September 30, 2021
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
HighlandsRanchHerald.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 24
VOLUME 34 | ISSUE 43
County school board election shapes up Two slates emerge in races for four director seats BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A stage holds items in remembrance of firefighter-paramedic Anthony Palato for a memorial service Sept. 21. Because Palato’s cancer was considered job-related, his memorial service was classified as Level I Line of Duty Death, according to South Metro PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD Fire Rescue.
Fallen firefighter ‘epitomized the term brother’ South Metro Fire Rescue’s Anthony Palato is remembered after losing life to cancer BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Anthony Palato dreamed of being a firefighter ever since he was a
small child, said his brother-in-law, Steve Durie. “Tony epitomized the term ‘brother’ all his life,” Durie said at a memorial service Sept. 21, days
after Palato died at age 55 on Sept. 15 after fighting cancer. “He loved every aspect of being SEE FIREFIGHTER, P10
Backpack Society continues to expand Nonprofit feeds families, students in Douglas County, Littleton BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
More than a year after its inception, the nonprofit organization
MASK RULES IN SCHOOLS
COVID rates lower in districts with mandates P3
Backpack Society continues to grow, both in helping to feed local families and students and in expanding its facilities. In 2020, Highlands Ranch resi-
dent June Everett knew of students and families in Douglas County who were going hungry. SEE BACKPACK, P4
BRIDGES TO THE ARTS
Communities are creating centers to boost local culture
P14
The field is set for this fall’s Douglas County School Board elections, where two slates have emerged to square off for four seats on the board — a majority on the sevenmember board. While one slate is asking voters to let them take the district in a similar direction as current board members, the other is saying it’s time for new leadership. The candidates are not only aiming to help govern the district amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic but also after national debates about equity in education took place at the local level in past months. Incumbents Krista Holtzmann and Kevin Leung are seeking reelection while running alongside Ruby Martinez and Juli Watkins in the CommUNITY Matters slate. The four are asking voters to “keep the positive momentum going” in DCSD, according to the slate’s website. Sitting board members bring a track record of academic achievement, a decrease in teacher turnover and financial investment in mental health resources for schools, the group says. The Kids First slate is made up of SEE ELECTION, P16