April 21, 2016 VOLUM E 127 | IS S U E 39 | 75¢
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
Keeping eyes, and minds, on the road CDOT highlights growing problem of distracted driving By Tom Skelley tskelley@colorado communitymedia.com Nicolle Dowling of Centennial knows her distracted driving is a problem.
“I’m aware of it, but I need to do a better job of not doing it,” Dowling said. “Having the phone in my hand, whether it be for texting, talking, using navigation apps, getting information or just thinking I need to get information” — those are the things she sometimes does behind the wheel other than watching the road.
Dowling, 38, isn’t alone. A 2015 Colorado Department of Transportation survey shows one in four drivers admitted to reading a text message while behind the wheel during the previous week. The numbers are even higher for other forms of distraction, including eating.
Texting is among the many ways motorists become distracted. Shutterstock image
Distracted continues on Page 5
City council to consider recreational pot sales 4-3 vote at study session could open door to shops By Kyle Harding kharding@coloradocommunitymedia.com The Littleton City Council will vote on an ordinance to allow recreational marijuana sales following a push by the owners of two of the city’s medical marijuana dispensaries. At a study session on April 12, the council directed city staff to draft the ordinance. A 2014 council ordinance prohibits recreational sales in the city. Medical dispensaries are capped at four, which is how many are currently in business. But principals with two of those medical
Erica Villarreal remembers her son, Jaime, at a press conference on April 13. Also shown is Jaime Villarreal’s fiancee, Natasha Espinoza. Photo by Kyle Harding
Victim’s family urges help Police probe shooting that killed one, injured another By Kyle Harding kharding@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Jaime Villarreal is pictured with his children, Landon and Leah. Courtesy photo
Jaime Villarreal’s mother remembers how much he loved the Denver Broncos. His fiancee remembers how much he loved his two children. His little brother remembers going fishing with him. “We had our whole life planned out,” Natasha Espinoza said through tears on April 13. “And in a matter of minutes it’s gone.” Villarreal, 23, a Thornton resident, was shot to death early the morning of March 18
in an office building parking lot in the 8000 block of Southpark Lane. Another man was injured. The Ford pickup that Villarreal, of Thornton, was using to plow parking lots was found burned and abandoned nearby. No arrests have been made, but the Littleton Police Department has been searching for two suspects. Espinoza, Villarreal’s fiancee and the mother of his 2-year-old daughter, Leah, pleaded for the public’s help in finding the people responsible for his death. She was joined at a press conference at the Littleton Center by Villarreal’s mother, Erica Villarreal, his 11-year-old brother, Javen, and Kylie
Council continues on Page 7
LOCAL SPORTS Arapahoe and Heritage take their rivalry to the lacrosse field. PAGE 24
Villarreal continues on Page 7
Grand Opening Party This Weekend! ColoradoSkinAndVein.com See page 7 for an invitation to our grand opening celebration
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LITTLETON INDEPENDENT (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Littleton, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT LITTLETON, 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: Tue. 11 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.