drop in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, but still work to be done since on average there is still one alcohol-related fatality every 51 minutes across the country.
URAVAN AGREEMENT
Montrose County and UMETCO Mineral Corporation are getting ready to party after the signing of an agreement transferring control of property near Uravan from UMETCO/DOW Chemical to the county. The deal goes back to 1988 and the formal agreement provides for upgrades to the town by the companies and the county in time for the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Town of Uravan.
PRIMARY PARTY AFFILIATION
Today is the last day to switch parties if you want to vote in a county primary. The election is June 26th, and if you want to change parties, you have to do that today. If you are an unaffiliated voter and want to vote in the primary, you can declare a party at the poll. If you're not registered or inactive, Tuesday is the deadline to register for the primary.
TODDLER DEATH ARREST
Jared Lee Keel, DOB 05/09/86
A Grand Junction man has been arrested in the death of a 19 month old boy in Montrose last month. Justin Keel was arrested last night in New Mexico on a warrant out of Mesa County. Mesa County Sheriff's spokeswoman Heather Benjamin says Keel faces one count of child abuse resulting in death. Benjamin says Owen Daniel Reak, the son of Keel's girlfriend, suffered what authorities say was non-accidental blunt force trauma in Grand Junction and died in Montrose County.
GARCO MANAGER
Garfield County finally has a new County Manager. 47 year old Andrew Gorgey was the county attorney and took the new position after a unanimous vote by the county commissioners. Gorgey has been the acting County Manager since the commissioners fired former manager Ed Green in January.
WHITE HALL FUTURE
The City of Grand Junction is waiting for the transfer of a deed and plans demolition of the burned out White Hall. KJCT says the exact use for the property is still up in the air and the Downtown Development Authority has signed on to help. They say some of the structure is still viable and that could help with financing and redevlopment. The former church burned in a huge fire last September.
BEAR SIGHTINGS
Camping in tents is out of the question at the Aspen Campground, a few miles out of the town. Forest officials say multiple bear sightings are the reason. No tents or fabric trailers or campers are being allowed.
ROSS REELS AGREEMENT
City officials in Montrose have signed off on a deal to keep Ross Reels in town for at least the next 5 years. City Manager Bill Bell tells teh Montrose Daily Press it's a win-win for the company and the city and county. The agreement calls for national marketing of Ross Reels, the leading fly reel manufacturer in the country, with Montrose featured in that promotion.
COLORADO ENERGY OFFICE
The Governor's Energy Office is no more. A Bill changing its name to the Colorado Energy Office has been signed into law, moving the mission of the Office to promoting responosible traditional and renewable energy development across the state. The idea is to throw out current failing strategies and replacing them with more effective and efficient energy policies.
It's no secret law enforcement will be out in full force this weekend and all summer in an effort to keep drunk drivers off the roads. In Eagle County they're rolling out the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign. The Gore Range DUI Task Force says the campaign has been responsible for a 20% drop in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, but still work to be done since on average there is still one alcohol-related fatality every 51 minutes across the country.
URAVAN AGREEMENT
Montrose County and UMETCO Mineral Corporation are getting ready to party after the signing of an agreement transferring control of property near Uravan from UMETCO/DOW Chemical to the county. The deal goes back to 1988 and the formal agreement provides for upgrades to the town by the companies and the county in time for the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Town of Uravan.
PRIMARY PARTY AFFILIATION
Today is the last day to switch parties if you want to vote in a county primary. The election is June 26th, and if you want to change parties, you have to do that today. If you are an unaffiliated voter and want to vote in the primary, you can declare a party at the poll. If you're not registered or inactive, Tuesday is the deadline to register for the primary.
TODDLER DEATH ARREST
A Grand Junction man has been arrested in the death of a 19 month old boy in Montrose last month. Justin Keel was arrested last night in New Mexico on a warrant out of Mesa County. Mesa County Sheriff's spokeswoman Heather Benjamin says Keel faces one count of child abuse resulting in death. Benjamin says Owen Daniel Reak, the son of Keel's girlfriend, suffered what authorities say was non-accidental blunt force trauma in Grand Junction and died in Montrose County.
GARCO MANAGER
Garfield County finally has a new County Manager. 47 year old Andrew Gorgey was the county attorney and took the new position after a unanimous vote by the county commissioners. Gorgey has been the acting County Manager since the commissioners fired former manager Ed Green in January.
WHITE HALL FUTURE
The City of Grand Junction is waiting for the transfer of a deed and plans demolition of the burned out White Hall. KJCT says the exact use for the property is still up in the air and the Downtown Development Authority has signed on to help. They say some of the structure is still viable and that could help with financing and redevlopment. The former church burned in a huge fire last September.
