douglas county
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With Buc-ee’s withdrawn from Palmer Lake, other communities signal interest
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The withdrawal of Buc-ee’s developers’ plans with Palmer Lake could be welcome news to other communities that have actively sought to attract the Texas travel chain. The pullout comes after over a year of increasing opposition efforts, but a local consultant with the company said on Wednesday that Buc-ee’s still wanted to build in the…
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DougCo launches new alert and reporting systems
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Douglas County residents have a new way of getting up-to-date police alerts and reporting low-level crimes. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office rolled out its new emergency alert system, DougCoAlert, in January. It replaced the previous CodeRED system used by the county until November. The sheriff’s office cancelled the $65,000 annual contract with Crisis24, the company…
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Appeals court overturns convictions after Douglas County judge let biased juror serve
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Colorado’s second-highest court reversed a defendant’s robbery-related convictions and 18-year prison sentence on Thursday because a Douglas County judge allowed a biased juror to serve. During Ahmarion Kaliel Shead’s trial in January 2023, one juror, identified as “J.H.,” indicated on his questionnaire that he was “pro-law enforcement.” J.H. also disclosed that a relative worked for…
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Colorado Supreme Court to address child’s CCTV testimony
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The Colorado Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will review the impact of a victim’s closed-circuit testimony on the prosecution of a juvenile defendant. At least three of the court’s seven members must agree to hear an appeal. There is currently one vacancy, which will be filled next month. The justices also signaled they…
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Former Centennial teacher sentenced to 60 years for sexually assaulting children
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A former teacher at a Centennial private school was sentenced to 60 years in prison Friday for sexually assaulting multiple children in his care. Christopher Ballard, 28, of Lakewood, had been charged with nearly 24 sexual offenses against 12 child victims at the Journey Academy, where he had been employed since 2021, according to a…
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Douglas County Board of Commissioners selects new chairman
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The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will have a new chairman in 2026, but not a new face. Commissioner George Teal was chosen to serve as chairman on Jan. 13 after serving on the board since 2021, according to a news release from Douglas County. The commissioners switch leadership each year based upon a majority…
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Flock cameras assist in road rage shooting arrest in Douglas County
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Douglas County deputies on Monday said Flock Safety cameras were critical in an investigation that led to the arrest of a road rage shooting suspect. Deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said 43-year-old Mitchell Aaron Weber was arrested Saturday morning after they said he fired a weapon at another vehicle near Quebec Street and…
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Colorado justices weigh constitutionality of student backpack search based on confidential tip
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The Colorado Supreme Court considered on Wednesday whether a tip submitted through the state’s confidential school safety system provided a Douglas County administrator with reasonable suspicion to search a student’s backpack for drugs. A trial judge blocked evidence from the search from being used against the child, prompting the district attorney’s office to appeal directly…
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Douglas County commissioners ponder revisiting ‘home rule’ proposal after last year’s failure
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The future of Douglas County chasing “home rule” status may not be in the hands of commissioners, but instead by residents who are considering placing the issue back on the ballot, according to one commissioner. Last March, Douglas County commissioners proposed to become a home rule county. The three Republican commissioners asserted that home rule…
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Douglas County School District employee arrested on child exploitation charges
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Douglas County deputies arrested a new school district staff member for allegedly possessing child pornography. On Thursday, deputies arrested John Michael Beccia Jr., 35, of Highlands Ranch. He faces charges including aggravated incest, sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and sexual exploitation of a child. Since November, Beccia…
