The Daily Sentinel from Grand Junction, Colorado • 3

The Daily Sentinel Saturday, May 18, 2019 3A Guv signs health care bills Child pornography arrests on rise in Utah By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 226 people on such charges. Child pornography crimes have been increasing throughout the country. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said they received more than 18 million reports of possible cases in 2018, compared to 10 million reports in 2017. Vice president John She-han credits a law requiring companies to report child pornography with an influx of new reports. In Utah, police are seeing more victims age 5 and under, Farnsworth said.

SALT LAKE CITY Investigators say child pornography arrests have nearly doubled in Utah over the last five years, mirroring a nationwide trend. Experts say rapid technological developments are making it easier for people to find the images and also helping investigators catch violators. Cmdr. Jessica Farnsworth of Utah's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force says in 2013 they arrested 133 people accused of downloading child pornography. Last year, her unit arrested "The reason I got involved in this bill in the first place is because of the high cost of health care and insurance on the Western Slope," said Rep.

Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, who introduced the bill with Sens. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, and Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, and Rep. Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat whose district includes Delta County. "That was my initial interest in this bill, and it still is. Lowering health care costs in western Colorado is very important to me, that's why I stuck it out." A third measure, SB4, signed by the governor Friday was watered down from its original purpose, which was to create a pilot program in Garfield and Eagle counties to allow qualified residents there to buy into the insurance plan offered to state employees.

But because of issues in doing that, Donovan, who introduced the bill, removed that provision. Now, the measure only modernizes existing laws on health care cooperatives to incorporate consumer protections and collective rate negotiations. On Thursday, Polis signed a bill that would create a program that would allow Colora-dans to purchase prescription drugs from Canada. Like the reinsurance bill and Donovan's measure, SB5, it requires a special waiver from the federal government as allowed under the Affordable Care Act. By CHARLES ASHBY Charles.Ashbygjsentinel.com Gov.

Jared Polis signed several health care bills into law Friday, then attended a health care discussion in Grand Junction to highlight what else might be coming. One of those ideas, related to House Bill 1004 signed in Vail earlier in the day, calls on two state departments to develop a proposal for some sort of public option for health care coverage that would add at least one more plan for people to purchase on the state's medical care exchange, known as Connect for Health Colorado. Currently, 14 counties in the state, most of which are located on the Western Slope, have a single option listed on the exchange, which also allows people to qualify for financial assistance in paying premiums. Those options could include a buy-in plan to the state's Medicaid program, or a way for Col-oradans who qualify to participate in the state's self-funded medical insurance program now available only to state workers. Three Western Slope lawmakers Reps.

Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, Dylan Roberts, D-Avon and Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail introduced the bill and got it through the Legislature. While it received bipartisan support in the House, it passed by a straight 19-16 party-line vote in the Senate, with Republicans dissenting. CHRISTOPHER TOMLINSONThe Daily Sentinel Gov. Jared Polis visits Friday evening with Rob Bleiberg, executive director of the Mesa Land Trust, during a bike test in downtown Grand Junction.

The Daily Sentinel (ISSN 1445-8962) Printed editions published Wednesday thru Sunday, electronic editions published every morning at 734 S. Seventh Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501. Periodical Postage paid at Grand Junction, CO. Carrier home delivery prices: 13 weeks $65.00, 26 weeks $130.00, 52 weeks $260.00. Weekend delivery packages: Wednesday thru Sunday $244.40, Friday thru Sunday $197.60, Saturday Sunday $163.80, Sunday only $163.80.

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Seventh Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501." the I 10th 6i Morth The bill calls on the departments of Regulatory Agencies and Health Care Policy and Financing to develop a proposal to the General Assembly by November. That idea, whatever it is, could be the subject of its own bill during the 2020 legislative session. Polis, who also made an impromptu appearance at the start of the Grand Junction Off-Road bicycle race, signed into law another health care measure that also was introduced solely by Summer is Western Slope lawmakers. That bill would create a state reinsurance program for insurers that operate on the exchange. Described as insurance for insurance companies, reinsurance programs help insurers cover the cost of patients with unusually high medical bills.

Though it would be a state program, which requires federal approval, it would operate similarly to private reinsurance plans already on the market. to keep Are your bikes (970) 243-0807 www.thebikeshopgj.com Officials: Coal Shoe Fit Co. "Better Shoes Since 1911" YES, We Your locally owned store and remember as renewables, gas fill the gap if' slidin; supports grid reliability to alternatives that undermine it," National Mining Association spokesman Conor Bernstein said. He added that power market operators are failing to recognize the value of "fuel diversity" in their decisions about how to run the grid. The Trump administration wants to spend a half-billion dollars next year on fossil fuel research and development, including fostering a new generation of coal-fired power plants, U.S.

Energy Secretary Rick Perry said. Perry said the goal was to "increase the resiliency and reliability" of the electric grid. Meanwhile, plant retirements continue to stack up, including in the heart of coal country. PacifiCorps announced in late April that one Wyoming coal-fired power plant and part of another could be retired as early as 2022 as the company tries to keep down costs for its customers. The Oregon-based utility plans to significantly increase the amount of electricity it generates from wind turbines and solar farms.

