All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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The Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier), a nonprofit organization, is dealing with the same issues that the journalism industry, particularly local journalism, is grappling with across the country. This article is the first in a series of reports on the current journalism business climate, the history and contributions of the Courier, why local journalism remains an important asset in community-building, and ways in which its business model can be strengthened. There was a time when cities and co...
REVENUE Revenues from the 1% sales tax in the Niwot Local Improvement District is down 8.8% compared to a year ago through July, but the percentage of decrease actually dropped a full percentage point, from 9.8%, since June. LID Treasurer Mary Coonce reported that retail sales are down 7.4%, while accommodations and food are up 6.7% year-to-date compared to 2023. The largest percentage decrease is in a category of "Other and Wholesale," which is down 35% year-to-date. Four funding requests were...
The annual St. Vrain Valley School District's Band Night was held on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Longmont High School. Every high school marching band in SVVSD met to build comradery and perform their halftime shows for the other bands. St. Vrain high schools that performed included Lyons (performing "Ex's and Oh's" with the Unified Drumline), Skyline (the music of Santana), Silver Creek (Jackson 5 music), Frederick ("The Macabre"), Mead (Michael Jackson hits), Longmont ("Night of the Living...
Niwot High School is host to over 60 student-run clubs, and one stand-out is the Key Club. Key Club is one of the many high school level branches of Kiwanis, an international club which has a mission to "improve the world one child and one community at a time." Key Club focuses on aiding local communities and volunteering in various ways. Throughout the year, Key Club fundraises, hosts various donation drives, and promotes unity among students to help others. With help from teacher-facilitator...
Niwot High School Student Council will be hosting the third annual Fall Fest on Friday, Oct. 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fall Fest is a celebration of the season for the entire Niwot community, not just the high school. This event will feature various games, activities, and a trunk-or-treat for our students, feeder schools, and the community in the parking lot in the front of the high school. Niwot's various clubs and sports will be hosting booths with quintessential fall-themed games such as Potat...
The 2024 baseball season was mostly a lost year for Niwot High School grad Skye Messinger, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last December. Messinger, a third baseman in the Colorado Rockies' organization, injured his arm while working out in the offseason. The recovery time for the surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm is seven to nine months at a minimum before a return to competition for non-pitchers. As a result, Messinger missed all of spring...
The Niwot High School softball team has been turning heads this season with an impressive performance on and off their home field. With a solid overall record of 14-8 for the 2024 regular season and a commendable 7-4 standing in the competitive 5A/4A/3A Granite Peaks league, the Cougars have proven themselves a force to be reckoned with. The team's performance has been particularly stellar on the home turf, with the Cougars boasting a 6-2 record. Their away game resilience is evident in their 7-...
A game-changing presence at the net, Brooke Caquelin is a large reason why the Niwot High School varsity girls volleyball team has cruised through most of its Granite Peaks League schedule. Through Oct. 13, the senior middle blocker owns the third-most kills (75) and the second-most total blocks (26) on a 12-3 Cougars squad that hasn't lost consecutive matches all year. Caquelin, displaying her growth mindset, believes Niwot still hasn't reached its ceiling. "I think we still have a long way to...
The Niwot Cougars faced another tough night on Thursday, Oct. 10 with a 56-0 loss to the Windsor High School Wizards. The game, played at Everly-Montgomery Field in Longmont, saw the Cougars fall to 0-6 on the season. The Wizards struck early and often, with their first touchdown coming four minutes into the game. By the end of the first quarter, Windsor had built a commanding 28-0 lead. Niwot struggled to find any offensive rhythm, despite a few bright moments, including a solid run by senior...
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Niwot varsity boys soccer fell to rival Silver Creek High School, 1-0, in a hard-fought contest. The loss dropped the Cougars to a 0-2-1 league record and a 6-4-1 overall record. After nearly completing a monumental comeback the previous week against Longmont High School, they drew against Centaurus High School on Monday, Oct. 7, in a 2-2 tie, with goals by Sullivan Burns and Colin Mundt. However, they went without a goal in their loss to Silver Creek at home. Winless in the Granite Peaks League so far, Niwot is searching...
