September 24, 2015
local professionals guide
VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 36
inside
Festival Guide Inside LoneTreeVoice.net A publication of
D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Bus driver shortage driving concern School district says safety is priority, raises base driver wage By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com
For Highlands Ranch mother Kimberly Owen, sending her children to and from Fox Creek Elementary School on the bus has been a gamble this year. “It’s been a nightmare since the beginning of the school year,” Owen said. “The very first day — of school the bus didn’t Number of students pick up on time. There transported by bus to and from school was no notification to per day in Douglas the school or the parents County that it was going to be late. They were probably — Number a good hour late.” of square miles Stephanie Van Zante’s covered by school son, a junior at Ponderodistrict buses sa High School in Parker, is regularly experiencing — Number overcrowding on his bus. of buses used by “My son either has DCSD by the school to crowd onto a bus district and has had to stand,” Van Zante said, “or wait — New for an additional bus base wage for to be dispatched by the Douglas County district, delaying him School bus drivers arriving home by 30 minutes.” Stories of late school buses, overcrowded situations and too few routes are emerging as Douglas County School District officials acknowledge the district is 30 percent short of the number of bus
BY THE NUMBERS
11,000
Lorie Smith and her daughter, Allie, of Littleton, walk with their rescue dogs, Andre and Stella. Photos by Shanna Fortier
Bringing ’em together
The Dumb Friends League’s Wag ‘n Trail event draws 750 dogs
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By Shanna Fortier sfortier@colorado communitymedia.com Animal lovers from across the Denver metro area hit the Glendale Farm Open Space trail on Sept. 19 for the 11th annual Dumb Friends League Wag ‘n Trail. The fundraiser drew about 1,500 people and 750 dogs to the 1.6-mile hike to raise money for the Dumb Friends League’s south location, the Buddy Center, in Castle Rock. The event raised $146,000 to support the Douglas County location. The money will help the Dumb Friends League provide shelter, comfort, veterinary care and behavior training to as many as 3,500 homeless pets at the Buddy Center this year. “We’re really proud to be part of Douglas County,” said Megan Rees of the Dumb Friends League, adding that the event is not only a fundraiser, but also an awareness event for the center, which serves Douglas County. Fundraising for Wag ‘n Trail continues through Oct. 21. Visit ddfl.org/wnt.
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$15.90
Buses continues on Page 8
About 1,500 people came out in support of the Dumb Friends League Buddy Center.
Driver wonders why some pass on jobs By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com Douglas County School District bus driver Larry King doesn’t understand why more people aren’t jumping at the chance to drive for the district. “Most of us drivers don’t understand why there is a shortage of drivers,” King said. “It’s a good job with benefits. People need jobs. It doesn’t make sense.” Drivers in the Douglas County School District qualify for medical, dental and vision benefits once they King hit 30 hours per week.
Donna Dulong and her dog, Lucy, were among the early starters the morning of Sept. 19.
Jobs continues on Page 8
GRAND OPENING CENTENNIAL | SEPTEMBER 27, 8AM | I-25 + COUNTY LINE RD