Will $1,400 stimulus checks pass soon? | From the Newsroom

Also, Trump and Boebert at CPAC

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$1,400 checks passed the House, heading to Senate: The new $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill passed the house on a mostly party-line vote on Saturday. Two Democrats voted with all of the house Republicans against the bill. In addition to direct payments of $1,400 to qualifying Americans, the bill also includes funding for vaccine distribution, funding for cash-strapped local and state governments, funding for small businesses, and would boost weekly unemployment benefits from $300 to $400. Democrats are hoping that they can pass the bill within the next two weeks, before the temporary extension on boosted jobless benefits expires. If the bill passes, the IRS has said that payments could arrive directly in accounts within a couple days. (Politico/Morning Consult) Although the bill is expected to receive minimal support from Senate Republicans, a recent poll conducted by Politico/Morning Consult indicated that 76% of all Americans support the relief package, including 60% of registered Republicans. (National Parks Service/Courtesy Photo) Wilderness protection bill moves to Senate: While most public attention is on the COVID relief, another proposed bill would conserve nearly 3 million of acres of land in Colorado, Arizona, California and Washington passed the House last week, mostly on a party-line vote. The bill is a collection of 8 different pieces of proposed legislation, including the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act and the Colorado Wilderness Act. One of the outcomes of the CORE Act would be the formalization of the boundaries of the nearby Curecanti National Recreation Area. Although the area was created in 1965, the borders of the area have never been established by Congress. However, most Republicans in Congress objected to the bill, including Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO-3). "Wilderness designations harm active management and wildfire activities," Boebert said on Friday, as reported by Colorado Public Radio. "I hope that when members visit my district on horseback they are telling people that this land will soon burn, because if we do not actively manage our forests, Mother Nature will continue to manage it for us." Trump's first public address since January: Trump spoke for an hour and a half last night in the keynote address at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference held in Orlando, Fla. Trump called Biden's time in the White House so far "the most disastrous first month of any president in modern history" and harshly criticized Biden's approach to immigration. Trump denied rumors that he would create another party — which a recent poll found that 46% of Republicans would support — instead, asserting his influence on the GOP. He also hinted at running for president in 2024. (Lauren Boebert/Twitter) Boebert also made an appearance and tweeted throughout the weekend. 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!

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Bill to prohibit Native American mascots proposes $25,000 fine, would affect Montrose If passed, SB 21-116 would require all schools with Native American mascots, including some Montrose schools, to change the mascots, otherwise a monthly $25,000 fine would be imposed for schools that continued to display them after June 1, 2022. Fines would be payable to the state education fund. Read More 'Find me, Mom. Find me': Testimony taken for pain and suffering claims in Sunset Mesa body sales suit Hannah Hardin loved her nieces and nephews. Frank Mazza was a proud cowboy. Mandy Baldt was a beloved sister and Bonnie Hamblin, "like a mother" to her granddaughter, while Nancy Wilson was her sons' "best friend." Read More Montrose girls eager to finish season on high note following loss to Delta The girls team for Montrose went into Delta on Thursday with a singular goal: knock off the No. 6 team in 3A. Read More With 11-0 start, Montrose boys enters top five in 4A Four minutes into Thursday's game against Delta, Montrose had scored two points, marking a slow start for a team that has shown to be comfortable at home this season. Read More Olathe girls ride full-court press brilliance to eighth win on Senior Night Moments after the second quarter ended, it was clear the game was turning into just another typical performance from the Olathe girls basketball team. Their unapologetic full-court press was crisp, with all five Pirates flying towards the ball, setting traps and tipping passes. The press continued in the third, and the transition opportunities blew the game away early, leading to a 63-14 win for Olathe over Caprock Academy on Senior Night. Read More Montrose City Council agenda The Montrose City Council will meet virtually at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 2. Read More Montrose County Commissioners agenda The Montrose County Commissioners meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, at 161 S. Townsend Ave. Read More

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