Centennial citizen 0815

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August 15, 2014 VOLU M E 1 3 | I SS UE 38

CentennialCitizen.net A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O

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Warriors ready to reclaim library Project nears completion as first day of school approaches By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com Standing in the Arapahoe High School library with the students who have been working since January to restore its soul is a study in contrasts. On one hand, it’s impossible not to think about the young life that ended inside that space on Dec. 13, 2013, and the one that ended in a hallway just outside its doors. On the other hand, the teenagers who visited it on Aug. 6 to see its transformation, one they conceived of, are a testament to hope and the indomitable spirit of youth. “We all just wanted to help in some way,” said Austin Brumley, who will be a junior when classes start on Aug. 15. Construction on the library will be almost complete by then, likely wrapping up by Aug. 21. “After the events of the 13th went down,

we knew we wanted to get the library open again, but we knew we needed a new image for it,” said Addison Callahan, who was a senior on that terrible day, when Karl Pierson killed himself there after fatally shooting classmate Claire Davis. Callahan was a student assistant at the library, working there several days a week. “It was my home away from home,” she said. The new library will offer gentle nods of remembrance to the tragedy, with every student who attended Arapahoe on the day of the shootings having signed a memory book that will be placed in a time capsule somewhere in the library. But nobody wants it to be the focus. So when students return, the face of the library will be their symbol of strength, a large Arapahoe Warrior featured prominently on a window in front of the entrance. Thanks to a new storefront entryway, it will be visible from the hallway. “It’s something familiar that people like,” Brumley said. “We’re creating a different space, but we wanted to include Library continues on Page 23

Crews are rushing to get the new library at Arapahoe High School ready for the students to come back Aug. 15. Above the middle of this circular area will be a compass, a reminder for students to stay true to their path to knowlege. Photo by Jennifer Smith

CDOT calls lane effort a success Short-term congestion tactic likely to be used elsewhere By Jane Reuter

jreuter@colorado communitymedia.com

Attendees to the Aug. 9 Centennial Under the Stars event at Centennial Center Park were treated to a rocking performance by DSB: America’s Favorite Tribute to Journey. Close to 5,000 people attended the ninth annual city celebration in the park. Photos courtesy of the City of Centennial

Don’t Stop Believin’ A multitude of kids activities, fresh produce, and rock ‘n’ roll. The 9th Annual Centennial Under the Stars event attracted approximately 5,000 people Aug. 9 to Centennial Center Park, where people enjoyed the music of Dave Preston, Rachel and the Kings, and DSB: America’s Favorite Tribute to Journey, the latter of which played Journey songs in front of a dazzling laser light show.

The Colorado Department of Transportation said its through-lane experiment on southbound Interstate 25 has been a success, and it likely will use the strategy elsewhere in the state. The method included adding a solid white lane to designate the left-hand lane from about Dry Creek Road to near RidgeGate Parkway for through traffic only. It is set for elimination as the two-year lanebalancing project gets underway this month. Some south-metro area residents who have used the lane gave it a tentative thumbs-up. “I think the concept is great,” said Larkspur resident Lee Martin. “I like the idea of being able to get past, especially at that Lincoln exit that jams up so bad. If we can keep that steady flow going on for people going south, I think it’s a great idea. “But I think in the limited time it was used, the public didn’t get it. It kind of irritated me that people were still crossing in and out of the lane. There would need to be some public education done on it. In a longer period of time, I think that would happen.” Martin also said the dedicated lane seemed irrelevant later in the evenings,

The Centennial Artisan and Farmers Market attracted thousands of visitors as it helped lead off the Centennial

DRW_Community Newspapers_6x1.75_Layout 1 7/21/14 1 9. Under the11:26 Stars AM eventPage on Aug.

CDOT continues on Page 23

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