Delta County

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.

An in-depth look at the issues explored in a blog titled “What It’s Like to be a Student with a Brain in the Delta County School District."   The blog, written by Grand Junction resident Ann Landman of the Western Colorado Atheists and Freethinkers, chronicles Cidney Fisk’s senior year at Delta High School, where Cidney says she was punished for speaking out about what she felt were violations of Separation of Church and State at the school and their decision to spend money on a new gym floor instead of books.

As coal mining continues to decline in Delta County, communities are struggling. People are moving away. The school district is losing students. Unemployment remains high. 

In the small town of Hotchkiss, some see marijuana as a way to bring in much needed revenue and think it’s time to reconsider the local ban.  

In the upcoming April municipal election, Hotchkiss voters face three questions.