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June 25, 2020
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
KEEPING PETS CLOSE Amid COVID-19, people are holding onto their animal friends P10
Elizabeth police chief suspends choke holds BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Jon Hayes, coach of the Elbert County Coyotes girls softball team, and his wife asked for help getting youth sports back up and running in the county again. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
Sports leagues OK’d with restrictions Elbert County gets 3rd health variance from state BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Elbert County has received ap-
proval of its third variance request from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, excusing it from certain state rules aimed at containing the coronavirus pandemic. This variance allows personal services to be expanded to include situations where a customer is not
wearing a mask, and allows sports leagues to return, limiting teams to those within Elbert County, or counties that have low or declining cases of COVID-19. “This variance is a great example of what we can accomplish when SEE SPORTS, P5
During the six years that Stephen Hasler has been the chief of police in Elizabeth, he said there have been no complaints filed against the department for use of excessive force, but in light of the tragic death of George Floyd, Hasler sent an email to all police staff suspending any use of the carotid control hold Hasler — commonly known as a choke hold. “Reviewing the Use of Force policy, there is a section on the Carotid Control Hold (300.3.4) which is fundamentally a ‘choke’ hold,” said Hasler. “May I say, no situation would present itself where kneeling SEE CHIEF, P7
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
“We got the call and were watching the draft on TV. I started to tear up along with my dad.” Case Williams, Douglas County High School pitcher drafted by the Colorado Rockies | Page 12 INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 10 | SPORTS: PAGE 12
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 125 | ISSUE 21