Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
BLM holds public open house about oil shale
I am in Silt, Colorado where the bureau of land management is holding a public open house to discuss the possibilities of future development of oil shale in the west. www.krextv.com
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Religious Music In High School Choir Forces Student To Quit Singin
Islamic Prayer Song Being Sung By Grand Junction High School Choir
by
Matt Kroschel
Grand Junction-- A Grand Junction High School student
wants a song picked for the after-school men's choir group pulled,
because he says the Islamic piece is not appropriate for a public school
choir.
The song is called 'Zikr' and its composer says is not intended for a worship ceremony.
The song is called 'Zikr' and its composer says is not intended for a worship ceremony.
or senior James Harper, a Christian who is active in his local
church, the wording and meaning of the song is such that he feels it
should not be performed by students in a public school setting.
“I don’t want to come across as a bigot or a racist, but I really don’t feel it is appropriate for students in a public high school to be singing an Islamic worship song,” Harper told NewsChannel Five.
Harper sent an email to District 51 officials expressing his concerns with the song. He also contacted the KREX newsroom.
District officials said while they understand not everyone will agree with or appreciate songs due to the religious nature of the pieces, they completely stand behind both the music teacher and the song.
“This is about bringing diversity to the students and showing them other things that are out there,” spokesman Jeff Kirtland said. “The teacher was open with the parents and students do not have to participate in this voluntary club choir.”
The upbeat, rhythmic song combines dancing with drums. School officials said the teacher, knowing that there may be some questions about the song, asked her students to watch a Youtube video of the song and passed out the English translation to students.
GJHS choir instructor Marcia Wieland’s professional work as a conductor and teacher spans a wide variety of ages including experiences with high school, collegiate, and adult choirs. Ms. Wieland holds a Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education from Oakland University.
To watch the entire song CLICK HERE
“I don’t want to come across as a bigot or a racist, but I really don’t feel it is appropriate for students in a public high school to be singing an Islamic worship song,” Harper told NewsChannel Five.
Harper sent an email to District 51 officials expressing his concerns with the song. He also contacted the KREX newsroom.
District officials said while they understand not everyone will agree with or appreciate songs due to the religious nature of the pieces, they completely stand behind both the music teacher and the song.
“This is about bringing diversity to the students and showing them other things that are out there,” spokesman Jeff Kirtland said. “The teacher was open with the parents and students do not have to participate in this voluntary club choir.”
The upbeat, rhythmic song combines dancing with drums. School officials said the teacher, knowing that there may be some questions about the song, asked her students to watch a Youtube video of the song and passed out the English translation to students.
GJHS choir instructor Marcia Wieland’s professional work as a conductor and teacher spans a wide variety of ages including experiences with high school, collegiate, and adult choirs. Ms. Wieland holds a Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education from Oakland University.
To watch the entire song CLICK HERE
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Rare Sport, Hawking Grows in Popularity
By Matt Kroschel
Fruita - The number of people hunting is on the decline across the country, but for one ancient hunting sport, the future looks bright. It is called hawking. In the sport, hunters use birds of prey like hawks and eagles to hunt down live prey.
It's a sport that takes patience and lots of dedication, but for select few that master it, the rewards can be life-long and very well worth the wait.
For more information about how you can get involved in the sport, click here.
Fruita - The number of people hunting is on the decline across the country, but for one ancient hunting sport, the future looks bright. It is called hawking. In the sport, hunters use birds of prey like hawks and eagles to hunt down live prey.
It's a sport that takes patience and lots of dedication, but for select few that master it, the rewards can be life-long and very well worth the wait.
For more information about how you can get involved in the sport, click here.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Western Slope Community Fighting Energy Development in Its Backyard
By Matt Kroschel
Paonia, CO - There was a shortage of chairs in the Paonia Junior High School gymnasium Wednesday evening as hundreds of residents packed inside to learn more about the possibility of their rural community turning into an oil and gas drilling hub. The Bureau of Land Management is considering leasing 30,000 acres to oil and natural gas development. The proposal surrounds towns in the North Fork Valley.
Two separate local environmental groups have teamed up to get information about the proposal in Delta County. Their work seems to be paying off. At several meetings, there have been hundreds of people showing up, signing petitions and writing letters to the BLM asking them to deny the lease proposal.
Under regulations, the oil and natural gas company who nominated the area does not have be identified, and the BLM has extended the public comment period until February 9th.
“This could spell disaster for my organic farm. I am not going to let this happen. Our water comes from these hills, and that is exactly where they want to develop,” organic farmer Michael McCarthy told NewsChannel 5 from his farm Wednesday.
For Paonia mayor Neal Schwiterman, the concerns over water do not stop with local farmers. “One of the parcels comes right up next to city limits. Two of our drinking water wells are inside the area. We are concerned,” Schwiterman said.
For more information about specific parcels, click here.
To email your comments directly to the BLM at co_ufo_leasing@blm.gov.
There will be another community meeting Thursday evening Crawford Town Hall.
Paonia, CO - There was a shortage of chairs in the Paonia Junior High School gymnasium Wednesday evening as hundreds of residents packed inside to learn more about the possibility of their rural community turning into an oil and gas drilling hub. The Bureau of Land Management is considering leasing 30,000 acres to oil and natural gas development. The proposal surrounds towns in the North Fork Valley.
