Good morning, Grand Junction.

Noah Tinch, an 18-year-old University of Kentucky student visiting Colorado, died at Sunset Lake on June 12 after a head injury and drowning while trying to retrieve a fishing fly, according to his father.

Amazon began building a new last-mile facility in Montrose that will bring both full-time and part-time jobs to the area + the company bought nearly 7.8 acres for almost 2.2 million dollars in late March through a confidential deal with the Montrose Economic Development Corporation.

Grand Junction Police arrested Michael Ritchie, 51—reportedly armed with a knife—outside a Carl’s Jr. on North Avenue after he resisted arrest for outstanding warrants; officers used a taser for compliance, he was evaluated at a nearby hospital and booked at Mesa County Detention Facility.

Christine Westermire—an educator at the Museum of Western Colorado and descendant of former slaves—spoke with WesternSlopeNow on Juneteenth about her family's past and the value of freedom.

She said she will open an exhibit honoring black history on the Western Slope to ensure local contributions are remembered.

On June 19, the Palisade Historical Society celebrated the Grand River Diversion Dam’s 110th birthday at The Ordinary Fellow winery in Palisade with historical photos, videos, a speech from the Grand Valley Water Users Association, wine, and cake from Slice-O-Life Bakery.

The celebration also discussed planned upgrades for the dam—built in 1915 to provide irrigation water to the Grand Valley.

Crews had mostly contained the 10-acre Red Canyon Fire that started on Wednesday 4 miles west of Walcott and reached full control around 6:00 p.m. Thursday—emergency personnel kept the right lane of westbound I-70 closed during mop-up operations.

Mesa County Public Health issued a No Burn Advisory on Wednesday that lasts until 9:00 p.m. Saturday due to gusty winds and dry, hot conditions.

The Colorado State Patrol reminds motorcyclists that lane filtering is allowed while lane splitting through moving traffic is illegal—riders must pass from the left only, wait until all traffic stops, and keep speeds at 15 mph or less.

Trooper Sherri Mendez added that the Motorcycle Operator Safety Training program helps riders master these skills.

St. Mary’s donated 90 life jackets to eight kiosks along the Colorado River from Fruita to Palisade to help cut drowning risks during water sports.

The donation provides 30 jackets for adults, children and youth—nearly 30 people die each year in Colorado waters, with 42 fatalities reported in 2022.

Summer Solstice Celebration

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

Colorado Riverfront Concert Series

7 PM - 1 AM — James M. Robb - Colorado River State Park — Donations appreciated — Experience a night of live music with Julian Marley and the Uprising supporting trail maintenance efforts.

Rosé Wine Tasting

1-2:30 p.m. — 626 on Rood — $95 per person inclusive — Explore delightful Rosé wines paired with a special 4-course tasting menu.