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One in five Colorado state jobs is vacant. Will bonuses, better pay entice workers?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:10 GMT

Krista Bernard walks into her work with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients at a state-run veterans’ home in Florence knowing that most days, she’ll be doing the work of two people.Usually, it means an exhausting shift of running around trying to keep the 11 residents cared for, clean and happy. Sometimes, it means there are not enough hands to help when a memory care resident becomes disoriented and struggles. Sometimes, that means she’s choked, concussed or kicked hard enough to hobble her. Just recently, a resident wrenched her wrist badly enough to warrant an MRI.She doesn’t fault patients for their illnesses and credits her bosses for help when she’s hurt. It’s an unfortunate reality of a fraught environment — made doubly so by her double duties.“100%, I believe that, in those instances, if I had a second aide with me and I wasn’t doing it by myself, I don’t think those things would have happened as easily and we w...

“Outrageous government conduct:” Attorneys file motion to dismiss charges against Cañon City woman in baby’s death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:10 GMT

An attorney representing the woman charged with child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury has filed a motion to dismiss her case based on “outrageous government conduct.”The motion filed by Thom LeDoux on behalf of his client, Brook Crawford, 20, claims the 11th Judicial District Attorney’s comments made in an Aug. 1 television interview with KRDO Channel 13 regarding the case are highly prejudicial.On Aug. 8, the Court gave the District Attorney’s Office 14 days to file a response.Crawford’s son, 10-month-old Edward Hayes, died May 23 after he allegedly was abused by his caregiver, William Jacobs, 21, Crawford’s live-in boyfriend. He has formally been charged with first-degree murder.On July 26, the court held a preliminary hearing for Crawford, and at the end of the hearing, rather than finding probable cause and binding the charge over for trial, the presiding magistrate, Claire LeBeau, took the issue under advisement and invited the parties to submit briefs as to whether th...

Planet Bluegrass responds to sexual harassment allegations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:10 GMT

Planet Bluegrass has responded to sexual harassment claims in a lawsuit filed by a former female employee against owner Craig Ferguson.Ferguson is being sued by a former employee alleging persistent sexual harassment, unwanted touching, and wrongful termination, according to a lawsuit filed Friday in Boulder County District Court.“We received a complaint that is not characteristic of who we are,” said Planet Bluegrass attorney Josh Kirkpatrick in a statement. “This community knows that we have spent the last three decades creating a respectful and admirable community here. Our festival community is known across the country for its high standards and sense of integrity that values people most of all. This complaint is unprecedented and in conflict with our history and our values.“Not only are many of the allegations contained within this complaint flatly unsubstantiated, it does not accurately reflect the true nature of various parties’ interactions or even the described events. Prio...

One person dead after shooting near downtown, Denver police investigating

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:10 GMT

One person is dead after a shooting in Denver and police homicide detectives are investigating.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Man shot, killed by Denver police was holding a marker, not a weapon Crime and Public Safety | Deaths in Colorado declined in 2022, but were still higher than pre-pandemic levels. Is this the new normal? Crime and Public Safety | Man shot in Denver on East 23rd Avenue dies at hospital Crime and Public Safety | Rally outside Jeffco DA’s office calls for arrest in fatal shooting at Tesla charging station in Edgewater Crime and Public Safety | Man shot dead in Denver was working security at Denver strip club The shooting happened near the 2200 block of Welton Street, Denver Police Department officials said in a posting at 1:28 a.m. on X, the social media site formerly called Twitter. The victim was taken to a hospital and died later Wednesday morning, police said.The...

Colorado test scores improve, hinting at a pandemic recovery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:10 GMT

Colorado students’ performance in math and literacy is starting to rebound to levels not seen since before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered schools three years ago, according to new data released by the state Department of Education Thursday.But significant achievement gaps continue to persist statewide among demographic and other groups, most notably among English language learners, according to the latest Colorado Measures of Academic Success test scores.Another disparity has also emerged: Boys’ test scores appear to be recovering more quickly than girls’, a trend that puzzled state education officials.“It’s very good we are seeing the rebound for boys, but we need a better understanding of what is happening with the girls in the state,” said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova.The news that Colorado students’ test scores are approaching pre-pandemic levels is not only good news but also in contrast to how children are performing nationally.Students’ math...

