Good morning, Grand Junction.

Daryl, the 9-year-old French bulldog at Mesa Park Fruit Co., welcomes visitors near the red barn as the farm produces peaches and wine grapes.

Owners Brandon and Laura Black say his calm charm and playful lizard chases make him a beloved local greeter.

Grand Junction artist Jamie Bardsley has installed her first permanent sculpture, 'Present Reflections,' in the Hellems Arts and Sciences Building at CU-Boulder, which reopens in January.

The work — a suspension of 202 stainless steel wires with over 4,000 porcelain pieces — marks a two-year creative effort and signals her return to full-time art.

Local students received academic honors on university lists after Fall 2025, with achievements noted for those from Grand Junction and nearby communities.

Institutions such as Utah Tech and Southern New Hampshire University recognized these scholars for their academic strengths.

Mesa County Valley School District 51 voted unanimously this week to direct $3M from Priority Improvement Projects to Fruita Monument High School upgrades including building modifications, safety enhancements + upgraded CTE spaces.

Design concludes in February + construction begins this spring, with work set for completion in fall 2027.

The state's Public Utilities Commission set a 2035 requirement to cut greenhouse gas emissions 41% by shifting from natural gas to electric heating; Grand Junction Rep. Rick Taggart and others warn that costly upgrades may burden local families (a concern raised amid calls for a greener future).

W-2s arriving in the mail signal major tax changes for 2026 filers due to legislation passed in July 2025, and tax preparers say the new senior deductions and overtime exemptions may require extra review time before the IRS opens filing on January 26.

Mesa County Elections office announced winners of the I Voted sticker contest with record participation from local students.

Two fourth-graders, an eighth-grader, and a ninth-grader will be recognized at the County Commissioners’ public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 13 + the event underscores growing student civic engagement.

BLM offered unsold 20,451 acres for oil and gas leases in northwest Colorado this week after a December auction had low bids; the agency will hold a March sale for nearly 73,000 acres and a June sale exceeding 160,000 acres in Garfield + Mesa + Rio Blanco + Moffat counties.

The former RockyMounts building at Las Colonias Park is listed for sale at $3.4 million.

The property offers 2,915 sqft of office space and 16,600 sqft for production and warehouse use, which could attract a new business to the busy park.

The She Gees Tribute Concert

7-10 p.m. — The Avalon Theatre — Ticket prices will be available soon — Dance and sing along to the electrifying female-led tribute to the Bee Gees' greatest hits.

Valentine's Day Wine & Chocolate Pairing

10 a.m.–5 p.m. — Whitewater Hill Vineyards — $50 per person — Indulge in a delightful combination of fine wines and decadent chocolates for a romantic experience.