This week in pics

This is the lake formed by the West Salt Creek Landslide in 2014 seen from the air on May 19. Since May 1, the lake level has risen by more than 4 feet.

Runoff flows into the lake from the headwaters of West Salt Creek.

Police Week. From left, Commissioner Scott McInnis, Sheriff Matt Lewis, Palisade Police Chief Deb Funston, Fruita Police Chief Judy Macy, Grand Junction Police Chief John Camper and Commissioner John Justman. 

Another photo of the Police Week proclamation at Monday's Commissioners' hearing.

The Commissioners on Monday also proclaimed it EMS Week.

The group gathered for the EMS Week proclamation. 

Melonie Matarazzo was honored as Mother of the Year. Here she is with Commissioners Scott McInnis and John Justman and her family. 

Commissioner Scott McInnis, left, at the EMS luncheon at St. Mary's Hospital.

More pictures of the EMS luncheon:

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Scott Mai works on fixing Little Park Road.

Sheriff Matt Lewis rides his skateboard at an event for Special Olympics.

More photos from the Special Olympics event:

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Some MCHD staff members attended the 2016 Western Colorado Children's Water Festival on the Colorado Mesa University campus on Monday and Tuesday. This team educated kids about clean drinking water and healthy hand washing. Clockwise from center: Katie Goddeyne, Mary Cornforth Cawood, Michelle Colon, Karen Melott, Greg Rajnowski, Shane Chatfield and Heidi Dragoo.

Mesa County Health Department Health Planner Greg Rajnowski talks to Western Slope fifth graders about clean drinking water at the Western Colorado Children's Water Festival on the Colorado Mesa University campus.

MCHD data analyst Heidi Dragoo shows one Western Slope fifth-grader where he missed some spots washing his hands. The MCHD team used Glo Germ and black light flashlights to show students how well they were really washing their hands.

Meetings set to gather feedback for broadband planning

Mesa County is kicking off a series of meetings to gather input for county- and region-wide broadband planning.

The goal is to develop a plan that fully leverages current broadband resources, while improving the availability of high-speed Internet throughout the region.

Officials are asking for input from all Internet users – business professionals, community and health services providers, educators, government officials and citizens – to ensure comprehensive Internet development.

Primary goals are to maximize broadband availability and cost savings, while taking full advantage of available funding opportunities.

Meetings will be held:

• June 2, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., county-wide business and industry, 544 Rood Ave. 
• June 2, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., community, 544 Rood Ave. 
• June 8, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m., community, De Beque Community Center, 381 Minter Ave. 
• June 8, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., community, Collbran Fire House, 2004 Elm Ave. 
• June 9, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., community, Fruita Civic Center, 325 E. Aspen Ave.

Save the date: On June 25, refurbished state-line marker will be unveiled in new home

Work is nearing completion on the restoration of a historical marker that was once celebrated at the state line between Colorado and Utah.

On June 25, the marker, which had become a canvas for graffiti, gunshots and other abuse, will be celebrated in its new home near the Colorado-Utah state line on the south, or eastbound, side of Interstate 70.

Members of the public are invited to celebrate the unveiling of the refurbished marker.

What: Ceremony celebrating the refurbished state-line marker

When: Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m.

Where: Colorado-Utah state line, eastbound I-70

How: Grand Valley Transit will provide transportation from the Rabbit Valley parking lot in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. To get there from Grand Junction, travel west on I-70 and take exit 2. Immediately turn left onto Rabbit Valley Road to reach the Rabbit Valley Trailhead. Attendees should arrive at the parking lot between 9:30-9:45 a.m.

Because the event will take place on the side of the Interstate, parking will be very limited on site. Organizers encourage attendees to utilize the GVT shuttle from Rabbit Valley. 

"This is such an important piece of Mesa County history," said Commissioner Scott McInnis, who led the efforts to restore the marker. "We're really excited to see it properly restored.”

