Week of January 13, 2022
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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
CastleRockNewsPress.net
VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 39
Smallwood outlines Republican priorities
Wildfire is ‘year-round threat’ in Douglas County First responders discuss plans, how residents can prepare BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When South Metro Fire Rescue crews helping respond to the Marshall Fire arrived at their staging area, the site was surrounded by several buildings engulfed in flames. Smoke laid flat, “a very telling sign of a wind-driven event” and “a big red flag for us,” South Metro spokesman Eric Hurst said. In those conditions, the likelihood that first responders are able to quickly control a fire plummets. Firefighters can expect low visibility. Debris falling. Structures collapsing. As South Metro personnel got to work, they first tried stopping the fire from spreading through grassy areas, but 20- to 25-foot flames leapt low across the ground, “enough to get across a road.” “Behavior like that is way too dangerous, No. 1, to put firefighters in front of, and No. 2, even if we went to try, the probability of success is pretty much zero,” Hurst SEE WILDFIRE, P10
Two-term state senator speaks at Castle Rock Town Council meeting BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
some in December 2019, exactly two years ago. We have lived here in Parker for more than 18 years, and felt it was vital to have a local, independent bookstore in town. We love the book business, and sell only new books, plus puzzles, games, journals, candles, tote bags, reading glasses, and more! We currently host six book clubs in our
Sen. Jim Smallwood, a guest of the Castle Rock Town Council on Jan. 4, said the Republican Caucus will have three major areas of focus as the 2022 session gets underway for the Colorado Legislature. Smallwood, recently re-elected to his second and final four-year term, said Republicans continue to struggle in the state with a Democratic majority in the House and Senate and with Democratic Gov. Jared Polis. Even with the minority, Smallwood said Republicans will continue to focus on affordability, public safety and education as major priorities the new session. The 2022 session officially started on Jan. 12, with Smallwood explaining that the Colorado Legislature works 120 consecutive days, noting to council members that now is the time to communicate issues and priorities. Smallwood said affordability is No. 1 on the Republicans’ list of priorities and noted that people are facing an uphill battle in buying homes in areas like Castle Rock, Lone Tree and Parker. “Colorado is getting to be a very expensive place to live,” Smallwood said.
SEE SUPPORT, P18
SEE PRIORITIES, P7
Firefighters from South Metro Fire Rescue Brush 33, based in Centennial, took on the Cameron Peak Fire in the Arapahoe and Roosevelt national forests in 2020. Fire officials agree that there is no longer a fire season and preparations need to be made COURTESY PHOTO year-round.
Douglas County bookstore looks to support educators Q&A includes staff’s top reads from 2021, most anticipated books of 2022 BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Local bookstore Books Are Awesome of Parker aims to support
area educators and schools while also fostering an appreciation for literature among young readers. Co-owner Wendy Withers spoke to Colorado Community Media about programs to help teachers, the staff’s favorite reads of 2021 and their most anticipated of 2022. About us We (Danean Wisely and Wendy Withers) opened Books Are Awe-
Dream Big Dreams...
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 20
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