A 79-year-old man was killed when he was struck by an automobile while walking across East Alameda Avenue in Aurora on Wednesday night.
He was identified by police as Augustin Mora-Cobarrubias of Aurora.
Police said Mora-Cobarrubias stepped into the intersection at South Peoria Street about 8:45 p.m. as the light turned yellow. He continued to walk slowly as the light turned red, appearing to be dazed or confused, police said.
Cars in two of the lanes of traffic on Alameda saw the man and waited. But a westbound car in the third lane saw the green light and traveled through the intersection, striking the man.
The driver, Richard J. Lambert of Aurora, said he didn’t see Mora-Cobarrubias, who was in dark clothing.
Mora-Cobarrubias died about 11:40 p.m.
FORT CARSON
Alabama soldier dies in Iraq accident
A Fort Carson soldier died Wednesday in an accident in Taqquadum, Iraq.
The Department of Defense announced Thursday that Sgt. Edmund J. Jeffers, 23, of Daleville, Ala., died of injuries suffered from a noncombat-related accident.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
The circumstances surrounding the death are under investigation.
RELIGION
Jewish calendar’s holiest day to begin
Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, begins tonight.
During Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Jews don’t eat or drink for 25 hours as they pray for forgiveness for their sins. The holiday comes the week after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
In Israel, Yom Kippur is observed even by many secular Jews, and most activity is suspended, including TV and radio broadcasts and public transportation.
BROOMFIELD
Agency for needy robbed of $4,000
Thousands of dollars have been stolen from a Broomfield thrift store that sells everything from donated toys to toilets to build houses for the needy, officials said.
Burglars cut into a locked file drawer at the Flatirons Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store, 6900 W. 117th Ave., either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning and took about $4,000, said Sgt. Colleen O’Connell, Broomfield police spokeswoman.
Thieves also stole a surveillance camera and about $40 from a donation box, O’Connell said.
“I think it’s absolutely awful,” she said. “People donate for those who really could use the help.”
Erik Brack, the store manager, said he heard a noise Tuesday night but could not find anyone.
“I did a cursory look around,” Brack said. “We’re very trusting, and maybe that’s a fault.”
The money accumulated because the employee who normally deposits the money in the bank to build homes for the needy was on vacation, he said.
GOLDEN
Band embezzler gets probation, restitution
A 53-year-old Lakewood woman who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $50,000 from the Lakewood High School band and orchestra programs was sentenced Thursday to four years of probation.
Carrie Louise Bindner must spend two years in the Jefferson County jail’s work- release program, complete 100 hours of community service and pay $52,771 in restitution.
Bindner was treasurer of the Lakewood Performing Arts Council, a nonprofit organization that coordinates fundraising for the music program, from September 2002 to September 2005.
During that time, Bindner wrote checks for her own personal expenses, court documents show.
The money stolen by Bindner was raised by students and volunteers by selling candy bars, wreaths, peaches and garage sale items.
DENVER
PERA to drop Sudan investments
The state employees pension fund will divest $41.8 million from companies that do business with the Sudanese government, because of a new state law.
The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association will move those investments to companies that have no business with Sudan.
The new law orders pension funds to maintain a list of companies that either directly or indirectly help the Sudanese government commit genocide in Darfur.
Colorado is one of 20 states divesting from Sudan. More than a dozen states plan to introduce similar legislation next year, according to the Sudan Divestment Task Force.
“More and more states are joining our effort to bring the horror of Darfur to an end,” said House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver.
DENVER
Officer charged in altercation with wife
A Denver police sergeant was formally charged Thursday with several crimes after he allegedly struck his wife with a gun and threatened his brother-in-law with the weapon.
John James Witkowski, 43, was charged with two counts of felony menacing, two counts of misdemeanor assault causing injury, a misdemeanor count of obstructing telephone service and criminal mischief, said Kathleen Walsh, spokeswoman for the Arapahoe County district attorney’s office.
The confrontations allegedly happened about 7 p.m. Sunday.
Witkowski faces up to three years in prison on the felony charges, Walsh said.
