WPX Energy on Monday said it would be operating just five drilling rigs in the Piceance Basin this year, down from 11 rigs previously planned.

Standing nearly shoulder to shoulder in a stuffy hotel ballroom, Jerri Shambaugh of Fruita knew what she wanted to hear from visiting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Shambaugh, owner of cleaning company Blaz?n Brooms, said she enjoyed a prosperous run under   former President George W.  Bush. About the time Obama took office, her numbers of commercial clients started to slide. Although business has picked up lately, Shambaugh said, she wanted to hear Romney talk about what he would do for small businesses like hers. She also was interested in Romney?s take on natural gas development, her husband?s livelihood. And, there was one more request.

DENVER — The Denver District Attorney?s Office has decided not to file gun charges against Rep. Laura Bradford.

DENVER — A House ethics panel investigating a Mesa County legislator said Monday it couldn?t believe the media accounts about a traffic stop last month that led to the probe, but then decided to ask the media for copies of those accounts.

Mitt Romney?s first words to an enthusiastic Grand Junction crowd on a February day marked by occasional smatterings of snowflakes: ?Don?t fall in the pool you guys.?

A story headlined ?Fighting for a fallen friend? on Page C1 Sunday gave an incorrect date for the motor vehicle accident that claimed the lives of Andrew Marquez and Travis Oropeza, both of Grand Junction. The accident was Oct. 31, 2011. Also, the article incorrectly cited the cause of the accident. According to the Colorado State Patrol, the truck, driven by Oropeza, drifted off the side of the road and rolled down a cliff. No additional cause was ever reported.

Bob Shoffner just wanted to do his job tuning pianos.

County Court Judge Bruce Raaum set bond at $5 million Monday for a Loma man suspected of involvement in the killing of a Fort Campbell soldier.

Stripped vehicle found

RMAC Basketball Standings

With two weeks left in the regular basketball season, teams are smelling district playoffs.

After going 5-11-1 this past fall, Colorado Mesa University men?s soccer coach Josh Pittman added more competition for spots next season, including twin brothers from the Western Slope.

Thousands of people drive by the ever-changing Lincoln Park Sports Complex ?tower? every day.

Sports complex construction moving toward completion.

Forty-three Mesa County food establishments will be honored with Blue Ribbon awards today for meeting every demand of health inspections.

School District 51 will begin a series of community budget forums at 6 p.m. Thursday in Bookcliff Middle School?s cafeteria.

Grand Junction resident Callie Hendrickson has been selected to serve on the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board.

Photos by Christopher Tomlinson taken during Romney?s primary visit