LOCAL

New rule allows sales this year if vendors have the right permits

BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

“There is no change to other ille- said. City Clerk Dylan Gibson said they gal fireworks,” City Attorney Robert Councilors discussed changing would need a valid city business liSheesley said. “We cannot make the city’s fireworks ordinance at a cense, which can take up to a month legal in Commerce City that which May workshop meeting. State law to work through the process. is already illegal under state law.” forbids explosive fireworks or those “We have a lot of applications, But the changes to the Commerce that leave the ground, allowing safer which is great. It’s just that the City fireworks rule had a side-effect, varieties designed to produce au- volume has been hard to handle, Sheesley said. They also allow dible or visual effects. In Commerce with COVID and our staffing levels,” vendors to sell those safe fireworks City now, they are allowed to be used Gibson said. within the city limits, assuming between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 Sheesley said state licensing

Fireworks vendors that have they have all their businesses and p.m. on three days each year: July 3 through the Colorado Department thought ahead will be able to sell the licensing permits from the city and and 4 and December 31. of Public Safety also takes at least tamer kind of fireworks in Com- the state ready to go. They are banned for the rest of the 30 days to process. That means that merce City in the run-up to Indepen- “There is obviously permitting year while bottle rockets, mortars, unless a potential vendor has both dence Day, City Councilors agreed that goes along with the sale of flying spinner, firecrackers and city and state licenses now or was June 7. fireworks,” Sheesley said. “Just ev- other explosives will continue to be already in the process of applying,

Councilors approved an ordi- erybody cannot sell it without that banned all year long. People caught they won’t be able to sell fireworks nance to allow residents to shoot appropriate license.” with fireworks can face a $500 fine. until December. off fireworks that are already legal Councilors said that was a fine That fine goes up to $1,000 per “But if you have a license already, 35th Annual according to state law. That includes things like spinning wheels powidea and agreed to move the ordinance along more quickly. It was infraction if that person is caught with fireworks again. they might be able to amend that on a faster basis and proceed now,” MILE HIGH HOOK & LADDERered by fireworks, ground spinners, colored fire torches and sparklers originally planned for a second hearing on June 21, but councilors Councilors agreed not to increase fines, noting they were similar to Sheesley said. Councilor Jose Guardiola said and snakes and glow worms. Those adopted it on June 7 as an emer- fines into other Front Range com- he didn’t want to move fireworks fireworks had been banned in Com- gency ordinance to give fireworks munities. vendors ahead of other city licensemerce City year-round. merchants more time to get their Sheesley said fireworks vendors seekers.

Fireworks that are banned by state licenses in order. The new rule took will need both city and state per- “Would we have to put things on In Partnership with South Metro Fire Rescuelaw remain banned in Commerce City, for sale, use or simple posseseffect after the June 7 meeting. “That makes it effective for this mits. “And I’d advise you to consult with hold for business licenses to move these up,” Guardiola said. sion. upcoming July 4 holiday,” Sheesley an attorney,” he said.

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County, weather service, urging residents to sign up for phone alerts

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Many Weld County residents didn’t recieve any kind of warning when a tornado swept through area west of Fort Lupton June 7, according to a press release by Weld County offi cials.

Several residents contacted the county, worried they were not warned ahead of time, according to the release.

“If people are living 30 to 40 miles away from the tornado path and can see the tornado, they will not receive an alert warning. Only residents who are in imminent danger in the path of the tornado will receive the warning alerts,” said David Barjenbruch, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boulder.

The Weld County Emergency Management department suggests residents sign up each spring for CodeRed Alerts and also answer questions about the warning alerts.

The county uses CodeRed for emergency alerts that impacts public safety such as active shooter, major accidents, fl ood warnings, or major infrastructure issues. Weld County does not issue weather alerts through CodeRed. The weather alerts come directly from the National Weather Service through CodeRed.

Weld County landlines are programmed into the CodeRed system to receive message alerts. When a cell phone is registered with the CodeRed system, there is an option to receive the weather alerts.

An additional warning alert tool is called IPAWS, used by the Federal Emergency Management System that dispatches Amber Alerts and also the National Weather Service alerts.

The difference between the IPAWS and CodeRed is the CodeRed system is connected to a physical address, such as a landline. Cell phones are registered with the CodeRed system. When a severe weather event occurs, the CodeRed automatically sends a warning message within the mapping area of registered cell phones and landlines of people who live and work in Weld County.

