1+ hour, 23+ min ago (390+ words) GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce launched a campaign last week to support small local businesses as holiday shopping ramps up. The "Keep the Cheer Here" campaign promotes shopping and supporting local businesses and includes an interactive game open to anyone. Candace Carnahan, President & CEO of the GJ Area Chamber of Commerce, said the campaign gives thanks to organizations that strengthen the local economy. "They are employing your friends and families and neighbors, keeping food on the table, roofs over our heads," Carnahan said. "By turning around and making sure that we're supporting local as much as possible during the holiday season, we're supporting the whole community." Carnahan said support comes in many forms. Whether it's by shopping, interacting with the business on social media, leaving reviews, or referring friends, all help promote local shopping....

6+ hour, 35+ min ago (231+ words) GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) -The Colorado State Veterinarian's Office is actively monitoring an outbreak of equine herpes virus, a highly contagious and sometimes fatal virus that can cause serious neurological disease in horses. According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the outbreak is connected to rodeo events that took place in Texas and Oklahoma over the past several weeks. Horse owners should monitor their animals for specific symptoms, said Braden Shefer, Vet Tech Program director at CMU Tech. "Normal horse temperature is 99 to 101.5 Fahrenheit; anything that exceeds that can sometimes be before the respiratory signs come. Certainly, neurologic symptoms, slipping, falling, unable to stand, those sorts of things," said Shafer. Good hygiene practices at events are important to prevent the spread of the virus. "Not sharing buckets, not letting them rub noses together. Don't share brushes, bridles, all those types…...

7+ hour, 25+ min ago (146+ words) Meet Didi! Didi is a six-month-old kitten that's looking for her forever home. Didi can be a bit timid at first, but once she warms up to someone, she's quick to become a snuggle-bug. Her previous ... GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - If you're looking for the purr-fect companion, then this adorable girl might be the one for you! Meet Didi! Didi is a six-month-old kitten that's looking for her forever home. Didi can be a bit timid at first, but once she warms up to someone, she's quick to become a snuggle-bug. Her previous foster-owner, Rylee, also says that Didi especially likes men. Didi has been fostered with other cats and seems to get along well with most animals. She may do best in a "chill' household that's a little quieter and calmer....

13+ hour, 15+ min ago (155+ words) GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) -The Bureau of Land Management's local field offices will start their annual winter closures on Dec. 1. As the weather gets colder, animals are coming down from higher elevations to spend the winter in areas with less snow and better access to food. These areas are called big game winter ranges, and many of them are affected by the closures to reduce the likelihood of injuries and disturbance to these animals. Most of these areas will be closed to cars and other off-roading vehicles. BLM officials say there will be signage to show what restrictions are in place. The Grand Junction Field Office closures include: "The more that these animals are disturbed and the more that their flight behavior happens, the more calories that they burn. And those calories are very precious resources for these animals to…...

1+ day, 7+ hour ago (237+ words) GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - Rain and mountain snow tonight will end tonight, then the sun will come out on Monday. Weather Alert: Winter Weather Advisory for the San Juans A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until midnight Sunday night for the San Juan Mountains. This includes areas around Telluride, Lizard Head Pass, Ouray, ed Mountain Pass, Silverton, Molas Pass, Coal Bank Pass, and Rico. An additional 3-6 inches of snow can fall, making travel difficult along Highway 550 and parts of Highway 160 - especially on the high passes. T Rain & Snow Exiting Snow is limited on the Western Slope and confined to higher elevations. Rain is even more limited. The valley rain and mountain snow will shut down before midnight tonight. The rain will exit Colorado's Eastern Plains before 8 AM Monday. That sets up improving travel conditions, but snowy roads in the…...

1+ day, 18+ hour ago (390+ words) GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - On November 23, a Grand Junction tattoo artist turned her studio into a space for both art and advocacy by hosting a "Tattoos Against Trafficking" flash sale, raising money and awareness for survivors of human trafficking. Gemstone Tattoo offered 22 band'inspired designs during the flash sale, with each tattoo priced at $80. All proceeds from the event were donated to Run Against Traffic, a nonprofit that funds trauma'informed resources and care for survivors. "My friend Tommy is the founder of Run Against Traffic and it's like a foundation that like helps people that have been sex trafficked and helps give them like resources afterwards to like succeed basically in life," said Alexa Escalera, Tattooer and Owner of Gemstone Tattoo. The partnership with Run Against Traffic also opened the artist's eyes to the scope of trafficking in everyday life. She…...

2+ day, 1+ hour ago (322+ words) GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - The Palisade Bulldogs defeated the Roosevelt Roughriders to move one win away from an appearance in the state championship, with another dramatic victory, taking down the Roosevelt Roughriders 21-14. Unlike last week's second half comeback against the Timnath Cubs, the Dogs had a lead at the half, up 13-6 after a Cade Carter Touchdown. But the Roughriders had a second charge in them, taking the lead hen quarterback Jasiah Ramirez connected with receiver Noah Lucero over the middle for a touchdown to put Roosevelt up 14-13. From there things slowed down with neither offense generating much momentum, Palisade's defense made some big plays recording three fumbles, but were unable to turn them into points. With their offense stalling, Palisade turned to a trick play that became the turning point. Dylan Larson took a pitch but instead of running, threw…...

3+ day, 6+ hour ago (129+ words) GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - A calm start to the weekend Saturday before our next weather maker brings rain and snow to portions of Western Colorado. Timing the Rain and Snow Rain and snow will begin to arrive to Southwest Colorado Sunday morning and become more widespread around midday. It will start to fade in the evening as the storm system starts moving away toward the east. Remaining scattered showers will wrap up by midnight. How much Rain and Snow? Rainfall totals will be up to about a quarter of an inch for Southwest Colorado and a trace for areas elsewhere that could have a quick shower. Snowfall totals will be about 4-10 inches for the San Juans and about 1-3 inches for the rest of Southwest Colorado....

3+ day, 9+ hour ago (244+ words) GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - Many community members lost power over the weekend, reminding people how much they rely on electricity for daily needs. Emergency Services Director Andy Martsolf said losing power during winter months can mean losing heat, making preparation crucial. "As in any emergency, it's important to have a family emergency plan or a personal emergency plan," Martsolf said. "So as part of that, you should have a number of days of food, water, appropriate attire, a communications plan." People who rely on electricity for health reasons must take extra precautions, Martsolf said. "One thing that's important, especially for people regardless of age, who are on supplemental oxygen, it's important for those people to have their batteries for their oxygen concentrators tested annually to ensure that when a power outage occurs, their battery is sufficient to support oxygen generation…...

3+ day, 13+ hour ago (223+ words) The valley rain faded out early Friday morning. Lingering cloud cover remains very persistent, but more periods of sunshine are expected. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - The valley rain faded out early Friday morning. Lingering cloud cover remains very persistent, but more periods of sunshine are expected. The weekend forecast looks clear for several locations, but the chance for rain is not out of the question for others.. According to previous records from the National Weather Service, the normal November precipitation in Grand Junction is roughly 0.42 inches. There is still another week left in November, and the Grand Junction area has already surpassed the threshold for normal by currently reporting 0.52 inches. Since Wednesday, 0.23 inches have fallen. Maintaining normal year-round moisture levels is incredibly important to prevent drought, wildfires, and more. The southern portion of the forecast zone is projected to see…...