🌱 Patch AM: What led to charges in Grand Junction’s fatal August motorcycle crash?

Morning Grand Junction! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What led to charges in Grand Junction’s fatal August motorcycle crash?
• How Hilltop’s new Main Street hub could change downtown services
• Did your free 2026 Grand Junction city calendar arrive yet?

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Turning cloudy, with a high of 52 and low of 26 degrees.
• Friday: Sun and areas of high clouds, temps: high: 57, low: 36.
• Saturday: Clouds and sunshine, with a high of 59 and low of 39 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Arrest Made in August Fatal Motorcycle Crash (junctionnow.com) — Grand Junction police have arrested a 74-year-old driver in connection with an August crash that killed a motorcyclist at 29 Road and Four Corners Drive. Investigators say the southbound truck turned into the path of a northbound motorcycle, and the driver now faces charges including careless driving causing death and injury to a vulnerable road user.
   

2. Hilltop Community Resources opens new Main Street headquarters in Grand Junction (westernslopenow.com) — Hilltop Community Resources has opened its new headquarters in the former Wells Fargo building on Main Street in downtown Grand Junction, creating a more visible and accessible hub for its services. After nearly a year of renovations, the longtime nonprofit celebrated with a ribbon cutting, highlighting its growth to serving about 18,000 people annually through more than 35 programs across the Western Slope.
   

3. Grand Junction begins mailing 2026 calendars to residents (kjct8.com) — Grand Junction residents can expect the city’s 2026 calendar to arrive by mail over the next two weeks, with more than 55,000 addresses receiving a copy. The free calendar features local scenery, letters from city leaders, and a handy list of holidays, city closures, and public meeting dates. If yours doesn’t show up, you can pick one up at city offices.
   

4. Donations nearly triple expectations for the ‘Be a Santa to a Senior' program (kjct8.com) — A Grand Junction-based “Be a Santa to a Senior” drive far exceeded expectations, collecting 132 gifts and multiple care baskets for local seniors and veterans. Home Instead Grand Junction and the Western Colorado Parole Division are delivering presents across several counties, with some items still available for seniors in need. Residents can call Home Instead Grand Junction for help or to support future efforts.
   

5. City of Fruita addresses housing need (kjct8.com) — From a Grand Junction-based report, Fruita officials say they need more housing and are crafting a state-required housing action plan to guide the next decade. The draft focuses on infill and redevelopment, more affordable options, and workforce housing, and residents are invited to weigh in before the city council and state review it.
   

📸 Around Grand Junction

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Junction

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday December 19

• Gentle Yoga
  Grand Junction, CO Calendar Grand Junction, CO 81501

Monday December 22

• Grand Valley Regional Transportation Committee (GVRTC) Monthly Meeting
  Grand Junction, CO Calendar , City Hall Auditorium 250 North , Grand Junction
  3:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Gentle Yoga
  Grand Junction, CO Calendar Grand Junction, CO 81501

Thursday December 25

• Holiday - Christmas Day - City Offices Closed
  Grand Junction, CO Calendar Grand Junction, CO 81501
• Downtown Development Authority/Downtown Grand Junction Business Improvement District
  Grand Junction, CO Calendar Grand Junction, CO 81501
  7:30 am

📣 Grand Junction Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Family Storytime - Clifton Branch In-Person
  Clifton Branch Children's Center , Clifton Branch
  10:00 am
• CHAMPS & NOC | December Meeting
  Redlands Community Center Inc , 2463 Broadway , Grand Junction
  11:30 am
• WTF - Welcome Thursday Friends Luncheon - KJ's
  KJ's , 206 East Aspen Ave , Fruita
  12:00 pm
• Livability Commission Meeting
  Civic Center Park and Pavilion , 325 E Aspen Ave , Fruita
  4:00 pm
• Laughing All The Way: Grand Junction, CO
  Grand Junction High School , 1400 N 5th St , Grand Junction
  7:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Family Storytime - Orchard Mesa Branch
  Orchard Mesa Branch
  10:00 am
• Kids Club - Clifton Branch Library
  Clifton Branch Library Clifton Branch
  2:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• ‼️‼️ PLEASE HELP‼️‼️
  PLEASE HELP ME BRING MY GRAND PUP HOME HE’S MY DAUGHTERS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL I WAS BABY SITTING AND HE GOT IT OFF MY YARD ON 29 1/2rd and… (Nextdoor Orchard)
• Posting to re-home a small 4 mo old beagle mix.
  My (87yr) MIL’s apartment was flooded a little over two weeks ago. The retirement place was able to find her an apartment at their other site, but… (Nextdoor Meadowvale)

• Kroger Family of Companies posted a job opening for Courtesy Clerk/Grocery Bagger in Grand Junction. Apply here.
• Merry Maids posted a job opening for Housekeeping in Grand Junction. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Junction here.

Ok Grand Junction! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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