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CRC signs Nettleton's Anderson
JONESBORO — Nettleton senior guard Brandon Anderson signed a letter of intent Tuesday to play basketball at Crowley’s Ridge College next season.
Anderson was a three-year starter for the Raiders, earning 5A-East all-conference honors as a junior and senior. He averaged 13 points per game as a senior, shooting 36 percent from the 3-point line and compiling a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, head coach Bubba Deaton said.
“Brandon was in that class that I coached them from seven through nine and I got the (high school) job when they were 10th graders, so I’ve had him for six years,” Deaton said. “What I’ve seen Brandon do is develop his offensive game by leaps and bounds. I think his sophomore year, he probably averaged two or three points a game, was a defender, and his junior and senior year he turned himself into a good offensive player.”
Anderson also guarded the other team’s best player on a regular basis, Deaton said. He played in the Sun Senior Classic in March, finishing with nine points and eight rebounds.
Asked about the growth of his game in high school, Anderson said he’s learned to stay calm.
“Over the years of high school I’ve learned not to speed myself up, just play my game and be very calm and collected no matter what,” he said. “Down one, down 20, up 30, it’s just being calm and collected.”
Nettleton finished 18-11 this season behind Anderson and other seniors.
The Raiders were the runner-up in their division of the Northeast Arkansas Invitational, with Anderson scoring 24 points in a quarterfinal victory over Westside and 26 in a semifinal victory over Brookland.
In 5A-East play, Anderson sank a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer against Batesville.
He scored 19 points against both Greene County Tech and Searcy, put up 35 points combined in two games against Paragould, and scored 16 points against Jonesboro.
“I feel like my strengths are defense and shooting. Those are two of the things I’ve always been good at and just being a dog, really,” Anderson said. “That’s my biggest thing. Just whatever it is, I’ll do it, just being a dog.”
Deaton said Anderson is the definition of a gym rat, always present when Raider Gym was open last summer.
“I think CRC got a steal. I think he’s going to go there and fit in with what they do,” Deaton said. “I think he can play multiple positions. Obviously he’s guarded that level of player in our league. Jonesboro, North Little Rock, Marion, West Memphis, he’s seen them all. The competition is not going to scare him.” | 2022-05-25T11:23:45Z | www.jonesborosun.com | CRC signs Nettleton's Anderson | Sports | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/sports/crc-signs-nettletons-anderson/article_259fe1fc-791f-5ff0-a2a7-089d2e879364.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/sports/crc-signs-nettletons-anderson/article_259fe1fc-791f-5ff0-a2a7-089d2e879364.html |
Jason Smith, shown during Nettleton’s home game against Batesville during the 2021-22 season, was announced as Greene County Tech’s new head girls’ basketball coach last week.
Smith excited about opportunity at GCT
JONESBORO — Jason Smith will lead a different 5A-East conference girls’ basketball program in his 25th year of coaching.
Smith was announced last week as the new head coach at Greene County Tech going into the 2022-23 season. He takes over the Lady Eagles after a highly successful run at Nettleton.
Nettleton won the 2020 state championship and has often been among the contenders in Class 5A under Smith, regularly producing college prospects. Guard Briley Pena became the 28th Lady Raider to sign with a college basketball team since 2009 when she opted for Murray State in November.
“I guess I was at a crossroads here at Nettleton. I love Nettleton and for 17 years, I’ve bled black and gold,” said Smith, whose teams have won 13 conference titles. “I’m really, really proud of what we accomplished and I think any coach’s goal is to always try to leave something better than you found it, and I think we did that. With Greene County Tech, Coach Dean decided to retire and I have the utmost respect for Matt. We’ve been really good friends for 25 years now. When he decided to retire, I was reached out to by a couple of people within the community, and it intrigued me. Kristi and I talked about it, then we prayed about it, then we talked about it some more and prayed about it some more.
“At this time in my career, it was something that excited me and I think if you are excited about something going into year 25, then that’s a good sign.”
Smith earned his 500th career victory when the Lady Raiders defeated Batesville in their 2021-22 home finale. He has a 501-191 record in his career, which has also included stops at Valley View and Bay.
GCT has won two state championships in girls’ basketball and played for the state title as recently as 2016, when the Lady Eagles defeated the Lady Raiders in the 5A state semifinals.
Smith said he has always viewed GCT as one of the state’s premier programs, adding that his teams “took a lot of lumps” from the Lady Eagles before turning the tide.
Nettleton, which finished 18-12 this season, won both meetings between the teams in 2022.
“Nothing will ever replace Greene County Tech-Paragould as a rivalry,” Smith said, “but I think Nettleton-Greene County Tech has become quite a bit of a rivalry and with this change, there’s no doubt that will continue and the flames will be fanned, so to speak.”
While GCT’s football program is moving into Class 6A in the upcoming classification cycle, the school will remain in Class 5A in other sports. Valley View, where Smith’s son will be a senior next year, will have all of its athletic teams in the 5A-East next year as the Blazers move up to replace Jonesboro, which will play 7A football and have other sports teams in Class 6A.
Smith admits he will be emotional when he takes his new team to Nettleton for a road game in February.
“I’ll pass that bench where I’ve worn some of the paint out along the way. When I pass that bench and head down to that other one, there will be a lot of emotions going through my mind,” Smith said. “I’ve raised kids in that community, so it will be tough. This is definitely bittersweet. I’m excited, but then again I’m sad. It’s going to be tough.
“There’s no words to describe my feelings toward Nettleton, toward all these kids, all these seniors through the years, all these kids in the program right now. They’re like family. It will be tough, but I’m really excited to get started. I met the kids yesterday and we’re going to practice today. They seem really exciting to get going.” | 2022-05-25T11:23:51Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Smith excited about opportunity at GCT | Sports | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/sports/smith-excited-about-opportunity-at-gct/article_4da99dc7-c83a-5151-b368-3d660f29103b.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/sports/smith-excited-about-opportunity-at-gct/article_4da99dc7-c83a-5151-b368-3d660f29103b.html |
Braden Cox (center), the older brother of the late Brenten Cox, poses for a photo with Halley Hamon (left) and Erica Phillips, members of the volunteer engagement team at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Braden has been involved with Sloan-Hendrix’s fundraising efforts to benefit Children’s since it began.
Submitted photo / Valerie Matheny
A fundraiser organized by the Sloan-Hendrix Gifted and Talented Program has raised more than $10,000 to benefit the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Members of the GT program have raised funds to benefit the hospital through fundraising efforts and cookbook sales.
The project began several years ago, as a tribute to Sloan-Hendrix student Brenten Cox, who passed away in 2016. Cox, the son of Freddie and Delores Cox of Ravenden Springs, was diagnosed with a brain tumor on his brain stem on June 2, 2015.
“Brenten was a boy with a contagious smile that would light up the world,” said Valerie Matheny, Sloan-Hendrix business teacher. “His caring, warrior spirit was remarkable!”
Once funds are collected, students look up wish list items found on Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s website, and then GT teacher Melanie Stephens purchases the items and contacts the hospital to set up a donation date.
Patients admitted to Arkansas Children’s receive the finest medical treatment, emotional support and loving care available anywhere. However, children and their families in the hospital have other special needs that are met through the generosity of individuals and organizations like Sloan-Hendrix’s GT Program.
This year the group raised $2,000 and donated numerous items including Play-Doh, coloring books and markers, card games, men and women travel kits, hair brushes, mouth wash, pajamas, blankets, rattlers, Barbie dolls, food items, bubbles and more.
After a two-year break due to COVID, students were able to take the wish list items to Children’s and donate them in person.
“I want to commend these students for their generous hearts,” Matheny said. “Their willingness to use their time to help others makes me proud.”
Students who have been involved in fundraising efforts over the past few years include Braden Cox, Harper Rorex, Cade Grisham, Carley Morgan, Chaney Johnson, Lily Morris and Lakyn Phares. | 2022-05-25T11:24:21Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Sloan-Hendrix students donate to worthy cause in memory of student | Times Dispatch | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/times_dispatch/sloan-hendrix-students-donate-to-worthy-cause-in-memory-of-student/article_fdf24823-4f9c-5333-a984-7ad19a701caf.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/times_dispatch/sloan-hendrix-students-donate-to-worthy-cause-in-memory-of-student/article_fdf24823-4f9c-5333-a984-7ad19a701caf.html |
The Hillcrest baseball team concluded the 2022 season with a trip to the 1A State Tournament in Arkadelphia.
The Screamin’ Eagles defeated Scranton, 8-5, in a first-round game on May 12.
Bryson Doyle pitched seven innings in the win for Hillcrest. He allowed five runs (two earned) on nine hits and recorded two walks and 13 strikeouts.
Offensively for Hillcrest, Doyle went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and scored three runs. Tal Smith went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and scored two runs Mason Lecroy was 1-for-3 with a two-out RBI-double in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead to 8-5.
Brayden Oliver added a single.
Tanner Durham, Ryker Netrefa amd Kyler Kirk each scored a run for Hillcrest.
Hillcrest fell to the Mount Ida Lions, 9-1, on May 13.
Durham and Oliver had the only two hits for Hillcrest. Durham had a double. Clayton Rose drove in the lone run for Hillcrest. | 2022-05-25T11:24:28Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Hillcrest baseball team plays in state tourney | Sports | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/times_dispatch/sports/hillcrest-baseball-team-plays-in-state-tourney/article_9c2b775c-cbd7-569a-af35-5cb393473016.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/times_dispatch/sports/hillcrest-baseball-team-plays-in-state-tourney/article_9c2b775c-cbd7-569a-af35-5cb393473016.html |
One Lawrence County town has been listed as one of Arkansas’ Top 10 safest cities to live in according to New Home Source.
Walnut Ridge made the top 10 list, coming in at number nine, behind (in order of safest) Bella Vista, Greenwood, Cabot, Lowell, Bentonville, Farmington, Prairie Grove and Maumelle. Centerton came in as number 10.
According to the top 10 list, Walnut Ridge is 30.88 percent below national crime rate and 48.64 percent below state crime rate. With a population record of 5,013, the city has 0.2793 violent crimes per capita and 1.4961 nonviolent crimes per capita. The most common crime listed is larceny and burglary.
The article states, “Walnut Ridge is a small town with a lot of heart. With just over 5,000 residents, Walnut Ridge is the smallest city on Arkansas’ top 10 safety list, but with its agricultural roots, it packs plenty of rural charm. It also has several parks, including the Beatles Park, which commemorates when the Beatles stopped in the city for a few days in 1964. A music festival is held annually in their honor.”
For more information about the top 10 listing, visit https://blog.newhomesource.com/ safest-cities-arkansas/. | 2022-05-25T11:24:34Z | www.jonesborosun.com | WR listed in top 10 safest cities in Arkansas | Times Dispatch | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/times_dispatch/wr-listed-in-top-10-safest-cities-in-arkansas/article_a03f617e-ca78-5c31-8bb6-ec8fa6ff099c.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/times_dispatch/wr-listed-in-top-10-safest-cities-in-arkansas/article_a03f617e-ca78-5c31-8bb6-ec8fa6ff099c.html |
Marsico to be Jefferson Science Fellow
JONESBORO — Travis Marsico, a faculty member at Arkansas State University, was selected by the U.S. Department of State for the 2022-23 class of Jefferson Science Fellows.
The goal of the program, for which Marsico will live in Washington, D.C., is to enhance the capacity for science, technology and engineering expertise within the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Dr. Marsico is a professor of botany and associate chairman of the Department of Biological Sciences. He also oversees the A-State Herbarium and was the inaugural recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal for Research and Creative Activities in 2021.
The fellowship is a partnership between universities, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and the U.S. Department of State. Marsico is one of 14 individuals selected nationally for the program, which began in 2003.
“What I will be doing is contributing my own scientific expertise for international policy, but then learning how policy is created and implemented, as well,” Marsico said. “I think this will really be beneficial to our research program in biological sciences because I’ll have first-hand experience with how U.S. international policy is developed and how science is used in forming those policies.”
Marsico will be working in the Office of the Geographer and Global Issues, a division of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, the State Department’s intelligence wing. | 2022-05-26T14:32:54Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Marsico to be Jefferson Science Fellow | Announcements | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/marsico-to-be-jefferson-science-fellow/article_dc27a0ef-1213-5371-b4e7-853c0379adce.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/marsico-to-be-jefferson-science-fellow/article_dc27a0ef-1213-5371-b4e7-853c0379adce.html |
The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation has announced John McMinn, director of commodity activities and economics in the organization’s Commodity and Regulatory Affairs Department, will expand his role by taking on new commodity responsibilities.
“We’ve seen some similarities in the way the beef cattle and specialty crop markets have evolved in recent years, particularly as it relates to the emergence of the farm-to-table movement and direct-to-consumer marketing of beef. Consumers remain interested in where their food comes from and buying locally sourced food, and John has been immersed in this area for the last five years,” said Evan Teague, vice president of commodity and regulatory affairs. “John is eager to learn about the issues facing beef cattle and equine producers, so he can assist them and help advance Farm Bureau’s policy objectives related to these commodities. I have full confidence that he is up to the challenge.” | 2022-05-26T14:33:00Z | www.jonesborosun.com | McMinn to assume new commodity responsibilities | Announcements | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/mcminn-to-assume-new-commodity-responsibilities/article_b40f545c-7831-556c-b593-b3ec46ebfd51.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/mcminn-to-assume-new-commodity-responsibilities/article_b40f545c-7831-556c-b593-b3ec46ebfd51.html |
There was one poll worker in Mississippi in 1992 who loudly told her fellow poll workers not to give me a ballot when I went to vote in the general election, “because he’s voting for Clinton!” she said. It was no secret, since I’d written several newspaper columns in support of him, but she thought it was funny, I guess. No one was laughing but her.
Contact Steve Gillespie at news@newportindependent.com. | 2022-05-26T14:33:19Z | www.jonesborosun.com | I never get tired of voting | Newport | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/newport/i-never-get-tired-of-voting/article_08e44e92-6685-520e-95df-198e5d7fe9eb.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/newport/i-never-get-tired-of-voting/article_08e44e92-6685-520e-95df-198e5d7fe9eb.html |
Tuckerman shortstop Hannah Nicholson (21) catches a fly ball for the final out of the Class 2A state championship game as third baseman Ansley Dawson and outfielder Laci Worthington watch. Tuckerman defeated East Poinsett County 6-2.
Kevin Turbeville / Paxton News Bureau
Tuckerman coach Matt Dillon talks to his team between innings at the Class 2A state championship game in Benton.
Photos by Kevin Turbeville / Paxton News Bureau
Tuckerman’s Lizzy Walker rounds third base on her way to the plate during the Class 2A state softball championship game at Benton. Walker was 3-for-4 with an RBI and scored two runs in the Lady Bulldogs’ 6-2 victory over East Poinsett County.
Tuckerman’s Makaylie Gist fires a pitch against East Poinsett County during the Class 2A state tournament championship game at Benton. Gist was named state tournament MVP after pitching 6 1 / 3 innings in the Lady Bulldogs’ 6-2 victory.
By Kevin Turbeville Paxton News Bureau
The Lady Bulldogs held off East Poinsett County 6-2 at the Benton Athletic Complex for their second consecutive state championship. Tuckerman produced 13 hits and played error-free defense behind state tournament MVP Makaylie Gist, who limited EPC to four hits in 6 1/3 innings.
“This is an incredible feeling,” Tuckerman coach Matt Dillon said. “We didn’t think we’d be here, honestly, because it’s hard to get here, but we’ve played hard every day and these girls, there’s no quit in them. It’s just been an incredible ride this year and to be able to go back-to-back, who can say that? It’s awesome.”
The Lady Warriors loaded the bases with one out after Powell and Lucas were both hit by a pitch.
“I’m just so proud of them,” he said. “Some people wait their whole life just to get there once and to have it back-to-back is an incredible feeling.” | 2022-05-26T14:33:25Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Lady Bulldogs repeat as state champions | Newport | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/newport/lady-bulldogs-repeat-as-state-champions/article_4a49e040-0787-5248-af87-3a96de4353ee.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/newport/lady-bulldogs-repeat-as-state-champions/article_4a49e040-0787-5248-af87-3a96de4353ee.html |
16-year-old arrested over threats
JONESBORO — Jonesboro police arrested a 16-year-old boy Tuesday afternoon at Consolidated Youth Services, 4220 S. Stadium Blvd., after he threatened to burn the building down, according to a police report.
According to officer Bruce Wright, he was dispatched to the youth facility at 12:59 p.m. and told that the boy had just arrived at CYS and did not want to be there. He told employees that “he was going to burn the place down if they tried to make him stay,” the report said.
The suspect was taken to the Craighead County Juvenile Detention Center.
He faces a first-degree terroristic threatening charge, a felony.
A 23-year-old Brookland man told police early Wednesday morning someone entered his vehicle outside of Buffalo Wild Wings, 1503 Red Wolf Blvd., and stole items. Taken were a driver’s license, Social Security card and a wallet containing $50.
A 45-year-old Jonesboro woman told police Tuesday night that someone broke a window and burglarized a residence she was moving out of in the 800 block of Mays Road. The broken window’s damage was estimated at $500. Taken were a refrigerator valued at $2,000, jewelry valued at $400 and two purses valued at $600.
A 38-year-old Jonesboro woman reported Wednesday morning that her residence in the 1300 block of West Huntington Avenue was burglarized. Taken was a window air-conditioning/heating unit valued at $300.
A 65-year-old Jonesboro man told police Tuesday afternoon that his vehicle in the 1000 block of Ferrell Street was entered and items taken. Stolen were $60 in cash, $10 in charge and debit cards.
A 28-year-old Jonesboro woman reported Tuesday morning that her vehicle was broken into and items taken in the 600 block of Stratford Drive. Stolen were a passport and $100 in cash. | 2022-05-26T14:33:55Z | www.jonesborosun.com | 16-year-old arrested over threats | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/16-year-old-arrested-over-threats/article_0b5b151f-6205-53ad-b7c7-084e2711e23e.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/16-year-old-arrested-over-threats/article_0b5b151f-6205-53ad-b7c7-084e2711e23e.html |
Bassham
Jared Bassham named LETA director
POCAHONTAS — Black River Technical College has announced the selection of Jared Bassham as BRTC’s Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA) director. Bassham will assume leadership on July 1.
Bassham, a native of Hardy, has been employed at the BRTC Law Enforcement Training Academy for 16 years. Prior to that, he worked at the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office as a criminal investigator. Bassham has a B.S.E. in social science and an M.A. in history, both from Arkansas State University.
Interviews and consideration for the LETA director included a wide variety of audiences and constituent feedback. BRTC faculty, staff, students and members of the community were invited to attend a public presentation and Q&A from each of the three finalists on May 18. In addition, 50-minute-long interview sessions were held with three other groups: LETA faculty and staff; the BRTC President’s Cabinet composed of the president, vice presidents and executive directors; and a separate hiring committee composed of BRTC employees, as well as individuals from across Arkansas.
According to Dr. Brad Baine, vice president of academic affairs, “The significant position of the director of the Law Enforcement Training Academy calls for an individual that has the highest level of knowledge, experience, skill and professionalism. I am confident that BRTC has selected the most qualified individual and perfect fit for this critical position. Director Bassham will be able to utilize his wealth of law enforcement knowledge and experience to lead an outstanding group of faculty and staff and his extensive familiarity with BRTC LETA and his passion and vision for law enforcement training will allow BRTC to provide superior training to law enforcement professionals, both locally and at the state level.”
BRTC also appreciates the participation and consideration of members of the hiring committee. BRTC’s LETA Director is charged with creating and maintaining strong, positive contacts across the region and the state in the wide range of law enforcement fields and with local government, legislators, state and federal agencies, and accreditation and certification commissions. Because of this, the committee was important in ensuring that the best individual was selected for the job. BRTC thanks the members of the hiring committee, especially Lester Hankins, Chief of Staff for the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, and Chad Henson, Arkansas’s 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force Commander.
Bassham has been married to his wife, Laura, for 19 years. They have two sons, Ryder and Carter, and are active members of Walnut Street Baptist Church in Jonesboro. They reside in Brookland. | 2022-05-26T14:34:38Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Jared Bassham named LETA director | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/jared-bassham-named-leta-director/article_5a436cdb-af71-5112-bc51-809144312f12.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/jared-bassham-named-leta-director/article_5a436cdb-af71-5112-bc51-809144312f12.html |
Lawrence County Commission waiting for final ballot
The Lawrence County Election Commission is in a holding pattern as it awaits the arrival of a final outstanding ballot, according to Election Commissioner Judith Verkler.
As of Tuesday evening, when the first unofficial results were posted, Brandi Parker had received 1,039 votes in the Republican primary in the race for county clerk, but it was not enough to avoid a runoff, as Paige Howard Cunningham and Michelle Sheets finished neck and neck with 792 and 791 votes, respectively.
Lawrence County Clerk Tina Stowers said there were four ballots still outstanding. Three of those have since been tallied, one with a vote for Cunningham, two with votes for Sheets, leaving them deadlocked at 793.
Verkler said the final ballot could be on its way back from overseas, and the final deadline for the UOCAVA ballot to reach Lawrence County is June 3.
“We’re kind of in limbo right now,” Verkler said. “We’ll do as much as we can to prepare for the runoff we know is coming.”
If the ballot does not arrive by June 3, or does not break the tie between Cunningham and Sheets, a method of chance will be used to determine who is in the runoff with Parker.
Stowers recalled a municipal election in the past that resulted in a tie, with the winner being determined by the roll of dice.
A runoff will also be required in the Republican primary in the race for Lawrence County judge.
Gary Barnhill received 1,177 votes and Ron Ingram received 839 to secure spots in the June 21 runoff. Frank Owens garnered 505 votes, followed by Jimmy Morgan with 127.
In other results, Richey Thatcher won the Republican nomination for county sheriff with 1,338 votes, compared to 1,154 votes for Jim Danley. Thatcher will face Independent candidate Tony Waldrupe in the November election.
Jeff Yates won the Republican nomination for justice of the peace, District 6, with 214 votes. Roger Swindle received 78 votes. Yates will be unopposed in November.
In the Lawrence County School Board race, Adam Davis defeated incumbent Doyne Davis, 932 to 564.
With a total of 8,341 registered voters in the county, 2,891 ballots were cast for a voter turnout of 34.55 percent.
Staff writer Shantelle Redden contributed to this article. | 2022-05-26T14:34:50Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Lawrence County Commission waiting for final ballot | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/lawrence-county-commission-waiting-for-final-ballot/article_d5fcd99a-99d5-5bab-b4b0-0d7d4f9671f2.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/lawrence-county-commission-waiting-for-final-ballot/article_d5fcd99a-99d5-5bab-b4b0-0d7d4f9671f2.html |
HARRISBURG — The results for the Poinsett County primary races are in with 2,693 ballots cast in total.
A total of 1,939 eligible voters cast their ballots on Tuesday, while early voters made up 27 percent of the total votes with 729 casting their ballots early. There were 25 absentee votes recorded as well.
With the majority of the races between Republican candidates, 2,429 or 90 percent of the ballots cast during the Poinsett County primary were Republican, with 238 requesting Democratic ballots and 26 nonpartisan ballots issued.
Of the five Republican candidates for Poinsett County judge, John K. Hutchison received the most votes with 860 of the 2,429 votes cast, while J.C. Carter came in second with 661 votes.
Hutchison and Carter will have to faceoff one more time on June 21 for the primary runoff. Early voting for the runoff will begin on June 14.
The winner of the the runoff will then face Independent Robert Hervey Jr. in November.
The other Republican candidates for county judge were Bobby New with 318 votes, Louis Jones Sr. with 311 votes and Billy Pilgrim with 228 votes.
The Poinsett County Assessor Republican nomination went to Josh Bradley with 1,693 votes, while Matthew Miller had 613.
With only 15 votes difference Republican nomination for Justice of the Peace, District 5 was a close race as James Lloyd Baker Sr. won with 135 votes, while Tammie Slinkard received 110 votes.
Baker will now face Independent Gary W Henry Sr. in November’s race.
Another close race with only 20 votes difference was for the position of Trumann School District, Zone 5, which went to E. Anthony Patterson, who had 179 votes to Jonathan Redman’s 159.
There will still be two other races in the November General Elections, as well, including the justice of the peace, District 4, position which will be between Democrat Wesley Hooper and Republican Ronald D. Martin; and the race for the constable of the Greenwood Township, which will be between Republican incumbent Randy L. Holt and Democrat J.R. Boyd. | 2022-05-26T14:34:56Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Poinsett County election results are in | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/poinsett-county-election-results-are-in/article_4e318a37-6cc9-5c1b-ab02-fe72743f2c65.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/poinsett-county-election-results-are-in/article_4e318a37-6cc9-5c1b-ab02-fe72743f2c65.html |
Raiders' Davis signs with Talladega
JONESBORO — Nettleton boys’ basketball coach Bubba Deaton could see Andre Davis making progress each year of his high school career, capped by a strong senior season this year.
Davis will have the opportunity to continue his growth on the court after signing with NAIA power Talladega College on Wednesday.
Deaton coached Davis from the seventh through 12th grade, seeing him develop along the way.
“He played a little bit as a sophomore, took his lumps as a sophomore, and really developed his junior year. You could kind of see it was coming together and his senior year, he had a phenomenal senior year,” Deaton said. “He ended up averaging about 9.5 points, was All-NEA, got to where he could score. He had a really good game against Jonesboro when we played them here, that was probably the best game of his career in that kind of environment.”
Davis scored 19 points against eventual Class 5A state champion Jonesboro when the Hurricane visited Raider Gym. Some of his other big games came against Paragould (17 points), Rivercrest (17 points), Trumann (15 points) and Greene County Tech (13 points, 11 rebounds).
“The Nettleton coaches, they’ve been preparing me since I got here for everything, on and off the court,” said Davis, who scored seven points in the Sun Senior Classic. “I think I’m very prepared to go to Talladega. I’m very excited.”
Davis joins Nettleton senior guard Jeremiah Turner in signing with Talladega, which finished as the NAIA national runner-up in March after losing to Loyola (La.) in the championship game.
The Tornadoes had a 32-6 record this year. They have made eight appearances in the NAIA national tournament, including each of the past four seasons.
“I’m very excited, especially from the coaches, how they were calling and telling me how much fun it is in the program,” Davis said of Talladega. “They kept calling me and showing a lot of love. Me and J.T., we’re ready to go.”
While the 6-foot-3 Davis played in the paint quite a bit for the Raiders, Deaton expects him to take on a perimeter role with the Tornadoes.
“We were so guard-oriented that we we threw him into our post spot, even though he’s not a back to the basket post player. He’s going to have to develop his shot a little bit,” Deaton said. “He got to where he can make that 12 to 15-footer, but he’s going to have to extend that out to 15, 20 feet. We feel like he can be a player there if he continues to develop.”
Deaton thinks Davis’ best basketball is ahead of him.
“I don’t think he’s done growing, I think he’s going to get a couple inches taller, and he has to develop a few things, but his skill set has really improved,” Deaton said. “He’s another one of those who didn’t miss any workouts. He was there every day and he comes from an outstanding family.” | 2022-05-26T14:35:33Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Raiders' Davis signs with Talladega | Sports | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/sports/raiders-davis-signs-with-talladega/article_6ca5eee7-08bc-5234-9225-a232bdc6103b.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/sports/raiders-davis-signs-with-talladega/article_6ca5eee7-08bc-5234-9225-a232bdc6103b.html |
Facts and numbers
Claim: The US was never energy independent under Trump.
Evidence: During Trump's administration, the US imported 8 million barrels daily. Works out to 12 billion barrels imported during Trump, including 750 million from Russia and over 1 billion from Saudi Arabia.
Claim: Ending of the Afghan war was successful.
Evidence: US military forces under the leadership of President Biden airlifted about 140,000 souls from a terrorist-infested, war-torn country in about 30 days. 13 Americans were killed during the rescue, bringing the total number of dead and wounded Americans from the 20 year Afghan war to 24,311. Since the war ended, the number of American dead and wounded is zero.
Claim: The vast majority of Americans do not favor overturn of Roe.
Evidence: If you have a cross-section of America with 100 Democrats, 100 Republicans, and 100 independents split evenly between men and women, 198 of the 300 do not think Roe should be overturned. The leaked Supreme Court draft may significantly alter the mid-term elections. When you alienate 70% of voters, you likely lose.
Claim: The last election was a free and fair election
Evidence: Trump lawyers filed 40 lawsuits claiming fraudulent voting in the last election. All 40 lawsuits, including two going to the Supreme Court, were dismissed. The courts in all 40 cases found no evidence of widespread fraud.
Claim: American voters resoundingly rejected Trump in the last election.
Evidence: Trump got 74 million votes. 85 million Americans voted against Trump. A difference of 11 million American voters.
Claim: Elderly married couples on social Security and a modest pension are paying higher taxes as a result of the Trump tax law.
Evidence: An elderly married couple with $42,000 in social security benefits and $25,000 of pension monies paid $2,400 in additional taxes over the past four years because of the Trump tax plan.
Claim: Big oil companies get the blame for the high price of gas.
Evidence: Oil companies are experiencing record profits. $174 billion dollars over the past quarter. $200 million dollars each day. Oil companies have a financial interest in gouging American consumers.
Claims without evidence are worthless.
Terry Dancer | 2022-05-26T21:57:46Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Facts and numbers | Opinion | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/opinion/facts-and-numbers/article_4f005ec5-4087-5672-9b80-004a158abcd7.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/opinion/facts-and-numbers/article_4f005ec5-4087-5672-9b80-004a158abcd7.html |
JONESBORO — The Republican primary election is over, but not a lawsuit against the Craighead County Election Commission, yet.
But Kimberly Dale, the attorney for the commission, has filed a motion in Pulaski County Circuit Court to quash, or cancel subpoenas issued in a lawsuit filed by U.S. Senate candidate Jake Bequette.
Bequette, who lost his bid to unseat Sen. John Boozman, filed suit May 10 against Secretary of State John Thurston, along with the Craighead County Election Commission, Phillips County Election Commission and the state Election Commission because his name was misspelled on ballots in those two counties.
Thurston’s office notified Craighead County officials on April 28 that the local ballots listed Bequette’s first name as “Jack,” rather than Jake.
Election commissioners held a public meeting the following day and decided to post signs at polling places, bringing attention to the spelling error.
After the lawsuit was filed, the commission obtained new computer media from Election Systems & Software LLC, to correct the spelling.
Dale said in her motion Wednesday that Bequette still hadn’t properly served her clients with notice of the lawsuit, and she said information requests were too overly broad.
She asked the court for an order to protect all the defendants in the case “from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense.”
In one of Bequette’s subpoenas, the candidate sought “All documents or media evidencing the Republican Primary ballot as it would have appeared on a voting machine in each of the 75 counties in the State of Arkansas as of May 9, 2022,” Dale noted.
In Craighead County, alone, there were 289 versions of ballots that listed the U.S. Senate race, commission chairwoman Jeannette Robertson said on May 11, when the software was changed out.
Dale also requested reimbursement for the election commission’s expenses in dealing with Bequette’s complaint.
Bequette finished third out of four candidates in Craighead County with 16.17 percent of the vote. He finished second statewide with 20.67 percent.
Boozman polled 55.65 percent in Craighead County and 58 percent statewide. | 2022-05-27T09:38:33Z | www.jonesborosun.com | After election, Bequette lawsuit still open | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/after-election-bequette-lawsuit-still-open/article_824fe616-706e-53bf-a731-b6d72c5b8bc4.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/after-election-bequette-lawsuit-still-open/article_824fe616-706e-53bf-a731-b6d72c5b8bc4.html |
Fire marshal: fire intentionally set
JONESBORO — Chief Fire Marshal Jason Wills and an insurance investigator agree that a residential fire in February was purposely set, according to information released in a probable cause affidavit.
Wills wrote in the affidavit that witnesses said Craighead County Justice of the Peace Jason Price and his fiancee were seen leaving the residence moments before fire engulfed the residence.
Price has been charged with arson. He has denied the charge, saying he will be exonerated at trial.
“On Sunday Feb. 20, 2022, at 12:43 p.m., Jonesboro dispatch received a report of a residential fire at the home of Jason Price, 219 Harold Cove,” the affidavit states. “Jonesboro Fire personnel responded and upon arrival six minutes later, noted moderate to heavy smoke was showing coming from the residence.
“Jonesboro firefighters had to force entry into the residence as all doors were locked and secure. The Fire Marshals Division responded to the scene a short time later. It was determined that a search warrant was needed, so one was sought and obtained for the heavily damaged residence.”
Wills said two knobs in the kitchen gas stove were in the on position. He also noted something in the master bedroom’s bathroom.
“In the master bathroom an electrical space heater was found plugged in and had been placed in a wicker basket containing rolls of toilet paper.
“The documented time of the 911 call reporting the fire, and the time stamped video footage from the cameras showing the accused vehicle leaving from the area is around two minutes and thirty-one seconds. The accused would have been at or around the crime scene at the time the fire was set.”
Wills said the fire started in a hallway closet and, in his professional opinion, the fire was intentionally set.
He said the surveillance cameras for the residence had been turned off that morning.
“Jason Price did tell Fire Marshal that there were video surveillance cameras that had been installed at the residence,” Wills wrote. “Price, however, stated that he turned this recording system off at 9:30 a.m. the morning of the fire.”
Wills wrote that the residence didn’t contain normal household items and closets were mostly empty of clothing.
“The Price residence was insured to $157,900 with the contents being insured for another $110,530,” the affidavit states. “According to the insurance company, Price did make a claim on the residence on the day after the fire (or the day of) at the residence …
“The insurance company conducted an independent fire investigation with their own fire investigator. That investigation was in agreement with the Fire Marshal’s opinion. It concluded that the fire was intentionally set by person(s) and was not by any other sources.” | 2022-05-27T09:38:37Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Fire marshal: fire intentionally set | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/fire-marshal-fire-intentionally-set/article_25b154cf-48e3-5775-833f-e92f32cd9642.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/fire-marshal-fire-intentionally-set/article_25b154cf-48e3-5775-833f-e92f32cd9642.html |
Washam
JONESBORO — Two finalists for dean of the Neil Griffin College of Business at Arkansas State University will visit the campus over the next two weeks for search committee interviews and campus presentations, Provost Alan Utter announced Thursday.
The chair of the search committee, Dean of Agriculture Mickey Latour, said the committee named two finalists: Dr. Jason Garrett of Union University in Jackson, Tenn., and Dr. Jim Washam, who is currently a faculty member at A-State.
Each candidate will make a public presentation open to the campus community during their visit to A-State. Both sessions will be in the Delta Center for Economic Development, Room 103.
Dr. Jim Washam is the first finalist on Thursday and Friday, June 2 and 3. There will be a meet and greet reception for campus and community members on the second floor of the Delta Center from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday, June. 2. Washam’s public presentation will be on Friday, June 3, starting at 10:30 a.m. in Room 103.
Currently the interim dean of the Neal Griffin College of Business, Washam joined A-State as an instructor of finance in 1989 and became an assistant professor in 1992. Twice serving as a chair, Accounting, Finance and Law from 2000 to 2004, then Economics and Finance from 2004 to 2008, Washam has been associate dean and three times the interim dean. Promoted to associate professor of finance in 2000, Washam holds the McAdams Frierson Professorship of Bank Management. Washam’s bachelors and MBA are from A-State, and he earned his Ph.D. at the University of Mississippi.
