Petitioners win board vote to keep 2 Norwood teachers
The Norwood School District R2-J board voted to renew the contracts of Lisa Doyle and Beth Costa after a marathon meeting Monday when Norwood residents presented a petition with 290 signatures of those asking that the teachers keep their jobs.
Doyle had been involved in a school controversy last year when she assigned the novel “Bless Me Ultima” to her high school English class. A parent complained and a former superintendent pulled the book, saying it contained filthy language and satanic elements.
That superintendent and a principal in favor of banning the book in the schools made the recommendation that Doyle and Costa not be rehired.
Costa was not involved in the book controversy, which drew national attention to Norwood, but students and parents say she is known for standing up for students.
“Bless Me Ultima,” by New Mexico author Rudolfo Anaya, is an award-winning coming-of-age story that has been on recommended reading lists, including one compiled by first lady Laura Bush.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Woman hurt in fall near Fault Caves
It took rescuers using technical equipment about four hours to bring an injured 19-year-old woman down to U.S. 6 from about 450 feet up the side of Clear Creek Canyon on Thursday evening, reported Sabrina Henderson of the Golden Fire Department.
The young woman fell 10 to 15 feet and hit her head on a rock while scrambling with her boyfriend and other friends in the area of the Fault Caves, a popular spot with climbers in Jefferson County Open Space, Henderson said.
The victim was about 150 yards west of Tunnel No. 1. She received a cut to her head and a possible broken ankle, Henderson said.
Her friends were able to get a cellphone signal in the canyon and called 911 at 5:55 p.m., she said.
DENVER
One killed, one hurt in apartment shooting
One man was killed and a second victim drove a few blocks to a Wendy’s early Thursday to get help after the two were shot at an apartment complex, police said.
The injured man was taken to an Aurora hospital, where his condition was unknown, said Sonny Jackson, Denver police spokesman.
The surviving victim told authorities that he and the other man were shot just before 2 a.m. in an apartment complex at 11110 E. Dartmouth Ave. in Denver, Jackson said.
The motive for the shooting is under investigation, he said.
After the gunfire, the wounded driver made it to a Wendy’s at 3110 S. Parker Road, and an employee at the restaurant called police.
METRO AREA
Highway tolling alternatives sought
Public officials from communities in south metro Denver agreed Thursday to study methods of paying for highway improvements other than tolling.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is promoting toll lanes as a way to add capacity to congested local highways such as C-470 and Interstate 225, at a time when traditional means of paying for road expansion have dried up.
Douglas County officials have taken the lead in opposing CDOT’s plan for new express toll lanes in the median of C-470 between Interstate 25 and South Kipling Parkway. Jefferson County Commissioner Dave Auburn said Thursday he planned to work with officials from other jurisdictions in the Denver area to explore alternatives to the state’s toll proposals.
DENVER
Auditor approves voting-machine pact
Denver Auditor Dennis Gallagher “reluctantly” has signed off on a city contract for 80 election machines from Sequoia Voting Systems.
Gallagher is concerned about wording in the contract that caps Sequoia’s liability if problems arise on Election Day. He said that with no competitive bidding, “the contractor, in essence, had us over a barrel.”
The Denver Election Commission has said time constraints put on it by new regulations and machine availability forced it to negotiate a contract quickly. The contract in question – as well as a similar contract for 160 machines – already has been approved by the City Council.
Gallagher said the council’s endorsement gave him no choice but to sign.
DENVER
Fox 31 news director taking job in Minn.
Bill Dallman, news director at KDVR-Channel 31, told the station’s news staff Thursday he is moving to back home to Minneapolis to fill the same position at the Fox affiliate there, KMSP Fox 9.
Dallman, who holds the title of vice president of news, has run KDVR’s news operation since just before the station began broadcasting local news. He started in September 1999, preparing the way for the debut of a local newscast in July 2000.
He leaves the station at a high point. The 9 p.m. newscast captured its largest audience ever in the May sweeps.
FEDERAL HEIGHTS
Motorist arrested in fatal hit-and-run
A 33-year-old Federal Heights man has been arrested in connection with the May 1 fatal hit-and- run motorcycle accident on Interstate 25 that killed Joseph Bal les, 55, of Denver, said Master Trooper Ron Watkins of the Colorado State Patrol.
News reports of the accident generated an anonymous tip to authorities that provided enough information to follow and arrest Jimmy Anglin at his home Wednesday night, Watkins said.
Balles was riding a 2000 Harley-Davidson motorcycle south on I-25 near 58th Avenue when a southbound Isuzu Rodeo sideswiped the motorcycle.
