Good morning, Grand Junction.

On Saturday, June 14th, The Ale House at 2531 12th St. will host Backyard Brewfest — a charity event offering unlimited beer, live music, a dunk tank and giveaways to support Grand Valley Gives and over 60 local nonprofits.

Tickets cost $30.

A truck caught fire near mile marker 88 on I-70 yesterday afternoon and the blaze spread to nearby brush, forcing officials to close westbound I-70 just after Exit 90 near Rifle—officials reported the highway remained closed as of 4:30 p.m.

At 8:50 a.m. today, Grand Junction police arrested 65-year-old Celestino Marquez near the Riverfront Trail and 25 Road after he threatened officers with a gun and a knife and set multiple fires that caused moderate property damage while no one was injured.

At 8:50 a.m., Grand Junction Police arrested 65-year-old Celestino Marquez after he threatened officers with a knife and a gun and started fires near the River City Sportsplex on Riverfront Trail and 25 Road—firefighters and officials contained the fires with moderate property damage and no injuries.

The Upper Grand Valley Pest Control District, CSU Tri-River Extension Office and Mesa County are working together to teach local tree owners about black cherry aphids and their signs.

The pests lay shiny black eggs at the base of buds and excrete honeydew that leads to sooty mold—an issue that can harm tree health and reduce fruit quality.

Mesa County Citizens on Patrol volunteers spent over 500 hours on VIN inspections and 600 hours red tagging vehicles last year + also handled school and community checks.

Their work saves the sheriff’s office about $150,000 a year + frees up deputies to focus on emergencies.

According to CDOT, inattentive driving crashes decreased by 19% in the first five months of 2025 after the new hands-free law took effect on January 1—calls dropped from 1,432 to 1,161 and preliminary data shows traffic deaths were down 11% from the same period in 2024.

Local health care providers in Grand Junction are preparing for more heat-related illnesses as forecasts show above-normal temperatures with more 90- and 95-degree days expected—experts note that last summer's record heat led to more cases—and they advise residents to stay cool, drink water, and watch for signs of heat stroke during outdoor activities.

Canyon View Surgery Center at Community Hospital was recognized on the Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers list for 2025—its ranking in Orthopedics and Spine placed it among six Colorado centers out of 102, and the center performs about 350 surgeries each month.

Mineral & Rock Sale

9 AM – 3 PM — Grand Junction Gem & Mineral — Open to all — Discover an array of gems, fossils, and minerals from local enthusiasts.

Summer Solstice Celebration

1-2 a.m. — Wingate Park — Free entry — Celebrate the energizing Light and Love of the Summer Solstice at sunset.