October 21, 2021
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
HighlandsRanchHerald.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
VOLUME 34 | ISSUE 46
Comparing slates in county school board race BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Pilots transporting patients to area hospitals have seen an increase in laser strikes in 2020 and 2021.
COURTESY OF JUSTIN LEVETT PHOTOGRAPHY
Flight for Life crew impacted by laser strike Incidents have increased nationwide since 2010 BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A Flight for Life pilot said he has fully recovered after falling victim
to a laser incident in Castle Rock. Eric Billings, a 20-year commercial pilot, said he was leading a crew to drop off a patient at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital on Oct. 7. After safely leaving the patient at the hospital for care, Billings said they were heading out of town back to Pueblo when they were hit. Billings said at around 1,200
feet, a crew member yelled “laser strike.” Billings said when those warnings come out, it is hard on the rest of the crew because they did not see it initially, meaning they do not know which way to look to avoid getting hit in the eyes. SEE LASER, P2
Doctors address myths about breast cancer COVID-19 vaccines have no link to disease BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Dr. Lisa Wynn said every year
NEW PROMISE
Treatments mean shorter recovery from scoliosis P16
as she treats women, she always hears the list of misconceptions and myths that are not only tied to breast cancer, but also the screen-
ings to detect the disease. No matter what is out there on social media, Wynn, OB/GYN and service line chief for women’s services at UCHealth at the SEE CANCER, P28
ARTISTIC OVERHAUL
Museum opens Martin Building after renovation
P17
Clear divides exist between the two slates running in this year’s Douglas County School District board election when it comes to equity in education and managing COVID-19 in schools. Candidates in the slate dubbed Kids First have described equity as a distraction from the district’s academic mission. Those in the CommUNITY Matters slate say equity is crucial to ensuring every student has the tools to achieve academically. Kids First candidates say in-person learning should have always been an option during the pandemic, while CommUNITY Matters candidates vow to follow public health official guidance. We interviewed all eight candidates for the school board about their goals. On Pages 6-7, we look deeper into the views of candidates in these two slates. You’ll also learn on Page 5 about fundraising by the candidates — and how four board challengers are taking in more campaign cash than any other school candidates statewide, thanks in large part to two generous Douglas County donors. We previously ran the board candidates’ responses to our questionnaires on the issues in our Oct. 7 edition. You’ll find those Q&As and more coverage of the school board races at tinyurl.com/2021VotersGuide.