August 11, 2016 VOLUME 114 | ISSUE 41 | 75¢
LET PEACE RING OUT Area churches sound bells to honor victims of gun violence. PAGE 12.
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INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT
Mixed reaction follows selection The Aug. 3 cattle drive was the kickoff of Western Heritage Welcome, a new event in Castle Rock, which is a tribute to the historic Douglas County Fair and Rodeo. Photos by Shanna Fortier
Cattle drives through Castle Rock
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he streets were lined with onlookers Aug. 3 as cowhands drove a herd of longhorn steers and other cattle from Searle Ranch in Monument through downtown Castle Rock. The drive was the kickoff of Western Heritage Welcome, a new event in Castle Rock and a tribute to the historic Douglas County Fair and Rodeo. During the 1800s, large herds of cattle were driven through Colorado. Casey Willis, Castle Rock events manager, said the hope of the cattle drive and Western Heritage Wel-
Castle Rock Police Chief Jack Cauley rides in the cattle drive through Castle Rock.
MORE INSIDE Find photos from the weekend’s fair activities on PAGES 18 AND 19. come is to honor the agricultural heritage in Castle Rock. For photos from the weekend’s activities at the fair, turn to pages 18 and 19.
PHOTOS BY SHANNA FORTIER
Event connects police to community ‘Tonight is just one more example of the community support we’ve had’ By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com Brody Smith, 5, sat in the driver’s seat of a Castle Rock Police Department off-road vehicle, pretending to drive and protect the community. He wants to be a police officer when he grows up and was excited to be able to meet the real deal during the Aug. 2 annual National Night Out at the white pavilion in Castle Rock’s downtown. That kind of response is what Police Chief Jack Cauley is looking for, especially amid the national climate of strained police-community relations caused by shooting deaths. “National Night Out is an opportunity for law enforcement officers and, specifically, Castle Rock police to connect with the community that we serve,” Cauley said. “We’re able to have one-on-one conversations with people and get to know them and answer any questions they have.”
Erin Kane was executive director of charter school American Academy By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com Although the Douglas County School District’s new interim superintendent stated a top priority will be to restore trust among staff and the community, two parent advocacy organizations expressed disappointment about her lack of classroom and educational experience. “I believe we can come together and move forward for students staff and Kane community,” said Erin Kane, an engineer and executive director of American Academy charter K-8 school, which has two locations, in Castle Pines and Parker. “Sometimes, one cannot just sit on the sidelines waiting for someone else to solve problems and show leadership.” Kane was selected as the lone finalist from two candidates and approved by a 4-3 vote of the Douglas County school board at a special meeting Aug. 2. The other candidate was James Calhoun, who retired as principal of Castle View High School in Castle Rock at the end of the 2015-16 school year. Board members said they wanted to have an interim leader in place by the Interim continues on Page 7
Capt. Jeff Goodwin, of the Colorado State Patrol in Castle Rock, shares his hat with Asher Arvidson, who wants to be a police officer when he grows up. Photo by Shanna Fortier The National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to crime-prevention programs like Neighborhood Watch, started National Night Out in 1984 to promote involvement in crime-prevention activities.
The event is hosted annually on the first Tuesday in August. It began with a “lights on” campaign, in which residents showed their support Night Out continues on Page 11
AROUND THE FIELD Turning a double play in softball can also turn a team’s momentum. Check out this story and others as we kick off three weeks of fall sports previews on PAGE 23.
DOUGLAS COUNTY NEWS-PRESS (ISSN 1067-425X) (USPS 567-060) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Douglas County, Colorado, the News-Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 4 p.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.