Good morning, Grand Junction.

A Mesa resident warned families in the Grand Mesa region to watch their children and pets after a bear killed nearly all her chickens over the weekend+ her husband shot the bear Monday in self-defense.

Officials advise residents to secure trash and use sound sensors to reduce bear attraction.

Roice-Hurst Humane Society is a finalist in the national Wagsies Awards video contest (a competition by the Association for Advancement in Animal Welfare and Hill's Pet Nutrition) with a humorous video promoting pet fostering; voting closes Friday, Aug.

21.

The 25th Western Colorado Senior Games kicked off Monday in Grand Junction for seniors 50 and older, with events like bocce ball, billiards 8 ball, disc golf, and table tennis already underway and more scheduled through the weekend.

Grand Junction’s new Community Recreation Center now offers guided tours from 8 to 5, Monday through Friday, to preview spaces from the lobby to the fitness area as operations shift from Lincoln Park.

Membership sign-ups, day passes, and punch cards are available ahead of its grand opening next month.

American Vampires premiered in Grand Junction Friday, Aug.

14, showcasing over 50 local cast and crew + a unique homegrown film experience.

The city recognized over 300 nonprofits on Aug.

17 for their role as economic drivers, and the Colorado Nonprofit Association will host Connecting Colorado on Sept. 17 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the Convention Center.

Colorado Mesa University welcomed students on Monday, Aug.

17 with a barbecue at campus, offering free food and T-shirts for fall semester kickoff; additional events include movie night Tuesday + pool night Wednesday, paint night Thursday, and glow party Friday.

District 51 officials said work on a $90 million Central High School renovation started this spring with summer updates transforming old classrooms.

A new athletic addition will finish in December, and further improvements to security and accessibility will complete in fall 2028 (bond passed in 2024).

KAFM Senior Corner introduced Heather Jones as the new co-host to explain how the Area Agency on Aging connects seniors in the region to Meals on Wheels & legal services and other programs; the agency served 6,005 seniors across four counties last fiscal year.

Grand Rivers Humane Society said Robbie, a two-year-old dog who loves walks and quiet time, is adoptable now in Grand Junction and may be best for homes with older kids.