Grand Junction News

Monday’s closure of Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon resulted in the first use of a new system designed to notify the public of emergencies and issue other community alerts.Garfield County sheriff spokesman Phil Strouse said the system goes beyond emergency notification systems that just call home phone numbers. Instead, it can notify any participant via a cell phone call, text message or e-mail.

Land trusts on the Western Slope and around the state that help property owners get conservation easements aren’t thrilled with a bill in the Colorado Legislature, but they’re not opposing it anymore, either.That’s because state lawmakers reached a compromise with them. House Bill 1197 initially was intended to permanently lower by nearly two-thirds a cap on the tax credit allowed for each easement. Instead, the bill would cut by more than half the amount the state would pay, in the way of tax credits, for all easements over the next three years.

State highway crews will call in aerial support today in a continuing effort to reopen Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon after heavy rockfall early Monday morning.The Colorado Department of Transportation hopes to reopen the vital east-west thoroughfare to one-lane traffic in each direction. However, CDOT first wants to dislodge a rock 20 feet in diameter that is 900 feet up the hillside and could pose a danger to motorists if not brought down before opening the highway.

The rockfall damage that shut down Interstate 70 Monday and Tuesday sent some travelers scrambling to find alternatives to driving the state’s two lengthy detours.The best advice for frugal travelers who want to head east or west across the state in the next couple days by bus, train or plane: Act quickly.

Two weeks ago, I asked you for the first 10 albums you bought or owned, and a lot of you responded.

Few agree with far-left agenda

At last, at the age of 95, I am about to become a member of the GGM club. I am going to be a GREAT grandmother for the first time.

Apple, we hope, has done it again.

Of all the statistics that have been thrown about in the economic downturn, from falling rig counts to falling employment numbers, there is one number that stands out.

Conventional wisdom says when Central High School post player Josh Wells scores 26 points, the Warriors will win.

Justin Ashbaugh was in search of ice.

The Colorado High School Activities Association will be under new leadership beginning in the 2010-2011 school year

The battle to be the top girls basketball team in the Southwestern League was a tough one Thursday night.

The basketball IQ shot up considerably Thursday night for the Mesa State College women’s basketball team.

District 51 gets health-related award

At one time, it was common for Rogelio Lariz to eat 15–18 tacos in one sitting.

A symbol of the wild West still flourishes in Mesa County.

Name: Lexxi Varner

— Births

BALTIMORE — In a remarkably sharp face-to-face confrontation, President Barack Obama chastised Republican lawmakers Friday for opposing him on taxes, health care and the economic stimulus, while they accused him in turn of brushing off their ideas and driving up the national debt.

LANCASTER, Calif. — Muslim advocates are demanding an apology from a California city councilwoman for posting anti-Muslim comments on her Facebook social networking page.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Muslim parents of an Ohio girl who ran away from home claiming she feared harm for becoming Christian have rejected a deal meant to resolve the conflict.

PHILADELPHIA — A man who fled to South Korea for a decade after being charged in a 1996 slaying in Philadelphia has been convicted of murder.

LA JUNTA, Colo. — An Amtrak passenger who alarmed fellow passengers in Colorado by allegedly talking about terrorist threats on a cell phone was pulled from the train and faces a felony charge of endangering public transportation.

Authorities say when an incident like the rockslide on Interstate 70 happens, getting information quickly to the public is vital. The Garfield County Sheriff's Office says a new technology helped them alert more than 1,500 county residents that the interstate was shut down long before the morning news Monday.

C-DOT says crews will be back out working at the scene of the Glenwood Canyon Rockslide at daybreak Wednesday.

Highway 139 has been shut down after a two-vehicle crash ignited a tanker hauling thousands of gallons of propane.

The Montrose Health Department wants to make sure you are safe in all aspects of your life, and that's why they are starting to offer free HIV testing.

A lot of seniors are worried about no longer having a doctor to treat them.

Jannik Hansen scored the decisive goal with 2:08 remaining, Mikael Samuelsson had his first NHL hat trick, and the Vancouver Canucks rallied to beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-4 on Tuesday night.

The Denver Broncos just got huge on the defensive line. Denver signed 6'3" 385 pound nose tackle Jamal Williams to a three year deal worth $16 million, and they also inked defensive lineman Jarvis Green to a four year deal worth a maximum of $20 million.

