NORTON

FROM PAGE 16

“ e Last Stand” by Nathaniel Philbrick, “George Washington’s Secret Six” by Brian Kilmead and Don Yaeger, “ e Nine” by Gwen Strauss

Business books: “How to Sell to the Modern Buyer” by David Mattson, “10 Leadership Virtues for Disruptive Times” by Tom Ziglar, “Smart Brevity” by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, Roy Schwartz, “Traction” by Gino Wickman

Personal development books: “ e Power of Who” by Bob Beaudine, “ e Power of Community” by Howard Partridge, “Becoming a Master Communicator” by Renee Marino, “What Drives You” by Kevin Miller, “Growth with Goals” by Jill Hellwig

Fiction books: “Dark Vector” by Clive Cussler, “Wild Fire” by Nelson DeMille, “ e Lion” by Nelson DeMille, “American Assassin” by Vince Flynn, “Transfer of Power” by Vince Flynn

Again, those are just my recent favorites and if you are looking for a good book in a speci c genre, hopefully this list helps or inspires you to

At this time, a masked male and female subject emerged from a nearby apartment building behind Poolson. When they saw Lopez talking to Poolson, they ran back inside.

Lopez drove his car forward to block the motorcycle’s path. Poolson then turned on the engine and began to push the motorcycle forward, Lopez collided with the bike, pushing it into a low wall.

Poolson fell o and ran toward the nearby apartments.

Lopez exited his patrol car to chase Poolson, drawing his handgun and calling on the radio to report he was in pursuit of the suspect on foot.

In the apartment complex’s courtyard, Lopez found Poolson trying to climb over a fence that led to a parking area behind the building. With his gun drawn, Lopez ran up to Poolson while reporting over the radio that he was tracking a white male wearing a black hoodie.

At that point, Poolson who was trying to climb the fence turned and pointed a handgun at Lopez. According to the investigation, at this point, the two men were standing 12 feet apart. Poolson told Lopez to “get back,” with the o cer responding, “don’t shoot.”

Repeating his order for Lopez to “get back,” Poolson kept the gun pointed at the o cer. Stepping behind the partial cover of a tree, Lopez red his weapon six times, striking Poolson who immediately fell to the ground.

Lopez immediately reported that he had shot Poolson, asking for a trauma kit. Another o cer look at similar titles. soon showed up with a trauma kit, followed by South Metro Fire and Rescue, which responded within minutes to provide Poolson medical care.

And remember what Mary Schmich says about reading, “Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.” It is so true, we can let whatever it is we read to lead us into a new paradigm and bring us into a new place mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Reading broadens our knowledge and leads us to new horizons. And the only thing that we are bound by is our own time and willingness to commit to making the e ort to read and read more often.

How about you? What are you reading these days? I always love getting fantastic book recommendations from our community and sharing what we both get out of the reading. I would love to see your list at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can read to learn, grow, imagine and escape it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

Poolson was soon pronounced dead, being struck by ve of the six bullets red.

According to the coroner’s report, the cause of death resulted in a gunshot wound directly to the chest.

At the scene, the investigation revealed that a Glock handgun loaded with 14 rounds of live ammunition was found next to Poolson.

McKinzie said investigators also learned that the motorcycle that started the entire stop had been reported stolen in Denver six months earlier.

According to the investigation, while Lopez did not activate his body-worn camera, it still captured video without audio due to a feature that allows the camera to save the previous 30 seconds of video before being activated to record both audio and video.

McKenzie said in his report that the video is consistent with statement’s provided by Lopez after the shooting.

When asked why he did not activate the body-camera, Lopez told investigators that he wasn’t even planning on investigating a crime, admitting that he was only curious why the motorcycle did not have a license plate, noting that the situation developed quickly.

A surveillance camera located in the courtyard of the apartment complex captured both audio and visual footage of the shooting and is consistent with Lopez’s account of the incident.

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For those who haven’t stopped by their local library in recent years, it’s not just a place to pick up and drop o books anymore.

In the post-pandemic era, libraries have become meeting places, remote work spaces, play areas and more. Rather than the repositories of books and other print media they once were, libraries are taking on more of a community center role, sta members at Denverarea library districts explained.

“ ey’ve always had that role,” said Holly Grant of the Clear Creek County Library District. “But now, it’s about … not just seeing (a library) as a storehouse of knowledge and scholarship.”

To that end, libraries have diversi ed the items and programs they o er to address community needs. Depending on the district, patrons can check out everything from camping equipment to virtual reality headsets. Additionally, patrons can access video- and audiobook-streaming services for free with their library cards.

Plus, along with children’s storytime and book clubs, library events and programs can range from puppy yoga to snowshoe hikes.

“It’s a very di erent library than what many of us grew up with,” Holly Whelan of Arapahoe Libraries said. “ … We have everything, everything, everything.”

Items and resources aplenty

Whelan’s words aren’t an exaggeration, as sta members from multiple districts said their libraries o er so much it’s hard for them to remember everything. So, before buying, renting or downloading something, check the library rst.

Along with books, movies and comics, districts have nontraditional items for check-out. Many o er laptops, iPads, Kindles, mobile WiFi hotspots, passes to local museums, cookware, GoPro cameras and science kits.

Mark Fink, executive director of Anythink Libraries — which has branches from ornton to Bennett — said his district’s TryIts collection includes musical instruments for various experience levels; lawn games; outdoor gear like snowshoes and backpacks; 3-D printers; sewing machines and crafting kits; and microscopes.

People have borrowed them for weekend barbecues, camping trips, one-o projects, or to see whether they’d want to buy their own. Fink said the TryIts collection has been so popular, Anythink Libraries has “expanded the level of items we provide.”

O ering items like these saves patrons money and helps the environment too, Grant pointed out, as people aren’t buying things they might only use once.

Along with physical items, districts have several online resources patrons can access with their library cards. rough these apps and online services, patrons can download e-books and audiobooks, stream movies and TV shows, and access tutoring services and online classes — all for free.

Lizzie Gall of Je erson County Public Library said patrons who used to spend money on Audible and Net ix have saved money by nding their items through the library instead.

In-person services are also crucial, whether it’s answering technological questions or notarizing documents. Grant said Clear Creek patrons have asked for help setting up their Kindles and reviewing their emails, and tourists often stop into the Idaho Springs and Georgetown branches to ask questions about local sites and museums.

As Whelan summarized it: “If you think the library isn’t for you, or we don’t have anything to o er, think again. … We have something for everybody.”

Unique programs, events

Beyond summer reading and book clubs, libraries have expanded the type of events and programs they o er — ranging from outdoor and out-of-library adventures, to arts and culture, to physical and mental health. Almost all are free and open to everyone, including out-of-district attendees. Some may require preregistration and/or tickets to cover event costs.

Clear Creek has hosted everything from snowshoe hikes to American Sign Language classes. It also has free present-wrapping stations in December, which are immensely popular, Grant said.

Both Je erson County and Arapahoe libraries have hosted after-hours laser tag for teens, which are well-attended and sometimes have fun themes like “Star Wars.” Gall highlighted other teen events, like this August’s Teen Iron Chef and the ongoing Coding Camp, which has expanded to include preteens.

Summertime outdoor concert series are a seed library at one of its