Today's News

Last week we took a brief look at the white clematis, or Western virgin’s bower. This week we will take a look at a very similar plant known as yellow clematis or Chinese clematis, formerly Clematis orientalis. This is the plant that is on the noxious weed list and which so many people are concerned about.

Six hometown “celebrities” faced the fear of public humiliation and physical impairment to try their luck at riding a mechanical bull on the opening night of the 2009 Evergreen Rodeo on June 19.

Their combined efforts generated about $6,000 for the rodeo association coffers. It was a fitting attempt to warm up the crowd before the evening’s main event, the Evergreen debut of Professional Bull Riders tour.

Scott Benefield, president of the Jeffco school board, is resigning effective June 30.

"I'm resigning for personal reasons," Benefield said in a June 20 interview. "There's things going on in my family, and with the board work, it was the right thing to do. I enjoyed my time working on the school board and feel we've made a lot of progress and done a lot of good things."

Benefield was elected to the school board in 2005, representing the northern parts of the county, including portions of Arvada, Standley Lake and Westminster.

Although nearly 18 months remain in the race for the 6th Congressional District seat, an early look shows that the two Democratic challengers are facing hurdles when it comes to fund-raising.

"It's been slow," says John Flerlage, one of two Democrats running to oust Rep. Mike Coffman from his congressional perch in November 2010. Flerlage, a South Jeffco Democrat, says his fund-raising has been difficult because of the economy.