EXCLUSIVE: The Family of a Woman Killed While Walking Her Dogs Speak Out

By Matt Kroschel

CLIFTON- The woman who was struck by a driver as she walked her dog Sunday in Clifton has died in the hospital. Family members told NewsChannel 5 50-year-old Darinda Brown died of her injuries in Saint Mary's Hospital Thursday afternoon.

According to CSP, Brown was taking a walk with her granddaughter and dog when the accident happened.

21-year-old Joseph Weixel was driving the GMC Suburban SUV when he turned the corner, driving partially on the sidewalk. Brown's granddaughter jumped out of the way, but Brown herself was hit by the truck's left rear tire. The dog was killed and Brown was taken to St. Mary's Hospital with serious injuries.

Officials say there is reason to believe alcohol or drugs, and possibly speed, were factors in the crash. Weixel was arrested and could face some pretty serious charges. Neighbors who saw the accident say it's not the first time they've seen out-of-control drivers in their neighborhood

"He was going fast and I don't go for that. There's a lot of cars that go by fast. He's not the only one," explained Lora Tineo, who lives right near where the accident happened.         

Postal Workers Rally To Save Their Industry

by Matt Kroschel



Grand Junction - Postal Service employees plan to rally in Colorado to warn about the impact of proposed cuts. The Communications Workers of America Union's Denver chapter says the rally on Tuesday is part of a national effort seeking support for Congressional action to shore up the struggling agency.


Union officials say cuts in service are not necessary, and the postal service isn't broke. They also said warnings of a possible taxpayer bailout are unfounded.

Final Western Slope Honor Flight Touches Down in Grand Junction

Hundreds of People Pack Airport for Hero's Welcome Home Rally

Grand Junction - It is a hero's welcome home at Grand Junction Regional Airport Thursday night as more than 90 World War II veterans come home from their trip to Washington, D.C. It's all part of the fifth and final Western Slope Honor Flight.

The Honor Flight touched down a few minutes ahead of schedule Thursday night and what was there to greet the veterans can only be described as a hero's welcome home.

This was the final flight, the final mission for the Western Slope Honor Flight organization. Over the years the group has sponsored five flights and made trips to the memorial possible for hundreds of veterans.

This trip was a 36-hour whirlwind tour of the capital, but it was the welcome home that left these veterans speechless, and as they walked through the hundreds of cheering people, one message was very clear.

"They are true heroes, and we are so honored to be here and to honor them," a member of the Western Slope Boy Scouts of America said as he cheered on the passing veterans.

Organizers say this flight was bittersweet because it is the last one they are organizing from here. Congressman Scott Tipton presented Kevin Wodlinger with a special honor during the trip. He is the person who founded the Western Slope Honor Flight.         

Wine Industry Booming, Grand Valley at Center of the Growth

by Matt Kroschel

Palisade - Boom and bust.

It has been a Colorado industry model since the days of the gold rush. Winery owners are hoping their boom is here to stay.

“We are seeing huge growth, and it is really starting to pick up around here,” owner Sue Phillips, at Plum Creek Winery in Palisade, said.

For the past 28 years Phillips has been perfecting her blends and refining her tastes. Now, the hard work paying off.

“Our wine is doing very well. We are gaining national notice from the industry,” Phillips added.

But this success is not just at Plum Creek. Across the state, 100 wineries have sprung up. At the Cross Orchards CSU extension office in Orchard Mesa, growing grapes is a real science and for growers the end product is only getting better with time and experience.

“We are seeing second generation growers and wine makers starting to work here and they are using the last couple of decades worth of experience and producing a lot better blends and flavors,” Stephen Menke with CSU Extension Office told NewsChannel 5.

80% of the grapes grown in Colorado come from the Grand Valley, and more than half of all the wineries are located here on the Western Slope.

Back in the tasting room at Plum Creek, Phillips is just trying to keep bottles on the shelves as the industry tries to keep up with the growing demand.

Moms Fight Back after Strangers Try to Give Their Young Sons Booze

By Matt Kroschel

Clifton - Parents in one Clifton neighborhood are speaking out after they say two men offered their kids alcohol while they were playing in park. Mesa County Sheriff's deputies are now investigating the case and do not have more details on the suspects, but NewsChannel 5 has learned the two men allegedly ran out the back door of a home when sheriff's deputies came looking for them.


According to parents, Tuesday afternoon, two men drinking in a park near South Good Hope Circle tried to get a seven- and 10-year-old boy to drink alcohol.


Sheriff's officials are also looking into an allegation the same two men allowed a 4-year-old child to drink beer.

Fewer Communication Breakdowns Between 1st Responders With New System

By Matt Kroschel

Grand Junction- A decade after the 9/11 terrorist attacks critics say communication between emergency responders from different agencies is still not even close to being perfect. But what about here on the Western Slope?

It has been labeled the biggest Homeland Security need and millions of dollars have been spent to try to solve it. Radio communication that gives every agency the ability to talk with each other on one radio frequency.

On the Western slope, thousands of federal grant dollars have poured in for construction of new towers and equipment.

Mesa County emergency manager Andrew Martsolf said no system is perfect but a lot of work has been done to get the radios working as best as they can. They are battling the rugged terrain in the area which can create dead zones for radio coverage.

The new system was really tested this past spring with wide spread flooding along the Colorado River corridor, pushing a button gave instant communication to departments up and down the river.

In the next few weeks, the last remaining fire departments operation the old radio waves will make the switch, bringing everyone on board with the new system.

There are still plans to construct a few more towers around the area to help make the signal stronger.

According to government spending reports a total of about 250 million dollars has been spent statewide on the radio system upgrades.

A Solar Invention A Grand Junction Man Claims Came To Him In A Dream

By Matt Kroschel



For one Grand Junction inventor going green is something he hopes he can make a reality for the entire community.

Military veteran and Mesa State College graduate Randall Ohm said his solar powered street light design could change the way we see after the sun goes down. He envisions his light invention replacing the yellow and energy sucking street lights that dot Mesa County.

The totally solar powered light is in the process of getting a patent and his first prototype is up and running.

Local governments see green technology like this as the future and are eager to learn more about the invention.