north jeffco westsider_062813

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Westsider Westsider 6-28-13

North Jeffco

POSTAL PATRON

June 28,2013

A Colorado Community Media Publication

ourwestminsternews.com

North Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 25

PRSRT - STd ECRWSS US POSTAgE PAid BROOmfiELd CO PERmiT #101 Eddm

RoCk ‘n’ Rolling

And the winners are ... Look inside to find out who made Colorado Community Media’s list.

Defense raises issues Sigg lawyers question contact with police, venue By Ashley Reimers

areimers@ourcoloradonews.com Lawyers for Austin Sigg questioned if police officers legally explained Sigg’s rights when they arrested him at his home last October. Sigg is accused of murdering Jessica Ridgeway of Westminster. Police received a call from Sigg, who they say confessed to the murder. Sigg’s lawyers are hoping to have the judge suppress statements Sigg, 18, made at this time of his arrest when he did not have legal representation. During the Friday June 21 motions hearing, the defense team questioned Westminster police officer Albert Stutson, who was Sigg one of the first officers to arrive at Sigg’s home. Stutson, a member of the department’s special enforcement team, testified that he did inform Sigg of his rights soon after he arrived at Sigg’s home. Stutson said after learning Sigg — who was 17 at that time — informed him of his rights once more in front of Sigg’s mother. Stutson did not testify about any statements Sigg made while Stutson was with him at the home, or during the drive to the police department and while at the police department. The hearing ended without any rulings made by Judge Stephen Munsinger on 26 pending motions, including the defense team’s request to have the trial moved from Jefferson County and a motion to close future court proceeding to the public. According to court documents, a change of venue is being requested due to “massive and pervasive” media coverage effecting Sigg’s right to a fair trial. Sigg is accused of kidnapping and killing Ridgeway in early October 2012. He is also accused of attempting to abduct a woman jogging around Ketner Lake in May 2012. If convicted, Sigg faces life in prison with a possibility of parole after 40 years. He faces 17 charges, including murder and sexual assault.

Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.

A group of Westminster residents prepare to take off on a community bike ride during the June 21 Summer Solstice and Bike Ride Celebration in Westminster. The bicyclists rode from City Park to Westfield Village Park for a free concert from The Nacho Men. Photo by Ashley Reimers

Catholic campers help residents in need By Ashley Reimers

areimers@ourcoloradonews.com Three hundred young people from around the country took a week out of their summer vacation to lend a helping hand to residents in Westminster and south Adams County. The high school and college students were part of Catholic Heart Work Camp, a national work camp program that offers quality service projects and evangelical programs for young Catholics and their leaders. Youth groups from across the country team up to provide service for people in need in communities throughout the United States through Catholic Heart Work Camp. Established in 1992, the Orlando-based program has increased in size every year. This is the fifth year Westminster has been on the receiving end of the program with the help of the Neighborhood Action Team, which sponsors the program in Westminster. “The people who get the help are so happy to see kids when they come over,” said Roger Gudenkauf, Neighborhood Action Team member. “These kids really work hard and do some great things. And the people they are helping are so thankful and appreciative.” The youth spent four days, June 17-20, working on over 90 homes in the Westminster area. Some of the projects included house cleaning, yard work and the construction of outdoor wheel chair ramps. For the past two years longtime resident Sharon Arnold has received help on her home from the Catholic Heart Work Camp. Each year she looks forward to seeing the smiling faces of the young people who work diligently at her home. “They are the neatest young people and they deserve a lot of credit for the work they do,” she said. “They help out so many people in the community who really need it. They are the most wonderful teenagers.” All 300 campers and youth leaders stayed at Scott Carpenter Middle School for the duration of their stay in Westminster. When they aren’t out in the commu-

Mark Stern from Texas sweeps a Westminster resident’s back porch as part of the Catholic Heart Work Camp program on June 20. Three hundred young people from across the country traveled to Westminster to do work on residents’ homes. Photo by Ashley Reimers nity fixing and cleaning, the group attends mass and other spiritual programs in the evenings. Team leader Rachel Core’s experience with Catholic Heat Work Camp has been life changing. She started six years ago as a camper and is now employed as a team leader traveling the country working with many other youth groups and campers. She said after her first year the experience affirmed her faith in God and she truly felt God’s love. Since then, she’s continued her dedication to service and her faith.

“Being a part of Catholic Heart Work Camp I have never felt more proud of myself,” she said. “I’ve been able to tackle things I never thought I would be able to before. Just having pride in doing something meaningful and changing people’s live is awesome.” Not only do students take time out of their summer for the program, each person pays a $300 fee as well as their transportation costs to participate. For more information, visit www.heartworkcamp.com.


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