Dr. Jason Garrett is the second finalist on Monday, June 6, with his presentation also at 10:30 a.m. in Room 103 of the Delta Center, followed by a meet and greet reception later Monday afternoon from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Delta Center.
Garrett is currently the dean and professor of marketing in the McAfee School of Business at Union, most recently guiding the university through a discipline-specific AASCB accreditation visit. He joined Union as its dean of business in January 2017 from Bradley University. Garrett began his academic career at Bradley as an assistant professor in 2006 and was promoted to associate professor of marketing in 2012.
Prior to Bradley he was a research assistant and graduate instructor while completing his Ph.D. at the University of Missouri. Garrett’s MBA is from Washington University in St. Louis and his bachelor’s is from Oklahoma Baptist University.
The current vitas of each candidate are available on the Neil Griffin College Dean search webpage, AState.edu/GriffinDeanSearch. | 2022-05-27T09:38:43Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Garrett, Washam are finalists for A-state dean position | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/garrett-washam-are-finalists-for-a-state-dean-position/article_956982b3-8187-5df4-8bfc-e93178f36c5d.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/garrett-washam-are-finalists-for-a-state-dean-position/article_956982b3-8187-5df4-8bfc-e93178f36c5d.html |
Goddard School of Jonesboro partners Brooks Coatney and Madison Allison, who is also on-site owner, get ready to dig their shovels in at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new preschool on Tuesday at 1770 Mayfield Drive in Jonesboro.
Submitted photo / The Goddard School
JONESBORO — The Goddard School, a nationally-acclaimed early childhood education franchise, broke ground on Tuesday in Jonesboro.
To celebrate the first Goddard School in Jonesboro, co-owners Madison Allison and Josh Allison were joined by members of the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce at the site of the new school. Key members of the design and construction team were also present to kick off the project.
The new preschool, which is expected to open by early 2023, according to a press release, will be located at 1770 Mayfield Drive.
The 8,800-square-foot early childhood education center will have nine classrooms to accommodate more than 140 children from infants to pre-kindergartners and will add about 20 teaching jobs to the Jonesboro community.
Madison Allison said on Thursday that they are opening the Goddard School of Jonesboro because of the need for more childcare facilities in the community.
“We’re thrilled to provide high-quality education to Jonesboro children in a safe and nurturing environment,” she said.
“We wanted to provide the community with this prestigious opportunity for early childhood education.”
The Allisons were both born in Jonesboro and have been members of the community for more than 30 years.
“I grew up in the Jonesboro Public School District and attended University of Arkansas,” Allison said, “where I received a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.”
Although she is currently working for Taylor Wagner Family Dentistry, she will become the on-site owner of the Goddard School of Jonesboro when it opens.
Her husband, Josh Allison, also grew up in Jonesboro, where he attended Nettleton School and played baseball at Arkansas State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education.
He works at Valley View High School, where he is the head baseball and head golf coach.
Now the Allisons are partnering with Goddard School franchisee Brooks Coatney, who owns Goddard Schools in Little Rock, Rogers and Fayetteville, on the new school.
Allison said the school is considered a private preschool.
“Monthly tuition differs from location to location,” Allison said. “It’s also based on each child’s age and their curriculum.”
Families interested in enrolling in a Goddard School are encouraged to call the location of interest, because each school’s owner and education director can share details on the classroom the child would be learning in, the flexible scheduling options and the monthly tuition rates, she added.
Starting in the fall of 2021, Goddard Schools across the country began offering families a new, targeted curriculum built around great works of children’s literature focusing on social-emotional development as well as the Life Lesson Library, which is Goddard’s proprietary program that includes a list of award-winning best sellers, new favorites and beloved classics meant to help children develop skills like self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
For more information about The Goddard School or the new Jonesboro location, visit www.goddard school.com. | 2022-05-27T09:38:49Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Goddard School holds groundbreaking for Jonesboro location | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/goddard-school-holds-groundbreaking-for-jonesboro-location/article_426955b6-da58-585e-96e4-f357cd49dfee.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/goddard-school-holds-groundbreaking-for-jonesboro-location/article_426955b6-da58-585e-96e4-f357cd49dfee.html |
JONESBORO — A Jonesboro man was shot in the hand at about midnight Thursday in the 400 block of Freeman Street, according to a Jonesboro police report.
The 23-year-old man told officers, who responded to NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital to a report of a gunshot victim, that he was taking out the trash at his girlfriend’s house when he heard a gunshot and felt a burning sensation in his left hand.
He said he didn’t see a person or a car in the area, the report said.
The victim told officers he didn’t want the shooting to be investigated and signed a termination form.
Police said the case will be listed as closed due to the termination form.
In a separate incident, police arrested Jerry L. Williams, 62, of the 3100 block of Village Cove, on Wednesday evening after a 911 call to his residence about a man with a gun, according to a police report.
Williams was taken into custody and a search warrant for the residence turned up a 9 mm Ruger handgun, a 9 mm Derringer, ammunition, pipes used to smoke crack cocaine and 0.1 grams of crack cocaine.
Williams is being held on suspicion of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of meth or cocaine less than 2 grams, first-degree terroristic threatening and felony possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police arrested Caitlin Blackburn, 33, address not listed, Wednesday afternoon in the 4000 block of RidgePoint Cove. She threatened to buy a gun and shoot a 52-year-old woman who lives there, police said. She is being held on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening and possession of a Schedule III drug.
A 24-year-old Jonesboro man told police Wednesday night that someone entered his car in the 3700 block of Kristi Lake Drive and stole his handgun. The AR-15 pistol with a 30-round magazine is valued at $800.
A 33-year-old Jonesboro man told police Wednesday evening that a 29-year-old woman stole debit card information in the 1600 block of South Main Street and transferred cash to her apps. The amount stolen is listed at $3,400.
A 25-year-old Jonesboro woman reported Wednesday afternoon that a 31-year-old man stole several items and broke her phone while she was calling the police in the 1800 block of Kentwood Street. Taken were Airpods valued at $900 and cosmetics and clothing valued at $375.
A 21-year-old Jonesboro woman told police Wednesday night that someone entered her vehicle in the 1800 block of Eldridge Street and stole her purse containing debit and credit cards. She said the thief attempted to use the cards but was unsuccessful. | 2022-05-27T09:38:53Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Jonesboro man shot in hand | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/jonesboro-man-shot-in-hand/article_7ef522af-c083-5019-85de-88b8a46df1c7.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/jonesboro-man-shot-in-hand/article_7ef522af-c083-5019-85de-88b8a46df1c7.html |
LEFT: Recent Valley View High School graduate Marc Foster sports his new sweatshirt from Xavier University of Louisiana, where he plans to major in biology/pre-med with a minor in Spanish. He is the first recipient of the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy award for his high school. ABOVE: Brookland Junior High School freshman Ahtziry Zuñiga shows off her Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy award at Brookland High School. She is the first recipient of the award for her school.
Brookland Junior High School freshman Ahtziry Zuñiga shows off her Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy award at Brookland High School. She is the first recipient of the award for her school.
JONESBORO — Two local high school students were announced as first-time recipients of the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy for their respective schools this year.
According to a press release from the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy Committee, Valley View High School twelfth grader Marc Foster and Brookland Junior High School ninth-grader Ahtziry Zuñiga, won this language award for their districts by speaking both English and Spanish fluently.
Eighteen-year-old Foster graduated earlier this month from Valley View High School.
Although Foster was a Spanish IV student, he said on Monday that not only was this his first time to apply for the Seal of Biliteracy, but he also is the first recipient of the seal for his school.
“The exam took about four hours to complete,” Foster said. “I had to study hard at both school and at home for about two weeks prior to the exam in order to prepare myself at listening, reading and writing proficiency.”
“The reading skills were my highest,” he said, noting that he received a composition score of 6.5 but only needed a five to pass.
Barbara Tarbutton, the Valley View High School Spanish II, III and IV teacher, said on Monday that she has been Foster’s teacher for the past three years and noted the importance of bilingualism and the benefit of speaking Spanish in today’s society.
“He had to make a high score on a proficiency test of listening, speaking, reading and writing of Spanish, while scoring at least a 19 on the ACT subgroup of English. Students have to demonstrate fluency in two languages in order to qualify,” Tarbutton said, also noting that Foster had recently earned his seal by scoring advanced on a proficiency test of Spanish.
“What makes Marc stand out is that he is neither a heritage speaker nor a native speaker of Spanish. He does not have extensive travel experience to a Spanish-speaking country,” she said.
“In addition, he was a virtual student last year due to the pandemic. This is an example of a student who has overcome the challenges that learning during a pandemic entails.”
“He has acquired the language through sheer dedication and love of the language by time spent reading and watching TV in Spanish, well beyond what was required in his Spanish 3 and 4 classes,” she said. “He is an example of what students can achieve if they have the desire and commitment.”
After noting his numerous scholarship offers and multiple college acceptances, Foster said that he has big plans for the future including pursuing a major in biology / pre-med with a minor in Spanish from Xavier University of Louisiana and taking international studies courses in another country, Spain being one of his top choices at the moment.
Although not quite ready for college yet, Brookland freshman Zuñiga also has a bright future ahead of her according to Eden Chen, Brookland Junior and Senior High Spanish teacher.
“The process was a lengthy one, but in my opinion was worth every second,” Zuñiga said proudly on Friday, noting that this was her first time to apply.
Fifteen-year-old Mexican-American Zuñiga said that although Spanish was actually her first language, she still had to demonstrate her skills in speaking, reading, writing and listening for both Spanish and English during the extensive online exam.
Chen also said that Zuñiga was the first recipient of the seal for the Brookland School District, noting that Zuñiga scored in the top five percent.
Even though Zuñiga was the only ninth-grader who wanted to apply this year, Chen said they do have other junior high students who are interested in applying, but are not yet in the ninth grade, which is the minimum grade level for application.
“Ahtziry is a hardworking and passionate student,” Chen said. “I have had the pleasure of teaching her for the past two years and have seen her growth inside the classroom. She is easy to work with. She is respectful and encouraging to everyone. Any time her hard work and dedication is paid off with an award or an achievement, she always accepts it with gratitude and humility.”
“When I asked her about being interested in testing for biliteracy she said of course! Since it was the first time to apply for biliteracy, she was patient with me and the entire process,” Chen said. “She was not afraid to ask questions to know what would be expected next.”
“Ahtziry plans on being a lawyer in the future,” Chen said. “I know that this AR Seal of Biliteracy certification will open the doors for multiple opportunities to her bright future and I cannot wait to see her continue to rise.”
Not only are Foster and Zuñiga, two out of the 780 students from across the state who have earned the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy for demonstrating proficiency in English and one or more other languages before the time of their high school graduation, but they are also two of the only 17 Arkansas students who are first-time recipients for their high schools during this cycle.
Bentonville West High School and Southside High School have the most diverse representation of languages with seals for six languages other than English this season, while Springdale Public Schools has the most certified students to date with a total of 1,070.
The Seal of Biliteracy first adopted by California in 2011, is now recognized in 48 states and Washington, D.C.
Arkansas first adopted the Seal of Biliteracy in 2017 and to-date a total of 3,309 Arkansas students from 80 high schools around the state have attained this certification across 19 languages other than English including Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Filipino, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Marshallese, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese.
The Arkansas Department of Education officially endorsed the Seal in June of 2018 and it is awarded each spring and fall to students in grades 9 through 12 and is sponsored by the Arkansas Foreign Language Teachers Association (AFLTA) and the Arkansas Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ARKTESOL).
For more information about the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy, contact the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy Committee at AR biliteracy@gmail.com or visit their website at www.ARbiliteracy.org. | 2022-05-27T09:39:00Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Local students receive Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/local-students-receive-arkansas-seal-of-biliteracy/article_dcba0f3e-9cd9-5639-a305-ad632d89b710.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/local-students-receive-arkansas-seal-of-biliteracy/article_dcba0f3e-9cd9-5639-a305-ad632d89b710.html |
NEWPORT — Aaron Cochrane, 41, of Jackson County, who most recently has been employed as a Bradford police officer, was arrested by Arkansas State Police on Wednesday afternoon and transported to the Jackson County jail in Newport, according to a news release by the state police.
The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division began an investigation involving Cochrane in March this year based on allegations unrelated to the incidents of rape that reportedly first occurred at least three years ago.
The separate allegations that initially prompted state police to open a case file continue to be investigated by special agents. | 2022-05-27T09:39:12Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Police officer arrested on rape charges | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/police-officer-arrested-on-rape-charges/article_d7b2c1c3-6092-5c31-83f1-7c947833af1b.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/police-officer-arrested-on-rape-charges/article_d7b2c1c3-6092-5c31-83f1-7c947833af1b.html |
Hadley catapulted himself into office
Reconstruction was a time of chaos, violence, corruption and confusion in Arkansas. Politicians plotted against each other while lynchings and assassinations bloodied the landscape. In the midst of the intrigue, one man rose from relative obscurity in the legislature to catapult himself into the governor’s office, Ozro Hadley.
Ozro Amander Hadley was born into a farming family in Chautauqua County, New York, in 1826, in the southwestern corner of the state. As his father’s health declined, he took on more responsibilities of running the farm. Eventually, he started an insurance business. In 1855, he moved to Rochester, a small community in the southeastern portion of the Minnesota Territory to again sell insurance. He was elected as a Republican as Olmstead County auditor and re-elected several times.
Consumed with ambition, he saw an opportunity with the close of the Civil War and moved to Arkansas in 1865. He attempted to start a business, but the deep economic depression of postwar Arkansas, coupled with the embittered and disfranchised former Confederate population determined to boycott Reconstruction supporters like Hadley, doomed his enterprise from the start.
Hadley, like many other northern Republicans settling in the South, turned to politics. In 1868, with a new state constitution supporting Radical Reconstruction in place, Hadley ran for the state senate in a district that included Pulaski and White counties. He won easily and quietly rose to become president pro tempore of the Senate.
The new Radical Reconstruction government was beset by numerous problems. Though the government supported civil rights for the freedmen, it faced intense hostility from Confederate veterans who had lost their right to vote for taking up arms against the Union. Though Hadley and his fellow Radicals supported building new railroads and new schools and even a proposed new state university that would become the University of Arkansas, these propositions were expensive for a war-torn population that had lost everything.
As political and economic pressures increased, the Radicals increasingly turned on each other. They hurled insults and threats of impeachment at each other often. Gov. Powell Clayton became a particular target, and anti-Clayton forces schemed to get rid of him. The Arkansas legislature elected Gov. Powell Clayton to the U. S. Senate after Sen. Alexander McDonald had only served two years. He resigned as governor on March 4, 1871, to assume what would be his only term in the Senate.
At this point, the lieutenant governor, James M. Johnson, would have become governor. But he had fallen out with many of his fellow Radical Republicans as well. Hadley and his allies saw a valuable opening and schemed to keep Johnson out of the governor’s office. All it took was a bribe. Secretary of State Robert White was encouraged to resign, and the lucrative, appointed position was offered to Johnson, who resigned the higher office with lower pay for the lower office with higher pay. With both the positions of governor and lieutenant governor vacant, Hadley was next in line of succession and became governor on March 17.
As governor, he had to deal with continuing riots, lynchings and uprisings against the Radicals. A series of assaults against law officers and a posse in Pope County nearly resulted in an assault by state militia troops and the imposition of martial law in summer 1871. Working with local officials, Hadley appointed an interim sheriff while investigations continued, defusing the situation. Corruption and violence simmered during Hadley’s administration. The appointment of a state geologist, William F. Roberts, at the high salary of $15,000, caused an uproar among legislators, especially after Roberts continually wandered through the streets of Little Rock drunk.
The situation was compounded by the disastrous 1872 election in which the two main Republican factions fought tooth-and-nail across the state, stuffing ballot boxes, intimidating voters and destroying opposition ballots. Hadley did nothing to stop the electoral fraud, which resulted in an election in which there was no clear legal winner. After Elisha Baxter assumed the governorship in January 1873, Hadley quietly left the state to spend a year in Europe, avoiding the violent clashes between the Republican factions fighting over the governor’s mansion.
When Hadley returned, he received a lucrative federal appointment as postmaster of Little Rock in 1874. As his appointment wound down, Hadley attempted to make a living as a farmer, buying plots in eastern Arkansas. Demoralized from his lackluster success and declining political fortunes, he left for the New Mexico Territory in 1879 to become a cattle rancher. At the age of 84, in 1910, Hadley left for Los Angeles to be near family. He died in California in 1915. | 2022-05-27T09:39:14Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Hadley catapulted himself into office | Opinion | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/opinion/hadley-catapulted-himself-into-office/article_4be2662f-8d29-5ef4-a8d3-c52d3bf26dd2.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/opinion/hadley-catapulted-himself-into-office/article_4be2662f-8d29-5ef4-a8d3-c52d3bf26dd2.html |
Jason Manchester, shown on the sideline during a game in the 2020-21 season, has stepped down as boys’ basketball and tennis coach at Valley View.
Manchester steps down as coach
JONESBORO — Jason Manchester is ready to watch high school basketball from the bleachers instead of the bench.
Manchester stepped down last week after 20 seasons and 324 victories as the head boys’ basketball coach at Valley View. Also stepping down as tennis coach, Manchester will continue as dean of students at Valley View.
The past couple of years, Manchester said he has considered his status to be year-to-year as a coach.
“As we got close to summer, spending more time watching my son play, and he’s about to be a ninth-grader, was one of my main priorities. I’ve really enjoyed it,” Manchester said. “He’s been playing AAU this spring and I’ve enjoyed just sitting back and watching him, not having to coach him.
“Right now I could see where my energy going into the summer wasn’t as high as it always has been, so it was one of those things where I felt it was good timing to do it. I’ve been the dean of students at Valley View for a few years now along with coaching, and I feel like I need to spend more time, devoting myself to being a full-time dean.”
Manchester has coached in the Valley View School District for 22 years, 20 as head coach in boys’ basketball. He began his coaching career at Gosnell, where he spent two years as the junior high coach, before moving to Valley View.
The Blazers have played in a state or regional tournament in six of the past eight seasons. While this year’s team finished 11-12 overall, Valley View was second in the 4A-3 conference with a 10-4 league record and missed a state tournament trip when Forrest City rallied for a 64-62 victory in the first round of the Class 4A East Region tournament.
Manchester led the Blazers to three state tournament trips in four seasons of Class 5A basketball, which will be Valley View’s classification again this year. The 2017-18 squad won the 5A-East district tournament, upsetting Blytheville in overtime in the semifinals and nipping Nettleton 47-46 in the title game on Garrett Barley’s tip-in.
“That team overachieved,” Manchester said. “We weren’t expected to be there and we got hot in the district tournament, upset Nettleton in the finals without Reed Graddy, and made it to the state tournament.”
Led by Alexander Gorton and Adam Horn, Valley View won the 5A-East regular-season title in 2014-15. A 44-43 upset loss to Little Rock Fair in the state tournament at Paragould left the Blazers with a 26-2 record, the losses coming by a total of three points.
With Gorton and Horn leading Valley View again in 2016, the Blazers defeated Watson Chapel in the first round of the 5A state tournament at Hot Springs before losing to Little Rock Mills.
“I kept running into Little Rock Mills,” said Manchester, whose 2020 team also lost to the Comets in the 4A East Region first round. “That was kind of my nemesis, I guess.”
Manchester said the teams that featured Gorton and Horn were the most talented he coached.
“It was very fun to coach,” Manchester said. “They were basketball guys, that’s all they did, and they were very close. Looking back that was definitely the highlight of my career and all the teams I’ve enjoyed obviously, but that was definitely the most talented team.
“You start reminiscing as you get out and you remember a lot of teams. I look back on guys like Dustin Jones, Tony Brewster, Hunter Saffell, and I don’t want to start naming too many kids because I’ll miss some, but some of those teams overachieved.”
Between a couple of stints, Manchester said he also spent 14-15 years as Valley View’s tennis coach, helping the school win multiple team state championships.
Manchester graduated in 1993 from Clay County Central, where he played for Scott Bowlin, and played four seasons at Williams Baptist before going into the coaching. He did not relish the thought of coaching his son.
“It’s very difficult. A lot of people can do it, but I was almost dreading having to do it,” Manchester said. “We have what I feel like is a real good relationship and I could see where coaching him could hurt that relationship, and I wanted him to get an opportunity not to worry about the coach being his dad, to relax and play and have fun playing, not feeling any pressure about being the coach’s son.
“He’s a young man if he continues to work and get better, he’ll have a chance to be a pretty decent player when it’s said and done, but I wanted him to enjoy his own journey.”
Valley View is expected to fill the coaching position soon, with the summer camp schedule about to begin. The school is scheduled to host a team camp June 15. | 2022-05-27T09:39:34Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Manchester steps down as coach | Sports | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/sports/manchester-steps-down-as-coach/article_5df1a2c1-4399-5720-a33d-7a84864f5c1e.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/sports/manchester-steps-down-as-coach/article_5df1a2c1-4399-5720-a33d-7a84864f5c1e.html |
AGFC to award conservation scholarships
Scholarships are available for any Arkansas resident paying in-state tuition with a declared major related to conservation or agriculture. More information can be found at www.agfc.com under the education tab.
The Conservation Scholarship Program uses funds from the sale of conservation license plates. The program, now in its 22nd year, has awarded more than $8 million to Arkansas students. | 2022-05-28T05:00:53Z | www.jonesborosun.com | AGFC to award conservation scholarships | Announcements | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/agfc-to-award-conservation-scholarships/article_1cee96c3-d9d7-5dbc-af5e-17d0471e55c9.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/agfc-to-award-conservation-scholarships/article_1cee96c3-d9d7-5dbc-af5e-17d0471e55c9.html |
Westside Class of 1972 to meet
The Westside High School Class of 1972 will meet for a 50-year reunion on Saturday, June 4, at the Westside School cafeteria.
The reunion will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a BBQ catered meal for $15 per person. All classmates urged to attend.
McDaniel Cemetery Association sets service
McDaniel Cemetery Association will hold its annual Memorial Service on June 5 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the cemetery located on Mount Carmel Road in Jonesboro.
Guest speaker will be Allen Ashlock, minister at County Line Church of Christ. The community is invited to attend.
Upkeep and maintenance relies upon monetary donations, which can be given at the service. Checks made out to the cemetery can also be mailed to: McDaniel Cemetery Assoc., 230 CR 415, Jonesboro, AR 72404.
For more information, contact Larry Ransone at 870-761-6605.
Babysitting classes offered
St. Bernards Healthcare will offer one-day babysitting classes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning June 7 at St. Bernards Health and Wellness Center, 1416 E. Matthews Ave. in Jonesboro.
The class is for those 12 years old and older. It will include CPR and First Aid with eCards to be issued.
The cost of the class is $25 including lunch, snacks, and supplies. Registration can be made by calling 870-207-7822.
The class will be offered again on June 8, 9, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 and 23.
UAW Retirees to meetThe United Auto Workers Retirees will meet at Grecian Steak House, 210 Airport Rd, Paragould, on Thursday, June 9, at 11:30 a.m
Breastfeeding class offered
St. Bernards Healthcare will offer a free breastfeeding class from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on June 7 at St. Bernards Medical Center-Stroud Hall, 225 E. Washington Ave. in Jonesboro on the mezzanine level of the Cancer Tower. Parking will be on the orange level of the parking garage.
The class will offer an extensive overview of what to expect while in the hospital and education on how to breastfeed with clinical experts to discuss any questions or concerns. Spouses, significant others or family members are welcome to attend.
Participants should bring a baby doll, stuffed animal or towel to be used to learn the placement of all the holds.
Class registration can be made at bit.ly/3wwvmVj. An email will be sent as a reminder of the class time, day and address. For any questions call St. Bernards Healthline at 870-207-7300.
Business services team to meet
The Northeast Arkansas Business Service Team will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the conference room at the Jonesboro Workforce Center, 2311 E. Nettleton Ave.
Auxiliary aids and services will be available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Once completed, a digital copy of the packet will be made available.
For more information call James Morgan at 870-932-1564.
FOA to present CATS
Tickets go on sale Tuesday for the Foundation of the Arts’ production of CATS with musical accompaniment provided by the Delta Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Neale Bartee.
Presented by St. Bernards Healthcare and Medical Group, show dates are June 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m., June 25 at 6 p.m. and June 26 at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices for floor and lower balcony are $20 for adults and $18 for senior/child/military/ASU and for upper balcony are $18 for adults and $16 for senior/child/military/ASU. Sunday, June 26, will be a pay what you can performance.
The musical will be presented at the Forum Theatre, 115 E. Monroe, Jonesboro. To purchase tickets visit foajonesboro.org, call 870-935-2726 or visit the Forum Box Office. | 2022-05-28T05:01:12Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Events | Announcements | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/events/article_6985da14-abc1-53d1-b64a-dbbb3bbd6a5b.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/events/article_6985da14-abc1-53d1-b64a-dbbb3bbd6a5b.html |
Food Bank receives grant from Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation
JONESBORO — The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas was awarded a $10,000 grant by the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation to provide a fresh produce distribution in Craighead County.
This initiative will provide thousands of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to families at risk of hunger. Living in an agricultural state, many people take for granted the access Arkansans have to fresh produce but struggling families can’t always afford to choose healthy fruits and vegetables as part of their regular diet.
“More than 18 percent of Northeast Arkansans live in food insecure households,” said Christie Jordan, CEO for the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. “We are proud to work with the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation to provide healthy fresh fruits and vegetables to struggling families.”
“We’re proud to recognize this organization as one who shows up every day to fight food insecurity head on,” Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation Executive Director Julie Waitman states. “The importance of hunger-fighting organizations cannot be overstated, and we’re committed to stand alongside them.”
During the 2021-2022 fiscal year (June 1, 2021-May 31, 2022), the Foundation awarded $250,000 to 35 organizations across the U.S. fighting hunger in their communities. This grant marks $1.25 million awarded by the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation in its efforts to help fight hunger. | 2022-05-28T05:01:18Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Food Bank receives grant from Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation | Announcements | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/food-bank-receives-grant-from-alpha-gamma-delta-foundation/article_bb202b6d-99a4-59e2-a748-4c00faa5586d.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/food-bank-receives-grant-from-alpha-gamma-delta-foundation/article_bb202b6d-99a4-59e2-a748-4c00faa5586d.html |
Library sets summer kick-off party, concerts
The Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library will launch its summer programming on Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. with the return of the summer kick-off party. The library hosted its first kick-off party in 2018 as a way to launch summer programming and help families sign up for Summer Reading Club.
The event features different activities for children. Library users of all ages can sign up for summer programming and get a sneak peek of what is in store for them this summer.
First Community Bank is sponsoring the event and will provide and cook hot dogs for up to 800 attendees. East Arkansas Broadcasters will have the Polar Roller on site with free ice cream from noon to 2 p.m., Frito Lay will provide chips and Pepsi is providing drinks! The library will have coolers full of water available as well.
In addition to the daytime activities, the library’s first concert of the season is set for that evening at 5:30. Local band Everyday Life will be featured as the lead in to the Summer Concert Series.
“Everyday Life comes with a lot of energy and play music that appeals to all,” said Shannon Freeman, lead singer of Everyday Life. In addition to Freeman, band members include drummer Aaron Hammon, lead guitarist Mark Owen, bassist Travis Gober, and keyboards Bryce Anderson. Joining them this year will be Freeman’s daughter Maggie Freeman and his son Sam Freeman!
The Summer Concert Series will continue on the first three Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. on the front lawn of the library, located at 315 West Oak Avenue. June 7 will be The Mathis Family, June 14 Cory Jackson and June 21 Drive South.
Reading club is offered across area
Libraries across the area are offering Summer Reading Club activities for all ages. Those who live in Jonesboro, Lake City, Brookland, Monette, Caraway, Marked Tree, Weiner or Harrisburg (the Lepanto library branch is currently closed due to storm damage) can register online or at their local library beginning June 4.
The Crowley Ridge Regional Libraries work within their communities to encourage those of all ages to participate in their programs each summer. At the Jonesboro location – the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library – the first 100 kids to finish the Summer Reading Club challenge will get a free “Oceans of Possibilities” t-shirt! There are also many other prizes to be awarded.
Summer Reading Club activities are available for kids, tweens, teens and adults. To participate in the program, individuals and families can log onto the library’s digital platform called Beanstack, which can be accessed at libraryinjonesboro.beanstack.org.
For more information on these or other programs being hosted by the library this summer, call the library at 870-935-5133, stop by the library at 315 West Oak Avenue or visit them online at www.libraryinjonesboro.org. | 2022-05-28T05:01:24Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Library sets summer kick-off party, concerts | Announcements | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/library-sets-summer-kick-off-party-concerts/article_f5c491f6-a403-5a5e-a181-59db95ebfd0c.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/library-sets-summer-kick-off-party-concerts/article_f5c491f6-a403-5a5e-a181-59db95ebfd0c.html |
Seth Jones, D.O., a member of the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University Class of 2022, is hooded by his father, Matt Jones, M.D., at NYITCOM at A-State’s Commencement & Hooding Ceremony which was held Wednesday at the Fowler Center.
NYITCOM celebrates commencement for 108 physicians
JONESBORO — New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University celebrated 108 new physicians Wednesday at its Commencement and Hooding Ceremony, which was held at the A-State Fowler Center.
The NYITCOM at A-State Class of 2022 arrived in Jonesboro in 2018 as the third class on the medical school’s Arkansas campus, and the group experienced medical school during a time like no other. Much of the group’s final two years of their undergraduate medical education came during a pandemic, one that impacted healthcare like no other event in recent history.
Joseph Giaimo, D.O., president of the American Osteopathic Association, served as one of the featured speakers Wednesday and spoke of how that changing world provides unique opportunities for physicians.
“You are entering our profession at a time where our world faces a lot of challenges,” Giaimo said. “But I have good news for you. Because of your hard work, because of how you are trained, you are perfectly positioned for the challenges that lie ahead.”
Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., the founding dean of NYITCOM at A-State and a pioneer in osteopathic medicine, also spoke at Wednesday’s ceremony. She reminded the graduates of the significance and duty that comes with their new title of doctor.
“Becoming a physician is not just a career choice,” Ross-Lee said. “It is a high calling with awesome responsibilities. It’s something more. From this day forward, it is an immutable part of who you are and who you will always be. It will be how you think of yourself and how others think of you, because being a physician not only describes what you do but who you will have become.”
As part of Wednesday’s ceremony, NYITCOM at A-State awarded a posthumous degree to Chloe Vaught, a member of the Class of 2022 who died during her third year of medical school. Vaught’s parents were presented with a framed diploma signifying her accomplishment.
In addition to the 108 students who received their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree Wednesday, NYITCOM honored 13 students who completed the college’s Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree, a program that was created in 2020.
Members of the Class of 2022 will begin their medical residencies in July as they embark on the next phase of their medical education. | 2022-05-28T05:01:30Z | www.jonesborosun.com | NYITCOM celebrates commencement for 108 physicians | Announcements | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/nyitcom-celebrates-commencement-for-108-physicians/article_58c2208a-e0ae-5635-aca3-1c6e6ea3f128.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/nyitcom-celebrates-commencement-for-108-physicians/article_58c2208a-e0ae-5635-aca3-1c6e6ea3f128.html |
Reception to honor Bowman
The public is invited to join long-time staff member Gina Bowman at a retirement reception in her honor, 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the lobby of the Arkansas State University Administration Building, 2105 Aggie Road.
Bowman is director of media relations in the Office of Marketing and Communications. Previously, she served many years as sports information director in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
She is capping a 46-year A-State career, which she began in 1976. An A-State alumna, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism. | 2022-05-28T05:01:36Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Reception to honor Bowman | Announcements | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/reception-to-honor-bowman/article_497284bb-fbc6-5a39-ba36-685e338de0e8.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/announcements/reception-to-honor-bowman/article_497284bb-fbc6-5a39-ba36-685e338de0e8.html |
JONESBORO — Three local communities have received Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) Rural Community Grants totaling $33,297 to make improvements to help their cities.
According to a press release on Thursday from the AEDC’s Rural Services Division, those receiving the Rural Community Grants included:
the Bay Fire Department, which received $15,000.
Poinsett County, which received $15,000.
the Southridge Volunteer Fire Department, which received $3,297.
The AEDC’s Rural Services Division awarded a total of $863,010.61 in grants to 37 Arkansas cities and counties through two grant programs and AEDC Deputy Director Clint O’Neal and Director of Rural Services Becca Caldwell presented the grants to the recipients during the Arkansas Rural Development Summit on May 12 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
The two grant programs are the Rural Community Grant Program and the Rural Services Block Grant Program.
The Rural Community Grant Program has awarded a total of $390,590.61 to 30 cities and counties across Arkansas to provide funding for projects such as baseball fields, community parks, walking trails, community centers, fire stations, fire trucks and other fire protection-related equipment.
This grant is given to applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas and the applicants are eligible for up to $15,000 in matching funds under the program.
Bay Fire Department Chief Charles Mitchell said on Friday that they had found out they had received their $15,000 grant about two weeks ago after applying for it around January.
“We are purchasing a new skid unit with it. The one we had was 20 years old and needed to be replaced,” Mitchell said, noting that the skid unit fits in the back of a truck and is very useful for fighting grass fires.
Poinsett County Judge Randy Mills said on Friday that their $15,000 grant will be used as part of an ongoing project that the Poinsett County Cooperative Extension Service started in collaboration with the city and county, who have also put money into the project, to build a new learning-based park for young people in the area.
“Although the ground work started in 2020, they really got after it last year when they applied for two grants; however they only received one of those grants. So now they are trying again this year for more grants. This is just one of the first they have received so far this year,” Mills said, noting that the new park will include learning gardens, a pavilion and a walking track.
The park will be located in downtown Harrisburg near the Poinsett County Extension Office.
Southridge Volunteer Fire Department Lieutenant Keith Beeson, who takes care of the department’s grants, said on Thursday that the Southridge Volunteer Fire Department had found out a couple of weeks ago that they were getting a $3,297 grant.
“We will be using the money to purchase two sets of battery powered tools to outfit our main engines,” Beeson said, noting that the new tools will include chainsaws, reciprocating saws, rescue saws and more.
“With these tools it will be much easier to access difficult places such as vehicles and commercial buildings,” he said. “This will be a game changer.”
The other program was the Rural Services Block Grant Program, which has awarded a total of $472,420 to seven cities and counties across Arkansas to fund new construction or renovation of community centers, fire stations or multi-purpose buildings, as well as the purchase of fire trucks (pumper, tanker, brush or certain service trucks).
This grant is given to applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas with low to moderate incomes of 51 percent or higher and the applicants are eligible for up to $75,000 in funds under the program with a 10 percent match.
For cities and counties interested in applying for Fiscal Year 2023 grants, the next application cycle deadline is August 11, 2022. More information about the programs, as well as deadlines, can be found at www.arkansasedc.com/Rural-Services/division. | 2022-05-28T05:01:42Z | www.jonesborosun.com | AEDC Rural Community Grants awarded locally | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/aedc-rural-community-grants-awarded-locally/article_32a8dd57-c77b-5110-a429-4afe57c421cf.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/aedc-rural-community-grants-awarded-locally/article_32a8dd57-c77b-5110-a429-4afe57c421cf.html |
JONESBORO — Population shifts will bring some changes to Jonesboro’s voting districts in November.
