National Poetry Month may be coming to an end, but you can celebrate the beauty of poetry all year long! Check out some of these recommended titles and find more at your library! (Click on each title to be taken to our catalog)
Check out more poetry recommendations instantly on hoopla digital here.
(April 29) On Sunday, April 4th, 2021, at approximately 07:15 p.m., District 2 Patrol Officers responded to a shooting at East 35th Avenue and Helena Street.
Officers located an adult male who had been shot and was immediately transported to the hospital. This male suffered fatal injuries and was declared brain dead on April 7th, 2021. An autopsy was performed on April 12th by the Adams County Coroner where it was then officially ruled a homicide. This case is actively being investigated by our Major Crimes Homicide Unit and has not yet resulted in any arrests. Detectives have been able to determine that the incident and shooting happened after the victim left the Maverik Gas Station at North Chambers Road and East 38th Avenue. Detectives were able to identify three vehicles that were potentially involved in this homicide. Those vehicles, pictured below, are believed to be a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, a Volkswagen sedan, and a BWM 7 Series.
The identity of the deceased will be released by the Adams County Coroner's Office after a positive identification has been made, and his next-of-kin has been notified.
Anyone that has information about this case is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a REWARD of up to $2,000.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
  
Welcome to Create It: Pets! Each month, in partnership with the Aurora Animal Shelter, we will be sharing a fun, easy DIY to make for furry friends!
Create some stress relief for your favorite feline with an easy cardboard scratcher. In partnership with the Aurora Animal Shelter.
Scratchers donated to the Aurora Animal Shelter can be 9-12 inches long. Reverse dimensions are also acceptable (12 inches [strip length] x 1.5 in [strip width] x 5 inches [entire board length]).
For more information on donating to Aurora Animal Shelter, visit AuroraAnimalShelter.org.
Join us each week as we learn about the letter of the month, each week focusing on a different activity or skill!
April's letter of the month is J and the word of the month is JELLYFISH! This week, Miss Julie shares how to make a fun jellyfish craft and Miss Karen shares early literacy tips to keep practicing HELLO at home.
Visit your library and pick up a free Grab & Go jellyfish craft kit (available while supplies last).
(April 28) On Wednesday, April 28th, 2021, at about 12:50 p.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to a vehicle crash involving an RTD Train on North Chambers Road at Smith Road.
Initial investigation reveals that a sedan was traveling westbound on Smith Road and turned to go northbound on North Chambers Road. Preliminary information obtained by investigators confirms that the driver disregarded the lowered level crossing signals as the train approached. The sedan then made contact with an RTD A-Line Commuter Rail Train traveling eastbound on the tracks. The sole occupant of the vehicle, an adult male, was transported to an area hospital where he remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. There were 43 people traveling on the RTD train, two of them were evaluated by medical personal but not transported to the hospital. The driver of the vehicle is an adult male in his 30's. His identification will not be released at this time. It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were aggravating factors relating to this crash.
Traffic Unit Investigators will continue to investigate and attempt to reconstruct the scene to calculate speeds and other contributing factors. Part of the investigation will include working closely with RTD to obtain and review surveillance camera footage from the intersection to determine if the level crossing signals and lights/audible bell were functioning properly.
We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dashcam footage, or if you have any information about this incident, please contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
On Wednesday March 7, 2021 around 9:00 p.m., the Aurora Police Department Public Safety Dispatch Center began receiving numerous calls from citizens reporting “street racers” were intentionally blocking traffic and driving recklessly on southbound Interstate-225. The callers reported, and officers subsequently found, this was significantly impeding the flow of traffic on Interstate-225, and was preventing many, including law enforcement, from traveling through the area safely.
Multiple officers responding to the area observed traffic was in fact slowing or stopped on southbound Interstate-225 between East Alameda Avenue and East Colfax Avenue. It took approximately 20 minutes for officers to be able to navigate through this area upon their arrival.
Officers were observing some vehicles engaging in “burnouts” which is a term commonly referred to when a driver intentionally keeps a vehicle stationary by applying the brakes while simultaneously applying the gas pedal. As a result, smoke is generated from the wheels due to the friction from the roadway and significantly impedes visibility on the roadway. Additionally, officers observed fireworks had been ignited into the air, and they were receiving reports some of the vehicle occupants were holding guns out of their vehicle windows.
Officers initially reported 600-800 vehicles were involved and through further investigation it is unclear exactly how many people were impacted versus intentionally involved in impeding the flow of traffic and other unlawful traffic violations. Regardless, many individuals were unjustly caught in a potentially dangerous situation, law enforcements ability to respond through the area was significantly impacted, and the incident, referred to by some as a “highway takeover”, created potential to impede anyone’s ability to get through the area to nearby hospitals.
As a result, an investigation was immediately initiated by the Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit with a focus on the organizers or facilitators of the highway takeover. This investigation has resulted in two individuals being identified as being involved or facilitating.