The IPAWS system signals off cell phone towers in any physical area using wireless emergency alerts through cell phones. It alerts people who live in Weld County and also people who are visiting and traveling through an impacted area of Weld County.

According to Weld County offi cials, IPAWS can be used for specifi c occurrences but does not send weather alerts. The National Weather Service is only approved to send out the weather alerts.

Sirens

The tornado sirens are to alert people if there is a danger of severe weather while working or playing outside. When residents are indoors, they should rely on television, a NOAA radio, cell phone or internet to get information about the severe weather and instructions on safety, according to Weld County offi cials.

A written statement by the Fort Lupton Fire District talked about how the warning siren is used.

“They are not meant to warn people who are indoors or asleep. They are not meant to be your only source of warning information. They are designed to alert people who are outdoors that potentially dangerous weather is imminent and that you should get inside and seek additional information,” the statement said

Not all communities within Weld County use the outdoor tornado siren, according to Weld County offi cials. The towns of Frederick and Firestone do not use the tornado siren to warn people working outdoors or at work. Offi cials in Frederick also suggest signing up for the emergency CodeRed alerts.

In a written statement, the Frederick-Firestone Fire District encouraged residents to be proactive in ensuring they get notifi ed of emergencies in the are, whether they are indoors or outdoors.

“The alerts go out as soon as information is known,” the statement said. “The National Weather Service relies on local weather spotters to provide information, since radar may not show exact locations or rely on what is happening on the ground.”

To learn more about the weather spotter program, visit https:// www.weather.gov/SKYWARN. Or register to receive alerts at www. Weld911alert.com.

The tornado sent this shard of plywood into a tree on Weld County Road 28 in Firestone. A resident said the tornado blew a construction trailer to within 10 feet of her home.

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(Village Square Shopping Center) Debris from the June 7 tornado lines WCR 28 in Firestone. PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH

TORNADO

FROM PAGE 1

“There’s a job site just south of us. Their trailer is up against our house. It’s about 10 feet away from the house. I don’t know how it didn’t get into our house. There’s plywood up in the trees.”

Weiner said the tornado looked like a landspout at fi rst.

“I got a really cool picture of it from far away,” she said. “It looked so tiny. I didn’t think it would do that much damage. It was just a baby. But it sat for four or fi ve minutes.”

McKinney’s wife, Sandy, said they went to the front door once they learned about the tornado.

“Then the alarm went off afterward,” she said. “We never had an alarm until it was to the neighbors, and she said she didn’t get an alarm either. It happened so fast. In the house, you couldn’t hear anything until it was right in front of the house.”

The National Weather Service rated the tornado as an EF-1 on the Fujita scale with winds of 99 mph. The storm was on the ground for 7 miles and was 50 yards wide in places. It started two miles northeast of Firestone and ended three miles northwest of Platteville.

AdCo needs boards/commissions members

Adams County wants to fi ll openings on several of its boards and commissions, includ the cultural council, the board of fi re code appeals, communityi corrections and family preservation. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 18. Visit adcogov.org/citizenboards.

Adams 14 summer meals

The Adams 14 School District announced its schedule for the summer meal program.

It’s available from noon to 12:30 p.m. through Thursday, July 1.

Locations are: * Central Elementary School, 6450 Holly St., 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.; * Dupont Elementary School, 7970 Ki,mberly St., 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.; * Hanson Elementary School, 7133 E. 73rd Ave., 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.; and * Adams City High School, 7200 Quebec St., 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

No meal service will be available the week of Monday, July 5. Service resumes at 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 12, at Central Elementary School,

Each person under the age of 18 will receive a hot lunch and a cold breakfast for the following day.

27J preschool

27J Schools will offer a tuitionbased preschool on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis in the fall. Children have to be at least age 4 by Oct. 1. The program is tentatively set to be available through Brantner Elementary School, 27J Bright Beginnings Preschool,. Northeast Elementary School, Pennock Elementary School, Padilla Elementary school, Reunion Elementary School, Second Creek Elementary School, Thimmig Elementary School, Turnberry Elementary School and West Ridge Elementary School.

Morning preschool runs from 7:50 to 10:50 a.m. Afternoon preschool lasts from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Call 720-685-5490.

‘In Memory’ display for Wall That Heals event extended

The city of Brighton said the deadline to submit names for the “In Memory” display (part of “The Wall That Heals” program coming to Brighton over Labor day weekend) is July 31.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s In Memory program honors those who returned from the war and later died. The wall will be in Carmichael Park, 650 E. Southern St.

