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Local News

Parker Police respond to a possible child abduction attempt

October 17, 2012 By Chrissy

Parker Police Respond to a Suspicious Occurrence

Parker Police Department Eagle Sculpture dedication parker coloradoOn October 14, 2012 at approximately 3:30 pm, Parker Police Officers responded to the Clarke Farms Subdivision located in Parker, Colorado on a report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, the officers spoke to a mother of three who reported she was placing two of her children in her vehicle.  While she was loading her children into the vehicle, she heard a vehicle pull up in front of her house and a male voice call out.  As she stepped around the corner of her vehicle to determine who was there, she saw what she described as a teal colored Chevy Astro van parked in front of her residence on the roadway.  There was a male in the front passenger seat of the van who was “signaling” with his hands for her four-year-old child to come over to the van.

Once the male passenger observed the mother, he ducked out of sight in what the mother described as an attempt to not be seen.  The vehicle left the area.  All the witnesses described the van as teal in color, clean with a high gloss paint job. It is unknown at this time if other occupants were in the vehicle other than the driver and front seat passenger.

If you believe you have any information concerning this incident, please call Detective Michael Buoniconti with the Parker Police Department at 303.805.6524.

The Parker Police Department would like to remind parents to speak to their children about safety and what to do if they encounter similar situations and to immediately report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

Please visit the Parker Police Department website at www.parkerpolice.org for information and brochures on child safety and other crime prevention programs.

Filed Under: Local News, News Chrissy

Parker Welcomes New Cultural and Arts Director

October 6, 2012 By Chrissy

Elaine Mariner new Cultural and Arts Director in the Town Of Parker

elaine mariner new parker cultural arts directorThe Town of Parker is pleased to announce that Elaine Mariner has accepted the position of Cultural and Arts Director for the Town. Mariner, who will start on Nov. 5, 2012, has worked in the arts industry for more than 20 years and has a wide variety of experience. For the past eight years, Mariner served as the Director of the Colorado Creative Industries Division of State Office of Economic Development. Some of her many accomplishments in that position include re-branding the Creative Industries Division to represent the full breadth of Colorado’s creative industries; increasing State appropriation to the Division by more than 200 percent; and helping to launch the new Creative Districts program.

“We are pleased to have a candidate of Elaine’s caliber join our team,” said Town Administrator Randy Young. “She is a well-known member of the arts community, as well as an active arts advocate, and we look forward to the excitement she will bring to arts and culture in Parker.”

As the Town’s Cultural and Arts Director, Mariner will oversee the Town’s cultural facilities including the Parker Arts, Cultural and Events (PACE) Center, the Mainstreet Center, Ruth Memorial Chapel and the Town’s the historic structures. In addition, this position handles the Town’s public art program and collection, as well as the development and implementation of Parker’s new Creative District.

“I am eager to work with the Town to put into actual practice the arts-based economic development strategies that I have so strongly promoted,” said Mariner. “I look forward to a focus on growing creative sector jobs and enhancing the quality of life in the Parker area.”

Mariner holds a BS in Computer Information Systems from George Mason University and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

In addition to the Colorado Creative Industries Division, Mariner has also held positions with the Massachusetts Cultural Council; Arts Communications, Inc. in Denver; and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Beginning Nov. 5, Mariner can be reached at 303.805.6800 or emariner@parkeronline.org.

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Local News Tagged With: PACE Center, Town of ParkerChrissy

Pacu Piranha fished out of Bingham Lake in Parker

September 2, 2012 By Chrissy

pacu found in parkers bingham lakeLocal resident Garry Norman got a big surprise Saturday when fishing in the catch and release Bingham Lake in Parker.

Normally this lake has a few tadpoles, some small bass or trout but certainly not a flesh-eating South American species of Piranha.

It’s likely that someone bought the Pacu from a pet store and when it started outgrowing their fish tank and eating the other fish they decided to let it go in the pond.

“It was going to eat too much vegetation and kill everything else in the lake,” said Norman when Fox 31’s Mark Meredith interviewed him.

