October 28, 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 47
School district sues county health dept. over masks Federal judge grants request to block order BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
To meet state law, Metro District Finance Director Stephanie Stanley said, the staff-recommended budget was unveiled by Oct. 15.
The Douglas County School District and families of students at high risk of COVID-19 have sued the county’s new health department in federal court, alleging a public health order allowing people to opt out of masking rules in the county violates civil rights of students with disabilities. And on Oct. 26, a federal judge granted the district’s request, temporarily blocking enforcement of the county health department’s order, which also limited quarantines for people exposed to COVID-19. The school district’s goal is to go back to its policy requiring universal masking among people age 2 and older in its buildings as a COVID safety measure. That policy allows medical exemptions to masking. “No parent should be forced to choose between sending their children to school and risking their health, and no family should have to choose between access to learning and putting their child’s life in jeopardy,” DCSD Board President David Ray said in a statement when the suit was filed. “The message is simple: In these very complex times, our most vulnerable children cannot be left behind.”
SEE BUDGET, P15
SEE DISTRICT, P13
General manager Pino Chinnel and owner Vu Tran celebrate the opening of I (heart) Mac & Cheese in Highlands Ranch. PHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES
Aiming to please with mac and cheese Marine Corps vet opens Highlands Ranch eatery BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In opening a new Highlands
Ranch restaurant, Vu Tran said he will focus on mentoring young staff members, improving the community and, most importantly, providing a menu full of mac and cheese. On Oct. 13, Tran officially opened I (heart) Mac & Cheese, a franchise that was originally started in Florida.
After opening franchise options nationwide in 2017, I (heart) Mac & Cheese has opened restaurants in 10 states, including Colorado. In Colorado, there are currently two locations, in Highlands Ranch and Denver. Another restaurant SEE MAC & CHEESE, P5
Metro District unveils $13.5 million 2022 budget Staff retention, supply issues are among concerns BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Highlands Ranch Metro District
staff has unveiled the proposed budget for 2022, starting the official process toward final approval in December.
ELECTION RESULTS ONLINE
After polls close Nov. 2, visit ColoradoCommunityMedia. com for local results
A VITAL AND ‘LOVELY JOB’ Caring for babies, families in tough times P16