BEAR SIGHTINGS
Camping in tents is out of the question at the Aspen Campground, a few miles out of the town. Forest officials say multiple bear sightings are the reason. No tents or fabric trailers or campers are being allowed.
ROSS REELS AGREEMENT
City officials in Montrose have signed off on a deal to keep Ross Reels in town for at least the next 5 years. City Manager Bill Bell tells teh Montrose Daily Press it's a win-win for the company and the city and county. The agreement calls for national marketing of Ross Reels, the leading fly reel manufacturer in the country, with Montrose featured in that promotion.
COLORADO ENERGY OFFICE
The Governor's Energy Office is no more. A Bill changing its name to the Colorado Energy Office has been signed into law, moving the mission of the Office to promoting responosible traditional and renewable energy development across the state. The idea is to throw out current failing strategies and replacing them with more effective and efficient energy policies.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Thursday May 24, 2012
100 DAYS OF HEAT
C-DOT is kicking off its 100 Days of Heat this weekend, a summerlong effort to crack down on alcohol-and-drug impaired driving. Last summer, 67 people were killed in alcohol related crashes between the Memorial and Labor Day weekends. Law enforcement agencies across the state will be using increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints in their efforts to crack down.
TRAINING FIRE
Fire ban or not, the Grand Jucntion Fire Department is ready for some live fire training today. An empty building on Struthers Avenue near the Colorado River is being burned to make way for Kannah Creek Brewing's new facility and the old building has to go. Spokesman Mike Page says the live fire training is essential for new recruits. He says the training is one type of fire still allowed under the county's burn ban. The fires will be lit throughout the day.
BBQ SAUCE RECALL
A Durango company is recalling bottles of its Honeyville Honey Barbecue Sauce because it might contain undeclared fish, putting people with fish allergies at risk. The sauce has Worchestershire sauce in it and THAT sauce has anchovies in it. You can return the product where you bought it.
HYDROELECTRIC GROUND BREAKING
The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association and DMEA are breaking ground tomorrow on the South Canal Hydroelectric Project. DMEA says it's one of the largest renewable energy projects in Western Colorado producing 6,000 kilowatts of power, 27 million kilowatt hours of electricity, equal to the power used by more than 3,000 homes. Tomorrow will be the last opportunity to see major elements of the construction including large trenching and 11 foot pipes taking the water from the canal to the powerhouses.
HIGH SPEED ARREST
A 49 year old woman arrested after a chase on I-70 reaching speeds over 100 miles an hour. The Daily Sentinel says it happened yesteray afternoon when Michelle Phegley refused to pull over for a state trooper on Highway 6&50 near 22 Road. Instead, she took off and headed west on I-70 where she finally pulled over a few miles later. Phegley was arrested at gunpoint after the chase.
VET THEFT
A 26 year old Grand Junction woman has been arrested, accused of stealing narcotics on the job and selling them for a profit. The Daily Sentinel says Jacinta Goad worked at Redlands Pet Clinic and admitted to police taking five bottles of narcotics and selling them. An arrest affidavit says the woman took the drugs in response to a bad financial situation.
RMNP ROAD RESTRICTIONS
If you're planning a drive through Rocky Mountain National Park, chances are you'll have to be in a tour bus. The National Park Service says starting Tuesday, a 5 mile stretch of Bear Lake Road between Trail Ridge road and Glacier Basin Campground will be closed to private vehicle traffic between 9am and 4pm. Work includes new retaining walls, more pullouts and parking, bridge repair, widening and resurfacing.
BAT CONTACT
Authorities in Denver are looking for anyone who may have had contact with a bat at the Denver Zoo last Sunday. The Denver Post says a zoo employee was bitten by the bat and it has tested positive for rabies. People can be exposed to rabies when they assist, feed or handle wild animals. They don't have to be bitten or scratched.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Wednesday May 23, 2012
MESACO FIRE BAN
Mesa County is the latest to enact a fire ban. It takes effect at midnight , and it's different from other bans. This one includes the Sheriff's Office, BLM and Grand Junction Fire Department. The restrictions are based on vegetation moisture content, weather predictions and fuel content in the county, and allow fires only in government designated fire pits. No restrictions are in place in higher elevation forest lands in Mesa County.
KANNAH CREEK/GJ FIRE DEAL
Kannah Creek Brewing Company is teaming up with the Grand Junction Fire Department on their path to a new brewery. An abandoned building on the property where the new brewery will be built along the Colorado River has to go, and the Grand Junction Fire Department has agreed to demolish it as part of training for new recruits. That training starts tomorrow.
