September 22, 2016
SERVE AND PROTECT
VOLUME 114 | ISSUE 47 | 75¢
Chaplains provide support for those on the front lines of law enforcement. PAGE 12
DouglasCountyNewsPress.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
‘He knew who he wanted to help’ Castle Rock parents reunited with son, who died fighting ISIS in Syria By Jessica Gibbs jgibbs@coloradocommunitymedia.com Castle Rock parents Robert and Melissa MacTaggart never got the chance to celebrate the 21st and 22nd birthdays of their son, Jordan, with him. For both, Jordan was fighting overseas with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), a militia group in Syria, in the battle against ISIS.
During his first trip of two tours, Jordan could reach them every two to three weeks, Robert said. The second time around, communication was sparse. “During that time it was a major undertaking,” Robert said. In June, the YPG’s strategy became more aggressive. Robert and Melissa only heard from Jordan every couple of months. Eventually, friends who were serving with him informed the MacTaggarts that Jordan had been killed Aug. 3. “A lot of them have reached out and told us stories,” Robert said. “How much he meant to them.”
The bodies of Jordan and two other Americans who died fighting ISIS with the YPG were brought home to their families last week, after strenuous planning on the part of several departments in the U.S. and abroad. All three were flown from Amman, Jordan, to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Because of weight limits on domestic flights, they were transported by Amtrak after arriving in the U.S. The body of William Savage, 27, of Maryland, was transported to where his father lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. ISIS continues on Page 11
Robert and Melissa MacTaggart said they are immensely proud of their son, Jordan. He was so horrified by the acts of ISIS, they said, that he went where he could directly fight against the group. Courtesy photo
WALKING WITH A PURPOSE
Town gets creative with crosswalks New designs to replace yellow lines under program By Jessica Gibbs jgibbs@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Beowulf and Mugwumps, 7-year-old English mastiffs, finish the trail during the Wag ’n Trail hike with Jennifer Schendel, of Lakewood. The Dumb Friends League Wag ’n Trail drew people and pets to the Glendale Farm Open Space in Douglas County on Sept. 17. Dogs and their owners hiked a 1.6-mile trail and enjoyed an ice cream treat, all to help raise funds for the Buddy Center in Castle Rock. Fundraising will continue until Oct. 17. With a goal of $150,000, the organization has already raised $91,365, according to the Dumb Friends League Wag ’n Trail website.
PHOTOS BY JESSICA GIBBS
When it comes to crosswalks, Castle Rock is stepping away from the ordinary. The town will soon be installing a series of “creative crosswalks” along Perry and Wilcox streets. By creative, they mean crosswalks depicting things such as boot prints, zippers, silverware and ladders. The plan formed after Castle Rock did away with some of its stamped concrete crosswalks, which according to Director of Public Works Bob Goebel, became a maintenance issue. A staff report indicated those maintenance costs for 2015 reached $6,600. The idea to replace them with uniquely painted crosswalks, rather than the usual parallel lines, was suggested by staff who worked in collaboration with the Downtown Development Authority and the Downtown Merchants Association. Crosswalk continues on Page 11
FOR THE WIN At the top of the trail, hikers and their dogs could each enjoy an ice cream treat. Here, 1-year-old Seymour, a shih tzu, ate some ice cream with owner Stacie May of Parker.
Rosie Hearn sits next to Jonas Hearn, 3, who gives his 6-yearold boxer, Bernie, a hug on the Sept. 17 hike.
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.
Douglas County cross country runner takes first place at the Cardinal Invitational. PAGE 24