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www.canyoncourier.com
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OURIE
The mountain area’s newspaper since 1958
est. 1958
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021
VOLUME 63 ISSUE 4
NOW SERVING EVERGREEN, CONIFER, BAILEY AND PINE
Lighting up the night
75 CENTS
Mask mandate for indoor spaces in Jeffco 4-1 vote means mask requirement is back for most indoor locations BY GLENN WALLACE GWALLACE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
“When it first started 10 years ago, I watched it for hours,” he said. “Now I watch a few songs at a time while my car is warming up as I’m leaving.” His family, including his teenage sons, come every year. The lights are designed and installed on what is called “Christmas island” by Impact Christmas Lighting, whose owner Arman Prescott is heavily involved at the church. Prescott said this year the show had
The Jefferson County Public Health department’s board voted 4-1 on Nov. 22 to pass a new health ordinance requiring people ages 3 and older, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks when within public indoor spaces as a COVID-19 safety measure. Boardmember Cheri Jahn was the one dissenting vote. “This is (an) action that really should have been taken a while ago,” Board of Health Chair Greg Deranleau said during the video meeting, referencing guidelines from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that strongly recommend mask wearing in high-transmission areas. The order took effect Nov. 24. Current statistics on COVID-19 in Jeffco have not been good. As of Monday, there were 104 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the county, with the rates of people hospitalized and of those testing positive for the virus on an upward trend.
SEE LIGHTS, P3
SEE MASKS, P5
Conifer residents Aaron and Miriam Johnston watch the synchronized light and music display put on by Conifer Community Church PHOTO BY SARA HERTWIG Saturday night. Nov. 27, 2021.
Conifer Community Church premiere starts the holiday season BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
There’s nothing quite like Christmas lights set to music to start the holiday season. The lights premiere at Conifer Community Church on Nov. 27 did
not disappoint. Those in cars and those outside watching the 35-minute light shows were mesmerized by the 146,000 blinking red, blue, green and white lights — a fun time for the entire family. “We want to share with the community the good news of Christmas,” said pastor Lance Swearengin as the first of four light shows began. “It’s just a festive experience at Christmas.” Swearengin says he has spent many hours over the years watching the light display.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Obits Stagecoach Park
2 Lake Trail 13 WildAware
6 Cookies 16 Ornaments
7 Opinion 24 Classifieds
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8 26 PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER