Friday September 28, 2012

Grand Junction Firefighters will be sporting something a little different all month long in October.  Pink uniform t-shirts.  They're joining firefighters from over 900 emergency agencies across the country wearing pink in awareness of cancer.  The shirts have a special logo and will also be on sale throughout the month.  Proceeds will help support a local child's fight against cancer.

The Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce is starting up it's Blue Band Shop Local campaign again with a few more incentives to buy local.  Anyone who wears a blue bland is eligible for discounts at participating merchants. 30 of those merchants are putting up prizes for residents who buy local and submit receipts between October 1st and 16th.  The Chamber says every dollar spent locally has a multiplier effect of $3 in the community.

More than 60 Colorado Coroners Association investigators are in Montrose for some training.  The gathering put together by Montrose County coroner Dr. Thomas Canfield. The investigators are learning what to look for when investigating death scenes, and about not jumping to conclusions.  The Montrose Daily Press says one case brought up yesterday appeared initially to be a gunshot wound to the abdomen, but turned out to be a cigarette burn in the stomach and a spilled glass of wine.  the conference wraps up today.

There's a campaign battle brewing in Montrose, over campaign signs.  Candidates for just about every office up for election say they've had signs stolen or defaced.  The Montrose Daily Press says police are keeping an eye out for the vandals since tampering with the signs is a crime.  Conviction can bring fines of up to $300 and up to 90-days in jail.

Using plant material to generate power? It's happening at a $46 million biomass facility under construction in Gypsum.  When it's up and running, the power generated would make up 24% of energy used in several central Colorado communities.  A team of U-S Forest Service scientists is looking at the feasibility of biomass for power generation on the Uncompahgre Plateau.  The Montrose Daily Press says folks gathered in Montrose yesterday left with a positive perspective about future possibilities in the area.

Plans are underway in Denver for the first in a series of presidential debates.  The debate is at DU Wednesday.  Mitt Romney is planning a rally Monday evening at Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver.  President Obama's campaign says the President will stay in Colorado for a campaign event Thursday in the Denver area.

School District 51's first community meeting is in the books, Superintendent Steve Schultz pledging to approach the Fruita City council and businesses about funding solutions to ease overcrowding in elementary schools there.  The District has been fighting budget cuts and has set up quarterly meetings across the valley. The Daily Senintel says last night's meeting focused on creative solutions for the Fruita area.  Future meetings will broaden the focus.

Tourism spending in the Grand Junction area is looking up.  The Daily Sentinel says the Visitor and Convention Bureau is reporting lodging tax revenues up more than 7% year to date compared with last year.  Officials at the VCB says spring was especially good for the valley and they expect another good showing through the 3rd quarter ending this weekend.

Thursday September 27, 2012

The Mesa County Coroner's Office says the death of a patient at Eagle Ridge Assisted Living is more involved than originally thought.  A fire was reported in a room early yesterday and when staff members put it out, they found a patient dead.  The Coroner says it could take many days to determin the cause and manner of death.

A 47 year old Grand Junction man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting trying to molest a young boy at a Clifton park last year.  According to the Daily Sentinel, Thomas Dausel was arrested in February of last year and faced possible charges of sexual assault on a child.  Those charges were dismissed after the boy's parents said they didn't want him to have to testify.  That charge could have carried a possible life-sentence.


Three bats have tested positive for rabies in Mesa County in the past week, causing health officials to send out a warning about staying away from wildlife or stray animals.  The health department syas it's a good reminder for pet owners to make sure rabies shots are up to date.  The last human case of rabies in Colroado was reported in 1931.

If you registered to vote using a mobile device or tablet between September 14th and 24th, you might not be registered.  The Secretary of State's office says there was a glitch, and if you registered at GoVoteColroado.com via mobile or tablet, you should confirm your registration.  The problem is believed worked out now. October 9th is the last day to register for the November election.

