Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which Grand Junction restaurants stumbled in the latest health inspections?

You won't want to miss Line Dancing Social on the Grand Junction Patch calendar

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Good morning Grand Junction! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Grand Junction restaurants stumbled in the latest health inspections?
  • Where Grand Junction residents can find nonstop addiction support over the holidays
  • Did you know Watson Island used to be Grand Junction’s dump?

Today's riddle: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Grand Junctionfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Rain becoming steadier, with a high of 61 and low of 42 degrees.
  • Saturday: A bit of snow and rain, temps: high: 49, low: 26.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and colder, with a high of 35 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Restaurant inspection blotter for December 25, 2025 (gjsentinel.com) — Mesa County’s latest restaurant inspections include many Grand Junction spots, detailing food-safety violations and passes that directly affect where you might eat this week. From popular pizza and buffet joints to school cafeterias and gas stations, the report highlights handwashing, temperature, and labeling issues so you can make more informed choices about dining out around town.
   

Find out what's happening in Grand Junctionfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Grand Junction Alano Club hosts holiday marathon meetings for addiction support (kjct8.com) — If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction in Grand Junction, the Alano Club is keeping its doors open through Christmas with marathon Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. The nearly 40-year-old club runs an “Alcathon” on Christmas Eve and Christmas, offering continuous support and fellowship when many other services are closed.
   

3. Long Before Instagram Pets, This Dog Became a Colorado Icon (k99.com) — Alongside the tale of Shep, Colorado’s famous turnpike dog, this piece highlights Grand Junction’s own history, from its early sugar beet factory to the transformation of Watson Island from a city dump into today’s recreation spot. It’s a nostalgic look at how familiar local places evolved long before social media pets and modern tourism.
   

4. Catching up with former area athletes: Peyton Hellmann starts strong for Fort Hays State (allusanewshub.com) — A Fort Hays State wrestler recently claimed her first collegiate tournament title at Colorado Mesa University’s Maverick Open in Grand Junction, highlighting the city’s role in regional women’s wrestling. The story also checks in on other former South Dakota standouts competing in college basketball and equestrian programs across the country.
   

5. Volunteer couple at soup kitchen retires after 13 years (gjsentinel.com) — Longtime Grand Junction native volunteers JoAnn and Rocky Pantuso have retired after 13 years of weekly service at Grand Valley Catholic Outreach’s soup kitchen, where they helped feed thousands of unhoused neighbors. The couple say the work deepened their relationships and community ties, and the kitchen is now looking for new volunteers and donations to keep meals and support flowing to local residents in need.
   

📸 Around Grand Junction

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Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Grand Junction PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • We have Christmas presents for a family or two in need this year!
    All presents are for boys age 3-6! Wrapped and ready to go! Please message me for details! (Nextdoor Patterson-E 1/2)
  • Robin is about 9 years old and was recently widowed by Batman.
    If someone knows where I can find a male goose similar to the ones pictured, I'm sure Robin would appreciate it. (Nextdoor Fruitvale/Clifton)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Maintenance Custodian Associate in Grand Junction. Apply here.
  • Summit Materials posted a job opening for Mobile Loader Operator 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 guess I’m out of time.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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