Castle rock news press 1226

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December 26, 2013

Free Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 11, Issue 40 A publication of

castlerocknewspress.net

Shooting prompts support Connections to Arapahoe High lead Douglas schools to acts of compassion By Jane Reuter

jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com

The new and still-filling Rueter-Hess Reservoir, north of Castle Rock, will be larger than Cherry Creek Reservoir, and Parker Water and Sanitation District is looking for support in developing recreational opportunities there. Courtesy photo

Castle Rock interested in future of reservoir New Rueter-Hess Reservoir could become major recreation draw By Virginia Grantier

vgrantier@ourcoloradonews.com The new still-filling Rueter-Hess Reservoir just north of Castle Rock is expected to be bigger than Cherry Creek Reservoir, someday — and in anticipation of that, its creator, Parker Water and Sanitation District, recently came to Castle Rock Town Council asking if the town might support

developing recreational amenities there. Ideas being floated: Things such as fishing, a swim beach, dog park, picnic and camping areas and miles of trails — and possibly non-motorized boating, eventually. The consensus of Castle Rock Town Council: Interested. “I really like the potential … I think it’s a great idea,” said Castle Rock Mayor Paul Donahue, who also said he appreciated having the opportunity to have input and possibly being a part of it. Ron Redd, district manager for Parker Water and Sanitation District, and Susan St. Vincent, the district’s director of business

solutions, assured the town council they weren’t asking for financial support — not at this point, anyway. They’re talking to various councils and districts — including Castle Rock, Castle Pines and Stonegate, which have waterstorage rights at Rueter-Hess — to ascertain interest and to find partners with park and recreation expertise, Redd said. St. Vincent said later the district hopes to start the master-planning process in 2014. She said they don’t know at this point what the cost would be, or the timeframe, to develop recreational amenities. She hopes to know more in six months to a year. Reservoir continues on Page 21

The top 13 of ’13 A look back at the biggest stories in the south metro area

Arapahoe High School’s location across a county line and in another school district matters little to Douglas County School District staff and students. In the wake of the Dec. 13 shooting that left one student dead and another critically injured, members of DCSD reached out to the AHS community through dozens of compassionate acts. It started the Monday after the tragedy, when students throughout DCSD reported to school wearing AHS’ black-and-gold colors. From there, students and staff launched a variety of projects. At Mountain Vista High School, students are making and collecting homemade wind chimes to hang in the trees around AHS. A ThunderRidge High School teacher helped design a “Colorado Strong” T-shirt whose sales so far have generated more than $44,000 in donations. At Highlands Ranch and Rock Canyon high schools, teenagers signed student-made banners with messages of support. Acres Green Elementary held a pajamaday fundraiser. And dozens of DCSD schools started collections to help offset shooting victim Claire Davis’ medical costs. AHS, located mere minutes from many DCSD facilities, shares much more than a common boundary with the district. Hundreds of DCSD students previously shared classes and friendships with the shooter, Karl Pierson, and his sister Kristen, Highlands Ranch residents who attended both Acres Green Elementary and Cresthill Middle School before enrolling in Littleton Public Schools’ AHS. Students and staff at Acres Green Elementary know Karl’s mother Barbara from her Shooting continues on Page 21

Staff report The south metro Denver area saw no shortage of news — or controversy — in 2013, making it a tough task to narrow down the contenders for our stories-ofthe-year package. Some of the stories on our list had a far-reaching impact across a particular county or even the entire region. Others, in one way or another, had such a strong impact on a particular community that they couldn’t be ignored. The story of the year came late in 2013 and it horrified us all. The newsroom staff of Colorado Community Media has whittled the list down to a baker’s dozen. The stories are listed in no particular order, aside from our No. 1 pick,

A girl is comforted outside Shepherd of the Hills Church, after the shootings at Arapahoe High School on Dec. 13. Tearful reunions were a common sight at the church, where parents picked up their kids. Photo by Chris Michlewicz the Dec. 13 shootings at Arapahoe High School in Centennial. We’ll let you decide how the other 12 should be ranked.

School shooting at Arapahoe High An

18-year-old

student

entered

Arapahoe High School around 12:30 p.m. Dec. 13, shot a fellow student in the head, then killed himself. Authorities believe the gunman, Arapahoe senior Karl Pierson, was targeting a faculty member, but was Top 13 continues on Page 6

Highlands Ranch High School was among several DCSD schools that collected money or did other projects to show support for shooting victim Claire Davis and the Arapahoe High School community. Photo by Jane Reuter


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