🌱 East Middle School Closes + EV Open House + Jeff Kuhr Update

Hi all! Today’s National Taffy Day; did you know that salt water taffy’s invention was pinpointed to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1883? I'm back with your fresh copy of the Grand Junction Patch newsletter. Let's get this Tuesday started off right. Today you'll read about these stories and more:

• 💛 Students want to remember East Middle School.
• 🤔 A look at Wiggy’s way of doing business.
• ✈️ A visit to El Espino, El Salvador.

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🌤️ But first, today's weather: A stray afternoon t-shower. High: 81 Low: 55.

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., $2.97
• Circle K at 599 29½ Road, $3.06
• Sinclair at 2498 Patterson Road, $3.09

🦸 Superpower Poll!
A 2018 survey found that Americans would love to have the superpower of healing others. If we take this one off the table, which superpower would you love to have?

📰 Here are the top stories in Grand Junction today:

1. With enrollment slipping, East Middle School closed its doors on Monday. The school opened in 1971, but funding is no longer available. While students are now moving to different middle schools in the district, the last group of students decided to make a time capsule and “bury it near the front steps.” The goal is to dig up the capsule in 50 years. (Western Slope Now)
2. Jeff Kuhr update: The embattled director of Mesa County’s Board of Public Health is still there. However, four board members resigned in protest. They “refused to fire Kuhr at the request of the Mesa County Board of Commissioners.” (The Daily Sentinel/paywall)
3. Wiggy’s is the name to know when shopping for a sleeping bag that’ll actually keep you warm. But you can’t buy the product in the store because the manufacturer demands that any retailer wanting to sell his product has to “eliminate all these other brands.” Meanwhile, the bags have been to the North Pole and back. You can buy them directly from the manufacturer — just not in a store. (Colorado Sun)
4. Did you know that Grand Junction has a sister city? It’s El Espino, El Salvador, and the Foundation for Cultural Exchange is planning a trip there in July. The plan is for attendees to meet artist Fernando Llort and “hike up an active volcano,” among other things. (NBC)
5. You’re invited to give the city input on an electric vehicle (EV) readiness plan. It’ll host an open house on Wednesday at the Bookcliff Activity Center. If you have ideas about “how the city can incorporate EVs into everyday life in Grand Junction and suggest potential charging locations,” please show up and be heard. (Western Slope Now)

📆 Today in Grand Junction:

• Desire Meets Design takes place at Abstract & Title (11:30 AM)
• YGB Livestock Camp at the Mesa County Fair (4 PM)
• Foam & Folly Brewing hosts the Mesa County Women’s Network (5:30 PM)
• Stray Grass plays at Two Rivers Winery (7 PM)
• Kung Fu Vampire performs at the Mesa Theater (8 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

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🖊️ From my notebook:

• "The Board of Education meets twice a month on the first and third Tuesdays, beginning at 5 p.m. The meeting schedule may vary for the months of November (Election Day & Thanksgiving), December (Winter Break), March (Spring Break) and May (Graduations)." (D51 Schools)
• "Many Mesa County offices will be closed Monday, May 29, 2023, in observance of Memorial Day. https://mesacounty.us/news/county-wide/county-offices-closed-memorial-day." (Mesa County Colorado)
• "More and more wildflowers are starting to bloom. We love seeing the pop of color. Share your wildflower photos with us!" (Visit Grand Junction)
• "In this last installment of Kindergartner and a Cop, Rilyn and Officer Simpson talk about helping others, adventures, and sugar! Thanks for watching and getting to know our GJPD officers. And special thanks to Rilyn!" (Grand Junction PD)
• "For those who may not want to go to a traditional high school, D51 offers alternative options like Grand River Academy to pursue your education. Class of 2023, you should be so proud of this milestone! Here's to the next chapter of your lives!" (D51)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday off right. I'll catch up with you bright and early Thursday with 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