Local News

The proposed 3-mill increase being sought by the Foothills Park and Recreation District in May is needed for capital repairs and increased operating expenses, according to district spokeswoman Mary Pat Adams, who has said the district may have to cut services this summer if the tax increase isn’t approved.

Dennis Weyl, a South Jeffco resident for the last 29 years, doesn’t agree.

“Frankly, I think they need to tighten their belts and live within their means,” Weyl said. “The rest of us do.”

Members of the Jefferson County SWAT Team couldn’t precisely reproduce the stressful conditions they face in the field for a handful of SWAT Team candidates last week. But they sure gave it a mighty effort.

Eight candidates from the Arvada Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office were trying out for three spots on the elite squad. The candidates had a general idea of what they were getting themselves into, but had no way of knowing how difficult it would actually be.

When Capt. Patricia Woodin comes to work every day at the South Precinct of the Jeffco Sheriff’s Office, her focus is squarely on customer service.

“We’re responsible for customer service,” Woodin said recently in her office. “A lot of government agencies don’t have that take.”

Part of that approach is providing the “same level of service with a little bit less,” a reference to the fact that the sheriff’s office is dealing with budget cuts along with all other county-funded operations.

Carrie Ann Smith was charged with theft of more than $20,000 and two counts of forgery of checks March 17 in the theft of more than $100,000 from the South Jeffco Sports Association.

During the time Smith served as office manager for the South Jeffco Sports Association, an audit showed $102,580.65 in misappropriated funds between September 2005 and September 2007. The theft charge is a class 3 felony, and the two counts of forgery are class 5 felonies.