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Animal EVAC Volunteers seek new volunteers

Animal EVAC Volunteers is host-ing two informational meetings/orientation sessions from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, at Inter-Canyon Fire Station 1, 7939 S. Turkey Creek Road, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Elk Creek Fire Station 1, 11993 Blackfoot Road in Conifer. Vol-unteers must be at least 18 years of age; however, volunteers are permitted at age 16 when they are under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian. If you have questions about volunteering, or if you plan to attend either session, R.S.V.P. to volunteer@animalevac.org.

Pet Bowl Project The Intermountain Humane

Society will host a bowl-painting party with the proceeds from the sale of the bowls going to the shelter. Groups will meet at Go Paint! in Evergreen from 4 to 8 p.m. on April 28 and May 5. Call the shelter at 303-838-2668 to sign up. The � nished bowls will be sold through the IMHS Thrift Store, 67318 U.S. 285 in Pine.

Wildland � re mitigation workshop

Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue will host a community wild� re mitigation workshop from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue Station 3, 8445 S. Highway 285 in Mor-rison. This workshop will provide residents with an opportunity to identify wild� re risks to their homes and property through the use of photos. Fire� ghters will review the photos with residents and identify proper mitigation strategies.

Je� co Schools budget forumThe Je� erson County Board

of Education is hosting a public budget forum from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Ever-green Middle School.

Spring Fling in Conifer The Conifer Area Chamber

of Commerce’s Spring Fling is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. May 1. Tickets are $5 per person and $20 per family. The event will be at Meadow Creek Mountain Lodge, 13438 Berry Hill Lane near Pine Junction. Spring Fling will o� er food and beverages from local restaurants and activities for the entire family. Contact the chamber at 303-838-5711 for more information.

W, A , .HTT. 50 CENTSServing Conifer, Aspen Park, Morrison, Pine, Pine Grove, Pine Junction, Bailey and Bu� alo Creek since 1977

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Candidate profi lesin rec district election

PAGE 5

Big third inning propels Lobos to victory PAGE 10

INSIDEINSIDE

B C W KFor the Times

Troy Phillips looks down from the bleachers, scanning the track, mindfully watching the athletes warm up and get ready for their races. Skies that earlier were clear and sunny are turning gray, and the wind carries a bite. Grief, sorrow and anxiety fl ash across Phillips’ eyes as he remembers that this is the fi rst track meet of

the season — and his son Adrian isn’t here.Troy is the head track and fi eld coach for

Platte Canyon High School and the owner of Phillips and Sons Upholstery — two profes-sions that allowed him to spend time with his children while doing things that he enjoys.

He had a dual role in Adrian’s life, as both father and coach. Adrian, who was home-schooled and was at a sophomore credit level, participated in athletics through Platte Canyon

High, running cross country in the fall and track in the spring.

“You should have seen him run,” recalls Troy over the sound of the announcer calling runners to the fi eld. “He was so amazing to watch. He just glided over the ground when he was running. … He should have been here today.”

A young life cut short Family and friends struggle with loss of 15-year-old Adrian Phillips

FAIRMOUNT FIRE-RESCUE CAPT. DAMIAN DIFEO looks for hot spots on April 22 near the Norm Meyer homestead east of Aspen Park. The � re burned 40 acres, coming close to the homestead. No one was injured, and no structures burned.

B B FStaff Writer

A -acre wildfi re last week in Conifer’s own front yard reminded residents that fi re season has defi nitely come early this year.

About p.m. � ursday, Elk Creek fi refi ghters responded to a wildfi re at Meyer Ranch on U.S. east of Aspen Park. � e fl ames came within feet of the historic Meyer homestead, but strong winds turned the blaze away from the house and onto a rocky ridge and a meadow on the

property. No injuries were reported, no structures burned, and the cause of the

fi re is still under investigation. � e fi re was fully contained by p.m. Friday.

Four subdivisions were evacuated starting � ursday for about hours, and residents had only moments to grab what they could.

Longtime Conifer resident Norm Meyer went to look at the fi re just a� er it started and was concerned about nearby homes.

“I wasn’t too worried about my place, but I knew other people could

Photo by MATTHEW JONAS | The Times

Wild� re chars part of Meyer Ranch40-acre blaze forces evacuations; cause unknown

Please see CONIFER FIRE, Page 24

Please see PHILLIPS, Page 12