🌱 Centura St. Anthony + County Jail Death + LGBTQ+ Teacher Fired

Hello again, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh copy of the Lakewood Patch newsletter. Keep reading for everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town, including updates on:

• A new surgery center
• Terminated LGBTQ+ teacher
• State tax processing system

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and cooler. High: 42. Low: 23.

Business owners and marketers in Lakewood: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories in Lakewood today:

1. Centura St. Anthony Hospital has officially opened their new Surgery Center, which, according to Kevin Jenkins, St. Anthony Hospital CEO, is "over a year in the making." In the Surgery Center there are 11 operating rooms for the Level 1 Trauma Center. Learn more at Centura.Org.
2. James Jarvis, 62, died in a the Jefferson County Detention Center this past weekend. Jarvis was in the jail for a DUI, probation weapons violation, and failure to appear charges. According to Sheriff's Office, Jarvis passed despite proper medical attention and the call for additional aid. Read more at The Denver Post.
3. Maggie Barton, who has been teaching for almost a decade, was fired All Souls Catholic School on account of her sexual orientation. Barton said, "It’s discrimination. There’s no other word for it. To be terminated from a position because of my sexual orientation, that’s discrimination." The Archdiocese of Denver says that Barton was fired for breaking the part of her contract that stated she must refrain "from taking any public position or conducting himself or herself in a manner that is contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church." Find out more details via Fox 31.
4. State Senators Kyle Mullica and Byron Pelton have partnered in proposing a bill that would allow distributors of drugs that result in death to face up to 32 years in prison. Mucilla said, "I think mental health, I think harm reduction, I think addiction treatment, all that should be part of this. But this is also something we need to look at. Our communities are saying hey, this isn’t all right. There need to be consequences when people come into our communities and deal drugs that kill people." Read more at Greeley Tribune.
5. The state's tax filing portal has been delayed to ensure an accurate system is presented when the portal opens for this tax season. The system will open in late February. Learn more through Fox 31.

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Today in Lakewood:

• Monday Mile Challenge! Lakewood Recreation, All Day!
• Spookadelia: The Wakening! Spectra Art Space, 11:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
• Yoga on Tap! New Terrain Brewing Company, 6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
• Kids Writing Group! Belmar Library 6:30 P.M. - 7:30P.M.

From my notebook:

• Camp Hale: "The excitement of Camp Hale lies both in the past and the present. Camp Hale was established in 1942 in Colorado to provide winter and mountain warfare training during World War II." (Visit Colorado via Instagram)
• Snow Photography: "@novaguides signing off! We hope you’ll add us to your list of must-do Colorado adventures. We’ll see you on the mountain! 📸 " (Visit Colorado via Instagram)
• Sunny Winter Saturdays: "Bright Sunny Winter Saturdays hit different. Even the chill breeze feels refreshing! Celebrate with a stop into your favorite tropical oasis. Here til 6!" (Lakewood Plant Company via Instagram)
• Girl Scout Cookie Flights: "On the menu for today's festivities.... 🍪 #scoutcookieflights . . . . . #dallas #dfw #dfwbeer #cookieflight #lakewoodbrewing #sinthinmints" (Lakewood Brewing Co. via Instagram)
• Runners Roost Lakewood: "Yet another successful Thursday group run hosted by Saucony! Thanks to all that came out last night! See you next week!" (Runners Roost Lakewood via Facebook)
• Jewelry at Colorado Mills: "Light up their world with gifts designed with love (and your budget) in mind #kayjewelersoutlet #colomills" (Colorado Mills via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Lakewood Fitness and Massage — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (February 7)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 8)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!