The first cold snap of the season caused the death of a local woman Oct. 5 in Cortez City Park.<\/p>\n
Korena \u201cKaren\u201d Allen, 57, likely died from exposure after temperatures dropped to 26 degrees, said Cortez Police Chief Roy Lane.<\/p>\n
Allen, of Cortez, was discovered lying near the water dock by park patrons.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we arrived she had already died,\u201d Lane said, adding she was not dressed for cold weather. \u201cShe had been with people earlier in the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allen was known by police and was a regular visitor of the park. Lane said. She was not homeless, and lived in a apartment on Washington Street. Her family is from the Lukachukai Mountains of the Navajo Nation.<\/p>\n
Donna Boyd, manager of the Cortez Emergency Shelter, could not reveal if Allen was a client of the facility because of confidentiality laws.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew her from the community and really cared about her,\u201d Boyd said. \u201cShe was a very sweet and polite woman. It\u2019s a real blow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her untimely death is tragic, Boyd said, and emphasizes the need for an extended season for the shelter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe get cold temperatures before we are able to open, so that is one of the reasons we would like to have a longer season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hypothermia can set in during warmer temperatures than many people realize, Boyd said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the 40s and 50s if you are wet, it can be very dangerous, life threatening,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Being aware of at-risk community members and helping them shows a compassionate citizenry, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you see someone incapacitated for whatever reason call dispatch. If you can\u2019t stir them, that is a 911 call.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boyd adds that there is often a misconception that someone is intoxicated, when really they are suffering from a diabetic attack.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe symptoms are similar, and we have a lot of diabetics here,\u201d Boyd said. \u201cAs a community, we need to vigilant and watch out for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Cortez Emergency Shelter invites the public to attend an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct 13. There will be tours, information on the program, and refreshments.<\/p>\n
The shelter opens Tuesday, Oct. 15. Hours are 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Volunteers are needed for shifts, to conduct art classes, offer r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and interviewing skills, and for administrative work. Call 565-9808 for more information.<\/p>\n