1) Brian Duwe Named New Principal at McAuliffe

McAuliffe International School announced that Brian Duwe will take over as principal beginning the fall of 2024. He has served as a principal for 10 years in the Aurora Public Schools District, most recently at North Middle School. McAuliffe, the largest school in the Denver Public Schools system, has been through a series of leadership changes since founding principal Kurt Dennis was fired by the DPS board in July 2023 after he spoke out about safety concerns. Micah Klaver, who then served as interim principal, was put on administrative leave after school board members raised concerns about the use of a so-called exclusion room for students with special behavioral needs. Since January, the school has been led by interim principal Lynn Heintzman.

2) Northfield Girls Play in State Basketball Finals

The Northfield High School girls basketball team made it to the Class 5A state championship game in March. Although the team lost that final game to the defending champion Roosevelt High School, Northfield Nighthawks coach Sydney Price says she was thrilled with the performance of the young team. “They really put in the work, celebrated each other, and knew each other’s roles.” This was Price’s first year coaching at Northfield following stints at Manual and George Washington. Price says the girls practiced three hours a day and “trusted the process, trusted the coaches, and trusted each other.” The team will lose just two seniors, so Price predicts the team will have another strong season next year, although it will be competing in 6A, the highest division for the largest schools. “But we’re trying to be best in state, not just in class,” says Price. She says support from the community will play a big role. “We want everybody to just rally around them and get ready to build something that could be special for a long time. People already look at Northfield as a great academic school, but I want them to also see that it’s a strong sports school too.”

The Northfield High School girls basketball team placed second in the class 5A state championships, finishing the season with 26 wins and just 2 losses. Photo courtesy of Kocher Imaging

3) Park Hill Couple Opens The W Restaurant

A new restaurant called The W has opened at the corner of Elm and Colfax. It is the creation of Park Hill couple Carrie and Ernest Wigglesworth and three other business partners. Carrie Wigglesworth said that it has been her husband’s dream to open a place that serves local beers, good wines, craft cocktails, gourmet burgers, and small plates. “We wanted to create the kind of place where we would want to hang out, that neighbors could enjoy. And honestly, I think it’s becoming that. We already have regulars coming in.” Prior to The W, the distinctive green-tiled building was briefly home to Crush Wing + Tap and before that a restaurant and bar called the Elm. It originally served as a drugstore.

Park Hill residents Ernest and Carrie Wigglesworth opened a new restaurant called The W located at Colfax and Elm. A mural depicts the drugstore that originally occupied the space. Front Porch photo by Christie Gosch

4) New Parking Fees at Stanley Marketplace

Beginning April 1, patrons who drive to Stanley Marketplace will need to pay a parking fee if they plan to stay longer than three hours when they are dining or shopping at the Northwest Aurora market. Parking has become increasingly difficult as the marketplace has flourished and the density of housing nearby has dramatically increased. The new payment system is designed to encourage more people to walk or bike to the market. After three hours, parking will cost $3 an hour. Patrons can pay using the SP+ app on their phone or using QR codes posted on signs in the parking lot.

5) Two East High School Deans Shot by Student Intend to Sue DPS

Two East High School faculty members have taken preliminary steps to file a lawsuit against Denver Public Schools (DPS) after they were shot in March 2023 by a student who had been identified for possible violent behavior. Television station KDVR obtained “notice of claims” for Jerald “Wayne” Mason and Eric Sinclair, which indicates the first step toward filing lawsuits. The claims say that the complaint is based on “the negligence, recklessness and willful and wanton conduct” of DPS and East High School. After the shooting, the student fled the school and his body was later discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot.

6) Exchange Your Gas-powered Lawn Mower for an Almost-Free Electric One

Denver residents who live in certain zip codes can turn in their old gas-powered lawn mower and receive an electric one for as little as $40. The Regional Air Quality Council is a state agency that tries to reduce air pollution and improve public health. It estimates that operating a gas-powered mower for one hour contributes the equivalent pollution of driving a car from Denver to Utah. The agency is able to pay for the electric mowers using fines that were collected from polluting companies. The mowers will be given away at specific Ace Hardware stores beginning April 13. The program is open to residents in the following zip codes where Front Porch is delivered: 80207 and 80238. For more information and to see additional qualifying zip codes, visit mowdownpollution@raqc.org.