Sign up for the 4th Annual "Jam for Sam" 3-on-3 Tournament, which will be held on Saturday, March 20th at Saunders Fieldhouse at Mesa State College.

Nuggets Coach George Karl will miss Wednesday night's game at Minnesota as he undergoes another round of cancer treatment.

The Mesa State men's basketball will be dancing into the NCAA tournament as the No. 2 seed in the Central Region.

Perhaps you'd like to take advantage of today's real estate market but feel a little intimidated by everything that's involved in making what could be the biggest purchase of your life. You know the routine: finding the right locale and the right house; negotiating an agreement; putting together a down payment; and selecting the best mortgage available. There are two things you can do to make every step run smoothly.The first is to select a local agent who knows the real estate business, knows the Grand Valley local market, has both a solid reputation for integrity and a record of success,...

Income. Debt. Down payment. Closing costs. Two years income tax returns. Assets. Liabilities. IRAs. You want WHAT? All I what to know is what can I afford?Buying a home in today's marketplace is a bit intimidating. And your new home purchase is likely to be one of the most important decisions you've ever had to make. Usually, it's one of the single most valuable assets you'll own. Where to startBefore you invest hundreds of hours searching and to avoid any heartbreak if you find yourself unable to qualify for your dream home, sit down with a lender. Your lender can perform a simple verbal...

WASHINGTON (AP) - The average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage dropped to a record low of 4.71 percent this week, pushed down by an aggressive government campaign to reduce borrowing costs.The rate, published Thursday by Freddie Mac, is the lowest since the mortgage finance company began tracking the data in 1971. The previous record of 4.78 percent was set during the week ending April 30 and matched last week.The Federal Reserve is pumping $1.25 trillion into mortgage-backed securities to try to bring down mortgage rates, but that money is set to run out next spring. The goal of the...

"Be prepared." It is a slogan that can be applied to almost every moving day. Here is a checklist of some items you should have on hand. * Paperwork - If you are using a moving company or renting a truck, keep a copy of the contract with you.* Directions - Perhaps you are caravaning with friends to the new place. It is easier to hand out printed directions than explain it multiple times.* Mobile phone and charger - A fully-charged mobile phone is a must.* Numbers - Your address book, phone book or a list of important contacts is a good idea.* Money - If you are tipping movers, you will need...

Need to know something? Just type a few keywords into your web browser. That is the logical first step for many people today. The Internet has revolutionized how we search for information and that includes the world of real estate. Here are four ways you can use the Internet when searching for a home. 1. Use it to research locations. You can learn a lot about a place online. Good sources include the township home page, the school district web site, local newspaper site, etc. While nothing can replace an in-person visit, information from these sites can help you ask better questions.2. Use it...

Suplizio Field in Grand Junction is the best facility of its kind in the state.The field, which was built in 1949 and seats 11,000, was named 2009 Field of the Year by the Colorado Sports Turf Managers Association."The award recognizes outstanding turf sports facilities and the staff who work so very hard to maintain them," the city of Grand Junction said in a statement Tuesday.-City of Grand Junctionwww.gjcity.org

As I've mentioned before, I didn't start growing roses until just a few years ago-it's a strictly 21st century interest for me. I jumped into the deep end of rose education, and managed not to drown before I began to get the hang of things. I began to get a grasp on roses in the rose garden at the Botanical Gardens. There are about 60-70 roses in those beds, of several kinds, and as I've spent years with those roses, I've learned so much -there's nothing like hands-on training!Have you noticed how often roses are planted in "rose gardens" that are patches of garden separate from other parts...

This week, we will attempt to answer the following question: "What is loss mitigation, and how can it help me?"While most mortgage lenders and servicers often have a department that operates under the name loss mitigation, this term really refers to a process and a goal that these staff members work toward. When homeowners default on their mortgages, lenders almost invariably suffer financial losses. As much as they would like to prevent these losses from occurring at all, the reality of our financial world is that household finances can change and make a previously reasonable mortgage...

The Treasury Department unveiled sweeping rules this week to help financially troubled homeowners who need to sell but can't get a price high enough to pay off their mortgages. Homeowners will even get $1,500 to help cover their moving costs.The plan is designed to help homeowners who don't have the income or debt levels to qualify for a loan modification under the Obama administration's $75 billion Making Home Affordable program. The plan establishes timelines, a standard process and documents, and cash incentives for participation."There's always efficiency with uniformity," said Vicki...