The city council’s public services committee will meet at 4:40 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the proposed maps for the city’s six wards. Ward boundaries are redrawn every 10 years following the official U.S. census.
The city council decided last year to use GIS computer software and services provided by EFS Geotechnologies to establish new ward boundaries. The goal is for each ward to have roughly the same population, which would be around 13,000.
According to information gathered by EFS Geotechnologies, Wards 1, 2 and 3 have lost some population, while the other three have gained, particularly Ward 5 in the northeastern section of the city.
Each ward has two members on the city council. This year, for the first time in modern history, candidates for Position 1 in each ward will be elected only by voters living within the boundaries of their wards. Previously all 12 council members were elected citywide.
Generally speaking, the new Ward 1 would be on the western side of town south of the railroad tracks along Burke Avenue; west of South Culberhouse Street, Flint and Wood Street; west of Southwest Drive south of Interstate 555; north of Neely Road; west of Friendly Hope Road and south and southwest of Flemon Road.
Ward 2 would be the northwestern section of the city.The eastern border of the ward would be around Harmony and Ponderosa roads, which connect with Peachtree Avenue. It also would include the downtown area south of the railroad tracks from Culberhouse to Patrick Street; north of Nettleton Avenue between Flint and Kitchen streets.
Ward 3 would be north of East Nettleton Avenue between Flint and Kitchen streets; west of Red Wolf Boulevard south of Aggie Road; the neighborhoods surrounding Arkansas State University and north of Johnson Avenue to the northeastern city limits. Ward 3 also includes the Sage Meadows subdivision and Greensborough Village.
Ward 4 would be south of Nettleton Avenue; west of Wood Street; west of South Caraway Road; the Southwest Drive area north of Interstate 555 and west of Harrisburg Road south of Highland Drive.
Ward 5 would be south of Highland Drive and west of South Caraway Road, including Windover Road and Brown’s Lane; east of South Culberhouse Street south of the interstate; north of East Craighead Forest Road; north and east of Crowley’s Ridge Road; and bounded on the southeast side of the city limits by Colony Drive and Richardson Drive.
Ward 6 includes the eastern side of Jonesboro east of Red Wolf Boulevard; north and east of Race Street; east of Airport Road and south of Johnson Avenue, including the city’s industrial parks.
The special public services committee meeting will be held in Municipal Center, 300 S. Church St., following the finance and administration committee’s regular meeting, which begins at 4 p.m.
The maps can be found on the city’s website at: jonesboro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail | 2022-05-28T05:01:49Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Council to look at new ward boundaries | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/council-to-look-at-new-ward-boundaries/article_3fba6c6a-7ac5-5d86-a809-b2a7ef4a31c8.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/council-to-look-at-new-ward-boundaries/article_3fba6c6a-7ac5-5d86-a809-b2a7ef4a31c8.html |
Tiffany Williams (right), registrar at Jonesboro High School, presents Glen “Fireball” Bryant with a plaque from the school for his 34 years of service Thursday as his mother, Fredia (left), and others look on.
JONESBORO — Some people may not recognize the name of Glen Bryant, who retired Friday after 34 years at Jonesboro High School.
But everyone knows about “Fireball.”
Glen “Fireball” Bryant has patrolled the parking lot at the high school since 1988, keeping students’ parking skills in line and writing tickets to those who didn’t meet his standards.
On Thursday, current and former students, faculty members and member’s of Fireball’s family gathered in the parking lot he supervised to wish him well in retirement.
And many had stories to tell about Fireball.
Head basketball coach Wes Swift recounted his first day on the job in 2009 when he parked in a senior’s parking spot. He hadn’t put his parking sticker on his car.
Fireball told him to move his car.
Brian Richardson, chief administrative officer for the City of Jonesboro, presented Fireball with a proclamation from Mayor Harold Copenhaver naming Thursday as “Glen ‘Fireball’ Bryant Day” in Jonesboro.
Richardson said as a student at JHS he was called over to his vehicle by Fireball.
He said Fireball told him to look at the way he had parked. Richardson said he walked around the car and said, “I’m inside of the lines.” Fireball said, “Yeah, but you backed in. Turn your car around.”
The tickets Fireball issued for violations weren’t monetary fines, but would be sent to the principal of that student. Too many tickets could result in a suspension, he said.
He said Friday that he probably wrote tens of thousands of tickets over the past 34 years.
Fireball’s known for patrolling the lot in his Kawasaki Mule cart, with a huge keyring on his hip.
“They’re keys to most of the buildings. I don’t throw anything away,” he said. “There’s more in my truck.”
Fireball said the school bought the Mule for him in 2001. Before that he shared a golf cart with the coaches at the school.
As for the nickname, Fireball said that in 1971 he was in the seventh grade. An incident at the school forced all students out to the football field. One of the coaches thought he should hold his physical education class while they were out there. He decided one-on-one races around the field would do the trick.
“I ran a race against a ninth-grader. The coach yelled out, ‘Come on, Fireball. Come one Fireball, because I had red hair.”
The nickname stuck, but he barely lost the race.
While at JHS, Fireball kept the books for the basketball team and was a manager for the sports teams.
After graduating in 1976, he worked as a cook for Couch’s Bar-B-Q, where he had started working in the seventh grade.
Fireball also was in an Explorer post at the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, where he volunteered with the Search and Rescue Team.
He continues to keep the books for the basketball team, writing down stats. He said he’ll continue to do that.
In retirement, Fireball plans to travel – Tunica is one destination – do some yard work and take his mother on trips.
On Thursday, he said he wondered about the KAIT television station’s vehicle being in the parking lot. He then saw other people, including his mother Fredia, his brother Dennis Bryant and his sister Peggy Woodard, and knew something was up. | 2022-05-28T05:02:01Z | www.jonesborosun.com | 'Fireball' writes final ticket at JHS | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/fireball-writes-final-ticket-at-jhs/article_8ad7588c-7cfd-5b5f-bbe9-71a5cfbb41d0.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/fireball-writes-final-ticket-at-jhs/article_8ad7588c-7cfd-5b5f-bbe9-71a5cfbb41d0.html |
JONESBORO — The Craighead County Veterans Memorial Foundation will host Memorial Day ceremonies beginning at 9 a.m. at the County Courthouse, Main Street and Washington Avenue.
The event will mark the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor, Alaska, on June 3, 1942, during which Jonesboro native PFC Roy Wiles was killed in action. Wiles served in the Army’s 206th Coast Artillery Regiment.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1991 in Jonesboro is named after Wiles. The post was dedicated and named for Wiles on Sept. 16, 1945.
Retired Army Col. Damon Cluck, who commanded the 206th Field Artillery during Operation Iraqi Freedom, will be the featured speaker.
Robert Murphy, commander of the VFW Roy Wiles Post 1991, will also speak.
W. Danny Honnoll, commander of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron No. 21, will emcee the ceremonies.
Veteran Honor Guard, Crowley’s Ridge Sons of the American Revolution Honor Guard, Ladies Auxiliaries service organizations and the Col. R.G. Shaver Sons of Confederate Veterans Honor Guard are taking part in this year’s observance of Memorial Day.
Following the ceremonies downtown, the VFW will host an “Honor and Remember” ceremony at 10 a.m. at the post, 300 N. Airport Road.
Cluck will be the keynote speaker, presenting a history of the regiment along with newly restored 206th battle flags, known as regimental colors.
Following the program, the VFW will open a commemorative 206th display room with artifacts and military memorabilia of the regiment.
A “To the Nickel Toast” will be made to commemorate the nickel toss in 1941 done by the commanders of the 206th and the New Mexico’s 200th Coastal Artillery to determine which regiment would be shipped to the Philippines and which would go to Alaska, Murphy said.
New Mexico won and chose the Philippines. He said that regiment was decimated during WWII.
Cluck is currently executive director of the Arkansas National Guard Foundation, whose mission is to provide charitable and educational support to the members of the Arkansas National Guard, veterans and other charitable organizations that support veterans and their communities.
He received a degree in history from Arkansas State University in 1990, a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College and a law degree from the University of Memphis in 1996.
He was previously a criminal defense attorney in Texas.
Following the ceremony, the NEA Bikers for Bikers, in conjunction with the Post 1991 Unit 8 Riders, will host the annual “Honor Ride & Remembrance” ride to the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at Birdseye.
Sign-up for the ride begins at 11 a.m. at the post with departure scheduled for 2 p.m.
The county’s veterans foundation is made up of members of the local American Legion Pickett Post 21, Veterans of Foreign Wars Roy Wiles Post 1991, Disabled American Veterans No. 26, Military Order of the Purple Heart Sgt Eric Smallwood and Sons of the American Legion Squadron No. 21. | 2022-05-28T05:02:13Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Memorial Day activities planned | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/memorial-day-activities-planned/article_d32e55a7-756b-5f33-8d4c-d070d58f21e1.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/memorial-day-activities-planned/article_d32e55a7-756b-5f33-8d4c-d070d58f21e1.html |
“Mr. Bill” Tuggle, reclines in his old barber chair on Wednesday at his shop, Bill’s Barber Shop, on Holmes Street in Lepanto. He has been cutting hair in that chair since July of 1969.
A photo of Bill Tuggle when he was young, along with his lifetime barber license, has hung on his wall for many years at Bill’s Barber Shop in Lepanto.
Bill Tuggle shows off his award after being selected as the Grand Marshall of the Terrapin Derby parade in October of 2021 in Lepanto.
Bill Tuggle cuts great-grandson Ethan Tyler’s hair at Bill’s Barber Shop on Holmes Street in Lepanto. He fondly recalls getting his hair cut}by the previous barber in the same chair over 70 years ago, when he was only 12-years-old.
Bill Tuggle stands in front of his barber shop many years ago on Holmes Street in Lepanto. Bill’s Barber Shop still looks pretty much the same today.
Today is a sad day for many residents of Lepanto because it is the last day they will be able to visit “Mr. Bill” at his shop, aptly named Bill’s Barber Shop, where he has entertained them with his humorous stories while trimming their hair for the past five decades.
The humble son of sharecroppers Lester and Myra Tuggle, Bill Tuggle, or “Mr. Bill” as most people call him, has owned and operated Bill’s Barber Shop since July of 1969. The shop is located in the back corner of the First Community Bank building, formerly the Little River Bank building, on Holmes Street in Lepanto.
A lot has changed over the years, but one thing has stayed the same – Mr. Bill has stayed in the same shop with the same loyal customers for almost 53 years.
Bill said that after retiring from the U.S. Army, he went to barber college in Little Rock on the G.I. Bill, after his friend, Billy Bohannan, talked him into it.
His wife, Francis, recalled giving Bill $10 for gas so he could go to school and back out of each of her paychecks from the local clothing factory, where she worked for 31 years.
“I know it doesn’t sound like much today, but back then it was a lot of money. My paycheck was only $35, plus I was taking care of our children too,” Francis laughed, noting that it was all worth it and how very proud she has always been of her husband.
“Luckily gas was a little bit cheaper back then,” Bill teased as he recalled gas only costing around 30 cents a gallon at that time.
Mr. Bill, who is 88 years old, and Francis have lived in Lepanto for most of their lives.
In fact, Francis said she has never lived anywhere other than Lepanto, and it is where they raised their three daughters, Myra Davison, Debbie Tuggle and Cindy Tyler.
She said they were blessed with wonderful children and are proud of them and their grandchildren, as well.
“We have three grandchildren by Myra, and they are all so smart,” she bragged, noting that their grandson Parker Davison is a pediatrician, their granddaughter Katherine Davison is an RN and their other granddaughter Julia Davison is a speech pathologist.
Then her eyes went misty as she spoke of the loss of their youngest daughter, Cindy, who passed away from cancer in 2001, and Cindy’s son, Jonny Tyler, who died in a car accident several years back; however she said they were blessed with a great-grandson, Ethan Tyler.
While Mr. Bill has owned Bill’s Barber Shop since 1969, before buying the barber shop from the previous owner, he started cutting hair in 1961, working at barber shops in both Marked Tree and Payneway.
Now, more than 60 years later, Mr. Bill’s retirement date has come sooner than he had planned.
The old bank building where he has always been located is scheduled to be torn down to make way for a new First Community Bank building, and he hasn’t been able to find another location, but he isn’t letting it get him down.
“I have known for at least six months now,” he said, “and I have looked for another location but there just are no buildings available.” He sighed as he looked around at his shop. “I will miss it.”
The building, which is almost 100 years old itself, has held a lot of fond memories for Bill, his family and so many others in Lepanto over the year.
“I can still remember sitting in this very same chair when I was only 12 years old and getting my hair cut,” he remembered, noting that the building was already a barber shop when he took it over, so the barber shop itself was more than 75 years old.
“I don’t get as many kids as I used to because I give “old man” haircuts,” he laughed. “But I have always loved entertaining the kids.”
“And the kids have always loved him,” his wife said, smiling playfully. “They always say that ‘Mr. Bill tells the stories,’ plus he sings to them.”
“There is no telling how many hair cuts I have given over the years. I have probably given about five a day for over 50 years,” Bill laughed, which is over 60,000 haircuts during his life time.
He recalled also going to people’s homes to cut their hair while they were sick and couldn’t make it into the shop or the times that he went to funeral homes to do haircuts for families free of charge, although he admits that he had to stop doing that because it was hard after knowing some of the people for so long.
According to his daughter, Debbie Tuggle, if you asked anyone from Lepanto who cut their hair, chances are that they would smile and answer, “Mr. Bill.”
“I have a friend who is 66 years old,” she said, “and he told me that my dad has cut his hair for as long as he could remember.”
“He has had some of his customers forever,” his daughter Myra added, making note of his famous baseball cap collection, which her husband started by accident.
“He brought him a cap and Dad hung it on the wall in the shop,” she laughed, “and the next thing he knew, his customers were bringing him baseball caps for his collection that he didn’t know he had.”
Although Bill has already packed up all but one of his caps, he noted that he had over 100 caps hanging in three rows around his shop.
“I loved to tease the kids when they would come in and start counting the caps,” he chuckled. “I would let them get up to about 50 and then I would start counting from 60 and they would get so mad and have to start over.”
“I appreciate all the people, all my loyal customers and the bank for renting me the building for all these years,” Bill said. “Everyone has been so wonderful.”
Debbie said that his customers will miss him too, but they will still see him around town, noting he loves being part of the community and that he was even made Grand Marshall of the Terrapin Derby parade last October.
Mr. Bill said his plans for the future are to do a lot of relaxing.
“Just a lot of fishing, playing around the yard on my mower and gardening,” Bill laughed. | 2022-05-28T05:02:19Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Mr. Bill closing barber shop after almost 53 years | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/mr-bill-closing-barber-shop-after-almost-53-years/article_57fe7a58-e39d-55e2-81e5-5f0ba00107c5.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/mr-bill-closing-barber-shop-after-almost-53-years/article_57fe7a58-e39d-55e2-81e5-5f0ba00107c5.html |
JONESBORO — Jonesboro police were dispatched to NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital on Thursday night after a report of a gunshot victim being treated in the Emergency Room.
A 22-year-old Jonesboro woman told police she was shot at about 8:45 a.m. Wednesday on Allis Street as she was walking home from a gas station at the corner of East Johnson Avenue and State Street, according to a Jonesboro police report.
She said as she was nearing her home on Belt Street she felt a burning sensation in her right forearm, and she looked down and saw she was bleeding.
When she got home, the report said, her family tried to convince her to go to the hospital, but she said she was too scared.
The victim said she didn’t see any vehicles or people and she didn’t hear a gunshot, the report said.
Due to the lack of information or evidence, the case is being listed as inactive, the report said.
In a separate case, an employee at Zales Jewelers, 1801 Red Wolf Blvd., reported Thursday afternoon that a man stole several items of jewelry and threatened to kill the employee.
The value of the jewelry taken totaled $23,966.
A 23-year-old Jonesboro woman told police on Thursday afternoon that someone entered her vehicle in the 2400 block of Westacre Drive and stole a firearm. The Springfield Hell Cat 9 mm is valued at $600.
A 28-year-old Jonesboro woman reported Thursday afternoon someone entered her apartment in the 1500 block of Links Circle and stole gaming systems, televisions, Apple Airpods and a security camera. The total value of the items taken is $2,562. | 2022-05-28T05:02:25Z | www.jonesborosun.com | Woman shot walking down street | News | jonesborosun.com | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/woman-shot-walking-down-street/article_95ff908a-7112-5adc-bdc1-f201bfa06372.html | https://www.jonesborosun.com/news/woman-shot-walking-down-street/article_95ff908a-7112-5adc-bdc1-f201bfa06372.html |
Letters to the editor: Marchman is a problem…
Mary Carraher: Election: Marchman is a problem solver and real go-getter
Janice is a problem solver, community leader, union member, experienced teacher and a real go-getter. She has been meeting and listening to citizens and elected officials all around the district for months now. Janice is a proponent of women’s reproductive rights, affordable housing, healthcare, protecting the environment, expanded rural broadband access, and fair and equal pay for all. She believes in accessible and responsive government. She supports main street businesses, fire prevention and recovery, and workers’ rights.
I enthusiastically endorse Janice’s campaign and ask you all to exercise your hard-earned right to vote.
Meg Tilton: CU South: Agreement offers flood protection, many other benefits
“Repeal a Bad Deal” signs are up all over my neighborhood, and I’m genuinely worried that CU South annexation will get repealed. The repeal CU South group is clearly well funded, and people may believe their marketing. But many of their claims are misleading.
A recent flyer from this group, for instance, suggests the annexation agreement doesn’t offer good flood protection. As evidence, it says the proposed flood mitigation offered by CU south will only protect 1% of the population. The flyer uses housing structures as a metric to support this claim, and it says only 260 structures will be protected. But many apartment buildings as well as the large Frasier Meadows complex are in this area. Frasier houses nearly 500 residents but has fewer than 10 structures — certainly much higher than the average ratio.
This same flyer also urges residents to wait for 500-year flood protection. However, at a Boulder City Council meeting last year, Joe Taddeucci, the city’s director of Public Works for Utilities, explained that 500-year flood protection was simply not realistic in this area. When I emailed Joe to make sure my recollection was correct, he explained that while he couldn’t advocate for a particular position, he could provide factual information. He wrote, “if the question is whether or not the 500 yr flood is technically feasible for the South Boulder Creek Flood Mitigation Project, it is not feasible based on our analysis and consideration of project constraints.”
Repeal CU South’s claims are misleading, and these are just two examples. The truth is that the annexation agreement offers sound flood protection and many other benefits. Many experts have worked hard on this agreement. If it gets repealed, it will take years to create an alternative.
Let’s act now. Please vote “no” on 2F.
Meg Tilton, Boulder
Ellen Wagner: Library district: Your $200 can go a long way for our libraries
As a Boulder resident, I just received a big, glossy, colorful card in my mailbox urging me to Vote “no” on 6C! Looking it over, I saw that it was a pretty expensive flyer to send to all the households in Boulder — or maybe Boulder County — and wondered (1) who paid for this flyer, and (2) who would benefit from making sure that the library district wasn’t formed.
When I checked the flyer, I saw that there were only two phrases in bold on it: “without a huge property tax increase” on the front, and “increase taxes by $18.8M per year!”
What conclusion did I draw from my analysis of that flyer? Clearly, someone is spending a good deal of money on this anti-library campaign, and I don’t think it’s because these people really value our libraries. No: they just don’t want to pay more taxes! Instead of “Let’s Keep Our Libraries!” as the headline, it should read “Let’s Keep Our $$$$$!” “Keep the Reduced Hours and Services!” “Keep the Reduced Staff!” “Stop Offering Services to Citizens!” “Keep All that Cash in My Pocket!!!”
It amazes me that these people actually think we don’t recognize greed and stupidity when we see it. Do you believe that the extra $200 a year you’d save on property taxes would make a substantial difference in your life? I doubt it. But it would make a substantial difference in the lives of Boulder area students and families of all ages who use and love the library. The services it offers to all of us are essential in making Boulder and this area such a fine place to live. If you don’t believe me, check out boulderlibrary.org/library-district.
Ellen Wagner, Boulder | 2022-10-28T10:58:44Z | www.dailycamera.com | Letters to the editor: Marchman is a problem solver; CU South offers real protection; taxes can go far for libraries | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/27/letters-to-the-editor-marchman-is-a-problem-solver-cu-south-offers-real-protection-taxes-can-go-far-for-libraries/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/27/letters-to-the-editor-marchman-is-a-problem-solver-cu-south-offers-real-protection-taxes-can-go-far-for-libraries/ |
Housing Helpers has a new home in Boulder. The relocation services company has moved into 1845 Folsom St. after 22 years at its previous location.
“I was nervous to move from the old place because everyone knew us there,” Orlando said. “I do like the more centrally located building. Where the old building is, a lot of that is getting redeveloped. I have a feeling that old building will be redeveloped, too.” | 2022-10-28T13:55:48Z | www.dailycamera.com | Boulder Housing Helpers moves to new location | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/28/boulder-housing-helpers-moves-to-new-location/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/28/boulder-housing-helpers-moves-to-new-location/ |
Editorial: BVSD’s communication with parents…
Last week, a situation that should be unthinkable unfolded at Fairview High School. A former student took steps to obtain guns and ammunition and posted threats to students on an Instagram account, according to an arrest affidavit.
Boulder Valley School District officials said they were notified of the threat about 8 a.m. last Wednesday after it was reported to the Safe2Tell hotline. As a result, the district sent extra security to the campus while police began investigating.
According to district spokesman Randy Barber, police were able to quickly locate and contact the subject before school started. At this point, Barber said, there was no “direct, credible threat to the school” and the decision was made to not to place the school on secure status and initiate a lockout.
This element of the response was a success. Putting aside for a moment that our society has reached this horrible, untenable place where school threats are common and often tragically realized, in this instance, BVSD and local law enforcement reacted quickly and kept students safe. The importance of this outcome cannot be overstated. But the conversation following the incident has centered around valid concerns that the district failed to communicate with parents and students in a timely fashion.
While the district and police were working to locate the suspect and assess the threat to the school, news of the threatening posts was spreading rapidly on social media. The decision to not place Fairview on secure status meant that there was no alert sent out about the situation. And as is, unfortunately, the case in our digital age, social media was quick to fill the void of legitimate information. Many students left the school or asked parents to pick them up, creating a scene that police described as “one of chaos.”
It wasn’t until about 10:15 a.m. that the district sent its first email — more than two hours after learning about the posts. Boulder police tweeted at 10:22 a.m. that they were in contact with the suspect, and again just before 1 p.m. to say that they had arrested the suspect.
For Barber, the gravity of this communication failure is obvious. “Nobody questions the concerns that parents had that morning,” he said. “We accept the fact that we need to do better.”
But he also stressed the difficult situation the district was in. Keeping parents and students informed is a priority, but the district’s primary focus was on working with law enforcement to assess the threat and locate the suspect — things that can be made more difficult if too much information is released too soon. Alerting a suspect to the fact that they are being investigated before police are ready to do so can result in a variety of negative outcomes. Similarly, the district has a responsibility to ensure that the information it is releasing is accurate and does not contribute to any misinformation or disinformation circulating online.
Striking a balance between what parents and students need to know and helping law enforcement do their work is incredibly difficult. And much of the available threat assessment and preparedness information the state has put together for schools does not include guidelines for communicating with parents and students. Still, though, just because something is difficult doesn’t mean it cannot be done right.
The district’s Standard Response Protocol (which includes the secure and lockdown statuses) alerts are templated and can be easily filled out and sent within five minutes. The language is simple, already translated into Spanish and does not need to be approved by police or leadership.
But in this situation, since the secure wasn’t activated, there was no template. The district had to get the necessary information, write a message from scratch, get it approved by district leadership and law enforcement, translate it, and prepare it in the messaging system.
It is this time-consuming approach that Barber said needed work. What was likely needed in this case, he said, was a simple message to let parents and students know that the district and law enforcement were aware of the incident and responding.
“Maybe we can’t talk about a situation yet, but if it’s something that’s urgent and parents need to know about it, we should have a notification prepared for that,” he said. Accordingly, the district is in the process of building out templates for a threat investigation to be sent when the Standard Response Protocol has not been activated, in order to eliminate some of the time-lapse.
For Barber, this is a balance of two types of essential communication. The first is being prepared to inform people of an imminent threat and asking them to move or shelter in place. The second, he said, “is about talking to people as a leader. You may have rumors that have no credibility, but you have to talk about them because people are concerned.”
He continued, “This situation shows that you just can’t wait in this day and age. We have to move quicker.”
He’s right. Today, information — whether true or false or somewhere in between — can spread on social media like wildfire. And a lack of reliable information from the district and authorities can leave a void for rumors and hearsay to flourish. So, while safety must remain the district’s top priority, a thorough review of communications protocols must be made. Both to better inform parents and students, but also to help keep everyone safe. Chaos and fear are not a far cry from tragedy.
But, while the district is not in an envious position, we must all remember that we are members of a shared community. Our actions, both in person and on social media, can lend to the spreading of disinformation or misinformation online. So, while the district works to update its communications efforts in times of emergency, we too must work to ensure we are not adding fuel to any digital fires — and we must teach our children the same.
Finally, it must be noted that how the district communicates and how we share information online are important because — unfortunately, terribly, unbelievably — this situation will likely arise again. Until we can prioritize common sense gun laws, our schools are going to remain places where students learn language arts and math and science and how to barricade a door and hide from an active shooter.
This is not just Fairview’s problem. It is not just BVSD’s problem. It is Boulder’s problem. It is Colorado’s problem. It is America’s problem. It is our problem. Let’s keep working together to keep our children safe, to communicate better in times of emergency and to create a future where students don’t even have to learn the meaning of the phrase “active shooter.” | 2022-10-28T13:56:00Z | www.dailycamera.com | Editorial: BVSD’s communication with parents needs work, but ultimately students were kept safe | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/28/editorial-bvsds-communication-with-parents-needs-work-but-ultimately-students-were-kept-safe/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/28/editorial-bvsds-communication-with-parents-needs-work-but-ultimately-students-were-kept-safe/ |
Boulder Chamber to host virtual star lighting…
The Boulder Chamber of Commerce will host a virtual ceremony Nov. 11 for the 75th annual lighting of the Boulder Star on Flagstaff Mountain.
The lighting of the star, which was first lit in December 1947, commemorates the start of the holiday season in Boulder. And the ceremony’s date, which falls on Veteran’s Day, honors members of the U.S. armed services.
No on-site public gathering will be held, but a livestream of the ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. and can be viewed at bit.ly/3DmZYuC. | 2022-10-29T02:09:21Z | www.dailycamera.com | Boulder Chamber to host virtual star lighting ceremony on Veteran's Day | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/28/boulder-chamber-to-host-virtual-star-lighting-ceremony-on-veterans-day/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/28/boulder-chamber-to-host-virtual-star-lighting-ceremony-on-veterans-day/ |
Bailey Hertenstein individual title leads CU…
RIVERSIDE, Calif. –– The Colorado cross country program continued a November tradition by once again posting head-turning performances at the Pac-12 Championships on Friday.
The women’s team collected the conference championship behind a record-setting run by Bailey Hertenstein, while Andrew Kent led the men’s squad to a second-place finish in a race hosted by USC at UC-Riverside.
Hertenstein, a graduate transfer from Indiana, finished 28th at the 2020 NCAA cross country championships but did not compete last season for the Hoosiers. On Friday, Hertenstein led the CU women to their second consecutive Pac-12 team title and their sixth since joining the league. She won the individual title with a course-record mark in the 6K race of 19 minutes, 11.3 seconds.
It was one of three top-six finishes for women, including Emily Covert in third place (19:23.8) and Ella Baran in sixth (19:33.3). Kaitlyn Barthell placed 16th for CU (19:45.50) The Buffs topped the team standings with 66 points, which technically was tied with Utah but CU won the tiebreaker via the superior individual results.
Runner-up Emily Venters (19:16.7) was the top finisher for the Utes. Oregon (86), Stanford (93) and Washington (94) rounded out the top five in the women’s standings.
“I don’t know that we’ve ever won an important race on a tied score and a tiebreaker in all my time at Colorado,” CU head coach Mark Wetmore said. “The tie-breaking system evolves and hallelujah for this modern system, because it got us the win. Bailey was down about 15 or 20 meters with five- or six-hundred meters to go. Had that position not changed, we would have lost so not only did she catch the leader for the individual win, but she caught the leader to make the team win.
“(Covert) ran great. She’s had some interruptions earlier in the season but is getting fitter by the day. She took the lead early in this race. She was a little disappointed and apologetic afterward and I said I don’t want to take that out of her. I want her to stay aggressive. I want her to think like a winner. So it may have been a slightly impetuous move, but she was third so great run for her. Ella Baran is learning this level of running and getting better every race and Kaitlyn had the best race ever for Colorado. Kaitlyn was wonderful today. As much as Bailey won it for us, probably Kaitlyn did too.”
The CU men’s team was unable to defend its 2021 team title due to a dominant effort by Stanford, which placed five runners in the top seven and six in the top 10.
Stanford’s Charlie Hicks claimed the men’s individual title with an 8K time of 22:30.9. Oregon’s Aaron Bienenfeld finished second (22:37.2) and Stanford’s Cole Sprout was third (22:38.3), followed by Kent (22:43.9).
The CU men finished with 61 points, well behind the blistering pace set by Stanford (22) yet comfortably ahead of third-place Washington (81). Individually, the Buffs were shut out of the top 10 after Kent but placed five additional runners in the top 20, including Austin Vancil (12th, 23:07.6), Noah Hibbard (13th, 23:12.6), Seth Hirsch (14th, 23:13.6), Hunter Appleton (18th, 23:17.7) and Brendan Fraser (20th, 23:28.4).
“We came here knowing that Stanford was very, very good,” said Wetmore. “Knowing that we would need a miracle from us and a negative miracle from them. We didn’t get that. But we got a very good day for us. Noah ran his best race ever for us. Hunter ran his best race ever. Seth was solid. Brendan was solid. And of course, Andy was the Andy that we knew was in him. We didn’t get that two weeks ago. He’s been hanging his head for two weeks, and today he showed what he is. Really good run for five or six of our guys. We know we’re better than 10th in the NCAA. We know that the women are better than 11th. I think the rankings will reflect that on Tuesday.”
CU will reset its sights on the NCAA Mountain Regional on Nov. 11 in Albuquerque, N.M. | 2022-10-29T04:36:09Z | www.dailycamera.com | Bailey Hertenstein individual title leads CU Buffs women’s cross country to Pac-12 championship – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/28/bailey-hertenstein-individual-title-leads-cu-buffs-womens-cross-country-to-pac-12-championship/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/28/bailey-hertenstein-individual-title-leads-cu-buffs-womens-cross-country-to-pac-12-championship/ |
Boulder-based Green Chef partners with…
Green Chef, a Boulder-based company that provides healthy meal kits, has partnered with We Don’t Waste, a Denver-based food-recovery and hunger-relief organization, to support Denver-area community members facing food insecurity.
Beginning in November, Green Chef will sponsor all of the food and beverage items at one of We Don’t Waste’s mobile markets. The Green Chef-sponsored market will be open monthly, enabling approximately 200 families to pick from a variety of fresh produce, proteins and dairy items, at no cost.
“We started the mobile markets in 2019 to better reach the Denver metro’s most underserved communities, and we’re grateful to our long-time partners at Green Chef for providing all of the grocery items for one of those markets each month,” Arlan Preblud, founder and executive director of We Don’t Waste, said in a written statement. “One in three Coloradans faces food insecurity, and as the price of groceries continues to increase, more and more families are impacted. Through this partnership, we’re able to ensure people will receive the nourishing food their families need.”
“At Green Chef, we are committed to making fresh food and high-quality ingredients accessible to everyone,” said Jeff Yorzyk, Green Chef’s senior director of sustainability. “We are thankful to We Don’t Waste for partnering in this Community Fresh Market effort to reach more Coloradans in need. Our hope is that this farmers market format not only provides food-insecure families with fresh ingredients but also empowers them to make nourishing meals at home.”
Green Chef, which operates a production facility in Aurora and has a corporate office in Boulder, delivers healthy meal kits to customers in their own homes. | 2022-10-29T16:29:30Z | www.dailycamera.com | Boulder-based Green Chef partners with nonprofit to address food insecurity | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/29/boulder-based-green-chef-partners-with-nonprofit-to-address-food-insecurity/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/29/boulder-based-green-chef-partners-with-nonprofit-to-address-food-insecurity/ |
Members of our Community Editorial Board, a group of community residents who are engaged with and passionate about local issues, respond to the following question: Voters in Colorado are being asked to consider Proposition 121, which would decrease the state income tax rate from 4.55% to 4.40%. Your take?
Who wouldn’t want to save some money by having lower income taxes? That is the oversimplified question proponents of Proposition 121 want voters to answer. But in politics — especially budgeting and finance — such questions and their answers are seldom so straightforward. Indeed, the deeper one digs, the more complex and uncertain it gets. Trying to describe the issue is remarkably like the parable of the blind men and the elephant: each having a piece of the truth but the inability to synthesize the whole (followed by predictably ugly human emotional and physical reactions).
Two aspects of this issue stand out to me. The first is what I would call the reliance on “predictive” arguments, i.e., most of the arguments for or against lowering the flat rate income tax here rely on some kind of soothsaying over the near-future state of Colorado’s finances and budgetary needs. Proponents of the measure argue that the state bureaucracy has way too much money under the current tax rate, and could make up any shortfall that results from lowering the rate by increasing efficiency and reducing waste (including unspecified fraud). Opponents, on the other hand, point to a knife edge for Colorado’s fiscal solvency in the context of uncertain inflation and growing sociopolitical turmoil.
The challenge for me and for most voters is that we haven’t got the time or even (in my case at least) the wherewithal to dig through the countless pages of raw government data and analyses to reach our own conclusion. It is simply overwhelming, and thus the temptation to accept the oversimplified questions at face value without worrying if our financial status is as rosy as proponents project or as dangerous as opponents insist.
Which leads to the second outstanding aspect of this particular issue to my mind: Who are the individual and organizational proponents and opponents here, and what are their relative credentials on this topic? And, because that is not always apparent without a lot of its own digging, what are their wider stances on issues critical to the body politic, especially here in Colorado? Yes, I understand that some person or group’s stance on a particular topic may be unrelated to other issues. But usually, you can get a better glimpse at motivation by looking at their portfolio of stances. Go look for yourselves — it’s fascinating.
And much as I would like to have a bit more money, I will be voting “no” on Prop 121.
The proposal to cut Colorado’s income tax — the second in two years — is the brainchild of Jon Caldara, president of the Denver-based Independence Institute, and Republican state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg of Sterling. The Independence Institute is a think tank dedicated to “setting a freedom agenda” that “seeks to explore all alternatives, emphasizing private-sector and community-based solutions” to societal problems, according to its website.
Given the excessive co-opting of the word “freedom” these days, I question what a “freedom agenda” aspires to. Freedom from drastic income inequality? Freedom from a cutthroat, winner-takes-all society that leaves the poor, sick and disenfranchised to fend for themselves?
Of course not. As can be intuited from the institute’s website and the language of Prop 122, the freedom proponents seek is freedom from their societal obligations. They seek to ultimately abolish Colorado’s income tax, which would put our state in the same company as nine other states, including Wyoming, Texas and Florida. Notwithstanding the hypocrisy of these states that shun taxing their citizens but readily accept federal tax than they contribute, these states have a notoriously insufficient safety net for not just its most impoverished citizens, but also for the middle class. Colorado should not aspire to join them.
