Mesa County In the News, 12/30/13

Mesa County was featured in three stories in the past 24 hours:

KREX-
Public Waste Disposal Record:
http://www.krextv.com/story/mesa-county-hazardous-waste-sets-customer-record-20131230

Construction Begins on Phase 3 of Riverfront Trail:
http://www.krextv.com/story/phase-3-of-riverfront-trail-project-underway-20131230

KKCO/KJCT-
Public Waste Disposal Record:
http://www.nbc11news.com/home/headlines/Hazardous-Waste-238148611.html

Review: Week in the News

Here are a collection of links to stories that reported on various Mesa County happenings during the week of 12/22-12/29:

The Daily Sentinel (Must have a subscription to view stories):

Riverfront Trail construction set to begin:
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/work-on-riverfront-trail-to-fruita-begins

Grant to help find energy savings:
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/state-gives-county-cash-to-find-energy-savings

Story on Mesa County fund balance:
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/reserve-funding-for-mesa-county-dips-to-20-in-2014

KJCT/KKCO:

Story on legalized marijuana and County position:
http://www.kjct8.com/news/headlines/Retail-pot-shops-still-banned-in-Mesa-County-237681311.html

Christmas tree and electronics waste disposal:
http://www.kjct8.com/news/headlines/Trashing-the-tree-and-eliminating-electronics-237398051.html

KREX:

Budweiser Clydesdales visit Mesa County:
http://www.krextv.com/story/budweiser-clydesdales-come-to-town-20131223

Trashing the Christmas tree:

http://www.krextv.com/story/dealing-with-your-holiday-trash-20131226

Mesa County Hazardous Waste Sets Record

Mesa County Hazardous Waste Sets Customer Record

Over 6,600 Residents Disposed of Hazardous Waste in 2013

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO Dec. 30, 2013— The Mesa County hazardous waste collection site at the Mesa County Landfill is on pace to serve a record amount of customers and collect a record amount of waste in 2013. The site, located at 3071 US Hwy 50 in Grand Junction, accepts various hazardous materials from Mesa County homes.

Hazardous waste includes aerosol cans, antifreeze, florescent and compact florescent lights, insecticides, old gasoline, used syringes, car batteries, ammunition, paints, motor oil, electronics and more. More than 6,600 people have deposited nearly 300,000 pounds of hazardous waste through the 3^rd quarter of 2013. The waste, when collected, is sorted and stored at the facility. County contractor Clean Harbors then transports the materials to authorized off-site locations for destruction and recycling.

In most cases this service is free to Mesa County residents. Fees do apply for certain large volume disposals and electronic waste such as televisions and computers. Since opening the facility in the year 2000, public use of the facility has nearly doubled as education and outreach efforts on the effects and dangers of hazardous waste continues to reach the community.

Hope Petrie, Hazardous Materials Manager says “It is important for Mesa County residents to know the facility is here and for the most part this is a free service. Illegal dumping of hazardous waste is harmful for not only the environment, but can be dangerous for you and your loved ones.”

Community outreach and education efforts include tours of the facility and presentations to area businesses. Residential collection is open Thursday through Saturday from 8am to 4:30pm and business collections can be made by appointment. For more information on the disposal of hazardous waste please contact the facility at (970) 256-9543 or email Hope, Hope.Petrie@mesacounty.us.

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Budweiser Clydesdales Visit Mesa County

Much excitement was generated Monday when the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses spent the night at the Mesa County Fairgrounds at Veteran's Memorial Park. The horses travel no more than 500 miles per day and are en route to Pasadena for the annual Rose Parade. KREX coverage of this event is here. Check out the Facebook pictures here.