Beyond the changes in the number and types of power plants are shorter-term price considerations, analyst Stacy Macintyre with the Energy Information Administration said. Utilities this summer will pay about 3 percent more for coal and 12 percent less for natural gas compared with last year, she said. Demand for coal will continue to fall in 2020, according to the agency. ready? Serving the Grand Valley Nsfnce 1983 Mon. Fri.

9:00 6:00 Sat. 9:00 5:30 Sun. parking in the back. cueVe nearf! immflBituBi The 2019 issue of Vacationland Magazine publishes on Sunday, May 19 radio and targeted digital advertising CALL FOR MORE DETAILS 256-4289 GRAND JUNCTION! INC. media 'THEDUIY By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont.

U.S. demand for coal to generate electricity will keep sliding in coming months, federal officials said earlier this month, despite efforts by the Trump administration to shore up the struggling industry. Renewable energy sources including wind, solar and hydro-power are expected to fill much of the gap left by coal's decline, according to the Energy Information Administration. It's particularly true for Western states, where renewables will provide almost a quarter of the power to households and businesses during the peak summer season, the agency said in its projections. Natural gas is expected to remain the fuel of choice for power generation with an expected 40 share of U.S.

markets this summer. Under President Donald Trump, officials have sought to ease coal plant regulations and mining restrictions. But after production briefly bumped up in the year after Trump took office, almost all coal mining states are now experiencing production declines. Wyoming, Kentucky and Texas have seen the biggest drops so far this year. Among the top 10 coal states, only Montana has seen a slight increase in the volume of coal mined in 2019.

Coal's share of power generation is projected to be 25 this summer. That's down about Blotter The employees of The Daily Sentinel have joined together to adopt a local non-profit organizationcharity of the month. We want to help raise awareness and badly needed funds for these organizations that are dedicated to helping people in our community. MAY JEANS FOR CHARITY ORGANIZATION: Camp Good Grief! Camp Good Grief! is a weekend summer camp run by Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado for children and teens entering grades 3-9. The goal is to provide a safe and compassionate environment for children and teens to explore their grief issues with peers and to have some fun, too.

Teen Retreat Camp Good Grief! is a camp especially for high school age teens. The ChildTeen Center's professional staff guide campers through a variety of activities plus free time for hiking and fun. This life-affirming program depends entirely upon local donations. If you'd like to join us in assisting this wonderful program, please make your tax-deductible donation to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 3090 North 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81506 and designate Camp Good Grief! on your check's memo line. 170109 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Steam rises from the huge boiler units at the coal-fired Jim Bridger Power Plant east of Rock Springs, Wyoming, in 2006.

U.S. demand for coal to generate electricity will continue to weaken in coming months despite efforts by the Trump administration to prop up the struggling industry, federal officials said earlier this month. Renewable energy sources are expected to fill much of the gap left by coal's decline, according to the Energy Information Administration. half over the past decade and follows a wave of coal plant retirements by utilities seeking cheaper and cleaner-burning alternatives. "This decline is relentless," said Seth Feaster, who tracks the coal industry for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

The Ohio-based group advocates for a transition to more sustainable energy sources. "The question is how low can it go," Feaster added. "Coal is really facing tremendous obstacles in terms of competition from natural gas from fracking and continuing price declines for renewables." A spokesman for the coal mining industry's trade group said the government forecast was "a reminder of how quickly we are losing balance" on the nation's electric grid. "We are shifting from reliable, baseload generation that had drugs and a .45 caliber handgun with him when searched about 3 p.m. after a traffic stop of Good's vehicle in the 500 block of Melody Lane.

A $25,000 cash-only bond was issued in Good's case Friday. McAndrew was similarly arrested on a drug possession charge because of other drugs allegedly found in his pocket. According to the Grand Junction Police Department: Kalin Lanzl, 27, is accused of DUI on May 8. Jeremiah Starr, 42, was cited on suspicion of indecent exposure and second- degree criminal trespassing on May 12. Samuel Geisler, 23, is accused of drug possession on Wednesday.

According to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office: Robin Celorio, 35, is accused of domestic violence-related charges on Wednesday. Donovan Valdez, 27, is accused of DUI on Wednesday. According to the Montrose County Sheriff's Office: Taylor Goetz, 18, Montrose, is accused of DUI, drug possession and child abuse on Thursday. 2 accused of having drugs The passenger of a vehicle that was stopped, searched and discovered to have drugs and drug-dealing items on Thursday faces a high-level drug charge for having meth and a loaded gun in his backpack, according to authorities. Douglas Good, 23, of Clifton, could face a mandatory prison sentence if convicted of the special circumstances charge he was advised of in court on Friday.

According to an affidavit for his arrest, U.S. Marshals were looking to arrest the car's driver, Robert McAndrew, and Good Land YOUR guidebook to western Colorado's fun, festivals and outdoor adventure through the summer and into fall. River-sports, climbing 14ers, agritourism, guided tours, family activities, and more! The Daily Sentinel's VACATIONLAND magazine delivers the information that visitors need and locals can use. Also included, is a special feature section, which highlights the area's unique festivals, concerts and events that bring visitors from far and wide. VACATIONLAND is written by professionals and locals, we cover where to go, what to see and what to do in our vacation playground.

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