JeffCo sets its criminal offenders up for success with new programs, resources In Jefferson County, several community partners have teamed up in efforts to give its residents second chances. By seeking to curb recidivism — the tendency of criminal offenders to relapse into illicit behavior — this coalition aims to cut costs to taxpayers and
When Wheat Ridge resident Mark Bassignani went to the doctor for his back pain, he left the appointment with an unexpected prescription. “You don’t seem to hurt when you play pickleball,” Bassignani recalls the doctor saying. “So keep playing and come see me when you can’t play anymore.” He’s been playing seven days a week
Concerns include the presence of low-income and homeless residents and lack of notice from the city A low-income and homeless apartment building in Wheat Ridge has stirred up nearby residents who said they were left out of the loop before construction began. On April 25, city and Jefferson County officials broke ground on The Ives
The Jefferson Center for Mental Health will receive $400,000 from the city for mental health services This winter, expanded mental health resources are coming to town. Wheat Ridge has elected to dedicate $400,000 of its federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Jefferson Center for Mental Health, a local non-profit providing mental health
Wheat Ridge motorists are right: In recent months, there have been more road projects on more streets than usual. A combination of factors is behind the nine city projects that are producing congestion and delays and involve more than 50 streets. Added to those are three area highway projects. Altogether, the projects had an estimated
One of those little-known or discussed fees Wheat Ridge residents see on their phone bills will be smaller next year. By a 6-1 vote at its Sept. 25 meeting, the city council approved a city code revision that replaces a late-1990s ordinance. Councilmember Leah Dozeman voted against the measure and Councilmember Valerie Nosler Beck was
The carnations may be gone, but the festival is as lively as ever. Wheat Ridge residents and visitors gathered at Anderson Park from Aug. 11 through 13 to celebrate the City of Wheat Ridge in the annual Carnation Festival. The crowd enjoyed a parade on 38th Avenue, carnival rides, live music and a fireworks show.
In Wheat Ridge, one busy corridor might be getting a much needed makeover. Last October, Wheat Ridge City Council began talks to spruce up Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT’s) right of way zones on the west side of Youngfield Street between 32nd and 40th avenues. This strip of land today can be described as underutilized
Few parties require a police presence on hand to help direct traffic. One such Denver area gathering is the annual can’t-miss St. Patrick’s day event at Clancy’s Irish Pub. Held for four days split between two weekends, this celebration draws hordes of green-beer-drinking Coloradoans to Wheat Ridge every year. Patrons are treated to cheap drinks,
For the past two years Art on the Farm has been a monthly event on a local urban farm, promoted and supported by the Neighborhood Gazette, the City of Wheat Ridge, Wheat Ridge Creates and the Art League. It is an outdoor place for artists to come and paint, sculpt and share their art with
The marijuana industry in Colorado isn’t what it was a decade ago. The days of soaring sales and dispensaries opening every week after legalization took effect have ended. Instead, fears of business closures, mass layoffs and declining tax revenue are the norm. Various factors have been cited, led by an oversupply of products and a
In the year since the Wadsworth Improvement Project began in Wheat Ridge, surrounding neighborhood streets have not been crowded by vehicles avoiding construction delays, and the project is on schedule and budget. In an interview and emails, city spokeswoman Amanda Harrison said the $62 million project between 35th Avenue and Interstate 70 and the Clear
The City of Wheat Ridge provided the Neighborhood Gazette the following statement on the recent “ransomware” incident. The City of Wheat Ridge is still in the process of restoring its systems after IT Professionals proactively took down aspects of the network in response to a cyber security incident in late August. Immediately following the incident,
An effort to overturn Wheat Ridge City Council’s recent approval of accessory dwelling units was said to be on schedule, according to a resident leading a petition drive. The city defines an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) as a smaller, independent residential building on the same property as a detached single-unit home. ADUs are converted portions
Five new bikes, helmets and locks are now in the hands of children being supported by Family Tree, a Wheat Ridge-based organization that provides life-changing services to end child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness. The bikes were built by residents and team members at The Ridge Pinehurst senior living community in Lakewood as a part
Victims and survivors of crimes, disasters and mass shootings usually do not know where to turn for help. So law enforcement agencies in Wheat Ridge and seven other Jefferson County communities ask Victim Outreach Inc., or VOI, to lend a hand. Cynthia “Cin” Chapman worked for the Porchlight Family Justice Center in Lakewood before accepting
Wheat Ridge Police Chief Chris Murtha followed Officer Alan Hernandez and I to Lutheran Hospital on April 14. As we rounded the corner, we were met with a line of first responder vehicles with lights flashing that easily spanned the half mile to the hospital entrance. I was scheduled to meet with Murtha and interview
Learning in Jeffco changes more every year and Everitt Middle School is keeping pace. There is a new class offered at Everitt this year. Angela Neve just began an elective course called Service Learning. “This is the second semester at Everitt for the class… I have high hopes for its continued success. This experience is
ADU, Auxiliary Dwelling Unit, granny flat, carriage house, guest house. Many names with many uses. But, of course, many opinions. For years it was a can kicked down the road by previous city councils here in Wheat Ridge. Finally, a new group is focused on addressing and creating a set of rules where citizens can
After more than four decades of serving the local community as a police officer, Barry Malloy is stepping away from the Wheat Ridge Police Department; and from what was arguably his favorite era of his service: the safety resource officer role (SRO) at Wheat Ridge High School, where he arrived in 2006. He admitted joining