Two separate local environmental groups have teamed up to get information about the proposal in Delta County. Their work seems to be paying off. At several meetings, there have been hundreds of people showing up, signing petitions and writing letters to the BLM asking them to deny the lease proposal.
Under regulations, the oil and natural gas company who nominated the area does not have be identified, and the BLM has extended the public comment period until February 9th.
“This could spell disaster for my organic farm. I am not going to let this happen. Our water comes from these hills, and that is exactly where they want to develop,” organic farmer Michael McCarthy told NewsChannel 5 from his farm Wednesday.
For Paonia mayor Neal Schwiterman, the concerns over water do not stop with local farmers. “One of the parcels comes right up next to city limits. Two of our drinking water wells are inside the area. We are concerned,” Schwiterman said.
For more information about specific parcels, click here.
To email your comments directly to the BLM at co_ufo_leasing@blm.gov.
There will be another community meeting Thursday evening Crawford Town Hall.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Polygraph Business Booming, Grand Valley Company Cashing In
by Matt Kroschel
Grand Junction- Just how important is the truth in your relationship? Would you ever go as far as asking your spouse to take a polygraph test? For a growing number of couples the answer is yes.
Alby Albertson with Foremost Response said his business is seeing a spike in the number of couples coming in to request fidelity tests.
Albertson uses high tech equipment to find out what people are trying to hide.
If you would like more information about the company or the service Click Here
Alby Albertson with Foremost Response said his business is seeing a spike in the number of couples coming in to request fidelity tests.
Albertson uses high tech equipment to find out what people are trying to hide.
If you would like more information about the company or the service Click Here
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Occupy Grand Junction Protest Sets Up Camp, Prepare For Expected Arrests
By Matt Kroschel
Grand Junction-
UPDATE: I am told at least 3 protesters are ready to be arrested for camping on the lawn at the Old Mesa County Courthouse. they expect police to move in and kick everyone out around 10:00 PM Saturday. If and when that happens protesters tell me they will continue to rotate out members to keep their protest site until Sunday. They are planning more marches around downtown Sunday afternoon.
PREVIOUS STORY:
About 100 protesters with a variety of messages 'moved in' to the lawn at the Old Mesa County Courthouse despite a county officials banning camping on the property.
Following in the footsteps of protesters across the country, Occupy Grand Junction began the protest with several speeches and chanting. With a strong uniformed police presence, hundreds of people from across the Western Slope began what they call as an occupation of support and a message to Wall Street.
The diverse group of protesters said no matter what individual problems people have with the current government and big businesses system, they are all finding mutual ground as being one of the 99 percent.
Protester Kristine Hicken traveled from Meeker for this protest and said she is here because she wants to show support to the protesters at Wall Street.
"Things are not right, they are worse then ever before and the rich keep getting richer while the majority of us are being passed over," Hicken said.
Protest organizers say they are pursuing legal action against the county for the ban on camping and said they anticipate several arrests Saturday night because some protesters will not leave t he lawn area.
Grand Junction Police officials said they will not tolerate illegal activities, but they don't expect a problem with the crowd.
Watch NewsChannel Five for continuing coverage of the protest.
For a link to the Occupy Grand Junction Facebook Page Click here:
Following in the footsteps of protesters across the country, Occupy Grand Junction began the protest with several speeches and chanting. With a strong uniformed police presence, hundreds of people from across the Western Slope began what they call as an occupation of support and a message to Wall Street.
The diverse group of protesters said no matter what individual problems people have with the current government and big businesses system, they are all finding mutual ground as being one of the 99 percent.
Protester Kristine Hicken traveled from Meeker for this protest and said she is here because she wants to show support to the protesters at Wall Street.
"Things are not right, they are worse then ever before and the rich keep getting richer while the majority of us are being passed over," Hicken said.
Protest organizers say they are pursuing legal action against the county for the ban on camping and said they anticipate several arrests Saturday night because some protesters will not leave t he lawn area.
Grand Junction Police officials said they will not tolerate illegal activities, but they don't expect a problem with the crowd.
Watch NewsChannel Five for continuing coverage of the protest.
For a link to the Occupy Grand Junction Facebook Page Click here:
http://www.facebook.com/KREXTV#!/groups/289861931025748/
Monday, July 11, 2011
Olathe Sweet Corn Festival Turns 20-Years-Old!
I Just got back to the newsroom from Olathe where farmers are working around the clock to get ready for the harvest of the world famous Olathe Sweet Corn. This year, a late spring cold snap has forced farmers to push back their harvest date. Last year they got their first harvest July 19, this year they are shooting for the 24th.
-Matt Kroschel
Saturday, July 9, 2011
4 People Rescued from Colorado River Near Grand Junction
 |
| River rescue operation from the 29 road bridge in Grand Junction. Matt Kroschel Photo |
Water rescue teams were able to locate and rescue four people after they became stuck in some tree branches near the 29 Road Bridge Saturday afternoon. This was the second rescue operation in the river near Grand Junction Saturday afternoon. Officials say the river is still very dangerous right now and that if you do venture into the water, to make sure to have the proper gear.
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