🌱 SRO Push Back + Cambridge Place Fire + 'Tree Tales'

Hello, friends! I am here with your fresh copy of the Lakewood Patch newsletter, full of all the local information you need to know right now. Including updates on...

• Public reactions to SRO reinstating.
• Air quality after Cambridge Place fire.
• Date rape accusations.

But first, today's weather: Cooler; a p.m. t-storm or two. High: 59. Low: 49.

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 stories today in Lakewood:

1. School resource officers, or SROs, have been reinstated in Denver Public Schools after leaving in 2020. The public has concerns that SROs in schools will only lead to increased incarceration among youth of color. Clinical psychologist Dr. Laura McArthur said, "Despite the largely well-intentioned use of SROs to ensure school safety, safety cannot exist amidst a system of policing that criminalizes youth of color. Instead, the use of SROs in school reproduces unjust racialized patterns of discipline and state violence that already exists outside of our schools." Read more at Fox 31.
2. A large fire in the Cambridge Place apartments has left residents concerned about air quality. All renters have been allowed back into the building and ensured that it is structurally safe but have received little information about the effects of the fire's smoke. Learn more at Fox 31.
3. An interactive youth art exhibit, "Tree Tales," is currently on display at La Alma Lincoln Park. The exhibit is a collaboration between young members of the nonprofit Arts Street and arts educator Melody Epperson. Epperson says of the exhibit, "I think being creative is what does keep youth sane in a really complex world." Read more at Rocky Mountain PBS.
4. Ten women have come forward with date rape accusations about a local young doctor. 35-year-old Dr. Stephen Matthews is now facing nine counts of sexual assault and seven counts of second-degree assault. Visit Fox 31 to find out more.

From our sponsor:

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Today in Lakewood:

• Baby Time — Belmar Library (9:15 AM)
• Baby Time at Ken Caryl Ranch House — Columbine Library (9:30 AM)
• Family Time — Lakewood Library (10:15 AM)
• Family Time at Ken Caryl Ranch House — Columbine Library (10:15 AM)
• Hard Times Writing Workshop — Belmar Library (3:00 PM)
• Merry Makers — Lakewood Library (3:30 PM)
• Sustainability Seminar: Basics of Organic Gardening / Fundamentos de Orgánico Jardinería — Edgewater Library (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Colorado Flowers: "Colorado and flowers love story!🤩🌸 💡The mountainous area of Colorado is six times the size of Switzerland and contains 9,600 miles of fishing streams, 2,850 lakes, and over 1,000 peaks that are at least two miles high." (Colorado, Denver 🌲 Travel | Hotels | Outdoors | Tips via Instagram)
• Lakewood Plant Company: "Plants ready for a soil refresh and don’t really want to make the mess at home? Join us Saturday, May 20 from 4-6 p.m. for an expert led Repotting Happy Hour!" (Lakewood Plant Company via Instagram)
• The Colorado Chorale Season: "THANK YOU for your most amazing support! It has been a joy to bring you a fun and entertaining season. We look forward to you joining us for 2023-2024. " (The Colorado Chorale via Facebook)
• Federal Job Opportunities: "We know USAJobs is scary. But we really want you to apply to our positions, so check out these new resources created by NIFC to go over how to apply for federal jobs!" (Bureau of Land Management - Colorado via Facebook)
• #NationalPiercingDay: "We heard it was #nationalpiercingday and you can bet we're celebrating with a new piercing at Claire's! #colomills" (Colorado Mills via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Lakewood Fitness and Massage — (Visit website)
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Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (May 23)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Eloise May Public Library (May 23)
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You're all caught up for today!

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Lakewood Patch newsletter? Contact me at lakewood-co@patch.com