NEWS: Friday December 11, 2009Posted by Janine Mayfield on December 11th, 2009
A Loma woman is headed to Washington, D.C. to present President Barack Obama with her plan on how to save millions of dollars a year on health care costs. NBC 11 News has learned that Nancy Fichtner, a Grand Junction VA Medical Center employee was one of 38,000 federal employees who entered the President’s SAVE contest and she won. Her idea is to allow discharged patients to take home medications that are currently being thrown away and since discarding that medicine is considered a hazardous waste and costs extra money, this plan could kill two birds with one stone. She and her family are heading to Washington on Dec. 21st…
Source: NBC 11 News (Posted 5:06p by Jim Kapp)
A rare bird in these parts was spotted yesterday at the Ouray Hot Springs. A pelican, of all things was perched in the warm waters of the hot springs pool. KJCT reports that although these animals are generally warm weather creatures. This one might have lost his way going south and was attracted to the heat of the pool. Pelicans normally do hang out in watered areas. Residents are concerned the bird may have been injured and have contacted The Dept. of Wildlife….
Source: KJCT (Posted 5:10p by Jim Kapp)
Knowing what to do in the event of an avalanche is a matter of life and death, not only for you, but your companions as well. The Silverton Avalanche School is holding a free companion-rescue workshop tomorrow from 10am to 2pm. The event will include beacon training, strategic shoveling techniques, evacuation, and other topics. It is open to the public. To find out more and to register call 970-769-4356….
Source: PSA (Posted 4:28p by Jim Kapp)
Gov. Ritter announced today that he has awarded 14 new Energy Economic Development grants to a variety of recipients throughout the state for their efforts in finding renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that will help create and retain jobs as well as strengthen local economies and save money and energy. One of those grants was awarded to Western State College in Gunnison for a project that converts a gas boiler system to a woody biomass heating system. The total amount of these grants are about $1.5 million and are funded by the Recovery Act…
Source: Press Release (Posted 4:02p by Jim Kapp)
Democratic Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff will visit the Western Slope this weekend for a variety of campaign events.
Saturday December 12, 2009
Gunnison (Fundraiser)
422 Tomichi Trail
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (422 Tomichi Trail)
Sunday December 13, 2009
Ridgway (Meet & Greet)
53 County Road 12a
10:00AM-12:00PM
Montrose (Fundraiser)
2796 Foxtail Way
2:00PM-3:00PM
Monday December 14, 2009
Delta (Meet & Greet)
311 Main Street (C&J Restaurant)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Grand Junction (Meet & Greet)
599 Main Street (Main Street Bagel)
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Source: Press Release (Posted 1:07p)
The Ouray County Board of Comissioners received good and bad news from Road & Bridge Supervisor Chris Miller earlier this week. Ouraynews.com says all of the county’s bridges passed inspection during a recent audit–that’s the good news. The bad news is that vandalism has been occurring on Log Hill Mesa. Someone is stealing street signs, stop signs, and damaging private property. Witnesses say the suspects drive a diesel pickup truck. If you are a witness to vandalism on Log Hill Mesa, you’re asked to call dispatch at 252-4010 as not to tie up the 911 Emergency line. As of Monday, 37 street signs were stolen from neighborhoods on the mesa.
Source: Ouraynews.com (Posted 12:42p)
Russell Stover is offering a one-day deal tomorrow that benefits the Montrose High School girl’s tennis team. Coupons have been made available to shop with at the Russell Stover candy store that will donate 10% of your total purchase to the tennis team. The deal is only good for Saturday December 12, 2009.
Source: PSA (Posted 12:25p)
Montrose County Public Works will keep 5800 Road between Jasmine and Ida Road closed for a water line replacement until December 16th. The road is open to local traffic only. Motorists are asked to use alternate routes. For more information call the Montrose County Road and Bridge Department at 249-5424.
Source: Press Release (Posted 11:16a)
Hundreds of DUI and criminal cases could be affected by the discovery of faulty blood-alcohol tests in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs News Channel 13 says police said Friday they found about 82 tests so far that show a higher blood-alcohol content than the true result. An internal investigation found problems with tests at the Metro Crime Lab since January. More than 1,000 blood-alcohol samples since January are being retested, with the new results being forwarded to the district attorney.
Source: News Channel 13 (Posted 10:46a)
Both Montrose Fire Department Stations 1 and 2 responded to a structure fire on N. Ute Avenue last night. The fire was burning in the office area of Mayboca’s Auto Body & Paint. The fire spread to the attic. No injuries were reported. The cause of ignition is undetermined at this time, but doesn’t appear to be intentional. About $50,000 damage in property and contents was caused to the building, rented by Juan Mayboca, and owned by Moses Martinez.
Source: Montrose Fire Protection District (Posted 9:31a)
Grand Junction Police are seeking victims and witnesses in an active investigation. The Grand Junction Police Department is involved in an active investigation of Travel Masters travel agency, 1133 Patterson Road, Suite 5. They are requesting contact from anyone who has recently, or is currently in the process of, purchasing travel arrangements through Travel Masters. Anyone with information regarding Travel Masters is asked to call the GJPD Investigations Section at 970-244-3568.