For one, this would result in a significant hit to the state’s budget. For another, the only people who would noticeably benefit from the tax cut are those earning seven-figure salaries. According to the state’s fiscal analysis, a tax filer who earns $60,000 annually (roughly the average Colorado salary) would owe about $63 less in taxes. Meanwhile, an estimated $188 million in tax savings would go to residents earning more than $1 million annually; their average tax cut would be $6,647.
For most of us, this is not a path toward economic freedom, but a reminder that the very wealthy people of our state don’t want to pay their fair share. That’s simply wrong.
We need to fully fund state government to ensure excellent public schools, reliable and utilized public transportation, good jobs, funding for parks and wildlife and public safety. For those advocating for tax reform, we need to work on a fair tax code structured in a way that compels the wealthy and corporations to pay what they owe.
Prop 121 does not do this. For me, it’s easy: vote “no,” and don’t let right-wing millionaires try to convince you that they care about your freedom when, really, their primary agenda is shielding themselves from contributing their fair share in order to keep our society functioning and healthy.
As much as I’m wary of proposals that increase taxes, I’m also wary of proposals to reduce them. Organizers of this measure, like Jon Caldara, president of the libertarian Independence Institute, and Republican state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, argue that the tax cut would increase productivity and stimulate the state economy. The blue State Ballot Information booklet states that “families and businesses are better off when they can keep their own money” in the arguments for. This all sounds good on paper and I might be inclined to agree on first glance. However, digging deeper, there are some concerning motivations behind this measure.
Supporters have joined together under Path 2 Zero, a policy think tank that aims to eliminate the state income tax altogether. On their website, the group argues that an income tax penalizes productivity and proposes a two-step plan to make their policy a reality: 1. “Require the State to issue all future TABOR refunds through income-tax rate reductions”, and 2. “Make any new income-tax rate created by these reductions permanent.” They argue that the latter would “create a new revenue baseline from which state budgeters can craft future budgets — ensuring they can always plan ahead if revenue is expected to fall below the TABOR cap.” However, not even the best economists can always predict downturns, never mind situations like COVID or the war in Ukraine. For example, despite the Fed’s efforts, we are still in a period of high inflation and the risk of an economic recession still looms. The latest GDP report shows the economy grew 2.6% in the third quarter after a six-month slump, and yet, many signs still point to a slowdown. This idea that legislators have some sort of magic crystal ball to predict these eventualities is naive.
In terms of impacts today, the measure’s benefits would only go to a small population of wealthy taxpayers as a by-product of the fixed income tax rate (1% of taxpayers would receive half of the total savings). Also, there is no guarantee that corporations will invest their savings in Colorado — they may choose to invest elsewhere or pay as profits to out-of-state shareholders.
For all these reasons, I’m voting “no” on Proposition 121. The proposition is but a first step in a push for a zero percent income tax, which would harm our schools and infrastructure. I would not open Pandora’s box on this one. | 2022-10-29T16:29:43Z | www.dailycamera.com | Community Editorial Board: Thoughts on Proposition 121 | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/29/community-editorial-board-thoughts-on-proposition-121/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/29/community-editorial-board-thoughts-on-proposition-121/ |
Letters to the editor: Burdensome prescription…
Madeline Goosman: Prescriptions: Burden of costs goes beyond marketing expenditures
The Daily Camera’s editorial from July 28, “Here’s how to lower prescription costs,” provides a robust illustration of drug companies’ exorbitant spending on advertising and the resulting impact on Coloradans. The financial burden that drug companies place on consumers is not limited to their spending on drug advertising, though. Therefore, I seek to point readers’ attention to another contributor to high drug prices and an opportunity for reform.
Even after patents expire, drug manufacturers frequently pay competitors to not develop or release generic, lower-cost versions of existing medications, trapping consumers in high prescription drug prices with no alternative. Eliminating this “pay-for-delay” system could save consumers approximately $3.5 billion per year. Historically, repeated efforts by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to ban pay-for-delay agreements proved unsuccessful. However, the 2013 Supreme Court decision in FTC v. Actavis opened a possibility for change; the Court ruled that pay-for-delay agreements may pose an antitrust risk that warrants involvement by the FTC. Subsequently, in 2019, California Assembly Bill 824, an innovative law that bans pay-for-delay agreements, was enacted in California. While these rulings are not an outright declaration of victory for advocates of lower prescription drug costs, they are a step in the right direction and suggest an opportunity for broader reform.
Contributing factors to high prescription drug prices go beyond advertising expenditures and even pay-for-delay agreements. For example, cheaper generic drugs also have rising prices due to market consolidation and the greater time required to receive Food and Drug Administration approval for a generic drug compared to a new drug. However, I seek to complement the Daily Camera’s previously-published editorial by emphasizing that lowering prescription costs depends on a multifaceted approach and widespread, systemic reform is critical to alleviating the financial burden of prescription drugs on consumers.
Madeline Goosman, Boulder
Carol Gerlitz: CU South: Annexation is not taking away open space
Boulder is the most beautiful place I have had the privilege of living in. One of my favorite things about living here is the stunning nature and incredible mountain range that is our backdrop.
When it comes to Boulder, I am fiercely protective of preserving its beautiful nature! Another referendum to delay the creation of open space is on the ballot again this fall, and we have the opportunity to say no more delays!
There is a false narrative circulating around that CU is taking open space from Boulder — but the opposite is true. There is currently no open space at the CU South property — it is 100% private land owned by the university. Through the approved annexation agreement, Boulder is gaining 119 acres of newly acquired city open space to be managed by Open Space and Mountain Parks.
Unfortunately, some have been misinformed that this land is already city open space that will be taken away. This is inaccurate and misleading. Through the agreement, nearly half of the CU South property will become permanent city open space. If the annexation is repealed, Boulder stands to lose more than 100 acres of this coveted area!
The university will permit public access to recreational facilities, sidewalks, trails and other amenities on its property. And, of course, public access to the 119 acres of city open space will be allowed, subject to any habitat restoration limitations. Without this agreement, there is no guarantee for continued access by Boulder residents. In an effort to welcome more open space to Boulder community members and its residents, vote “no” on the delay referendum. To learn more, visit www.NoMeansNoMoreDelay.org.
Carol Gerlitz, Boulder
Katrina Stroud: Election: Kirvan could be disservice to our community
Anya Kirvan wants to represent House District 12, which could be a great disservice to our community. Her main objective, I believe, is to enact parental rights legislation. This means allowing parents to ban books on LGBTQ+ and BIPOC topics, censoring sex-ed, preventing pregnant teens from seeking reproductive healthcare, and attacking trans rights.
For the past two years, the parental rights movement has gained momentum from its anti-masker and anti-CRT rhetoric. There are parents who believe they should have more control over the school curriculum than the teachers who went to college for that reason. Who think they should have complete authority over their child’s body and eliminate safe spaces for LGBTQ+ kids. These are potential violations of our constitutional freedoms of privacy and speech.
This movement does not act in the best interests of the teachers or students. They don’t try to work with teachers or librarians, and some, I believe, have even sent death threats. As a result, teachers across the country have quit their jobs and some school districts have been forced to hire individuals with no teaching backgrounds whatsoever.
As far as I know, Anya has no plan to raise the salaries of teachers. According to the Economic Policy Institute, Colorado teachers earn almost 35.9% less than other workers with college degrees, which is among the widest gaps in the nation.
We need to re-elect Tracey Bernett. She passed the Public School Contract Terms & Conditions bill, which will help improve schools’ budgets and protect student data privacy. She has also worked tirelessly to pass laws on wildfire mitigation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improved energy efficiency for farmers and ranchers, and enhanced electric grid resiliency.
Katrina Stroud, Boulder
Debora Bryant: Library district: The city has the power to fund the library
While we love and support our libraries, we fail to see the logic of the need for a library district to fund a relatively small budgetary shortfall.
According to the arguments of 6C supporters, the library would cost the city about $16.78 million in 2023. Measure 6C, if passed, is projected to collect almost $19 million in 2023, all this from increased real estate taxation of residential and commercial properties in the district. This amount will surely increase with every assessment year.
So, here’s the real deal with 6C: The city gets back its library-earmarked $17 million or so, which comes from its ever-increasing sales tax revenues, to use elsewhere, while taxpayers continue to pay the same sales tax, but also now vote themselves an increased property tax bill, in perpetuity, at the worst possible time economically.
How does that make any sense? The city’s yearly budget is now over $500 million. Why is it not possible to fully fund the library, and yes, even with an additional $2 million, if need be — representing only 0.4% of the city’s budget — without yet another real property tax increase?
Furthermore, 6C is not equitable, in that the amount contributed by taxpayers can often vary, and sometimes to the extreme. For example, a single, fixed-income senior retiree will pay the same real estate tax towards the library district under this scheme as the two-income family of four living in a similarly assessed home. And, commercial/business property owners who also own a residence within the district will be taxed twice!
While Library District supporters say, “The library only needs another $2 million, so vote ‘yes,’” we say, “The library only needs another $2 million, so vote ‘no.’”
Debora Bryant, Boulder
Carlos Fernandez: Election: 1A will help protect our communities from fires
This past year, as a resident of Boulder County, I never thought I would have to evacuate my home in South Boulder due to fire risk, I never thought I would see my colleagues have 15 minutes’ notice to get out of their homes in Louisville and Superior due to rapidly spreading fire.
Our climate is changing. We are experiencing hotter and drier weather conditions. And with that comes an increased risk of fire, even in places you would never predict. The 2021 Marshall Fire, the most destructive in Colorado history, demonstrated that the threats and impacts from more intense wildfires have expanded beyond the foothills and mountains, and now also threaten our communities in the eastern plains of Boulder County.
We need to invest in the health of our forests and grasslands. That’s why I am urging you to vote yes on Ballot Measure 1A. This measure will provide dedicated funding to help protect our communities and increase the pace and scale of wildfire risk reduction projects. It will also support the implementation of essential projects and programs throughout the whole county that would not be possible from any current funding source. We need this now more than ever. Our future in the face of climate change is uncertain but smart investments can reduce the risks to both people and nature.
Carlos Fernandez, Colorado State director of the Nature Conservancy, Boulder
Ashley Stolzmann: Election: Bernett is just getting started
While we are nearing the one-year anniversary of the devastating Marshall Fire that ravaged our community, it feels like just yesterday we were rushed to evacuate our homes, witnessing the immense damage a December fire could do in such a short amount of time. We all still feel the effects of the Marshall Fire to this day and for many of us, those memories will never be forgotten.
The Marshall Fire brought our community together and among countless others, Rep. Tracey Bernett showed up ready to help and hasn’t left our side since. From coordinating with mental health professionals, to redirecting essential donations, to strategizing with local and state officials on how to prioritize the needs of our community — Tracey has been involved every step of the way.
In the aftermath of the fire, Tracey and her colleagues prioritized the needs of our community and passed invaluable bills to aid in the protection and rebuilding of our community. These include bills that improve first responder communication systems, streamline insurance processes for those impacted, and more. She even introduced and passed a bill updating energy codes that will help residents build back more sustainable, energy-efficient, and healthier homes and businesses.
We need elected officials in office who represent Louisville’s voice and values. Rep. Bernett has proven she is a leader who listens to the needs of her community and takes action. From her many visits with residents, local businesses and building organizations, it’s clear she is just getting started.
Ashley Stolzmann, Louisville | 2022-10-29T16:30:01Z | www.dailycamera.com | Letters to the editor: Burdensome prescription costs; CU South open space; HD 12 race; library funds; 1A fire protection | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/29/letters-to-the-editor-burdensome-prescription-costs-cu-south-open-space-hd-12-race-library-funds-1a-fire-protection/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/29/letters-to-the-editor-burdensome-prescription-costs-cu-south-open-space-hd-12-race-library-funds-1a-fire-protection/ |
Boulder police investigate armed robbery near…
Boulder police are investigating an armed robbery in the 2900 block of Colorado Avenue.
A tweet from the Boulder Police Department said one suspect, described as a high school-aged Latino male standing 5-foot 10-inches tall and weighing 180 pounds, walked up to a man and robbed him at gunpoint. Information about what was stolen was not available.
We are currently investigating an armed robbery in the 2900 block of Colorado. Suspect described as a high school-aged Latino male, 5’10, 180 pounds, walked up to a man & robbed him at gunpoint. Pls call 303-441-3333 or 911 with info #bouldercolorado pic.twitter.com/08UU7nizKE
Police cleared the scene by 1:20 a.m. Saturday. There is no threat to campus, according to the university’s alert system. | 2022-10-29T20:27:37Z | www.dailycamera.com | Boulder police investigate armed robbery near CU Boulder campus | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/29/boulder-police-investigate-armed-robbery-near-cu-boulder-campus/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/29/boulder-police-investigate-armed-robbery-near-cu-boulder-campus/ |
Editorial: A recap of the Camera’s election…
While voting is always important, it feels especially essential during this midterm cycle. Not only are the issues on the table crucial — the economy, the climate, women’s reproductive rights — but this election is the first major test of our democratic norms since Trump and his followers refused to accept the 2020 results. Since then, election deniers have worked tirelessly to erode faith in our democratic systems and lay the groundwork for rejecting the results of this cycle.
Understanding what motivates these deniers to work against democracy is hard to fathom, but one thing is certain: We cannot let their work have a chilling effect on voting. No matter who or what you choose to vote for, it is imperative that you vote. As we argued in our endorsement of Ballot Measure 2E, high turnout is good for our community. It helps ensure that our laws and our leaders are representative of us — all of us.
Still, we understand that for those who are undecided or who haven’t had the time to research each and every candidate and issue, election day can be daunting.
This year, the choice between some candidates seems less like a decision between opposing worldviews and more like a decision between opposing realities.
And for many, our ballot measures aren’t much clearer. Locally, voters will have to decide whether or not to support the repeal of the CU South annexation, a measure that will affect flood mitigation efforts, open space and the growth of the university. Ballot Measure 6C will determine the fate of our local libraries. And Measure 2E could even alter when we vote.
But no matter how daunted we may feel about the complexity of these choices, we cannot have the attitude that our vote does not matter. It is easy to believe that a vote here or there would not have swayed a result, but results are the accumulation of single votes. Every vote, here and there, makes a difference.
With that in mind, here is a recap of the Daily Camera’s endorsements. We did not weigh in on every issue, and in lieu of endorsing candidates, we opted to let them write guest opinion pieces laying out their vision for our communities, but hopefully, these following positions help you come to your own decisions and vote for the future you think is best for Boulder and Colorado.
‘Yes’ on Measure 6C
Decades of chronic underfunding of our libraries have led to the inflection point where we are now: considering a ballot measure to create a property tax-funded library district.
This proposed district won’t come cheap. The new property tax will likely be a substantial burden on some, particularly small businesses. But in this particular case, the benefits that will come from having fully funded and financially stable libraries outweigh the costs. A new library district will allow our libraries to continue to promote literacy, advance equality, protect free speech and spark intellectual curiosity in this generation and the next.
Boulder prides itself on being a progressive city, and over the years residents have continually approved tax hikes that support progressive values. Now, it is time for us to once again put our money where our values are: “yes” on 6C to fund our libraries.
‘No’ on city Question 2F
No decision on this year’s ballot is easy. But 2F is especially complex. A “yes” vote will repeal the annexation agreement the city and CU put in place last year. That agreement, which is incredibly thorough, was negotiated over years and will allow the university to begin building its south campus. But it will also allow the city to begin putting in place long-overdue flood mitigation and will provide the city with 119 acres of new open space.
The annexation agreement is certainly not perfect. But that is the nature of compromise. Nobody wins, but everybody gets a little of what they need. And what we need — and what this deal provides us — is flood protection.
This is clearly a time when “no” means “yes.” This November, vote “no” on Ballot Question 2F. We can continue to delay flood mitigation, but we can’t delay the next flood.
‘Yes’ on city Question 2E
‘Yes’ on city issues 2A and 2B
City Ballot Issues 2A and 2B are investments in our communal future. Issue 2A is a new climate tax that would replace two existing taxes: the Climate Action Plan tax, which has been in place since 2006, and the utility occupation tax, both of which are taxes on energy and collected on Xcel energy customer bills. Issue 2B, which is contingent on the passage of 2A, allows the city to issue $52.9 million in bonds to be paid back by the taxes 2A will impose.
Let’s work to create a more resilient city that is prepared to take on the challenges of a changing climate by voting “yes” on Boulder issues 2A and 2B to invest in our future.
‘Yes’ on county measures 1A, 1B and 1C
It’s no small favor to ask a community to approve a new tax — and there are plenty of taxes on this year’s ballot. But some taxes — like the three Boulder County measures that will be on November’s ballot — are essential to keep our community safe and allow everyone to thrive.
County Issue 1A would establish a 0.1% sales and use tax to fund wildfire mitigation efforts. County Issue 1B would establish a similar 0.1% sales and use tax to fund our county’s emergency response. Finally, county Issue 1C is the extension of the existing 0.1% transportation sales and use tax.
The benefits of these measures far outweigh the burden of their cost. In fact, they serve as neat examples of how taxes can and should work: Everybody pays a little so that together the community can have a lot. A sales tax of 0.1% is not going to gouge anyone. It is, after all, a penny for every $10 spent. But with everyone paying their part, it will bring in millions in funding every year for these vital projects.
With the climate ever-changing and Boulder County ever-growing, these taxes — wildfire mitigation, emergency services and continued transportation funding — are necessary. Vote “yes” on county issues 1A, 1B and 1C so that we can share the burden of protecting and improving our community together.
‘Yes’ on Issue 5A
BVSD’s measure, ballot issue 5A, will raise property taxes for homeowners throughout the district in order to allow the district to raise $350 million in bonds. A home valued at $600,000 would pay about $9.83 a month.
The funding will go toward a variety of “critical” projects, including $36 million for a new building for Boulder’s New Vista High School, a new $41 million school to relieve overcrowding at Erie’s Meadowlark School and about $44.5 million to support expanded career and technical education offerings at middle and high schools.
‘Yes’ on Colorado Prop 123
Colorado is facing a housing crisis — one of both availability and cost. The state’s Housing Projects Initiative, Proposition 123, is a necessary step toward alleviating this housing emergency.
The bill, as big as it is, is a drop in the bucket. The $300 million in annual revenue is expected to only create about 10,000 new affordable units each year, meaning it will be years before we feel a significant impact and about 15 years before our current crisis is solved.
But while Proposition 123 is not a quick fix, Colorado is in crisis and we cannot sit idly by. Too many of our neighbors are burdened by the cost of rent, and too many who contribute to our community can’t even afford to live in our community. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to make our society a more equitable place for everyone, and while Proposition 123 isn’t faultless, it is a start. It will provide much-needed funding for cities and towns around the state so we can get started on the necessary work of making sure all of our neighbors have a home they can afford.
Prop FF is laudable, but structure merits concerns
Put simply, there is no argument to make against doing everything we can to feed our children. But not every program designed to do so is perfect. For us, Proposition FF’s imperfections are enough to prevent us from endorsing this particular effort. However, in good conscience, we cannot recommend voting “no” either.
Whether or not you agree with us on these issues, we encourage you to cast your ballot. Make your voice heard. Play your part in our democracy. Vote for the future you believe in. | 2022-10-30T14:05:42Z | www.dailycamera.com | Editorial: A recap of the Camera’s election endorsements | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/30/editorial-a-recap-of-the-cameras-election-endorsements/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/30/editorial-a-recap-of-the-cameras-election-endorsements/ |
Opinion: Jim Martin: We have forgotten the…
Americans have forgotten the hard lessons of Veterans Day.
Let’s join the City of Boulder this Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, and thank servicemen and women for their contributions to the nation’s greatness.
We owe them that. We must not forget their service, since so many of us have forgotten their sacrifices performed on behalf of the world’s top superpower. Don’t let it become another Labor Day, seen only as a day off from school or work, or a day to shop.
Many veterans suffer with physical disabilities, mental health issues such as PTSD and depression, homelessness and/or poverty, as a result of their service. They deserve our help.
Veterans Day started with a different name — Armistice Day — on Nov. 11, 1918. That date was chosen to honor the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, which brought a ceasefire and the beginning of the end of “The Great War,” also known as “The War to End All Wars.” But of course, it didn’t.
When World War II broke out around Sept. 3, 1939, the name of The Great War was changed to “World War I.” World War II ended with the signing of a peace treaty in Versailles, France, on June 28, 1919.
In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day. Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C. holds an annual remembrance service every Veterans Day. The cemetery has more than 400,000 graves, and most of those interred served in the military.
There is no apostrophe in Veterans Day. The day is not possessive, so it does not belong to one veteran or multiple ones. It’s a day for all veterans — plural.
There are only two major holidays for veterans. Memorial Day pays tribute to those who died as a result of combat. Veterans Day honors all veterans, both living and dead, who served in the U.S. military either in wartime or peacetime.
Boulder’s tribute: The Boulder Daily Camera will publish a month-long Veterans Salute to honor past and present members of our armed forces. Each day in November, the paper will spotlight and thank a Colorado veteran, starting this Tuesday, Nov. 1.
Also scheduled is the 75th anniversary of the Boulder Star’s first lighting, which was in 1947. This year’s lighting takes place between 6 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on Veterans Day.
In Colorado, military veterans make up 8.4% of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That equates to 371,081 people. Among those veterans, 6.2% live in poverty, and many of them are homeless, according to 24/7 Wall Street.
Some served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the two Gulf Wars, and/or in peacetime. The U.S. veteran population today totals 19 million — having served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard — and 1.2 million of them live in poverty, including 37,000 who are homeless. By the way, the last U.S. combat veteran of World War I died in 2011. Frank Buckles was his name at age 110.
Learn from vets
Veterans often are showered with platitudes but also are ignored by policy. The federal government sometimes is slow to act, and that leaves veterans to fight once more in order to get the medical help and benefits they need for as long as they live.
Veterans take us back to more settled times in America. People did all they could to keep America strong and safe.
Veterans Day is not only when we honor our veterans, but is also a time to remember what unites us as Americans and is a call for peace, not violence.
Many issues divide us today. Cable news and social media allow the most extreme voices to dominate the conversation and frame those on the opposite side as their enemy.
Veterans know the stakes are much higher in battle. In the military, you’re all on the same team. Differences of opinion exist, but the focus is on working together to complete a mission. Servicemen and women focus on what unites them, not on what separates them.
Veterans Day honors men and women who have put their lives on the line to defend our nation, and they come from all walks of life, ethnicities, genders, sexual identities, religious beliefs and political camps.
Some were born in the United States. Others emigrated here.
Some have applied their military training to build a successful life in the civilian world. Some others have struggled the rest of their lives because a war scarred them.
Veterans represent every facet of American life. They know the core values of America are worth fighting for and teamwork must prevail.
They set an example for all of us and teach us a lesson we should take to heart.
Personal thoughts
My father served on the USS Pensacola, which was one of the five heavy cruiser ships at the Battle of Iwo Jima. His ship also did battle at Midway. He served for three years, three months and three days; he was always proud of that fact.
I also remember that during the Vietnam War, until 1972, a man could qualify for a 2-S student deferment if he could show he was a full-time student making progress in virtually any field of study. A few years later, the draft formally ended.
Finally, I remember that we used to give out artificial or real poppies to pin on coats, tied in with the “In Flanders Field” poem that we recited from memory. The poppies were a symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.
Many people say “Thank you for your service” to veterans. That’s both a positive action and a cliche. Veterans deserve more than thanks and not only on Veterans Day. Thank them for their service and better yet, follow their selfless example.
So thank a veteran today. Also, listen to what they have to say, as their insights could help us heal a fractured, divided nation. Salute them and wish them peace and happiness.
Veterans Day is a time to unite. | 2022-10-30T14:06:07Z | www.dailycamera.com | Opinion: Jim Martin: We have forgotten the lessons of Veterans Day | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/30/opinion-jim-martin-we-have-forgotten-the-lessons-of-veterans-day/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/30/opinion-jim-martin-we-have-forgotten-the-lessons-of-veterans-day/ |
Two arrested in Boulder County homicide north…
Two residents of the Greeley area were arrested and face second-degree murder charges in the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old Denver woman.
According to a Boulder County Sheriff’s Office news release, the 23-year-old Martin Cerda and 24-year-old Adriana Vargas were arrested early Sunday and face one charge each of second-degree murder. Cerda also faces charges of attempted aggravated robbery, vehicular eluding and possession of a weapon by a previous offender. Vargas also faces a charge of possession of a weapon by a previous offender and was also arrested on several warrants not related to the homicide investigation.
According to the release, a Larimer County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a vehicle that he suspected of driving under the influence near Berthoud. The vehicle eluded and the deputy stopped the pursuit when he lost sight of the vehicle heading south on U.S. 287 near Colo. 56.
About 12:30 a.m., the Boulder County Communications Center got a report of a disabled vehicle on U.S. 287 at Yellowstone Road in unincorporated Boulder County north of Longmont. It was also reported that people were seen running away from the vehicle. About ten minutes later, the center got a call from a hospital in Longmont noting physicians were treating a patient with an apparent gunshot wound. The 21-year-old female patient was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Deputies with both Boulder and Larimer counties’ sheriff’s departments investigated with the help of both counties’ SWAT teams to search for the people who had abandoned the vehicle. Four people were found in a camper trailer parked on a nearby residential property. Two men and two women were taken into custody without incident and were taken to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office to be interviewed.
Investigators determined from evidence at the scene of the shooting and interviews with the suspects that the victim did not appear to be connected with the suspects. According to the release, investigators believe the woman who was riding in a vehicle driven by her mother happened across the suspects in their disabled vehicle near the intersection of U.S. 287 and Yellowstone Road. According to the release, investigators say the suspects got out of their vehicle and shot at the victim’s vehicle with a handgun, shooting the victim. Investigators believe Cerda, the primary suspect, shot at the victims’ vehicle in an attempt to carjack them.
A third person in addition to Cerda and Vargas was detained on warrants unrelated to the homicide investigation.
According to the release, the suspects’ booking photos will not be released while the investigation is ongoing.
The Longmont Department of Public Safety, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, the Boulder Emergency Squad, Colorado Department of Transportation and American Medical Response also assisted with the investigation. | 2022-10-30T22:22:27Z | www.dailycamera.com | Two arrested in Boulder County homicide north of Longmont | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/30/two-arrested-in-boulder-county-homicide-north-of-longmont/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/30/two-arrested-in-boulder-county-homicide-north-of-longmont/ |
CU Boulder honeybee swarm study finds…
Orit Peleg holds a hive frame full of bees at the CU Boulder campus. (Orit Peleg Laboratory at the University of Colorado Boulder / Courtesy photo)
For researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, X-ray technology has offered a glimpse into a mysterious and elusive world: the inside of a honeybee swarm.
Although swarms can contain thousands of bees, the researchers found in a recent study that the transient clusters of insects are so mechanically stable and mathematically sound that they could provide clues into designing more resilient structures in the human world.
“The bees have a very — they almost have this intuitive understanding of the physics and the mechanics of that structure. And they respond to it,” said Orit Peleg, a senior author of the study and assistant professor of computer science at CU Boulder said. “It seems like bees are paying attention to mechanical forces.”
To examine how swarms are structured, Peleg and her team of researchers created a unique setup that enabled them to perform CT scans on swarms in a lab setting. They recreated swarms by attaching a caged queen bee to the underside of a rotating wooden disk and allowing worker bees to cluster around her. The researches then used an X-ray emitter and detector on either side of the cluster to gather images of the inside of the swarm.
A honey bee swarm clings to a tree branch. (Orit Peleg Laboratory at the University of Colorado Boulder / Courtesy photo)
During a swarm in nature, thousands of bees leave their hive along with their queen in search of a new home. Although it’s not always clear why bees swarm, it’s often triggered by overcrowding in the original hive. Once it’s left home, the swarm often takes refuge on a nearby tree branch or other structure while worker bees search for a location for a new hive. Meanwhile, the queen bee gives off pheromones that tell the worker bees to cluster together around her. They respond by layering on top of one another to create a dome-like mass with the queen at the center.
During this process, Peleg said, the bees have to assess what’s happening around them and decide how to arrange themselves for optimal stability.
“There isn’t a leader that is telling the bees what to do, although the queen is there,” Peleg said. “The bees are actually making their own decisions … based on the information they have at their nearby environment.”
In their study, Peleg and her team of researchers found that swarming bees arranged themselves in a way that distributed weight and mechanical force efficiently throughout the cluster. Each bee can support a maximum of about 35 other bees, but an even distribution of weight throughout a swarm cluster ensures that the bees don’t reach the limits of their strength. Additionally, the researchers discovered that swarms have the same basic structure at smaller and larger scales.
Part of the reason bees cluster in this way, Peleg said, is to help with regulating their temperature.
“It’s a little bit like huddling … people huddle and penguins huddle, and lots of other animals do that,” Peleg said. “If a single bee is more exposed to the environment, it can lose more heat. If it’s instead inside this big huddle, then effectively it has less surface area that is directly in contact with the environment.”
But bees in the cluster also hold onto each other to keep the colony intact. Although swarming is a natural part of bees’ reproductive cycle, it always comes with risk: if too many worker bees are lost or the queen dies, the colony is not likely to survive in its new home. According to the study, the mechanical stability of swarms can directly impact whether the bees will survive.
There is much to learn about the complexity of bee behavior, but the results of this study shed light on previously-unknown ways that bees cooperate with each other for their own survival.
“I think (bees) have this amazing, intuitive understanding of the environment and of physics and material science that we scientists are just starting to figure out,” Peleg said. “And I think we have a lot to learn from them.” | 2022-10-31T13:52:14Z | www.dailycamera.com | CU Boulder honeybee swarm study finds applications to human world | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/31/cu-boulder-honeybee-swarm-study-finds-applications-to-human-world/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/31/cu-boulder-honeybee-swarm-study-finds-applications-to-human-world/ |
Defendant in Fourmile Canyon murder case set…
Stephen Christopher Wolf (Boulder County Sheriff’s Office / Courtesy photo)
The man accused in a 2019 Fourmile Canyon murder is set for a competency hearing after evaluators issued differing opinions on whether he was fit to stand trial.
Stephen Christopher Wolf, 28, is charged with first-degree murder after deliberation, felony murder, first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary, tampering with a deceased human body, vehicular eluding and tampering with physical evidence in the death of Jeffrey Michael Lynch, 57.
Wolf was declared incompetent to proceed in September 2021, and ordered to undergo restoration efforts at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo. After a delay, Wolf was transported to the state hospital in June.
The state evaluators found Wolf competent to proceed, but a second opinion requested by Wolf’s attorneys found Wolf was not competent to proceed.
Boulder District Judge Patrick Butler scheduled a hearing on Nov. 30 at which time he will review the reports and hear arguments about whether Wolf is competent enough for the case to proceed or if he needs further treatment.
He will remain in custody without bond.
According to an arrest affidavit, Lynch was reported missing July 30, 2019, after he failed to show up at his girlfriend’s house on the previous Sunday.
Lynch was a general contractor and had been working on a vacant house on Camino Bosque in Fourmile Canyon, so the property owners went to see if Lynch was there. The owners arrived and found Wolf, who they did not know, sitting in Lynch’s car in the garage.
The property owner confronted Wolf, who said he was there to clean before saying the police were after him. The homeowner said she had not hired anyone to work on the house other than Lynch, and called the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.
When deputies arrived, they found Wolf carrying shovels in a trash bag, according to the affidavit. Wolf saw the deputies and ran into the garage, but the two deputies were able to handcuff him.
Deputies searched Lynch’s car and found his body wrapped in plastic in the trunk of the vehicle.
The coroner’s office ruled the cause of Lynch’s death was “homicidal violence by unspecified means.” While the report could not specify any exact injuries Lynch sustained, due in part to decomposition of the body, a forensic pathologist ruled the manner of death a homicide.
Prosecutors said Wolf, who had been trying to elude police following a traffic stop two days before being found with the body, broke into the home in the hopes of finding fuel for his car, and killed Lynch upon finding him in the house.
Wolf also has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and second-degree assault after reportedly assaulting an inmate at the jail.
Fourmile Canyon homicide | 2022-10-31T20:46:55Z | www.dailycamera.com | Defendant in Fourmile Canyon murder case set for competency hearing | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/31/defendant-in-fourmile-canyon-murder-case-set-for-competency-hearing/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/31/defendant-in-fourmile-canyon-murder-case-set-for-competency-hearing/ |
Boulder, Fairview parents work to bring back…
The pandemic scuttled the joint after-prom event following the Boulder and Fairview high school proms, but parents are working to bring the party back this school year.
Mary Pierce, a parent of a Boulder High senior who is the after-prom chairperson, said the event is especially needed following a crash on Boulder High’s last prom night that killed two people.
A 17-year-old Boulder High student suspected of causing the April crash was charged with vehicular homicide and DUI. A grand jury in September also indicted five Boulder parents accused of providing alcohol to teens, as well as two companies suspected of selling fake IDs and a liquor store that allegedly sold to minors, in relation to the crash.
“After prom gives kids a place to go,” Pierce said. “It’s really the only event that brings Boulder High and Fairview together. To have a place where they can all come together after prom is a real highlight of their year.”
A tradition for 25 years, after prom is a drug and alcohol-free event meant to keep kids safe on prom night by providing activities, food, entertainment and — new this school year — a free shuttle to take students home within Boulder city limits.
After-prom events were created by concerned parents and administrators after a series of alcohol and drug related incidents that led to the deaths of 11 teens in the Denver and Boulder area in the 1990s, according to organizers.
The joint Boulder High and Fairview event is organized and run by about 200 parent volunteers from both high schools, while businesses help sponsor it. The plan is to hold the event from 11:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. April 29 at the East Boulder Community Center. Organizers expect about 1,500 students.
The event is expected to cost at least $60,000, and organizers are looking for business sponsors to help pay for everything from t-shirts and goody bags to the free shuttle to games and a photo booth. They also need donations and volunteers.
“We’re trying to get the word out and get people engaged,” Pierce said. “We are starting over pretty much from scratch. Many students have never gone or heard about it.”
Anna Lull, a parent of a Boulder High senior who’s helping organize the event, said her older son attended after prom in 2019 and “had an incredible time.”
“Volunteers completely transform the rec center,” she said. “There’s so much for the kids to do. It’s not just about having a safe night. It’s about having an unforgettable night.”
The challenge, she added, is getting the word out after not having the event for three years.
“It’s worth the community getting involved, not just for safety, but to give something really special back to the kids,” she said. “Everything donated goes directly to them.”
While it’s not a school sponsored event, both high school principals are supporting after prom by providing information to students and parents. Another supporter is Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty.
“Any time we can get parental and community involvement, we support that,” said Boulder High Principal Alana Morales.
To make a donation or volunteer for the Boulder High and Fairview after prom event, go to fhsbhsafterprom.org. | 2022-10-31T23:42:11Z | www.dailycamera.com | Boulder, Fairview parents work to bring back after-prom event | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/31/boulder-fairview-parents-work-to-bring-back-after-prom-event/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/10/31/boulder-fairview-parents-work-to-bring-back-after-prom-event/ |
Guest opinion: Dianne Primavera: Fostering a…
By Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera
“What do you do?” is often the first question we ask when meeting someone. Besides a paycheck, jobs provide a sense of identity and community. Even though we have just concluded National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities, we can’t forget the critical role that Coloradans with disabilities play in our workplace and our economy.
