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July 17, 2014 VOLU M E 1 2 | I SS UE 1 5 | F R E E
CastleRockNewsPress.net
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D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Teens ‘Rise Above’
A SPLASH OF FUN
Area students part of statewide anti-drug program By Jane Reuter
jreuter @coloradocommunitymedia.com
Every Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. through the end of August, Splash in the Park will take over Festival Park in downtown Castle Rock. Kids, like these shown on July 9, can play in a bounce house, run down Slip’N Slides, spray each other with water and enjoy other water-related activities for free. In addition, the Castle Rock Fire Department is on hand so kids can explore a fire truck and interact with firefighters. Photo by Mike DiFerdinando
Two Douglas County teens were selected to serve as part of a new statewide drug-prevention peer group. Rock Canyon High School senior Sanju Shenoy and Highlands Ranch resident Skyler Kopit, a junior at Arapahoe High School, are among 24 Colorado high school students Kopit chosen for Rise Above Colorado’s Teen Action Council. Throughout the 201415 academic year, the students will work together and with their individual schools to help their peers with information on healthy lifestyles, the Shenoy Teens continues on Page 14
P O W E R E D
Clock tower proposed in Castle Rock
B Y
AT&T eyes 50-by-30-foot site near county fairgrounds By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando @coloradocommunitymedia.com
Douglas County workers spent the day July 9 in Larkspur preparing for a potential wildfire. Courtesy photo
County gives equipment crew dirty dose of wildfire training Employees learn how to draw fire lines to stop the spread of blazes By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando @coloradocommunitymedia.com When it comes to stopping the spread of wildfires, dirt can be as important as water. Douglas County spent a day cross-training its employees to help respond in the event of a wildfire by using bulldozers. On July 9, about a dozen certified members of the county’s heavy-equipment crew from the public works operations staff trained to hone their fireline cutting skills. A firebreak, or fire line, is a gap in vegetation or other combustible material that acts as a barrier to slow or stop the progress of a bushfire or wildfire. Heavy machinery can be used to move dirt and sand to create a needed gap in vegetation to stop or slow the progress of a fire. The training took place at the Southern Public Works Operation facility, 11815 Spring Valley Road
in Larkspur. The classroom portion of the training was led by Lt. Patrick Richardson of Castle Rock Fire and Rescue’s Wildland Team Coordinator. “The premise of the class was to teach these guys who already know how to use this heavy machinery the finesse and the subtleties of being able to use it to create a fire line and stop and contain the spread of a fire without scaring the earth in the process,” Richardson said. “If we’re not careful with how we put out these fires, we can leave a big scar on the earth that will last for decades. These guys are great at what they do, but we have to teach them the difference between putting out a fire and repaving I-25.” The daylong training was included fire-line safety, basic fire-line construction, simulated evolution, loading equipment transports, simulated dispatches and what chain of command is expected. “Douglas County and the rest of Colorado is continuing to improve the air resources to fight fires, but any pilot will tell you, air support helps but fires are put out on the ground,” Richardson said. While many think the use of heavy machinery is Wildfire continues on Page 14
AT&T Mobility LLC has proposed to install a 50-foot cell tower, concealed inside a “clock tower” facade, in Castle Rock. The tower would be housed within a 50-by-30-foot compound at 1061 East Plum Creek Parkway, at the intersection with Fairgrounds Drive. Antennas would be mounted on the tower at a height of 46 feet above ground level. The entire AT&T compound, including the tower and the equipment shelter, would be enclosed within an 8-foot-tall vinyl white fence. Power would be routed from an existing transformer approximately 1,100 feet to the west, at the east corner of the intersection of Plum Creek Parkway and Fairgrounds Drive. AT&T has asked any interested party wishing to submit comments regarding the potential effects the proposed facility may have on any historic property to send comments to: Fairgrounds and Plum Creek Public Notice Response, c/o Partner ESI, 32498 Little Cub Road, Evergreen, CO 80439. According to Town of Castle Rock spokesperson Caroline Kipp, the town is aware of the proposal. Kipp said AT&T has asked the town what impacts the structure would have on historic properties within the town, and that is currently under review. However, Kipp said, no formal plans have been submitted for review. If AT&T decides to pursue the project, there will be public hearings associated with its zoning application.