Six weeks into the 2024 competition season, Cougar gymnasts are reflecting on their growth in collaboration and are looking ahead with optimism as they continue to improve. Since the Niwot team's first meet in early September, it has participated in six competitions across the Front Range. Niwot has secured top-three rankings at every invitational meet it has attended thus far. Competing with thirteen schools on Sept. 21 at Overland High School, varsity took third with 175.125 points total. The...
Niwot High School's cross country teams dominated the Granite Peaks League Championship on Friday, Oct. 11, with both the boys and girls racing to decisive team titles. The varsity boys swept the top five positions, with junior Rocco Culpepper taking first place in 15:23.65, closely followed by juniors Hunter Robbie (15:26.45) and Ryder Keeton (15:28.92). Senior Keegan Geldean finished fourth in 15:32.09, and senior Cole Mazurana rounded out the top five with a time of 15:34.38. Nine of the...
Niwot seniors Drew Stapp and Jagger Kilpatrick represented the Cougars at the 4A Boys Golf State Tournament on Oct. 7 and 8, held at the Tiara Rado Golf Course in Grand Junction. Competing against some of the best golfers in the state, both players put forth strong efforts in their final tournament. For Stapp, the state tournament marked his third appearance, and carried special significance as he aimed to end his high school career on a high note. He opened the first round with an impressive...
The autumn sun cast long shadows across the tennis courts as the Class 4A Regional Tennis Tournament unfolded at Niwot High School. The air crackled with anticipation as players from various schools gathered, their rackets ready and dreams of state glory in their hearts. Niwot's boys tennis team, a perennial powerhouse, entered the tournament with high hopes. Leading the charge was Sebastian Moy, the school's formidable No. 1 singles player. Moy's journey began with a first-round bye, a...
Every time Pali Sauer talks about the theater program at Niwot High School, she feels overwhelmed by the community and the way the students uplift each other on and off stage. "There is no other community that has been like this," Sauer said, "and I constantly turn to them for everything in my life." A junior at NHS, Sauer has been a part of the high school's theater program since she was a freshman, when she got a part in the fall play. She has been involved in every production since. NHS...
On Tuesday, Oct. 1 the Cougar boys golf team competed in the 4A Region 2 Regional Tournament at the Foothills Golf Course in Denver. The Cougars walked away with a fifth-place finish and a team score of 244. Highlands Ranch High School took first place with a score of 234, with Dakota Ridge High School following in second with 236, and Pueblo West High School finishing in third with 241. Ponderosa High School edged out Niwot for fourth place, finishing just two strokes ahead of the Cougars....
Passionate players are often found within the Niwot High School boys soccer program, but Jay Scharfe's dedication might be setting new standards. Described by Head Coach Stephen Dimit as one of the hardest-working players he has ever tutored, Scharfe aims to improve his game each day while helping others follow suit. "Every day at practice, I want to bring a certain level of effort and pride in what I'm doing," said Scharfe, a senior. "The reason we've (Niwot) been so good through so many years...
When the nights begin to cool and feel like fall, the league kicks off for Niwot boys soccer, and competitive games start in earnest. This year, the Cougars' league includes several nearby rivals, including Skyline High School, Silver Creek High School, and Longmont High School. Longmont was the Cougars' first local opponent of the season last Thursday, Oct. 3. Longmont entered the match undefeated, fielding a cohesive, experienced team. They had scored an impressive 29 goals so far this season...
Niwot had to come from behind multiple times against Legacy High School, but ended up with a 3-0 sweep Oct. 3 on "Neon Night" with the cheerleaders and most of the student section decked out in neon green construction vests. The Cougars started strong, pulling away to a 16-11 lead in the first set before Legacy took a time out. After a spectacular save by junior libero Elise Arends, who was all over the floor for Niwot, an unintentional dink shot that left the Niwot girls smiling gave the...
The first round of the Colorado High School Activities Association Boys Tennis Dual Team State Championships began on Oct. 2, with all 16 teams in both 4A and 5A classifications playing their first-round matches. Winning teams advanced to the quarterfinal round, Oct. 9-12. Of the top 16 teams that advanced to the state tournament, Niwot, the eighth seed, played Vail Christian High School, the ninth seed. Each team had to win four of seven lines to advance to the quarterfinals, with Niwot falling 1-6 in a challenging first round. The team’s p...