According to the Annual Disability Statistics Compendium, in 2021, 42% of adults with disabilities in Colorado were employed, leaving almost 200,000 unemployed in the state, many of whom are living in poverty.
Hiring people with disabilities is smart business. In a study of 140 U.S. companies, businesses that hire and retain people with disabilities financially outperform businesses that do not, with an average of 28% higher revenue and 30% higher profit margins.
Last month, I connected with members of the disability community to witness the important work happening in Colorado. I met with staff and students at the Denver nonprofit TACT, Teaching the Autism Community Trades. TACT provides students with trades-based career skills in areas such as auto mechanics, welding and technology in hands-on classes to jumpstart careers.
I met with staff and students at the University of Northern Colorado’s Go On and Learn Program (GOAL) where students with intellectual and developmental disabilities take classes, experience campus life and develop career skills that lead to employment.
I visited the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind where I witnessed a supportive community dedicated to helping students grow while learning skills to be independent. I also met with two-time Paralympic silver medalist, Hailey Danz, at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.
I am committed to lifting up this valuable, diverse and talented community and have been since the beginning of my career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, where I helped individuals with disabilities gain employment.
I was thrilled to reconnect with Dale Yergert, who I counseled 40 years ago. We discussed his 38-year career in computer programming, which I helped him pursue. He wrote and maintained computer programs and oversaw wire transfer operations. Dale is retired and enjoys playing online golf, watching the Broncos and staying connected with friends and family.
When I met Dale, he was a high school student living with cerebral palsy, and I was working as a Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Counselor. My job was to help Dale build the skills needed to be employed. Early on I realized that Dale was smart, hardworking and eager to learn. Post high school, he enrolled in a training program, a partnership between Community College of Denver and IBM. This program helped Dale secure a full-time job in a field that interested him and gave him financial independence. We swapped out his crutches for a mobility device to help him navigate more easily.
Dale’s advice for people with disabilities starting their careers is to be flexible, but also not to be afraid to ask for what you need to be successful. Dale asked for his desk to be lowered to better accommodate his mobility equipment which allowed him to better do his job.
Dale’s story is an example of what can happen when employers make the conscious decision to invest in people with disabilities. It takes a culture of inclusion that sees people for who they are, rather than the physical, behavioral, intellectual or developmental disability they live with.
DVR at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment is challenging employers to pledge to hire and retain individuals with disabilities. To access resources and learn more, visit dvr.colorado.gov.
Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera is a lifelong Coloradan and a Broomfield resident.
Guest opinion: Lori Batcheller: CU South is a parcel of land worth saving | 2022-11-01T13:39:02Z | www.dailycamera.com | Guest opinion: Dianne Primavera: Fostering a culture of inclusion is good for business | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/01/guest-opinion-dianne-primavera-fostering-a-culture-of-inclusion-is-good-for-business/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/01/guest-opinion-dianne-primavera-fostering-a-culture-of-inclusion-is-good-for-business/ |
Editorial: Hate-mongering behind attack on Paul…
The reaction was almost immediate. Seemingly moments after reports of an attack on the husband of Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, right-wing social media was filled with conspiracy theories blaming Democrats or claiming a false-flag operation.
But the truth is not so complicated. The attack on Paul Pelosi in his San Francisco home is the predictable outcome of outrageous right-wing hate-mongering. It is the latest example of threats to our democracy and, indeed, to a civilized society.
Given our political climate and the way Nancy Pelosi has been demonized in both mainstream and underground media, this is not surprising. According to initial reports, the perpetrator yelled, “Where’s Nancy?” during the attack — an eerie echo of the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, when insurrectionists screamed, “Where are you Nancy? We’re looking for you!”
Such vitriol has now leaked from The People’s House to a private residence. An intruder attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer, resulting in a skull fracture and other injuries. He is expected to recover; whether our nation will similarly survive is a more pressing question.
Reports have described Pelosi’s alleged assailant — David DePape, who reportedly has a history of mental illness — as a militant right-winger. The evidence? His blog, in which he has echoed election falsehoods and conspiracy theories. The Wall Street Journal reported that DePape has “espoused extreme right-wing views on social media, including conspiracy theories about COVID-19.”
That an American could be radicalized to the extent that they would attack a stranger with a hammer should be unconscionable. That one would seek to murder a political leader should be preposterous. Yet we are left with a dreaded sense of inevitability.
From 2017 to 2021, threats against members of Congress investigated by U.S. Capitol Police increased by 144%, according to Axios. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle, has been harassed by a man who showed up repeatedly outside her home, armed with a handgun. And Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has been the target of an endless string of harassment and threats.
For example, Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., has tweeted an anime video of himself appearing to kill Ocasio-Cortez. And last week, an online editorial headline in the New York Post was altered to read, “We must assassinate AOC for America.” Officials at the paper said they fired a rogue employee who had changed the original headline.
Political violence is not limited to conservatives. In 2017, Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., was shot by an assailant described as an anti-Trump domestic terrorist. And Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has reported having a window in her home smashed.
But an acquiescence to political violence is increasingly endemic to the far right. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a shameful political opportunist during the best of times, is among those who have tried to obfuscate the facts surrounding the attack on Paul Pelosi. And as information about the attack was filtering out Friday, a Fox News commentator said: “If we have a situation where this is politically motivated, you have to step back and say: Why is our country so divided?”
The fact is that such divisions have been perpetuated and exploited by right-wing media, with Fox News wielding the largest megaphone.
An attack on any citizen in their home is disturbing. A politically motivated one is particularly alarming. But we should not pretend that we don’t understand what has created the climate in which it occurs. | 2022-11-02T17:48:26Z | www.dailycamera.com | Editorial: Hate-mongering behind attack on Paul Pelosi | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/editorial-hate-mongering-behind-attack-on-paul-pelosi/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/editorial-hate-mongering-behind-attack-on-paul-pelosi/ |
Guest opinion: Juliette León Bartsch: When it…
By Juliette León Bartsch
When I began my library career at the Boulder Public Library in 1999, both library staffing and library funding were significantly more robust than today, twenty-three years later. This seems inconceivable, but it’s true and it’s a travesty. For over two decades I have witnessed and felt the negative impact of the endless struggle of library director after library director to secure necessary funding. Funding has been trimmed to the point where there is not enough staff to implement tried-and-true programming, much less increase programming, services and outreach to all communities.
Every year the budget is scrutinized, and the library always loses out to other “necessary” city needs. The library has never had stable funding, which is why no program or staff member ever feels secure. The Boulder Library Foundation has funded 90% of all of the programs offered at the Boulder Public Library (including the branches: Meadows, George Reynolds, Carnegie, NoBo Little Library) for forty-eight years. Currently, the foundation is unable to even fund certain popular programming due to the raw fact that there is no staff to implement these programs.
The Library Concert Series and the Library Film Series have been eliminated. The BLDG 61 Makerspace offered dozens of classes and open studio opportunities and now, most of the week its doors remained locked. The same goes for the valuable Teen Space and our original Carnegie Branch. Yes, Boulder’s OG library is closed and only accessible by appointment.
In 1905, Andrew Carnegie gifted the City of Boulder with $15,000 to build the Carnegie branch at 1125 Pine Street (stop by and take a peek in the windows), with the agreement that the city would provide adequate staffing in perpetuity. Imagine if Andrew Carnegie knew that a city as wealthy as Boulder has not been able to keep its promise.
Voting “yes” on 6C will change all of this.
Voting “yes” on 6C means forming a library district, which will solve the funding issues for the library. By forming a library district, the Boulder Public Library will join fifty-six successful library districts in the state of Colorado — all of which remained open during the pandemic and did not have to let staff go. By forming a library district, Gunbarrel will finally get its own branch. By forming a library district the entire Boulder Public Library System will have adequate and predictable funding in perpetuity.
Consistency is key. Having the staffing to support essential programs such as the invaluable BoulderReads program offers is critical.
The outreach the Boulder Library Foundation does is, in part, to inform underserved communities of the opportunities that the library offers, such as free GED classes, Citizenship classes and English tutoring. It is a shame that the BoulderReads program is currently so understaffed that they can only offer a fraction of the classes that they did twenty years ago. Let’s not take an enormous step backward by making the misguided argument that the city should fund the library, because we are well beyond being able to make that a reality.
Please vote “yes” for 6C and watch your local library provide the programs and services that a healthy community that believes in literacy in all its forms needs to not only recover but flourish.
Juliette León Bartsch was a long-time staff member of the Boulder Public Library and is now the director of Development & Marketing with the Boulder Library Foundation. | 2022-11-02T17:48:39Z | www.dailycamera.com | Guest opinion: Juliette León Bartsch: When it comes to library funding, consistency is key | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/guest-opinion-juliette-leon-bartsch-when-it-comes-to-library-funding-consistency-is-key/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/guest-opinion-juliette-leon-bartsch-when-it-comes-to-library-funding-consistency-is-key/ |
Guest opinion: Philip P. DiStefano: Let’s go…
When I think about the role a university plays in society, I think first about our responsibility to educate. To conduct innovative research and produce original creative work. To serve the state of Colorado and the world.
I also think often about the university’s unique ability to enable civil discussion of diverse viewpoints, to model what it means to be a good citizen and to help students establish habits that will serve them throughout their lives.
On November 8, we get to put those goals into practice.
This Election Day, I’m encouraging the entire Boulder community — particularly the students, faculty and staff of CU Boulder — to make your voice heard by voting.
Voting is a fundamental right in our democratic republic, and the candidates and the issues on the ballot are there because they will shape the future of our community and our campus.
And whether Boulder is your home for four years or forty years, you deserve to have a say in how it operates.
I’m proud to say that CU Boulder has a strong track record on voting.
In 2016, we joined the All In Campus Democracy Challenge, which encourages nonpartisan civic engagement such as voting, contacting elected officials and supporting political causes.
In 2020, the Democracy Challenge awarded CU Boulder “Platinum” status for achieving an 80% to 89% voting rate among eligible students.
Even in this midterm election year, I hope all eligible voters will take advantage of this fundamental democratic right.
The campus hosts two Vote Centers, at the University Memorial Center and at Williams Village, to make it easier for the campus and community members to vote in person. And CU Boulder has two, 24-hour drop boxes to submit completed ballots: outside the south entrance of the UMC and at Williams Village.
We encourage community members to study the issues and candidates online or to take advantage of University Libraries’ resources, and to remember that there’s no registration deadline in Colorado — you can register and vote up to and including Election Day on Nov. 8.
Ultimately, voting is not about which bubble you shade on the ballot.
It’s not a battle between Democrats or Republicans, conservatives or liberals. It’s a battle between care and complacency, between enthusiasm and indifference. It’s a sign and signal of the health of our very democracy.
Supporting and sustaining democracy is a responsibility we all carry as Americans. And it starts with you and me, a ballot and a pen.
Philip P. DiStefano is the 11th chancellor of CU Boulder and a resident of Boulder for 40 years. | 2022-11-02T17:48:45Z | www.dailycamera.com | Guest opinion: Philip P. DiStefano: Let’s go 'all in' on democracy | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/guest-opinion-philip-p-distefano-lets-go-all-in-on-democracy/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/guest-opinion-philip-p-distefano-lets-go-all-in-on-democracy/ |
Guest opinion: Rachel Friend and Bob Yates: CU…
By Suzy Ageton, Matt Appelbaum, Jan Burton, DeAnne Butterfield, Macon Cowles, Leslie Durgin, Angelique Espinoza, Rachel Friend, Jill Adler Grano, Suzanne Jones, George Karakehian, Tim Plass, Françoise Poinsatte, Gordon Riggle, Mark Ruzzin, Andrew Shoemaker, Adam Swetlik, Sam Weaver, Ken Wilson, Bob Yates and Mary Young
Collectively, the 21 of us current and former Boulder City Council members and mayors represent more than a century of public service to the Boulder community. As elected officials, each of us has devoted thousands of hours to ensure the safety, health and well-being of our town. While we often disagreed with each other on politics and policies, we stand united in our unwavering support for flood protections for our most vulnerable residents — the same protections that are made possible through the city’s annexation of CU South. We strongly encourage a “no” vote on Ballot Measure 2F.
Measure 2F seeks to reverse the annexation agreement that each of us helped shape, an agreement that permits the city to use the CU South property to build South Boulder Creek flood mitigation facilities. Any one of us negotiating for such an agreement individually might have decided differently on one issue or another. But this agreement was the result of many years of effort and difficult — occasionally contentious — negotiations. Through that process, we ruled out every other flood mitigation option. This is the best deal that any of us could have achieved.
It’s easy to Monday-morning quarterback. We have heard that some people claim that a better agreement might be struck if we terminate the existing annexation agreement and start over. Alas, it is magical thinking to believe that the results of years of study, followed by years of negotiation, would be readily replaced by a new process that would yield a better result, simply because a better result is desired. That is not how negotiations work.
Frankly, the university gave the city most of what we sought in the annexation agreement, and far more than we thought we’d get. It’s the university’s property and, as a state institution, they cannot be coerced into doing the city’s bidding.
The negotiations went so well that there is very little left to “get” from the university. The nature of agreements is that, if we went back to the drawing board hoping for something more, we surely would have to give something back. What would our concessions be? The almost 120 acres of new Open Space, with attendant water rights, that we negotiated hard for? The five acres for affordable housing that we obtained? The two acres we got for a new firehouse? The agreement by the university to abide by Boulder’s height limitations, to which they are normally exempt? We would not want to yield any of these benefits.
Could and should we re-negotiate to get 500-year flood protection, given the climate crisis? No. Climate crisis considerations are not new. To the contrary, we are mindful of the crisis that is upon us. But, anything more than 100-year flood protection is simply not attainable. Due to reasons which have nothing to do with the university or its plans for CU South, the 100-year flood mitigation design that is well underway is the best we can do at South Boulder Creek. Indeed, 100-year protection is what the city has designed for flood mitigation for the 16 drainageways that pass through Boulder, perhaps even near where you live.
As we cannot negotiate a 500-year flood mitigation protection because it is not feasible, what did the university get that we could claw back in a theoretically revised agreement? What the university primarily obtained was the right to build staff, faculty and student housing on less than half of their own property (all outside both the 100 and 500-year flood plains). Over the decades, our community has begged the university to build more housing. Now that the university agreed to build 1,000 units of much-needed housing, it’s a bit disingenuous for opponents to say, “great, but not here.” And without the right to build housing on their own property, there is no incentive for the university to enter into this annexation agreement and provide the city the many benefits we have received — including the right to build flood mitigation facilities on the university’s land.
If annexation is overturned by Measure 2F, what is the assurance that the university would return to the negotiations table? CU can play a long waiting game. The next flood event will only serve to strengthen their hand.
We believe that the CU South annexation agreement is a good deal for Boulder. Every current member of the city council endorses a “no” vote on 2F, as do each one of us, with public service tenures dating back decades. Re-opening negotiations (not a shoo-in proposition) would not yield better results for the community. We could lose our hard-fought gains. It would take years to start and complete a new negotiation. All the while, our neighbors would sit in harm’s way.
South Boulder Creek floods an average of once every 13 years. It has been nine years since the last flood. Our fellow community members are in danger. We need to protect them. The deal before us does that. We urge you to vote “no” on 2F.
The signatories are all current or former members of the Boulder City Council, including several former mayors. They are joined by hundreds of other endorsers and all of the current members of the City Council in opposition to Ballot Measure 2F. You can read their names here. | 2022-11-02T17:48:52Z | www.dailycamera.com | Guest opinion: Rachel Friend and Bob Yates: CU South agreement is a good deal for Boulder | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/guest-opinion-rachel-friend-and-bob-yates-cu-south-agreement-is-a-good-deal-for-boulder/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/guest-opinion-rachel-friend-and-bob-yates-cu-south-agreement-is-a-good-deal-for-boulder/ |
Letters to the editor: Funding student lunches;…
Ian Court: Election: Student lunch bill should focus on feeding kids
I have some comments on the Daily Camera’s Oct. 23 editorial, “Prop FF is laudable, but structure merits concerns.” The topic of the editorial was the provision of school lunches in Colorado’s public schools. In principle, I agree with the editors’ support of the concept. However, I have some comments.
Firstly, all students should receive free school lunches. They receive the benefit of a myriad of other resources, and research has conclusively shown that poor nutrition is one of the biggest impediments to learning. In addition, lunch for everyone removes any stigma involved in program participation.
Secondly, funding for the program should come from the “General Fund,” not specifically from 5% of the high-income group, or any other specified source. By all means, tax that 5%, but citing the source of the funding promotes a distractive political battle over taxes when the focus should be on adequate nutrition for students.
Thirdly, sunset clauses: They are termination dates placed on legislation usually to assuage opposition legislators during the approval process. They are an easy way out for lazy politicians.
I have to ask, Has no one heard of revoking a law, or revising it, when necessary? And, the amount of time and energy wasted in re-authorizing a bill is enormous and could be avoided if sunset clauses were eliminated.
Please remember that a sunset clause in the 1994 U.S. Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which banned assault weapons, expired in 2004 because of a sunset clause. We are still waiting, 18 years later, for the legislation to be re-authorized. No sunset clause, no wait! Amended, no problem, but sunset clauses are a political convenience that have nothing to do with legislation. They should be abolished.
Ian Court, Boulder
Julia Hanke: Libraries: Neighboring districts are thriving, fully operational
Of the fourteen Colorado communities with a population of 100,000 or more, only two are not library districts and not considering becoming one at this time, and they are among the lowest-funded libraries, per capita, in Colorado (Westminster and Aurora). Nine others are library districts. The remaining three (Denver, Boulder and Longmont) are actively considering forming a library district.
Boulder is the only library serving a population of over 100,000 with more active cardholders than the city population, topping out at 121% usage. This high percentage comes predominantly from unincorporated areas adjacent to Boulder, like Gunbarrel, where I live. I participated in feedback sessions held by the library over the years, and have been following this measure ever since.
Opponents have said “now is not the time,” but our libraries have been underfunded for decades, despite growing demand for services. While the library wins awards for its excellent services, its staffing and programming are stretched to the brink, unable to plan ahead due to the up and down nature of sales tax revenues, and the fact that the library, unlike other services, is often the first to be cut, and the last to get its funding restored.
When I hear opponents say “it’s anybody’s guess” regarding questions about how library districts will work, I think that unnecessarily stokes fear: Library district governance, operations and establishment are firmly outlined in Colorado law. And we can look to Colorado’s 56 other thriving and fully operational library districts, including our neighbors in Nederland, Erie, Estes Park, Fort Collins and Lyons.
Looking at the increasingly serious funding challenges the library is facing as a city service, it makes sense to open up the tax base to the wider community that uses the library, like me. I am a “yes” vote on Measure 6C.
Julia Hanke, Boulder
Mike Short: Libraries: Public outcry can help get more city funding
I am opposed to the tax to support a new library district. Boulder has a budget next year of more than a half billion dollars. If the current funding of roughly $16.8 million is insufficient, then the library supporters should take their case to City Council. Surely, if the public outcry is great enough, the council could find a few more dollars to support libraries. If this special district tax is approved, it will exist forever. Finally, the city budget will not be reduced if the current $16.8 million for libraries is removed. There is a lot of complaining about the cost of living in Boulder. A new tax won’t help.
Mike Short, Boulder
Adele Riffe: Election: Vote to protect Social Security and Medicare
Before you vote in the midterms, you should know that if Republicans take control of the House, they are talking about cutting Medicare and Social Security.
I am retired and enjoy the benefits of these programs, having paid into Social Security my whole working life. Medicare is quite cost-effective and vastly more efficient than private health insurance. Social Security and Medicare have allowed great numbers of older Americans to live happy, dignified lives. Without these programs, we would have a huge increase in poverty and early death in our country.
Vote for the party that wants our whole society to thrive, not the one that wants to funnel more money to the rich at the expense of the rest of us.
Adele Riffe, Hesperus
Robert Porath: CU South: New campus would be heartbreaking net loss
It is disappointing that the Daily Camera’s Editorial Board has ignored the reality of global warming and climate change and chosen to believe in the competence of the city’s flood plan and that there are benevolent intentions in the university’s South Boulder expansion. It has long been an American ethic that the Earth exists for man to use and abuse for profit. The proposed South Campus site thus is seen as a wasteland awaiting development, which will result in a net gain for the people of Boulder, despite the resulting increase of neighborhood traffic, during and after construction, and the loss of free access to a truly unique and irreplaceable piece of the natural world. The truth is that the proposed flood plan, paid for by all of Boulder, protects only a fraction of the homes impacted by the 2013 flood and, in my opinion, that the real beneficiary is the university’s corporate business model. The net loss is heartbreaking for anyone truly caring for both the environment and the soul of mankind. Vote “yes” on 2F.
Robert Porath, Boulder
Mary Humstone: Election: Marchman is the accessible leader we need
In the newly redistricted State Senate District 15, citizens have an opportunity for real representation by someone who cares about improving the lives of middle-class families. Janice Marchman is running for the seat currently held by Rob Woodward, who, I don’t believe, has ever reached out to his constituents to find out what our concerns are. We’re ready for a change, and Janice is ready to be the change. I’m excited to have such a strong candidate to endorse and vote for!
Janice is a middle school math teacher in Loveland and will continue to work as a teacher when elected. She’s committed to improving the bottom line for working families, seniors and small business owners. Janice is smart, civil and ready to lead. She’s also accessible — she has held hundreds of meetings with constituents since announcing her campaign in November.
If you don’t think the state Senate seat is important, think again! Think about Front Range air quality, the effects of wildfire and drought, middle-class jobs, housing affordability, wildfire insurance, and access to reproductive healthcare for women. All of these issues and many more are addressed in the Colorado legislature and Janice will be there representing us. Vote for Janice Marchman! | 2022-11-02T17:48:58Z | www.dailycamera.com | Letters to the editor: Funding student lunches; thriving library districts; paying for our libraries; protecting Social Security; CU South's impact; accessible leaders | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/letters-to-the-editor-funding-student-lunches-thriving-library-districts-paying-for-our-libraries-protecting-social-security-cu-souths-impact-accessible-leaders/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/letters-to-the-editor-funding-student-lunches-thriving-library-districts-paying-for-our-libraries-protecting-social-security-cu-souths-impact-accessible-leaders/ |
Best-selling author Jennette McCurdy to speak…
Best-selling author Jennette McCurdy is scheduled to speak at Macky Auditorium on the campus of CU Boulder on Monday evening. (Courtesy photo)
Writer, podcaster and former actress Jennette McCurdy will speak at the University of Colorado Boulder in Macky Auditorium on Monday, the university announced last week.
McCurdy published “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” back in August, a best-selling memoir detailing her struggles as a former child actor and how she retook her life after the death of her abusive mother back in 2013.
“Jennette McCurdy is an extremely influential voice right now, especially to a Gen Z audience,” said Veena Bhatnagar, chair of the Distinguished Speakers Board, the group organizing the event. “Her unique experiences with family dynamics and overcoming struggles with mental health are things the Distinguished Speakers Board believe will benefit the student body as a whole.”
The event starts at 7 p.m. Monday, and is open to the public. Tickets cost $2 for students, $7 for CU faculty and staff and $10 for the general public. Tickets are available at bit.ly/N3JMCDSB or in person on the first floor of the University Memorial Center on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 2022-11-02T23:00:26Z | www.dailycamera.com | Best-selling author Jennette McCurdy to speak at CU’s Macky Auditorium – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/best-selling-author-jennette-mccurdy-to-speak-at-cus-macky-auditorium/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/best-selling-author-jennette-mccurdy-to-speak-at-cus-macky-auditorium/ |
Bailey Hertenstein, Mark Wetmore from CU…
Another dominant Pac-12 Conference championship meet has led to some impressive hardware for the Colorado cross country program.
On Wednesday, graduate senior Bailey Hertenstein was named the Pac-12’s Women’s Athlete of the Year while veteran CU coach Mark Wetmore was named the Women’s Coach of the Year.
Hertenstein took the Pac-12 women’s 6K title in a course record time of 19 minutes, 11.3 seconds last Friday, leading the women to the title over second-place Utah. The Indiana transfer passed Utah’s Emily Venters in the final 200 meters and put on the burners, winning by five seconds. That pass, along with three top-six finishes from the CU women, allowed the team to tie Utah with 66 points and ultimately win the title on the NCAA tiebreaker, as determined by individual results.
It is the fourth time in the past six seasons a CU runner has won the women’s cross country Athlete of the Year, as Hertenstein joins Abby Nichols (2021) and two-time winner Dani Jones (2017 and 2018).
Wetmore was named the Pac-12 Women’s Coach Of The Year for the fifth time. It was his 13th Pac-12 coach of the year honor overall, leaving him just one short of the conference record despite being in the conference for only 12 years. Overall, Wetmore has now collected 34 conference coach of the year honors and, since winning his first in 1997, he has won 65 percent of the coach of the year honors possible during that span.
Four CU runners were named to the All-Pac-12 first team after finishing in the top seven, while three more were named to the All-Pac-12 second team. Hertenstein, Emily Covert, Ella Baran were first-teamers for the women. Andrew Kent was named to the men’s first team, with Noah Hibbard, Austin Vancil and Seth Hirsch earning second-team honors. | 2022-11-03T03:27:44Z | www.dailycamera.com | Bailey Hertenstein, Mark Wetmore from CU women’s cross country honored by Pac-12 – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/bailey-hertenstein-mark-wetmore-from-cu-womens-cross-country-honored-by-pac-12/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/bailey-hertenstein-mark-wetmore-from-cu-womens-cross-country-honored-by-pac-12/ |
Police investigating vandalism of signs at CU…
Several signs at University of Colorado Boulder’s south campus were vandalized this week. (University of Colorado Boulder)
University of Colorado Boulder police said a handful of signs at the CU South property were damaged.
Officials said eight signs at CU South explaining future plans for the site were defaced by vandalism in recent days. The estimated damage is $5,000.
The signs were installed on Oct. 21.
The vandalism comes in the days leading up to the general election, which will include a measure that could reverse an annexation agreement approved last fall between the city of Boulder and the university.
“We are disappointed to see the recent damage to university property,” said Lori Call, CU Boulder’s assistant vice chancellor for local government and community engagement. “The annexation agreement is complicated, and we know many residents are interested in better understanding the plans for the site, and seeing the visual representation of these plans. Our hope is that we can respect each other, the site, and the property when visitors come to CU Boulder South.”
CU Boulder police do plan on increased patrols in the area.
Police are asking that anyone with information about the vandalism call the department’s non-emergency line at 303-492-6666. | 2022-11-03T03:28:14Z | www.dailycamera.com | Police investigating vandalism of signs at CU South | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/police-investigating-vandalism-of-signs-at-cu-south/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/police-investigating-vandalism-of-signs-at-cu-south/ |
Boulder City Council to consider opting out of…
Boulder City Council to consider opting out of Colorado’s new FAMLI program
The Boulder City Council on Thursday night will consider opting out of Colorado’s new Family and Medical Leave Insurance program to save $1.37 million that it would otherwise need to redirect from currently funded programs.
The state-run FAMLI program, approved by voters in 2020, allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of job protected paid leave, which ranges from 37% to 90% of wages and is capped at $1,100 a week. Paid leave for pregnancy or childbirth complications is available up to 16 weeks.
Following Council discussion, the city on Thursday will hold a public hearing on the resolution to consider waiving its participation in the program.
The cost to participate in the program can be split between an employer and the employees, according to the Boulder staff report. A Boulder employee who makes $50,000 per year could expect to pay $225 annually into the program. The city budgets $152 million for payroll, which would result in city premium of $1.37 million annually.
If the city opts out, an individual employee can still decide to be a part of the program, the report said.
Boulder staff are recommending that the city chooses to opt out of the program as the city has not budgeted for the FAMLI program and would need to reallocate money from other currently funded programs in order to pay for it, the staff report said.
Additional staff time would also be required to administer the program and assist employees as quarterly reporting and remittance are mandatory, the report said.
Two Boulder employees emailed Human Resources before the Wednesday deadline to comment and encouraged the Council to reconsider declining participation in the program, according to emails added to the City Council agenda. They said the program would support temporary and seasonal employees who do not have access to the same paid leave policies as standard part-time and full-time employees.
Both employees’ names were redacted from the emails.
“It appears to many employees that HR does not recognize the crucial work that seasonal and temporary employees perform,” the email said, in part. “There are many examples of changes that HR makes to employee programs that only negatively affect temporary employees with little or no harm to standard employees. Participation in the FAMLI program could be an opportunity for the city to make a positive change for those groups of employees.”
The second employee, who said they have worked for the city for 10 years, expressed disappointment with the city for considering the option of opting out of the program.
“Voters in Colorado recognized that many people are being left behind by current benefit structures,” the email said. “How can the city of Boulder in good faith ignore this for their own employees?” | 2022-11-03T06:47:38Z | www.dailycamera.com | Boulder City Council to consider opting out of Colorado’s new FAMLI program | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/boulder-city-council-to-consider-opting-out-of-colorados-new-famli-program/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/boulder-city-council-to-consider-opting-out-of-colorados-new-famli-program/ |
Guest opinion: Darrell Sanchez: With CU South,…
By Darrell Sanchez
I find myself wondering why CU seems to be in a state of necessitating such a massive expansion in Boulder. If one were to take a breath to feel into the whole CU South proposal, it is hard to imagine this to be a realistic or practical scheme for the size of our city or for such a vital area in it.
In my time here, CU has expanded the main campus east to 28th St. with the Kittridge Complex and added large structures to the Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Business schools. It has done a massive expansion to the Williams Village student housing area and to the land from 30th St. to Foothills Parkway between Boulder Creek and Colorado Ave. It is also in the process of building a convention center on the Hill at University and Broadway.
Is CU trying to present itself as a rival to schools like UCLA? For the sake of comparison, look at UCLA. Los Angeles is a city of almost four million people and is 507 square miles in size. The university has 44,500 students on four hundred acres. Boulder has 108,000 people on 27 square miles. CU has 36,000 students and occupies six hundred acres. Boulder is not Los Angeles.
I invite you to pause for a moment and let yourself get a feel for Boulder and how it has changed in the last, say, 10 to 15 years, if not longer. If you have lived here longer than that you may have an instant feeling for those changes. Go up to Flagstaff or to the scenic overlook on top of the mesa at U.S. 36 and look back down into the valley of Boulder. That’s Boulder Valley and therein lies the city of Boulder and the main campus of CU. That’s all we get in terms of the valley space.
Now CU wants to create a south campus on an area of land of the size of the main campus, also comparative in size to downtown Boulder. All of this will sit at perhaps one of the lowest drainage points of the entire valley and a wetland habitat. Sensing the size of the proposed CU South development strains my logic and trust with the explanations as to the glowing merits of the plan. It feels like inviting a rhinoceros to lounge in the backyard koi pond. What could go wrong? Looking at the overview, how can anyone think that this is the best plan for use of that land?
Imagine the traffic situations when events at the proposed field house are happening. Will there not be an increase in accidents and congestion at a new intersection at Broadway and at Highway 93 and Marshall Road? Marshall Road and Cherryvale will most likely lose their quiet country-like feeling that homeowners, cyclists and runners enjoy and value as increased traffic goes back and forth to Costco or El Dorado Springs or to avoid 93.
There have been a number of very good letters and opinion articles in the Camera as to alternative thinking and why this is not a good idea for Boulder and why there are better options. For example, see Steve Pomerance’s opinion article from August, “CU South flood plan is full of holes.”
To vote to approve going ahead with this plan you would have to believe that CU shares our values; that there is no better plan B; that this massive development will solve the flood issue in south Boulder; that CU can’t find another community to build a major-sized campus; that the quality of life for Boulder, as a result, will not be adversely affected; that pollution and congestion won’t increase significantly; that wildlife and habitat won’t be harmed or diminished. I, for one, don’t believe it. It feels to me like the city of Boulder is getting the short end of the stick.
Darrell Sanchez lives in Boulder. | 2022-11-03T13:08:17Z | www.dailycamera.com | Guest opinion: Darrell Sanchez: With CU South, Boulder is getting the short end of the stick | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/03/guest-opinion-darrell-sanchez-with-cu-south-boulder-is-getting-the-short-end-of-the-stick/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/03/guest-opinion-darrell-sanchez-with-cu-south-boulder-is-getting-the-short-end-of-the-stick/ |
Cerda was initially arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, but prosecutors on Thursday opted for first-degree murder instead, alleging that Cerda “under circumstances evidencing an attitude of universal malice manifesting extreme
created a grave risk of death to persons other than himself, and thereby caused the death” of Taylor Smith, 21. | 2022-11-03T18:05:55Z | www.dailycamera.com | Accused shooter in Boulder County attempted carjacking charged with first-degree murder | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/03/accused-shooter-in-boulder-county-attempted-carjacking-charged-with-first-degree-murder/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/03/accused-shooter-in-boulder-county-attempted-carjacking-charged-with-first-degree-murder/ |
Bittersweet finale for Colorado women’s…
Colorado’s Hannah Sharts (21) connects with the ball over ASU’s Jazmine Wilkerson during the University of Colorado Boulder and Arizona State soccer game on September 23, 2022. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
For Hannah Cardenas, the trials of a painful yet rewarding college soccer career might help shape the professional medical career on the horizon.
For Hannah Sharts, the silver lining of a pandemic-marred collegiate career was that she was able to enjoy a bonus season on a campus she has grown to love.
For those two players and the entirety of the Colorado women’s soccer roster, the 2022 season has not gone as planned. After storming out of the gate, the Buffaloes have stumbled down the stretch, leaving an NCAA Tournament bid out of the equation as they host Utah in the season finale on Friday at Prentup Field.
Still, the Buffs bid farewell to a group of seniors that will leave a mark on the program history book. And, despite recent struggles that have seen the Buffs shut out in four of the past five games, Friday’s finale presents an opportunity to go out on a winning note.
“I think everyone wants a fairy tale ending for their senior season, and we didn’t quite get that, not making the tournament,” said Sharts, who began her career at UCLA but has been a first-team All-Pac-12 selection with CU the past two years. “But the past three years that I was here prior have felt like a fairy tale. I feel so fortunate every day to have picked this as my place for my transfer school. I never knew I could love a transfer school so much. It’s really become a second home to me.”
Cardenas was a key part of a defense that set a team record for goals-against average (0.61) when she was a true freshman in 2017. Yet since then Cardenas — who has dual bachelor’s degrees in integrated physiology and psychology — has endured three torn ACLs before rallying for one final, healthy season this year.
Cardenas and Sharts are two of five seniors set to be honored on Friday who took advantage of the extra season of eligibility granted by the NCAA for the 2020-21 COVID year. That group includes Kayleigh Webb, who has started every game of her five-year career and, thanks to the extra season, has likely put the program record for career starts out of reach (she is set to make start No. 98 against Utah).
The “super senior” quintet also includes Civana Kuhlmann, the Stanford transfer whose 28 points this season is tied for fourth all-time in program history, and goalkeeper Dani Hansen, the Monarch High School graduate who has logged 47 starts in three seasons at CU after transferring from Washington.
