Long-distance genetic counseling available
Genetic counselors in Colorado Springs are meeting patients at two Mercy Regional Medical Center sites in Durango through audio/video conferencing.
Advances in telemedicine allow patients to schedule appointments at Mercy’s Three Springs or Horse Gulch locations in Durango, but confer with a genetic counselor at the Penrose Cancer Center in Colorado Springs.
Counselors help patients construct a family history to estimate the risk of developing cancer, determine if genetic testing is valuable and learn how to screen for cancer.
Counselors coordinate the testing procedure.
Gas prices flat locally, down again nationally
The average price of gasoline per gallon in Cortez hovered again last week around $2.19 per gallon, with the statewide price at $2.27 per gallon.
Statewide averages are down from $2.45 per gallon just a week ago.
The national average is also down to $2.32 compared with $2.55 last week, according to the U.S. Energy Administration’s weekly fuel price report. On Dec. 26,a gas station in Elbert was the first gas station in Colorado to drop its price for a gallon of regular below $2, according to The Denver Post.
Small Business group accepting nominations
The Colorado Small Business Administration is accepting nominees for the annual 2015 National Small Business Week awards.
The Colorado SBA is encouraging nominations from throughout the state including those on the Western Slope for numerous different categories including Small Business Person of the Year.
Nominations can be submitted online using SBA’s portal at http://awards.sba.gov, which provides information on various award categories and nomination guidelines.
The deadline to submit nominations is 1 p.m. Jan. 5.
For information, call the SBA’s Colorado District Office Small Business Week coordinator at (303) 844-0508.
Small Business Forum set for Jan. 7 at FLC
The 23rd annual Southwest Business Forum is scheduled for Jan. 7 at Fort Lewis College.
The event is free and will run from 8 a.m. to noon in the Community Concert Hall. Free parking and refreshments will be available.
Experts on local, state, national and international business and economics will discuss the state of world affairs from past to future.
Information is available at 247-7294.
CDOT to operate highway bus service
The Colorado Department of Transportation is expected to have its own highway bus service up and running by April.
The Post Independent reports the Interstate 70 route will stop in Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Frisco and the Federal Center and Union Station in Denver.
The project is funded by the 2009 FASTER bill, which raised car registration fees to pay for projects that include public transit.
There will be no weekend service, including service to the mountains that would compete with ski tours.
Cortez Journal