🌱 Spring Creek Fire + New Charter School + Christy Whitney Borchard

Hello all! Today’s National Bomb Pop Day; did you know that the red, white, and blue, star-shaped ice cream treat was invented in Kansas City, Missouri? It's Sylvia, your host of the Grand Junction Patch newsletter — here to over these stories and more:

• ⚠️ A sad discovery in the Colorado River.
• 📣 Shoutout to Christy Whitney Borchard.
• 🚼 Mesa County Public Health’s nurse-family partnership.

💗 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: Partly sunny. High: 91 Low: 55.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Grand Junction

• Safeway at 681 Horizon Drive, $3.49
• Sam’s Club at 1040 Independent Ave., $3.49
• Conoco at 2998 North Ave., $3.52

🥤 Summer Drink Poll!
It’s heating up! Besides water, what is your favorite summertime drink?

📰 Here are the top stories today in Grand Junction:

1. The body recovered from the Colorado River belonged to a Grand Junction neighbor. Reportedly, Utah’s medical examiner is finalizing an analysis, but officials say, “no criminal findings are apparent at this time.” Rafters made the discovery on June 22, just after noon. (ABC)
2. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Spring Creek fire that started Saturday, you’re not alone. Located right outside Parachute, the fire has – so far – burned almost 3,000 acres. As of Wednesday, it was 20 percent contained. “Firefighters are focusing on the northeast side of the fire closest to Parachute, where there is oil and gas infrastructure.” (Denver 7)
3. Ascent Classical Academy is accepting applications for the fall. It is opening a “K-12, tuition-free, classical charter school” and filling kindergarten through eighth grade now. From there, it’ll add one grade a year. The school is on the property that used to house the Rocky Mountain Gun Club. (Western Slope Now)
4. First-time moms are invited to connect with registered nurses from Mesa County Public Health’s nurse-family partnership. Participation is free of charge. The program “allows the moms to become competent in their new role as a mother.” (NBC)
5. A shoutout to Christy Whitney Borchard! Now a Steamboat Springs resident, the local Rotary Club honored her with the “Service Above Self Award.” You may know that she is the retired HopeWest founder and CEO. (The Daily Sentinel/paywall)

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📆 Today in Grand Junction:

Thursday, June 29

• Kitten Clearance $25 Adoption Special at the Roice-Hurst Humane Society (all day)
• Medicare Information Table in the Central Library Lobby (11 AM)
• Young Professionals Network of Mesa County meets at the Handlebar Tap House (5:30 PM)
• Meditation, Conversation & Vibrations at the Meditation, Conversation, and Vibrations (5:30 PM)
• Tropidelic performs at the Las Colonias Amphitheater (7 PM)

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🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Elementary Declining Enrollment Committee: OPEN HOUSE. On Thursday, June 29 from 5:30- 7 p.m. We are encouraging all members of our community to join in on this open conversation." (Mesa County Valley School District 51)
• "If you are seeing the large plume of smoke to the east, it is the Spring Creek Fire burning in Garfield County. Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke for portions of Garfield/Mesa counties. The worst smoke impacts overnight, most likely between Parachute and De Beque." (Mesa County Sheriff)
• "Concert season in Grand Junction, Colorado, is ramping up for 2023, and it has just been announced that The Used will be playing at the amphitheater at Las Colonias Park on Tuesday, Oct. 3. Tickets go on sale this coming Thursday, June 29 at 10 a.m." (Kool 1079)
• "180 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4 holiday. Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully." (GJ Fire Department)
• "Subscribe to the Mesa County newsletter by noon on Friday, June 30, to ensure you receive the first newsletter. To join the growing community of engaged residents who take an active role in shaping the County's future, visit http://bit.ly/46hHDwP." (Mesa County Colorado)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll see you soon.

— 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