Charley Able

Charley Able is a former Rocky Mountain News Reporter who covered local governments in Jefferson County. He is a 20-year resident of the city and is a skeptical observer of the way elected officials do their jobs. As editor and publisher, Charley hopes to encourage citizens to become more involved in their community.

Liquor store clerk gets stretch in jail after again selling booze to a teen

Liquor store clerk gets stretch in jail after again selling booze to a teen

Van Thien Pham, who already was on probation for selling liquor to a teen involved in a fatal car accident when he was snared in a police sting at a Lakewood liquor store, faces 42 months behind bars.

Annual DA’s Safety Fair helps folks safeguard their homes, health

Annual DA's Safety Fair helps folks safeguard their homes, health

Everything from crime prevention to health concerns were addressed at Saturday’s Safety Fair. An expected 1,000 people picked up information on avoiding Internet crime and identity theft, as well as other family issues.

Foothills Animal Shelter opens in grand style at Jeffco Fairgrounds

Foothills Animal Shelter opens in grand style at Jeffco Fairgrounds

New, more animal- and community-friendly animal shelter celebrates move with a party for its friends, patrons and critters. The shelter doubled its number of intakes in its first weeks at the new site.

Police say kindergarten girl had no idea gun was in backpack

Girl’s father faces charges after his loaded, small-caliber handgun was found by a teacher in his daughter’s backpack in a classroom at Mulholm Elementary School Wednesday afternoon.

Foothills Animal Shelter celebrates with weekend events

Grand opening events celebrate move into more animal- and community-friendly facility, one that promotes the physical and mental well-being of the critters lodged there.

DA’s Safety Fair makes its second annual appearance Saturday

Safety tips and information on all aspects of family safety and security as well as fun for the kids will be served up at the Jeffco Fairgrounds Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

City Council sends impound initiative to November ballot

Voters will determine whether Lakewood police should be required to seize vehicles operated by unlicensed drivers. Opponents of the initiative say it will handcuff police and increase the cost of public safety operations.

OPED: Impound initiative filed to protect accident victims

SUBMITTED BY: Daniel Hayes
Following a year of court challenges and appeals by illegal alien advocates like Common Cause and the ACLU, the car towing and bonding ordinance will come before Lakewood voters this November.
This important issue is about taking unlicensed drivers off Lakewood streets. Suspended drivers and illegal aliens are driving in record numbers and [...]

Kids flock to West Metro’s 17th annual Family Fire Muster

Kids flock to West Metro's 17th annual Family Fire Muster

West Metro’s annual free family event draws thousands to fun, games, give-aways and the public safety messages that could save lives in the event of an emergency.

Foothills Animal Center opens doors, hearts at fairgrounds site

Foothills Animal Center opens doors, hearts at fairgrounds site

New, state-of-the-art animal center offers a better temporary home for nearly 10,000 animals a year. The facility was built to foster the animals’ physical -and mental – well-being.

Free family events feature safety, fire prevention tips and fun

Free family events feature safety, fire prevention tips and fun

Two fun and free events await families as the summer draws to as close. The Jeffco DA’s Safety Fair and the West Metro Fire/Rescue District’s Family Fire Muster are on consecutive weekends later this month.

Opponents drop challenge to “impound initiative”

Opponents drop challenge to

If City Council decides to send measure to voters in November, it must act quickly to meet the early September ballot deadline. Plan would require vehicles of unlicensed drivers to be seized.

Firefighters near control of hillside blaze off C-470

Firefighters near control of hillside blaze off C-470

Officials expect to fully contain the Dakota Ridge blaze by dark. The fire, which broke out early Monday afternoon, has caused no injuries and has not damaged any structures.

Fire fighters battle for upper hand on Dakota Ridge fire

Fire fighters battle for upper hand on Dakota Ridge fire

Despite overnight moisture, hillside blaze began growing again early Tuesday and the fire was about 25 percent contained by midafternoon. No injuries have been reported and no homes are in danger.

Council sends limited Charter change to voters

City Council scraps plan to place all petition-driven ballot measures on November ballots except those scheduled earlier at Council’s discretion. Instead voters will decide whether to double the the City Clerk’s Office processing time.

Children’s advocate gets work-release in theft of funds

Children's advocate gets work-release in theft of funds

Cheryl Fugett, who skipped out on closing arguments and the verdict in her trial in June, was convicted of taking more than $20,000 for her own use, including repairs to her hot tub and pool.

Federal agents arrest Lakewood slaying suspect at border crossing

Suspect faces extradition to Colorado in beating death at victim’s Lakewood home. Another suspect remains jailed without bond and a third faces trial on theft by receiving charges.

Primary ballots on the way to 215,000 Jeffco voters

Jeffco Clerk & Recorder’s Office offers link to on-line customized ballot website that compiles the ballot by precinct, according to the user’s address. Ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. Aug. 10.