🌱 Wireless Meters + West Springs Hospital Cries Foul + Derailment

Hey, everybody! Today’s National Megalodon Day; did you know that the huge fish existed for around 13 million years before going extinct almost four million years ago? It's Sylvia, your host of the Grand Junction Patch newsletter. Today you'll find news about these stories and more...

• ⚠️ Traffic crash at 29 and D roads.
• 🤔 Mesa County Public Health Board update.
• 🚂 Soybean meal spill.

💗 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: Not as warm; a p.m. t-shower. High: 77 Low: 54.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Grand Junction

• Circle K at 3202 E. Road, $3.39
• Shell at 2896 North Ave., $3.39
• Sinclair at 2498 Patterson Road, $3.46

🏖️ Vacation Poll!
Are you traveling this summer? What is your favorite type of vacation? So far:

• 22.2 percent want to go on a road trip
• 16.7 percent each choose a camping trip or cruise
• 11.1 percent each remain here for a staycation or head out for an island vacation
• 5.6 percent each opt for a local outing, a national park trip, a Jeep trip, or a solo trip to Europe

📰 Here are the top stories in Grand Junction today:

1. Early Wednesday morning, a vehicle accident occurred at 29 and D roads. Reportedly, a black truck “drove into oncoming traffic while striking a white truck pulling a trailer,” resulting in a rollover of the black truck. Everyone seems to have been OK, considering that the driver tried to run away but was taken into custody. (KJCT)
2. Beginning in July, parking your car might introduce you to the city’s new smart wireless meters. Installation starts later this month on “33rd Street south of Main Street, and 6th Street, north and south of Main Street.” An initial pilot program will continue until October, and anyone is welcome to share feedback. The meters take coins, credit cards, and mobile types of payments. (City of Grand Junction)
3. Mesa County Public Health Board update: Victor Yahn, who spent almost three weeks as a temporary member and chairman of the board, resigned. While we don’t know the official reason for his stepping down, there’s scuttlebutt that it’s “related to the dispute between the Mesa County commissioners and the Public Health Department.” (The Daily Sentinel/paywall)
4. West Springs Hospital in Grand Junction has been operating under a conditional license. It was issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Now, the mental health clinic wants Gov. Jared Polis to overrule this decision, claiming “extraordinary regulatory scrutiny.” Why was the conditional license decision made in the first place? Reportedly, the Department cited a “history of deficiencies that have been cited and re-cited.” Now, we wait. (Western Slope Now)
5. The only thing that spilled in the five-car train derailment at the Union Pacific’s rail yard was a load of soybean meal. Nobody was hurt, but you might notice some folks checking out the area around 28 Road and I-70B. They’re trying to figure out what caused the problem in the first place. (NBC)

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.

📆 Today in Grand Junction:

Thursday, June 15

• Homeless Coalition meets at the Mesa County Public Library (10 AM)
• Adaptive Climbing at Grand Valley Climbing (5:30 PM)
• Colorado Mesa University hosts a “Rising Tax Risk” Workshop (6:30 PM)
• Logan Mize plays at the Warehouse25sixty-five Kitchen + Bar (7 PM)
• Pepper does an all ages show at the Mesa Theater (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Monsoon Awareness Week: Downburst winds are common with t-storms during the Monsoon. Reaching speeds of 60, 70, or even 100 mph, they can be extremely hazardous & cause property damage. Check out this video from our friends at NWS Albuquerque https://youtu.be/zfT6t8KRxX8" (NWS Grand Junction)
• "Colorado Cancer Coalition MOD Pizza Fundraiser! Help celebrate cancer survivors in the month of June! Bring in the attached event flyer throughout the entire day, and MOD Pizza will donate a percentage of your order to CCC. Ordering online? Use Fundraising Code: MODGIVES20" (KAFM Radio)
• "IT'S BACK! National Night Out registration is now open! Nosey neighbors make for safe neighborhoods. Be part of the GJPD's mission to build a safer community for everyone! Register your neighborhood here: https://gjcity.org/1118/National-Night-Out." (Grand Junction PD)
• "Many Mesa County offices will be closed Monday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. View the full list of closures: https://mesacounty.us/news/county-wide/county-offices-closed-observance-juneteenth." (Mesa County Colorado)
• "It's the Annual Book Giveaway Friday, June 16 & Saturday, June 17 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Come by to find your next book adventure! *Teacher Early Access: Thurs. June 15* All books are provided by School District 51." (Mesa County Valley School District 51)

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• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (June 19)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start 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