The Niwot High School cross country teams put in a strong performance at the Pat Patten Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 5, across both the varsity and open divisions. The varsity boys team claimed fourth overall, scoring 109 points. Boulder High School took home the title with 55 points, followed by Rock Canyon High School (66 points) and Mountain Vista High School (76 points). Senior Christopher Wood led the Cougars, finishing 15th with a time of 16:31.30. Fellow senior Brayan Herrera was close...
Niwot's varsity softball team experienced a rollercoaster of emotions and results last week, demonstrating both the challenges and triumphs that come with the sport. The week began with a difficult matchup against Broomfield High School, resulting in a lopsided 15-0 loss. The loss marks the first game of the season that the Cougars were not able to put a run on the board. The Cougars, who average 7.2 runs per game this season, bounced back with a dominant 10-0 mercy rule victory over Silver...
With a record number of participants this season, the Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) NFL flag football season has reached the halfway mark. In an exciting break from regular season play, NYS flag football teams recently faced off against the Gridiron league in a thrilling mid-season tournament. The event showcased the young athletes' skills and competitive spirit before they return to their regular season play. One of the tournament's most memorable matchups came in the Varsity division (3rd and 4th...
The Niwot High School football team faced a challenging night on Thursday, Oct. 3, as they suffered a 50-0 loss to Evergreen High School. The away game marked Niwot’s worst defeat of the season, bringing their record to 0-5. From the start, Evergreen dominated the field with strong offensive and defensive play. Niwot struggled to gain any traction, facing difficulty on both sides of the ball. Despite their best efforts, the Cougars were unable to score, resulting in a lopsided final score that reflected Evergreen’s control over the game. Thi...
Marching bands bring a contagiously high level of energy to football games, parades and other events. Whether the band is in the stands playing pep tunes, or on the field performing the halftime show, the spirit, energy, and musicianship is infectious. However, a seven minute halftime show is the result of countless hours and dedication to perfect that performance. Many of the high schools in the St. Vrain Valley School District consider themselves as "non-competitive" marching bands. However, e...
According to Niwot High School senior Jack Triplett, working in theater always comes with crazy stories. "One especially memorable saga," Triplett revealed, "was during the construction of 'Beauty and the Beast.' A group of techies and I had been tasked with creating the amazing wood-chopping machine that Belle's father drives around stage in the first act." The plan was simple: attach a foam axe to a simple cog on the back of a motorized mobility scooter and make it look old-timey. "But every...
Niwot High School is host to over 60 student-run clubs, and one stand-out is the Black Art Collective. In the words of club president Xuri Walton, "The B.A.C., or Black Art Collective, is a club dedicated to learning about, and acknowledging Black artists' contributions to the art world. Our main goal is to expose the Niwot and Boulder County communities to Black artists' achievements and contributions." This is the Black Art Collective's inaugural year at Niwot High School, and hopefully the st...
Playing in his first full season on the varsity squad, Andrew Fong has become a reliable force on Niwot High School boys tennis' No. 2 doubles line. Last year, Fong was a swing player, splitting time between the Cougars' junior varsity and varsity teams. Now, he's racking up victories alongside partner and fellow senior Gabe Bandera. According to MaxPreps, the two have picked up No. 2 doubles wins against duos from Monarch, Broomfield, and Legacy high schools. "I'm getting more consistent," Fong...
After losing at home in extra innings to Frederick High School, the Niwot varsity softball team headed west to Grand Junction for a four-game, non-league tournament last weekend. In game one on Friday, Sept. 27, the Cougars shut out Grand Junction High School by a score of 5-0, extending their road winning streak to four. Kianna Butler led off with a double to center field, followed by a single from Payton Stokes. An error by the Grand Junction catcher brought in the first run of the game for Ni...
In a thrilling display of teamwork and skill, Niwot High School's No. 4 doubles team, Tyler Chivukula and Ollie Jones, emerged victorious in the Granite Peaks League Tennis Tournament held Sept. 27 at Niwot High School. The pair started strong, defeating Erie High School with a score of 6-1, 6-2. Building on their momentum, the duo faced a tougher challenge against the Monarch High School duo, where they ultimately prevailed 6-4, 7-6, in a closely contested match. In the final showdown, Jones an...
