April 21, 2016
VOLU ME 32 | ISSU E 4 3 | 50 ¢
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FARMERS FLOCK TO HIGH SCHOOL DESPITE SNOW Wheat Ridge High School was a hub of activity on April 16, snowy weather notwithstanding. There was a practice AP test and a community-build project with the Colorado Construction Institute. Astronaut Joe Tanner gave a presentation. And the school’s STEM team was finishing work on their cars for the Shell Eco-marathon. “We have a lot of busy Saturdays here at Wheat Ridge,” said principal Griff Wirth. “We have all kinds of student engagement opportunities, and have a vibrant school where kids have a lot of options.”
PHOTOS BY CLARKE READER
Wheat Ridge is designing a construction pathway class and hosted an initial build project on April 15 to raise interest. The students worked with the Colorado Construction Institute to build 15 picnic tables that will go to 15 area elementary schools for decoration.
Astronaut Joe Tanner visited Wheat Ridge High School on April 15 and gave a presentation about his four trips to space, including fixing the Hubble Telescope.
Murdered At this breakfast, it’s all good musician’s killer gets life term Hundreds get together to honor Jeffco residents who do the right thing
Nine individuals or organizations were awarded with an honoree plaque at the 26th annual Good News Breakfast, which took place April 12 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Photo by Christy Steadman
By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Thomas LaPerch guilty of 2014 murder, arson By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com William Burchett made lifelong friends. He was a musician, history buff, world traveler and loving stepdad. Locally famous as the lead singer of the Resonatorz, Burchett was murdered in his Golden home on March 15, 2014, at the age of 57. “There were tears around the world,” said Michele Ater, Burchett’s life partner. LaPerch A courtroom in the Jefferson County courthouse filled with people on April 15 to witness the sentencing of Thomas Kevin LaPerch for Burchett’s murder. Following a nine-day trial, on April 11, after only two hours of deliberation, a Jefferson County jury found LaPerch guilty of first-degree murder after deliberation, arson and criminal mischief — Killer continues on Page 10
About 400 people gathered at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds on April 12 to hear word of the county’s good news. The theme for the 26th annual Good News Breakfast was “Building and Protecting Our Community.” Coinciding with the theme, nine individuals or organizations were awarded with an honoree plaque this year.
Honor continues on Page 10
WHAT GOOD NEWS WAS HEARD THIS YEAR? 2016 Good News Breakfast honorees: Rabbi Benjamin “Jamie” Arnold — instrumental in establishing a severe weather emergency shelter to serve Evergreen’s homeless individuals.
runner for charity.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) — independent advocates for Jefferson County children in the court system who are victims of abuse and neglect.
Lakewood Police Department’s Victim Advocate Lindsey Bravdica, Sgt. David Hoover and Agents James Butler and Toby Maez — helped stabilize a father and his 10-year-old son by helping to find affordable housing, taking the child to school, arranging free repair of the vehicle the family was living in and initiated fundraising efforts.
Detective Jesus “Moose” Chavez — a school resource officer known to have mentored hundreds of children, organizer of a Christmas program to benefit Arvada High School families and a marathon
Jefferson Center for Mental Health and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office: Crisis Intervention Team Managers Program — collaboration that began in October 2014 by Emily Richardson and
Capt. Al Simmons to provide education and training for deputies to increase safety for law enforcement officers and individuals involved in a mental crisis situation. Margaret Paget — City of Wheat Ridge’s forestry and open space supervisor known to have gone above and beyond her job duties to support residents’ projects and who has worked to protect and preserve the city’s open space areas for 25 years. Pete Roybal — began the monthly food basket program at Phillips United Methodist Church; as a veteran, he works to improve the lives of all those who have served the
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country; and as a Lakewood city councilor, he worked to decrease the graffiti problem citywide. Kevin Shive — found the Rocky Mountain Police Chaplains program in 2014, and since, the program has served 29 cities and agencies at the local, state and federal level. West Metro Fire Protect District — personnel volunteers time with The Action Center and its clients, provides community education to children and makes regular school visits, puts on car seat and bicycle helmet checks for the community, and the organization’s seal of approval program rates senior living facilities.