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Week of January 5, 2023
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
SouthPlatteIndependent.net
VOLUME 78 | ISSUE 9
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17
Counties navigate future after Tri-County Health breakup Former system expired Dec. 30 BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The mask mandates implemented during the pandemic left a legacy in region’s health care. They fueled the
breakup of Tri-County Health, the state’s largest public health agency, serving Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties for more than five decades. Douglas County officials took issue with mask mandates put in place by the health agency. Looking back, Tri-County Health Director John Douglas, a doctor, said masks were meant to protect the public as the
virus swept through the metro area. “I’m sorry the dynamics of the politicization of the pandemic put us in a place where we had to make choices, specifically referring to the mask mandate, that were going to create acrimony with Douglas County,” Douglas said. Tri-County Health Department’s choices were tough to make, he added, acknowledging some divided
public. Still, he stands by the agency’s decisions and, citing research, said masks helped slow the spread of COVID-19. Douglas County’s response was to opt out and create its own public health agency, which is now operating with a budget of its own. That means Tri-County Health SEE TRI-COUNTY, P4
Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office deputy passes away Kraig Conger suffered a major heart attack while on duty BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
is aiming for “sustainable growth” in 2023. He wants the theatre and concert venue in downtown Littleton to be a destination for a night out for patrons and a welcome, safe and diverse place to work for everyone, he wrote an email to Colorado Community Media. “I want to bring Town Hall Arts Center back to pre-pandemic
An Arapahoe County Sheriff ’s Office deputy died from a major heart attack while on duty on Dec. 28. On Dec. 29. At 11:27 a.m., the sheriff ’s office posted a Tweet announcing the passing of Deputy Kraig Conger. According to the tweet, Conger was 51 years old and was passionate about his job. In addition to working as a law enforcement officer, he mentored youth in the community and coached football, basketball and baseball. “There is no doubt he had a significant impact in this community and in his profession,” the sheriff ’s office wrote in a statement on Facebook.
SEE NEW YEAR , P2
SEE DEPUTY, P2
PHOTO FROM TIM MOSSHOLDER VIA PEXELS
Leaders reflect on past year, new year Resolutions, goals and plans set BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Learning Italian, telling untold stories and treating people with more kindness are just a few goals that Littleton community members
PRSRT - STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID LITTLETON, CO PERMIT #70 EDDM POSTAL PATRON
are carrying with them into 2023. As they flip to the first pages of their fresh calendars, community leaders and members in the city are reflecting on what they have learned in 2022 and making resolutions for the year they have just stepped into. Organizational/community resolutions
Robert Sanders, chief operating officer at the Town Hall Arts Center,
SOCK IT TO ’EM Charity offering hosiery to homeless
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