The Niwot High School junior varsity golf team showcased its depth and skill at the Niwot Junior Varsity Event, held on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Twin Peaks Golf Course in Longmont. The Cougars had four teams competing in a field of 30 teams. Niwot's top team took home the victory with a combined score of 208, beating out Northridge High School, which finished second with a score of 217, and Timnath High School, who came in third with a score of 227. The Cougars' other three teams placed sixth...
The Niwot High School volleyball team had an impressive week, showcasing its strength with victories against the Fairview Knights and the Centaurus Warriors, even as the Cougars faced a setback against the Broomfield Eagles. In their home match against the Knights on Monday, Sept. 23, Niwot won decisively in a 3-0 sweep, with scores of 25-16, 25-18, and 25-13. The Cougars' offensive strategy was relentless, achieving a team-hitting percentage of .234 with a total of 64 attacks and 25 kills....
The Niwot High School cross country teams delivered an impressive performance at the Desert Twilight XC Festival on Friday, Sept 28, overcoming scorching 90-degree temperatures to capture both the girls and boys Sweepstakes titles. As the only school in the nation with both teams ranked in the top five nationally, the Cougars solidified their status as a powerhouse program with commanding victories on a hot night at the Toka Sticks Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona. In the Girls Sweepstakes race,...
Sherry Johnston Died Sept. 8, 2024 Sherry Johnston, age 81, of Estero, Florida, passed away on September 8, 2024, at her home in Estero. She was an active resident of Niwot for over 30 years, where she raised her four children, Ryan, Adam, Kara, and Janae, all of whom graduated from Niwot High School. In addition to her four children and their spouses she is survived by her husband, Grant, 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Graveside burial services were held at Foothills Gardens of...
The Shine Prom is an annual event like no other. Hosted by the Rocky Mountain Christian Church (RMCC) on Sept. 20, the fourth annual prom offered warmth and connection to residents throughout the Niwot area while celebrating individuals with special needs. Guests began by making their way through a red-carpet welcome, where Niwot High School sports teams cheered them on. Cheer volume was specific to each visitor's preference, and students applauded in sign language for hearing impaired...
Niwot's new ice cream shop, Love Ice Cream, held its Grand Opening on Sept. 21. The first 100 lucky customers received a complimentary scoop of ice cream of their choice from the new family-owned venture. The Grand Opening extended out into the parking lot in front of Love Ice Cream, located at 240 Second Avenue in the space formerly occupied by Seven Wealth. Cute flower-bedecked tables outside of the ice cream shop and a festoon of colorful, bubble-like balloons climbing the building like ivy...
Dr. Jessie Slepicka grew up on a chicken and sheep farm in Niwot, Colorado, and his experiences growing up ultimately led to a doctoral degree and a position as a professor in the Sociology and Criminology Department at the University of Montana. His parents, Jerry and Marsha Slepicka, moved to Niwot in 1990, where they built their log home on 79th Street. The Slepicka family was active in Niwot Nifties (the oldest 4-H club in Boulder County), school clubs, athletics, and honor society, where Je...
On Sept. 9, 2013, a severe flood started along Colorado's Front Range, particularly impacting Boulder County. The flood continued through Sept. 15, 2024, causing widespread damage. The flood was triggered by an unusual amount of rainfall, surpassing what is expected in a 500-year flood event. A 500-year flood event means there is a 0.2% chance of such a flood happening in any given year. The 0.2% chance is a statistical term that describes the recurrence interval of floods, not a timeline that i...
Allisson Diaz Arredondo takes an emotional approach to her craft. In describing her interest in art, she said, "It really helps you. For example, when I feel sad, I paint something happy to make me happy. When I feel bored, I also paint." Her favorite artist is Frida Kahlo, and Arredondo herself also likes to paint using acrylics. One of her favorite art projects is a canvas she painted that includes her name and flowers that represent her. Arredondo looks back on middle school and the art class...
This is Part 2 in a two-part series regarding public school enrollment in Boulder Valley. Part 1 focused on the Boulder Valley School District. Part 2 focuses on the St. Vrain Valley School District. In its Sept.18, 2024 issue, the Left Hand Valley Courier covered declining enrollment throughout the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), and how BVSD is helping manage the decline. Nearby, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) seems to be facing less decline than BVSD though, with an estimated 0.41% decrease having occurred in the past ye...