If you're underage and drink in Mesa County, you're likely to get caught.  That's the message from a local liquor enforcement crackdown last week.  Grand Junction Police says 17 minor in possession tickets were issued last week, along with one charge for supplying the alcohol to the teens who were found drinking outside a local nightclub on an "18 and over" night.  Twho nights later, 35 MIPs were issued at a house party.  The homeowner facing charges.  An Enforcing Underage Drinking Law grant is paying for the extra patrol.


CMU is jumping in to Homecoming Week activities, with an awards banquet tomorrow honoring Distinguished Alumni, Hall of Honor inductees and Distinguished Faculty. The Distinguished Alumni are Jamie Hamilton and Debra Thompson Smith.  Hamilton well-known in the community for his involvement with CMU, JUCO and CEO of Home Loan and Investment.  Smith graduated with a business and accounting degree and has grown a successful pool-building business. She was active in getting a bill signed into law protecting thousands of jobs in the Texas pool industry.


Grand Junction Police are looking for a 51 year old man missing since Tuesday.  Kenneth Cottingham had made suicidal threats before disappearing.  Cottingham's pickup was found on the canal bank at 28 Road south of I-70 Tuesday night.  Anyone with information should contact police.

Cleanup is finished on I-70 where a semi lost control of its load of paint, spilling about 1,000 pounds of the stuff onto the north shoulder near Edwards.  Westbound traffic was detoured to Highway 6 as the cleanup took place aound 6:30 last night. While crews were uprighting the rig, the remainder of the paint spilled out causing another clean up. The road was reopened around 2:30 this morning.




 

Wednesday September 26, 2012

The Colorado State Patrol has fired two troopers involved in the fatal shooting of a Redlands man.  31 year old Jason Kemp was shot to death in 2010 as the troopers tried to get into his apartment after a hit and run accident about a block away. State Patrol Cpt. Jeff Goodwin tells The Daily Sentinel "other members" of the Fruita-based Troop 4A are the focus of a separate, ongoing internal investigation, but didn't talk about that ongoing probe.

United Way of Mesa County is kicking off their 2012-13 fundraising campaign with a donation over $457,000 from pacesetter organizations--35 local companies who raise money in-house before the community-wide campaign.  United way is celbrating its 125th anniversary and has set a goal of $1.25 million for this year's drive.

Mesa County has had several Drug Take-Back Days, where residents can clean out their medicine cabinets and dispose of prescription drugs in a safe way.  The same Take-Back event sponsored by the Federal DEA is coming to Delta and Montrose Saturday. Check with your local departments for drop off locations and items that won't be accepted.

A Rifle man has een sentenced to 29 years in prison after being convicted of shooting a Rifle police officer two years ago.  Phil Amonette was acquitted of Attempted 1st Degree Murder, but later convicted of 1st Degree Assault.  Amonette fired on the officer in a domestic violence call.  He was saved by a bullet proof vest.  Amonette was seriously injured with a second officer returned fire.

A Rapper from Brighton is singing the blues after convictions of racketeering and bank fraud.  The Daily Sentinel says 38 eyar old Stacy Damon Harris, aka Dame Fame was found to be the organizer of a complex, multi-state credit card and bank fraud operation that stole tens of thousand of dollars from several banks across the state including Montrose.  He's to be sentenced October 4th.

Will Frozen Dead Guy Days continue in Nederland even if the Dead Guy is no longer there?  According to the Denver Post, there's still a few years to worry about it.  The grandson of Bredo Morstoel who's been on ice in a Nederland shed since 1993 is in talks with Cryonic Institute in Michigan to take over the storage as soon as 2015.  The problem now is the fellow who's been keeping the body at 24 degrees below zero with dry-ice deliveries monthly has quit, saying the grandson hasn't been paying him for the work.

Vail Resorts is tallying income from the worst snow and visitation season in two decades.  The Denver Post says the company's net income slid by more than half to $16.5 million for fiscal 2012. Revenue from operations faring better. The company says earnings from mountan and lodging segments fell just 3.8%, with some growth from higher lift ticket prices and increased visitor spending on retail, rentals and dining.