A message on the business’ phone alerts those calling that after 16 years, they are closing their doors, and says they will contact those who have booked with them.
Source: Press Release (Posted 9:10a)
A RED NO-BURN air quality advisory is issued until 3:00pm Monday December 14 for the western Colorado valleys including the communities of Delta and Montrose. A restriction on wood burning in fireplaces and non-EPA certified phase II woodstoves is in effect for the forecast period.
Source: Learn When To Burn-Western Slope Air Watch (Posted 9:03a)
Dozens of Colorado businesses are turning off their lights from noon to 1 p.m. today as part of an initiative to conserve energy called Lights Out Lunch. Residents who pledge to turn off their lights too can get discounts from participating restaurants and a chance to win prizes. Learn more about conserving energy at lightsoutlunch.com.
Source: Lights Out Lunch (Posted 8:28a)
No charges will be filed in the death of a 42-year-old Pear Park woman who was shot nine times in the driveway of a neighbor who says he fired his gun in self-defense. According to the Daily Sentinel, prosecutors say Crystal Nash had a blood-alcohol level of 0.184 percent when she pointed a gun at her neighbor Tom Jarvis, upset that he may have called police about a party at her home on November 1, 2009. Nash showed up at Jarvis’ doorstep with a gun allegedly stating she was going to use it. According to the article, Jarvis shot Nash 9 times, emptying his gun, saying he thought he was going to die when she raised her gun.
Source: Daily Sentinel (Posted 7:32a)
Two Delta County projects have been awarded money from Great Outdoors Colorado. As reported in an article by the Delta County Independent, Delta County will receive $200,000 for the expansion of the county fairgrounds and the Town of Orchard City will receive $123,500 for the construction of a picnic pavilion at its town park. Statewide, the GOCO Board awarded almost $4.5 million dollars to 44 projects. Great Outdoors Colorado is the result of a citizens’ initiative passed statewide in 1992.
Source: Delta County Independent (Posted 7:27a)
A fraternity whose Boulder chapter lost its charter after an alcohol poisoning death at the University of Colorado plans to return to campus this winter for recruiting. According to the Daily Camera, National Chi Psi leaders revoked the Boulder charter after freshman Gordie Bailey died in 2004. He suffered alcohol poisoning in a ritual for pledges.
Source: Daily Camera (Posted 7:26a)
Senator Michael Bennet’s Western Slope regional representatives will be in Ouray County next week and want to hear from constituents from the County. Ouraynews.com reports that Randy See and Jerry Otero will meet with members of the public who would like to relay information or comments to Senator Bennet Wednesday December 16th from 11a-1p at the Community Room of the Ridgway Town Hall. If you’d like to schedule an appointment call Jerry at 241-6631.
Source: Ouraynews.com (Posted 7:24a)
A local family has already received their Christmas present, and are thanking their lucky stars too. Their 15-year-old son, Brody Horan has made it back to Montrose, alive, and out of a chemically induced coma after a skiing accident November 27th. According to the Daily Press, Horan was not wearing a helmet when he endured a skiing accident at Telluride Ski Resort. He sustained a subdural hematoma and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors and Horan’s family say it’s a miracle he’s alive, let alone able to recover to almost 100%.
Source: Daily Press (Posted 6:26a)
A Delta County Dispatcher was recognized this week for assisting the National Terrorist Screening Center in locating a person on their list. Mountain Valley News says Joyce Paul was taking a call about a year ago in regards to domestic violence, when the person’s name popped up on the screen as a flagged individual by the Feds. It was for security purposes that the NTSC waited until now to recognize Joyce for her actions on the phone that day.
Source: Mountain Valley News (Posted 6:26a)
The Colorado Department of Education says it plans to implement new standardized tests that could eliminate the Colorado Student Assessment Program, or CSAP. KJCT says the department says the new tests would not be multiple-choice and instead focus on fewer topics and require students to show they understand and can apply solutions to problems in an essay in some cases.
Source: KJCT/AP (Posted 6:25a)
Montrose and Olathe Before and After-School programs receive funding. The applications for the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Programs were funded for the total amount of $443,311 for year one of a five year grant for the Before and After-School Programs located at Centennial Middle School, Olathe Elementary School and Olathe Middle School. The funding cycle will begin June 1, 2010. The grant amount decreases 10% per year from the original year one award; therefore, the total award over the course of the next 5 years will be approximately $1,775,185.00.
According to 21st CCLC Director, Erica Jiron, “We want to thank everyone in the community for your support and continued dedication to the Before and After-School Programs in Montrose and Olathe. We couldn’t be more thrilled, and look forward to providing continued services to the families in our community!”
Source: Press Release (Posted 6:23a)
Colorado health officials are now urging public health agencies and health care providers to make H1N1 flu vaccinations available to everyone as supplies allow, not just high-risk populations. KJCT says that nearly all the demand for the vaccine in high-priority groups has been met.
Source: KJCT/AP (Posted 6:12a)