🌱 CEO Dies In Plane Crash + Businesses Qualify As 'Vaccinated'

Good morning, neighbors! Amber Fisher here with today's issue of the Denver Daily, which includes news about a CEO who died in a plane crash, a push for stricter punishments as fentanyl deaths surge, an update on Denver's mask order and the latest on hospital capacity in our state.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine can be expected again today, with a high of 60 and a low of 37.

Here are the top stories in Denver today:

1. The CEO of the Denver-based company MYGOFLIGHT died in a small plane crash in Tennessee, the company said. Charles Schneider was traveling for work on a Cirrus SR22 when the plane went down in Knoxville. An investigation into the cause of the crash was underway. MYGOFLIGHT makes gear for travelers and pilots. (Paywall - The Denver Post)
2. More than 500 people died of fentanyl drug overdoses in 2020, and this year, our state is on track to surpass that number, the latest data shows. Prosecutors, lawmakers and a local mother whose son died after taking pills that contained fentanyl are calling for stricter penalties for drug dealers. (Colorado Newsline)
3. More than 500 Denver businesses now qualify as 'fully vaccinated,' which allows them to bypass the city's indoor mask mandate. In order to receive the designation, the businesses must prove that — at any given time — 95 percent of the people inside are fully vaccinated. So expect to get checked for proof of vaccination at quite a few spots in our city. (9News.com KUSA)
4. State health officials in Colorado reported Thursday that around 74 percent of inpatient beds and 82 percent of ICU beds in hospitals across the state were occupied. ICU beds at many Denver hospitals are either full or nearly full. (Denver Patch)
5. There is so much to love about the holidays. From decorating the tree to opening gifts to enjoying a festive meal with all the trimmings, Christmas is a time to take stock of all your blessings. For those in Denver feeling the real effects of hunger this Christmas, it may be much harder to see the joy in the season. Here's how you can help your neighbors have a merry, hunger-free Christmas. (Denver Patch)

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From my notebook:

• Catch a sunset from the newly opened seventh floor rooftop at the Denver Art Museum, which is proud to be included in Denverite's list of the best places to watch a sunset in Denver. (Facebook)
• The Denver Broncos #PLAY60 website aims to give youth in Broncos country and beyond free resources to encourage healthy eating, staying active and to PLAY 60 every day, the team said. (Facebook)
• A Nextdoor neighbor reported a lost dog in Athmar park. The pup is an older, timid, black and white chihuahua that weighs around 5 lbs. The dog got out without his collar after a bath, the owner said. (Nextdoor)

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That's it for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Amber Fisher

About me: I'm a Patch editor covering news in Denver's metro area and Boulder. I've spent the past nine years working for various news outlets across North America, including Chicago Patch, Global News and WBEZ. I've covered high-profile court cases, civil rights abuses, mass shootings, natural disasters and major crimes — but also countless happy news stories about kindness, innovation and resilience. When I'm not writing articles, I can be found hiking, snowboarding, debating politics with my husband and attempting to be a sci-fi and astronomy geek.