February 25, 2016
VOTING STARTS NEXT WEEK!
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ArvadaPress.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Crossing sees three deaths in three years ‘It’s crazy at this corner,’ says one person who works near intersection By Crystal Anderson canderson@colorado communitymedia.com A teddy bear, a rosary taped to a signal pole and a large collection of flowers, small stuffed animals and prayer candles form three memorials along west Sheridan Boulevard at 80th Avenue, in remembrance of three people killed by drunken drivers. The most recent, Monica Zapata, 40, a single mother of three, was killed at about 10 p.m. on Valentine’s Day as she was driving west on 80th Avenue in Arvada. Police say a drunken driver sped through a red light, hitting her car, injuring her and her 15-yearold daughter, Jessica. Zapata died shortly after. Jessica suffered minor injuries and “will be healing with therapy,” according to a GoFundMe site set up to help care for Zapata’s children. “Our condolences to your family,” reads a card for Zapata, with a rosary of white, red, black and blue beads taped to a signal pole. “We don’t know you, but it’s hard to see bad things happen to good people.” Below the card are four unburned prayer candles. Police have identified the driver as Jose Sandoval Cruz, 23, who has been charged with vehicular homicide DUI, reckless vehicular homicide, leaving the scene with death, misdemeanor DUI, reckless driving and leaving the scene of the accident. He is being held at the Jefferson County Jail on $50,000 bond.
Zapata
Pomona wrestler Theorius Robison won a state title, and his school won the team championship at this year’s tourney. More on PAGE 22.
Ceremony welcomes 49 new citizens People swear allegiance to the U.S. in Denver ceremony By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Hundreds of people sat smiling in rows of folding chairs set up in a large room at the History Colorado Center in downtown Denver. The first few rows were filled with 49 of the United States’ newest citizens. In honor of Presidents’ Day, the 49 new citizens joined nearly 20,000 oth— immigrants ers like them naturalized in the across the U.S. last year country to take the Oath — of Allegiance immigrants at more than naturalized in 180 naturalColorado last year ization ceremonies held — number between Feb. of new citizens 12 and Feb. who take the Oath 22 by the U.S. of Allegiance per Citizenship naturalization and Immigraceremony put on by tion Services. the U.S. Citizenship In Colorado, and Immigration Immigration Services in Denver Judge Melanie Corrin admin— number istered the of naturalization oath on Feb. ceremonies held each 17. week in Denver The new citizens represented 25 different countries from six of the world’s seven continents. They came from cities throughout the Denver-metro area, including Arvada, Englewood, Lakewood, Northglenn, Thornton, Westminster and Wheat Ridge. Some traveled from Colorado Springs and Fort Collins. No matter what country they originated from, all had to complete a series of steps to gain citizenship, said Andy Lambrecht, director of the Denver field office of citizen and immigration services. They each have their own story and their own reason for pursuing citizenship, he added. The first most important action on Feb. 17 was to raise their right hands and recite the oath, said Scott Koenigsberg, a supervisory immigration services officer. The second, he added, was to register to vote.
BY THE NUMBERS
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Accident continues on Page 5
To learn more about Monica Zapata, who was killed by an alleged drunk driver, turn to PAGE 5
STATE WRESTLING
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New mementos were added to older memorials like this one at the corner of Sheridan Boulevard and 80th Avenue after Westminster mother of three, Monica Zapata, was killed Feb. 14 by an alleged drunken driver who ran a red light. The intersection has been the sight of three fatal accidents in three years. Photo by Crystal Anderson
ARVADA GREETS FURRY FRIENDS
Homeless dogs from across the sea have arrived in Arvada. See and read about their journey on PAGE 13.
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Citizen continues on Page 7