Local News

Jeffco Public Schools and the Jefferson County Education Association have reached a tentative agreement that guarantees a 2.7 percent pay increase and $1.4 million to help teachers with "workload issues."

The deal also promises a 0.9 percent increase in the district's contribution to the Public Employees' Retirement Association. An additional 0.5 percent salary increase is promised if the district gets a mill-levy increase passed in November.

The 2.7 percent cost-of-living increase will begin Sept. 1.

SOUTH JEFFCO — A local couple frothing over some suds after a dinner party had to be counseled by deputies on May 3. The deputies responded to a disturbance call in the 5300 block of South Union Way and found the couple battling over who would do the dishes — but not in a typical housework-avoidance brouhaha. The industrious hubby stood in front of the sink and blocked his eager wife’s route to dishpan hands. He started yelling and pointedly telling her to get out of the kitchen, and after about 10 minutes, she called the sheriff's office.

Locks of all colors hit the gym floor at Dakota Ridge High School on May 2, as nearly two dozen students and teachers had their heads shaved to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

"How many people think Dr. Jelinek would look good with a pink mohawk?" yelled math teacher Nick Cummings, a 1998 Dakota Ridge graduate. The packed gym went wild.

Principal Jim Jelinek and Cummings walked out of the room with mohawks, but the other 19 whose heads were shaved walked out completely bald.

For the second time in less than two years, the Foothills Park & Recreation District has seen a bid to raise taxes defeated at the polls.

By a vote of 54.3 percent to 45.7 percent, district voters rejected a proposed 3-mill increase to a levy of 10.65 mills, which the district said was needed for capital repairs, equipment replacement, operational costs and maintenance.

The actual vote count was 8,163 opposed and 6,867 in favor, according to Foothills' website.