January 7, 2021
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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LoneTreeVoice.net
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 7 | VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 10
VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 48
DCSD considers new plan for semester Improving COVID-19 data offers hope for swifter return to hybrid learning, superintendent says BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
John O’Connor, manager at Newk’s Eatery in Lone Tree, said customers are responding well to the new protocols the establishment has put in place to preserve its COVID-certified status. Newk’s earned its certification Dec. 28, allowing the restaurant to operate at limited indoor capacity. PHOTOS BY NICK PUCKETT
Lone Tree eateries reopen indoor dining New county program requires advanced disease protection measures BY NICK PUCKETT NPUCKETT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Seven tables are not much at a place like Via Baci, capable of seating hundreds at its Lincoln Commons location in Lone Tree. But it will work for now, said general manager Amy Anderson. Via Baci is one of more than 150 restaurants — and counting — allowed to serve customers indoors again, thanks to a new SEE PROGRAM, P13
Dave Holland, left, and Jim Bauer chat at a table at Via Baci Dec. 30, two days after the restaurant secured its certified status from Douglas County to allow limited indoor dining again with certain restrictions.
NEXT IN LINE? Find out who has been moved up on the priority list for a COVID-19 vaccination
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Amid improving COVID-19 rates, the Douglas County School District announced it might return middle and high school students to hybrid learning earlier than planned next semester. The change in pace comes as the county’s incidence rate per 100,000 people dropped from roughly 830 when the board of education approved a tentative second semester plan on Dec. 10, to under 400 as of Dec. 30. Interim Superintendent Corey Wise made the announcement in a Dec. 30 letter to the community. “If we have learned one thing from COVID-19, it is that we need to be flexible with our plans and know that anything can change, based on current circumstances,” Wise said. Wise said in early December the two-week cumulative incidence rate would be a key data point to watch as the district weighed when to bring secondary students back from remote learning to hybrid. SEE DCSD, P13
SETTING GOALS, PRIORITIES Experts offer advice for new year’s resolutions amid the pandemic
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