An Arkansas Valley Correctional Sgt. killed by an inmate Monday has been identified as 55 year old Mary Ricard.  She was attacked in the prison kitchen by a former Ft. Carson soldier convicted of raping a 14 year old girl in Colroado Springs in 2002.  Ricard's death is the second death of an officer in the state prison system in ten years.

Colorado state foresters will continue controlled burns, but with tightened rules in light of the deadly Lower NOrth Fork fire in March.  A review panel has approved bills to create minimum standards for burns and to offer tax credits to landowners who perform fire mitigation.
 

If your home was forcelosed upon between 2008 and 2011 you may be eligib le for a payment under a national mortgage-foreclosure settlement.  State attorney general John Suthers office is sending claim forms to borrows who lost their homes during that time.  If you were foreclosed on and had your mortgage serviced by GMAC/ALLy Financial, Bank of America/Country Wide, citibank, jpmorgan chase or wells fargo you may be eligible for a portion of the 25 billion dollar settlement.  Colorado expects 51 million to be distributed in the state.

Grand Junction Police are still searching for the suspect who escaped from Monday afternoons armed robbery of a check cashing store.  the police department is encouraging anyone who may have information on the suspect to contact the police department at 242-6707 or if they wish to remain anonymous, crime stoppers at 241-STOP.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is urging Coloradans to get their flu vaccination.  Flu season is right around the corner and vaccines are available at the mesa county health department in addition to several grocery stores and pharmacies in the area.

Over the first 8 months of 2012, Grand Junction has received just over 2 1/3 inches of rain.  That qualifies for the third driest period on record for the region in the last 120 years.  The National Weather service reports almost half of that total moisture came this summer in june, july and august.

The BLM set to host a series of public meetings this week to provide information, answer questions and take public written comments on the White River Oil and Gas Amendment.  the amendment is supposed to guide future management of oil and natural gas development in the Piceance Basin, an area of 1.7 million acres rich in oil and gas in rio blanco, moffat and garfield counties.  4 meetings are scheduled this week, including in Grand Junction Thursday night at the clarion inn from 4-7.

For the 4th straight year, The upper grand valley pest control district reporting that the invasive japanese beetle has not been found in the area.  100 traps were placed in Palisade with no beetles being detected. the invasive species that can cause significant damage to over 300 plants, grasses and fruit trees were first discovered in palisade in 2002 but the aggresive eradication effort started in 2003 has produced results.

Tuesday September 25, 2012

Police are looking for a man who held up a check cashing business in the Rimrock shopping center in broad daylight.  Witnesses say the man had a gun, got the money and ran away.  He's described as white, in his 20s and about 140-150 pounds.  He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, jeans and blue and white tennis shoes.

United Way of Mesa County is kicking off their annual fundraising event today calling attention to the 125th Anniversary of the United Way.  This year's campaign will carry that theme with a goal of $1.25 million.

Local volunteers and ranchers are helping some wounded service men and women, taking them on a three day elk hunting and fishing trip in the Glade Park area. Six veterans are making the trip, with activities including sighting rifles with Tasha Ericson, an award winning sharp shooter, and with Navy Seal reality show actor Chris Kyle. The group wraps up their trip Saturday at the Fruita Fall Festival.

Another campaign bus is stopping in Grand Junction today, but it doesn't have anything to do with politics.  Allegiant Airlilines is promoting their "Vote for Vacation" platform.  The bus is at Mesa Mall from 7 to 10 this morning with give aways including two roundtrip tickets to one of Allegiants's vacation destinations, and tax vouchers for future Allegiant trips.

The Colroado Department of Education says scors on SAT tests are up double digits between 2011 and 2012, but the number of students taking the tests has fallen. The number of public school seniors taking the tests has dropped 17.3% in the last five years, compared with a nationwide increase of 8.6%.

A third person has died in Colorado from West Nile virus, an 82 year old man from Delta County. The two other deaths were in Montrose County.  Health officials show the number of cases in Delta County at 29, and 18 in Montrose.  They say the numbers show the importance of continuing to take precautions against mosquitos as the season draws down.

A man who apparently fell from the top of a sculpture in downtown Montrose more than two weeks ago is improving.  43 year old George Christmas was found unconscious under the 18 foot tall "When Eagles Dare" air piece at Main and Uncompaghre. Police in Montrose say they're still investigating and don't believe foul play was involved.

Grand Jucntion weather authorities are still tallying the totals from storms in the Grand Valley and western Colorado, and say about 1/10 of an inch has been recorded in the Grand Junction area.  Other areas including Aspen receoved as much as a half inch.  More showers are in the forecast today and tomorrow with a strong low pressure system keeping temperatures below normal.  The rain is expected to begin gradually moving moving out of the area lat tomorrow.  Temperatures remaining below normal for the next few days.

The Colorado State Patrol is investigating a weird crash during a natural gas rig-moving operation.  It happened Friday and one driver says she was injured and her car damaged.  The driver, Patty Cline said a track carrying a tank blew a tire, causing the damage.  The State Patrol tells the Glenwood Post the incident happened on private land and without serious injuries, not tickets were issued.

Mesa County voters aren't waiting til the last minute, they're getting registered now.  Elections Director Catherine Lenhart tells the Daily Sentinel her office has processed nearly 2,000 transactions so far in September, compared with a usual rate of 200 to 400 a month.  Tuesday October 9th is the last day to register for the November election.

A woman pulled from the Eagle River last week died from a gunshot wound.  The Eagle County Coroner says 40 year old Stephanie Brantly was shot in the chest before her body was reported on a sand bar in the river behind the Gypsoum Wastewater Treatment Faciilty Friday.  Eagle County crime Stoppers is handling the case.

Monday September 24, 2012

The Grand Jucntion Area Chamber of Commerce it out with its endorsements for local offices and they're all Republican.  The Chamber says there are many qualified candidates and the task of endorsing one over another was a challenge. Here are the candidates the chamber is backing: 3rd District incumbent Congressman Scott Tipton, House District 55 incumbent Ray Scott, District 1 County Commissioner John Justman and District 3 Rose Pugliese. Missing from the endorsements was House District 54, where Republican Jared Wright is running against Libertarian Tim Menger.

The Montrose Regional Airport is getting ready for a BIG announcement.  A new carrier is bringing service to the area.  Details are being released tomorrow morning at 9:00 with the Telluride Montrose Regional Air Organization.  The marketing group has been working to bring a new low-cost carier to the airport.

Want to avoid traffic congestion on I-70 through the mountains? There's an app for that. C-DOT says the app provides speeds and travel times, Road Conditions, Road closures and incidents, Construction and Feeds from CDOT closed circuit television cameras.  to find it, search CDOT Mobile in your App Store.

High gas prices in Colorado aren't going anywhere soon.  In the past week, the average price has risen about a penny, to $3.72/gal.  ColroadoGasPrices.com says that's up 23 cents in the past month.  Nationally, the price this past week is down 4 cents, but still up nearly 9 cents a gallon in the past month.

A 21 year old man is dead in a crash the state patrol says likely involved alcohol.  It happened on I-70 just after midnight yesterday morning.  According to the state patrol the driver was found in the eastbound lanes near the 20 Road overpass, the car in the median.

Grand Jucntion State Senator Steve King says money collected from a voter approved 64-cent a pack cigarette tax may be spent for programs other than those intended by the 2004 law.  King says the money is earmarked for children's health care and tobacco cessation programs.  The Daily Sentinel says King is concerned the money is being spent by the State Health Department to lobby local governments to pass anti-tobacco policies not covered by the state's no-smoking ban.

Two billionaire donors are sinking their money into marijuana-legalization efforts in Colorado and Washington. The Denver Post says another measure in Oregon isn't fairing as well. $1.1 million has been raised in Colorado so far, more than 3/4 of that from billionaire Peter Lewis.  The Post doesn't say what the support for Amendment 64 is, but says in Washington two recent polls show a majority favoring legalization.

