Westsider Westsider 8-16-2013
North Jeffco
North Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 32
POSTAL PATRON
August 16,2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourwestminsternews.com
Jeffco Fair
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Medical experts to testify in Sigg trial By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com
Kailey DeVore, 16 of Conifer, chases her sheep to keep it distracted during the “Catch an Animal” 4H event at the Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo this past weekend. For more photos, please see Page 9. Photo by Amy Woodward
Learning healthy living Health and Produce Fair gives out produce, advice on healthy living By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@ourcommunitynews.com Dressed up as the Tooth Fairy, Mikaila Skrbina attracted several kids to the Adventure Dental, Vision and Orthodontics booth at the Health and Produce Fair July 19. As Skrbina interacted with the kids — giving them a teeth-cleaning demonstration and handing out toothpaste and toothbrushes — her coworker, Vicky Garza, gave the adults an overview of the business. “Not only do you get the parents in here learning, but the kids, too,” Garza said about the fair. Since 2008, the Tri-County Health Department, Food Bank of The Rockies and host sites (Thornton, Denver, Jefferson County and Aurora) have conducted Health and Produce Fairs throughout the summer. Thornton hosted the fair at the Church of God Seventh Day, 9375 Gaylord St. in Thornton, in July and will do so again from 9-11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16. The goal is to inspire residents to make healthy decisions by educating them about their If you go health, presenting WHAT: Health and free cooking demProduce Fair onstrations and handing out free WHEN: 9-11 a.m. produce. Friday, Aug. 16 “Healthy lifeWHERE: Church of God styles create healthy Seventh Day c o m m u n i t i e s ,” 9375 Gaylord St., said Jaylin Stotler, Thornton Thornton’s community services coorADMISSION: Free dinator. “Through (bring a bag for free implementing fun samples and produce) and interactive
Clint Rasti and Nathalie Matamoros with Cooking Matters hand out samples of a banana and almond butter snack during the Health and Produce Fair July 19 at the Church of God Seventh Day in Thornton. Photo by Tammy Kranz programming at our fairs, we are able to share not just health-related information, but also a memorable experience that encourages our attendees to continue healthy habits when they leave our fair.” Stotler said fair organizers hope that by planting a vegetable as a seedling, attendees will be inspired to participate in a community garden or to plant their own small garden box. They hope that those who take a helmet home with them remember to practice bike safety, and those who take home produce and recipes cards will cook healthy meals with their families. “With education and the proper tools, we can empower our community to make sustainable life changes,” she said. Fair attendees are asked to bring their
own bag so they can fill it up with free produce. There are no income or residential requirements to participate. Some of the booths at the fair include North Suburban Medical Center, which will have safety games for kids and health screenings and advice for adults; Thornton Recreation, which will have a fitness test; Tri-County Health Department, which will provide info on programs and services, and hand out fruit flavored water; Thornton Fire Department, which will fit people for helmets and give them away; Denver Museum of Nature and Science, which will have a Planet Fitness station; and Community Enterprise, which will hand out samples of smoothies. Stotler said that each event draws an average of 400 people.
Two expert witnesses were approved by District Court Chief Judge Stephen Munsinger during the Aug. 7 Austin Sigg motions hearing. Sigg, 18, is accused of kidnapping and killing 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway, of Westminster, in October. He is also accused of attempting to abduct a woman jogging around Ketner Lake in May 2012. The judge ruled that Dr. Tracey Corey, a forensic pathologist, and Dr. Kathryn Wells, a pediatrician who specializes in child abuse, would have the opportunity to testify in court on the prosecution’s behalf. Both women testified during the Aug. 7 hearing in Jefferson County court, describing their qualifications and involvement in Sigg the Ridgeway case. Corey, who testified via Skype, is the chief medical examiner for the state of Kentucky. She also works with the FBI and was called in to assist in the Ridgeway case. She was a consultant in the case with the Behavioral Analysis Unit. Wells, who testified in person, works for Denver Health and is the medical director at the Denver Family Crisis Center. She was asked by the prosecution to review case evidence regarding possible sexual assault. Jessica’s mother, Sarah Ridgeway, stepped out of the courtroom while the women described Jessica’s injuries. “I was asked to render an opinion of the forensic findings in the case,” Corey said. “My opinion was that there was evidence of blunt traumatic injury consistent with sexual assault.” Corey also testified that, based on her observations, Jessica’s body was dismembered after her death. The judge also ruled that statements made by Sigg and his mother over the phone when the mother called police will be admissible during the trial. Jury summonses were sent out the week of the hearing, and jury questionnaires will begin Sept. 20. Opening statements in the trial are scheduled to begin Oct. 3. The trial date for the Ketner Lake case was also set during the hearing and is scheduled for Jan. 13. Sigg’s next court appearance is Aug. 29. If convicted, he faces life in prison with a possibility of parole after 40 years. He faces 17 charges, including murder and sexual assault.
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