BOULDER

Dog found inside burning Jeep is on the mend

Boulder police said an injured dog who was found inside a Jeep on fire Wednesday afternoon is on the mend, according to a Facebook post from the Boulder Police Department.

The pup seems to be recovering well and is in “good spirits.”

Witnesses said a man inside the Jeep may have set himself and the car on fire around 3 p.m. Wednesday, according to a release. Emergency personnel took the man to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Officials said that the dog escaped from the car when a passerby opened the car door, but that a resident caught the dog. Boulder police animal protection officers responded and transported him for treatment.

Flatiron Freddy may or may not see his shadow

Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks Department has announced that Flatiron Freddy — the city’s stuffed, top hat-wearing yellow-bellied marmot — will return this Sunday to make his annual Groundhog’s Day prediction.

Freddy has been Boulder’s unofficial Groundhog’s Day mascot for more than a decade. Yellow-bellied marmots like Freddy are closely related to groundhogs.

If Freddy “sees” his shadow this year, it will mean another six weeks of winter for Boulder. But if he doesn’t, it’s a sign the city could be in for an early spring.

To celebrate Freddy’s return, OSMP rangers will host a community event Sunday morning. The event starts at 8 a.m. Sunday at the Ranger Cottage at Chautauqua Park, 900 Baseline Road.

BROOMFIELD

Inside Academy is for aspiring police officers

Aspiring police officers in Broomfield can get an inside look at the tricks of the trade in a set of specialized lessons dedicated to different aspects of the Broomfield Police Department with “Inside Academy” classes that start March 19.

Any resident can sign up for the classes, which will be held in three separate five-week blocks on Wednesdays, starting March 19. The first program block classes will be at the police department headquarters, 7 DesCombes Drive. The second two blocks will be at the Broomfield Detention Center and Training Facility, 11600 Ridge Parkway.

About 25 to 30 people take the course each year, according to Broomfield Public Information Officer Rachel Haslett. Many graduates go on to become ambassadors for the police department, Haslett said.

— Staff reports