Two other four-year seniors, Allie Palangi and Alyssa Duke, will be honored on Friday as well. Fourth-year seniors Jade Babcock-Chi and Amaya Gonzalez are planning to return next year and use their extra seasons.
“Every practice, every game that I got was a blessing in itself,” Cardenas said. “Doctors told me I could last a week, I could last three months. It was a toss-up in the air. Being able to make it to my Senior Day has been amazing. I never would’ve thought this would happen, so I’m very grateful for it.”
It will be a bittersweet finale for the Buffs, whose fast start two months ago spurred talk of a return to the NCAA Tournament and a run at the team’s season record for goals. Neither will happen, as an ongoing five-game winless streak (0-4-1) with four shutout losses has left the Buffs out of the tournament picture.
“I don’t know that we ever really found a consistent rhythm, especially once we got into Pac-12 play,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. “We never found any momentum. Sometimes results give you momentum, but we just never found it.”
Utah Utes at CU Buffs women’s soccer
KICKOFF: Friday, 3 p.m., Prentup Field.
BROADCAST: TV — Pac-12 Mountain.
RECORDS: Utah 6-7-5, 2-5-3 Pac-12 Conference; Colorado 8-7-4, 2-6-2.
KEY PLAYERS: Utah — F Taliana Kaufusi, Jr., (six goals); MF/F Madeline Vergura, Sr. (three goals, three assists); MF Courtney Brown, Sr. (three goals, two assists); GK Evie Vitali, So. (.721 save percentage, 1.39 goals-against average). Colorado — F Civana Kuhlmann, Gr. (11 goals, six assists); F Shyra James, Jr. (11 goals, one assist); F Kayleigh Webb, Gr. (six goals, three assists); GK Bella Grust, So. (.759 save percentage, 1.74 goals-against average).
NOTES: CU is unbeaten in its past three matches against the Utes (2-0-1), and it has been an entertaining series in recent years. Six of the past seven matchups have ended in ties or one-goal decisions…Despite getting shut out in four of the past five games, CU’s early-season goal-scoring flurry has left the Buffs with 40 goals this season, good for fifth in program history. CU needs two goals in the finale to match the 2006 team in fourth-place…Depending on the results from around the league on the final weekend of the regular season, the Buffs can finish anywhere between eighth and 11th in the Pac-12…Utah has not scored a goal during a five-game winless streak (0-2-3). | 2022-11-04T02:01:15Z | www.dailycamera.com | Bittersweet finale for Colorado women’s soccer in Senior Day battle against Utah – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/03/bittersweet-finale-for-colorado-womens-soccer-in-senior-day-battle-against-utah/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/03/bittersweet-finale-for-colorado-womens-soccer-in-senior-day-battle-against-utah/ |
CU football notes: Former Buffs star Christian…
Oregon defensive back Christian Gonzalez (0) covers California safety Miles Williams (13) during a punt in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
For two years, Colorado receiver Daniel Arias battled Christian Gonzalez in practice and they got to know each other well.
On Saturday, they’ll see each other again when the Buffaloes (1-7, 1-4 Pac-12) host No. 8 Oregon (7-1, 5-0) at Folsom Field (1:35 p.m., ESPN).
Last winter, Gonzalez left CU and transferred to Oregon and he has become a star for the Ducks.
“I am looking forward to seeing him,” said Arias, who leads CU with 19 catches. “During practice, we would always just be going at it every single time. I’m excited to see him. Watching film, he plays about the same. I’m really used to the way he plays, so I’m just excited to just play. I’m excited to see him and I’m excited to just do what I do.”
In the fairly new era of the transfer portal, it’s no longer uncommon for players to face their former teams. The Buffs saw former safety Mark Perry in the opener against TCU, and they will see two former teammates (Mekhi Blackmon and Brenden Rice) next week when they visit USC.
Gonzalez is the best of the former Buffs, as he’s projected as a top-20 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. That process began in Boulder, as he won a starting job as a true freshman and became one of CU’s best players last year.
Like Arias, there are a lot of current Buffs who became friends with Gonzalez and they’re looking forward to seeing him.
“He’s a great kid; a good friend of mine from when I got to know him a little bit,” said quarterback JT Shrout, who spent several months in the 2021 offseason throwing against Gonzalez in practice. “Great football player. I think he’s got a high ceiling and I have a lot of respect for him as a competitor and as a person, so I’m looking forward to playing him on Saturday.”
Gonzalez, meanwhile, told Oregon reporters he’s treating this as a business trip and that he won’t have any sentimental feelings in his return to Boulder.
“It’s a normal week,” he said. “Obviously I’m going back to where I came from, but it’s the same thing I’ve done week in and week out. I’m not looking at it any different. Just get in film study, get what we’ve got to get done as a team and I’m just excited to go play another opponent. It’s just football. It’s just going and doing what I do week in and week out.”
Colorado Buffaloes offensive lineman Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan during a football game against Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sept. 17, 2022. (Derek Marckel/University of Colorado Athletics)
Tank’s progression
At the start of the season, Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan was watching CU’s football games from the sidelines. In the past four weeks, however, he’s been playing one of the most important positions on the field.
A third-year sophomore, Christian-Lichtenhan has started the last four games at left tackle.
“At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t in that starting lineup,” he said. “I was hoping to be. I thought I had put work in. I was coming off a labrum surgery, so I understood where I needed to get better and needed to develop.”
He got some reps with the first-team offense in preseason camp, but Frank Fillip, Jake Wiley and even guard Casey Roddick, got all the playing time at tackle in the first four games.
“I was talking to my coach about it and he just kind of told me the few things I needed to develop on,” Christian-Lichtenhan said.
The tallest player in CU history, at 6-foot-10, he got his shot on Oct. 1 at Arizona and hasn’t looked back. CU’s line has come together with him in the lineup, along with Roddick (left guard), Van Wells/Austin Johnson (center), Tommy Brown (right guard) and Wiley (right tackle).
“Every day at practice, we’re like, ‘Here we go, we’re gonna be the best unit out there and set the tone for the day and we’re gonna get this thing started so everyone can follow our steps and get going for practice,’” Christian-Lichtenhan said.
As of Thursday afternoon, CU had sold 39,694 tickets for Saturday’s game. … CU has been outscored 75-13 in the first quarter this year, while Oregon has outscored opponents 47-26 in the opening frame. … Saturday will be CU’s annual Military Appreciation game. | 2022-11-04T02:01:52Z | www.dailycamera.com | CU football notes: Former Buffs star Christian Gonzalez making return to Boulder – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/03/cu-football-notes-former-buffs-star-christian-gonzalez-making-return-to-boulder/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/03/cu-football-notes-former-buffs-star-christian-gonzalez-making-return-to-boulder/ |
Boulder City Council waives participation in…
Boulder City Council waives participation in Colorado’s new FAMLI program
With some hesitation, the Boulder City Council on Thursday agreed to opt out of Colorado’s new Family and Medical Leave Insurance program after directing city staff to begin exploring ways Boulder can better support seasonal and temporary employees.
“For our temporary and non-full-time employees, there is a gap, and they benefit more from this (FAMLI) program,” said Mayor Aaron Brockett. “To Nicole (Speer’s) point, (we should take) some time and (look) at where those gaps are and how we can potentially plug those gaps (and then come) back next year and (look) at this again hard.”
Seven City Council members voted to opt out of the program completely while Councilmember Junie Joseph cast the lone dissenting vote.
Councilmember Matt Benjamin was not present for Thursday’s meeting.
“I don’t think it (was) presented to me in a way that would convince me that we should not participate in this program that could benefit a lot of Boulder employees, especially knowing that some people can only be seasonal workers, so they should not not have the opportunity (to participate) in these benefits,” Joseph said.
The state-run FAMLI program, approved by Colorado voters in 2020, allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of job protected paid leave, which ranges from 37% to 90% of wages and is capped at $1,100 a week. Paid leave for pregnancy or childbirth complications is available up to 16 weeks.
During the meeting, David Bell, Boulder chief human resources officer, presented three options to the council. The first was to opt out of the program completely, which was the staff-recommended choice. In the second option, which would have been possible only if the city completely opted out of the program, an employee still could participate in the program; however, the city would not contribute financially but would assist individual employees with navigating the system. The third option was to fully participate in the program, which requires a 50-50 match.
Bell said city staff recommend the first option because it still allows the city to help individual employees wanting to join without requiring the city to match the employee contributions, and allows the city to save the $1.37 million that it would otherwise need to pull from other currently funded programs.
If the city had chosen to participate, the cost of the program would have been split between the city and its employees, according to the Boulder staff report. The city budgets $152 million for payroll, so that contribution would have resulted in a city premium of $1.37 million annually, an expense not included in the city’s already approved budget. An employee who chooses to participate in the program as an individual, if that employee makes $50,000 per year, would expect to pay $225 annually into the program.
Bell added that many city employees are already covered with benefits that would overlap the FAMLI program if it opted in, but after conducting town hall discussions with employees, the city heard requests to improve benefits for temporary and seasonal staff.
Two recent emails Boulder employees sent to the council ahead of Thursday’s meeting spoke to that sentiment. In the emails, employees urged the council to move forward with the FAMLI program, which they said would support temporary and seasonal employees who do not have access to the same paid leave policies as standard part-time and full-time employees.
Additionally, Boulder resident Lynn Segal; and Vanessa Quintana and Sonia Sarabia, who both work for nonprofit organization 9to5 Colorado, spoke in-favor of the program during a public hearing Thursday night.
“I don’t think we should be saving money on our employees and the seasonal employees or employees that are short-term,” Segal said. “They deserve all the more benefits because it’s hard to get people, and splitting up jobs into little jobs instead of a regular full-time (job) is not a reason that you should receive any less family leave or other benefits.”
Bell said seasonal or temporary employees receive one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours of work, which equates to 2.67 hours of sick leave every two weeks. Employees who work more than 30 hours a week are also eligible for medical benefits. He added that Boulder has about 450 seasonal employees. Of those, many work under 30 hours a week and are not eligible for benefits, according to the city’s website.
Although the council opted out of the program, which would have started in January, it can decide to enroll a year from now, Bell said. In the meantime, board members directed staff to look into other programs and to bring back suggestions for how Boulder can better support seasonal and temporary employees to the council in May.
“To me, these are exactly the employees that we really want to be encouraging and enabling to participate in this program,” said Councilmember Nicole Speer. “I would really love (in) four or five months from now to have a discussion well before we get to our budget discussions and understand what can we do and how can we improve this.” | 2022-11-04T05:20:34Z | www.dailycamera.com | Boulder City Council waives participation in Colorado’s new FAMLI program | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/03/boulder-city-council-waives-participation-in-colorados-new-famli-program/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/03/boulder-city-council-waives-participation-in-colorados-new-famli-program/ |
Watershed School buys building for permanent…
From left: Eighth graders Eamon Ferguson and Ada Guiotto rehearse for presentations in a classroom set up in the gymnasium at Watershed School in Boulder on Thursday. Watershed purchased a new building at 5400 Spine Road in Gunbarrel for the first phase of a new campus and future permanent home. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)
Boulder’s Watershed School recently bought a building in Gunbarrel, moving closer to its goal of a permanent campus.
The small private school, which serves middle and high school students, started in 2004 with a rented building on Canyon at the western edge of Boulder. As the school outgrew the space, it moved to its current location, renting its space on 1661 Alpine Ave. from Mt. Zion Lutheran Church.
Seventh grader Isaac Tippett, left, speaks during a rehearsal for a presentation at Watershed School in Boulder on Thursday. Watershed purchased a new building at 5400 Spine Road in Gunbarrel for the first phase of a new campus and future permanent home. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)
Head of School Tim Breen said the school is again outgrowing its space, with 110 students and a waiting list. During the next seven years, the plan is to grow to between 130 and 150 students.
Plus, he said, owning a building will give the school both independence and security.
“Owning our own space allows us to really control our future and put down roots,” he said. “That matters a lot to us because one of our main goals as a school is to challenge our students to contribute to the community.”
After a six-year property search and fundraising campaign, the school recently purchased a 16,726-square-foot building at 5400 Spine Road in Gunbarrel for close to $5.4 million.
Breen said the building purchase is only the first phase of moving to a new campus. The school now is raising money for renovations and looking at potentially purchasing another nearby property. School leaders also plan to work with architects, students, staff members and families on a design that will turn the new industrial space into a school.
“It’s a big open space,” he said. “There’s a lot of flexibility in how we design it.”
Watershed is looking at moving into the new building in the fall of 2024. During that time, Breen said, the school may hold a class or two in the building, offer tours and work with Gunbarrel neighbors to develop partnerships.
Chris Carithers, Watershed’s academics director, said partnerships with the community is a key component of Watershed’s program.
“Many of our courses are driven by real challenges in the world,” he said. “Students are pursuing real questions that matter. It’s not just work that’s for school. It’s very experiential. Students learn firsthand from experiences and experts.”
Along with allowing students to deepen their learning, he said, community partnerships are part of the school’s mission.
“We’re trying to make it so our school is contributing to the common good in the community,” he said. “We’re really looking at a vision where we are making tangible contributions. What’s exciting is really thinking about how schools can play a different role in our communities.” | 2022-11-04T06:50:30Z | www.dailycamera.com | Watershed School buys building for permanent campus – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/watershed-school-buys-building-for-permanent-campus/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/02/watershed-school-buys-building-for-permanent-campus/ |
Editorial: As Election Day approaches, GOP…
In New York, Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin ran a campaign ad against his opponent with a voice-over that said, “You are looking at actual violent crime caught on camera in Kathy Hochul’s New York.” But half of the clips in the video were filmed before Hochul became governor, and one clip is from an incident in California.
During a gubernatorial debate in Oklahoma last month, Democratic candidate Joy Hofmeister pointed out that violent crime rates were higher in the Sooner State than in New York and California. Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt said, “That’s not true,” and laughed. When the Fox News affiliate in Oklahoma fact-checked Hofmeister’s claim, it found that she was correct: Oklahoma’s murder rate was almost 50% higher than California’s, and almost double New York’s.
Republicans may be good at producing attack ads, but are little help when it comes to keeping America safe. | 2022-11-04T12:37:37Z | www.dailycamera.com | Editorial: As Election Day approaches, GOP candidates stoke voter fears by turning to their old playbook on crime | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/editorial-as-election-day-approaches-gop-candidates-stoke-voter-fears-by-turning-to-their-old-playbook-on-crime/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/editorial-as-election-day-approaches-gop-candidates-stoke-voter-fears-by-turning-to-their-old-playbook-on-crime/ |
Guest opinion: Ben Binder: Send a message to…
By Ben Binder
To avoid floods, universities, which plan to be around for centuries, wisely build on hills. But in 1996, CU imprudently purchased a flood-prone depleted gravel pit located at the foot of a major Front Range drainage basin for a new campus. The gravel pit is now called CU South.
When CU purchased the property, because of flooding, wetlands, high groundwater, threatened and endangered species, poor access and other reasons, 220 acres of the 308-acre site were designated for Open Space in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. The remaining 88 acres were designated for low and medium-density residential development comprised of 800 dwellings. That’s it. No 750,000 square feet of academic and office buildings and no potential 3,000-seat stadium.
And when CU purchased the property, the Reclamation Plan for the gravel pit included large lakes, which would reduce downstream flooding. The plan did not include a 6,000-foot levee to divert floodwaters around the gravel pit.
Using its political muscle, CU accomplished what no private land speculator could ever imagine in his or her wildest dreams. Against objections from both the City of Boulder and Boulder County, the land’s owner at the time, Western Mobile, with the help of CU, persuaded the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board to revise the reclamation plan to provide for maximum future development. The new plan eliminated 90% of the lakes and added a levee to divert floodwaters around the sunken pit onto neighboring properties.
CU then used its sovereign status, which would make it difficult for Boulder to condemn land needed for flood protection, to strong-arm the city into approving an annexation agreement with 1,200 dwellings, 750,000 square feet of non-residential buildings, a potential 3,000-seat stadium and other uses which could create a traffic nightmare on already congested Table Mesa Drive, South Broadway and U.S. 36.
The Marshall Fire taught us that it is far better to prevent disasters than deal with the aftermath. In 2018, after hearing testimony from a former mayor of Fort Collins about the 1997 flood which exceeded the city’s 100-year flood protection and caused five deaths, 54 injuries and $200 million in damages, the Boulder City Council added a safety factor and approved plans for 500-year flood protection. Engineering documents for the 500-year plan specifically stated it would meet Colorado Department of Transportation requirements at the U.S. 36 Bridge.
But CU demanded the 500-year plan be dropped because it tied up more of the gravel pit — a move that I feel placed more importance on maximizing the development of CU South than on protecting the lives and safety of Boulder citizens. The city caved to CU’s demand and reduced protection for Boulder residents to 100-year floods under the pretext that the 500-year plan would not meet CDOT requirements. City engineers have been asked multiple times, including a formal Open Records Act request, but have not provided any documents indicating CDOT requirements could not be met.
While the city’s plan only provides 100-year flood protection for Boulder residents, we will pay $4 million to move 150,000 cubic yards of earthfill to raise buildings on CU South above the level of a 500-year flood. Adding earthfill to an area that would be inundated could significantly reduce the volume of the floodwater detention pond and reduce flood protection.
The city’s flood protection plan only requires 36 acres of CU land, valued at $1.35 million. Simply put, the primary reason for the annexation is to allow Boulder to acquire land with the value of one single-family home. Furthermore, the 119 acres designated for open space are located in the floodplain of South Boulder Creek and could never be developed.
According to CU’s “Program Plan for the Disposition of Real Property Interests,” designed to sell the deal to the regents, the city will waive $10,684,900 in Capital Facility Impact fees, paid by developers to compensate for impacts from development.
We need to send a clear message to the city and CU that we want an annexation agreement that will not create a traffic nightmare and will provide a more robust flood protection plan. A plan that will not require the time needed to move 10,000 truckloads of dirt to refill CU’s gravel pit.
Please vote “yes” on Measure 2F to repeal the CU South annexation agreement.
Ben Binder is a long-time Boulder resident. | 2022-11-04T12:37:43Z | www.dailycamera.com | Guest opinion: Ben Binder: Send a message to CU, city about annexation agreement | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/guest-opinion-ben-binder-send-a-message-to-cu-city-about-annexation-agreement/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/guest-opinion-ben-binder-send-a-message-to-cu-city-about-annexation-agreement/ |
Guest opinion: Jonathan Singer: Let’s start…
By Jonathan Singer
You’ve heard from my boss, John Tayer, on these pages about where the Boulder Chamber stands on two of the highest profile issues facing our community in the 2022 election, namely the proposed library district and the effort to repeal the CU South annexation. In a word, the Boulder Chamber says, vote “no!” And that is the foundation for some pitched campaign battles for what we believe are principled stands in support of our economy and community.
Maybe it’s because I’m the new guy on our Policy Programs team, but the much more pleasant task falls to me to explain where the Boulder Chamber urges your “yes” vote on the 2022 election ballot.
When I first began my work at the Boulder Chamber four months ago, I penned an article stating, “Let’s start where we agree and see how far we get.” I think we all agree that Boulder is one of the most beautiful, innovative and thoughtful cities in the world. We also recognize that, while our economy remains strong, there are clear needs we need to address, from housing affordability and transportation mobility to public safety and economic opportunity. As to how we address these issues … well, the Boulder Chamber thinks these 2022 ballot measures point us in the right direction:
‘Yes’ on Boulder County Ballot Issues 1A, 1B and 1C.
Ballot Issues 1A and 1B are focused on wildfire mitigation and emergency response, issues that inspire an obvious degree of sensitivity this year and hit close to home. The Marshall Fire is sadly only the most recent example of the personal and economic devastation that continues to endanger our community. The modest tax increase of 0.1% (a penny on a ten-dollar purchase) will help prevent these dangerous events from happening and provide additional security for our visiting tourists, who enjoy our stunning foothills and streams, and sometimes get in a little over their heads.
Ballot Issue 1C is the continuation of a successful 0.1% transportation tax that has built additional bike paths and trails, paid for road safety improvements, and made transportation more accessible and affordable for our elders and people with disabilities. The opportunity to provide our workforce with sustainable and convenient mobility options was one of the major reasons the Boulder Chamber chose to support this measure. Frankly, our only qualm was that the county wasn’t seeking a more ambitious tax to address this great need and the opportunity to secure state and federal matching funds. But as I said before, let’s start where we agree.
‘Yes’ on the Boulder Valley School District Bond – Ballot Issue 5A
With one of the highest graduation and post-secondary success rates and a rock-solid AA+ Moody’s rating, BVSD is recognized statewide and nationwide as an education leader. But the needs of the School District and the economy are changing. To create a skills-based workforce ready for the 21st-century economy, we need the infrastructure to inspire, motivate, and support our students. This new 3.5 mill bond will allow the School District to create a Grad+ program that gives all students the opportunity to engage in work-based learning, receive industry certifications and achieve college credit. The Boulder Chamber believes this is an investment in our future workforce that will pay long-term dividends to our economy and community.
‘Yes’ to Affordable Housing Investment – Proposition 123
In Boulder, home ownership is beyond the means of more than 60% of our residents. If our businesses want to continue to attract a diverse, competitive workforce, we need innovative solutions that create more housing they can afford. By authorizing the state to commit 0.1% of all income tax (equivalent to an annual total of $300 million) to an affordable housing fund, Proposition 123 will provide local governments and nonprofits the opportunity to build 10,000 affordable homes per year, without raising taxes. As evidence that housing is an issue with broad social and economic impacts, we’re pleased to join a broad-based coalition in favor of Proposition 123 that includes civil rights organizations, developers, labor unions, health industry leaders and bankers.
With so many issues on the ballot this election, we know it will be difficult to decide where you stand. It certainly was a difficult task for the Boulder Chamber’s policy leadership and Board of Directors. With an eye on investments that we think effectively address top priority concerns for our economy and community, though, we hope you will join us in voting “yes” on the above measures.
Jonathan Singer is the senior director of policy programs for the Boulder Chamber. | 2022-11-04T12:37:55Z | www.dailycamera.com | Guest opinion: Jonathan Singer: Let’s start where we agree and see how far we get | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/guest-opinion-jonathan-singer-lets-start-where-we-agree-and-see-how-far-we-get/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/guest-opinion-jonathan-singer-lets-start-where-we-agree-and-see-how-far-we-get/ |
Opinion: Steve Pomerance: Reducing controversy…
I spend a lot of my time hiking and scrambling in the mountains. I find it immensely rewarding to focus on where I put my feet and hands, and look at the scenery, landscape and geology, which is more-or-less like it was before humans over-occupied the planet. And I think that the risks, however slight, add to the experience of being just a small piece of nature.
Coming back down to our current political reality in Boulder is always a shock. But being in the mountains gives me some perspective — at least I hope it does. My observation is that although big decisions may engender strong feelings, they do not have to be so highly polarizing as they are now. Fundamentally, having the full set of real facts and proper analysis kept in the public view has always reduced controversy, narrowed the set of realistic options and made it more difficult to take extreme positions. I offer the CU South controversy as case in point.
In my opinion, the problem started with the lack of consistent awareness of the work that was being done. In 2014, the city did an analysis of the sources of the 2013 flood damage throughout Boulder. This work revealed that much of the damage in South Boulder was not from the creeks overflowing, but from local flooding, groundwater infiltration, sewer backups, etc. South Boulder Creek was not the only source of flooding; other creeks and ditches contributed significantly. And the lack of storm sewers in many of the streets was never discussed until recently.
This study in effect disappeared. No one in the public (at least that I know of) was aware of this work until I asked a couple of years ago if anything like this existed, and a city staffer supplied the fully detailed study to me. If that had not happened, I suspect it would still be buried. It completely changed many people’s thinking about continuing to focus solely on South Boulder Creek, to the exclusion of all the rest.
The second piece of work that never had much effect was the 2015 study looking at floodproofing of buildings. This is an alternative to detention ponds, whose flaws are well known. If they fill up and overflow, flooding will occur, just for a shorter duration. And with the increasing prevalence of 1,000-year storms (five in the U.S. in one month this summer), such flooding is a virtual certainty with the proposed undersized 100-year pond.
This work was never completed. I have no idea why. With a few weeks of work doing a building-by-building survey to gain the basic data necessary (e.g. by using the Boulder County Property Search data), the cost of doing this could have been calculated to a close approximation and thereby illuminated this as an alternative that would have protected buildings from both stream flooding and groundwater impacts for almost certainly significantly less money.
A third issue is the continued assertion that a 500-year pond is “unfeasible.” But the facts put forward don’t support this. The city’s own 2020 study showed that the only issues, aside from the extra money needed to address CU’s desire to have 129 acres of developable land with 500-year protection, were possible increases in flow under the U.S. 36 bridge and flood heights just downstream. But my own communications with CDOT show they never said “no” categorically and that the bridge decision has been passed to the Federal Highway Administration. And since there are no permanent “insurable” structures between U.S. 36 and South Boulder Road, the second issue evaporates. But the “unfeasible” issue continues to have traction.
A fourth issue is CU’s demands. Little attention has been given to the source of CU’s 129-acre number, which has no essential relationship to the current site. As to the demand for 750,000 square feet of non-residential development, remember that when the negotiations first became public in the summer of 2021, CU only wanted 500,000 square feet. And the residential, set at two times the non-residential square footage, is, in my opinion, totally inadequate for the on-site student and staff numbers. But again, all these have disappeared from public view.
A similar analysis could be done regarding the failures to do the work on a Planning Reserve land swap, etc. Neglecting such obvious issues severely damages the trust between the council and the citizens, and puts city staff in a bind. It remains to be seen if the council will do the needed repairs. If the referendum passes, this all will become even more timely.
Editor’s note: Steve Pomerance has worked on the campaign efforts to repeal the CU South annexation.
Steve Pomerance is a former Boulder city council member. stevepomerance@yahoo.com. | 2022-11-04T12:38:08Z | www.dailycamera.com | Opinion: Steve Pomerance: Reducing controversy rather than fomenting it | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/opinion-steve-pomerance-reducing-controversy-rather-than-fomenting-it/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/opinion-steve-pomerance-reducing-controversy-rather-than-fomenting-it/ |
A look at Al Foster’s koi pond before winterization. (Ed Engle, Courtesy Photo).
By Ed Engle |
Every year toward the middle of October, I get a call from my friend Al Foster. That’s when he asks three or four of us to help him “winterize” his koi pond. Koi are the colorful ornamental carp that are seen in ponds throughout the world. They are descendants of common carp and along with goldfish are the most popular freshwater ornamental fish in the world.
The oldest mention of colored carp in Japan dates to 720 A.D. The name “koi” came into usage 200 years ago when Japanese farmers in Niigata prefecture bred koi from the black carp they were raising as a reliable food source for the winter. Some of those fish were more brightly colored. The farmers started selectively breeding them to enhance that trait. Initially, they kept the colored carp for their own enjoyment. Those carp came to be known as “nishikigoi.” As the popularity of the colored carp spread throughout the world nishikigoi, which means “brocaded carp,” was shortened to “koi.”
Koi are colorful descendants of the common carp. (Ed Engle, Courtesy Photo).
Koi were unknown to the outside world until 1914 when they were part of an exhibit at an annual Exposition in Tokyo. They eventually made their way to the United States in the 1950s when it became feasible to fly them here from Japan. Nowadays, koi are available in many varieties of color patterns. The average life span of a koi is 40 years. The oldest is believed to have lived 230 years. The most expensive koi was purportedly sold to a Chinese collector for $2 million.
I can’t remember when Al first invited me to help with his koi pond, but it has become one of the fall events I look forward to every year. Those autumn events include big game hunting, the Blue-winged olive hatch and fishing to brook trout and brown trout that are brightly colored when they spawn in the fall.
I think part of the reason Al included me is that he knew I was a fly fisherman and occasionally fished for carp. He also knows I just like being around fish. I can’t say I haven’t wondered what it would be like to catch a koi on a fly, either.
A few years ago, he needed to drain the pond to make repairs. The koi had to be removed to holding tanks. Al asked me to net the fish and move them to the tanks because I was a fisherman. It seemed natural to him that I would be suited for this job. Hefting a 20- or 30-pound fish in a net and walking it over to a holding pond has its challenges, too. For the record, I should say that’s the closest I’ve ever come to fishing for koi.
The assembled winter structure over Al Foster’s koi pond. (Ed Engle, Courtesy Photo).
We winterize the koi pond by assembling a structure Al and a friend designed and built a number of years ago. It looks like a greenhouse. The structure keeps the leaves off the water, discourages bears looking for a pre-hibernation protein boost, keeps other fish-loving predators out of the pond and insulates it from freezing over. It takes two or three hours to put the structure together if everything goes according to plan. Al rewards us with a barbecue when we’re done.
You must be wondering by now what does winterizing a koi pond have to do with a newspaper column devoted to the outdoors. All I can say is it’s not too much of a stretch to go from angling for common carp with a fly rod, to appreciating colored carp that have been refined by breeders all over the world for hundreds of years.
In Japan, koi are a symbol of luck, prosperity and good fortune. They also symbolize perseverance in the face of adversity. Maybe helping Al’s koi survive another winter will bring me luck and good fortune on my fishing trips in the coming year. I hope that’s true, but if it isn’t I still just like hanging out around fish. It doesn’t matter if I’m watching a trout rise to a mayfly hatch, catching a common carp on a fly rod or helping shelter koi for the winter, it’s all good.
I once heard that in ancient China people would go out to the river, set up chairs and just watch the caddisfly hatch. I don’t know if fish were rising to the caddisflies or not, but I bet they were and if they were I bet some of those people were wondering if they could catch them.
Whether you’re fishing to a tailing common carp or a rising trout or watching koi swim around in a pond, you ultimately come to believe that a well-lived life includes being outdoors and in my case around fish. That’s why I’m a fisherman. When I’m old and too beat up to wade the rivers and catch trout, I envision a day when I carry a chair to the river and simply watch the trout rise to a hatch of insects or sit quietly around a koi pond just observing the colorful fish.
If that’s a little too romantic a view of a fisherman’s life, maybe it’s just a good thing to get together with friends and help out. Besides, nobody puts together a better barbecue than Al.
Visit EdEngleFlyFishing.com to see Ed Engle’s blog, “The Lone Angler Journal.”
Ed Engle
Chris Weidner: Remembering Glen Denny, Yosemite big-wall pioneer and photographer | 2022-11-04T16:23:55Z | www.dailycamera.com | Koi and a fly fisher’s life – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/koi-and-a-fly-fishers-life/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/koi-and-a-fly-fishers-life/ |
Man sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for…
Angel Castro-Velasquez (Boulder County Sheriff’s Office)
A man convicted of breaking into a Boulder home and attempting to rape a woman was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison.
Castro-Velasquez is facing up to life in prison because two of the counts fall under Colorado’s indeterminate sentencing law, which requires an inmate complete treatment and apply for parole before being released from prison.
“This is what nightmares are made of,” Deputy District Attorney M. Breck Roesch said.
Langer said “nightmare” is also the word that came to his mind when looking at the facts of the case.
“I have to think about impact this had on the victim,” Langer said. “This is also exactly the kind of thing that has an extreme impact on the community.”
“What you did to me has had lasting ramifications on my physical, emotional and mental health and well being,” the statement read. “I will never forget the terror I felt when you attacked me.”
Castro-Velasquez’s defense attorneys stated during trial that he was intoxicated and broke into a random residence, but Langer said he believed the woman was targeted.
“I believe that Mr. Castro was targeting this victim,” Langer said. “I cannot believe that this was just a random act.”
But Langer said he echoed the victim’s question of, “Why?” Langer noted Castro-Velasquez had no significant criminal history and a supportive home.
“I remember even during the trial, that was something that I looked at,” Langer said. “I just remember through the trial thinking, ‘Why in the world did he do this?'”
While Langer acknowledged that was Castro-Velasquez’s right, it did leave him without those facts to consider during sentencing.
“I don’t have any express of remorse or any explanation,” Langer said.
Castro-Velasquez’s defense attorney Todd Narum said Castro-Velasquez has a substance abuse issue with alcohol.
“I cert want to acknowledge that and acknowledge there is no excuse for that kind of behavior,” Narum said. “It’s not an excuse, its an explanation.”
“He crawled through her window, he assaulted her, when she resisted he strangled her,” Langer said. “Alcohol does not explain that. I don’t know what does, but its not just alcohol.”
“I believe that with Mr. Castro’s background, his family, his support, that he can be a contributing member of society,” Narum said.
“I hope Mr. Castro gets whatever help he needs,” Langer said. | 2022-11-04T22:42:02Z | www.dailycamera.com | Man sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for home invasion, assault – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/man-sentenced-to-18-years-to-life-in-prison-for-home-invasion-assault/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/man-sentenced-to-18-years-to-life-in-prison-for-home-invasion-assault/ |
Planned Boulder Canyon tunnel night closures…
Roadwork in the Boulder Canyon tunnel on Colo.119 that was planned for next week has been postponed until the spring due to weather conditions.
According to a CDOT news release, the Boulder Canyon tunnel was scheduled to be closed for repairs from Sunday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The five-day closure would have enabled repairs to the tunnel’s portals and liner as well as rock scaling and debris removal in the area.
The project will be rescheduled when the weather is more conducive to night work. More information on the project can be found at codot.gov/projects/co119bouldercanyontunnel. | 2022-11-05T01:17:43Z | www.dailycamera.com | Planned Boulder Canyon tunnel night closures postponed until spring | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/planned-boulder-canyon-tunnel-night-closures-postponed-until-spring/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/planned-boulder-canyon-tunnel-night-closures-postponed-until-spring/ |
Disappointing season ends for CU Buffs soccer…
Prentup Field might not be the same without Kayleigh Webb.
The Colorado women’s soccer team ended a strange and disappointing season on Friday with a Senior Day celebration capped by a 2-2 draw against Utah. The Buffaloes recognized seven departing seniors in a pregame ceremony but none of those players — and no other player in program history — took the field for CU more frequently than Webb.
Webb returned this year to take advantage of the extra season of eligibility granted by the NCAA for the 2020-21 pandemic season, and with Friday’s finale Webb completed the remarkable feat of starting every game for the Buffs for five full seasons.
Webb started all 98 games of her career, breaking the CU records for appearances by a field player (formerly 92 by Nikki Keller) and starts by a field player (formerly 91 by Laura Munnelly). Webb also achieved that feat by filling a number of roles for the Buffs, playing defense and in the midfield earlier in her career before moving to forward this season. She responded by posting career-highs of six goals and three assists.
“I’m so proud, but it’s not for me. It’s the whole team. They’re the ones that have pushed me to be able to play every single game, to start every single game, my five full years,” Webb said. “The coaches, the training staff, strength and conditioning, my team, they’re the ones that push me to get out on the field. It really goes out to everyone. It’s not just one player.
“I’m so thankful I could play every position, and I think that’s what I’m going to take from this experience. Not everyone gets to play center back, holding mid, outside mid, attacking, forward, center. It’s not one moment I’m proud of. It’s all of the little moments that mean more.”
Two teams that entered the finale struggling offensively — Utah had not scored a goal in five straight games, and CU had been shut out in four of the previous five — combined for three first-half goals.
Utah struck first on a goal by Katie O’Kane in the 20th minute, but the Buffs answered just 87 seconds later when Civana Kuhlmann flicked home a header off a corner kick from Jenny Beyer. CU (8-7-5, 2-6-3 Pac-12) held a 2-1 lead at halftime after a goal by freshman Emerson Layne in the 42nd minute, but for the second time in three games the Buffs allowed a saved penalty kick to turn into a rebound goal, with Utah’s Haley Farrar scoring the equalizer in the 67th minute.
