Good morning, Grand Junction.

Rifle High School football team turned its Bear Cards fundraiser into wildfire relief by donating 5% of the funds raised (about $1500) to help those affected by the fire near Meeker.

Coach Ty Leyba said the donation shows the team stands with Western Slope neighbors (teaching players the value of community support beyond the field).

On August 16th, Grand Junction Police responded to a fight at the Veterans of Foreign Wars that began as a verbal dispute and escalated to include a firearm display; they arrested 19-year-old Esteban Arzapalo and issued summonses to several others while one person was taken to the hospital.

Grand Junction City Council approved a zoning change last week that will allow Mesa County Valley School District 51 to repurpose the former East Middle School building—closed after the 2022/23 school year—for administrative support services, a plan that will consolidate operations from three sites and be detailed at a Board of Education work session in September.

Mesa County commissioners pushed back against state mandates they said were too costly and illegal and sent a letter to Gov. Polis, Senate President James Coleman and House Speaker Julie McCluskie — they chose to treat four rules, including those for police body cameras and website upgrades, as optional. The county estimated that the mandates could cost up to $10 million a year and add expenses such as $432,000 for body cameras and $29,000 for DMV processing.

Carolyn Acker has been selected as the new magistrate for Mesa County to replace the retiring Kevin Kennedy—she was chosen by a panel of judges and court officials after a competitive interview process.

A Grand Junction team from Freedom Institute and OnMed is building 60 medical pods using a cassette design by LadaBuild so patients can get full consultation care and tele-health treatment.

The group is working with local partners—like the City—to plan interim housing that will provide jobs, case management, and recovery services for returning citizens.

The Rifle High School football team changed its plans when a scrimmage was cancelled and is donating 5%—or about $1500—of its Bear Cards fundraiser from August 16 to help wildfire relief near Meeker.

Head Coach Ty Leyba said this move shows the team's strong commitment to supporting Western Slope communities.

Ice Nine Kills: Hell of a Summer Tour

5:30-7 p.m. — Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park — $40.50 - $75.50 + fees — Experience Ice Nine Kills’ theatrical show alongside Dayseeker and Kim Dracula this summer.

Postmodern Jukebox Concert

8-9:30 p.m. — The Avalon Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience modern pop hits reimagined in classic styles like jazz and Motown with a talented ensemble.

Attack Attack! One Hit Wonder Tour

7:00 – 8:30 PM — Mesa Theater — Check venue for ticket info — Catch the electrifying performance by Attack Attack! along with Savage Hands and Versus Me.

Weird Al Yankovic Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park — $55.50 - $155.50 — Experience the comedic genius live with iconic hits and fan favorites during the Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour.

Read Southall Live

7-9:30 p.m. — Mesa Theater — Admission cost TBD — Enjoy an evening of soulful melodies and bluesy guitar riffs from Austin's own Read Southall.

Live in the Grapevines Concert: Quemando

7-9 p.m. — Grande River Vineyards — Benefit concert — Experience the vibrant sounds of the Quemando Salsa Band in a beautiful vineyard setting.

Dinner Under the Moon

5-8:30 p.m. — Western Colorado Research Center - Orchard Mesa — Ticketed — Enjoy a delightful evening of food and performances supporting bilingual education under the stars.

Understanding ADCs in the Real World

6-8 p.m. — Colorado Mesa University Confluence Hall — Free entry — Explore the role of analog-to-digital converters in making sense of the analog world with live demonstrations.

Rebecca Folsom Duo Performance

7-9 p.m. — The Radio Room — Doors at 6:30 p.m. — Enjoy an evening of melodic tunes by the talented Rebecca Folsom Duo.

Grand Mesa Open Pickleball Tournament

Sep 12-14 — Lincoln Park — Registration required — Compete and play pickleball with local enthusiasts in a fun tournament setting.