August 26, 2016 VO LUM E 1 5 | IS S U E 40 | FREE
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City launches free ride-sharing program Passengers in a certain radius can request Lyft transport to and from light rail station
By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com For the next six months, the City of Centennial is making public transit easier for commuters who use the Dry Creek Light Rail Station. Centennial has partnered with Lyft — the fastest growing ride-share service in the nation — in hopes of bridging the first- and last-mile gap, a term used to describe the distance between commuters’ homes or workplace and transit stations. “While it is usually a short distance, it is often the most challenging part of the trip,” a media release from the city says. “We hope that by making this part of the
WHO PAYS FOR THE PILOT PROGRAM? Centennial’s Innovation Team — one of 12 Bloomberg Philanthropies innovation teams across the country — developed the project concept and implementation plan. The City of Centennial and the Denver South Transportation Management Association are funding the rides. Source: The City of Centennial trip easier, transit becomes a more viable option for many travelers.” On Aug. 17, the city launched Go Centennial, a pilot program that combines a trip-planning mobile app and a cost-free Ride continues on Page 7
Mayor Cathy Noon, center, cuts the ribbon at the launch of Go Centennial, a pilot program that combines a trip-planning mobile app and a free ride-sharing service, on Aug. 17 at Dry Creek Station, 9450 East Dry Creek Road. Around her are Centennial City Council members. Photo by Alex DeWind
MARCHING ON Western Welcome Week parade includes all stripes. PAGE 5
SPORT FUELS FAMILY BONDS A firefighter lights a kerosene blaze to begin a training simulation for emergency responders at Centennial Airport on Aug. 16. The exercise featured realistic conditions and over two dozen volunteer “victims” to test responders’ skills in extreme conditions. Photos by Tom Skelley
Emergency responders prepare for worst Members of the South Metropolitan Fire Rescue Authority enter a smoldering fuselage at Centennial Airport on Aug. 16. Responders from the Cunningham Fire Protection District, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office and several other goverment agencies participated in the realistic training exercise.
Centennial Airport site of training for crash scenario By Tom Skelley tskelley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
T
hick clouds of oily black smoke billowed from the Centennial Airport airfield on the night of Aug. 16, illuminated by the flashing red and blue lights of 35 ambulances and fire engines responding to the scene. But it was all part of the plan.
Young and old learn lessons together on the track. PAGE 12
UNSUNG HEROES Long snappers for area football teams take their role seriously. Check out this story and others as we continue our fall sports previews on PAGE 21.
Training continues on Page 9
GRAND OPENING S T R E E T S O F S O U T H G L E N N • T H U R S , AU G U S T 2 5