🌱 Rivaling Projections + Get Help To Buy A House + Pot Retail Permits

Hello, everybody! Today’s National Iced Tea Day; did you know that while recipes for the beverage go back to the 1870s, it was the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis that made it popular? I'm here with your Saturday edition of the Grand Junction Patch newsletter, filled with what's happening locally. Including news on:

• 📕 The Housing Division Book Club.
• 🥇 Colorado Mesa University program recognized.
• 🤔 East Middle School closure questioned.

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🌤️ But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and pleasant. High: 86 Low: 58.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Grand Junction

• Sinclair at 2903 North Ave., $3.28
• Sinclair at 2685 C Road, $3.28
• City Market at 630 24 Road, $3.33

🏖️ Vacation Poll!
Are you traveling this summer? What is your favorite type of vacation? So far, 37.5 percent choose a camping trip, while 25 percent favor a road trip or staycation, and 12.5 percent opt for a cruise.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Grand Junction:

1. East Middle School closed because a “paid school demographer” predicted enrollment numbers were declining so much that staffing the facility wouldn’t make sense. Now, a rival projection from state demographers shows this might not be as accurate as previously thought. Now what? (Western Slope Now)
2. Colorado Mesa University is home to the 2023 Outstanding Student Society, says the American Academy of Physician Associates. What sets the program apart from the rest is its work with the Western Colorado Community College Culinary Program, which focuses on community cooking classes. (NBC)
3. Housing Resources of Western Colorado wants to help low-income neighbors buy a house. Beginning today, June 10, you can qualify for down payment assistance, participate in “specialized loans,” and receive free counseling. (KJCT)
4. The State of Colorado is handing out marijuana retail permits, and two pot stores will be in Grand Junction! They are the Grand Junction Greenery and the Lucky Me Dispensary. No other Grand Junction applicants received permits. (The Daily Sentinel/paywall)
5. If you want to do some reading, the Housing Division Book Club hopes you’ll sign up for its program. The summer book club focuses on “Homelessness is a Housing Problem” by Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern. While daytime sessions have already begun, the evening session will begin on June 13 and run on alternating Tuesdays. (City of Grand Junction)

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📆 Today in Grand Junction:

Saturday, June 10

• Cross Orchards Market at the Museum of the West (8 AM)
• Night Vision Concert at the Mesa County Fairgrounds (1 PM)
• Out West Books hosts Wendy Silvano, author of "Turkey's Sandtastic Beach Day" (1 PM)
• Two Rivers Winery & Château hosts The Denver Brass5 (7:30 PM)
• Dwight Yoakam performs at the Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Weigh in on the new I-70 interchange! The City and Mesa County are asking the community to join us in a public open house to discuss a new interchange at 29 Road. Grand Junction Church of Christ (2983 Patterson Road) Tuesday, June 13, 5-7 p.m." (City of Grand Junction)
• "Reminder: Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction Big Game Season Structure (BGSS) public meetings. As part of our BGSS planning process, CPW is hosting public meetings tonight in Glenwood Springs (town hall) and Grand Junction (open house). Learn more http://cpw.info/3B5zrRW" (CPW NW Region)
• "Congratulations to GJPD Sergeant Rich Roquemore on his retirement! A 29-year law enforcement career! Thank you for your outstanding service to the citizens of this community. You will be greatly missed, friend." (Grand Junction PD)
• "Mesa County has applied for a grant from the Federal Highway Administration to install electric vehicle charging stations." (Mesa County Colorado)
• "Please join us on Tuesday, June 20th, for a community benefit public meeting with Chris Thomas, President & CEO, for Community Hospital updates. The meeting will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We hope to see you there!" (Community Hospital)

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Featured events:

• Taxes in Retirement Webinar on June 13 & 14 (June 13)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox Tuesday with your next 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