KVNF's Farm Friday

U.S Representative Ken Buck announced that he will not run again for Congress stating that the Republican party has “lost its way.” Buck went on to say, in reference to election denials, "Our nation is on a collision course with reality and a steadfast commitment to truth, even uncomfortable truths, is the only way forward."

The count down to the November 7th Coordinated Election is underway. Ballots have been mailed out and hopefully received, the Blue Book sits on coffee tables and polling places are preparing to open.

Sweitzer Lake State Park will be making major improvements over the next couple of years following a $360,000 grant—- received a year ago— to complete a master plan for the park south of Delta on Highway 50.Senior Park Ranger Jed Potter recently spoke with Delta County Board of County Commissioners asking for a letter of support for the purchase of an additional five acres adding to a previous purchase of 104 acres in 2022.

On today’s Farm Friday, KVNF’s Cassie Knust spent a very colorful day in Olathe last Saturday covering Agricola, a tribute and celebration of the region's diverse agricultural workers. KVNF's Cassie Knust shares comments from Angeles Mendez, president of the Western Colorado Migrant and Rural Coalition, who reminded the community that migrant ag workers are sacrificing more than ever when it comes to producing our food and oftentimes, they can’t even afford the food they’re picking.

The Crawford and Hotchkiss libraries will reopen next week after a temporary closing of both libraries in August. Crawford Library will be open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. - 6pm beginning Tuesday, September 19th. The Hotchkiss Library will be open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. beginning Wednesday, September 20th. National Voter Registration Day on September 20th. You can register to vote by going to your County Clerk and Recorder’s office or website OR by the Secretary of States’ site … GOVOTECOLORADO dot GOV OR through the League of Women Voters’ VOTE411 dot org website.

Montrose FFA students participated in the State Horse Judging, placing 2nd in the state.Curtis McCrackin, a Delta County business owner, announced that he’s running for Congress against Boebert in the Republican primary for Colorado’s Third Congressional District. Both the City of Delta and Delta County Commissioners proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Awarness Month. Hotchkiss leaders and community members recently met to discuss ongoing parking concerns in the town

KVNF announced the winner of the 2023 Toyota RV4 Prime Plug-in-Hybrid on air yesterday. KVNF General Manager Ashley Krest gave the honors of announcing the lucky winner to Bill Hellman of Hellman Motors. Congratulations to Jessica Workman of Delta, our 2023 KVNF Raffle winner.

The Delta County Health Department received a report of a bat infected with rabies found near the public boat ramp off Highway 65, by the bridge and the Gunnison River last week. The health department has notified Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Cedaredge Board of Trustees recently approved an amendment to the town employee wage scale in a 4-2 vote, raising wages an annual $270,600. The Little Mesa Fire burning 15 miles west, southwest of Delta in the Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area is now estimated at 4,000 acres.

Looking to the future of agriculture, the Bradley family in Paonia, Colorado recently partnered with Colorado West Land Trust to protect roughly 55 acres of productive fruitland in eastern Delta County at their Black Bridge Winery and Orchard Valley Farms.

On today’s Farm Friday, some schools are getting much needed help in providing healthy meals to their students. USDA’s Gary Crawford shares that story. Delta County Democrats recently held a summer fundraiser featuring several Democratic candidates. The event in Paonia is the first of many for local Democrats in the run-up to the 2024 election season.