One year of COVID in Colorado | From the Newsroom

Also, Pope Francis visits Iraq and cancelled Dr. Seuss books

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One year of confirmed COVID in Colorado: Today marks the first anniversary of coronavirus in our state. Over the past year, nearly half a million cases have been confirmed and 6,000 have lost their lives. In Montrose County, where the first case was confirmed on March 20, 2020, over 3,200 cases have been confirmed and 52 people have died. After a spike in infections in November and December, new cases have shrunk in Montrose to approximately 200 between Feb. 5-26. Over 11,000 vaccines have been administered so far. (Marcin Mazur/Flickr) Pope Francis visiting Iraq: The papal plane touched down today for the first time in Iraq, ever. In his first trip abroad since the onset of the pandemic, the pope is planning on promoting inter-faith dialogue and calling for an end to extremist violence. "I am happy to start trips again and this is a symbolic trip. It's a duty," the Pope told journalists traveling with him on the papal plane, according to CNN. "It has been a martyred land for too long." (Wikimedia Commons) Sales of Seuss books soar after six cancelled: The publisher of Dr. Seuss's library announced that it will suspend publication of six books with racist imagery because they "portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong." The list includes "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street" and "If I Ran the Zoo." After the announcement on Tuesday, sales of other Dr. Seuss books skyrocketed to occupy nine out of 10 spots on Amazon's bestseller list and many bookstores throughout the country have sold out of Dr. Seuss books. QUICK LINKS Listen to our podcast Montrose Fresh, it's available everywhere podcasts are found including Apple, Pandora, Spotify and Amazon Music Remember those we've lost in our obituaries section View the letter to the editor. If you would like to submit a letter please email: editor@montrosepress.com Get today's weather forecast Check out our classifieds and explore the MDP e-editions Already a subscriber, but need to activate your digital account? Click here to create an account or call our office at 970-249-3444 and we'll get you all set up! Freezer full of beef, pork: Yes, please! Spring is around the corner and with that comes the start of grilling season. We love to spend time with our families and grilling up meat on the warmer summer nights. Rather than going to the store every week, what if you could win a chest freezer full of locally raised meats? Sign up for a monthly EZ Pay or pay for a one-year subscription to get drawing entries.

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Montrose County commissioners cite fond memories in naming Star Drive-In as landmark Montrose County commissioners turned their fond memories of a local icon into formal recognition Wednesday, in approving the Star Drive-In as a historic landmark. The approval is expected to boost the drive-in's chances of attaining placement on the National Registry of Historic Places, after an earlier bid was unsuccessful. Read More Police: Stabbing suspect arrested after running from deputies A Montrose man is in custody, accused of stabbing another man multiple times earlier this week, police said. Read More Montrose Center for the Arts announces March galleries The Montrose Center for the Arts will be hosting "Landscape and Wildlife — Gary Ratcliff" as the March gallery artist. Read More Identity of human remains pending Authorities are still working to determine the identity of a male body discovered Monday on property near East Falcon Road. Read More OUTDOORS: Have you heard about the great horned owl? Colorado has 14 very different species of owls living here, but not all of them nest here. Each species has its own unique traits, with very significant differences in size, calls, appearance, habitat, diet and behavior. Besides the hoo sound, great horned owls can bark, whistle, cry and give a wavering cry. Read More OUTDOORS: Dormant oil is a great way to get a jump on insect problems This is the time to get a jump on those pesky plant problems with dormant oil. I think oils are a great product because they help control reoccurring insects, and, they're applied early in the season before beneficial insects have shown up so you're not harming them with the spray. Oils can even help control powdery mildew. Read More OUTDOORS: Hot chocolate and hard water Usually when I go fishing, I walk in the water. That is at least until I fall in the river and get wet. But during this time of year, I'm able to walk on the water. Frozen lakes demand a change from the warm weather horizontal method to the cold weather vertical method. You guessed it — ice fishing! Read More

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