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Week of May 5, 2022
ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
Northglenn-ThorntonSentinel.com
VOLUME 58 | ISSUE 39
THORNTON HOLDS OFF AURORA CENTRAL City moves to take
over Thornton Shopping Center
City issues letter to owner warning of condemnation BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Thornton officials are making moves to take over the Thornton Shop-
Thornton’s Angeles Herrera advances the ball forward in a game against Aurora Central April 28 at Thornton High School. Thornton scored twice in the second half and beat Aurora Central 3-2 in Thornton April 28. Genesis Holguin-Hoya had two of Thornton’s goals. Camryn Montelongo scored the other goal. No stats were available for the Trojans. THS improved to 4-9, 3-3 in the Colorado League. ACHS slipped to 1-11-1 See PHOTO BY STEFAN BRODSKY page 16 for more coverage.
Colorado taxpayers will receive $400 this summer Here’s how some plan to spend it BY ALISON BERG ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS
Menah Elsarrag can pay off a small portion of her student loans. Diane Hopkins can drive to Southern Colorado to visit her family and explore the outdoors. Anne Tincaid can put more money toward a vacation in Mexico, where she hopes to go snorkeling. These are just a few of the
ways Coloradans plan to use the $400 coming their way this summer. Gov. Jared Polis announced April 25 that Colorado taxpayers will be receiving a cashback rebate later this year. Individuals Garnett will receive $400 while joint filers will get $800. The money will be sent out between late August and early September, Polis said. “We know that this last year has been difficult with
rising prices,” Polis said in a news conference announcing the action. The money comes from a clause in the Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which gives the state legislature power to determine how to refund excess tax revenue to those who pay it. “This is Coloradans’ money, and we’re making sure that we make government efficient in getting those dollars back to them as soon as possible,” House Speaker Alec Garnett, a Democrat, said in SEE REBATE, P7
ping Center, sending a letter to the building’s owner that says the city has begun the process to acquire either a parcel of the property or the entire shopping center. The Thornton Development Authority sent Jay Brown, owner of the Thornton Shopping SEE THORNTON, P3
Westminster approves police retention program BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Westminster City Councilors voted unanimously for a police department retention program April 25 council meeting that will give bonus payments to employees, ranging from $2,000 to $8,000. “With a thankful heart, I’m glad those that are here, are here,” Mayor Nancy McNally said. “They deserve something for what they’ve been through for the last two years to hang in there.” The program will cost approximately $1.4 million and the funds will come from the American Rescue Plan Act. Westminster received $14.5
million from the act, according to Acting Finance Director Larry Dorr. The move comes as the police department is down 28 police officers, five communications specialists, 1.5 court security personnel, 1.5 records technicians, a victim advocate, a data analyst and a criminalist, according to the meeting’s agenda. As well, crime in Westminster and across the North Metro area is rising. Interim City Manager Jody Andrews said the city saw about a 15% vacancy rate in 2020. That has come down to around 13% by using certain retention tools. SEE POLICE, P5
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | CALENDAR: PAGE 15 | SPORTS: PAGE 16
KEEPING THINGS WILD Parks and Wildlife has preserved Colorado for 125 years P12