February 5, 2016 VO LUM E 1 4 | IS S U E 1 4 | FREE
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Parker officer recounts ice rescue Trey Biles reflects on last month’s incident By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com Trey Biles was the first emergency responder on scene when three Legend High School students fell through ice covering a retention pond in the Hidden River subdivision. The Parker police officer was responding to a 911 call made by two young girls who were in the vicinity of the Jan. 14 accident, which resulted in the deaths of two of the teens, Patric Lantz and Max Gantnier. During a press conference Jan. 29, Biles recount-
ed the minutes in which he pulled out the only person visible in the pond, Cole Robinson. Biles arrived on scene 2 1/2 minutes after the call came in. As he reached the top of a small hill near the pond, Biles remembers seeing an aspen tree that had just been cut down. He grabbed the 15-foot tree, went onto the ice and extended the limb out to Robinson, who was struggling to keep his head above water. Biles said he later learned that Robinson had been in the water for nearly 15 minutes before Biles arrived. “From what I’ve heard, Cole’s core temperature was only a degree warmer than Max’s, so… he wouldn’t be able to survive much longer,” said Biles, who has been
with the Parker Police Department for two years. Gantnier passed away in the hospital 11 days after the incident. Lantz was in the water for more than 30 minutes and was pronounced dead soon after being removed from the pond. Biles has spoken with Robinson several times since the incident and said he will continue to have contact with the teen and encourage him to live his life. Biles was asked Jan. 29 whether he believes he is a hero. “Something I’ve said to Cole since then, and I truly believe it, is one of the most heroic things I’ve ever seen is Cole grabbing onto that branch, because he had no Rescue continues on Page 7
Parker police officer Trey Biles, with Lt. Chris Peters, left, said during a Jan. 29 press conference that he believes the teen he saved is a hero. Photo by Chris Michlewicz
Town, state may work together on sidewalk Parker Road could get new path along east side By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Moose is a 2.54-pound poodle mix that played for Team Fluff in Puppy Bowl XII. He lives in Parker. Photos by Shanna Fortier
Locals join lineup for Puppy Bowl Dumb Friends League sends three to join annual event By Shanna Fortier sfortier@colorado communitymedia.com
Ollie is a 2.75-pound poodle mix that played for Team Fluff in the soon-to-air Puppy Bowl. He lives in Centennial.
Three puppies from the Dumb Friends League — two from Colorado — were drafted to star in Puppy Bowl XII to complete Animal Planet’s roster of adoptable players. The Dumb Friends League is among 44 shelters and rescue groups representing 25 states across the U.S. and Puerto Rico participating in Puppy Bowl XII. All three of the Dumb Friends League’s puppies were adopted following the event. The Puppy Bowl is recorded each year and then is aired on Animal Planet on Super Bowl Sunday. Puppies play in a model stadium as commentators weigh in about their actions. “The Puppy Bowl is more than entertainment,” said Megan Rees, public re-
lations manager for the Dumb Friends League. “It encourages adoption, a message that is ingrained in every aspect of the event. We are proud to partner with Animal Planet to help drive that message into millions of homes across the country that will be watching.” Meet the players Moose Weighing in at 2.54 pounds, Moose, a 3-month-old poodle mix, will be representing Team Fluff. He first entered the Dumb Friends League as part of a large neglect case from southeastern Colorado. The day that he returned from taping the bowl in New York, Moose’s adoption contract was permanently signed with a loving new family in Parker. “He’s been wonderful,” said Jenny Kuist, who adopted Moose, now renamed Rico. “He’s really rambunctious but also a cuddler.” Puppy continues on Page 23
Parker is partnering with the state to add 4,000 feet of sidewalk to the east side of South Parker Road. The project — scheduled for the latter half of 2017 — would cost approximately $600,000 to construct, with 80 percent of the costs covered by federal transportation funds. The 10-foot-wide pathway will lead from the Sulphur Gulch Trail, near the Goodwill store, to Plaza Drive. Town council will decide Feb. 16 whether to approve an ordinance that allows the town to use its power of eminent domain to acquire six separate rights of way along South Parker Road. The easements — ranging in size from 67 square feet to 9,550 Path continues on Page 4
FAMILY RIVALRY Members of the John family, of Parker, have their game faces on. PAGE 26