“I thought all seven (outgoing seniors) really, really performed and did well and gave us a chance to win,” said CU head coach Danny Sanchez, whose club ended the year on a six-game winless streak (0-4-2). “It was just a little unfortunate on the penalty rebound. But maybe it kind of sums up our season a little bit.”
CU’s five draws this year were the most in program history…All seven of the outgoing seniors started, including Allie Palangi and Alyssa Duke, both of whom started for the first time this season…Kuhlmann’s goal was her 12th of the year, tying Taylor Kornieck (2019), Jorian Baucom (2018), and Katie Griffin (2005) for the second-most in team history. Kuhlmann finished with 30 points, which also tied Kornieck and Baucom for the second-most in program history…Despite the late-season scoring slump, the Buffs’ 42 goals this season matched the 2006 team for the fourth-most in program history.
Utah 2, Colorado 2
Utah 1 1 — 2
Colorado 2 0 — 2
Goals — Utah: O’Kane (Blaylock, Brown), 20th minute; Farrar (unassisted), 67th minute. Colorado: Kuhlmann (Beyer), 21st minute; Layne (Allen, Miranda), 42nd minute.
Goalies (Min.-goals allowed-saves) — Utah: Vitali (90-2-4). Colorado: Hansen (90-2-8). | 2022-11-05T03:46:31Z | www.dailycamera.com | Disappointing season ends for CU Buffs soccer with Senior Day draw against Utah – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/disappointing-season-ends-for-cu-buffs-soccer-with-senior-day-draw-against-utah/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/disappointing-season-ends-for-cu-buffs-soccer-with-senior-day-draw-against-utah/ |
Portion of Colo. 93 closed due to unsafe road…
A section of Colo. 93 between Colo. 128 and Eldorado Springs Drive that was closed in both directions due to unsafe road conditions has reopened.
According to Master Trooper Gary Cutler of the Colorado State Patrol, a vehicle had been parked on the shoulder at 6:50 p.m. Friday, and several cars slid into it. Two of those cars slid off the road, and all of the vehicles were stuck and unable to be moved, Cutler said.
The road was closed about 7:30 p.m. No injuries were reported. A CDOT crew responded to the area and sanded the road before it was reopened around 9:30 p.m. | 2022-11-05T03:46:43Z | www.dailycamera.com | Portion of Colo. 93 closed due to unsafe road conditions | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/portion-of-colo-93-closed-due-to-unsafe-road-conditions/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/04/portion-of-colo-93-closed-due-to-unsafe-road-conditions/ |
Community Editorial Board: Hate crimes and…
Members of our Community Editorial Board, a group of community residents who are engaged with and passionate about local issues, respond to the following question: A recent survey found the rate of hate crimes to be shockingly high in Colorado. With political violence also on the rise around the county, hate and its expression seem to be growing ever more common. Your take?
Hate pays. One political party has found that it attracts fervent supporters and pulls in votes. Media companies have discovered that it increases their revenues because hate attracts viewers and advertisers are reaching huge audiences to sell their products. Far-right celebrities have realized that it increases their fame and wealth as they sell vitamin supplements in-between spewing conspiracy theories.
Many are benefitting from the hate. It is truly like a fever — a mob mentality that somehow makes the abnormal seem normal. It makes people feel special and it seems to give some people a sense of community — like church used to do. Or neighborhoods. Or civic organizations like the Lions Club and the Elks Club. Those groups have fallen by the wayside in recent years and people seem to be adrift.
Hateful rhetoric towards a specific identifiable group such as Black people or LGBTQ people, gives people something or someone to focus their anger on. Another group. If you create a “them” it strengthens the community of “us.”
On television news, there was a report of a group of Trump rally attendees who went to as many Trump rallies as they could, Dead Head style — not necessarily because of what Trump said, but because they had so much fun being there with all the people that they had gotten to know as they hung out together before during and after the rallies. They tailgated as if they were at a football game. They had become friends. They were part of a community.
Crime can often occur when hate speech reaches a kind of crescendo, and those listening — especially those who lack impulse control — need an outlet to express their overwhelming emotions. It is frightening to many of us because it is so far outside the norm of reasonable behavior.
In this social media age, we need a new standard for acceptable speech. The First Amendment right to free speech is necessary but there must be more limits than yelling “Fire” in a crowded theater. Hate speech is getting people killed or seriously injured. Our somewhat subdued response to the attack on Paul Pelosi demonstrates that we are becoming more immune to this relentless drumbeat of hate, but when we look back and let it sink in that a man just tried to kill the third highest public official in our country, we know that our nation cannot endure much more of it.
In the above-referenced survey, titled “Hate Crimes Survey Report,” 28% of those surveyed answered “yes” to the following question: “Have you experienced a hate crime or bias-motivated incident (e.g., verbal harassment, property damage, or physical injury) in Colorado in the last 5 years.” Many headlines oversimplified this survey result as indicative of the amount of reported and unreported “hate crimes.” However, “bias-motivated incidents” and “verbal harassment” are much broader than “hate crimes.”
The First Amendment protects most speech outside of the workplace, even if the words are hurtful. Reprehensible statements that inflict emotional pain generally aren’t criminal acts unless there is accompanying bodily injury, damage or destruction to property, or perceived threat of such injury or damage or destruction. Put differently, biased statements can make something that is already a crime (like assault) a hate crime, but biased and hurtful statements usually are not criminal on their own.
Although oversimplified by the press, the Hate Crimes Survey Report does contain useful information. For example, 4% of those surveyed (14% of the 28% who responded affirmatively) suffered physical injury and 6% (23% of the 28%) suffered property damage as a result of a hateful act sometime during the past 5 years. No amount of hate crime is acceptable, but the same survey should be conducted over multiple years to determine whether those numbers are rising.
If threats against public officials are any indication, we are on a disturbing trend of crimes driven by hate, and it’s not just the recent incidents involving Speaker Pelosi and Justice Kavanaugh. It has been widely reported that while the Capitol Police (the agency involved in protecting members of Congress) opened 3,939 cases in 2017 involving “concerning statements and threats,” the number of cases has rocketed to 9,625 in 2021. Presumably, this increase in hate-motivated incidents concerning political beliefs also extends to differences in race, heritage, religion and sexual preferences.
Differences between individuals are OK, violence is not. There have always been outliers who don’t understand the need for this line in civilized society, but the current trend suggests we are going in the wrong direction. We need political leadership rather than politicians who simply stoke the flames. We need journalism that is focused on facts, not on sensationalism that feeds our anger and paranoia. And we need humans across the spectrum to communicate about their commonalities first. Only then, can we develop a dialogue to set us in the right direction.
The whole concept of a “hate crime” is flawed. It’s an Orwellian, thought-police policy. We don’t need extra qualifiers like this on crimes. Isn’t committing a crime enough? Yes, it is.
In the survey results, only 18% of these “crimes” were reported to the police. That sets off my spidey sense. It makes me wonder if some consider it actual violence to not use a person’s desired pronouns. Such thoughts make a mockery of actual violence, not to mention the English language. It makes me think that winter might have come early this year, burying us in snowflakes. But before I conclude that I need to look deeper, as well.
The actual survey asked people if they experienced “hate crimes or bias-motivated incidents.” That’s like asking if you have experienced a hate crime or have taken a breath recently. I’m shocked it was only three out of ten. Nothing and no one in the world is free of bias, including me, of course, but let’s hope that nonsense statistics don’t drive policy.
Hate and violence are serious issues. Let’s not dilute their seriousness with snowflake nonsense. Let’s not amplify the problem out of proportion with context-free statistics. We don’t get a more civilized society, we don’t get a less violent society, and we don’t lower the political temperature by calling non-crimes crimes.
Hate Free Colorado commissioned the survey and their only recommended action to specifically combat hate crimes is to help police identify crimes as hate crimes. Every other recommendation is identical to fighting crime in general. What else can you do? Any further step is toward Orwell’s dystopic 1984.
Can we claim a microaggression when woke greenies spew ignorance on fossil fuels? Is it a hate crime to proselytize anti-capitalism rhetoric? Is it a hate crime to accost Justice Thomas because he’s black, but not a hate crime, and therefore not as bad, to threaten him based on his judicial rulings? Aren’t they both equally as bad?
Statistically, certain groups, be they racial, religious or gender-based, tend to have predictable political orientations. If individuals of these groups were targeted based on this political assumption, then it wouldn’t be a hate crime, according to our state laws. Isn’t this just as heinous?
The incessant need to divide us into warring groups has driven up the temperature of our political discourse. We’re not all going to think the same. Ever. Generally, that’s a good thing, but even when it’s not, the only course we can take is to ensure we behave civilly. And if we don’t, there are consequences. | 2022-11-05T14:24:51Z | www.dailycamera.com | Community Editorial Board: Hate crimes and political violence | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/05/community-editorial-board-hate-crimes-and-political-violence/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/05/community-editorial-board-hate-crimes-and-political-violence/ |
Guest opinion: Deborah Richardson: Together we…
By Deborah Richardson
When there is a cost attached to our most basic human rights, it is no surprise that many of our communities are now in a crisis regarding access to housing in Colorado. The housing crisis may feel overwhelming, maybe even hopeless, right now, but your vote on three critical ballot measures can help make strides in Colorado in building more housing, protecting renters, and aiding people experiencing houselessness.
The mere fact that wealth is associated with someone’s ability to have a safe place to call home allows only a select few the opportunity to live safely in our communities, while the masses who are impacted by low income are forced to fight just to have a roof over their heads.
The latest numbers from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness show more than 9,800 people are experiencing houselessness in Colorado since January 2020.
Those who do have a home to sleep in every night are challenged with trying to earn enough money to afford it. State data shows that people needed to earn nearly $30 an hour just to be able to rent two-bedroom housing in Colorado, making our state the ninth most expensive in the country. Yet the minimum wage is just over $12 here, meaning someone would need to work nearly 90 hours a week just to afford two-bedroom housing.
The disparate impacts of the housing crisis on communities of color can be traced back to a long history of de jure and de facto racial segregation, including redlining and discriminatory lending practices. This is why the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has fought unequal access to housing for decades, and why ACLU of Colorado has prioritized access to housing as a key component of our work ahead fighting for systemic equality.
Black and Latinx people, especially women and children, are disproportionally harmed by evictions. According to a 2020 study, Black individuals account for 32.7% of all eviction-filing defendants, despite only making up 19.9% of all adult renters in the counties addressed by the study.
Indigenous, Black, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately experiencing houselessness in Colorado, and single mothers of color make up the largest percentage of evictions in the U.S.
Such discrimination must be challenged. It will take lawsuits in court, new legislation, and — most importantly — your action at the ballot box.
In the midterm election this November we have the power to give renters and people experiencing houselessness a better chance at fighting the broken systems that are holding them back.
Vote “yes” on State Proposition 123 to help increase and maintain the number of affordable housing units across the state.
Colorado is in the midst of a devastating housing crisis, but this public policy endorsed by the ACLU of Colorado will help protect and increase access to housing in Colorado.
American memoirist and civil rights activist Maya Angelou once said, “The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”
We must turn out to vote in this election to ensure that more people in Colorado have access to that safe place where they can safely exist as themselves without fear they’ll one day lose their home because of lack of wealth or status.
“The cost of living” should not be the deciding factor of someone’s ability to safely survive in our societies. We need to prioritize our basic human right to live safely and be housed.
Deborah Richardson is the executive director of the ACLU Colorado, the state’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. She is the first African American to lead the 70-year-old Affiliate. | 2022-11-05T14:25:03Z | www.dailycamera.com | Guest opinion: Deborah Richardson: Together we can end the housing crisis | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/05/guest-opinion-deborah-richardson-together-we-can-end-the-housing-crisis/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/05/guest-opinion-deborah-richardson-together-we-can-end-the-housing-crisis/ |
Guest opinion: Michael Clinton: Political ads…
By Michael Clinton
There is one very negative aspect of watching the World Series live during an election year: the preponderance of political ads.
Does anybody seriously believe any of these ads? From either side? It’s almost laughable to watch these hit jobs. Those on the conservative side depict our country as being some sort of dystopian world created by progressives, while those on the progressive side warn of a coming dystopian world if we elect conservatives. Fuzzy black and white unflattering images of the “bad guys” and colorful, happy images of the “good guys.” Do the people making these ads really believe Americans are that dumb? Maybe we are. Maybe they’re right. I mean, they spend millions on research to determine just what buttons to push. It’s depressing and confounding.
I remember growing up as a kid, my dad was a Democrat, and my mom was a Republican. Neither of them defined themselves as one or the other and they frequently voted for someone outside their party. They always told us that we should vote for the person that we think is the smartest and had our best interests at heart. That’s how I started my voting. I first registered as a Republican, but I never voted down the party line; I always chose the person I believed was right for the job.
By the mid-1990s with the advent of Fox News and the religious right’s takeover of the Republican party, I changed my affiliation to Independent, where I’ve been ever since. Even as an Independent I still voted for the person I felt was right, voting for McCain in 2008 over Obama because I thought he deserved it and was the most qualified and had the public’s interest at heart (although his choice in running mates was questionable).
Everyone has their key issues and my key issue these days is climate change. Since it’s been my key issue, and since Republicans continue to drag their feet on the topic, I have been mostly voting for Democratic politicians, hoping that this critical issue of our time will finally be addressed. Believe it or not, there are Republicans out there who have studied the science and want to aggressively address climate change. Unfortunately, they end up getting voted out in their primaries now because climate change is not part of the conservative agenda yet (see Bob Inglis and Carlos Curbelo). It will be, eventually. The conservative pollster, Frank Luntz, showed in 2019 that 75% of Republicans under 40 supported a tax on carbon. It reminded me of a line I read in a book this month:
“Max Planck once remarked that new scientific truths don’t replace old ones by convincing established scientists that they were wrong; they do so because proponents of the older theory eventually die, and generations that follow find the new truths and theories to be familiar, obvious even.”
Michael Clinton lives in Longmont. | 2022-11-05T14:25:09Z | www.dailycamera.com | Guest opinion: Michael Clinton: Political ads are depressing and confounding | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/05/guest-opinion-michael-clinton-political-ads-are-depressing-and-confounding/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/05/guest-opinion-michael-clinton-political-ads-are-depressing-and-confounding/ |
In Retrospect: Boulder earned spurs when the…
The cover of a 1940s Crockett Bit & Spur Co. catalog. (Carnegie Library for Local History)
By Carol Taylor |
Before national science laboratories came to Boulder, one of the biggest businesses in town was Crockett Bit & Spur Co. They moved from Kansas to Boulder in 1943.
Oscar Crockett grew up on a Texas ranch as a working cowboy and learned the craft of spur-making from his brother. He found a job as a blacksmith in Kansas City, while making his own bits and spurs at night. After serving as a shipyard metal worker in World War I, Oscar, along with his brother and uncle, bought out a spur business and set up Crockett Bit & Spur Company in Kansas City. Oscar eventually became the sole owner and moved the business to nearby Lenexa, Kan.
Carol TaylorIn Retrospect
During World War II, the company had difficulty finding employees. So in the late summer of 1943, Crockett and his wife Hazel took a trip to Colorado to scout better locations. At Nine Mile Corner near Erie, they took a side trip into Boulder. The beautiful view of the Boulder Valley made an impression on the couple. They continued driving up and down streets through town and loved everything they saw.
A chance morning meeting on a street corner with Fire Chief Emil Johnson led Crockett to visit the Chamber of Commerce for more information. With the help of Chamber officials including Franny Reich and a real estate agent, Crockett signed a lease on a building at 10th and Pearl streets by 1:30 p.m. that day.
Crockett and his wife, along with eight employees and their families, promptly moved to Boulder.
After receiving authorization from the War Production Board as an essential manufacturer for stock growers and farmers, Crockett Bit & Spur was up and running in the heart of downtown with a remodeled facility and new equipment.
Employees were instantly busy catching up on thousands of back orders. Using steel shipped from Pueblo, nickel, and aluminum, they turned out bits, spurs, buckles and halter bands, some with decorative engraving and sterling silver overlay. Products were shipped all over the world.
The Chamber sponsored an open house in June of 1944. Within a year of moving to Boulder, the company had 54 employees and one of the biggest payrolls in town. At its peak, Crockett Bit & Spur employed 125 people, mostly locals.
Hollywood came calling in 1948. Paramount Pictures set up cameras in Boulder for two days to capture the process of Crockett craftsmanship from raw steel to finished spurs, as one of a series of shorts featuring unique occupations.
Crockett remained appreciative of the warm welcome to town including continued support from the Chamber, especially Franny Reich. He gave back by serving on committees at the Chamber. He was active in the local Lions Club and also contributed to Boulder’s annual Pow Wow.
In 1949 Crockett died suddenly of a heart attack. Hazel took over for a short time and then sold to a competitor in 1951 who later moved operations to Denver. The final parts of the company were liquidated in 1984.
In 2001, Oscar Crockett’s grandson, Standley S. Skinner, re-established the business in Kansas City, Mo., to continue the legacy of quality handcrafted spurs.
Not much is left of the brief chapter of cowboy manufacturing in downtown Boulder. But you can still win your spurs, so to speak. Vintage Crockett steel and silver spurs listed in the 1940s for $38 are available on eBay today for as much as $750 a pair.
Carol Taylor writes about history for the Daily Camera. Follow Carol’s Instagram @signsofboulderhistory. Email Carol at boulderhistorylibrarian@gmail.com. | 2022-11-05T14:25:16Z | www.dailycamera.com | In Retrospect: Boulder earned spurs when the Crockett company moved to town | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/05/in-retrospect-boulder-earned-spurs-when-the-crockett-company-moved-to-town/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/05/in-retrospect-boulder-earned-spurs-when-the-crockett-company-moved-to-town/ |
CU football notes: Buffs roll with JT Shrout at…
JT Shrout had another roller-coaster day at quarterback on Saturday, but as the Colorado Buffaloes go through the final stretch of the season, they’re likely going to have to live with the good and bad.
Following Saturday’s 49-10 loss to No. 8 Oregon, CU interim head coach Mike Sanford said that true freshman Owen McCown still isn’t physically ready to play. And, with the Buffs (1-8, 1-5 Pac-12) playing out the string, there’s not much reason to rush the youngster back into the lineup.
McCown took over as the Buffs’ starter in Game 4, but was injured against California on Oct. 15 and hasn’t played since. McCown has played in four games, the maximum allowed to maintain a redshirt. Playing him again this season would exhaust a year of eligibility.
“(McCown) is fully participating in practice,” Sanford said. “He’s running scout team, but there are some limitations that he still does have. So clearly, we’re going to not put him in a position where we think we should just roll him out there and you don’t know what’s going to happen.”
At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, McCown has a small frame and wasn’t projected to play this season anyway. The original plan was to redshirt him so he could develop physically.
“The quarterback position in particular, I think is very different, particularly when you are somewhat of an underdeveloped player as a true freshman,” Sanford said. “I think we’re trending in that direction to make sure that we make the best decision for Owen.
“He’s cleared to play football, but in terms of throwing on the run, to the left, he does have some limitations that I don’t want to put him in those situations that either he can further aggravate an injury, or he’s not just fully 100% healthy.”
Shrout made his third consecutive start on Saturday and fifth overall. He threw for a career-high 247 yards – the third consecutive week he’s set a new career high – but was also intercepted twice and completed just 50% of his passes (17-of-34).
“I thought JT did some good things; obviously not the easiest of tasks (against Oregon),” Sanford said. “I think there were some throws that he made that I thought were really good. He continues to see it better. I do see that.”
Ugly snaps
Throughout the game, the Buffs had issues with shotgun snaps, putting several on the ground. Others put the Buffs off rhythm at times.
Sanford said the weather and the wind whipping throughout the game played a role, but not the only role.
“It was honestly one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen (with the wind),” Sanford said. “Especially in the late third, early fourth quarter, I was watching the snaps come back, and they looked right on the money and they were getting blown – literally blown down, blown to the left, blown to the right.
“Some of it too, is just communication. There’s times where we’ve had different centers playing, we’ve had different quarterbacks playing, just the communication of the various tempos that we run. Those are some of those mistakes that I’m talking about that you have to grow up in those in those situations.”
CU had two different centers on Saturday, with Austin Johnson starting and Van Wells rotating in.
Gonzo returns
For two years, Christian Gonzalez started every game and excelled at cornerback for Colorado. Last winter, he transferred to Oregon and turned himself in a potential first-round pick in the NFL Draft.
On Saturday, he showed why, with two interceptions in the third quarter. Gonzalez didn’t have any interceptions during his time at CU and had just one in his career before Saturday.
“That was great,” he said. “Real fun coming back, seeing everybody I know. Just playing in an environment I was at for two years was just really fun.”
Gonzalez said his interceptions didn’t have anything to do with knowing CU and Shrout.
“It was just film study all week,” he said. “Studying every day and every week like I do. I just trusted my gut and went up and made the play.”
The highest wind gust of the game was 51 mph, according to CU. … Cole Becker went 1-for-2 on field goals. Sanford said the miss, a 40-yarder in the second quarter, was in part because the laces of the ball were facing Becker and not the goalpost. … CU did not allow a sack for the first time this year. CU had allowed at least one sack in the previous 11 games. … Senior receiver Daniel Arias served as the Buffs’ special teams captain. | 2022-11-06T03:56:34Z | www.dailycamera.com | CU football notes: Buffs roll with JT Shrout at QB, as Owen McCown still not cleared – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/05/cu-football-notes-buffs-roll-with-jt-shrout-at-qb-as-owen-mccown-still-not-cleared/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/05/cu-football-notes-buffs-roll-with-jt-shrout-at-qb-as-owen-mccown-still-not-cleared/ |
At The Carillon in Boulder, residents are treasured as beloved community members.
The Carillon at Boulder Creek
Rabbi Richard Rocklin enjoys “simple visits” with family and fellow residents at The Carillon.
Rabbi Rocklin with Yofi.
Rabbi Richard Rocklin is quick to admit that when he first moved into The Carillon, he “was a little unhappy.” He explained, “Although I had visited people in places like this seven days a week, I never dreamed I’d live here.” However, after five years at The Carillon, he not only meets with new residents to help them feel settled, but he said, “I can say with a full and true heart, I love it here. The staff is outstanding, the people are outstanding, and it’s a real blessing to be here.”
For Rocklin, a combination of peaceful solitude and joyful social interaction epitomizes life at The Carillon at Boulder Creek, the luxury hotel-style senior living community adjacent to the University of Colorado Boulder and just off the Boulder Creek Path. “I love painting, reading and studying,” Rocklin said. “I like to come down and socialize, have breakfast with someone, but then I think it’s glorious to spend time in my apartment with my little dog.” His near-constant companion is Yofi, Rocklin’s Yorkshire terrier whose name means “lovely” in Hebrew. Rocklin picked up painting in retirement thanks to another Carillon resident who provides pointers. “I don’t frame anything without her approval,” he said, grinning. Rocklin gives his artwork to his children or hangs it in his apartment; he is now working on painting some of the more than 2,000 original sayings he’s developed over a lifetime of speaking and writing.
Retirement Carillon-style: ‘One of the happiest parts of my life’
“Throughout my life, I was blessed by wonderful human beings, and I loved working with them. I never felt there was a day I did not want to go to work, but I can say that retirement has been one of the happiest parts of my life,” Rocklin noted. He loves that he is surrounded by caring people at The Carillon and that his grown daughters and grandchildren are nearby. “I see my daughters once a week or more,” he said. “And it’s fun to call up a grandchild and say, ‘Can you take me to the grocery store and go out for lunch?’ We’ve always valued being together. I’ve been very lucky.”
He enjoys “simple visits” with family and fellow residents at The Carillon.
“For a time, I was known as ‘the running rabbi,’” he recalled. “I ran for 2,116 days once, at least three miles a day.” He added with a laugh, “But now I can’t run to the mailbox.” He walks four times daily with Yofi and sometimes Christian Shahmardian, sales advisor at The Carillon. “He’s one of my favorite people,” Shahmardian said, “and one of the best men I’ve ever met.”
Serving in the rabbinate meant that Rocklin did not own his first home until he retired and purchased a small place in Broomfield in his 70s. “I had been serving a senior congregation in Florida, and after 40 years in the rabbinate, one of my daughters called me and said, “Abba, it’s enough, come to Colorado and be with us.” He did, soon moving in with a daughter and then into his own space for a time. “I missed the congregation, but I knew I made the right decision,” he said. He continues to keep in touch with those remaining from his time of service.
Rocklin knew from a young age that he was destined for the rabbinate. After he suffered a serious automobile accident at age seven, “my mother went to the temple and prayed,” he said. By age 12, in a direct response to “my life being preserved,” Rocklin said, “I knew I would be a rabbi.” He grew up in Duluth, Minn., “where we were required to go to school even when it was 25 below zero,” he remembered. Rocklin graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in philosophy and speech and received a master’s from the University of North Carolina and a master’s in Hebrew literature and a doctorate of Hebrew literature from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
Kindness as ‘religion’
Since his children were young, Rocklin has observed, “Judaism is my way of life, but kindness is my religion.” That principal has permeated how he thinks about the world and the Carillon residents and staff in particular. “The people here are my brothers,” he said.
The Carillon intentionally strives to welcome all and to ensure that those who make their home at The Carillon feel treasured for who they are and how they uniquely enrich the community. From a former CU professor who holds regular piano concerts at The Carillon to former art teachers, museum curators and a variety of retired business and science professionals, each individual resident of The Carillon meaningfully contributes to the community. The Carillon staff keeps residents engaged as well, between frequent fitness activities and classes, art workshops, lectures, game nights and outings to cultural and sporting events.
One of Rocklin’s favorite Carillon activities are resident-led circle groups, in which a few residents gather for 12 weeks to discuss, say, a poem or intriguing idea. “I can’t wait for that to begin again,” said Rocklin, anticipating the fall season of circle groups.
To learn more about the welcoming community at The Carillon at Boulder Creek or to schedule a tour, email Shahmardian at cshahmardian@leisurecare.com or call 720.565.6844. | 2022-11-06T08:42:25Z | www.dailycamera.com | The Secret to the Good Life: Kindness – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/06/carillon-business-spotlight-4/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/06/carillon-business-spotlight-4/ |
Guest opinion: Allison Billings and David…
By Allison Billings and David Ziegert
Where students learn matters. In Colorado, without adequate state funding, school districts have limited resources to provide and maintain the school buildings where students and teachers do their essential work every day. This fall, Boulder Valley School District is asking our community to invest in improving schools across the district. The only way for BVSD to address the critical needs included in ballot Measure 5A is by asking our taxpayers — our community — for help.
The $350 million property tax increase asks property owners to invest approximately $118 per year, or $9.83 a month, for each $600,000 of home value. Measure 5A, BVSD’s Facilities Critical Needs Plan represents the district’s highest priorities needing to be addressed in the next four years in order to optimize taxpayer investments.
While the ballot is crowded with tax measures this year, it’s important to support ballot Measure 5A this year because our buildings are aging and require immediate maintenance to extend their useful life, and new home construction at the northeastern edge of our district will lead to overcrowded and inequitable classrooms if we fail to act.
Perhaps the most exciting projects included in measure 5A, however, are the proposed investments that will provide BVSD students with quality skills-based learning experiences. The Boulder Chamber identified workforce development as a priority need for local employers and BVSD’s Facilities Critical Needs Plan, which would be funded by ballot Measure 5A, would include renovating our middle and high schools to offer innovative classrooms and learning laboratories to ensure our graduates are equipped for postsecondary success.
There is no other way to address the critical capital needs of the school district, as voters saw in 2014 when they approved a $576 million tax measure. The Building for Student Success program allowed BVSD to rebuild three schools, construct a new school in Erie and make critical infrastructure repairs and energy efficiency upgrades across the district. BVSD managed the funds in a strategic and fiscally responsible way, completing more projects than originally anticipated and maintaining programmatic excellence with their AA+ Bond Rating and top five academic rankings statewide.
Public schools are a pillar of local cities and towns, providing an essential thread in the social fabric of our community. It’s difficult to imagine our neighborhoods without their local schools — critical infrastructure that enables learning, social connections and student growth and achievement to take place.
This November, let’s maintain our trust in BVSD and say yes again. If you believe in public education and the importance of strong schools to a strong community, vote “yes” on 5A.
Allison Billings is the executive director of Impact on Education. David Ziegert is the chair of Sunrise Strategic Partners. | 2022-11-06T18:58:41Z | www.dailycamera.com | Guest opinion: Allison Billings and David Ziegert: Vote to invest in our children and our communities | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/06/guest-opinion-allison-billings-and-david-ziegert-vote-to-invest-in-our-children-and-our-communities/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/06/guest-opinion-allison-billings-and-david-ziegert-vote-to-invest-in-our-children-and-our-communities/ |
The Boulder Chamber View: Redeveloping to meet…
By Scott Sternberg | Boulder Chamber of Commerce / For the Camera
I am always amazed by the ever-changing Denver skyline. It seems like there is an almost organic process that leads to the movement of construction cranes operating in the area.
As that is a familiar site in the metro area, it is less common in and around Boulder. Lately, however, we have had our own “crane-sightings” that represent important examples of redevelopment aligned with our community values.
Scott SternbergThe Boulder Chamber View
The drivers for a business to either relocate to, or expand within, Boulder are many. Often, our businesses appreciate the access to Boulder’s unique talent pool, aim to better connect with research at the University of Colorado Boulder or seek to immerse themselves in one of our many industry clusters. Either way, it seems all businesses that invest in Boulder resonate with Boulder values, often reflected in the character of new construction or redevelopment. Therein lies some great stories.
“It towers over Boulder, you can see it from everywhere!” one person commented. Indeed, it does. One of the largest cranes of its kind in the world is servicing the adaptive re-use of the former Macy’s property on the 29th Street Mall. This project took a “deconstruction” versus “demolition” approach that is resulting in significant reductions in both construction waste and carbon emissions. Further, a portion of the available space is designated as affordable commercial. This will create incubator space for new and upcoming retailers, makers and restaurants within a highly visible and sought-after retail corridor.
Lastly, the plans incorporate public art, enhanced public plazas and improved transportation and accessibility considerations that further enhances the local experience.
Although now removed, a few cranes had been sighted on Arapahoe Road, on the shores of the South Boulder Creek. This is the site of the Weathervane development, a “mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhood built on the principles of environmental sustainability, resilience, social equity and mobility.” The project aims to help Boulder meet its workforce housing and sustainability goals by delivering quality housing to Boulder’s essential service providers, building community resilience and diverse neighborhoods, while also advancing Boulder’s housing, transportation, and climate goals.
Recently, cranes have been very active near the intersection of 30th and Pearl streets. This is the location of the 30PRL project geared towards providing “affordable living in the heart of Boulder Junction.” This development establishes 120 permanently affordable apartment homes near a variety of amenities. Further, in partnership with the non-profit The Ramble Collective, 30PRL also includes a unique neuro-inclusive housing and independent living program for those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Finally, there has been a recent “mini-migration” of cranes atop the Hill. This is the future location of the University Hill Hotel. The mixed-use nature of this concept strongly positions it as the type of catalytic project that will revitalize the Hill business district and attract both Boulder residents and visitors alike for year-round economic activity. Not only does this support the surrounding small businesses, but it also balances and serves those attracted to CU Boulder’s future conference center just across Broadway.
The Boulder Chamber and the Boulder Economic Council are proud to help drive constructive conversations and timely review leading to groundbreakings like what we’re seeing with the projects I highlight above. It’s our goal, throughout the community dialog over such redevelopment projects, to balance business needs with local values. Once very utilitarian, we now must account for values of emerging importance that range from environmental protection, housing access and sustainable transportation to diversity, equity, and inclusion. These four premier redevelopment projects are a product of those thoughtful efforts, engaging city of Boulder staff, architects, developers, local business
representatives, appointed boards, City Council, and residents.
Defining and aligning around shared values isn’t simple, and sometimes can be messy. Along the way, we will always strive for efficiency and the flexibility for creative expression. Regardless of how get there, we can all take pride in the product of our collective will, as we redevelop Boulder to meet our evolving values.
Scott Sternberg is the Executive Director of the Boulder Economic Council and Associate Vice President for Economic Vitality. | 2022-11-06T18:59:08Z | www.dailycamera.com | The Boulder Chamber View: Redeveloping to meet our Evolving Values | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/06/the-boulder-chamber-view-redeveloping-to-meet-our-evolving-values/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/06/the-boulder-chamber-view-redeveloping-to-meet-our-evolving-values/ |
With deep roots, Longmont Florist stays in the…
Nate Golter has recently joined his mom as the co-owner of Longmont Florist. Golter’s grandparents started the business in 1969 and it has stayed in the family ever since. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
Longmont Florist, a community staple for 53 years, has entered a third generation of family ownership with Nate Golter, new co-owner of the business alongside his mother, Lisa.
“I’ve been processing flowers and sweeping floors since I was little,” Nate Golter said. “I’ve been around the business for a really long time, but the transition from being around the business to being intimately involved with the business is pretty big.”
Before becoming co-owner of Longmont Florist, Nate Golter was a math and science teacher in Broomfield. He began regularly pitching in at his parents’ business in 2018. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
Nate Golter said his grandfather, Gary Golter, was born with a green thumb, which led him to open the flower shop at 614 Coffman St. in 1969. Gary Golter and his wife Harriet passed the torch to their son, Brad Golter, in 1998.
After contemplating retirement for a few years, Brad Golter decided to step down this summer and leave ownership of the store to his wife and son, but will still be around to advise and lend a hand when he can.
Before becoming co-owner, Nate Golter was a math and science teacher in Broomfield. He began regularly pitching in at his parents’ business in 2018, but it wasn’t until classes went remote in the spring of 2020 that he joined Longmont Florist in earnest as the delivery manager.
Nate Golter said the business did well during the pandemic since flower deliveries could serve as a substitute for people visiting their loved ones in person. He also attributes Longmont Florist’s success to its loyal customer base; he’s met several customers who tell him they remember when his grandparents owned the shop.
“I’ve felt so much support from the folks who have been customers with us for a long time,” he said. “We’re really lucky to be in Longmont and have the longevity that we have.”
Nate Golter doesn’t do much flower arranging as co-owner but says Longmont Florist has a tremendously talented team of designers, including one who worked for his grandfather.
“I think it’s a point of pride to work with a genuine third-generation, locally-owned family business,” he said.
A ribbon cutting ceremony presented by the Longmont Chamber of Commerce is set for Thursday evening at Longmont Florist to commemorate the transition. The following Friday and Saturday, the shop will hold a holiday open house featuring deals, refreshments and a chance to meet the new co-owner.
Nate Golter said he feels a responsibility to uphold the mission of Longmont Florist: helping people spread joy.
“I’m just really happy that this is the type of business we have,” he said. “When a typical customer calls, they’re calling to say ‘I love you’ to somebody else. So to be involved in that interaction is really an honor.”
Lisa Golter, 59, said she sees herself staying with the shop “indefinitely.”
“My husband is a big fisherman and hunter, and I don’t do any of those things,” she said. “So I plan on being here a while.”