One such individual, a juvenile male, has been issued a state criminal summons with a mandatory court appearance into the Arapahoe County Court for the following Colorado Revised Statues:
• 42-4-1401(1) Reckless Driving
• 42-2-138 (1)(a) Drove Vehicle While License Cancelled
• 42-4-1105 (2)(a) Engaged in Speed Exhibition
Due to the subject involved being a juvenile, and to not further impact the prosecution of this incident, no further information will be provided at this time regarding the juvenile.
The second party investigated as an organizer or facilitator is Anthony Corona DOB 3/2/2000. Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit investigators believe probable cause existed to charge Mr. Corona under the following Colorado Revised Statutes:
• 18-2-201 Conspiracy
• 18-3-208 Reckless Endangerment
• 18-9-107 Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway
• 18-3-303 False Imprisonment
o 45 False Imprisonment counts reflecting the identified victims trapped on I-225 during incident
• 18-9-106 Disorderly Conduct
• 42-4-1105 Exhibition of Speed
• 42-4-1401 Reckless Driving
• 42-4-1103 Impeded Normal Flow of Traffic
Mr. Corona died in a traffic crash in Broomfield on April 4, 2021, before Aurora Police Traffic Unit investigators could formally file the above charges against him with the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Any additional information on the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Corona should be directed to the Broomfield Police Department as they are the investigating agency. Due to Mr. Corona’s death the investigation being conducted by the Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit has been closed.
Traffic related injuries and deaths are not only predictable, they are preventable when related to illegal street racing, highway takeovers or other unlawful driving behaviors. Additionally, these incidents are a nuisance and victimize our residential and business communities, and it will not be tolerated by the Aurora Police Department.
The City will now be using Aurora Municipal Code (AMC) 137-7 to target the owners of vehicles that are involved in illegal activities on the roadways regardless of whether they were the driver of the vehicle. Illegal activities include but are not limited to the following traffic violations:
• Section 1401: Reckless Driving
• Section 1402: Careless Driving
• Section 1105: Speed Contest—Speed Exhibitions
• Section 94-71: Trespass
• Section 94-38: Reckless Endangerment
Owners vehicles identified in illegal activities will be provided a notice letter that if the activity continues, they could be subject to prosecution under AMC137-7. A portion of that notice letter reads:
“As the vehicle owner, you are hereby notified that you must make a good faith effort to prevent, through appropriate action or otherwise, any person from re-committing any of the above acts or other street racing related acts contrary to law with your vehicle.”
We would like to thank the many members of the public for their patience while we investigated this complex incident. Additionally, we want to thank those who proactively provided assistance in this investigation. We continue to encourage everyone to report street racing to www.ReportStreetRacing.com. The Aurora Police Department is an active member of this working group of over 30 law enforcement agencies in the metropolitan area.
Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
Welcome to Make & Learn! In this program, our librarians will be sharing easy-to-make games and activities that support cognitive development and practicing early literacy skills.
In this video, Miss Lisa shares a fun and easy-to-make matching game.
Strum Along: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on Kalimba
It's #TuneTuesday! Follow along as we play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on Kalimba!
Have your own kalimba? Pull it out and learn a new song! Thinking of learning a new instrument? Be inspired with this fun and simple song!
Intro/Outlook Royalty Free Music from Bensound
This month we are reading "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer" by Kelly Jones. City girl Sophie has no idea what to do when her family moves to a farm they have inherited. Soon things get stranger when she realizes the chickens have superpowers! When a local farmer finds out what the chickens can do and tries to steal them, it’s up to Sophie to keep them safe! Genre: FANTASY.
Chapters 28 (June 26, 2014 to Agnes) -36 (July 10, 2014)
1. How did you like the book?
2. What were your favorite parts?
3. Is there anything you did not like or would change about it?
We will be having a special virtual event TODAY at 5 p.m. to meet the author! Please register here.
May Preview:
"Just South of Home" by Karen Strong
Twelve-year-old Sarah, her Chicago cousin Janie, brainy brother Ellis, and his best friend, Jasper, investigate a tragic event in their small Southern town's history. Genre: SUPERNATURAL MYSTERY
Suggested reading schedule:
Monday, April 25 – Sunday, May 2: Chapters 1 (Red Velvet Miracle) – 10 (Cursed)
Monday, May 3 – Sunday, May 9: Chapters 11 (Seed of Doubt) – 19 (The Deaconess)
Monday, May 10 – Sunday, May 16: Chapters 20 (Family Meeting) – 28 (A Guilty Liar)
Monday, May 17 – Sunday, May 23: Chapters 29 (Witching Hour) – 37 (Home)
We will be having a special virtual event on Monday, May 24 at 5 p.m. to meet the author! Registration coming soon.
Check out "Just South of Home" for free with your library card here. Additional copies also available through Prospector.
Create It! Spring Wreath
with Karen
Welcome spring with a festive wreath for your door! Karen shares this fun and easy DIY (a perfect project for when you're binge-watching your favorite show)!
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