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www.canyoncourier.com
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OURIE
The mountain area’s newspaper since 1958
est. 1958
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2021
N VOLUME 62 ISSUE 48
NOW SERVING EVERGREEN, CONIFER, BAILEY AND PINE
Keeping wildlife wild
75 CENTS
Changes to bus and food service for Jeffco Schools Nationwide staffing problem affecting students, families close to home BY BOB WOOLEY BWOOLEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Vargas-Madrid, wildlife program administrator for Denver Parks and Recreation, agreed that people need to slow down while driving in the area, especially at dawn and dusk. Christie Greene, founder of Wild Aware, shared advice: “When I see those shadows across the road, I immediately start paying really close attention.” Something Murdoch often sees is people pulling off the road or not fully off the road to get close photos
On Sept. 30, Jefferson County Schools released a community update saying Transportation staff was down over 28% — more than 80 drivers— placing them at a critical level. The District said since the beginning of the school year some bus routes have been cancelled with 12 hours or less notice, creating problems for families who haven’t had time to rearrange their schedules. Rather than continue this practice, they will temporarily suspend all bus routes for certain option schools and selected bus routes in north and west areas beginning Oct. 4. The district said schools and familes have been that will be affected have already been notified about the cancellations. Bus service to Fletcher Miller School, Sobesky Academy and Connections Learning Center will not be disrupted because they serve students with disabilities that require transportation. Transportation service for students with disabilities who have an
SEE WILDLIFE, P5
SEE BUSES, P11
A bull elk hangs out outside the Evergreen Lake House on Monday morning. Experts warn to keep your distance from elk, especially PHOTO BY DEB HURLEY BROBST during rut season.
Wild Aware’s expert panel explains how to live in harmony with wildlife BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The best way to cut down on human/wild animal conflict is to decrease human involvement: pay attention to where the animals are, don’t get too close, secure your trash
and if you come upon a wild animal, know how to respond, according to wildlife experts. At Wild Aware’s event “Becoming Wild Aware” on Thursday, Evergreen locals asked questions ranging from how to be safe outside at night to “What is the proper way to act in the presence of a mountain lion?” The experts, Mary Ann Bonnell, district wildlife manager at Jeffco Open Space, Scott Murdoch, a district wildlife manager at Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Vicki
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Obits School Tests
2 Leaf Peeping 10 Sports
4 CBE Leader 14 Sheriff Calls
6 Opinion 18 Puzzles
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