Community Corner

🌱K9 Team Catches Burglar + Metro Auto Thefts Up + Bus Driver Help

The quickest way to get caught up on the important things happening in Lakewood today.

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Brad K. Evans, Patch Contributing WriterVerified Patch Staff Badge
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(Patch Media)

Lakewood news you can use! Here is what's happening in and around Lakewood today.

Saturday's weather: Partly sunny. High: 44 Low: 26.

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Here are the top five stories today in Lakewood:

  1. Metro Denver is one of the worst places in the country for auto theft. A new report from the Common Sense Institute, shows that auto theft is on the rise in the Denver area. There were more than 27,000 motor vehicle thefts across the metro area in 2020, the most in over a decade. (Axios)
  2. Missing elderly Lakewood man was beaten to death in his home. Gail Wilson, 81, was reported missing last October. According to an affidavit reported by one of the suspects, Wilson was beaten to death in the upstairs hallway of his home, then wrapped in black plastic before they dumped his body in a dumpster in Denver. (9News)
  3. Jeffco K9 team finds and arrests alleged Lakewood burglar. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, with the help of a K9 partner named Geist, arrested a man early Thursday inside of a Lakewood home after the owners had reported a home invasion burglary. (Patch)
  4. Colorado lawmakers propose plan to put an end to catalytic converter theft. Catalytic converter theft has been on the rise across the Denver metro area. Now state lawmakers are working on legislation aimed at curbing these crimes, as more than 2,000 catalytic converters were reported stolen in the city of Denver in 2021. (CBS4)
  5. Help may be on the way to solve the school bus driver shortage. School districts across the state have been struggling to find enough drivers this year to get students to and from school each day. Legislators are crafting a bill for introduction that would provide school districts with extra funding so they can offer more competitive salaries for drivers. (7News)

Today in Lakewood:

  • Lakewood Arts: Laughing Stock. Saturday and Sunday. (11 a.m - 4 p.m.)
  • CORE Gallery: Member's show. Saturday and Sunday. (noon-5 p.m.)
  • Kanon Collective: Winter members show. Saturday and Sunday (noon - 4 p.m.)
  • Pirate A Contemporary Art Oasis: Portal by Justin Beard. Saturday. and Sunday. (noon-5 p.m.)
  • EDGE Gallery - The Road Less Traveled: Personal Journeys in Contemporary Art. Saturday. and Sunday. (noon-5 p.m.)
  • NEXT Gallery: Art as Instrument and Remnants & Retrospective. Saturday and Sunday. (noon - 5 p.m.)
  • Benchmark Theatre: Our American Cousin. (8 p.m.)
  • Weekend Prep Sports: Schedule for Lakewood. (Patch)

From my notebook:

  • Jefferson County Library: Is your library card up to date? (Jeffco Library)
  • The City of Lakewood has sent out the 2022 Community Survey: The city's survey is hitting mailboxes beginning today. If you receive one, take the time to fill it out and send it back! It doesn't take long, and your feedback helps elected officials and city staff make important decisions about the future of Lakewood. (Lakewood)
  • There's still time to sign up for the YETI RACE: Stop in today at the Lakewood Runner's Roost from noon to 6:30 pm to grab your race swag! You can also sign up in-store for one of the winter's most fun 5k and 10ks! (Yeti Chase)
  • Getting Masks At The Jefferson County Library: Additional KN95 masks are being shipped to each location, and will be put out for distribution as soon as they are received. Masks are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please visit your preferred library for availability. (Jeffco Library)
  • Lakewood's Kickin' Chicken: A great place to feast on globally inspired fried chicken. (5280)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be back in your email box first thing on Monday morning with a fresh edition of the Lakewood Daily. — Brad K. Evans

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