COLD-BLOODED COMPANIONS
September 15, 2016 VO LUM E 29 | IS S U E 43 | FREE
Exotic pets require unique foods, habitats. PAGE 12
HighlandsRanchHerald.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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More medical facilities, less wait time Increase in urgent care centers reflects a nationwide trend in field of medicine
By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com At a central intersection in Highlands Ranch — where South University Boulevard and Highlands Ranch Parkway meet — sits a UCHealth Emergency Room. Less than half a mile north is a Concentra Urgent Care. Three miles to the west, near
Town Center, is an OnPoint Urgent Care. And 3 1/2 miles east, in Lone Tree, is another OnPoint Urgent Care. Meagan Watson — whose 7-yearold son has had seven sets of staples or stitches in four years — likes the low cost and minimal wait time of an urgent care center. But she wonders why there are so many. “Maybe they figure there are a lot of little kids in the area — which is what I use it for,” she said.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? With so many medical care options in one region, health field experts say it’s important to know the difference in services and costs. According to Steve Sellars, president of the board of directors of the Urgent Care Association of America: • Urgent care centers are an option for non-lifethreatening symptoms, such as sprains, broken bones, flu, colds and other common illnesses. • Hospital-based emergency rooms treat life-
threating injuries or illnesses. • Primary care physicians perform routine checkups and provide ongoing care for patients. They are the best choice for ongoing medical concerns, such as a chronic illness and preventive care. According to UCHealth experts: A stand-alone emergency room is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers similar services as a hospital-based emergency room.
Urgent continues on Page 5
WATER THEY UP TO?
School board officially has a vacancy Two days earlier, the board was deadlocked on the issue of Benevento’s resignation By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Four-legged friends make a splash in Westridge Recreation Center’s outdoor pool for the annual Doggie Splash and Pet Expo on Sept. 10. Photos courtesy of Jamie Noebel/Highlands Ranch Community Association
About 500 dogs in the community enjoyed their very own pool day at the seventh annual Doggie Splash at Westridge Recreation Center, 9650 Foothills Canyon Blvd. On Sept. 10, the outdoor pool was filled with four-legged friends, toys and tennis balls. The Doggie Splash marked the outdoor pool’s final hurrah of the summer season. It is now closed for winter. The family-friendly afternoon also included a Pet Expo with pet adoptions, supplies and services.
The Highlands Ranch Community Association hosted a day for the dogs at Westridge Recreation Center. The annual Doggie Splash and Pet Expo event marks the outdoor pool’s last day of the summer season.
After a second special meeting of the Douglas County Board of Education in three days, Doug Benevento’s resignation was accepted by a 6-1 vote Sept. 8. David Ray cast the dissenting vote. At a Sept. 6 meeting on the same topic, the board did not accept his resignation following a deadlocked 3-3 vote. “I voted ‘no’ to convey the message that I am still concerned that we are condoning a political tactic Benevento that gives an unfair advantage to a future candidate,” Ray said. “Had there been an acknowledgment from the board president that it is inappropriate to resign from an elected position with this intent, I would have voted in favor of the resolution.” Board continues on Page 19
RIVALRY GAME ThunderRidge and Mountain Vista tangle at Shea Stadium. PAGE 25
Free Cocktails, Food and Swag Bag. RSVP now for September 29th. 303-945-2080 David Verebelyi, MD
See page 5 for more information