A fire northwest of Glenwood Springs is growing in dry conditions and unpredictable weather.  The Middle Elk fire broke out Thursday on the Flat Tops, and campers in the area were evacuated Saturday.  Roads in the area are closed and more firefighters are expected in the area today.  The cause of the fire is considered suspicious.

Fall is officially here and the national Weather Service is out with some forecasts for the return of a weak El Nino.  Meteorologist Joe Ramey tells the Denver Post the weather phenomenon could keep major winter  storms south of I-70. Although he's quick to point out there are many ways his forecast could be wrong.

Friday September 21, 2012

A slight drop in Colorado's unemployment rate in August.  The State Labor Department says the number decreased from 8.3% to 8.2%.  Chief Economist Alexandra Hall says there was a larger decline in the number of people actively participating in the labor force, than the decline in those reporting their status as employed.  Colorado's 8.2% unemployment rate is higher than the national 8.1% rate for the first time since 2005.

They're cleaning up at La Villa Grande after fire in an elevator motor this morning.  Residents were evacuated, there were no injuries, and Grand Jucntion fire crews were able to take care of the fire with a dry chemical extinguisher.  No injuries reported.


A Grand Junction man arrested earlier this year in the beating death of his ex-girfriend's 19-month old son has been charged with 1st Degree Murder. The Daily Sentinel says 26 year old Justin Keel is accused of knowingly causing the death of Owen Reak who died a day after suffering trauma to the stomach. Keel remains jailed on $1 million bond.

A 55 year old Pear Park man has been arrested, accused of sexual assault on a child. The Daily Sentinel says Robert Lynn Zimmerman was booked yesterday following an investigation started in July after a 14 year old girl told a school official Zimmerman had touched her on several occasions.  Bond is set at $50,000.

A Grand Junction man convicted of vehicular homicide in the death of his wife in a 2002 desert crash, is now suspected of crashing into a pole on Highway 6&50.  Grand Jucntion Police tell the Daily Sentinel 52 year old Robert Sheets ran into the pole after leaving the Rim Rock Shopping Center parking lot about 1:30 yesterday.  Sheets served prison time on the vehicular homicide charge, but not before two additional drunk driving arrests.  Alcohol is suspected in yeserday's crash.


The new I-70 Parachute interchange is nearing completion with work starting tomorrow on the second phase which includes roundabouts on the north and south sides of the existing U-S 6 bridge.  Phase 3 begins in mid-October and includes paving along US 6 and the bridge over I-70.  The interchange should open by Halloween.

A Meeker man has been convicted by a federal jury of six charges of violating the Lacey Act. An indictment accused  72 year old Dennis Rodebaugh of operating a big game outfitting business, offering guided hunts during which deer and elk were shot from tree stands near where Rodenbaugh placed salt each spring. The Lacey Act prohibits taking big gam with the aid of bait.  Each of the six felony counts carries a maximum punishment of five years in prison and up to a$250,000 fine.

Better than expected state revenue forecasts for September could mean more money for the State Education Fund.  Under a bill passed in this year's legislative session, $59 million will be transferred to the State Education Fund this fiscal year, and at least $678 million at the end of the fiscal year next June.

Senior Obama Administration officials are in southern Colorado today for the announcement making Chiney Rock a National Monument.  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley will be on hand for the event late this morning.

The Grand Junction VA Medical Center is going through flu vaccine faster than anticipated and that means some waits for veterans who haven't received their flu shots.  Spokesman Paul Sweeny says there is still plenty of vaccine at satellite clinics in Glenwood Springs, Montrose, Craig and Moab.  More vaccine is expected in Grand Junction in the next few weeks.

The Colorado Farm Bureau says six Congressional members from the state have been named "Friend of the Farm Bureau." Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall, along with Representatives Scott Tipton, Mike Coffman, Cory Gardner, and Dough Lamborn--all cited for voting with the Farm Bureau on priority issues.  A vote on the 2012 Farm Bill has been postponed until after the November election.

Three Tipis are in place for the 3rd annual Montrose Indians Nations Powwow today through Sunday.  The powwow is at Friendship hall, the tipis all with a different theme.  A grand entry including local vterans is tonight at 7:00.

