Sentinel Northglenn 8-29-2013
Northglenn -Thornton
August 29, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ournorthglennnews.com, ourthorntonnews.com
Adams County, Colorado • Volume 50, Issue 3
Former deputy faces 16 years in prison for assault on teen Staff Report
In clockwise order, James Pullen, with KGNU public radio; Jenni Murphy, North Metro Fire Rescue Board member; NMFR Capt. Rob Morris, state Sen. John Morse and District 34 Rep. Steve Lebsock perform a simulated rescue mission during a workshop at NMFR’s training facility Aug. 20. Courtesy photo by Heather Brown
UP IN SMOKE North Metro Fire workshop puts elected officials in fire and rescue drills By Tammy Kranz
Thornton places six questions on ballot
tkranz@ourcoloradonews.com
R
unning into a smoke-filled basement while wearing bunker gear and breathing apparatus. Going to a second-floor building to give aid to a heart-attack victim and carry him downstairs to the ambulance. These are just two of four simulations nearly 20 elected and appointed officials took part in Aug. 20 at the North Metro Fire Rescue District Training Center in Erie. “It really does give people in our community a glimpse of the life of a firefighter,” said NMFR Chief Joseph Bruce. Bruce said the workshop, FIRE OPS 101, was designed to help community members understand the demands — physical, mental and emotional intensity — and the diversity of firefighters in today’s world. He said the participants learned how hard each individual acts are — such as extracting a victim out of a damaged car, the weight of the tools and how to properly use them, and the other dynamics that play into rescue operations — such as the dangers of deployed air bags at an accident scene. “Every act they did was just the tip of the iceberg,” Bruce said. “I think that stuck with each one of them.” Jenni Murphy, NMFR board member
Smoke continues on Page 15
POSTAL ADDRESS
A former Adams County Deputy Sheriff was convicted of two charges of assault and one charge of child abuse in the assault of a 15-year-old in 2011 while responding to a disturbance call. Convicted on Aug. 20, David Morrow, 30, faces five to 16 years in prison. On June 12, 2011, Morrow responded to a disturbance call at 8790 Welby Road in Adams County. According to court records and evidence presented Morrow during the six-day trial, the teenage boy, who appeared highly intoxicated, was taken into custody and transported by ambulance to the hospital after parent contact information could not be obtained from him. The ambulance attendant had restrained the teen’s hands and feet on an ambulance gurney because of his verbally combative behavior. While passing by the restrained juvenile, Morrow struck the juvenile on the face with a closed fist, according to court records. Morrow was placed on administrative leave without pay a month later after charges were filed by the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. He was later fired. Morrow’s sentencing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 7 in Adams County District Court.
Term limits, parks and open space tax extensions up for a vote By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@ourcoloradonews.com The City of Thornton is placing six questions on the Nov. 5 ballot — including asking voters to approve extending the Parks and Open Space Tax by 20 years and increasing council member term limits to three consecutive terms. Council unanimously approved the ballot language during its Aug. 13 regular meeting after staff gave a presentation on each issue. Voters will be asked to extend council term limits from two consecutive terms to three — for a total of 12 years. “The City Council has discussed that experienced leadership is an important factor in carrying out the long-term plans of the city, and in addition that three consecutive terms will be consistent with terms of offices of other countywide elected officials,” said City Attorney Margaret Emerich.
State Sen. John Morse gets fitted with a mask while Jenni Murphy, North Metro Fire Rescue board member, waits her turn. Photo by Sandi Austin NORTHGLENN-THORNTON SENTINEL
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Ballot continues on Page 15
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