Centennial Citizen 040722

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Week of April 7, 2022

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An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of

VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 20

Pediatrician leads efforts in children’s health and development

Lawsuit looms over cost of Tri-County Health breakup Court case for $50 million highlights agreement made by Douglas County BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Sophia Meharena, along with parents, teachers and administrators, takes part in an Indian Ridge Elementary workshop focused on COURTESY PHOTO social and emotional development.

Local mom, doctor says there is much to be done BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For Dr. Sophia Meharena, the glass is always half full, which is meant to say there is still plenty to do in serving young patients, volunteering at her children’s school to promote social and emotional development and being an active leader in the region. Meharena, a Centennial resident, recently participated in a leadership SEE LEADER, P8

Sophia Meharena stands at her home in Centennial, where she brings the community PHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES together though a learning and development program.

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 30

BEST OF THE BEST

Out of all the political controversy the coronavirus has caused in Colorado, the pullout of Douglas County from the Tri-County Health Department — and the domino effect it had on Adams and Arapahoe counties — may be the action that ends up having the biggest consequences on some metro Denver governments. The costs of Arapahoe and Adams counties pulling away from TriCounty Health could be in the millions. And the situation could get a whole lot more expensive — possibly for all three counties — depending on what a court has to say about an alleged $50 million fee Tri-County Health and the counties may owe to another government body if counties continue to pull out. At issue is a payment that the health agency may eventually owe to the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association, or PERA, which provides retirement and other benefits to employees of government agencies and public entities in Colorado. Members of PERA include public school teachers, many university and college employees, judges, state troopers, and other types of public employees. SEE LAWSUIT, P10

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