Niwot High School is host to over 60 student-run clubs, and one stand-out is the Film Club. Niwot High School's Film Club creates a short film throughout the school year. To begin, they start with a team effort to come up with a plot and characters, and eventually move on to script writing. From there, pre-production jobs are assigned and executed, including creating prop lists, shot lists, costuming plans, and casting. Once the group finalizes the details, they begin filming in the late fall...
Niwot High School's cross country teams delivered stellar performances at the St. Vrain Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 21, hosted by Lyons High School. Both the boys and girls teams showcased their depth and talent, securing top finishes across the board in the 5000 meter run. The boys team was led by junior Rocco Culpepper, who claimed first place with an impressive time of 15:29.17. His victory was closely followed by fellow juniors Hunter Robbie, who finished second at...
The Niwot High School softball team added two more wins to its record last week, with a 7-0 shutout win at home over Monarch High School, and a 10-0 shutout win at Horizon High School, extending their winning streak to eight games. The varsity record now stands at 10-3, with the Cougars moving up to 12th place in the state 4A rankings. Kianna Butler, who is second in the state in strikeouts in Class 4A, has been a dominating force on the mound for the Cougars this season. Butler, who is backed b...
In their final tournament before regionals, the Niwot High School boys golf team delivered an impressive performance at the Longmont Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 17, held at the Twin Peaks Golf Course. Niwot fielded two teams, which finished third and seventh in the overall standings. Resurrection Christian took home the top spot, with Monarch High School coming in second. Leading the Cougars was senior Drew Stapp, who finished third overall with a stellar score of 69, continuing his...
From the moment she joined the Niwot High School gymnastics program as a freshman, Head Coach Marisa Purcell knew there was something special about Maeve Flentie. "You'll find there's always that one freshman that kind of comes in," Purcell said. "She (Flentie) came in and just gets stronger and better every year, and she's a multi-sport athlete for her school." Flentie, a senior who attends Erie High School, dives and runs track for the Tigers, but gymnastics has been her primary passion since...
The Niwot High School unified bowling team was delayed by a slow-moving train on their way to Centennial Lanes in Longmont Sept. 15, but nothing could stop them from their second competition of the year. The lanes were already filled with teams wearing shirts of various colors, spanning all the way to the back wall. As Niwot arrived, the bowlers hurriedly laced up their shoes, searched for the right bowling balls, and started to warm up. Coach Amy Holle was busy organizing the teams for the day and had to run back to the bus to retrieve the...
The Niwot High School football team suffered a tough 41-0 loss against the Wheat Ridge High School Farmers on Thursday, Sept. 19. Offensively, the Cougars struggled throughout the game, totaling only 68 yards with just five first downs. Sophomore quarterback Jaydan Martinez completed four of 16 passes for 32 yards, but threw three interceptions, while junior Wesley Manzanares led the rushing game with 24 yards on 11 carries. Wheat Ridge controlled the game with 306 total yards. They scored early in the first quarter with a six-yard rushing...
Niwot High School’s annual homecoming festivities began Monday, Sept. 9, with the highly anticipated pep rally. For the first time, the class of 2025 won the iconic Spirit Stick by being the loudest during the high pressure competition between grade levels. It was a close call between the seniors and sophomores this year. The first day of homecoming events ended with “The Kickoff,” Niwot High School’s Flag Football Tournament, an evening team event attended by students, staff, friends, and fam...
On Aug. 7 at a special meeting, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) Board of Education unanimously approved placement of a Bond Referendum Question on the Nov. 5, 2024 Ballot in the amount of $739.8 million “to improve safety and security, preserve capital assets, enhance educational space, and address the increase in enrollment” in the district. The district worked hard to ensure that property taxes will not go up if the bond issue passes. How does this happen? The district’s website anticipates the question, and the answer provi...
During lunchtime in Niwot, hungry high school students, residents, business people, and even Courier staff who are looking for a sandwich might head to the local Subway in Cottonwood Square. If they've done so over the last few years, they've likely been served by Emma Osckel, well known for her friendly, fun demeanor when taking orders and assembling sandwiches. Osckel is a regional native who has lived in Northern Colorado since the late 1990s. She came to Longmont when her son started middle...
