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October 8, 2015 VO LUM E 28 | IS S U E 46 | FREE
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Hit-and-run victim ‘making progress’ Highlands Ranch man arrested in incident that left woman with critical injuries
By Alex DeWind and Ann Macari Healey Staff writers Tina Benner woke up for an early morning run as part of vigorous training for an upcoming marathon. What started as a regular day Sept. 29 turned tragic for the Highlands Ranch resident when she was hit by a car and left on the side of the road with critical injuries.
In the days since she was injured, a suspect in the hit-and-run was arrested and Benner, 49, was “making great progress,” a family friend said. “All of us are so thankful and encouraged by the amazing outpouring of love and support,” said Benner Elizabeth Billups, Benner’s close friend and neighbor. Another friend of Benner’s, Kim Owen, created a GoFundMe account, www.gofundme.com/tinabenner, to help offset medical expenses. The fund had raised nearly $8,000 by the morning
of Oct. 6. “Tina’s injuries are severe and her path to recovery will be long,” the page said of Benner, a mother who had been planning to run the Oct. 18 Denver Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. “The medical bills are going to be significant for this beautiful family.” Benner is active in her church and local schools. “Tina’s one of those people that the community (rallies) around,” said Stacy Collins, a reverend at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, which held a Sept. 29 vigil for Benner. “She’s a beautiful soul.” Benner was found bleeding and lying on the side of the road near South University Boulevard and Crossland Way in
Teacher’s wish: ‘Cancer-free by Christmas’ ‘Nothing but love’ as community rallies around one family
By Alex DeWind adewind@colorado communitymedia.com
Benner continues on Page 11
Proposal stirs some trash talk Possible new regulations up for approval Oct. 20
It’s the annual pink-themed softball game at Mountain Vista High School honoring national Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Kat Cash, a senior, sits in the stands watching her sister, Jessie, bat for the Golden Eagles. Her father, Ric, is on the neighboring field coaching varsity football. Her mother, Susan, walks up wearing a black beanie — the chemotherapy has taken her hair. Her soft blue eyes are fighting back tears. This game holds more meaning this year — she was diagnosed with breast cancer five months ago. And the moment, the show of support for those battling this disease, overwhelms. “I’m humbled to my core,” Susan says. Kat remembers the day the family found out. “It was May 4 — my dad wasn’t at school,” she says. “He told us to get home as soon as possible. My mom was crying — they had just found out she had stage 3 breast cancer.” About one in eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime, according to breastcancer.org. The hardships from the disease, the Cash family says, have been daunting — physical pain, financial strain, a constant fear for the future. But, they say, they haven’t been alone. “It’s been nothing but love from the community,” says
By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Teacher continues on Page 4
HOW YOU CAN HELP Mountain Vista counselor Wendy Strait created a GoFundMe account to help the Cash family cover medical expenses not covered by insurance. About $14,000 has been raised toward the $20,000 goal. To make a donation, visit www.gofundme. com/v6ymkc.
Highlands Ranch at about 6:30 a.m. She was taken to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, where she remained in the intensive care unit as of early this week. The suspect is a 32-year-old Highlands Ranch man who turned himself in about 36 hours Lide later, the evening of Sept. 30. Markus Lide has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, a felony.
Susan Cash hugs her daughter, Jessie Cash, after the pink-themed Mountain Vista softball game. It hits close to home for the Cash family as Susan battles breast cancer. Courtesy photo
Highlands Ranch resident Kari Crist walks her dogs most nights but runs into a problem on Tuesday nights when trash bags are piled up outside of homes — some torn open by animals. “We actually have to go into the road to avoid the trash,” said Crist. Crist is among many in the community who are talking about the Highlands Ranch Community Association’s proposed new trash regulations. Feedback has been a mixed bag. If passed later this month, residents will be required to label trash and recycle bins accordingly; bins will have to be one of three sizes; lawn clippings will have to be in sealed bags; trimmed branches will have to be bundled into 3-foot sections; and bins will have to have a lid and be placed on the street come trash pick-up day. Breena Betts has likes and dislikes about the proposed rules. “I agree with the trash bins being on the road because it helps pedestrians and kids who use the sidewalk to get to school,” she said. But, she added, “I do not want to pay money for bags (for grass clippings) that I’ll throw away.” The rules, which have been out for public comment since early September, were proposed in response to complaints from residents, said Mike Bailey, director of community services. Residents who are not clear on what the new regulations entail are encouraged to attend the next Highlands Ranch Community Association board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20, when the proposed trash regulations will be reassessed and a final decision will be made. More information on the proposed changes for 2016 can be found at HRCAonline.org. Public comment on the trash rules can be submitted through the website until Oct. 10. For those like Betts, one thing is for certain. “Trash is not meant to be pretty,” she said.