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Springs resident pleads guilty in January hit-run

Idaho Springs resident Joseph Dykstra, 34, pleaded guilty in district court on May 15 to a felony and two misdemeanors in connection with a hit-and-run accident that led to a standoff with the SWAT team earlier this year.

Dykstra was charged with a class 4 felony of leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury and with two misdemeanors, driving under the influence and child abuse not resulting in injury.

Slide deaths offer us a cautionary tale

The difference between a man and a boy, the old saw goes, is the price of his toys. On one level, that’s fine, one supposes, such as when comparing skateboarding to NASCAR, but at what point is it expected for a male to assume the full responsibilities of adulthood and the consequences that come with it?

Staunton State Park has stunning debut

By Daniel Laverty

Staff Writer

Staunton State Park’s much-anticipated opening weekend didn’t disappoint.

“It’s been crazy getting ready for this, but seeing people happy has made all of the blood, sweat and tears worth it,” said Jennifer Anderson, the park manager. “I couldn’t have asked for the weekend to be better.”

Idaho Springs library restoration: Where history meets technology

The newly restored Idaho Springs Library melds the old with the new.

The restoration of the 108-year-old building at 219 14th Ave. remained true to the structure’s history while bringing it into the 21st century and beyond with technology upgrades.

Local officials and the public attended a grand-opening ceremony on May 17 to get a peek at the nine-month, $1.3 million project. The new design highlights the building’s original architecture, while making better use of natural light and space.

Spring’s arrival brings new growth to aspen, alder trees

 It is so nice to have some warm spring days, and now we are promised summer temperatures this week. Just to go out in my yard and see green fields and robins looking for worms, and hear green-tailed towhees and house wrens singing is a tonic for my winter-shriveled soul.

Winter has been far too long this year, partly because it started early and because spring is a good two weeks late. The aspen trees at the bend in the road usually have their furry catkins by April 15, but this year, they did not shed their bud scales and bring out their furry catkins until May 2.

Breaking down historic barriers

For its 58th season, Georgetown’s Hotel de Paris Museum is opening two rooms that previously were closed to the public to make the building’s history come alive for visitors.

The hotel opened May 17 to give officials from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Georgetown Inc., History Colorado and other organizations a peek at the two previously off-limits areas.

Museum director Kevin Kuharic, who was hired in 2010, has worked to make the museum a more interactive experience.

Administration scandals put liberty on ropes

Associated Press records scandal. IRS scandal. ObamaCare scandal. Benghazi scandal. When it rains, it pours. Ask former Presidents Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon. Both presidents’ second terms were plagued with scandal. Mr. Clinton with a “little blue dress,” and Mr. Nixon with his famous line of “I am not a crook.”  

Law-enforcement awards honor police officer, business, citizen

The Clear Creek Rite of Passage program at the Mt. Evans Qualifying House was recognized as the Crime Stoppers Business of the Year at the annual Lyle Wohlers’ Law Enforcement Luncheon on May 8.

Idaho Springs police officer Chris Wolf was presented the Officer of the Year award, and caseworker Sarah Cassano was recognized as the Clear Creek County Citizen of the Year.

Plan to create deputy treasurer position sparks council debate

The Idaho Springs city council will vote May 28 on whether to create a paid deputy treasurer position to help the city treasurer if an inexperienced candidate is elected in November.

Council members are concerned that an inexperienced city treasurer would not be able to handle the duties and obligations of the post. However, Mayor Jack Morgan believes a deputy treasurer is unnecessary, and that Idaho Springs residents don’t support the move. City voters have twice rejected converting the elected position into a hired one.

Fire-suppression system for Eisenhower Tunnel is funded

The Colorado Department of Transportation will get $5 million in seed money from the state for a fire-suppression system at the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnel on Interstate 70. 

On Saturday at the tunnel, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed House Bill 1252, which provides the seed money. CDOT still needs to find additional funding for the $25 million system.

The suppression system is not expected to completely extinguish tunnel fires, but rather it can be used to buy time for first responders. No one has ever died in a fire at the tunnel.

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