Week of November 3, 2022
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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
DouglasCountyNewsPress.net
VOLUME 120 | ISSUE 52
Deputies kill two in suspected car theft case Discussions on chase continue BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Douglas County sheriff’s deputies killed two suspects during a shootout at the RTD Lincoln Station parking garage in Lone Tree, Sheriff
Tony Spurlock said during a news conference Oct. 26. The two suspects were identified by the Douglas County Coroner’s Office as David Strain, 31, and Clarissa Daws, 29, the sheriff’s office announced Oct. 27 on Facebook. Both suspects were from Pueblo. The incident began about 11:40 p.m. on Oct. 25, said an email from
Deputy Cocha Heyden, a public information officer for the sheriff’s office. A deputy from the sheriff’s office Pattern Crimes Unit, a unit that specifically looks for auto thieves and stolen cars, was checking the parking garage and noticed a suspicious black Kia with no license plates, Spurlock said.
A total of six deputies were involved in the incident, according to the sheriff’s office. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office released edited body camera footage on Oct. 27 of the fatal shootout. The edited video, about a minute SEE THEFT, P12
Couple from Ukraine finds support from town Kane is hopeful Castle Rock community voters will pass welcomes Olena and bond, mill levy Kostya Plangeu Funding could help teacher retention
BY MADDIE BROWNING SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, the country has suffered devastating destruction with 6.6 million people displaced inside Ukraine, and more than 6.3 million people fleeing to neighboring countries. The war has also taken more than 6,000 Ukrainian civilian lives. Olena and Kostya Plangeu recently moved to the Castle Rock area after leaving their home in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. They first moved to Germany about seven months ago to stay with friends and relocated to the U.S. three months later with help from United for Ukraine. United for Ukraine — an international non-government organization working to provide emergency relief and help rebuild the country — provided the resources they needed to reestablish their lives in the U.S. The couple’s 17-year-old daughter, Jenifer, is still in Germany studying violin at The Hanover University of Music, Drama. Olena said it SEE SUPPORT, P13
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
With less than two weeks until the election, Douglas County School District Superintendent Erin Kane is feeling positive about the fate of the $60 million mill levy override and $450 million bond on the ballot. In the last few months, Kane said she has done more than a hundred events to spread the word about the need for the funding to pay staff more competitively, build the first new neighborhood schools since 2010 and expand career and technical education opportunities. “I feel like we have done everything possible over the last four to five months to educate voters on how our district is funded and what the implications of the funding means for us,” she said. Kane acknowledged obstacles to Olena and Kostya Plangeu
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 26
COURTESY PHOTO
SEE HOPEFUL, P10
Special CD Rate
4.17% APY* 10 Month Term
120 S Wilcox St. Castle Rock, CO 80104 | 303-660-4001 *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and interest rate of Certificate of Deposit (CD) may change after account opening. Fees could reduce earnings on the CD. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. *The CD is automatically renewed into a Standard 9 month CD with current rate at renewal. *The Annual Percentage Yield is current as of October 31, 2022.