April 28, 2016
Become a weekly subscriber for just .58¢ per week
VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 13 | 75¢
See our ad inside for details
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
Service dog has extensive training Vest will offer protection to crime-fighting animal By Geraldine Smith Special to Colorado Community Media Officer Geraldine Earthman of the Grand Junction Police Department and her police service dog Gero were covering the back of a building, providing assistance to another officer, when Earthman spotted the suspect leaning out of a rear window with a handgun pointed right at her. Reacting to the situation and his training, Gero began barking and lunging at the man. Instead of shooting Earthman, the man turned his gun on Gero, fatally wounding him with the first shot. Gero distracted the gunman and gave Earthman the time to return fire, wounding the suspect. Without the diversion, the suspect’s first bullet would have found Earthman. Gero’s watch ended May 6, 2004.
Highly trained police dogs assist and save officers’ lives throughout the country, risking or losing their own. With an increase in incidents where the police service dogs lose their lives in the line of duty, Vested Interest in K9s, a nonprofit organization, attempts to supply as many of these dogs as possible with bulletproof and stab-proof vests. Vests purchased through Vested Interest in K9s cost $1,050. One of Elbert County’s two police dogs will be the recipient of such a vest, courtesy of a family in Bakersfield, California, in memory of their son. The five-pound lifesaving vest will be embroidered with the message, “Vested in loving memory forever Corey Alan Morrow.” His parents, Alison and Mike Daniel, feel this gesture would have pleased Corey. Rooster, an 8-year-old German shepherd donated to the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office by his handler, Greg Wilson, will receive the Dog continues on Page 9
Elbert County Sheriff’s Office police dog Rooster poses with SWAT team member Mike Skalisky, left, and his handler, Greg Wilson. Courtesy photo
Dore faces challenger in primary
Eleven-year Health Fair participant Mona Smith is prepped for a blood draw. Nearly fifty people were waiting when the doors opened at 7:00 on Saturday morning at the Elizabeth Middle school. Photo by Rick Gustafson
Kimmi Lewis is GOP activist, Las Animas County resident By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media When Kimmi Lewis left her home on April 8, bound for the Republican State Convention in Colorado Springs, she had no intention of running for office. But by the end of the day, she found herself accepting a nomination from the assembly floor to challenge fellow Republican Tim Dore — the incumbent who is seeking reelection to the District 64 state House seat — in the June 28 Republican primary. “We are truly freedom fighters. That’s what we’ve had to be down here,” Lewis said. “I just felt like it was time that somebody stepped up and challenged Rep. Dore. I made a split-second decision. I Lewis continues on Page 7
Health fair attracts residents By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media
When the doors to the 2016 9Health Fair opened at Elizabeth Middle school at 7 a.m. on April 23, around 50 people were lined up just inside the entrance.
At the same time, more than 60 medical and non-medical volunteers waited at stations inside the school with medical forms, blood pressure cuffs and needles, lots of needles. In addition to the standard screening stations staffed for blood draws, body
fat skinfold screenings, and diabetes risk assessment and education, practitioners of alternative healing techniques set up shop in the Wellness Room. It was the second year the health fair
Join us for an open house on 4/30! Live Wolf & Birds of Prey Exhibit
FREE Colorado Parks Pass with purchase or 7-day rental Show special $500 off and No Dealer Handling ($950 value) on any purchase of a new Viking Travel Trailer.
Enter raffles for 1 FREE week long rental 14051 E Davies Ave., Centennial, CO • 303-680-3670 • www.adventurecamper.com
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.
Fair continues on Page 4
10AM - 4PM