Delta County Independent, Nov. 8, 2017

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NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

IMPROVED ACCESS

SPORTS

VETERANS DAY

New clinic represents hospital’s commitment to care countywide, B4

Cedaredge celebrates and honors our country’s veterans, C1

DELTA COUNTY

FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

Paonia Eagles host undefeated Bennett in quarterfinal action, B6 NOVEMBER 8, 2017 VOL. 134, NO. 45

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INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Arby’s suspect killed in Parker shootout BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Delta Police Chief Luke Fedler’s fears were realized Nov. 4, when Parker police officers shot and killed Michael Marin, 35, of Montrose, during an exchange of gun fire. Marin was identified as a suspect in the robbery of the Arby’s restaurant in Delta Oct. 14. He walked into the restaurant at 9:50 p.m., had a brief conversation with an employee and left the store with a small amount of cash and coins. He kept his hands in his pockets during the encounter, so DPD was not able to determine whether he had a weapon or not. Surveillance video and photos from the store were posted to Facebook and Marin was quickly identified. Chief Fedler was concerned Marin would grow bolder and bolder, and that appears to be the case as he was identified as a suspect in subsequent robberies of the Sonic Drive-in in Clifton on Oct. 22, and the Jimmy John’s sandwich shop in Grand Junction on Oct. 29. All three robberies occurred just before closing. On Thursday, Nov. 2, he became a suspect in a motor vehicle theft from Clifton. Parker Police Department located the stolen vehicle Nov. 4, when officers came in contact with Marin at an apartment complex in the Front Range city. According to a press release from the Parker Police Department, officers responded to

a suspicious person who was knocking on apartment doors at about 9:45 p.m. Officers were given a description of the suspect and his vehicle. When officers responded to the scene, they determined the vehicle was reported stolen out of Mesa County. Officers located the suspect in the apartment complex at approximately 10 p.m. There was an exchange of gun fire between the suspect and three officers. According to the press release, the suspect was hit and life-saving measures started within minutes. He was transported to an area hospital where he died. The suspect’s hand gun was recovered on scene. The three Parker Police Officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated by the 18th Judicial Critical Response Team. None of the officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire. Chief Fedler said he will not consider the Arby’s robbery closed until Marin’s death is confirmed by the Parker authorities. Also unconfirmed is a report that Marin’s father lived in Parker. “We were hearing Marin had left the area, and that was indeed the case,” Chief Fedler said. Mesa County investigators would also like to speak with Jessica Rojas, 26, of Montrose, who is believed to have information about Marin’s activities.

Physics in action

Using just corrugated cardboard and duct tape, Delta High School students demonstrated the physics of buoyancy during a regatta in the pool at Bill Heddles Recreation Center Nov. 1. If they mastered the first test — keeping the watercraft from tipping when they got in — students paddled their boats the length of the pool and back. Each team was timed. While some boats sank in dramatic fashion, “The Houseboat” (pictured above) completed a lap with Dominick Abeyta, Jon Fender, Steel Markert and Ethan Suppes aboard. Kalleb Hunter (not pictured) also assisted with construction. The event was organized by DHS physics teacher Ben Magtutu.

Abraham Connection homeless shelter opens for the season

PRESS RELEASE

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A9 Agriculture ................... B5 Back Page ................... D8 Bruin Tracks ............. C3-6 Business .......................A10 Church ............................C8 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ..................... A8 School Zone ............... A6-7 Sports ..........................B6-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-7 TV Listings ................. D5-6

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

On Nov. 1, Abraham Connection opened its eighth season of shelter for homeless men, women and families. To kick off operations, area pastors gathered at the shelter the morning of Nov. 2 to pray for the homeless and for the volunteers who keep the the job will be Nov. 15 and doors open during the harsh she will meet with the DCED winter months. board the following day. Voigt In the seventh season, and is married and the mother of the first full season at the two elementary age boys. The shelter at the corner of 5th family will be making Delta and Silver, the homeless shelCounty home. Voigt grew up ter provided 2,651 bed nights in a small farm community in to 157 different guests. eastern Washington. Cheryl Oeltjenbruns, board Voigt’s resume includes president, said 11 individuals experience working with sought shelter the first night public/private partnerships, of the 2017-18 season, “which grant writing, business reten- is about what I expected.” tion and expansion, as well This year, operations as administration of nonprofit will run through March 31, organizations. She is master’s depending on the weather. prepared in urban and region- “We decided to cut the season al planning from University down to five months, but may of Colorado Denver as well stay open a few more days in as an undergraduate degree April if the weather is cold.” in design studies from the She added, “If it’s really University of Colorado Boul- warm, it just doesn’t make der. Voigt serves as the vice sense to stay open. We’re still president of the Parks, Rec- primarily volunteer driven, reations, Historic Preserva- and in April our volunteers tion, & Arts Advisory Board start moving on to other for the City of Edgewater. She things.” has also been involved with a This year volunteers are number of committees for Jef- staffing the facility from 6 fco Schools. p.m. to midnight. Two paid Voigt expressed her excite- staff members will work from ment about joining DCED. midnight to 8 a.m. A paid “I am extremely honored to employee also handles intake be welcomed into the com- every evening. munity of Delta County. The The midnight to 6 a.m. VOIGT TO A3 shift proved tough to fill, plus

