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December 16, 2021
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 126 | ISSUE 44
Emergency chief urges CodeRED alert signup Preparation for crisis scenarios also is crucial, Pynes says BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
cause unexpected injuries. Dr. Eric Hill, a HealthOne emergency room physician at the Medical Center of Aurora, said the holiday season is the start of winter, which means more ER visits with people who have slipped and fallen on icy, slippery surfaces. While the Front Range has not
Elbert County Emergency Management Director Shane Pynes met with the Elbert County News recently to discuss county emergency protocols and talk about the county’s newly improved Emergency Operations Center. The Elbert County Emergency Operations Center, located at 751 Ute Ave. in Kiowa, once served as the county’s 911 dispatch center. The space now houses designated stations for area specialists to occupy in the event of an emergency, all of which are outfitted with state-of-theart computers, televisions, and communication technology to stay aware of growing emergency situations. When an emergency takes place within the county — such as a large fire, a blizzard, etc. — the Emergency Management Department is first contacted by the Douglas County 911 dispatch center. Area specialists then quickly convene with Director Pynes and orchestrate a plan of action to tackle the emergency. The biggest role for Pynes, however, is emergency preparedness. He works to put systems in place to help emergency situations run smoothly, like evacuation protocols and shelter locations. Pynes also builds and maintains relationships with nearby counties, outside organizations, and local community leaders to assist in the event of an emergency.
SEE INJURIES, P17
SEE EMERGENCY, P4
Elizabeth nonprofit Eagle’s Nest Ranch, an equine ministry serving veterans, active duty military, first responders and families in crisis, was represented at the Dec. 4 Mayor’s Tree Lighting event. PHOTO COURTESY OF EAGLE’S NEST RANCH
Mayor’s Tree Lighting draws crowd to Elizabeth Festive event brings community together, supports merchants and nonprofits BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
It was a jolly good time for Elizabeth residents at the 2021 Mayor’s Tree Lighting event on
Dec. 4. The Saturday-evening event, an annual tradition that began in 2018, saw hundreds of people gather on Main Street starting at 4:30 p.m. to take part in the
tree-lighting ceremony, watch Santa ride in on his carriage, and partake in amazing food and fun family activities. The free event, open to all, aimed to bring the community together while also raising money for many nonprofit organizations around Elizabeth. SEE TREE LIGHTING, P2
’Tis the season for injuries Local ERs see increase in holiday-related cases BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Dr. Ben Usatch said while the holidays are all about joy and bringing good cheer, no member of
the family is immune to accidents that can result in an unplanned visit to the local ER. Usatch, an emergency medicine physician and medical director for UCHealth Hospital Highlands Ranch, said holiday injuries start early with the cold weather and continue with holiday decoration hanging through to Christmas, when presents are opened and can
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 16
SANTA PAINTINGS
Inspiration comes from the foothills of the Rockies
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