Northglenn Thornton
Sentinel
November 15, 2012
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ournorthglennnews.com, ourthorntonnews.com
Adams County, Colorado • Volume 49, Issue 14
Teen finds power in jewelry making Harding overcomes challenges
‘Rachael has always kind of had that (business) spirit.’ Jennifer Harding
By Darin Moriki
dmoriki@ourcoloradonews.com For Northglenn resident Rachael Harding, jewelry making is more than just a hobby or a passion that has grown over the years — it is a strand of strength that keeps her grounded. “I love it so much,” Rachael said as she walked through the finished basement of her home that now serves as her work space. “If I showed you my room, I have so much jewelry.” Those closest to her say it has been this same growth of strength and passion that has allowed the 15-year-old honors student to overcome challenges and start her own jewelry line launched two years ago. But, getting to this point has not been easy. One of the most difficult challenges Rachael has had to face for most of her childhood are the residual effects of stage 3 Lyme disease, a debilitating disease that causes continual muscle weakness, numbness and tingling.
Rachael’s mother, Jennifer Harding, said her daughter contracted the disease when she was 7, but was not properly diagnosed until she was about 9 or 10. Over the years, Jennifer said her daughter missed school days because of the disease’s residual effects, and cannot participate in activities that many people take for granted, such as hiking, playing sports or going to the mall with friends. Jennifer said she enrolled Rachael in a jewelry making class at the Northglenn Recreation Center when she was about 9 to give her an outlet for her creative talents. “It became something that she could do physically to fill the time when she wasn’t working on school work,” Jennifer said. “You become pretty isolated when you’re sick and away from school and friends, so it gave her an outlet to do that.” From then on, Rachael said she learned how to make more complicated types of jewelry, such as
clay beads, metal working, and wire working, by reading books in between her school work. Rachael initially made necklaces and earrings for friends and family and occasionally sold a few pieces at garage sales, but decided to launch her own online jewelry business as she got better. She was only 13 when her jewelry line launched two years ago under 2studystrings — a name symbolizing the motherand-daughter bond and interest in jewelry that Rachael and Jennifer share. “Rachael has kind of always had that spirit,” Jennifer said. “The day that she actually launched her business, when she was 13-years-old, was a great one, because it showed that she could follow through all the way with something. To see that come to fruition and actually become a business is great.” For more information about Rachael and her jewelry line, visit her online website at: http://www.etsy. com/shop/2sturdystrings.
Rachael Harding, 2012 Outstanding Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, poses with necklaces of her favorite creations, and her award from the city of Northglenn Friday. Photo by Andy Carpenean
Thornton to seek new council member
Appointment to replace newly-elected county commissioner Eva Henry
By Darin Moriki
dmoriki@ourcoloradonews.com
Thornton will search for a new Ward 2 representative following Eva Henry’s election as the new Adams County commissioner for District 1. Henry will replace longtime county commissioner W.R. “Skip” Fischer at the end of the year, but and has two years left in
her term as council member. City communications manager Todd Barnes said the city charter allows council to appoint another community member to fill a vacancy and serve the remainder of his or her term. While most council members elected by citizens are allowed to serve a maximum of two four-year term, Barnes said the person appointed to assume Henry’s position may
only serve one additional term after finishing her remaining one. Barnes said there are no set dates at this time for council to consider this issue. Thornton city clerk Nancy Vincent said the last time a council member was appointed to fill a vacant seat happened in 2007, when former Ward 4 city councilman Erik Hansen was elected to serve as the city’s mayor. Charles E. Stevenson was later
appointed in December 2007 to fill Hansen’s vacated Ward 4 seat. Hansen has served as the District 3 Adams County commissioner since being elected in November 2010. Vincent said the appointment process should have negligible financial impacts to the city, since the only costs incurred would be the paper ballots printed for city council members.
Deputy cleared in fatal traffic stop shooting
By Darin Moriki
dmoriki@ourcoloradonews.com
An Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputy who shot and killed 40-year-old Adams County resident in February has been cleared of wrongdoing following an eightmonth investigation. The Adams County Critical Incident Team found that Deputy Wilfred Europe was justified in
shooting Don Alan Cambron during a routine traffic stop near 63rd Avenue and Federal Boulevard in unincorporated Adams County. In a letter to Sheriff Doug Darr, Adams County District Attorney Don Quick wrote that no criminal charges will be filed against Europe. According to Quick’s letter, the shooting happened after Cambron and three acquaintances,
Thomas Hibdon, Timothy Collins, and Michelle Meyers, were pulled over by a deputy for a traffic violation. The report said that deputy soon called for additional help “because he felt that the circumstances and actions of the parties in the car were strange.” Europe, one of the responding officers, and three other deputies then proceeded to Collins, who
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had a history of prior drug abuse and was known to have “violent tendencies,” after discovering he had two outstanding warrants for his arrest in Idaho. While Collins was being arrested, one of the deputies yelled, “Gun! Gun! Gun!” followed by “Don’t Move! Don’t Move!” commands by Europe after Cambron was believed to be reaching for a gun while in the car. Europe fired a total of four shots afterward, according to the report. The gun that deputies believed Cambron was reaching for was later determined to be a pellet gun. Cambron was taken by ambulance to Denver Health hospital, where he died several hours later. The report concluded that Europe’s actions were justified because he was known to be a police
officer, had a reasonable belief of imminent deadly force and was concerned for the his safety and the safety of others based on several circumstances. “The prosecution could not disprove that Deputy Europe reasonably believed that there was a credible and life threatening circumstance endangering him and his fellow officers,” the report read. Adams County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Paul Gregory said Europe was placed on administrative leave following the incident and is still employed by the Sheriff’s Office. Gregory said the Sheriff’s Office had no further comment on the case. Phone calls left for Collins at a Loveland address were not returned before press time.