Montrose Fresh

Today... A $75,000 Colorado state grant will help the "North Fork Valley Creative Coalition" grow from a volunteer-led group into a more professional operation, expanding support for local artists and makers as part of the region’s broader economic transition.

And later... Montrose County may be bringing back a familiar leader to steady county government after a turbulent year.

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Today... Montrose’s school district is buying the rec district’s field house to turn it into a permanent preschool, while the rec district is using the sale proceeds to buy and renovate a larger former factory building for its future programs.

And later... Montrose Regional Health says a proposed partnership with Community Hospital in Grand Junction could save millions each year without changing local control.

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Today... Pruf Pizza is a new Montrose slice shop blending punk-rock style, high-quality handmade pizza, and big ambitions into a fast-growing local favorite.

And later... Montrose County has delayed naming its county manager finalists, citing unspecified circumstances, as the leadership search continues after months of turnover and instability.

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Today... The Montrose school board is delaying its choice of a new law firm, while board member Tiffany Vincent says concerns about Brad Miller’s controversial firm are overblown because, in her view, Montrose would not pursue the kinds of actions that caused legal fights in other districts.

And later... A local trail worker and mountain bike volunteer was seriously injured after an escaped cow charged him in a park, leaving him in intensive care with multiple fractures and a collapsed lung.

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Today... Montrose Regional Health is asking a federal court to permanently dismiss an EEOC lawsuit alleging it discriminated against older nurses, while the EEOC says the hospital fostered age-based harassment, retaliation, and wrongful terminations.

And later... Hotchkiss Mayor Jim Wingfield resigned during a Thursday meeting over personal attacks, and Trustee Randy Thalmann also resigned later that evening, citing health issues.

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Today... Montrose leaders recently touted 2025 gains on Main Street and downtown, and outlined 2026 plans for childcare, public safety, and major capital projects.

And later... Montrose Regional Health is urging a federal judge to permanently dismiss the EEOC’s age-discrimination lawsuit alleging older nurses were retaliated against and forced out, while the hospital denies wrongdoing as the case moves into discovery.

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Today... "Peak Virtual Academy" students turned trimester-long "Spark Lab" entrepreneurship projects into real pitches, earning seed funding for diverse ideas.

And later... Western Slope author C William Langsfeld’s debut “Western noir” novel, "Salvation", is earning national praise, and he’ll give a reading and discussion at The Sherbino in Ridgway on March 4th.

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Today... A Delta County woman was sentenced to 15 years of probation, home confinement, and over $83,000 in fines and restitution after authorities rescued more than 260 neglected cats and dogs from her property.

And later... Bryan Cornwell was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for sending threatening emails to a "Colorado Bureau of Investigation" agent in 2023 while he was already awaiting sentencing for a 2022 threat to blow up the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office.

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Today... "Community Options" is set to buy land and plan a 50-unit affordable, universally designed apartment complex within Montrose’s proposed Hilltop Neighborhood mixed-income development.

And later... "Colorado Parks and Wildlife" will consider a March petition to ban commercial sales of wildlife fur—while still allowing personal use—after advocates argued current trapping rules allow unlimited kills for many fur-bearers without solid population data.

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Today... "Eatery 66 North" has opened in downtown Montrose, bringing the Graves family’s locally sourced, seasonally changing comfort-focused menu and community gathering vibe—similar to their original Ridgway restaurant, but with new dishes and drinks.

And later... Delta County deputies say they seized over 150 neglected animals—some dead—after serving a February 5th warrant at Mikaela Rivas’ Peach Valley property, leading to 141 misdemeanor animal-cruelty counts with more charges possible.

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