DCED hires new executive director Delta County Economic Development, Inc. (DCED) has selected Stacy Voigt as its new executive director filling the position created by the departure of Trish Thibodo. DCED is a 501(c)3 not-forprofit membership organization working in a public/private partnership to strengthen and diversify the economy of Delta County. The selection was made after an extensive search and selection process which included candidates from local, regional and statewide sources. “Stacey comes to us from the Loveland Downtown Partnership & Development Authority where she served as a project coordinator on a variety of public/private initiatives,” reported John Gavan, DCED board president. “We feel she will be a great addition to DCED and help to advance DCED’s contributions to the community,” Gavan pointed out that Voigt brings experience with renewal authorities and tax increment financing similar to the process going on in the City of Delta. Voigt’s first official day on

Photo by Pat Sunderland

Veterans Day observed

On Friday, Nov. 10, Delta Middle School is hosting an assembly at the Delta Center for Performing Arts. All veterans are invited to attend a 9 a.m. reception with coffee and light breakfast. The assembly will run from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. City and county offices will be closed Friday, Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day. Friday trash pickup will take place as usual, and the golf course will be open. Bill Heddles Recreation Center will close at 4:30 p.m. Friday, for set-up of Altrusa’s Sugar Plum Festival. Delta County Libraries will be closed Saturday, Nov. 11.

Oeltjenbruns said the board recognized the need to provide as much consistency as possible to keep the operation running smoothly. November is National Homeless and Hunger Awareness Month, Abraham Connection is planning “Dine Out for Delta County,” where participating restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds to the shelter on Wednesday, Nov. 15. See the ad in this week’s DCI for more information on that fundraiser, as well as a countywide supply drive to be held Saturday, Nov. 18. A “wish list” for supplies can be

found on the Abraham Connection’s website, deltaabra hamconnection.org. A training schedule for volunteers has also been posted on the website. Oeltjenbruns said the Abraham Connection is also looking for committed individuals willing to serve on the board of directors. “We are a working board,” she said. “We expect board members to cover shifts, help with fundraising and pitch in to maintain the facility.” Interested individuals are encouraged to call the shelter at 773-8290.

Photo by Pat Sunderland

Marj Seely, Jesse Rosin and Elaine Heinz prepared breakfast for ministerial alliance members who gathered to pray for the shelter last week. The trio from All Saints Lutheran Church cooks breakfast for the homeless every Tuesday morning, as well as supper once a month. Teams of volunteers from churches, businesses and the community provide breakfast and supper seven days a week.

Slick Ricks closed down

On Tuesday, Oct. 31, the Delta Police Department assisted the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with the execution of a search warrant at “Slick Ricks II,” 322 Main Street, in the City of Delta. Approximately 28 gaming machines were seized along with an undisclosed amount of cash and documents. No arrests have been made at this time. CBI investigated this establishment at the request of the Delta Police Department. According to the Colorado Skill Games & Entertainment Association, skill games and arcade entertainment centers across the state have been raided over the past several months, with millions of dollars of equipment and property seized. It is the association’s position that these raids are “a gross overreach by law enforcement.” “There seems to be an ongoing concerted effort to shut down small operators of these skill games entertainment centers based on a dubious interpretation of current state law,” said Chris Howe, the association’s executive director. Howe said law enforcement has failed to acknowledge specific exemptions for devices that involve skill, speed, strength and endurance. According to state statute, gambling is defined by a “game of chance,” and the person at risk has “no control.” Games of skill, Howe maintains, are protected as outside of the realm of gambling.


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