🌱 Denver Adding 100 Police Officers + Suspects Arrested In Jeffco

Hello again, everybody! It's me, Brad K. Evans, your host of the Denver Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now. Today you'll find these stories and more:

• The City of Denver's Police Department plans to add more than 100 new police officers over the next 12 months.
• Suspects arrested in death of woman killed by rock that went through her windshield in Jefferson County.
• As part of the 16th Street Mall renovation, they are replacing the 40-year-old trees with new ones.

Thursday's weather: Milder; breezy in the p.m.. High: 66 Low: 35.

Interested in reaching our local readers with targeted messaging that drives traffic to your business? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top stories today in Denver:

1. Arrests made in death of woman killed by rock that went through her windshield. In relation to the rock throwing attacks that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Alexa Bartell and caused injuries to several other individuals last week, three suspects were taken into custody overnight in Arvada. Joseph Koenig, Nicholas "Mitch" Karol-Chik, and Zachary Kwak were apprehended at their respective residences. Bartell, an Arvada resident, was driving in Jefferson County on April 19 when a rock was thrown through her windshield, leading to her tragic demise. (CBS4)
2. City of Denver adding more than 100 new police officers. The Denver Police Department is set to welcome over 100 new officers, as reported by Chief Ron Thomas. The department has encountered challenges in filling vacancies, as officers have been departing for smaller agencies, and attracting individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement has become increasingly difficult. (Axios)
3. 16th Street mall makeover includes replacing the 40-year-old trees with new ones. The replacement trees are now acclimating to the Colorado weather in two nurseries along the Front Range. Each of the new trees is an average height of 30 feet, with a width of 20 feet at their canopies and seven inches at the base of their trunks, these new shade providers are already the same size as the trees they will replace. (Westword)
4. An attempt at the state house to implement rent control has failed in committee. The proposed bill was aimed at allowing Colorado municipalities to implement rent control policies, which is currently prohibited by the state law. If it had passed, the proposal would have overturned the ban, and could have provided more opportunities for individuals to reside in the communities where they work. (FOX31)
5. Does the history of mayoral candidates' associations mean anything, or does it give us a window into how they will lead? The Brough campaign was trying to make hay out of Mike Johnston's past involvement with the Skull and Bones group at his alma mater, but then skirts the issue when the lens is pointed back at Kelly Brough's time at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. (Denverite)

Sponsored by Banner Health:

Flowers are beginning to bloom and birds are chirping, but your house is still holding its winter allergens. Enter spring cleaning. A good spring cleaning won’t just make your home look better; it can also help you and your loved ones to feel better. Presented by Banner Health, here are five ways spring cleaning can actually improve your health.

Today in Denver:

• Denver Skyline Walking Tour: With Patricia Swan and Historic Denver (Noon - 1:30 p.m.)
• Deeper Dive: In-Depth Titanic Tour — Historic Denver Inc (12:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Check out the Paper Fashion Show Winners for 2023 (303 Magazine)
• Cities Summit of Americas Closing Concert: Bomba Estéreo and Gabito with Ballesteros at The Mission Ballroom on April 30. (Mission Ballroom)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Discount Dumpster — (Visit website)
• The Better Mattress — (Visit Website)
• Improovy Painters Denver — (Visit website)
• MILE HIGH GUTTER, LLC. — (Visit website)
• Colorado Custom Welding — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• TPC Great Spring Breakaway Event (April 29)
• TPC Great Spring Breakaway Event (April 30)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (May 2)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (May 3)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (May 4)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll see you around! — Brad K. Evans

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Denver Patch newsletter? Contact me at denverdaily@yahoo.com