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July 10, 2014 VOLU M E 27 | I S S UE 34
HighlandsRanchHerald.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
Rabid raccoon a rarity in Ranch Case is first in county in 10 years, state health officials say By Jane Reuter
jreuter @coloradocommunitymedia.com
People lined the streets along Highlands Ranch Parkway for the Highlands Ranch Community Association’s annual Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Mike DiFerdinando
An All-American celebration People lined the streets along Highlands Ranch Parkway for the Highlands Ranch Community Association’s annual Fourth of July Parade. The Town Center area hosted festivities all day long, beginning with a 5K run that started at Town Center South and the family pet parade. The main parade made its way down Highlands Ranch Parkway around 9:15 a.m. and included appearances from local Boy and Girl Scout troops, area politicians, the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo Court and organizations and causes from across Douglas County and Highlands Ranch. Family activities, live music, and a hot dog eating contest entertained the crowed in the afternoon following the parade — and the evening was capped off with fireworks.
A young raccoon found in Highlands Ranch July 3 is Douglas County’s first confirmed case of rabies in a land animal in at least 10 years, state health officials said. “We have seen positive (results) in bats in that area of Douglas County before, but we have not seen a land-based animal,” said Dr. Jennifer House, a veterinarian with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “And this is concerning for us. They have a higher possibility of infecting domestic pets.” Two dogs encountered the raccoon during the day on a neighborhood street west of University Boulevard and Highlands Ranch Parkway, according to TriCounty Health Department officials. “One of the challenges we see with rabid animals is they do stuff they don’t normally do,” said Tom Butts, Tri-County’s deputy director. “Skunks and raccoons are out in the middle of the day instead of being in hiding. So a critter that normally would have run away, hidden and avoided contact with people and animals loses
Raccoon continues on Page 11
Deputy GM steps down from HRCA
HRCA Backcountry Wilderness Area ambassadors Bella and Buster lead the community association’s board of directors and CEO, along with their families, through the Starbucks Town Center drive-thru for some morning coffee before the July 4 parade. Courtesy photo
Peggy Zack retires after 21 years of service A man rides a unicycle down Highlands Ranch Parkway during the HRCA’s annual Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Mike DiFerdinando
A bull rider trots down Highlands Ranch Parkway during the parade. Photo by Mike DiFerdinando
Members of the Mrs. Senior America Cameo Club march in the Highlands Ranch Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Mike DiFerdinando
By Jane Reuter
jreuter @coloradocommunitymedia.com After 21 years of watching Highlands Ranch grow, Peggy Zack now plans to instead watch her garden do the same. Zack, deputy general manager of the Highlands Ranch Community Association, is retiring. Her last day is July 11. “I have torn feelings about it,” she said. “It’s a good thing, but it’s just different. Zack “I’m going to take the summer off and think through what I’ll do next. I have a huge yard with a garden, and I hardly ever get to enjoy it anymore. This’ll be fun.” Zack joined the HRCA in 1993 when it had just four employees, one recreation center and offices in a shopping center at Zack continues on Page 11