It was literally just three weeks ago when the Independent published the article “Take Tylenol and Drink Lots of Water.” It was an article that described protocols the health care system in rural Colorado, specifically in southeastern Colorado (but also probably elsewhere if the truth be known), was using to help the community fight the war against Covid-19.
On Friday, upon a request for information by the Independent, Sheriff Casey Sheridan with the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office verified that Deputy Quinten Stump has been terminated from the Sheriff’s Office due to actions not related to the April 9, 2020 officer-involved shooting in which an Eads resident, 39-year-old Zachary Gifford, was shot and killed by Stump and Kiowa County Undersheriff Tracy Weisenhorn. Both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave since the incident and are awaiting a grand jury decision in the 15th Judicial Court system that will determine whether one or both officers were deemed at fault in the shooting death of Gifford.
Over a week ago the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) announced they are unable to secure the needed variances from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) in order to start Season B on time. They then stated that Season B would not begin until mid-February which would result in shortening the season to barely any time for competition.
Dear Editor,
Where do I begin? With seasons being cancelled, quarantines and masks being required, and the hopes and dreams of athletes everywhere slowly losing motivation to fight for what we deserve, it seems like there is nothing that can be done to stop or turn around the irreversible, and everlasting damage and actions that have negatively affected the lives of so many athletes during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Perhaps Jon Bon Jovi described what happened in Eads last Saturday night in the best way possible when he famously said, “Believe in love. Believe in magic. Hell, believe in Santa Claus. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don’t, who will?”
