Week of March 23, 2023
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An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of
VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 18
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SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS In this week’s paper!
Rep. Jason Crow holds first-ever town hall in Englewood Mental health, airport discussed BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
At the event, South Metro Fire Rescue recognized 19 Arapahoe County law enforcement officers for their efforts in helping save Bennett’s life. Sgt. Robert Chase, one of the first people to arrive on the scene of the emergency, was among those recognized. “It was clear that Shirley was having a pretty significant medical event,” he said. “(We) could tell right away — we assessed real quickly — that we needed to start CPR. So that’s what we did, and more people started showing up as well.”
A crowd of residents gathered in Englewood High School March 14 for U.S. Rep. Jason Crow’s first-ever town hall in Englewood, discussing issues such as education funding, the Centennial Airport, water concerns and veterans’ mental health. “I’m so excited that Congressman Crow’s team and Congressman Crow asked if they could host a town hall here,” said Englewood Schools Superintendent Wendy Rubin, who introduced Crow. “He takes his responsibilities and obligations to our country, and to the people that he represents very, very seriously,” Rubin said. “I just could not be more thrilled that he decided to host this town hall here to really welcome Englewood and surrounding communities into CD (Congressional District) 6, and to show how accessible he is and to really show his heart of service.” Every 10 years, the U.S. population is counted through the national census and districts for the U.S. House of Representatives, also referred to as the congressional districts, are redrawn, according to the Congressional Research Service. Due to Colorado’s population growth from 2010 to 2020, the state
SEE LIFE SAVED, P7
SEE TOWN HALL, P8
Shirley Bennett hugs one of the Arapahoe County deputies who helped save her life when she went into cardiac arrest on Feb. 13. PHOTO BY NINA JOSS
A ‘thank you’ from the heart Woman offers gratitude to those who saved her life at courthouse BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Shirley Bennett was going through the jury duty selection process at the Arapahoe County Courthouse when officials called a recess. She and other potential jurors walked into the hallway. “I remember walking outside (of the courtroom) and sitting on a bench,” Bennett said. “And I remember waking up four days later.” Between the moments she re-
members, Bennett, who is 69, went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to the rapid response of dozens of court deputies and other bystanders on scene that day, she is alive to tell the story. On March 9, Bennett returned to the courthouse to express her gratitude to the first responders who saved her life in February by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. “I don’t know you all one by one or name by name, but I love you and appreciate you,” she said. “You’re in my prayers and you’re in my thoughts. I know we hear the prayers and thoughts thing so much with all the tragedy and things that happen. But I mean that from my heart — no pun intended
— that I love you, I appreciate you.” First responders
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
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