Today's News

Public schools in Jefferson County will start the 2008-09 school year nine days earlier than normal, on Aug. 12.

Jefferson County also is bringing back a fall mini-break, with schools closing Thursday and Friday, Oct. 23 and 24.

The early start time was instigated to allow extra time for CSAP preparation so students can finish classroom testing before Christmas break.

J.C. Ochoa closed out the regular season in grand fashion.

The Dakota Ridge catcher dug in with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning needing just a sacrifice fly to tie the game or a solid hit to win it.

On a deceptively cold, late-April morning, they gathered on the north side of the Jeffco sheriff’s office to garden. Some brought shears, some brought gloves, and many had both.

Of the two dozen people on hand, all shared a common interest in rose bushes, and in the intricacies of taking care of them. What they didn’t have in common is where they came from.

Five of the gardeners April 26 started their morning as inmates in the Jefferson County Jail, and would return to the jail when the day was through.

Two Jeffco legislators are one step closer to creating a committee to study ways to deal with wildfires, especially in areas where homes and forests collide.

These areas — referred to in firefighting circles as the “wildland-urban interface” — contain increasing numbers of homes and subdivisions, making it difficult for firefighters to effectively fight wildfires and protect homes and lives, according to Senate Joint Resolution 25. The resolution would create an interim committee that would meet this summer and make recommendations by Nov. 1.