How each Colorado school performed on CMAS tests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:10 GMT

Colorado students’ performance in math and literacy is starting to rebound to levels not seen since before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered schools three years ago, according to new data released by the state Department of Education Thursday.Read the full story: Colorado test scores improve, hinting at a pandemic recoveryGet more Colorado news by signing up for our Mile High Roundup email newsletter.

Here are Colorado’s top-performing schools on 2023 CMAS tests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:10 GMT

Most of the schools with the highest scores on the latest Colorado Measures of Academic Success – or CMAS – test results are located in the Denver metro area. Three schools had top scores in both math and English Language Arts categories. They were Polaris Elementary in Denver, Dennison Elementary School in Lakewood and Zach Elementary School in Fort Collins.The Colorado Department of Education released the 2023 CMAS results on Thursday. The tests are graded on a scale of 650 to 850. Scores at 750 or above means that students met or exceeded expectations, an indication that they are on track to being ready for college or a career, according to the agency.Here are the schools with the highest scores in both the English Language Arts and math categories:Top five performing schools in English Language Arts Polaris Elementary, Denver; Denver Public Schools; 799 Dennison Elementary School, Lakewood; Jeffco Public Schools; 791 Zach Elementary, Fort Collins; Poudre School District; 791 Hul...

California's driver's license of the future is here

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:10 GMT

Ever been denied a drink because you forgot your driver's license at home? Well, those days may be over.California is continuing its rollout of mobile driver's licenses, and the public can sign up to have their identification card downloaded onto their phone.The free app works on both iOS and Android devices, and users can register remotely by scanning their license through the DMV's wallet app. Digital driver’s licenses are being tested in California The program is currently in its pilot phase, though some locations — including security checkpoints at LAX and SFO — already accept the mobile driver's license (aka mDL) as a valid form of identification. It's important, however, to continue to carry a physical driver's license for locations that don't yet accept the digital version, officials said. To see a list of participating airports, visit the Transportation Security Administration's website.

Could the California High-Speed Rail be completed in the next 5 years?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:10 GMT

California High-Speed Rail, the most ambitious public transportation project in the state's history, is still miles away from being completed, despite decades of discussion and nearly ten years of construction. Progress has kicked up in recent years as environmental hurdles were cleared, and the High-Speed Rail Authority hopes to have the Central Valley segment, which will connect Merced to Bakersfield, completed by 2030 (give or take).But what would it take to get the entire project — Bay Area to Los Angeles — completed even sooner? Maybe as soon as 2028 in time for the Olympics?That's what industry experts and activists met to discuss Wednesday evening during an online forum hosted by Streetsblog, an urban planning news and information website that focuses on transit and public safety.Dusk side view of a high-speed train (California High-Speed Rail Authority)While it might sound like a pipe dream, those in attendance for Wednesday's roundtable discussion argue it could be done, al...

15 dogs found in Gardena casino parking lot up for adoption

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:10 GMT

A total of 15 dogs that were inside a car impounded from a Gardena casino over the weekend are now up for adoption.The car was impounded on Aug. 13 and the dogs were taken to South Bay Pet Adoption Center in Hawthorne, according to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Los Angeles.The owner said the dogs lived in the car with her and they are unhoused.The dogs -- 10 females and 5 males -- are between 2 months and 2 years old and appear to be terrier and Chihuahua mixes.Pups found in a vehicle that was impounded from a Gardena casino are seen in a photo provided by spcaLA on Aug. 17, 2023. Pups found in a vehicle that was impounded from a Gardena casino are seen in a photo provided by spcaLA on Aug. 17, 2023. Pups found in a vehicle that was impounded from a Gardena casino are seen in a photo provided by spcaLA on Aug. 17, 2023. Pups found in a vehicle that was impounded from a Gardena casino are seen in a photo provided by spcaLA on Aug. 17, 2023. Pups found in a vehi...