Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How investigators linked a Boulder homicide to a guilty verdict
Also check out Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings on the Boulder Patch calendar
Hey hey Boulder! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How investigators linked a Boulder homicide to a guilty verdict
- Why a 2013 Longmont case is now in Boulder court
- How Boulder County jurors decided this disturbing fire department assault case
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Boulderfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Boulderfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, with a high of 50 and low of 39 degrees.
- Friday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 66, low: 46.
- Saturday: Rather cloudy and windy, with a high of 57 and low of 31 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Man found guilty of 2nd-degree murder in death of 19-year-old Zaria Hardee in Boulder (dailycamera.com) — A Boulder County jury has convicted Jimmy West of second-degree murder in the 2024 killing of 19-year-old Zaria Hardee, whose body was found in a trailer near Goss Street in Boulder. Investigators tied West to the scene through surveillance, DNA, and forensic testing, and a judge is expected to sentence him later today. Police say both Hardee and West were unhoused and knew each other. 
2. Man extradited from Mexico, arrested over a decade after reported Longmont sexual assault (dailycamera.com) — A Longmont man is being held at Boulder County Jail on $100,000 cash-only bail after being extradited from Mexico to face sexual assault charges stemming from a 2013 incident. He’s scheduled for a preliminary hearing at the Boulder County Justice Center on Jan. 22, tying this long-running case directly into Boulder’s court system and public safety concerns.
3. Captain with Hygiene Fire Department convicted of sexually assaulting 5 women, including subordinates (denver7.com) — A former Hygiene Fire Department captain has been convicted in Boulder County of multiple sexual assaults against five young women, including subordinates, after an investigation by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. Jurors found him guilty on 13 counts, and he’ll be sentenced in late February. Prosecutors praised the victims’ courage and local detectives’ work in bringing the case to trial.
4. 3OH!3 Announces Annual 303 Day Taking Place March 3rd, 2026 At Boulder Theater (imprintent.org) — A hometown favorite is coming back to Boulder as 3OH!3 brings its annual 303 Day celebration to Boulder Theater on March 3, 2026. The band promises a high-energy, homecoming-style show with a special guest still to be announced. Fans can grab presale tickets now, with general sales opening Friday, December 19 at 10 a.m. MT.
📸 Around Boulder
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Boulder
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Q2 Exhibition Day
New Vista High School 700 20th St, Boulder, CO 80302
8:00 am - STUDIO 24: Open Studio
NoBo Library , STUDIO 24 Classroom , Boulder
10:00 am - Virtual Storytime
Boulder Public Library Main Library
10:00 am - All Ages Storytime
NoBo Library , Community Room (2nd Floor) , Boulder
10:15 am - BLDG 61: CNC Appointments and CNC Office Hours
Boulder Public Library BLDG 61 Woodshop, Main Library, Makerspace BLDG 61
10:00 am - All Ages Storytime at NoBo
NoBo Corner Library Community Room (2nd Floor), NoBo Library
10:15 am - All Ages Storytime
NoBo Corner Library NoBo Library
10:15 am - Sip and Shop Saturdays
Boulder History Museum Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
11:00 am - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
St. John's Episcopal Church of Boulder 1419 Pine Street Boulder, Colorado 80302
4:15 pm - Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA
St. John's Episcopal Church , 1419 Pine St , Boulder
8:45 pm
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
📣 Boulder Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- BLDG 61: Laser Focus: Laser Cutting Tool Appointments
Boulder Public Library BLDG 61 Classroom, Main Library, Makerspace BLDG 61
10:00 am - All Ages Storytime
NoBo Library , Community Room (2nd Floor) , Boulder
10:15 am - STUDIO 24: Open Studio
NoBo Library , STUDIO 24 Classroom , Boulder
2:00 pm - Teen Craft & Chat
NoBo Corner Library Meeting Room (1st Floor), NoBo Library
2:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Update: Pet Reunited
A dog who went missing in Westminster, CO, has been safely reunited with their family after 40 minutes. Message from Finder: "Sweet older basset… (Nextdoor West Pearl) - PSA: WITH TOMORROW’S HIGH WIND WARNING, PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO CHECK ALL GATES, MAKE SURE LATCHES ARE SOLID, AND ENSURE ALL DOORS ARE SECURE.
ALSO CHECK YOUR FENCING AND KEEP PETS INDOORS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. HIGH WINDS CAUSE A DRAMATIC SPIKE IN LOST PETS, AND PREVENTING EVEN ONE ESCAPE MAKES… (Nextdoor Devil's Thumb - Rolling Hills)
- The Salvation Army posted a job opening for Sales Associate / Material Handler $16.57/hour Part Time in Boulder. Apply here.
- Kroger posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Boulder. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Boulder here.
Ok Boulder! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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