November 19, 2015
THIS WEEK IN
VOLUME 114 | ISSUE 3 | 75¢
LIFE
LOCAL
There’s more to Thanksgiving than just turkey and stuffing
Page 12
DouglasCountyNewsPress.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Man arrested in trooper’s death on I-25 Jaimie Jursevics died while responding to an accident Staff report Colorado State Patrol trooper Jaimie Jursevics, 33, was struck by a vehicle and killed while investigating a crash on I-25 the night of Nov. 15. The man suspected of hitting her and then fleeing south on the highway has been arrested. Authorities say he was intoxicated. At about 8:50 p.m., Jursevics was parked
on the right shoulder of southbound I-25 near mile marker 175 in Castle Rock, the state patrol said. While outside her vehicle investigating the crash, she was hit by a vehicle and sustained fatal injuries. Henderson Eric Henderson, 52, was arrested by Palmer Lake police on Spruce Mountain Road, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release. He faces charges of vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of
an accident, driving under the influence and careless driving resulting in death. He is being held on $1 million bond at the Douglas County jail. Jursevics was initially assigned to Troop 4-C Vail Jursevics and transferred to Troop 1-C Castle Rock in 2014. She is survived by her husband and young child. “Our family has been hurt today,” CSP Chief Scott Hernandez said in a news
release the night of the incident. “A senseless act has taken the life of someone who swore to protect Colorado. We offer our thoughts, prayers and full condolences to her family. We will grieve with them, and with them we will never forget her sacrifice.” In its news release, the sheriff’s office called the incident “tragic and avoidable.” “We would like to remind drivers that if you see an officer on the side of the road, please slow down and move at least one lane away from the officer, if possible. This is Colorado law.”
HOMELESS IN DOUGLAS COUNTY
WHAT’S INSIDE
A salute: Douglas County honors veterans. See Page 11
Before moving into their Highlands Ranch apartment, Michelle McCarty and her son, William, lived in their car for almost two months upon moving to Douglas County. For that time, William was among the more than 600 students classified as homeless in the Douglas County School District. More than 24,000 students in Colorado fall into that same category. Photo by Shanna Fortier
‘Our car was our bed’ By Shanna Fortier sfortier@colroadocommunitymedia.com
Michelle McCarty, 46, and her 14-year-old son, William, slept in their 2003 Volkswagen Jetta wagon for almost two months when they first moved to Douglas County. Each night they moved the ice chest and suitcases to the front seat, laid out sleeping bags and pillows in the back, then stretched out next to each other. “Part of what people think when you say you’re living in your car is that you’re using your car as your house,” William said. “But, really, our car was not our house — our car was our bed.” For a short while this year, William was one of hundreds of Douglas County students considered homeless. Unlike many homeless youths in urban areas, they don’t necessarily live on the street. But, like William, they don’t have a permanent place to call home. Instead, they sleep on friends’ and relatives’ couches. Or in
Family affair: Denver Art Museum highlights the works of Andrew and Jamie Wyeth. See Page 22
THE ISSUE
In 2014-15, 637 students in Douglas County schools were classified as homeless. Living in one of the nation’s wealthiest counties, they are an invisible population. But their numbers are growing — lack of affordable housing and financial hardships are among the reasons. During National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 14-22, Colorado Community Media tells the story of a mother and her teenage son, and on Pages 6 and 7 explores the issue and highlights an organization that is trying to help. hotels. Or cars, when options have run out. “I remember looking over at William sleeping and just crying because I felt like I was putting him through this,” McCarty Homeless continues on Page 7
Volleyball: Rock Canyon Jaguars compete in state tournament. See Page 25
DOUGLAS COUNTY NEWS-PRESS (ISSN 1067-425X) (USPS 567-060) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Douglas County, Colorado, the News-Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 4 p.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.