April 7, 2016 VO LUM E 29 | IS S U E 20 | FREE
HighlandsRanchHerald.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
Options proposed for gas regulator station Residents air concerns at Xcel Energy community workshop By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com An Xcel Energy workshop left some Highlands Ranch residents concerned about three proposed locations for a natural gas regulator station, two near public schools and one in open space in the Indigo Hill neighborhood. “It sets the precedent that open space can be used for industrial use,” said Kristen Burkett, whose Indigo Hill home
backs up to open space. “If we can have this type of regulator station here, what’s next?” Xcel’s three-hour community workshop on April 4 at Hilton Garden Inn, 1050 Plaza Drive, had three stations: a project overview station led by Xcel area banager Tom Henley, a safety and design station led by Xcel engineers, and a location and design siting station. Small groups of five to 10 people rotated through the stations. Xcel officials asked guests to fill out a public comment form and vote on one of three proposed areas: the original site
Highlands Ranch resident Stacie Kishiyama, left, questions Jon Moe, Xcel’s manager of gas engineering, at the safety and design workshop station on April 4. Photo by Alex DeWind
Xcel continues on Page 27
Teacher turnover shows rise for ’15-16 New data from the Colorado Department of Education shows the turnover rate for 2015-16 is 19.7 percent By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Highlands Ranch residents Chris Canter, left, and his mother-in-law, Pam Lavene, hold one of two “Wheel of Fortune” offer letters. The pair auditioned together but couldn’t participate as a team because they aren’t biologically related. Producers still offered them each a spot on the show. “I’ve dreamt of spinning that wheel since I was a child,” Canter said. Photo by Alex DeWind
Local woman plays on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Pam Lavene will donate prize to church’s building campaign By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com Pam Lavene, of Highlands Ranch, isn’t an avid “Wheel of Fortune” watcher. But last December she was offered a spot on the game show and took it. She won $10,500, which she will donate to her church. “Going on the show, I thought, `Please don’t make me look foolish,’” she said. “I didn’t want to be in some viral video.” Lavene’s son-in-law, Chris Canter, is the opposite. He’s had a lifelong goal to
make it on the show. “I dreamt of spinning the wheel since I was a child,” Canter, 32, said. Canter applied for “Wheel of Fortune” last year and was asked to audition in downtown Denver. He could bring a family member to compete as a team, so he brought Lavene. Producers didn’t accept Canter and Lavene as a team because they aren’t biologically related. But the two left a lasting impression and were separately given spots on the show. Lavene, 55, filmed her episode Dec. 18 in Culver City, Calif. It was set to air April 4 on CBS. Canter was to film his episode in early April. The game show first aired in 1983
with hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White. Three contestants vie for prizes by spinning a wheel and picking a letter — similar to the “Hangman” guessing game. Contestants win cash or an expense-free trip to an exotic destination. The show’s jovial atmosphere surprised Lavene. “It was almost like a party of people who just enjoy each other,” she said. Most contestants had a lifelong dream to be on the show, Lavene said, and watched it religiously. They were average, everyday people from college students to seniors. Lavene, an insurance salesperson, was nervous thinking about all the Wheel continues on Page 27
Teacher turnover in the Douglas County School District has risen above the state average, according to newly released data by the Colorado Department of Education. For the 2015-16 school year, the teacher turnover rate in the school district was 19.7 percent – it was 16.7 percent the previous year and 11.6 percent five years ago — figures released April 1 show. The state average is 17 percent. “We must do what is right by our staff and we must be honest with ourselves,” Board of Education President Meghann Silverthorn said. “These numbers are concerning, and I will not CDE continues on Page 6
MEET THE ALL-STARS
Find out who made the All-South Metro girls and boys teams. PAGE 19
Grand Opening Party ColoradoSkinAndVein.com See page 5 for an invitation to our grand opening celebration
303-945-2080 Offices of Dr.Verebelyi and Dr. Neyman