Lisa Golter said none of her kids seemed interested in taking over the shop initially, so she and Brad Golter were surprised, but pleased, when Nate broached the idea. She loves working with her son and is thankful for the “smooth transition” into familiar hands.
“Nate has exceeded our expectations,” she said. “He has a very good mentor in his dad.” | 2022-11-06T18:59:14Z | www.dailycamera.com | With deep roots, Longmont Florist stays in the family | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/06/with-deep-roots-longmont-florist-stays-in-the-family/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/06/with-deep-roots-longmont-florist-stays-in-the-family/ |
Longmont police are looking for a missing teenage boy who was last seen on Friday.
Archer, 15, was last seen at 7 a.m. in the area of Third Avenue and Hover Street. He is 5-feet 2-inches tall with brown hair and light blue eyes, weighing 140 pounds.
He was last seen wearing a gray hoodie, black beanie, and black pants with a white stripe down the side. He would have been carrying a navy-blue backpack.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Longmont Emergency Communications Center at 303-651-8501 and reference case No. 22-9987. | 2022-11-07T19:43:42Z | www.dailycamera.com | Longmont police searching for missing teen | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/07/longmont-police-searching-for-missing-teen/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/07/longmont-police-searching-for-missing-teen/ |
Women’s basketball: Re-tooled Colorado Buffs…
University of Colorado’s Quay Miller in deep on Nov. 1, 2022.(Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
JR Payne and her staff at Colorado have always taken pride in their preparation and the scouting reports they put together before each of the Buffaloes’ games.
The CU women’s basketball coach admits, however, that she’s really not sure what to expect Monday when the Buffaloes officially open the 2022-23 campaign against New Mexico State at CU Events Center.
“The scouting report is done. It’s just very difficult because their head coach hasn’t been a head coach for five years, and she’s brand new (with the Aggies),” Payne said.
The Aggies’ Jody Adams hasn’t been a head coach since being let go by Wichita State in January of 2017. So, Payne built the scouting report based upon a variety of factors: Adams’ teams at Wichita State; Adams’ recent run as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois; and learning about NMSU personnel from watching last year’s film.
“I don’t know how accurate the scout is going to be,” Payne said. “It could be very accurate. It could be not accurate at all, just because we don’t have current information, so we’ll see.”
What Payne does have information on is her own team and that, frankly, is the aspect of Monday’s opener that she’s focused on the most.
CU reached the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time since 2013. Three full-time starters are gone from that squad, but the Buffs have six key rotational players coming back. They also have five newcomers, in addition to center Charlotte Whittaker returning after missing the 2021-22 season with injuries.
The Buffs have a strong core of veterans, led by point guards Jaylyn Sherrod and Kindyll Wetta and center Quay Miller.
Guards Frida Formann and Tameiya Sadler are third-year players who both started several games a year ago, and wing Tayanna Jones is an important rotational player. Whittaker has played 50 games at CU, but none in the past 20 months.
Arizona transfer Aaronette Vonleh, a 6-foot-3 center, is likely the most impactful newcomer, but the Buffs will look to get a quartet of freshmen into the mix, as well. Guard Jada Wynn and forward Brianna McLeod could lead the freshmen in minutes.
Throughout the offseason, CU has worked on meshing as a unit, but Monday is the first official game for the new-look Buffs and Payne wants to see a sharp performance.
“We’re really trying to prioritize execution,” Payne said. “We’re not where we need to be in a place of just being able to simply execute with the right pace and the right priorities, as far as screening angles and the little details. That’s what we’ve really tried to prioritize the last few days of practice.
“We don’t want to just win; we want to win well and we want to play well and be able to execute, get what we’re looking for and things like that. Hopefully we’ll see an improved sense of that between the last game (Tuesday’s exhibition against Adams State) and this game.”
Monday’s opener is also an opportunity for the Buffs to get off to a good start, and that might be crucial for a team that is not only still trying to jell, but one that will play more on the road than usual in the non-conference slate.
Only six of CU’s 12 non-conference games are at home. In Payne’s previous six seasons, CU had played 67% of its non-conference games in Boulder.
With their first three Pac-12 games also on the road, the Buffs will play at home in just six of the first 15 games. That puts some extra emphasis on the first two games, both at home, against NMSU and Jackson State (2 p.m. Saturday).
“We always feel good playing at home,” Payne said. “We want to set the stage that we play good basketball no matter where we are, but obviously that starts here.
“I think it’s really important that we have a strong start. … I think building confidence in a group that’s still very new together — I love our team, I love our pieces, but we’re still really new together. I think being able to feel real good about how we’re playing is important as we’re going to hit the road a fair amount this preseason.”
New Mexico State Aggies at CU Buffs women’s basketball
TIPOFF: Noon Monday, CU Events Center.
RECORDS (2021-22): New Mexico State, 10-19, 6-12 WAC; Colorado, 22-9, 9-7 Pac-12.
COACHES: NM State — Jody Adams, 1st season (185-123 career). Colorado — JR Payne, 7th season (94-84; 195-197 career)
KEY PLAYERS (2021-22 stats): NM State — G Taylor Donaldson, 5-10, Jr. (7.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg); G Tayelin Grays, 5-8, Sr. (6.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg); G Soufia Inoussa, 5-7, Sr. (6.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.6 apg); G Molly Kaiser, 5-8, Jr. (8.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg). Colorado — G Frida Formann, 5-11, Jr. (7.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg); C Quay Miller, 6-3, Sr. (10.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg); G Jaylyn Sherrod, 5-7, Sr. (8.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.8 apg); G Kindyll Wetta, 5-9, So. (4.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 apg).
NOTES: This is the season opener for both teams. … CU is 43-4 all-time in season openers and has won the last 22, dating back to a loss at Denver to kick off the 1999-2000 season. … CU is 10-2 all-time against New Mexico State — including nine consecutive wins — but the two teams haven’t met since a 63-56 Buffs win in Boulder on Nov. 15, 1995. … During CU’s first eight seasons of women’s basketball (1974-82), the Buffs and Aggies were Intermountain Conference rivals. … CU was picked to finish eighth in the Pac-12 in separate preseason polls from coaches and media. … Prior to being hired at New Mexico State, Adams spent four seasons as an assistant at Southern Illinois. She has 10 previous years of experience as a head coach, at Wichita State (2008-17) and Murray State (2007-08). … As a player, Adams was a three-year starter at point guard at Tennessee in the early 1990s, helping the Volunteers to the 1991 national title. … NM State lost three starters from last year, including top scorer and rebounder Bigue Sarr. … Kaiser and Donaldson were second and third, respectively, in scoring last year, but both came off the bench. … The Aggies went 0-12 on the road last season. … WAC coaches projected NMSU for a 10th-place finish in the 13-team league. Media projected the Aggies for a 12th-place finish. | 2022-11-07T19:44:00Z | www.dailycamera.com | Women’s basketball: Re-tooled Colorado Buffs open season Monday – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/07/womens-basketball-re-tooled-colorado-buffs-open-season-monday/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/07/womens-basketball-re-tooled-colorado-buffs-open-season-monday/ |
The A2 Milk Co., a New Zealand company with its U.S. headquarters in Boulder, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to supply its infant milk formula in the United States.
The company is the first company to receive FDA authorization to sell its infant formula in the U.S. since July even though a widespread shortage of formula has made the search for formula a high-stakes scavenger hunt for parents of new babies.
While a growing company in the U.S., A2 expects the addition of baby formula to accelerate its grow, the company wrote in its press statement. | 2022-11-08T06:14:03Z | www.dailycamera.com | Boulder baby formula company nets FDA approval | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/07/boulder-baby-formula-company-nets-fda-approval/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/07/boulder-baby-formula-company-nets-fda-approval/ |
Loulillian Watson (Boulder County Sheriff’s Office)
A Boulder woman accused of stabbing a man in the stomach earlier this year is set for trial.
According to an affidavit, Boulder police were called to Boulder Community Health’s Foothills Hospital on Feb. 3 after a man had shown up at the hospital with a stab wound to his abdomen.
According to the affidavit, the man told police he and Watson had an argument and “got into it,” at the man’s Boulder apartment. The man said he grabbed Watson’s wallet and that she then got a kitchen knife and “jabbed” at him several times, stabbing him once in the abdomen.
According to the affidavit, the man initially told hospital staff he “cut himself” while Watson was there, and only later agreed to speak to police once Watson was gone.
When police spoke to Watson, she initially said it was an accident and that the man “came into” the knife. She then said that it was a “play” between the two and it was something that they “did all the time.” | 2022-11-08T06:14:27Z | www.dailycamera.com | Boulder woman set for trial in stabbing case | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/07/boulder-woman-set-for-trial-in-stabbing-case/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/07/boulder-woman-set-for-trial-in-stabbing-case/ |
CU Boulder receives $2 million grant to help…
The University of Colorado Boulder Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence recently received a $2 million federal grant to help 40 Colorado schools address gun violence by tackling the social and cultural roots of violence.
The $2 million grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance is the latest of $100 million in anti-violence grants the research center has received in its 30-year history, according to a news release from CU Boulder.
The three-year STOP School Violence Grant will allow the center to help 40 schools implement its Safe Communities Safe Schools program, a research-based initiative started shortly after the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, the release said.
The program helps schools lacking staff or the resources to address school safety by helping them identify steps they can take with the resources they have or assists them with securing funding to do more, the release said.
In recent months the center has also received a $6 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control to address youth community violence and a $1.2 million grant to boost education and awareness around violence on the CU Boulder campus. | 2022-11-08T06:14:43Z | www.dailycamera.com | CU Boulder receives $2 million grant to help Colorado schools prevent gun violence | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/07/cu-boulder-receives-2-million-grant-to-help-colorado-schools-prevent-gun-violence/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/07/cu-boulder-receives-2-million-grant-to-help-colorado-schools-prevent-gun-violence/ |
Editorial: Musk’s Twitter reveals that too many…
Last week, as children were putting on costumes for Halloween, right-wing Twitter members were removing their costumes — peeling the self-embroidered “free speech advocate” labels away to reveal the white-robed-and-hooded hatemongers underneath.
The most successful of the hooded hatemongers is Elon Musk. As he assumed control of Twitter last week, he declared, “The bird is freed.” He didn’t tell us that in reality, he was flipping us the bird, declaring open season on victims of violent crime and hard-working Americans who want to live in a safe and reasonably respectful society.
Musk has argued for months that Americans were being silenced by Twitter’s overzealous content policies that valued political correctness over free speech. He swore to advertisers that by lifting most of the company’s speech regulations, Twitter would become a bastion of civil discourse and pointed political comedy, rather than an online social club for Nazis and Klansmen.
Despite his PR machine touting his “genius,” Musk is a cultural simpleton who built his empire via tax breaks and questionable behavior. His denseness was on full display as he discussed content moderation. Clearly, he doesn’t understand what he just bought. Twitter’s business model is 100% about content moderation and distribution: That’s what its algorithms do, it’s why Twitter exists and what the business is based on. So what Musk was really saying was that the moderation policies restricting the most loathsome and dangerous speech were going to be removed.
Within hours of Musk’s takeover, the true nature his new Twitter revealed itself.
In the 12 hours after he “freed the bird,” the use of words and phrases that are vulgar and hostile toward people on the basis of race, religion and ethnicity increased by 500%, according to a study done by Montclair University.
The uptick was so dramatic that Twitter’s own head of safety, Yoel Roth, was forced to address the problem.
“Since Saturday, we’ve been focused on addressing the surge in hateful conduct on Twitter,” Roth tweeted. “We’ve made measurable progress, removing more than 1500 accounts and reducing impressions on this content to nearly zero.”
However, as Roth was defending the company, Bloomberg reported that most members of Twitter’s Trust and Safety team were locked out of the system.
“Usually, hundreds of people on the team could remove posts w/misinformation, hate speech etc. It’s now down to 15 people,” Bloomberg’s Jackie Davalos tweeted.
A similarly small number will be relied upon to respond to all claims of misinformation in the final days before the U.S. elections, leading both Twitter staff and the public to cry foul.
Which brings us back to Elon Musk, who despite his promises of not allowing Twitter to become a hellscape, fired the rest of the board of directors, locked the safety team out of the system, promised — but did not deliver — a new content moderation team and then poured fuel on the fire of hatred with his own incendiary brand of violent conspiracy theory.
On Sunday, Musk tweeted about the attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In the tweet, Musk implied that there was a conspiratorial cover-up afoot. He ignored law enforcement reports and instead provided a link to a story on a conspiracy website that invented claims that Paul Pelosi’s personal life played a role in the intruder’s attack. The same website also wrote in 2016 that Hillary Clinton had died and been replaced with a robot or a body double on the campaign trail. Musk later took down the tweet, but not before it was shared 20,000 times.
The poignancy of Musk’s acceptance of the first conspiracy theory to come his way could not be greater. The attack on Pelosi was inspired by precisely the kind of misinformation and extremist language that Musk has promised to “free” and flourish on his Twitter. It’s why the trolls who want to tear our society apart celebrate Musk. Welcome to our brave new world, where an 82-year-old man gets his skull bashed in and immediately, a self-satisfied Musk fans the flames.
Trump’s MAGA supporters and their symbiotic neo-Nazi street thugs are not tireless advocates of free speech and ideas; they just want unrestrained opportunities to threaten, demean and intimidate others. Every time they speak, all they can come up with is unfounded, violent and hateful conspiracy. It’s nothing but a stream of bald-faced lies designed to excuse them from any responsibility for their own choices.
It’s disgusting. And the fact that any of Twitter’s advertisers are still with the platform is equally disgusting.
It’s been days since Twitter’s CEO tried to blame the elderly victim of a violent, politically motivated, skull-shattering hammer attack. That same CEO tweeted content that clearly emboldened thousands of advocates of hate and violence to spread their dangerous rhetoric, while at the same time the company limited the ability of its trust and safety team to respond.
What further evidence do Twitter advertisers need about Musk and the future of Twitter?
What further evidence do any of us need about Musk and the future of Twitter?
For that matter, what further evidence do any of us need about the extreme far right and its lies about free speech? They want nothing of the sort for anyone other than themselves. They don’t even have ideas, per se, just targets of their hate and a hunger to threaten others.
These are the same people who marched in Charlottesville, Va., chanting “Jews will not replace us.” The same people who tried to spread the conspiracy that George Floyd was attacking the police officers who killed him, rather than the truth that he was in handcuffs with a knee across his throat.The same people who responded to Donald Trump’s call to launch a deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol. And the same people now driving a 500% increase in hate speech in just the first 12 hours of Musk’s reign.
Advertisers, voters and tweeters beware: If you lie down with the devil, you will wake up in hell. Your only option is to get out of bed and send Musk, his new corporate toy and their legion of extremist hatemongers back to the underworld by themselves.
—The Las Vegas Sun | 2022-11-08T06:14:50Z | www.dailycamera.com | Editorial: Musk's Twitter reveals that too many free speech advocates are hate speech advocates | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/07/editorial-musks-twitter-reveals-that-too-many-free-speech-advocates-are-hate-speech-advocates/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/07/editorial-musks-twitter-reveals-that-too-many-free-speech-advocates-are-hate-speech-advocates/ |
Guest opinion: Gary Wockner: Can conservation…
By Gary Wockner
Water conservation is all the rage right now, especially because the federal government just offered the Southwest U.S. $4 billion for “water conservation” to try and “save the Colorado River” and its failing reservoirs and hydropower plants at Lakes Powell and Mead downstream in Arizona.
Here in Colorado, municipalities and water districts that rely on the Colorado River are responding to the federal incentive. At the same time, it’s important to critically analyze any proposed conservation program — and associated financial payouts — to see what the actual result may be.
For example, will the program really help save the Colorado River? Or will the program simply facilitate more growth in the number of houses and businesses that put a strain on all of Colorado’s rivers?
First, the City of Aurora, CO, made statewide news back in August when the City Council restricted new turfgrass to conserve water. The city now regulates what kind of grass can be grown in new developments and golf courses, both of which would cut water use roughly in half in new developments, according to the city’s public relations manager.
However, in the very same breath, the public relations manager stated, “The anticipated growth of Aurora is another major factor in urgently acting to conserve water in the state’s third-largest city.” Thus, Aurora is conserving so it can grow, not to cut water use to protect rivers, or the Colorado River itself, from which Aurora gets part of its water supply.
Second, Denver Water recently joined other Southwest U.S. cities in planning to conserve more water by signing a MOU that was sent to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as a pledge to help the failing Colorado River. The pledge includes replacing non-functional grass, increasing water re-use and recycling, and “continuing water conservation awareness.”
Yet in the same breath, Denver Water did not propose to actually divert less water out of the Colorado River. In fact, at the exact same time Denver Water signed the MOU, they continued their huge construction project to massively expand Gross Dam in Boulder County, a project that will divert a new 4.5 billion gallons of water out of the Colorado River every year. Further yet, Denver Water is planning for more than a half-million more people moving into the metropolitan area by the year 2040.
Finally, the State of Colorado legislature weighed in earlier in 2022 by passing a bill that incentivizes the replacement of turfgrass with drought-tolerant grass. The bill provides $4 million per year for towns and cities across the state to create “cash for grass” programs that reduce water use. Though once again, the state is proposing to dramatically increase its population by adding nearly 3 million people by the year 2050, all of which will require more water.
Environmental groups have long advocated for water conservation as a solution to protect rivers and as a sustainable path toward water management. Indeed, water conservation is often seen as a moral imperative in the environmental movement where, in theory, water use by humans can be whittled down to make more water available for the rivers, the environment, and the non-human species that depend on water for survival.
However, what if — as is happening now — water conservation serves to fuel and subsidize more growth in Colorado? As such, water conservation may not provide any additional water for rivers or the environment, but actually puts more negative pressure on rivers and the environment.
As the federal government’s “money for water conservation” plan plays out, keep your eyes on the ball. Will U.S. taxpayer money be used to save the Colorado River? Or will it be used to simply fuel more growth while our river systems collapse even faster?
Gary Wockner, PhD, directs Save The Colorado River, which advocates for river protection across the Southwest U.S. | 2022-11-08T13:24:07Z | www.dailycamera.com | Guest opinion: Gary Wockner: Can conservation save the Colorado River, or just fuel more growth? | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/guest-opinion-gary-wockner-can-conservation-save-the-colorado-river-or-just-fuel-more-growth/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/guest-opinion-gary-wockner-can-conservation-save-the-colorado-river-or-just-fuel-more-growth/ |
Letters to the editor: Everyone needs a hand;…
Cheri Felix: Thanksgiving: Everyone needs a helping hand once in a while
Some reports say that helping others can make you happier and even extend your life!
Well, I can’t verify these reports but I can attest to the power of helping people during the holiday season. This is the 20th year of The Thanksgiving Project. There are three ways to be helpful: buy grocery store gift cards for the CU Boulder community, donate directly to The Detroit Friendship House or shop for a local family. No matter how you slice it unless it’s pumpkin pie and then I’d like a big slice, I make it very easy for you to be of service to someone else. Food insecurity is a big problem to solve but you can make a huge difference for a person, a family and our community. I hope you’ll consider signing up this year.
This isn’t about an election. There is no debating that every once in a while we all need a hand from someone else. This is a great project for your kids, your book group, your running group and yes, even for your birding group. What matters most is signing up now. Visit www.thanksgivingproject.net to learn more.
Cheri Felix, Boulder
Carolyn Usher: Marshall Fire: Heroes abounded during devastating fire
Sharing the story of my (then) 80-year-old friend Judy who found herself involved in the Marshall Fire. Yes, it was windy that day, but not enough to deter her from a trip to Costco. All seemed normal enough until she got to the checkout. As the automatic doors at the front opened and closed, she saw what looked to be some kind of storm. But it wasn’t until she got her cart to the doors she realized the parking lot was filled with smoke. The wind was so strong it pulled her cart towards a man who stopped it for her and offered to guide her back to her car. He instructed her to hold onto the cart as he pulled it through the lot and when they arrived at her car he told her to hold onto the car as she made her way to the driver’s seat.
The lot was so filled with smoke she decided against attempting to leave, hoping by waiting the smoke would clear. But as she waited, all the other cars quickly cleared out and she found herself alone. By now the bushes adorning the medians had caught fire and she knew she must do something. She spotted a county police car in the distance and flashed her lights. He quickly made his way to her, pulled on a face mask as he stepped out but the wind quickly took it away. He told her, “Lady, you gotta get out of here, right now!” but the smoke was so dense she feared she wouldn’t be able to find her way. He offered to lead her out. She followed him to safety on the other side of U.S. 36.
Carolyn Usher, Boulder
Patrick Murphy: War: The truth rings in your ears
So, who shall we hate? Since we know who has caused deaths on both sides of a war, I think we have the answer. Putin is it. Sometimes logic has a short path to the truth. Lies just don’t work. Why? Because truth rings in your ears.
Patrick Murphy, Boulder
Sue Winthrop: Heroes: We all have the ability to ‘be the blessing’
Every Friday I receive a Shabbat Card from the synagogue I belong to in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This week’s quote was titled, “Our World Needs Heroes.” This week’s quote struck me to the depths of my soul.
“Being heroic means to care about people beyond yourself or even your family. A hero is someone who actually stands up for others, who is willing to have backbone, who is willing to fight when a fight is needed. The heroic within us is the ability to step out and step up. ‘And God said to Abram, Lech Lecha — Go Forth … and be a blessing.’ God does not tell Abram to ‘say a blessing’ or ‘remember a blessing’ but to ‘be a blessing.’”
To be a blessing. Such a difficult concept in our world today. It seems to me that too many people are struggling to survive. The cost of housing and food has risen. Many are unable to make ends meet. Violence is on the rise and there is an intolerance of differences.
Even so, I truly believe all of us can change the way we look at others. We can become the person that listens and is willing to try and understand. As a community we can teach our children about patience, tolerance and humility.
We can be a blessing…
Sue Winthrop, Longmont | 2022-11-08T13:24:13Z | www.dailycamera.com | Letters to the editor: Everyone needs a hand; Marshall Fire heroes; the truth rings; 'be a blessing' | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/letters-to-the-editor-everyone-needs-a-hand-marshall-fire-heroes-the-truth-rings-be-a-blessing/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/letters-to-the-editor-everyone-needs-a-hand-marshall-fire-heroes-the-truth-rings-be-a-blessing/ |
Thank You For Your Service. Presented by Terri Cox Gray
Terri Gray
Name: Terri Gray
Service: September 1990 – November 1996
Served: Stationed with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 4, the HC-4 Black Stallions in Sicily, Italy. They were known as the “prime movers” of air-delivered cargo for the Mediterranean Fleet. She had the honor of serving with HC-4 during the Gulf War and Operation Desert Storm.
Proud Moment: There are endless proud moments for Terri while serving in the Navy. Her most important was when she realized she was part of something bigger than herself and the significant role she played in serving her Country.
Airman First Class Jim Widlar, U.S. Air Force
Veterans Salute, presented by Terri Cox Gray | 2022-11-09T01:44:33Z | www.dailycamera.com | Terri Gray, U.S. Navy – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/terri-gray-u-s-navy/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/terri-gray-u-s-navy/ |
Civana Kuhlmann lands first team All-Pac-12…
Colorado’s Civana Kuhlmann received first team Pac-12 All-Conference honors. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
Civana Kuhlmann made the most of her one season with the Colorado women’s soccer team. Local product Juliauna Hayward showed there might be a future star in the Buffaloes’ freshman class.
Both players were honored on Tuesday as the Pac-12 Conference announced its postseason women’s soccer awards. Kuhlmann led the way for CU by earning a spot in the first team all-conference squad, while Hayward, a graduate of Legacy High and the BoCoPreps girls soccer player of the year last spring, landed on the all-freshman team.
Kuhlmann, a native of Centennial, believed she had completed her collegiate career at Stanford and was recovering from an injury at home early in 2022. When Kuhlmann’s health improved ahead of schedule, she reached out to CU coach Danny Sanchez about spending the extra season of eligibility granted by the NCAA for the 2020-21 pandemic season in Boulder.
The fit proved fruitful. Kuhlmann recorded 12 goals this season, a mark that tied for second all-time in program history with Katie Griffin (2005), Jorian Baucom (2018) and Taylor Kornieck (2019). With six assists, Kuhlmann finished with 30 points, which also tied Baucom and Kornieck for second in team history.
Kuhlmann helped lead CU to a total of 42 goals this season, which tied the 2006 team for the fourth-most in program history.
“We’re obviously very pleased that Civana decided to join us for her senior year,” Sanchez said. “She immediately impacted us on and off the field and had a fantastic year. She had a lot to prove, battling back from her injuries and she proved it to the soccer world with her performance this year. We’re excited about her professional soccer future.”
Hayward started the first 14 games of the season but missed the final six due to an injury. Hayward’s last appearance was a 1-0 home win against Oregon on Oct. 9. Without Hayward, the Buffs didn’t win again, going 0-4-2 in the final six games to fall short of an NCAA Tournament berth.
Hayward scored a goal in her collegiate debut in a season-opening win against Weber State, finishing the season with two goals and four assists.
“Juliauna had a fantastic freshman year,” Sanchez said. “She established herself as a starter and a key part of our attack from day one. We’re disappointed that she missed the end of the season, but we’re really excited about her future and what she can do for our program going forward.
The Pac-12 player of the year awards went to Arizona State’s Nicole Douglas (forward of the year), USC’s Croix Bethune (midfielder), UCLA’s Lilly Reale (defender), Oregon’s Leah Freeman (goalkeeper), and Stanford’s Elise Evans (Stanford). UCLA’s Margueritte Aozasa was named the coach of the year. | 2022-11-09T06:35:22Z | www.dailycamera.com | Civana Kuhlmann lands first team All-Pac-12 honors for CU Buffs soccer – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/civana-kuhlmann-lands-first-team-all-pac-12-honors-for-cu-buffs-soccer/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/civana-kuhlmann-lands-first-team-all-pac-12-honors-for-cu-buffs-soccer/ |
University of Colorado governing board faces…
Colorado voters on Tuesday elected three new members to serve on the nine-member University Colorado Board of Regents, preliminary counts showed, reshaping governance of the state’s flagship school.
A neck-and-neck race for the new District 8 seat that represents Adams and Weld counties — too close to call Tuesday night — could tilt the balance of power on this politically-divided board slightly more in favor of Democrats.
In District 8, Republican historian Mark VanDriel of Greeley narrowly was leading with 81,050 votes (50.67%) over Democrat university administrator Yolanda Ortega of Westminster with 78,915 votes (49.33%), according to results reported by the Secretary of State shortly before 9:30 p.m.
In District 1, Democrat businesswoman Wanda James was leading Republican lawyer Amy Naes 83,980 (77.55%) to 24,312 (22.45%) — vying for the seat that represents metro Denver.
In District 4 covering eastern Colorado, Republican former Speaker of the Colorado House Frank McNulty of Highlands Ranch was leading with 157,848 votes (62.27%) over Democrat Navy veteran and retired mechanic and teacher Jack Barrington of Las Animas who had 95,655 (37.89%).
In District 5 representing El Paso County, Republican incumbent regent Ken Montera – Gov. Jared Polis appointed him in December 2021 to fill a vacancy – was leading with 107,515 votes (59.31%) over Democrat educator Ron Casados with 73,748 votes (40.69%). Montera currently serves as vice chair of the Board of Regents.
Based on the vote tallies as of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night, a third of the governing board will be new.
That’s because two incumbent board members decided not to seek re-election: Democrat Jack Kroll of Denver and Republican Heidi Ganahl of Lone Tree, whose statewide at-large position now is assigned to represent District 8. Ganahl is running for governor. And Republican Regent Sue Sharkey of Castle Rock, representing District 4 since 2011, reached the two-term limit. | 2022-11-09T06:35:41Z | www.dailycamera.com | Colorado election results for CU Regents in districts 1, 4, 5 and 8 | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/cu-regents-election-results-colorado/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/cu-regents-election-results-colorado/ |
Boulder County voters are opposing tax-funded…
Although voters were nearly split between whether they want to have a property tax-funded library district, the opposition was trending to victory as of Tuesday night.
Unofficial election returns Tuesday night showed 17,976 — 51.42% — votes against Ballot Issue 6C and 16,984 — 48.58% — in favor of the Boulder Public Library District Ballot Issue 6C. This measure asked voters in Boulder and parts of unincorporated Boulder County — including Gunbarrel, Gold Hill and Eldorado Springs — if they supported a property tax-funded library district and if they were willing to pay an annual increase of $23 per $100,000 of residential property value and $97.60 per $100,000 of commercial property value.
Although ballots will continue being counted through the night and in the coming days, the answer late Tuesday was no. | 2022-11-09T13:34:02Z | www.dailycamera.com | Boulder County voters shoot down tax-funded library district proposition | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/boulder-county-voters-shoot-down-tax-funded-library-district-proposition/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/boulder-county-voters-shoot-down-tax-funded-library-district-proposition/ |
Democratic candidate Faith Winter held a strong 26% lead for the Colorado State Senate District 25 race as of 7 p.m. Tuesday night.
Following early returns, Winter, who currently represents State District 24, had 63% of the votes with 20,080 total votes, while her Republican opponent Melody Peotter had 11,748 votes, according to the Colorado Election Results website.
A total of 31,828 votes have been counted as of 7 p.m. | 2022-11-09T13:35:49Z | www.dailycamera.com | State Senate District 25: Winter holding strong lead – Boulder Daily Camera | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/state-senate-district-25-winter-holding-strong-lead/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/08/state-senate-district-25-winter-holding-strong-lead/ |
By Joe Neguse and Michael Bennet
The designation will also forever commemorate Camp Hale’s story as a vital part of our history. During the Second World War, 15,000 recruits came to Camp Hale by train from across the country to form the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division. Some had never seen snow before. Others had never been in the mountains. But over two years of intense training, they became the world’s most capable mountain soldiers. The skills they learned at Camp Hale — skiing, rappelling, mountaineering — changed the course of history.
After the war, many 10th Mountain veterans returned to Colorado to build our ski and outdoor industries — at Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge and Steamboat — drawing not only on their expert skills, but the surplus equipment after the war. It’s why some consider Camp Hale the birthplace of Colorado’s $10 billion outdoor recreation economy. In the years since, 10th Mountain veterans have been some of the most influential advocates for our public lands.
One of those veterans was Sanford “Sandy” Morris Treat, Jr. After serving in combat, Sandy took up the fight to preserve Camp Hale. Before his death, Sandy’s activism helped inspire the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act, our bill to protect over 400,000 acres of Colorado public lands — including the iconic landscapes surrounding Camp Hale. Although Sandy passed away last year, his memory and legacy will live on in the scenic overlook named in his honor.
Despite broad support for the CORE Act — from local officials, environmental groups, ranchers, veterans, and small business owners — partisan gridlock has kept it from passing the Senate (even though it has passed the House five times). As Congress dithered, fewer 10th Mountain veterans remained each year to advocate for protecting Camp Hale and its history. Colorado couldn’t wait any longer, so we called on the president to use his executive authority to protect the site, honor the 10th Mountain veterans and ensure their stories are never forgotten.
The creation of the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument is a victory for Colorado. It will provide much-needed resources and protections for this special place, protect Colorado’s environment and public lands, and ensure the stories and sacrifices of the 10th Mountain Division live on. More than anything, it testifies to the vision, advocacy and careful compromises of local leaders over many years of hard work. Thanks to them, future generations will have the opportunity to visit Camp Hale and appreciate its enduring legacy — not only for Colorado but humanity.
Joe Neguse is a member of the U.S. House, representing Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District. Michael Bennet is a U.S. Senator. | 2022-11-09T16:59:48Z | www.dailycamera.com | Guest opinion: Joe Neguse and Michael Bennet: Camp Hale National Monument is a long-awaited victory | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/09/guest-opinion-joe-neguse-and-michael-bennet-camp-hale-national-monument-is-a-long-awaited-victory/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/09/guest-opinion-joe-neguse-and-michael-bennet-camp-hale-national-monument-is-a-long-awaited-victory/ |
Letters to the editor: Don’t contaminate…
Cindy Henry: Compost: Contaminating compost can send everything to landfill
According to A1 Organics, operator of the compost processing facility serving the Front Range, contamination in the compostable material stream has reached a tipping point. A1 has begun rejecting loads of compostables containing plastic and other contaminants, directing these loads to the landfill instead.
Compost is meant to be all organic. This means peeling off that little sticker on the fruit, not composting a paper towel if it’s been used with a chemical cleaner, not tossing plastic into the bin — basically not putting any type of non-organic material into the compost cart. It’s not that difficult.
It truly pains me to have to consider that my carefully composted materials may all be going to the dump because others are either too lazy, don’t get it or just don’t care.
Please, folks, if you are not going to compost correctly, please don’t do it all. Thank you!
Cindy Henry, Boulder
Laura Riihimaki: Politics: False equivalencies suppress democratic dialogue
I am concerned that a letter to the editor last Thursday contributes to the kind of divisive rhetoric that it purports to be condemning. The author tries to make an analogy between the votes of two of the most progressive Boulder City Council members and the positions of far-right Congressional representatives, Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene who, according to the letter, “cause extremist actions” and “deep political division” that weakens our democracy. The connection appears to be that the author feels unsafe from the actions of far-right politicians in weakening our democracy and from homelessness in Boulder.
However, rather than focusing on the content of local issues, the letter tries to motivate readers with fear and anger, associating named City Council members with people and problems that are irrelevant to the budget of the City of Boulder, and ends with a vague call for those city council members to be “held accountable.” This, to me, fails to create a meaningful dialogue about solving problems of common interest in our community, the foundation of democracy.
While I sympathize with wanting to feel safe, I don’t see how City Council members voting their conscience to protect the safety of all of their constituents, including those who are unhoused, threatens our democracy. However, stoking fear with false equivalencies may in fact lead to the kind of division that suppresses democratic dialogue.
Laura Riihimaki, Boulder
Sara Mitton: Safety: Community must work to keep students safe
One thing has become very clear lately in Boulder. Our high school students are, in my opinion, facing dangers never before imagined. We all know from the news in this country that students not only have learning challenges given the pandemic and that there are assaults on their safety from random acts of violence, which could be fueled by social media. These seem to be universal across the country.
But we have a potentially unique situation here in Boulder, specifically at Boulder High. These students are faced with the distress of the physical environment surrounding their school. It is almost incomprehensible to me, the parent of two children who attended Boulder High in the 1990s, that current students cannot even have physical safety around their building. I appreciate the brave students who have publicly spoken of these conditions. I personally see it almost daily as I live not far and pass the site frequently.
No matter the feelings of various contingents of the local political spectrum, regarding how to solve the homeless problem in our community, we must find a solution that removes it immediately and permanently from the site. That structure was built in the 1930s and has had teachers who educated generations here. We do need some sort of security in and around the building. The bike path and the grounds should be clean and safe. I trust the current students and staff to make those decisions as to style, but we as a community must allow them that possibility.
Sara Mitton, Boulder | 2022-11-09T17:00:13Z | www.dailycamera.com | Letters to the editor: Don't contaminate compost; false equivalencies are dangerous; we must keep students safe | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/09/letters-to-the-editor-dont-contaminate-compost-false-equivalencies-are-dangerous-we-must-keep-students-safe/ | https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/11/09/letters-to-the-editor-dont-contaminate-compost-false-equivalencies-are-dangerous-we-must-keep-students-safe/ |
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