Northglenn Thornton Sentinel 0512

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May 12, 2016

VOLU ME 52 | ISSU E 3 9 | 50 ¢

GRAPPLER HONORED Legacy High School wrestler receives excellence award on PAGE 19.

Northglenn-ThorntonSentinel.com A D A M S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O

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ROTARY AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS

Westminster mother of three, Molly Jean Nickal, was found dead April 28 in the bathroom of an apparent gunshot wound in a home she shared with her husband, Gary Lee Nickal. The husband told police his wife had committed suicide, but evidence led them to believe otherwise. Nickal is being held on suspicion of murder. Courtesy photo

Woman from Westminster shot to death Northglenn High School senior Izaiah Zaragoza is all smiles after receiving the Bennett Family Scholarship at the Rotary Community Scholarship awards dinner May 5 at Ciancio’s at Hyland Hills Restaurant and Lounge. Through the program, the Westminster Rotary Club has given more than $815,000 in scholarships to more than 450 local high school graduates moving onto higher education. This year, 19 students received more than $40,000 to go toward college costs. For more pictures and a full list of recipients, see Page 6. Photo by Jeremy Johnson

Finalists selected for district court bench Staff report The 17th Judicial District Nominating Commission has nominated three candidates for a district court judgeship created by the retirement of the Hon. C. Scott Crabtree, effective July 1. Nominees Jaclyn Casey Brown of Westminster, Tomee Crespin of Thornton and Sharon Holbrook of Broomfield were selected by the commission May 2. Under the Colorado Constitution, the governor has 15 days from May 3 within which to appoint one of the nominees as district court judge for the 17th Judicial District, which includes Adams and Broomfield counties. Comments regarding any of the nominees may be sent via email to the governor at gov_judicialappointments@state.co.us.

Hyland Hills Park and Rec appoints board members Election canceled when two candidates applied for two open seats Staff report Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District welcomes returning board member Tom Lynch and new board member Chris Dittman to its board of directors starting May 17. Each member is appointed for a fouryear term. An election scheduled for May 4 was canceled because only two candidates were registered for the two open seats. Lynch, fondly known in the area as “Coach Lynch” for his long history in the teaching profession and athletics, started on the board in 2012. New board member Dittman is a Colorado native with a long history of service to the area as well. He was principal of Westminster High School and the Pinnacle Charter School, mayor pro tem of Westminster and athletic director at Regis College. “The district is honored to be led by people of such knowledge, substance,

passion and commitment,” said Hyland Hills Executive Director Yvonne Fischbach. “We wholeheartedly welcome Tom back and look forward to our association with Chris Dittman.” Hyland Hills Park and Dittman Recreation District was the first designated park and recreation district in Colorado and was established in 1955. It now serves more than 117,000 within the district, and several thousand more in neighboring communities in and around southLynch west Adams County. The district manages 27 parks, 24 ball fields and several community centers as well as the Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills, Water World, Adventure Golf & Raceway, an award-winning gymnastics facility and an indoor arena. The district also offers a community senior center and the Ice Centre at the Promenade, both operated in conjunction with the City of Westminster.

Police suspect that husband killed wife while their three children were home Staff report A 35-year-old mother of three was killed and her husband was arrested on suspicion of murder following a shooting in their Westminster residence while their children were home, police say. Gary Lee Nickal called Westminster police April 28 to report that his wife, Molly Jean Nickal, had committed suicide in the bathroom of their home on the 5800 block of 94th Place in Westminster. But police said evidence didn’t match up, and he Gary Lee was arrested on suspicion Nickal of murder. Gary Nickal remains in Jefferson County jail after being charged last week with first-degree murder after deliberation. He was advised of charges May 2 and is now being held without bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 24. According to an arrest affidavit from the Westminster police, Molly Nickal — who was the mother of 7- and 8-year-old daughters and a 3-month-old son — was killed by two rounds from a 20-gauge shotgun. Officers responding to Gary Lee Nickal’s call found physical evidence at the scene they said didn’t fit with Nickal’s story, which was that he had heard a gunshot and found his wife unconscious on the floor. Police said Gary Nickal had blood on his hands and began licking it off after police inquired about it, according to the affidavit. One of the children also told

NORTHGLENN-THORNTON SENTINEL (ISSN 1044-4254) (USPS 854-980) OFFICE: 8753 Yates Dr., Ste. 200, Westminster, CO 80031 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Adams County, Colorado, the Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel is published weekly on Thursday by MetroNorth Newspapers, 8753 Yates Dr., Ste. 200 Westminster, CO 80031. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WESTMINSTER, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 12 p.m. | Classifieds: Mon. 2 p.m. | Obits: Mon. 2 p.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.

Death continues on Page 5


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