April 14, 2016 VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 11 | 75¢
ElbertCountyNews.net E L B E R T C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Commissioner race to feature primary vote Second GOP hopeful makes cut for District I candidacy By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media Elbert County Republicans will now have two options in the District I primary for county commissioner, scheduled for June 28. According to Rhonda Braun, Elbert County elections manager, Republican Jim Whistler successfully petitioned to have his name placed on the party’s primary ballot. In a statement released April 5, Whistler wrote, “Elbert County history is being changed today. The citizens of our county have voiced their support for, not only my candidacy, but for competition in elections.” Whistler announced his candidacy in
early February but chose not to participate in the Republican county assembly in March, opting instead to petition county Republicans directly for the opportunity to face Chris Richardson in the June primary. He presented 939 signatures to the clerk’s office shortly after 2 p.m. on April 4, three hours before the submission deadline, and County Clerk Dallas Schroeder and his team immediately began checking the integrity of each notarized petition, counting the total signatures submitted, and began verifying each signature. To qualify for the primary ballot, Whistler needed to obtain 634 verified signatures or 20 percent of the total Republican participation in the 2014 District I primary. Of the signatures he Race continues on Page 9
Republican candidate for the District I county commissioner seat, Jim Whistler, right, submits his petitions to Elbert County Clerk Dallas Schroeder and Election Manager Rhonda Braun on April 4. Photo by Rick Gustafson
Elizabeth men arrested in gun thefts Arrest leads to discovery of more than $20,000 worth of property Staff report
From left, Sherry Hansen and Jerri Spear present pinwheels and posters to County Commissioners Robert Rowland and Larry Ross, along with County Manager Ed Ehmann. Photo by Rick Gustafson
County spotlights child abuse April is awareness month for welfare of young people By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, so in addition to their daily work in support of local families, the staff at Elbert County Health and Human Services has been busy with
outreach to county organizations and citizens. One of the first stops was the Elbert County Courthouse in Kiowa for a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners. At its March 30 meeting, the BOCC issued a proclamation declaring April Child Abuse Awareness month in Elbert County in concert with a state and national campaign. Jerri Spear, director of Elbert
County HHS, along with Sherry Hansen, protective services administrator, explained the role of HHS along with many of the activities planned for April. “Historically child welfare has been thought of in the media and in the public lately as the agency that comes in and takes children away. Really that’s not what we want to do,” Outreach continues on Page 9
The Parker Police Department has arrested two suspects in connection with the theft of more than 40 guns from a Parker residence. Casey Allen Riedel, 20, and Jacob Lee Whitlock, 18, both of Elizabeth, are facing charges that include second-degree burglary, possession of a firearm by a previous offender, criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit theft. The district attorney may add more charges, according to a news release by the Parker Police Department. The investigation is ongoing. Riedel Both suspects were booked into the Douglas County Jail. Riedel is free after posting a $50,000 personal recognizance bond while Whitlock remains in custody on a $15,000 bond. A witness called police Whitlock at 7:34 p.m. April 2 to report the suspects exiting the home, the news release stated. Police tracked the suspects’ car based on a description provided by the witness. While searching the suspects’ car, officers found more than 40 guns, as well as alcohol, jewelry, coins and other property. Theft continues on Page 9
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 12 p.m. | Classifieds: Mon. 10 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 10 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.