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Local News

  • County administrator confirms moves against Zinna

    County Administrator Jim Moore testified in a federal lawsuit last week that, in 2005, the Jeffco commissioners actively tried to silence longtime county critic Mike Zinna.

    “They were very displeased. They wanted him to stop,” Moore said, referring to the former commission’s reaction to stories posted on Zinna’s websites. “They generally talked about ways to shut him up, shut him down. … There was discussion about evicting him from the airport.”

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  • Zinna case against Congrove goes to jury

    Jurors are deliberating the lawsuit by longtime Jeffco critic Mike Zinna against former county commissioner Jim Congrove. The suit alleges that, in 2005 and 2006, Congrove targeted Zinna for investigation, defamation and harassment, in violation of Zinna’s First Amendment rights.

    A commercial photographer testified Dec. 7 in federal court that he had a falling out with Zinna after Zinna failed to pay him for work he’d done on the website Coloradoexposed.com.

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  • Proposal would close Ken Caryl Middle School

    About 500 students, parents and teachers hoping to keep their schools open packed Summit Ridge Middle School on Nov. 16 to give their two cents and listen to a horde of proposals from others.

    Jeffco Public Schools faces an $18 million to $20 million budget shortfall for the 2010-11 school year, and bridges to the gap include possible school closures, merging or sharing of facilities, and staff layoffs.

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  • Jeffco libraries expected to feel budget crunch

    The Jeffco Public Library system stands to lose about $1.5 million in revenue next year, as county officials anticipate diverting 0.2 mills of the current levy toward human services programs.

    Despite the expected loss, the library is not planning to close any locations or cut staff positions.

    “Our revenue situation is so tenuous at this time,” administrative services director Patricia Correia said of the specific steps the library will take to absorb the loss. “We will live within our means.”

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  • South Jeffco residents hit the stores on Black Friday in search of bargains

    As much of the nation was recovering from the gastronomic surfeit of Thanksgiving, many Americans eagerly partook in a less sedate pastime by pitching tents outside Best Buys and Walmarts.

    Veritable hordes waited during the wee hours Friday for early openings at big-box stores that were offering deep discounts on plasma TVs, small appliances and other consumer goods.

    “It’s been a very good day for us,” said Ben Delong, a PC sales manager at Ultimate Electronics on West Bowles Avenue.

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  • On the trail of holiday lights

    The bright, saturated hues of the holiday-themed Trail of Lights display at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield are returning Dec. 4 through Jan. 3 for the second year.

    Hanging on barns, an antique ranch house and a variety of trees will be more than 1 million small bulbs, which will be illuminated from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

    Among the features at the Chatfield Gardens are a children’s treehouse, a barn that is home to chickens and sheep, and a circa-1880s farmhouse.

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  • Ex-county attorney takes witness stand in Zinna trial

    In the third day of the misuse-of-power jury trial pitting radio-show host and longtime Jeffco critic Mike Zinna against former commissioner Jim Congrove, the focus was on former county attorney Frank Hutfless, the top in-house attorney for Jeffco from February 2005 to March 2007.

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  • Nine indicted in wide-ranging identity-theft ring

    Five men and four women alleged to be in an identity theft and forgery ring operating in Jefferson County have been indicted by a grand jury for racketeering under laws designed to prosecute organized crime.

    Those indicted are accused of participating in a criminal enterprise that operated in Jefferson County, the Denver metro area and Colorado Springs between October 2008 and February 2009.

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  • Compensation study shows county workers underpaid

    Jefferson County has paid a quarter of a million dollars to discover what many county employees already suspected: They’re underpaid.

    The study, which ended up costing a total of $245,000, was presented less than a week before the Board of Commissioners will meet to revise the county’s proposed 2010 budget.

    Implementing pay adjustments for employees who earn less than market wages could cost between $107,000 and $1.4 million per year, depending on which groups would be selected for raises and how close to market rates they would be paid.

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  • Littleton soccer coach sentenced to 24 years in prison for sex with 13-year-old girl

    A 46-year-old Littleton soccer coach was sentenced Nov. 6 to 24 years in prison for kidnapping and sexual assault of a child after having sex with a 13-year-old girl twice and lying to police during the search for the girl.

    Myers was arrested following a massive search for the 13-year-old girl in Littleton on Oct. 24, 2008, that ultimately ended when he turned himself into police. Myers was the goal-keepers skills coach for the girl’s team in the Littleton Soccer Club.

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