Delta County

• Delta County has seen 101 positive COVID-19 cases and one death
• State's top epidemiologist says the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado appears to be stablizing
• A Denver judge rejected a lawsuit by restaurant owners filed against Colorado's health department
• Fake news runs rampant and one culprit, Sinclair Broadcast Group, owns TV stations in our region
• Western states are diving into sewers looking for evidence of coronavirus 

In the middle of the pandemic small businesses are having to pivot quickly and discover new ways to offer services and products to their customers. KVNF talks with Chelsea Rosty, Director of Business Innovation & Tourism for the city of Montrose, CO and DART about how local businesses are creatively navigating through COVID.

This edition of Local Motion features Delta County and Montrose County officials, answering questions from listeners about the COVID-19 response.

Included are Robbie LeValley, Delta Count administrator, Karen O'Brien, Delta County Public Health Director, Dr. Susan Bright, and Montrose County media relations manager Katie Yergensen.

Soil health is the hot topic in agriculture as consumers become more aware and concerned with the quality of food that they're eating. 

District 3 Commissioner Mark Roeber joins Eric Goold and Felix Belmont for KVNF News and the July edition of the Delta County Commissioners Report. Topics include water issues in the North Fork Valley, oil and gas development, a lawsuit against Delta County is dropped, and the Back the Badge Initiative.

Agritourism in Colorado is thriving and on this program KVNF's Kori Stanton talks with Wendy White from the Colorado Department of Agriculture and manager of the Colorado Proud program. KVNF also spoke with North Fork newcomers Jayme Henderson and Steve Steese of The Storm Cellar, Jeff Schwartz from Delicious Orchards and Big B's and the Young family from Mountain View Orchard & Winery.

Felix Belmont and Eric Goold for KVNF News sit down with Delta County Director of Planning and Economic Development Elyse Ackerman Casselberry. She describes the role of the Planning Department and she talks about recent projects. Topics include planning, public meetings about civility, the process of writing new regulations for land development, and the Master Plan.

Once a year the Valley Youth Orchestra throws a dinner concert and this year's concert "Tapestry of America" included four original pieces. Two of the pieces were composed and performed by youth musicians Anwen Borgo and Conner Hogan. The third original piece "Inner Spirit" was composed and conducted by mentor Justin G. Russell Jr.  North Fork Valley percussionist and composer David Alderdice also composed and performed his original piece "Days 4 & 5" with the Combined Orchestra.

In a recent meeting, Delta County Commissioners declared Delta to be a 2nd Amendment Preservation County. The move was made in opposition to House Bill 1177, the so called Red Flag Bill, that would allow guns to be taken away from those deemed a risk to themselves or others. At least two different public meetings were held. KVNF News speaks with the Delta Mayor, the Delta County Sheriff and a local gun dealer about Delta County's passion for gun rights.

Delta County commissioner Don Suppes joined KVNF's Felix Belmont and Eric Goold to discuss the county's master development plan, land use regulations, zoning plans and property rights issues. They also talked about Paonia's recent water crisis.

District 1 commissioner Mike Lane talks with Felix Belmont and Ali Lightfoot about his work in the oil and gas fields, his experience as a new commissioner and his hopes for Delta county.  

KVNF talks with Delta county's district 3 commissioner Mark Roeber about proposed fracking operations, disbanding the area planning committees and his work with Colorado Counties Inc.

Delta County's Community and Economic Development Director, Elyse Ackerman-Casselberry is the guest on this episode. She joins Felix Belmont and Ali Lightfoot to talk about new projects and initiatives aimed at creating jobs as well as several new working groups focused on planning for oil and gas development and concentrated animal feeding operations.

The town of Crawford, like many other rural areas,  has limited resources for law enforcement.  Crawford's mayor, Delta county sheriffs and residents share stories about how the lack of police presence affects them. 

KVNF's Felix Belmont speaks with Jeffrey Wright, who serves as Delta County's Emergency Manager. Emergency Management works with County departments, local governments, volunteer organizations and the private sector across Delta County to develop disaster preparedness plans and provide training and exercise activities.

KVNF News Host & Reporter Eric Goold takes a look at 2 Delta County outreach programs for seniors: A Little Help and the Senior Meals Program.