Good morning, Grand Junction.

On Monday, 14 veterans were honored at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado in Grand Junction during its quarterly service.

Officials said the ceremony shows respect for those without family — a special tribute to their sacrifice.

The Mesa County Department of Human Services held its third annual community summit on Monday and Tuesday to bring human service professionals together for networking and learning—sessions focused on inspiration while a keynote speaker shared lessons from reality television and everyday challenges. The event allowed those in child welfare and adult protection to refresh their dedication to helping vulnerable community members.

Roice-Hurst Humane Society is holding its annual Howl-o-ween 5K Fun Run and Dog Walk at Las Colonias Park on Oct.

26 at 1 p.m.—organized by the Grand Junction Sports Commission and presented by Intermountain Health. Participants may choose a 5K run or a one-mile walk and then join an after-party with live music at WestCo Brewing at 2 p.m., while $40 online registration by Oct. 9 includes a t-shirt, pet bandana, beer ticket, and adoption discount.

The Grand Valley Mountain Bike Film Fest will be held at 6 p.m. on Oct.

16 at Avalon Theatre on Main St. in Grand Junction—Freehub Media presents top and emerging filmmakers and riders who are influencing the mountain bike scene and benefiting Mesa County trails.

School District 51 celebrated significant academic gains on Tuesday by honor­ing 31 schools with the Performance School title — student success improved from 60-62% to 82% as teachers, families and leaders worked together.

Dos Rios Elementary, Fruita Monument High and Mt. Garfield Middle School were recognized and the district aims to get 90% of its schools to top performance in the next five years.

Mesa County's proposed 2026 budget is slightly lower than 2025 and allocates $240 million for county services.

It enters a two-month public comment period before a final decision in December as County Administrator Todd Hollenbeck (noting that changes in federal and state dollars led to a conservative spending plan) said the decrease is not worrisome.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) now shares photos of items in its lost and found system to help owners claim their property.

Evidence Technician Sabrina Blevins said owners must provide extra details to verify items, which will be held for up to 30 days before disposal.

After hosting a walk audit on August 27 near St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, the Urban Trails Committee found obstacles such as the missing curb cut at 7th and Patterson—leading to recommendations for audible crosswalk signals and durable curb ramps.

The committee will work with City Council and local groups to improve access for people with disabilities.

Citizens on Patrol volunteers help Mesa County Sheriff’s Office by directing traffic at special events and performing VIN inspections—community members from all backgrounds are welcomed to join the program to support local safety.

Veterans Memorial Cemetery held a service on Tuesday to honor 14 veterans — three Army, five Navy, five Air Force and one Coast Guard — who did not receive a full military farewell.

Several families and local service groups attended to mark the final salute with rifle firing, cannon shots and bell tolls.

Baron Rojo off North Avenue closed for the foreseeable future after health inspectors found multiple sanitation and food handling violations during re-inspection — including unapproved food sources and inadequate cleaning of surfaces and utensils.

Health officials said the restaurant must fix these issues and pass a follow-up inspection before it can reopen.

Mesa County Public Health is tracking respiratory illness hospitalizations as winter begins and noted that last winter flu cases went up while COVID-19 cases went down—county officials will update these numbers every other week until the end of March.

Oktoberfest Family Festival

Celebrate fall at Cross Orchards Historic Site during the Oktoberfest Family Festival, featuring live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and fun for all ages. Enjoy free train rides, historic demonstrations, a pumpkin patch, and the Colorado State Steinholding Competition at 1 PM on the main stage!

Oktoberfest Family Festival

Celebrate fall at Cross Orchards Historic Site during the Oktoberfest Family Festival, featuring live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and fun for all ages. Enjoy free train rides, historic demonstrations, a pumpkin patch, and the Colorado State Steinholding Competition at 1 PM on the main stage!

The Golden Girls - The Laughs Continue

7-8:30 p.m. — The Avalon Theatre — Tickets vary — Enjoy an uproarious new comedy featuring the beloved Golden Girls in outrageous new escapades.

Discovery Auto Group Pet Fair

10 AM – 2 PM — Discovery Auto Group — Free entry — Find your new furry friend at Roice-Hurst Humane Society's adoption booth during this community pet fair.

Howl-o-ween 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run & Dog Walk

1-4 p.m. — Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park — $40 — Dress up with your pet for a festive run and enjoy an after-party with awards and live music.

RECA Resource Fair

11 AM – 1 PM — Grand Junction Convention Center — Free entry — Explore valuable healthcare benefits for former uranium workers while enjoying a complimentary lunch.

Western Slope Cowboy Gathering

Two days of fun — Grand Valley Event Center — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate with top Cowboy Poets and Western Singers in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Confluence Center Grand Opening

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Confluence Center of Colorado — Free entry — Celebrate the opening of a new community hub dedicated to collaboration and conservation.

Schaffer Brothers Band Live Performance

9 PM - 1 AM — Cruisers Bar — Entry fee varies — Experience a night of raw blues and groove with the Schaffer Brothers Band.