🌱 Driest April On Record + CO Teacher's Starting Wage Near Bottom

Good day, people of Lakewood! It's me again, Brad K. Evans, your host of the Lakewood Daily.

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Friday's weather: Winds becoming strong; cooler. High: 62 Low: 40.

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Here are the top stories in Lakewood today:

1. This may turn out to be the driest April on record. It's been a really dry April for Colorado this year, and that's worsening the already existing drought conditions that has significantly impacted the state's water supply, and it has now spread to Denver. (CBS4)
2. Lakewood City Council gives Save Bear Creek Lake Park a nod. The group packed Monday's Lakewood City Council with nearly 120 people carrying a petition that asks the Army Corps of Engineers to consider alternative ways to increase water storage in the state without flooding the park. (Westword)
3. Headed to Rocky Mountain National Park next month? Be prepared to pay at least an extra five bucks on all the normal fees you're used to paying. One-day vehicle passes are going up from $25 to $30 starting May 27. That's also when the park will transition to its timed entry system that requires visitors to the park reserve a time slot. (CPR)
4. Colorado's near the bottom of the list for starting pay for teachers. A recent study shows that teacher salaries have fallen behind inflation in Colorado. In real dollar terms, the nation's average school teacher salary has shrank 3.9% over the 10 years. (FOX 31)
5. When to plant your spring flowers. Here's some good advice as to when the right time to plant your flowers in Colorado. (KDVR)

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Today in Lakewood:

• COVID-19 Testing: Jeffco Fairgrounds. (7 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
• Toddler Time: Golden Library (10:15 a.m.)
• RMCAD Cone Zone: Printmaking exhibit. (11 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Should you stay or should you go? I don't know about you, but I'm still playing it safe as Colorado health officials say that the new COVID-19 variant is among us. That's causing a small bump in infections across the state, but ransmission rates are still pretty low, so hopefully it's something we don't have to to worry too much about. (CO Sun)
• Jeffco Open Space Advisory Committee Regular Session Public Meetings are a hybrid of in- person and virtual formats. To attend virtually please click on the following link which will take you to the WebEx Events platform. Next meeting is on May 5 at 6:30 p.m. (Jeffco)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Guardian Storage Colorado Free Shred-It Event (April 30)
• Bark at the Park! (April 30)
• Real Estate Investment Hour (May 3)
• 19th Annual Where Action Matters Charitable Event (May 4)
• Hire A Pro To Tackle Mom's To-Do List (May 8)
• Add your event

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you first thing on Saturday morning with a fresh new edition. Patch loves to get feedback, so if you got an extra second please give us a thumbs up below. — Brad K. Evans

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Lakewood Daily? Contact me at Lakewoodpatch@gmail.com