The top issue for women in Colorado is economic security.  The first major research project by the Women's Foundation of Colorado since 2000 has the exact same findings.  The number of women heads of household has increased dramatically since 1987, creating an economic security gap.  The Denver Post says the report is part of the Foundation's 5-year plan aimed at making sure nonprofit organizations, public officials and agencies consider how their policies and program impact women throughout their lives.

Thursday September 20, 2012

Military planes are making they way into Grand Junction for this weekend's airshow, offering a bit of an early preview. Public lands around the airport are closed as prep work for the show begins.  The Blue Angels team is the headliner for the show and will perform Saturday and Sunday.  The first acts perform tomorrow night with gates opening at 6:00.

Is it much ado about nothing?  Democrat 3rd District challenger Sal Pace is accusing incumbent Scott Tipton of not staying firm on the 2012 Farm Bill, a five year spending plan. Pace says Tipton signed a discharge petition aimed at bringing the bill up for vote, but withdrew his name a day later. According to The Daily Sentinel, Tipton's camp says that's what the congressman did, with assurance from party leadership the vote would be scheduled. Pace says the move shows Tipton caving to party leaders who want to keep the measure from a vote. Tipton says he's firm about bringing the matter to a vote and his stand on the issue is firm.

Arguments are continuing over whether a man who admitted killing four people in Rifle in 2001 should be released from the State Hospital for day trips.  Steven Stagner was found not guilty by reason of insanity and sentenced to the state hospital in 2002. According to the Glenwood Post, Doctors say he wont' get better if he remains confined.  Prosecutors say Stagner's delusions make him too great a risk to the public.  A judge in Glenwood Springs is to issue a written ruling at a later date.

Marcus Bebb-Jones is in custody in Garfield County awaiting trial in November for killing his wife Sabrina, in Grand Junction in 1997. At a hearing yesterday, officers from Grand Junction who initially handled the case defended their actions, questioning Bebb-Jones in Las Vegas where he had attempted suicide after Sabrina went missing.  Yesterday's testimony came in a motions hearing ahead of Bebb-Jones scheduled trial in November.

The Colorado Education Association is endorsing a group in opposition to Amendment 64 that would regulate marijuana in the state like alcohol.  Local governments across the state and Governor John Hickenlooper have come out against the amendment.  Backers of 64 says the CEA opposition makes no sense since the ballot issue calls for dedicating tax revenues form the sale fo marijuana to fund public school buildings. The Daily Sentinel says proponents of 64 plan to announce a number of law enforcment officials and prosecutors who are in favor of the amendmenment.

If you've never been to a wild horse adoption, Saturday is your chance.  The BLM has about 20 mustangs rounded up from herds in Colorado, Wyoming and Oregon, it's making available to the public.  People who want to adopt will meet the horses at the Mesa County Sheriff's Posse grounds tomorrow evening and again Saturday morning with the auction set for 10:00 Saturday.  Potential owners have to meet several requirements for taking in the animals and complete a one year probation.

Another new National Monument in western Colorado.  President Obama is scheduled to designate Chimney Rock in southwestern Colorado, a monument tomorrow.  Colorado Senator Michael Bennet says the monument designation will be an extafordinary bood for the region, preserving and protecting the site and driving tourism.  The designation helps preserve 4,700 acres in the San Juan National Forest, surrounded by the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

Colorado workers may be seeing some recovery in their incomes as the economy slowly improves.  The Denver Post says the median income fell from a peak of just under $60,000 in 2007 to about $55,000 in 2011, but it appears the year-to-year drops are getting smaller. Denver economist Patty Silverstein says the state is on the road to recovery.  She says no state is doing great, but Colorado is doing better than some.

C-DOT is moving full steam ahead, looking for ideas on how to get high-speed rail, or other technology, installed to transport people from Jefferson County to the Eagle County Airport.  Already, CDOT has gotten inquires from 150 companies around the world interested in the project. Statements of Technology Information are being taken through october 10th.  C-DOT's $1.8 million feasibility study is expected to be complete by about a year from now.