Author: Patrick Henry Sweeney

  • Beverly Willhoft remembered

    Beverly Willhoft remembered

    January 15, 2019

    Beverly Willhoft passed away peacefully on January 15, 2019. She lived in Black Hawk with her daughter, Karla Zozulia and son-in-law, Mark Zozulia. Though she lived here only two and a half years, she made a whole group of friends and was very active in community.

    She is survived by son Mark Willhoft in Washington, Michigan (wife Jeanette); granddaughter Megan Willhoft in Idaho; (more…)

  • Womxn’s March at Civic Center Park in Denver

    Womxn’s March at Civic Center Park in Denver

    Gilpin group joins thousands of protesters

    by Virginia Unseld

    A couple dozen women and men from Gilpin County joined thousands of others in the 3rd annual Women’s March in Denver on Saturday, January 19. (more…)

  • A great day in Strasburg for Gilpin Wrestlers

    A great day in Strasburg for Gilpin Wrestlers

    Gomez, Brewer, and Wenholz take wins

    By Emily Pleier

    This week’s tournament in Strasburg, Colorado was a success for the Gilpin wrestlers and the team took home multiple wins. Angel Gomez started the team off with the first win of the day against Zachary Bayens from Bellvue, Colorado. (more…)

  • Denver Zoo gets a new “mane” man

    Denver Zoo gets a new “mane” man

    Tobia, a two-year old African Lion, joins the pride at Benson Predator Ridge and hopefully will be romantically inclined

    By Carlie McGuire

    African lions are a Denver Zoo icon and one of the first animals you see when you enter the Zoo at Predator Ridge, the sprawling rotational exhibit that houses the big cats as well as hyenas and African wild dogs. And soon you’ll get to see one more—a two-year-old male named Tobias, who arrived (more…)

  • Central City water main break handled efficiently

    Central City water main break handled efficiently

    Council Reviews Snow Removal Fines Ordinance

    By David Josselyn

    Work Session

    Central City Council met with Staff for a Work Session at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, and again at 4:30 p.m. the same day. They discussed revisions to the snow removal program, a telephonic participation policy, CIRSA public officials’ liability, and Council orientation. (more…)

  • Black Hawk proceeds with Hidden Treasure Trailhead

    Black Hawk proceeds with Hidden Treasure Trailhead

    Council creates new BHPD Corporal position

    By Randy Beaudette

    Acting Black Hawk City Manager Stephen Cole rang the bell promptly at 3:00 p.m. to signify the start of the Black Hawk City Council meeting, January 9, 2019. Mayor Spellman called the Black Hawk City Council to order followed by Roll Call, then led in the Pledge of Allegiance. (more…)

  • National Western Stock Show in Denver

    National Western Stock Show in Denver

    Cowboy skills pitted against professional rodeo stock

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    The thrilling entertainment and competitive sport originating from the daily and seasonally used skills of a ranch hand in the American West is what has become Professional Rodeo. (more…)

  • Eagles pounce on the Lions 52-45

    Eagles pounce on the Lions 52-45

    Basketball fundraiser this Sunday at the Dostal Alley

    by Patty Unruh

    Gilpin High School varsity basketball teams hosted rival school Lyons on Tuesday evening, January 8, in conference battles. The Eagles boys’ varsity sailed past their opponents 52-45, while the Lady Eagles went down 46-13. (more…)

  • Gilpin Wrestlers have best tournament yet in Lyons

    Gilpin Wrestlers have best tournament yet in Lyons

    On the mat after Christmas break

    By Emily Pleier

    First Tournament in 2019

    Saturday, January 5th, was a huge day for the Gilpin wrestlers in the first tourney of New Year. With 22 schools competing, (more…)

  • New Year 1870s-style Gala at the Teller House

    New Year 1870s-style Gala at the Teller House

    Period correct with no electric lights

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    The JKQ BBQ Restaurant is the newest non-gaming eatery in Central City, located on Eureka Street and Main within the Famous Teller House. This smoked-meat BBQ restaurant also offers fine drinks served around the Face on the Barroom Floor. New Year’s Eve has been a traditional celebration in these parts, so JKQ planned for the simple traditional year-end fun, fashion and flavor of nearly 150 years ago. (more…)

  • New Gilpin County elected officials sworn in

    New Gilpin County elected officials sworn in

    Former Renaissance Solutions building to house Human Services and Public Health offices

    By Randy Beaudette

    A very large crowd gathered at the Gilpin County Courthouse to witness the 2019 post-election swearing in ceremony of the newly elected officials. The meeting was called to order on January 8, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. The Honorable Dennis Hall conducted the swearing in of: Gilpin County Commissioner Linda Isenhart, County Treasurer Mary Lorenz, County Corner Zane Laubhan, County Clerk and Recorder Sharon (Sahari) McCormick, Gilpin County Sheriff Kevin Armstrong, County Assessor Anne Schaefer, and Deputy Clerk to the Board Sharon Cate. (more…)

  • New Year starts off with water leaks and snow removal issues

    New Year starts off with water leaks and snow removal issues

    Central City Council Meeting

    By David Josselyn

    Work Session

    Former Mayor pro-tem Shirley Voorhies opened a work session with Staff on Tuesday, January 2, 2019 prior to the regular meeting for the swearing in of new council members in a standing-room only crowd. Swearing in as newly elected members were Jeremy Fey as Mayor, and Jackie Mitchell and Jack Hidahl as regular Council members. (more…)

  • Aquaman might be all wet

    Aquaman might be all wet

    But he still glistens gold at the box office

    By David Josselyn

    DC Comics has done it again. Not the dark, brooding disasters of their Batman and Superman stories, but rather the beautifully done “Aquaman” swims to the top mirroring the engaging story and bright landscapes of “Wonder Woman.” Of course, in relation to the DC movie universe, it isn’t hard to rise above the others. The question is, how does the movie fare on its own merit? (more…)

  • Kicker Arenacross

    Kicker Arenacross

    At the National Western Complex

    by Dave Gibson

    Following an action-packed appearance at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland last Friday and Saturday, Kicker Arenacross comes to Denver’s National Western Complex February 1st and 2nd. Top amateur and pro riders from across the country will compete in classes that include: 50cc Moto, 65cc Moto, 85cc Moto, Women’s 85cc Moto, 250cc Moto, 450cc Moto, Open Moto, (more…)

  • What’s all the buzz about bees?

    What’s all the buzz about bees?

    Honey bees are good, but so are native bees

    By Irene Shonle, CSU Extension, Gilpin County

    It’s no secret that honey bees are having a hard time. Farmers, beekeepers, and biologists sometimes refer to it as the “beepocalypse.” Even though colony collapse disorder is less of an issue than it was in years past, beekeepers continue to mysteriously lose between 30% and 40% of their stock every season. This worry has contributed to a huge national uptick in interest in backyard beekeeping, often in an effort to help the crisis. (more…)

  • Alynn Huffman retires after 18 years as Gilpin County Treasurer

    Alynn Huffman retires after 18 years as Gilpin County Treasurer

    Public servant highly regarded as a good friend and neighbor

    by Patty Unruh

    Alynn Huffman and her husband Gary gathered with family members, friends, and colleagues on Friday evening, December 28, at the Central City Elks Lodge to celebrate Alynn’s many years of dedicated service as Gilpin County Treasurer. (more…)