1-Color
May 8, 2014
75 cents Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 122, Issue 27 A publication of
douglascountynewspress.net
Water projects paying dividends for town Castle Rock is now cultivating 20 percent of its supply from renewable sources By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando @coloradocommunitymedia.com Thanks in part to the Plum Creek Water Purification Facility; Castle Rock is moving toward a more sustainable water future. The facility opened in spring 2013, and captures and treats renewable water to which the town owns the rights. Plum Creek processes up to 4 million gallons per day now and has the capacity to handle up
to 12 million gallons per day in the future. “The good news is that we’re using about 20 percent renewable water now on average. So that’s a big improvement,” Castle Rock Utilities Director Mark Marlowe said. “That allows us to rest our deep ground water wells and save that water for drought conditions or future needs.” Renewable water typically refers to the water claimed from rain, snow melt and runoff from the mountains that can be replenished yearly through natural processes. Ultimately, this project has the potential to capture, treat and deliver up to 9,000 acre-feet of water per year. “The heart of this plant is a special kind of filter that we call a membrane,” Marlowe said. “That membrane provides a positive Water continues on Page 25
The membrane at the Plum Creek Water Purification Facility in Castle Rock. Photo by Mike DiFerdinando
Trial looms for suspect in shootout with police Brother said defendant had changed medications By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com
The interagency drill included officials from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Colorado National Guard and various fire agencies in the area and ran from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The drill simulated a wildland fire, giving agencies a chance to practice command and control, communications and support functions. Citizens were notified before the drill and invited to participate in the simulated evacuation. The agencies set up a command post at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Lt. Col. Mitchell Utterback said the National Guard has had “a lot of practice” over the last four years with wildfires like Black Forest and Waldo Canyon.
A man who allegedly fired a hail of bullets at police officers from his Castle Rock home will soon face trial. Lonnie Pebley, 42, was arrested in July 2012 and faces 56 charges, including 18 counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer. Prosecutors with the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s office have spent recent months prepar- Pebley ing for a three-week trial, which is set to start after jury selection May 12. During an April 25 motions hearing, Douglas County District Court Judge Paul A. King dismissed one sentenceenhancing charge related to Pebley allegedly being a habitual criminal. Attorneys for both sides said they were unable to obtain court documents from a 1992 residential burglary case in California allegedly involving Pebley. Deputy district attorney Sam Evig argued that he received documentation proving that Pebley served a two-year prison sentence. The file included Pebley’s photo and fingerprints, however, King said too much time has passed and there are too many unanswered questions to allow the charge to be considered during trial. King rejected a defense argument to dismiss
Drill continues on Page 25
Shooter continues on Page 26
Colorado National Guard Spc. Andrew Senphannarat keeps an eye out during an interagency wildfire evacuation drill near the Happy Canyon subdivision in Castle Pines on May 3. Photo by Hannah Garcia
Where there’s smoke… Mock wildfire drill tackles real-world situations By Hannah Garcia
hgarcia@coloradocommunitymedia.com Although some residents may have been startled to see Humvees and police cruisers crawling around Happy Canyon on May 3, it was only a mock wildfire drill that had public safety officials converging on the subdivision. But with warmer temperatures and wind speeds climbing, and keeping in mind the raging wildfires the state has seen in recent years, Douglas County residents POSTAL ADDRESS
shouldn’t take the exercise any less seriously, according to sheriff’s office spokesman Ron Hanavan. “Today, we’re focusing on evacuations. The major goals are life and property safety,” Hanavan said, urging residents to sign up for emergency alerts and prepare evacuation kits. “We’re right around the corner from wildfire season and this is real-world stuff. It can happen anywhere.” Crews were dispatched to evacuate and protect homes in the Happy Canyon area, where the mock fire ensued. National Guard officials set up roadblocks and checkpoints while trying to corral participating residents to the evacuation center, which was located at the Douglas County Justice Center.
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(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 Englewood, Colorado, and the towns of Castle Rock, Parker and Larkspur, the News-Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media and additional mailing offices. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTeR: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DeADLINeS: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. | Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Tues. 12 p.m.
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