EMS Week luncheon honors emergency responders

A large group gathered on the helipad at St. Mary's Hospital today for an EMS Week luncheon honoring emergency responders and the people they've saved. Below are some pictures from the event.

Bill will allow counties to offer self-service kiosks

On Monday, Gov. Hickenlooper signed SB16-138, which allows Counties to provide services via self-service kiosks.  The touch-screen terminals allow citizens to walk up, scan the barcode on their vehicle renewal notice, pay the appropriate fees and print their registration and license plate tabs without having to wait in line for service from a deputy clerk.

“I appreciate Sen. Ray Scott’s help in the efforts of continuing to conserve taxpayer resources by assisting the public with innovation and efficiency," said Sheila Reiner, Mesa County Clerk & Recorder.

The Clerk and Recorder’s office encourages the public to continue to use the alternative methods for renewing their license plates such as by mail or online to save them time and avoid congested lines at the Motor Vehicle office.

For more information on the kiosks, and other ways the public can save time getting services, call the Motor Vehicle office at (970) 244-1664.

Mesa County Elections Logic & Accuracy Test set for May 23

Mesa County Elections will be performing a Logic and Accuracy test between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on May 23 for voting equipment being used for the Primary Election in June. The test will be performed at the Mesa County Elections office by Elections staff and representatives from the Democratic and Republican parties.

The equipment, which has been provided by the Denver-based company Dominion Voting Systems, was approved for purchase by the commissioners earlier this spring after the Secretary of State’s office selected it as the statewide uniform voting system. The Logic and Accuracy test allows the Mesa County Elections office, party representatives and the public to be confident that the equipment is running efficiently.

“With our newly purchased voting equipment being tested next week, I look forward to showing the testing representatives and the public how much of an improvement it is,” said Sheila Reiner, Mesa County’s Clerk and Recorder.

For more information, e-mail voter.info@mesacounty.us or call (970) 244-1662.

Some Grand Valley Transit routes will change

Based on the results of the Grand Valley Transit (GVT) Operations, Route, and Schedule Analysis that concluded in March, route modifications have been suggested that will improve reliability and travel time, enhance customer satisfaction and increase ridership.

Those suggested route changes will be implemented starting Saturday, May 21.

Open houses were held in January and March, and final proposed changes were brought to the public for review on April 5. GVT has received comments from passengers regarding the changes. This feedback greatly helped GVT adjust the proposed changes to their present form.  

GVT makes service changes to meet the diverse travel needs of the communities it serves. As GVT officials review and develop services, they make necessary changes to routes. Those changes reflect continued budgetary challenges faced by GVT, as well as changes in ridership and community feedback.

New GVT maps are available on all GVT buses and in the pass lobbies. Community members can call 256-RIDE (7433)  to receive a new map in the mail. To assist with trip planning, customers may use the Google Transit Trip Planner online at gvt.mesacounty.us or call 256-RIDE from 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

National Police Week, EMS Week, Mother of the Year Award

Before regular business got underway at this morning's Commissioner hearing, the board spent time recognizing outstanding community members and services.

• The Commissioners honored law enforcement by proclaiming May 15-21, 2016, National Police Week. 
• The Board honored emergency responders by proclaiming May 15-21, 2016, Emergency Medical Services Week.
• The Commissioners honored Melonie Matarozzo for being named Mother of the Year. 

Celebrating National Police Week. 

Celebrating National Police Week. 

Commissioners John Justman, far left, and Scott McInnis, far right, with emergency responders. 

Melonie Matarozzo and her family with Commissioners Scott McInnis and John Justman.

Date of first hearing set for De Beque Mosquito Abatement District

The Mesa County Commissioners this morning kicked off the statutory process for approving a service plan for the De Beque Mosquito Abatement District.

The Commissioners were required to set a meeting date for the first reading of the plan, to be held within 30 days of today's hearing.

The first reading of the plan will be June 13 at the Commissioners 9 a.m. Administrative Hearing. Members of the public who wish to comment will have an opportunity to do so at that hearing.