🌱 Shots On North Ave. + Bike & Pedestrian Plan + Food Trucks

Hello, friends! Today’s International Red Sneakers Day; did you know that it raises awareness of food allergies by remembering an 11-year-old boy with a tree nut allergy? Sylvia here with your Saturday edition of the Grand Junction Patch newsletter, full of the things you need to know about what's happening in town. Today you'll find these stories and more:

• 🔧 The Grand Junction Union Depot restoration.
• 🤔 Battle over the Mesa County’s health department executive director.
• 🚲 First bike and pedestrian plan.

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🌥️ But first, today's weather:

An afternoon thunderstorm. High: 80 Low: 54.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Grand Junction

• Sinclair at 2903 North Ave., $3.02
• Exxon at 1904 North 12th Street, $3.07
• Sinclair at 2498 Patterson Road, $3.09

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

• 20.6 percent - traveling
• 7.8 percent - flying
• 5.9 percent - ballroom dancing, line dancing
• 2.9 percent - fly-fishing, crocheting, Mahjong, basket making, dog training & showing, surfing, watercolor, pickleball, pottery, reading, horseback riding, wine collecting, car collecting, playing guitar, kickboxing, golf, roller skating, woodworking

Thank you for participating!

📰 Here are the top stories today in Grand Junction:

1. The police arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly firing shots in the area of the 2800 block of North Avenue. The event occurred in the middle of the night; reportedly, he “was walking back and forth and shooting a handgun in the air.” We don’t know why the man was shooting the gun. (Western Slop Now)
2. Earlier this week, the Grand Junction city council adopted its first bike and pedestrian plan. It is the culmination of a 10-month outreach effort. “Now, some areas have been changed from blue to red. Indicating they are not permissible to the public.” Neighbors also asked for broken sidewalks to be fixed and accessibility to be enhanced. (NBC)
3. Jeff Kuhr went from Citizen of the Year in 2021 to Mesa County’s health department executive director. Now, he is the person everyone seeks to oust from the position. The county commissioners are leading the charge, citing “poor record keeping” and playing it fast and loose with taxpayer money. But, so far, nobody has brought any legal action. Also, Kuhr cannot be sent packing until a public hearing occurs. (Western Slope Now, NBC)
4. What’s happening with the Grand Junction Union Depot? Recently, neighbors had a chance to visit a pres-construction open house in celebration of National Train Day. The event was free and succeeded in shoring up new community support for the ongoing historic preservation of the venue. (GJ Union Depot)
5. If you love food trucks, circle May 31 on your calendar. The Business Incubator Center will have a variety of them parking in the SHIFT lot. Eating starts at noon and continues until 6 p.m. Don’t miss out! (Downtown GJ)

📆 Today in Grand Junction:

• The Art Quilt Association hosts its Meeting & Demo & Mini Workshop at the Redlands Community Center (9:30 AM)
• Family Storytime at the Central Library (10 AM)
• Wild West ShootOut Classic Six Horse Hitch at the Mesa County Fairgrounds (12 PM)
• Speakeasy! Museum of the West Fundraiser (7 PM)
• The Avalon Theatre hosts John Crist's "Emotional Support" Tour (7 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Thank you for helping us honor those officers lost in the line of duty, last night, for the Police Week Vigil and Touch-A-Truck. Special thank you to Sheriff Mesa Colofor hosting and MCSO PIO, Wendy Likes, for organizing a lovely event." (Grand Junction PD)
• "Rachel Talley with District 51, is not only a data analyst, but she also is a full-time beekeeper! Rachel visited Fruitvale Elementary's Kindergarten classes to present to them why bees are an essential part of our ecosystem." (Mesa County Valley School District 51)
• "Above Colorado National Monument and Glade Park on Pinon Mesa in the Fruita section of the Grand Mesa National Forest. Run through aspen groves, lush meadows, pine forest and often a mudhole or two. Wildflowers are usually abundant. Lollipop course up Turkey Flats trail to Reservoir #1 Road past Reservoir #1 onto Reservoir Trail single track climbing until right onto Ridge Trail double track, more gradual climbing to high point at right turn onto Haypress single track, descend through heavy forest to large meadow to rejoin Turkey Flats trail for final descent back to finish. Start is at 8,876' with high point about 9,700'. Self-supported. One of the Striders best weekend-long events. Join us for group camping, Saturday night potluck, and great friendship!" (Mesa Monument Striders)
• "During last night's City Council meeting, Mayor Stout proclaimed this week as National Police Week. City Council Member/Retired GJPD Detective Cody Kennedy read the Proclamation, while Chief Smith accepted the proclamation on behalf of the GJPD." (Grand Junction PD)
• "Exciting update! Renovations are in full swing at the old Clifton Hall, which will soon be the new Mesa County Sheriff's Office's substation." (Mesa County Colorado)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. I'll be back in your inbox Tuesday 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