To apply online, visit www.

Gummball rally

The fourth annual Gummball Rally is set for 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at Riverdale Regional Park, East 124th Avenue and Brighton Road.

The 5K run is in memory of Adams County sheriff’s deputy Heath Gumm, who died in the line of duty in January 2018.

The fee is $30 for racers 13 years of age and older (T-shirt guaranteed with a paid entry by Sunday, Aug. 6), and older, $10 for those 12 and under with a T-shirt guaranteed with a paid entry by Aug. 6 and free for racers 12 and under (no T-shirt). Visit https://gummball5k.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=11277.

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Help for Homes

Senior meals

Eagle View Adult Center and Volunteers of America are offering a box of fi ve frozen meals delivered to your home. You must be 60 or older and be a resident of Brighton. The suggested contribution for the meals is $2.50 meal / $12.50 per box, although the ability to pay is not the deciding factor if you are eligible.

Boxes are delivered Thursdays. Call 303-655-2075 and leave your name and phone number.

Eagle Express rides

Barr Lake State Park will offer virtual rides aboard the Eagle Express. Join Ranger Michelle and her friends as they read a story about our natural world that is sure to entertain your preschooler while teaching them about plants, animals and our planet. Call 303659-6005.

COVID-19 vaccines

The Salud clinic in Fort Lupton, 1115 Second St., is offering COVID-19 vaccinations to those 70 years of age and older, healthcare workers and workers in the state’s 1b category. You don’t need to be a patient Register at saludclinic.org.

Legal self-help clinic

The Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. the fi rst Tuesday of every month.

The program is for customers who don’t have legal representation and need help navigating through legal issues.

Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss such topics as family law, civil litigation, property and probate law. Call 303-405-3298 and ask for the Legal Self-Help Clinic at least 24 hours in advance.

Help for vets

Qualifi ed Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has a number of power chairs, power scooters and electric wheelchairs available. .

To fi nd the closest facility to you visit www.va.gov/fi nd-locations.

Qualifi ed Listeners also needs volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries and veterans to be trained to become qualifi ed listeners. Call 720-600-0860.

COVID-19 testing

Here’s where you can receive a test for COVID-19:

Brighton Advanced Urgent Care, 2801 Purcell St. Call 303-659-9700 or visit https://advurgent.com/locations/brighton/

Brighton Salud, 1860 Egbert St. Testing is available on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Visit https://www.saludclinic.org/ covid-testing

Fort Lupton Salud, 1115 Second St. Testing is available on Tuesday and Thursday. Call 303-697-2583 or visit https://www.saludclinic.org/ covid-testing online.

Alcoholics Anonymous

The Brighton chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 147 S. Second Place. Meeting times are 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sundays, noon and 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 6 p.m. Thursdays and 9 p.m. Fridays.

Call 303-659-9953 or visit www. brighton1aa.org.

Mental health

Community Reach Center offers in-person intake assessments from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays at the Brighton Learning and Resource Campus, 1850 E. Egbert St. in Brighton. Call Community Reach Center at 303-853-3500.

For walk-in intake, bring an ID and insurance information. For those who would prefer to complete the intake forms and schedule an appointment, the intake forms are available online at www. communityreachcenter.org. There will be a short screening for fl ulike symptoms before the entrance to the center to ensure safety and wellness for everyone.

Anyone feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255, text 38255, or visit the Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) Center at 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster.

Volunteers needed

Qualifi ed Listeners needs volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries and veterans to be trained to become qualifi ed listeners.

Visit qualifi edlisteners.org/volunteerapp and fi ll out the form or call 720-600-0860.

Warm Line up and running

Community Reach Center is offering a Warm Line (303-2806602) for those who want to talk to mental-health professionals about anxiety, lack of sleep and strained relationships, among other topics. The professionals can facilitate referrals to other programs for assistance.

A press statement said the line is not for crisis intervention.

Those feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services (1-844-493-8255) or text 38255 or visit the Behavioral Urgent Care Center, 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster.

Also, the center’s COVID-19 Heroes Program is set up to assist healthcare workers during the pandemic. Those who live or work in Adams County can receive up to six free counseling sessions. Use the Warm Line for support and free counseling.

Brighton’s community intake location is at 1850 E. Egbert St., on the second fl oor. It’s open from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays.

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