Week of December 1, 2022
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ParkerChronicle.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 1
Law enforcement, community groups fight against hate crimes Training, reporting methods improved BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
From 2018 to 2020, reported incidents of hate crimes in Colorado more than doubled, according to
statistics from the FBI. These numbers also increased nationwide, but in Colorado the rate is higher. Over two years, the state’s cases increased by about 132%, compared to the the national average of 17%, according to data from the FBI. Although there is no way to definitively prove the reason for these trends and no clear solution
to the problem, law enforcement agencies, legal offices and organizations across the Front Range are taking steps to better care for victims and stand against biasmotivated crimes and incidents. Data and underreporting As defined by Colorado state law, a bias-motivated crime, also known as a hate crime, is a crimi-
nal offense committed “with the intent to intimidate or harass another person, in whole or in part, because of that person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.” Hate crimes can range from acts SEE HATE CRIMES, P2
Hospital staffing remains a challenge Nurse recruits a priority BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
ory Fitness. His current prosthetic, however, was not made for such activities. An athletic prosthetic, which would make it easier for Andre to run, would cost his family about $16,000, which is not covered by insurance. This fall, members of the Parker
Parker Adventist Hospital is among the many health care facilities facing challenges in the recruitment and retention of frontline caregivers. “The challenges we are seeing at Parker Adventist Hospital are similar across the healthcare industry, including at other hospitals and care sites across the Denver metro area,” said Media Relations Manager Kevin Massey. The Parker Adventist Hospital – of the Centura Health network – is starting to see improvements as it continues to recover from the challenges the pandemic placed on the healthcare system. Between July and October, nurse staff turnover dropped 6.2% compared to the same period in 2021. The nurse vacancy rate also decreased by 7.82% since Nov. 2021. “We believe this is a testament to the workplace environment we provide and the efforts we are making to recruit and retain incredible caregivers,” said Massey. To attract more workers, Centura Health announced in November a $30,000 bonus for night shift nurses. According to the press release, residential nurses are eligible for the bonus if they have at least six months of direct experience and join the Centura Health healing ministry by Jan. 31, 2023. Prospective applicants must also agree to serve Centura Health patients for one year. The offer is open for both
SEE FUNDRAISER, P9
SEE HOSPITALS, P10
Andre Sparks poses with his daughter, Abigale Sparks, who inspired him to join the fitness community at Orangetheory. PHOTO COURTESY OF ORANGETHEORY FITNESS
Orangetheory helps raise funds for local father’s prosthetic leg Prosthetic to help manage diabetes BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When Andre Sparks was 18 years old, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
About three decades, six children and two professional athletic careers later, Andre faced a traumatic foot injury and infection, which was exacerbated by diabetes. As a result, his right leg was amputated below the knee. Today, Andre uses a prosthetic leg to maintain an active lifestyle as a basketball coach and an avid workout enthusiast at Orangethe-