Westminster 9-26-2013
September 26, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication Adams County and Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 68, Issue 49
See our coverage inside this issue! Page 10
ourwestminsternews.com
County assesses flood damage By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews. com As Adams County residents affected by the recent flooding deal with the aftermath of the rain, so are officials in the county. Parts of northern Adams County were affected by the flooding including Riverdale Golf Course and the Regional Park. Rich Neumann, communications manager with Adams County, said the gulch that runs through those two areas caused flooding and erosion in several places including the newly created reservoirs between the Regional Park and 120th Avenue. The Regional Park shop was also flooded as well as the Riverdale Golf Shop. “All combined, the county’s estimated damage at the Park is about $637,000. This figure does not include any damages at the golf course — only the Regional Park,” he said. “The Golf Shop is still determining their damages.” Even after slowed rain in the
past few days, Neumann said parts of Colorado Boulevard between State Highway 7 and 168th Avenue remains closed due to significant damage to the road surface and foundation. Additional damage also occurred at retention ponds, parks and trails, but according to Neumann, flood damage was not widespread in any particular part of the county. “Damage occurred in small pockets,” he said. “It is hard to compare different entities as we are still performing assessments.” As for the cost facing the county in terms of road and bridge damage, Neumann said the county is estimating around $400,000 for repairs, which is only a preliminary cost estimate as teams are working to gather more information to compile a more comprehensive estimate. For residents needing repairs to their homes and property, the Flood continues on Page 24
From Sept. 18-21, disaster assistance was provided to flood victims in Adams County at the Commerce City Recreation Center. The assistance included information on how to apply for FEMA disaster relief, information on temporary housing assistance, home repair resources, flood damage assessments and insurance information/assistance. Photo courtesy of Adams County Facebook
Father, son honored for action during fire
Wind up
Duo warned family of burning deck after noticing smoke By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com Quick thinking and bravery earned a father and his son a commendation award from the Westminster Fire Department. Bill and 15-year-old Richard Charrington worked together to warn a family of their burning deck and were presented with the award for bravery and quick action on Sept. 16 during their Boy Scout meeting. Bill and Richard noticed smoke coming from across the street of their home on Aug. 17. They immediately ran across the street and started knocking on the door of the home closest to the smoke. After no answer, Richard quickly ran to the back of the home and saw the deck on fire. Knocking turned into pounding but still no answer. “We kept knocking and then I went to the back again and saw that the house was now on fire,” Richard said. “After that we noticed the door was unlocked and so we went inside. The people inside were actu-
ally sleeping and we woke them up and finally they came out.” Fire marshal Bob Hose, who presented the awards, said the father-son duo did just what they were supposed to do by taking positive and direct action to alert the people in the home, but did not endanger themselves in the process. “We have citizens who take correct action and do the right thing, but many times they disappear and we don’t have the chance to thank them, or acknowledge their actions,” he said. “So when we have the opportunity we like to thank people like Richard and Bill for their actions.” Richard, who attends Jefferson Academy and plays football for Pomona High School, said although it’s nice to receive an award, the recognition comes second to making sure the people the home were safe. He said he was brought up to always to extend a hand to someone in need, a lesson that’s been passed down from his great-grandpa. No matter what the cost, Richard believes in stepping up in whatever way possible to help someone else. “It’s the best feeling the world to know that we were able to get them out and keep them safe,” Richard said. “Boy Scouts and my background taught me that if someone needs help you help them.”
Legacy pitcher Haley Smith throws the ball during a game against Poudre Sept. 21 at Legacy High School. See story on Page 25 Photo by Kate Ferraro POSTAL ADDRESS
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Westminster Fire Department Fire Marshall Bob Hose, left, presents the commendation award to Westminster residents Richard and Bill Cherrington on Sept. 16 for their involvement in helping a family escape a fire. Photo by Ashley Reimers