Good morning, Grand Junction.

Construction crews have begun moving dirt in Lincoln Park as Colorado Mesa University starts building new athletic facilities, with a ground-breaking ceremony set for noon on Aug.

27 — the project keeps the historic barn intact for use as a weight room and leaves the nearby track open for public use.

On Saturday, Aug. 1, a Mesa County team climbed Maroon Peak to honor Colorado’s 150th anniversary — led by CMU Outdoor Recreation instructor Sarah Shrader — and completed a 12 hour hike that showcased careful route finding to celebrate public lands and support the outdoor economy in the community.

Colorado Mesa University senior Julia Wildman received the national Robert D.G.

Lewis First Amendment Award Thursday for her work in student journalism and media leadership. Wildman, who interns at The Daily Sentinel (and leads the campus SPJ chapter), will attend the national SPJ Conference in early October.

On Thursday morning, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers safely relocated a mother bear and one cub in Fruita — a second cub remains missing and will be moved to a rehabilitation facility if located.

Firefighters are containing the 310 Fire reported Thursday at 12:30 p.m. which has burned 332 acres about 3.5 miles southeast of Parachute on mixed lands.

Evacuations remain on County Road 310 and Road 338 near County Road 301 as crews battle hot, dry + windy conditions.

Roaring Fork Watershed displays record-low flows from extended drought, while higher releases from Ruedi Reservoir serve Grand Valley's senior water rights.

Conservancy technician Matthew Anderson warned the reservoir may reach 500 cfs by Monday - creating dangerous conditions for anglers and kids.

The Mesa County Landfill added a 120,000-pound Bomag 1173 trash compactor to process construction debris, household waste and biosolids after it was assembled and delivered at the end of July + Solid Waste Site Manager Cory Silva led a video tour of the machine’s features.

The Grand Junction Police Department warns drivers that back-to-school traffic will increase around schools during weekday drop-off and pick-up hours, with active school zones shown by flashing yellow lights or posted signs.

Local hospice provider HopeWest offers in-home end-of-life care and a 13-bed Ferris Care Center for residents, including the unhoused, while partnering with community organizations and raising over $5 million in philanthropy last year (including funds from Heirlooms for Hospice stores).

IV and The Strange Band at Mesa Theater

7-11 p.m. — Mesa Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience a high-energy blend of country-western music and comedy magic.