6&50 25RD CLOSURE
If you thought the construction on Highway 6 & 50 at 25 Road was no big deal, you'll probably change your mind starting next Tuesday. C-DOT says work in the intersection will restrict left turns in all directions. Right turns will be permited. The intersection is expected to be closed for a maximum 18 days.
ACLUvGARCO
The Colorado ACLU is accusing the Garfield County Sheriff's Office of putting undocumented domestic violence victims and witnesses at risk by referring them to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They say that may deter victims from contacting authorities in domestic situations. GarCo Sheriff Lou Vallario calls the accusations slanderous and lies. He says the Sheriff's Office has never turned over a victim of a crime to any organization.
HILLTOP ACCREDITATION
Hilltop's Life Adjustment Program has received its 6th 3-year accreditation by the international accrediting body. That means Hilltop has shown a commitment to promoting quality, value and optimal coutcomes of services to enhance the lives of those in the LAP. The Life Adustment Program serves traumatically brain-injured adults on a track to independence.
DOLORES RIVER PROJECT
Colorado's Dolores River Tamarisk Removal project is one of ten projects outlined by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar as part of America's Great Outdoor Rivers Initiative. The program's designed to conserve and restore key rivers across the country and expand outdoor recreational opportunities and support jobs in local communities. One river project in each state has been named.
ENERGY IMPACT FUNDS
Energy Impact money funneled from local governments to the state to balance the budget is going back to municipalities for the first time in two years. Governor John Hickenlooper says the state is making $20 million in severance tax money available through the state's Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Grant Program.
D-51 BUDGET
The District 51 budget for next year, isn't a done deal, but it's getting closer. The School Board last night heard about proposed cuts totalling $5.76 million, and including the elimination of 23 teaching and counseling jobs and 30 support positions. Two more hearings are scheduled before the budget is formally adopted June 19th.
OBAMA VISIT
President Obama is making his second visit to Colorado in less than a month when he arrives for the morning commencement speech at the Air Force Academy, and a Denver fundraiser. The Graduation is at 11:00. The fundraiser at the downtown Hyatt Regency Denver is a few hours later. Tickets begin at $250 per person and go all the way to as much as $40,000.
NOBLE ENERGY GROWTH
Noble Eenrgy is spending $8 billion to drill Colorado's shale oil fields, only not in western Colorado, on the eastern plains near Greeley. According to the Denver Post, the company is developing horizontal wells stretching nearly two miles underground, with increasing density of wells drilled from the same pads. Noble has identified 4,000 drill sites in Colroado.
SKIER LAWSUIT
The wife of a skier killed in a January avalanche inside the Winter Park ski area has filed suit against the Denver-owned ski area's operator. The attorney for Salyndra Fleury says the people running a ski area are responsible for making sure it is safe, and tells the Denver Post conditions the day the father of two was killed represent gross negligence. The attorney says they'll test the Colorado industry standard Ski Safety Act which limits a resort's liability in lawsuits filed by family of those killed to $250,000.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Tuesday May 22, 2012
JUCO CHURCH
If you want to go to church JUCO Sunday without all the frills, some local churches are making that easier with a Worship Service at the Lincoln Park bandstand. State Fellowship of Christian Athletes Director Lee James will talk about athletes as Christians and Christian Athletes. Family, coaches, teams and fans are invited.
SENIOR TAX BREAK
If you're a seniors living Colorado, you may qualify for the senior property tax exemption signed into law earlier this month. You could be eligible for a 50% exemption on the first $200,000 in actual value of your primary residence. To qualify, you must be 65 or older and have owned and lived in the home for the last ten years as of January 1st 2012. Contact your county assessor office for more info.
BEETLE KILL TAX EXEMPTION
A long term tax exemption on the sale of beetle kill wood products is in effect with the stroke of the pen of Governor John Hickenlooper. He was in Grand Junction yesterday to sign into law three different measures, including the beetle-kill exemption. The bill by Collbran Representative Laura Bradford extends a tax emption already in place for an additional 7 years.
PUBLIC TRUSTEE BILL
Counties in Colorado now have more control of the spending in the office of the Public Trustee with the governor's signing of a bill by Grand Junction State Rep Ray Scott. He says the law allows counties to set an annual budget for the trustee's office, improving transparency and accountability. Public Trustees oversee foreclosures within their counties.
SEATBELT DEATHS
The number of driving deaths as a result of not wearing a seatbelt has gone up in Colorado for the first time in 9 years. The latest numbers released by CDOT show 187 people died last year as a result of not buckling up. That was up from 164 in 2010.
POLLEN COUNT
Mesa County's pollen count is dropping after a pretty high weekend. Tree pollen is still moderate, especially oak trees. Weeds have dropped, too, but are still moderate, with grass pollen still at low levels.
