1-Color
June 5, 2014
Free Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 12, Issue 10 A publication of
castlerocknewspress.net
Mistrial declared following testimony Attempted-murder suspect Pebley to face new trial in September By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando @coloradocommunitymedia.com
Riders get in position to hit the starting line on the 27- and 32-mile races June 1 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Photos by Paul DiSalvo
Elephant Rock draws 6,500 cyclists Director calls event the best in 27-year history By Jim Benton
jbenton @coloradocommunitymedia.com Cyclists surrounded Scot Harris on a warm morning at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock. The music was loud and the winds that regularly pound the area were light. Harris, the director of the Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, claimed the June 1 event was one of the best yet in its 27-year history, despite fewer riders. “This year it looks like (we had) about 6,500 riders which is kind of right in the range,” Harris said. “We’ve had as many as 7,800, and last year we were at 7,000. Although our numbers weren’t as big as they have been, this was absolutely the best. “We just wanted to do some things differently this year. Parking has always really been hard coming into the Events Center with just the one way in. We worked super hard to make that work better and it totally worked. We added an Italian lunch, we had live music this year and the weather was beautiful. There’s no question this was a really a good one if not best ever. It just wasn’t our biggest.” Cyclists had the option to ride 100-, 62-, or 32-mile courses or take on the 27-mile fat tire track and there was also an eight-mile course for families and a ride for kids. “It was not a race,” Harris said. “We try to create a course for cyclists of all ages and abilities. It has kind of become a little bit of an institution for the cycling community. Everybody kind of looks at it as the kickoff to the season. When we started the event that’s what we wanted. We wanted to have an early season training ride.
The trial of a Castle Rock man suspected of leading police on a car chase to his home and then firing shots at them during a standoff was ruled a mistrial May 27. Lonnie Pebley, 42, was arrested in July 2012 and faces 56 charges, including 18 counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer. The mistrial was declared by Douglas County District Court Judge Paul King after a defense witPebley ness spoke of Pebley’s criminal history during cross-examination. “Obviously we were disappointed (in the outcome) so close to the end of the case,” District Attorney George Brauchler said. The witness was the last scheduled before what were to be the closing arguments of the case. “I’m firmly committed to due process,” Brauchler said. “If this was the step that Pebley continues on Page 13
Some of the first group of riders cross the finish line at the June 1 Elephant Rock Ride in Castle Rock. One of the riders that trekked the 62-mile course was Janet Rost of Greenwood Village. Rost, 60, had a liver transplant in May 2012 but participated in her second Elephant Rock Ride this year. She finished the 32-miler in 2013 and moved up to the 62-mile course this year. “Never in a million years did I think I would be doing this,” she said. “Two years ago I could hardly go to the grocery store. I could hardly walk to the mailbox to get my mail. I have always been pretty active as an adult but when my liver started failing, I couldn’t do anything. “A year after surgery I did the Elephant Rock. I was feeling so good and wanted to participate to raise money to help other transplant recipients and donors.” Others, such as Kurt Lausman of Westminster, use the race to prepare for a busy summer of biking and running races. Bike continues on Page 25
Military/police dogs are stolen Three German shepherds taken from Larkspur kennel Staff report
Alyna Waters of Louisville and her ride partner Isabelle, a poodle mix head off for one of the Elephant Rock rides together June 1. Waters was part of the American Transplant Foundation team of riders.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating two highly trained military/police “attack” dogs that were believed to be stolen from a private kennel the night of May 30 or the morning of May 31. Three “very valuable,” purebred German shepherds were reported stolen from Gunbil German shepherds in Larkspur, according to a sheriff’s office news release. It is believed the dogs were taken at some point between 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. One of the dogs was located by a homeowner in Palmer Lake on June 1. The dog was located inside the homeowner’s garage. The homeowner contacted the Palmer Lake Police Department, and the dog Dogs continues on Page 13
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