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Articles from the December 18, 2019 edition


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  • SVVSD ups school safety

    Amy Scanes-Wolfe|Dec 18, 2019

    Nothing came of last week's bomb threat at Niwot High School, except the arrest of a student believed to be responsible. Nothing, but rattled nerves and the question, when will this fear of school-based violence end? In the last 15 months, the Saint Vrain Valley School District held 24 meetings to solicit community input on our local education system. Understandably, one of the most pressing subjects was school safety. "This is a touchy subject, it's scary," said Paula Peairs, vice-president of...

  • 71st Street project set to begin...

    Mary Wolbach Lopert|Dec 18, 2019

    If you drove south on 71st to Lookout Road the week of Dec. 8, you probably experienced some delays. Xcel is repositioning power lines in advance of the long-awaited upgrades to 71st Street. Although the project was originally slated to begin in spring 2019, the Courier reported in April that the schedule had been pushed back to early winter 2020. As previously reported, the project is divided into two phases. However, the first phase, which runs from Lookout Road to Winchester Circle/...

  • The growing field of green - how hemp is taking root in BoCo

    Vicky Dorvee|Dec 18, 2019

    You’re likely to have spotted the recognizable shape of cannabis plants in fields throughout Boulder County and even gotten a whiff of the skunky scent more often this year. Since those spiky-leafed plants are in open fields, rest assured it’s not marijuana – it is hemp. By definition of the U.S. government, hemp has less than .3% THC, which is the psychoactive element of marijuana. With proper licensing, it’s perfectly legal to grow acres of hemp. But there’s a big learning curve for governmen...

  • WINC's Fayre brimmed with holiday cheer

    Vicky Dorvee|Dec 18, 2019

    Even Mrs. Claus couldn't resist partaking of the goodies offered during the annual Women's International Niwot Club (WINC) Holiday Fayre on Saturday, Dec. 14. Niwot's community center, the Left Hand Grange, was alight with holiday cheer as more than 500 visitors perused the booths of 23 local vendors. Shoppers bought presents for others, some items to keep for themselves, and quickly snatched up tantalizing baked goods to be enjoyed sooner rather than later. Art work, jewelry, candles, body...

  • The Lookout Alliance hosts fracking threat presentation

    Abigail Scott|Dec 18, 2019

    On Thursday, Dec. 12, Lookout Alliance, 350 Boulder County, and Colorado Rising hosted a community forum that discussed threats from proposed fracking development in Boulder County. Currently, a moratorium that bans fracking development is in effect until March 2020. As this end date approaches, anti-fracking groups such as these are working to convince county commissioners to adopt revisions on oil and gas regulations or ban fracking altogether. This forum brought together legal experts, environmental activists, and policy makers in hopes of...

  • Community Pet Spotlight-Blizzard

    Dec 18, 2019

    Blizzard (Blizzie) is an extra small (8.5 lbs.) miniature schnauzer who lives with her human companions Dave and Rhonda Curran. Writes Rhonda, "Her parents were named Snow and Ice. She's been our little princess here in Niwot for 15 years. She still loves taking walks - but on her terms: temperature not too cold and not too hot. With the way she gets around and continues to wag her stubby tail, you'd be surprised to know she can't see or hear much of anything. Her senses of taste and smell...

  • Whistle Stop Park building clears county hurdles

    Jocelyn Rowley|Dec 18, 2019

    Following a prolonged delay, plans for a permanent concession stand in Niwot's Whistle Stop Park got the final nod from Boulder County Land Use in early December, and now the project's co-sponsors, the Niwot Business Association and Niwot Cultural Arts Association, are kicking off a community campaign to raise the remaining $70,000 needed to fund the construction. "We have over $35,000 in the bank from donations and fundraising efforts, and we just received a $5,000 donation today, giving us...

  • Niwot alum shares healing and storytelling through her filmmaking

    Hannah Stewart|Dec 18, 2019

    Author Jonathan Gottschall once said, "We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night telling itself stories." Storytelling is part of the human psyche, an element which has fascinated Sarah Echsner throughout her life. After graduating from Niwot High School, Echsner took psychology, photography, creative writing and even a documentary class at university. While this may seem like an eclectic selection, these choices led her to develop...

  • Annual window decorating contest winners

    Special to the Courier|Dec 18, 2019

    Niwot's annual window decorating contest, sponsored by Left Hand Animal Hospital, drew an unprecedented number of participants at Enchanted Evening on Nov. 29. With 23 businesses included in Old Town and Cottonwood Square, those attending the festival saw a wide array of themes: Santa's welcome home living room, gnomes welcoming visitors to Gniwot, even miniature superheroes celebrating a tiny terrarium version of Hanukkah. New participants in the contest this year, Classic Looks and Abo's...

  • Board of Education report shows lower enrollment for Niwot schools

    Hannah Stewart|Dec 18, 2019

    Every year starting in August, school districts across the state start analyzing enrollment numbers and other demographic data from their students. They track things such as building activity, socioeconomic trends, and more. This wealth of data then allows the planning department create projections in the spring. These projections, which largely focus around how many students are anticipated to be in various school feeder systems, will affect decisions such as open enrollment quotas. Paula...

  • Niwot High students honored by Rotary

    Special to the Courier|Dec 18, 2019

    Three Niwot High students were recently honored by the Rotary Club of Niwot as Students of the Month. From left, senior Keith Hemenway (October), senior Maisey Jefferson (September), and senior Trevor Smith (October) were introduced at a recent Rotary Club breakfast by Niwot principal Eric Rauschkolb and received a plaque noting the award. The three are now eligible for a scholarship from the RCN. The RCN meets Thursday mornings at 7:15 for breakfast, at the Niwot Grange Hall. Guests welcome...

  • Niwot girls swim ready to reset for new season

    Jack Carlough|Dec 18, 2019

    Coming off a Northern Conference championship and a 4A runner-up finish last season, the Niwot girl's swim team looks to continue its success with a fresh lineup of swimmers. Head coach Sarah Stamp leads a young 2019 squad that has already shown promise. "We're in a unique spot because we graduated 16 seniors last year," said Stamp, who is in her eleventh season at the helm. "I think our seniors this year are finding their voice after having such a powerful and present senior class (last year)....