Headlines — May 25, 2022

May 25, 2022

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Shockwaves From Shootings Overshadow Final Days Of School Year

The murders of at least 19 elementary school children and two teachers at a Texas elementary school Tuesday sent shock waves across the nation. The shooting hit especially close to home in Boulder where a gunman shot down 10 people at a neighborhood King Soopers last spring. 

Boulder City Council and BVSD both held moments of silence at their meetings Tuesday. 

As the news broke about the Texas shooting, police in Boulder announced they would be placing Casey Middle school on high alert after rumors on social media indicated a student had made threats targeting the school on its last day. 

Principal Gabriela Renteria said to parents and students in a letter, “We want to let you know that we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate a rumor that is circulating on social media about a possible threat against Casey Middle School, involving a student. At this time we do not have much information about the nature of the threat, other than that it apparently focused on Thursday, the last day of school.

Diagonal Plaza Redevelopment Site And Use Review OK’d By Boulder City Council

Boulder City Council has given the go-ahead to develop Diagonal Plaza. The city has been debating what to do with the almost 60-year-old shopping center for years. According to a staff memo from last week’s meetings, it is an aging and deteriorating commercial center that has experienced regular vacancies over the past several decades. 

The development will have retail shops along 18th street, community space, and 282 residential units-some of which will become affordable housing.

Elijah McClain’s Mom To Visit White House

Sheneen McClain, the mother of the 23-year-old who was murdered by aurora police, Elijah McClain, is invited to the white house for an executive order on policing for the Biden administration. Biden plans on signing an executive order aimed at reforming policing on Wednesday, which is the second anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police. 

Biden is expected to sign a presidential order that requires federal law enforcement to revise and review policies on the use of force and would restrict the flow of surplus military equipment distributed to local police. It would also encourage limitations on chokeholds and no-knock warrants by attaching strings to federal funding. Relatives of Floyd are expected to attend the event.

Governor Polis Signed A Bill Creating An Indian Boarding School Research Program On Tuesday

Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 1327 on Tuesday morning in Durango, creating a Federal Indian Boarding School Research Program. History Colorado will run the program, which will archive documents and experiences of more than a century of families and children who the federal government took from their homes and placed in boarding schools across the country. The schools, two of which operated until as recently as 1981, abducted native youth from their homes to culturally assimilate them. It was recently discovered through an investigation that 53 of these schools were responsible for the deaths of 500 native children.

Holly Norton, the State Archaeologist with History Colorado, will run the program and hopes to improve the state of native boarding school programs. Norton and Metropolitan State University of Denver Department of History Chair Matthew Makley also hope to bring a sense of closure to families that lost people in the boarding schools of the past.

Broomfield Moves COVID-19 Level To Medium

Broomfield moved to a medium COVID-19 community risk level. Officials say the risk of COVID-19 is increasing in the town and residents should take steps to stay safe. 

The announcement advised high-risk residents to discuss with their health care provider 

Masks remain optional across the state; however, officials asked that those who test positive to isolate and wear masks in order to stop the virus from spreading. 

More Than 150 Animals Rescued In Montezuma County Animal Mistreatment Investigation

Over 150 animals have been removed from a private property in Cortez, Colorado after the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Protection found 35 birds, 15 companion animals, 30 small animals, and 77  livestock at the property. According to The Fence Post, the veterinarians that removed the animals from the property said there was very little access to food and water.

The case is still under investigation and a trial is set to see if the property owners will lose their animal ownership permanently. 

Some ‌animals rescued were 13 dogs, two cats, 30 rabbits, and 17 horses, which will be available for adoption through the Denver Dumb Friends League. You can visit ddfl.org to learn more.

County Commissioners To Host Community Meeting On Gross Reservoir Dam Expansion Community Impact Mitigation Fund – June 13

On June 13 at 6 p.m., a virtual community meeting is being held to discuss the Gross Reservoir Dam Expansion Community Impact Mitigation Fund. The meeting is for Boulder County residents who live in proximity to the gross reservoir and will focus on the county’s proposals to distribute the $5 million settlement fund received from Denver Water to tackle the gross reservoir expansion project.