NEWS: Friday February 5, 2010Posted by Janine Mayfield on February 5th, 2010

Grand Junction and Mesa County’s economies have been viewed negatively in the news as of recent, and an article by the Daily Sentinel today, doesn’t help matters.  Mesa County had a 175% increase in home foreclosure filings from 2008-2009.  While that number is the highest in the state, it’s also not the highest amount of foreclosures from 2009, just the highest year-to-year percentage increase.  Boulder County was second highest, followed by El Paso County. The U.S. Department of Labor reported Tuesday that out of all the metropolitan areas in the country, the Grand Junction area had the largest percentage drop in jobs in December compared with a year earlier.
Source: Daily Sentinel (Posted 5:56a)

A parolee who said he had a medical marijuana card allegedly offered cash bribes to a state worker after he was caught trying to cheat a drug test. The Daily Sentinel reports that Chad Thomas of Palisade was found having a hidden device strapped around his waist.  The device is designed to alter a urine sample.  Thomas was held at Mesa County Jail on a $10 thousand bond on suspicion of felony bribery and a parole violation following his arrest on Tuesday.
Source: Daily Sentinel (Posted 5:56a)

The Montrose Police Department has become aware of a telephone/cell phone scam that is being distributed all over the U.S. A person will receive a call from someone telling you that they have information about a family member who has been ill, someone arrested, died, or to let you know that you have won a prize, etc. A return number is given with an 809, 284, or 876 area code. The 809 area code is in the Dominican Republic. Citizens who make these calls could be charged thousands of dollars in fees. This is especially scary because citizens will end up dealing with billing charges from a foreign company. This information has been confirmed by AT&T. Please be aware of this scam!
Source: PSA   (Posted 5:55a)

Republican lawmakers want Governor Bill Ritter to cut $320 million from the state’s budget instead of raising taxes on businesses. According to KJCT, GOP senators said yesterday they’ll introduce a bill calling for almost $18 million in cuts this year and $306 million in cuts next year. They’re not specifying where the cuts should be made and want Ritter to work out the details.
Source: KJCT/AP   (Posted 5:54a)