Grandview Interchange Opens

The Grandview Interchange is now open with traffic on US Highway 550 now rerouted from Farmington Hill. Registration for fall sports for the upcoming school year closes on August 2nd, and Mercy Sports Medicine will offer free physicals for student athletes July 29th through the 31st, and the City of Durango has changed its open records request policy to better reflect the number of requests the city has received. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by The Payroll Department and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. I'm Sadie Smith. On Sunday, July 14th, traffic on US Highway 550 shifted to the new Grandview Interchange after a delay earlier this summer. The route change closed Farmington Hill and shifted all through traffic to the interchange. CDOT is advising motorists to ensure extra time for travel as everyone gets accustomed to the new route and pay attention to ongoing signage. The current speed limit through the area is 40 miles per hour, and the speed limit will remain in place until later this summer. The interchange includes two roundabouts, the existing Wilson Gulch roundabout to the north, and the new Grandview roundabout. CDOT has some reminders for roundabout navigation. Slow down or stop before entering the roundabout. Traffic moves counterclockwise. Only make right turns for entering and exiting a roundabout. Choose a lane and stay in it until ready to exit. Signal the intended exit. While not required under Colorado state law, it is recommended and courteous to use signs and pavement markings to help guide through the roundabout. If you miss your exit, simply drive through the roundabout again. Do not stop or try to reverse direction. There is a video available on the CDOT Project website on the roundabout travel. The website will also list any upcoming projects and final work on the project. If your child is planning on participating in fall sports this year, it's time to start prepping. The deadline for all fall sports is August 2nd, and online registration is required for all Colorado High School Athletic Association sanctioned sports and activities. Durango School District 9-R fall sports include football, volleyball, boys soccer, cross country, softball, boys golf, boys tennis, dance, and cheer. All student athletes must have an online registration form and a completed physical with an authorized physician signature to participate in athletics. Mercy Sports Medicine is offering free physicals July 29th through the 30th at the Impact Career Innovation Center for all grades and school districts students. Sign up online. The 2024 fall season sports tryouts and first day of practice is August 12th. Boys golf starts on August 5th. The City of Durango recently updated its open records request policy to reflect the uptick in usage and staff time. The new hourly rate for records request is now 30 to $40. In 2023, an estimate of 910 hours of staff time was involved in completing open record requests, and to date, 289 requests have already been filed in 2024. The policy changes are meant to ensure that the clerk's office can continue to provide quality service for record requests. On average, the clerk's office spends one to three hours on each request, but with the new hourly change, the first hour remains free. On July 14th, the Hearst family of Mancos was involved in a fatal car wreck outside of Moab, Utah. Derik, Shay and their three-month-old Skylar were killed in the wreck, and two sons, Jamie and Dean, were injured. A GoFundMe has been started to cover hospital and funeral costs, as well as support the children moving forward. As of July 18th, Jamie has been released from the hospital, but Dean is still admitted and being treated by a trauma team in Salt Lake City. All funds from the GoFundMe will go directly towards the children. Learn more about these and other stories online at durangolocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I'm Sadie Smith.