There is little doubt that western Colorado took longer to feel the effects of the national foreclosure crisis. Perhaps because of that, cooperative community responses to assisting homeowners are not yet as formally developed here as they are in other Colorado metro areas.One of the major tools used in the Front Range to combat the spread of foreclosure is a community event known as a Default Clinic or Borrower Outreach event. At an event like this, struggling homeowners can visit counselors, lenders, and resource agencies all at one time, in one place. They can also listen to educational...

DENVER (AP) - The liberal group ProgressNow wants Coloradans to boycott Amazon.com over the retailer's decision to cut ties with online affiliates in the state.The boycott call came Tuesday, a day after Amazon broke with Colorado bloggers and Web site operators who help it sell products.Amazon blamed the state's new online tax law for its decision. It requires out-of-state, online retailers to collect taxes or tell customers how much they owe the state each year.Democratic lawmakers say Amazon is using affiliates as pawns to make a point.Republican Sen. Greg Brophy wants to try to overturn...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Mesa County Coroner's Office has completed its examination regarding the death of Andrew Todd Boxa, 27, of Grand Junction.Boxa was apparently attempting to defuse a domestic dispute when he was shot. Boxa died at St. Mary's Hospital. The cause of death is multiple (2) gunshot wounds and the manner of death is homicide.The matter is under investigation by the Grand Junction Police Department.Boxa is survived by his wife Scarlet J. and sons, Adicus and Bradley; his parents, Gregory and Mary Boxa of Colorado Springs; one brother, Bradley J. Boxa of Colorado Springs;...

GLENWOOD CANYON, Colo. - Crews were working Tuesday afternoon to stabilize rocks above Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon, the Colorado Department of Transportation said.The agency said it will have a better idea on when the freeway might reopen when the work is finished.The interstate has been closed in both directions between Dotsero and Glenwood Springs since about midnight Sunday after about 20 boulders, ranging in size from three to 20 feet, crashed down onto the road. The largest boulder weighed an estimated 66 tons, according to state engineers.Governor Bill Ritter declared the 17-mile...

DENVER (AP) - Two Colorado auto dealers fighting with Chrysler after losing their franchises would get some help from a bill advancing at the Capitol.The Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan bill Tuesday. It would allow dropped dealers to seek termination payments from General Motors and Chrysler if their franchises are awarded to someone else. They could also try to get their business back instead.Republican Sen. Shawn Mitchell said it would apply retroactively to two dealers whose franchises have already been awarded to competitors - David Fitzgerald of Northglenn and Yale King of...

BASALT, Colorado - Whole Foods Market intends to open a 25,000-square-foot grocery store in Basalt within the next 18 months, the top executive in the region said Monday.Will Paradise, Rocky Mountain region president, said Whole Foods signed the lease last week with Joseph Freed and Associates LLC (JFA) for the new store at the Willits Town Center development. An earlier deal for a 44,000-square-foot market at the same site fell through when the developer's financing dried up in the recession.Paradise said the 43 percent decrease in the proposed store's size reflects the realities of today's...

Selling your home during a recession-like climate certainly brings extra challenges. One of the best ways you can raise to the occasion is to make your home a marketplace standout. In a competitive real estate marketplace first impressions are paramount. When potential buyers turn the corner, you want them to feel a strong, emotional connection. You want them to think, "I want to live here!" not, "What else is for sale in the neighborhood."Here are five things you can do to make your home shine:* Debris Buster: A home overgrown with trees, bushes, and yard knick-knacks is not appealing.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of buyers who agreed to purchase a home fell sharply in January, a sign that demand for housing is sinking this winter as stormy weather slammed Eastern states.Record snowstorms in January and February had many Americans shoveling sidewalks and driveways instead of combing through listings for open houses. Partly as a result, an index that tracks sales agreements fell 7.6 percent from December to a seasonally adjusted January reading of 90.4, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday.It was the lowest reading since last April and a disappointment to...

