Elyssa Edwards gives an impromptu speech at a regional competition for home-schooled students.

Collbran town marshal Adam Appelhanz stretches crime scene tape across 48 Road north of the house where two people were discovered dead Thursday.

Mike Richardson, a Colorado Mesa University student, sings Jamey Johnson’s “High Cost of Living” while playing his guitar Thursday in the 500 block of Main Street. Richardson, who majors in criminal justice, said he plays for tips downtown on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. He said he chooses a downtown venue because his music “grates” on his roommates.

Parents wait in line Thursday to pick up East Middle School students after a school lockdown.

Students exit the R-5 building after lock-down is over Thursday.

Grief-stricken bystanders comfort each other in the front yard of the house across the street from the home at 10389 48 Road where two adults were discovered shot to death a few minutes before 8:00 a.m. Thursday.

Rose Pugliese, left, and Paul Nelson, center, listen as Woody Walcher speaks about the number of Mesa County employees during a forum held at the Grand Junction Area Realtors Association office, 2748 Crossroads Blvd., Wednesday with the three candidates for the Mesa County commisioner seat currently held by Janet Rowland.

A pair of welders work on frames for balconies at the Orchard Avenue student apartments, Colorado Mesa University’s new residence hall at Twelvth Street and Orchard Avenue, on Wednesday. The new four-story residence hall will offer 40 units with 192 beds total for students when completed this summer.

A Great Blue Heron comes in for a landing at the Lucy Ferril Ela Wildlife Sanctuary off of Dike Road in Grand Junction.The Wildlife area is managed by the Grand Valley Audubon Society.

Dan Shinskey of Grand Junction loads his car with groceries Tuesday outside City Market, 1909 N. First St. Corporate headquarters announced that the store is slated to close permanently on March 24. “I’m surprised it stayed open this long,” Shinskey said when he heard the news.

With the school’s pep band behind him, Dr. Calvin Hofer, head of the music department at Colorado Mesa University, announces Tuesday outside the Moss Performing Arts building the formation of a marching band at the university.

Nancy Thompson, left, and Anne Norman chat as they hike along the Riverfront Trail section west of the Broadway bridge Friday.

Acting City Manager Rich Englehart sits between Grand Junction Mayor Tom Kenyon, left, and Councilman Bennett Boeschenstein during a City Council retreat on Monday.

Blocks of snow are lined up for teams in snow sculpting competition at the 30th World Snow Festival in Grindelwald, Switzerland.

Photos SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL—Tim Wedel, of Palisade, stands by the entry carved by a team he was asked to join for the snow sculpting competition at the 30th World Snow Festival in Grindelwald, Switzerland. Their entry, which shows a man sailing in the clouds atop a bicycle-turned-flying machine, earned them third place

Mr. Hoover, a bloodhound owned by Denise Rayzor of Palisade, checks out his latest batch of Crock-Pot dog food. Rayzor has written a doggie cookbook with recipes such as Howling Beef Stew.

Tennis in the winter.

The Levis and Lace Square Dance Club hosts square dance classes on Tuesday evenings at the Masonic temple, 2400 Consistory Court.

Employee Janet Popish helps a customer, Doug Johnston, at Grand Valley Books, 350 Main St. People staying at downtown hotels enjoy the convenience of stores and restaurants within walking distance, say owners of area businesses.

Events such as Taste of Home Cooking School, above, and a variety of fairs and conventions draw people from out of town to Two Rivers Convention Center and downtown Grand Junction.