🌱 60 Trees Planted At Local Schools + SWAT On B ½ Road + Student Debt

Hello all. Today’s National Eat What You Want Day; did you know that Thomas and Ruth Roy of wellcat.com created this day, so you can “actually enjoy yourself?” It's Sylvia, your host of the inaugural Grand Junction Patch newsletter. In today's issue, you'll read about these stories and more:

• ⚠️ SWAT at Western Hills Mobile Home Park.
• 🤝 Ten marijuana retail licenses issued.
• 🌮 A Tacos and Margarita Festival is coming.

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

🌧️ But first, today's weather: Mostly cloudy, showers around. High: 68 Low: 45.

Business owners and marketers in Grand Junction: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Grand Junction

• Sam’s Club at 1040 Independent Ave., $3.02
• Maverik at 2902 D Road, $3.02
• Walmart Neighborhood Market at 541 Warrior Way, $3.02

🍷 Hobby Poll!
Everybody has hobbies. If time and money were no object this summer, which new hobby would you like to learn or take up?

📰 Here are the top stories in Grand Junction today:

1. The Grand Junction police department responded to the Western Hills Mobile Home Park in the 2700 block of B ½ Road Wednesday morning. They had received calls about a “felony menacing.” Upon arriving, the officers learned that a 46-year-old man had broken a neighbor’s window, threatened to commit suicide, and holed up in a mobile home. Alcohol was involved. SWAT rolled and put an end to the standoff. The suspect was arrested, and nearby Dos Rios Elementary School could end its shelter-in-place order. (City of Grand Junction)
2. It took two years, but the city has finally ironed out how to issue 10 marijuana retail licenses. While initially supposed to be based on merit, it eventually turned into a lottery. Would you believe that business insiders have had to attend numerous meetings, file applications, develop plans, and lease a building for a prospective storefront all this time with no promise that they’d get a license? “It was not fair to the applicants, no doubt about that,” said City Council member Scott Beilfuss. (Colorado Sun)
3. Did you see the kids out and about on Friday? They were part of an effort to plant 60 trees at eight schools. The local Rotary Club generously donated trees worth $10,000 from Valley Grown Nursery. The school district kicked in $2,500. The schools benefiting from the new trees are Appleton Elementary School, Central High, Chatfield, Fruita 8-9, Loma Elementary, Mesa Middle School, Mesa View, Orchard, and Rocky Mountain. (KJCT)
4. We’re number 30? Insiders have crunched the numbers to see what student loan debts are across the country. Grand Junction comes in at number 30. The median student debt here is $18,721, which represents a 41.45 percent ratio of student debt to median earnings. Who knew? (WalletHub)
5. Circle June 3 on your calendar! It’s when the inaugural Tacos and Margarita Festival will take place. Festivities run from noon to 5 p.m. at the Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park. Bring the kids; everyone under 12 gets in FREE. By the way, it’s not just about the tacos — there’ll be live pro wrestling! (Grand Junction Events)

📆 Today in Grand Junction:

• On The Hook Fish & Chips is stopping by Tractor Supply (11 AM)
• Join Mesa County Libraries for Books On Tap at the Ramblebine Brewing Company (5:30 PM)
• Canyon View Vineyard Church hosts a Women's Masterpiece Ministry Event (6 PM)
• Built To Spill performs at the Mesa Theater (8 PM)
• Shea Bramer performs live on the patio at Enzo's Ristorante Italiano (8:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Join us at The Point for the last Pizza with Patrol of the semester! Enjoy free pizza & soft drinks. Don't miss the chance to play a game of pool or ping-pong with CMU Police Officers & ask any questions you have about Criminal Justice or related fields. See you there!" (Colorado Mesa University)
• "CRU has been in contact with a man living on the river, trying to get him into permanent housing. Today, he chose to take the help. Thanks to our friends at City Housing, Catholic Outreach, MCSO, & community who strive to make this place a great place to live." (Grand Junction PD)
• "GED classes are offered to prepare adults (17 and older) to pass all four of the GED subject tests. Classes are offered in-person and online, with instructors who will meet you at your level. Learners who participate in this program should anticipate spending eight hours each week working toward completing their GED. To learn more about getting started, contact 970-683-2443. Interested in participating in GED classes, but have a learning or testing need? Contact Monica at 970-683-2443 or mwesterling@mcpld.org" (Mesa County Libraries)
• "Back together again! Different uniforms. Same team. Still family. Motor Officers caught up with retired GJPD Motor Officers, now Sheriff Mesa Deputies! The passion to serve runs deep & we're lucky our old friends continue serving the community." (Grand Junction PD)
• "Not for children! June 3, we bring out the naughty books. They are spicy, vulgar, and profane, but all of them are funny, really funny. We will start Naughty Pottery Night at the end of our evening and extend our hours to 10:00 for you all. Come in and play with laughter in mind." (Angelo’s Pottery)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all Saturday morning for another update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Grand Junction Patch newsletter? Contact me at grandjunction-co@patch.com