Northglenn thornton sentinel 0912

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Sentinel Northglenn 9-12-2013

Northglenn -Thornton

September 12, 2013

50 cents

A Colorado Community Media Publication

ournorthglennnews.com, ourthorntonnews.com

Adams County, Colorado • Volume 50, Issue 5

Assembly celebrates science, new digital textbooks By Ashley Reimers

areimers@ ourcoloradonews.com Whether it was an eruption of Diet Coke into the air caused by the mixture of Mentos, or the creation of an electric current, students in Thornton had a new outlook on science Sept. 5. “I used to not like science, but after the assembly I’m starting to like it,” said eighthgrade participant Justyce Meeks. “Being able to be a part of learning science in a physical way is really fun, instead of just listening to someone talk about it.” The STEM Launch school assembly was made possible by the Mortgridge Family Foundation and Discovery Education and featured interactive activities illustrating science concepts connected to everyday life. Lead by Discovery Education scientist Patti Duncan, students in grades 5-8 were entertained by the subject of science learn-

ing that science can be cool and exciting. Duncan stressed to students the importance of being making observations and asking questions in and out of the classroom. “To be good science students, you always have to be watching and asking questions,” she said. “You should be thinking about why something works, how something works and what it affects.” The assembly was a celebration of a new textbook program students are using this year made possible through funding from the Mortgridge Family Foundation. Instead of traditional paper textbooks, students are using Discovery Education’s digital science textbook series, which brings learning to life through audio, video, interactive text, digital simulations, virtual Textbooks continues on Page 2

STEM Launch students participate in a science experience about sound and pitch with Discovery Education scientist Patti Duncan during an assembly on Sept. 5. The assembly featured interactive science activities and was made possible by the Mortgridge Family Foundation and Discovery Education. Photo by Ashley Reimers

Young man seeks to change Adams County age limit to serve on council resident dies of West Nile virus

Thornton resident behind 25 to 21 campaign

96 human cases of virus in Colorado

By Tammy Kranz

tkranz@ourcoloradonews.com

By Tammy Kranz

Thornton voters on Nov. 5 will be asked to lower the minimum age to qualify to serve as mayor or council member from 25 to 21. Seth Thomas, 21, is spearheading the campaign to get the measure passed. “I feel if you can serve your country at age 18, sometimes age 17 with parent permission, you should be able to run for elected office at age 21,” he said. “By allowing a change to our charter, we as the sixth largest city of the state are telling our community that it is OK to allow new fresh ideas to come forward to our council’s dais. I believe we need to do what it takes to move our city forward together, and give Thornton more opportunities.” Thomas said he wished he could have run for a spot on council at 18 so he could make policy change decisions that would help better the city. “I am not just doing this for myself,” he said about his 25 To 21 campaign. “I’m doing this to continue the positive change that

Age continues on Page 2

tkranz@ourcoloradonews.com

Regardless if the money cannot go toward infrastructure, Ward II Councilwoman Leslie Carrico said, “We’re always going to need water and it’s always going to be high.” Staff reported that water raters per household may need to be raised by as much as 50 percent if the tax is not extended. Voters initially approved the 0.5 percent

A 53-year-old Adams County died Aug. 27 from West Nile virus, reported the TriCounty Health Department last week. “This is the first confirmed death in the metro Denver area in 2013,” said Gary Sky, public information officer with Tri-County in an email. “The first Colorado West Nile virus death this year occurred in Weld County, on Aug. 25. As of Sept. 2, there have been 96 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Colorado.” West Nile is a disease that can cause encephalitis, a brain inflammation, paralysis and meningitis and is spread by mosquitoes. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, less than 1 percent of infected people develop serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness. Tom Butts, acting executive director of Tri-County said that mosquito activity will subside when the weather turns cold, but recent rains and hot weather have increased the number of breeding mosquitoes in the area. “West Nile virus is preventable by protecting yourself against mosquito bites,” he said. “By avoiding outdoor exposure when mosquitoes are active, wearing protective clothing, and applying insect repellent whenever you are outdoors — whether in the backwoods or in your own back yard. The vast majority of people who get West Nile virus are bitten by infected mosquitoes around their own home, not while on an outdoor adventure.” Tri-County Health Department offered the following tips for mosquito precaution: drain all standing water around the house to eliminate any mosquito-

Tax continues on Page 2

Virus continues on Page 2

Seth Thomas is spearheading the campaign 25 to 21 to get voters to approve lowering the age limit to serve on city council. Courtesy photo

Tax extension placed on ballot Northglenn voters asked to approve 0.5 percent tax for water supply By Tammy Kranz

tkranz@ourcoloradonews.com Northglenn voters will be asked to extend the one-half percent sales and use tax that expires in 2015 to be used exclusively to enhance or increase the city’s water supPOSTAL ADDRESS

ply during the Nov. 5 election. City Council approved the ballot question by an 8-0 vote during its Aug. 26 regular meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Susan Clyne, Ward III, was absent. According to a staff memo to council, the 0.5 percent sales and use tax generates approximately $1.9 million annually and is restricted to enhancing or increasing the city’s water supply. Money generated from this tax cannot go to repair or replace aging infrastructure.

NORTHGLENN-THORNTON SENTINEL

(ISSN 1044-4254) (USPS 854-980)

OFFICE: 8703 Yates DR., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Adams County, Colorado, the NorthglennThornton Sentinel is published weekly on Thursday by MetroNorth Newspapers, 7380 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, CO 80030. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WESTMINSTER, COLORADO. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: P.O. Box 350070, Westminster, CO 80035-0070. DEADLINES: Display advertising: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal advertising: Fri. 11 a.m. Classified advertising: Tues. 12 p.m.

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