Good morning, Grand Junction.

Colorado Mesa University, the city, and Canvas Credit Union broke ground at Stocker Stadium yesterday to begin construction on the new $11.5 million Canvas Credit Union Champions Center.

The athletic facility (featuring upgraded locker rooms, coach offices and spectator areas) is set to open before next football season.

Museums of Western Colorado will close the Cross Orchards Historic Site in January 2027 as it seeks a new operator to preserve the nineteenth century apple orchard and museum buildings on the National Historic Register for public visits.

Museums of Western Colorado is seeking a new operator to keep Cross Orchards Historic Site—the valley’s first apple orchard—open as it closes in January 2027.

The move is part of a revitalization plan for a unified natural history museum campus in Fruita.

On Thursday, college leaders and council members broke ground at CMU’s Stocker Stadium for the Canvas Union Champions Center — a new football facility with locker rooms, training spaces and a hospitality deck.

Canvas Credit Union contributed $1.5 million, and construction will finish in fall 2027.

Students in Mesa County in grades 1-12 are invited to design original 'I Voted' stickers without using AI; entries run from Sept.

8 to Nov. 1, with online voting Dec. 1-14 and winners announced in Jan. 2027 to receive a $50 gift card and plaque.

Animal control in Grand Junction will now enforce the three dogs — three cats household rule on a case-by-case basis to address overpopulation.

The policy gives owners notice to comply before citations when pets reach adult age, encouraging responsible care and time to find new homes if needed.

Clifton Water District reported a sharp drop in water use when drought rates were introduced in June, with consumption falling by 40 million gallons from the 25-year average.

Officials will assess water levels this fall and may ease the temporary rates, district manager Ty Jones said.

Orchard Mesa residents gain expanded behavioral healthcare after thousands of appointments opened at the Counseling and Education Center’s new branch at 2702 B½ Road in mid-August.

The center doubled its capacity — now serving 800 clients — to support local families near Dos Rios Elementary and Orchard Mesa Middle School.

Mesa County Public Health released its 2025 suicide report on Thursday, Aug.

27, showing a stable local suicide rate while substance-involved suicides dropped from about 70% to roughly 50% + suicide-related emergency visits spiked to nearly 800 per 100k visits.

Andrea Thomas from Grand Junction launched Facing Fentanyl (a nonprofit founded after her daughter’s death) to spread nationwide fentanyl awareness and inspire National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, observed Aug.

21. A local ballot measure to hold sellers accountable and support recovery is set for November.