RECALL FOR POTENTIAL LISTERIA
The state health department is trying to avert a potential listeria outbreak with a recall of salads bagged in Salinas, California. Several types of salads bagged by River Ranch Fresh Foods are on the list. So far NO illnesses have been reported. More information is available through the FDA's Recall web page.
CHAMBER ENERGY BRIEFING
The newest technology in energy recovery is the topic of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce's Energy Briefing tomorrow morning. Representatives from EnCana and WPX will talk about an advancement in reg technology called Split Rigs. The briefing is at 7:30 tomorrow in the Chamber lower level conference room.
D-51 BOARD MEETING
The District 51 School Board has a long agenda for tonight's meeting, including the 2012-13 budget... Possible staffing cuts, student fee schedules and more. The meeting's at the BTK Center off Patterson Road at 6:00.
JANUSZ ARREST DETAILS
Details are being released in the arrest of a former Grand Junction Police Officer accused of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. A report in today's Daily Sentinel says a woman who was 16 at the time said she began a sexual relationship with Eric Janusz in 2000, with encounters continuing through August 2011 when she reported the affair. Janusz worked for the Police Department for ten years before being hired by the Grand Junction Fire Department. He's scheduled to return to court next month.
139 OPEN
Highway 139 has reopened after a tanker crash and fracking fluid spill. It happened early yesterday afternoon, when the tanker rolled onto its side at mile marker 36. Hazmat crews were called out and the road finally reopened just after 9:00 last night.
If you want to go to church JUCO Sunday without all the frills, some local churches are making that easier with a Worship Service at the Lincoln Park bandstand. State Fellowship of Christian Athletes Director Lee James will talk about athletes as Christians and Christian Athletes. Family, coaches, teams and fans are invited.
SENIOR TAX BREAK
If you're a seniors living Colorado, you may qualify for the senior property tax exemption signed into law earlier this month. You could be eligible for a 50% exemption on the first $200,000 in actual value of your primary residence. To qualify, you must be 65 or older and have owned and lived in the home for the last ten years as of January 1st 2012. Contact your county assessor office for more info.
BEETLE KILL TAX EXEMPTION
A long term tax exemption on the sale of beetle kill wood products is in effect with the stroke of the pen of Governor John Hickenlooper. He was in Grand Junction yesterday to sign into law three different measures, including the beetle-kill exemption. The bill by Collbran Representative Laura Bradford extends a tax emption already in place for an additional 7 years.
PUBLIC TRUSTEE BILL
Counties in Colorado now have more control of the spending in the office of the Public Trustee with the governor's signing of a bill by Grand Junction State Rep Ray Scott. He says the law allows counties to set an annual budget for the trustee's office, improving transparency and accountability. Public Trustees oversee foreclosures within their counties.
SEATBELT DEATHS
The number of driving deaths as a result of not wearing a seatbelt has gone up in Colorado for the first time in 9 years. The latest numbers released by CDOT show 187 people died last year as a result of not buckling up. That was up from 164 in 2010.
POLLEN COUNT
Mesa County's pollen count is dropping after a pretty high weekend. Tree pollen is still moderate, especially oak trees. Weeds have dropped, too, but are still moderate, with grass pollen still at low levels.
RECALL FOR POTENTIAL LISTERIA
The state health department is trying to avert a potential listeria outbreak with a recall of salads bagged in Salinas, California. Several types of salads bagged by River Ranch Fresh Foods are on the list. So far NO illnesses have been reported. More information is available through the FDA's Recall web page.
CHAMBER ENERGY BRIEFING
The newest technology in energy recovery is the topic of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce's Energy Briefing tomorrow morning. Representatives from EnCana and WPX will talk about an advancement in reg technology called Split Rigs. The briefing is at 7:30 tomorrow in the Chamber lower level conference room.
D-51 BOARD MEETING
The District 51 School Board has a long agenda for tonight's meeting, including the 2012-13 budget... Possible staffing cuts, student fee schedules and more. The meeting's at the BTK Center off Patterson Road at 6:00.
JANUSZ ARREST DETAILS
Details are being released in the arrest of a former Grand Junction Police Officer accused of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. A report in today's Daily Sentinel says a woman who was 16 at the time said she began a sexual relationship with Eric Janusz in 2000, with encounters continuing through August 2011 when she reported the affair. Janusz worked for the Police Department for ten years before being hired by the Grand Junction Fire Department. He's scheduled to return to court next month.
139 OPEN
Highway 139 has reopened after a tanker crash and fracking fluid spill. It happened early yesterday afternoon, when the tanker rolled onto its side at mile marker 36. Hazmat crews were called out and the road finally reopened just after 9:00 last night.
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