"Sentinel Sold to Aurora Media Group"

Our new owners seem very nice, and I am really looking forward to working with them.

Aurora Media Group owners James Gold, publisher, and Tom Ratkovich talk to employees during an all company meeting Feb. 24 at The Aurora Sentinel. 

We will miss Harrison Cochran, he was fun to work for, and entertaining to say the least.

Harrison Cochran, former publisher of The Aurora Sentinel poses in his old office Feb. 24 at The Aurora Sentinel. 

Check out the story on our website

"Sentinel Sold to Aurora Media Group"

CPA Award Winners

A few co-workers and good friends I know received awards at the Colorado Press Association Newspaper Contest.

I really want to congratulate Adam Goldstein, reporter, and Gabriel Christus, photojournalist, for taking first place in Story Picture Combo.

Gabe also took first place for Best Photo Essay with this story.

"A Weekend at Camp Conquer"

Congratulations to Sara Castellanos for taking second place for Best News Story.

"Ink is Out"

Congratulations to my boss Dave Perry, chief editor at The Aurora Sentinel, who placed in a couple categories: Humorous Column Writing and Website, Daily, Community.

Also Shalom Gilbert and Jennifer Elbel placed for different ad categories.

I also received second place for Best News Photograph

Aurora Shooting in 2009

Police officers and paramedics work outside a home during the investigation of a shooting  Dec. 22 at 19287 E. 22nd Drive in Aurora. 

And third place for Best Photo Essay


"Sometimes We Sleep Outside"

Aurora Warms the Night volunteer Morgane Bennett writes a voucher for a motel for Teresa Stanton and her boyfriend Khue K. Nguyen on Feb. 8 near East Colfax Avenue and Dayton Street in Aurora. 

Aurora Warms the Night volunteer Morgane Bennett fills out paper work for a voucher to a  motel for people in need Feb. 8 at 1555 Dayton Street in Aurora. 

Nicole Coleman tries to keep warm with her boyfriend Isaac Rook while waiting for motel vouchers from Aurora Warms the Night on Feb. 8 at 1555 N. Dayton Street in Aurora. 

Teresa Stanton and her boyfriend Khue K. Nguyen pick out an article of clothing to help keep them warm Feb. 8 at Aurora Warms the Night. 

Lee Masey (left) walks in the cold with his girlfriend Kristina Reyes after receiving motel vouchers from Aurora Warms the Night on Feb. 8 near East Colfax Avenue and Dayton Street in Aurora.

State Wrestling

Day 1

Hinkley's Joaquin Reyna (right) wrestles Chatfield's Dakota Thayer during a 130-pound first round match at a Class 5A wrestling tournament on Feb. 17 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

Day 3, Championship

Lily Albujar was cheering for her son, Mountain Range student, Alonso Wong, who took first place at 145-pounds in the Class 5A state wrestling tournament Feb. 19 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

She was screaming for her son in spanish and I decided to get video of the whole thing. When I later watched it, I could not help but laugh and then momentarily almost cried as well. She is so passionate and excited, it is almost indescribable. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhVVtQDTlg0

Picture of the Week

Front row from left: Rangeview athletes Kevin Hunholz, Jonathon Mathews, and Jaleel Awini ceremoniously sign their letters of intent while (back row from left) Rangeview footbaall coach Dave Gonzales, Jaleel's sister Rahina Awini and his mother Ramatu watch Feb. 7 at Rangeview High School in Aurora.



I am also very fond of this photo from another signing.

Brayden Perry, 2, feeds his uncle Tanner Ernst at an athletic signing ceremony Feb. 3 at Regis Jesuit High School. Ernst signed a national athletic letter of intent to play baseball at the college of Southern Idaho. 

Unified Basketball

I went to my first Unified Basketball game between Overland and Grandview High School. It was wonderful. The students had so much fun. It was their day to shine and they knew it. Everyone was cheering and the atmosphere was so exciting and joyous. Unified teams combine students with disabilities with athletes from other varsity teams. 

From right: Members of the Grandview Spirit Squad Allie Pulsipher, Charlotte McFall, Kendall Martin and Taylor Eads cheer during a game between the co-ed Unified Basketball teams from Grandview and Overland on Feb. 7 at Overland High School in Aurora. Overland won 22-21. Unified teams combine students with disabilities with athletes from other varsity teams. The teams played twice this season.

Grandview's Dalton Miles celebrates during a game between the co-ed Unified Basketball teams from Grandview and Overland on Feb. 7 at Overland High School in Aurora.

Overland's Elijah Lewis dribbles the ball during a game between the co-ed Unified Basketball teams from Grandview and Overland on Feb. 7 at Overland High School in Aurora.

To anyone who has never attended a Unified basketball game, I highly recommend going. I wont be missing another game.