Former Mesa State defensive tackle Ed Johnson, right, directs players in drills during practice at Bookcliff Middle School. Johnson helped form a semipro football team, the Grand Junction Gladiators, whose first game is May 22 on the road against the Rocky Mountain Renegades. The Gladiators’ first home game will be June 12 at Stocker Stadium.

Kyle Davis a pitcher for Mesa State, gets the win over New Mexico Highlines in game one of a double header at Suplizio Field.

Palisade High School catcher Pete Lelich stretches for the throw as Rifle’s Ryan Moeller slides across the plate to score in the top of the seventh inning during the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader at Canyon View Park.

Fruita Monument’s Ethan Grider, left, flips the ball past Eagle Valley goalie Bryce Steggal to score during the second half of Saturday’s game at Canyon View Park.

In honor of her husband, Elinor Bergman, wife of Bus Bergman throws out the ceremonial first pitch Friday night at Suplizio Field.

Janine Kirtland of Fruita’s #1 single, hits a ball.

Grand Junction High School’s Morgan Emmons, center, fires a shot at goal Friday in the first period against Aspen High School at Canyon View Park.

Fog lifts from Wedding Canyon and Independence Monument just after sunrise this morning. Today is Earth Day. The first Earth Day was celebrated 40 years ago toady. In 1969 U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, D-Wis., announced that the “National Teach-In on the Crisis of the Environment” would take place on April 22, 1970. On January of 1970, the event was renamed “Earth Day.”

Grand Junction High School’s Ashley Wallace, right, grimaces after colliding with Central’s Arianna Herrera (9) Thursday in the first half at Walker Field.

Ross Schnell hits one of his favorite trail.

Grand Junction’s 1 doubles team Emmie Madison, left, and Madison Girley return against Gracie Gaglione and Kenyon Haywood at Grand Junction. 

Janine Kirtland of Fruita #1 single hits against Maddy Hayduk.

Wearing padded sumu wrestler suits, freshman James Coburn, left, and sophomore Nicole Bacon face off in the ring during the first day of Unity Fest at Mesa State College.

With the group’s EPA Carbon Cop smart cars providing a background, Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity, talks to a crowd of about 70 people during a stop by AFP’s “Regulation Reality Tour” at a downtown parking lot west of First Street. The event was to alert citizens to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed global warming regulations.

James Flatten, right, and Craig Adams work to set a large pole in the ground along a newly built mountain bike course on Glade Park Wednesday afternoon. The Ranchstyle Mountain Bike Festival begins today (Thursday April 22, 2010) and concludes Sunday with rides coming as far away as Canada.

Not far from the visitor center, the Shafer Trail is about a five-mile and 1,500-foot descent from the Island in the Sky area to the White Rim Trail below.

Central High School’s Joe Smith celebrates after sliding into home for a score Wednesday in the second inning at Suplizio Field. Central tallied four runs in the inning.

Central High School’s Spencer Hicks slides into home after a wild pitch by Grand Junction’s Tyler Standford (9) Tuesday in the fourth inning at Suplizio Field.

Golfers play on the No.10 green at the Redlands Mesa Golf Course in Grand Junction.

Central High School’s Jamie Pomansk, with the discus at Lincoln Park.

Jason Miles soars above the competition as he goes airborne over a hill during the 28 and over intermediate qualif

Briana Board, left, a ranger with the Colorado National Monument leads a class of third graders from New Emerson Elementary school on the Devils Kitchen trail as part of Junior Ranger Day 2010 at the Colorado National Monument. The supervised hikes for students continue through this week.

Haleigh Higgins signing at Central High School to play Volleyball for Mesa State College.

A ranger-led hike at Colorado National Monument spends a few minutes at an overlook to discuss and enjoy the geologic wonders of the monument. This week is National Park Week and through Sunday entry fees are waived as part of the celebration. Photo by Darlyn Merkel/ Special to the Sentinel