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government is giving homeowners another year to refinance their loans under a little-used program designed to help borrowers whose homes have plummeted in value.The Obama administration effort, known as Home Affordable Refinance Program, had been scheduled to end on June 10 but will now run out on June 30, 2011, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said Monday.The program allows borrowers who owe up to 25 percent more than their homes are worth to refinance to lower interest rates.It was originally projected to help 4 million to 5 million homeowners with loans owned or...

LOS ANGELES (AP) - In a strategic move, two of the biggest real estate sites - Zillow.com and Trulia.com - are joining the crowded ranks of rental Web sites.The decisions come as more people are shut out of the housing market. Some 30 percent of households rent, but that figure is growing amid high unemployment, rising foreclosures and tighter mortgage lending standards.Zillow launched its rental search function last month. While it only has about 2,000 rentals listings right now, the company plans to boost that number sharply in the next couple of months by taking in listings from...

Negotiating a real estate sale can be stressful. If you've fallen in love with a property and have already imagined it as your next home, the process can be an emotional rollercoaster. Your real estate agent, who likely warned you not to become too attached before the deal is settled, will be your guide through the back-and-forth. Among other things, your agent will consider these three factors: * Market conditions - Whether it is a buyer's market (high inventory and falling sale prices) or a seller's market (less inventory, more buyer demand, and higher prices) will greatly influence how...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Local award-winning filmmakers Stacy Schoolfield and Arn McConnell will introduce a younger generation to the craft during a film camp for kids Aug. 3-7."We'll go through the process of writing story boards; we'll work on cameras, learn how to deal with sound issues, production design, acting, costumes, lighting and locations. We'll go through the whole process of editing, adding in effects," Schoolfield said. "It's a lot of fun."Instruction and editing will take place in the Radio Room, 1310 Ute Ave., although shooting the camera may take place elsewhere depending on...

DENVER (AP) - A rock slide punched gaping holes in a bridge and left huge boulders on Interstate 70, closing a 17-mile stretch in western Colorado and prompting Gov. Bill Ritter to declare a disaster emergency Monday for the road.The slide struck around midnight Sunday near Hanging Lake Tunnel in Glenwood Canyon, a deep, narrow chasm about 110 miles west of Denver, the Colorado Department of Transportation said.No injuries or damage to vehicles were reported. All lanes were closed from Glenwood Springs east to the town of Dotsero. Up to 25,000 vehicles a day travel that section of highway,...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The newly established criterium series is set to begin March 31 with five additional races to follow on April 7, 14, 21, 28 and May 5. This USA Cycling-sanctioned road race begins with Group B at 5:30 p.m. each race day at the Rocky Mountain Orthopaedic Associates building, 25 1⁄2 Road and Fracture Lane. Criterium participants may sign up at www.livetrainrace.com or just before the race at the Rocky Mountain Orthopaedic Associates building. However, fields are limited to 100 riders, so registering early is suggested. There are two group races. Group B - Category...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - When Mitchell Cheramie left his camp by the river two weeks ago, he was seeking solace more than shelter.Cheramie, who's been homeless for four years, normally prefers camping but had difficulty sleeping outdoors after finding his friend, 52-year-old Dennis Lowery, dead in a tent."All I do at my camp is toss and turn all night," said Cheramie, in his quiet, southern drawl. "Right now I'm too depressed finding a friend of mine's body."It messed with me. It messed with me bad because he was a good friend of mine."Kim Hollingshead of the Mesa County Coroner's office said...

A bill that would afford senior citizens the luxury of buying lifetime passes to Colorado parks is one step closer to becoming law.The state Senate approved the bill, with amendments, Wednesday. The legislation now heads to the state House for further consideration.The bill would create the so-called "Aspen Leaf Lifetime Pass," and would allow folks 64 years of age and above to buy the permit, state legislative records showed. The fee would be $150 this year, or five times the existing rate seniors pay for an annual pass.Should the legislation; known as Senate Bill 71, clear a number of...

Right about now, we're all pretty sick of the dirty snow that's been lying on the valley floor since December. But up on Thunder Mountain, we can't help but feel grateful for the abundant blessing of snow.Skiers are still schussing about at Powderhorn Ski Resort, and more snow is to come. I wanted to write a timely article on the history of skiing on Grand Mesa but knew that many writers had come before me.Racking my brain as I'm in the habit of doing before I dive into my weekly column, I wanted to be original; write about something maybe few people know about and write it because those that...