This is certainly true. Wikipedia says this species of Piranha grows much larger as big as 3 feet long and weighing 55 pounds. That would have been a big surprise for the happy labs that jump in to fetch a stick or two.

Garry Norman has him in isolation from the rest of the tropical fish he keeps at his home.

Source: Fox31 Denver

Filed Under: Animals, Local News Chrissy

Firefighters Fundraiser today a true best of Parker story

June 29, 2012 By Chrissy

firefighter fundraiser colorado springs wild fire

Several firefighters that are working on the front lines of the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs this week call Parker home. Cory Piper is just one of those brave firefighters who is serving our community faithfully. His wife, kids, and their friends knew that everyone wanted to help so she asked her husband what we (the community in Parker) could do.

Feed a Colorado Fire Fighter

firefighter fundraiser colorado springs wild fire

He and his crew have been fighting continually. They are exhausted both physically and emotionally. Corey’s wife Gretchen and several friends coordinated a cash/gift card drive to buy food and supplies that the men and women need. If you were not able to make it to the fundraiser  Grocery store gift cards, restaurant gift cards or cash would be greatly appreciated as the firefighters are able to buy exactly what they need often at a reduced cost.

“The outpouring was amazing! The stories… everything!”

firefighter fundraiser colorado springs wild fire

The Piper family was just blown away by the generosity of the community and the stories, hugs, and tears everyone shared in front of the King Soopers at Lincoln and Jordan Road. In just 3 hours $941 in cash and $615 in gift cards was donated. One kid donated from his own allowance. Near the end of the fundraiser, a young man came up and told them that his house was untouched by the fire although everything around it was gone.

“He hugged me and my kids, couldn’t stop crying and saying Thank YOU and how greatful he was to my hubby and the firefighters.. we were both crying.”

If you weren’t able to make it to the fundraiser this afternoon the best way to help is to donate cash to the Colorado Red Cross. They can make your dollars stretch the farthest to help everyone involved including the evacuees and the now homeless residents of Colorado Springs.

thank you poster for fire fighters in Colorado Springs

The thank you card was signed by hundreds and stretched out over 10 feet by the end of the event. A new Facebook page has been added to let these brave men and women know how much we love and support them. http://www.facebook.com/ColoradoThanksFireFighters

If you haven’t yet done so, please sign up for Douglas Counties’ reverse 911 emergency service.

Additional information on the Colorado Wildfires in 2012

  • Colorado Springs fire threatens the Air Force Academy
  • Colorado community comes together to help homeless pets due to fires
  • Colorado Springs fire doubled in size overnight Monument on pre-evacuation alert
  • Colorado fire in Waldo Canyon claims one life 10 more missing in the Springs
  • Colorado fire statistics for Waldo Canyon, High Park, Pine Ridge, Flagstaff

Dear Chrissy and Readers;
First, thank you for caring so much about a group of men and women you may not know personally. They are true heroes in every sense of the word for the reason we all imagine.
Second, Gretchen was not the organizer of this event. A family friend who loves them so very much took it upon herself to organize this event as her way to thank Corey and his fellow firefighters. It wouldn’t have been appropriate for Gretchen to do something like this, but she felt compelled to show up because her friend was doing something so beyond anything imaginable. In the end, beyond the money and gift cards collected, Gretchen felt overwhelmed by the love, support and sharing but the stories shared by the family displaced, the evacuated family not knowing the fate of their home, the son of a man whose house still stands all drove home for her just what her husband does each time he is on duty. Through her tears, the release of the stress she has been under not knowing where her husband was, is and what was happening was diminished as she was hugged and thanked.
Third, as Gretchen was given the money and gift cards to take to the firefighters, her husband expressed his sincere appreciation as he too is overwhelmed by the love of these strangers and friends, but he said that the collections need to be taken down to the Springs and given to those families who have lost everything. He refused to take the money and cards and Gretchen will indeed take these to the Springs to be given to families who need an extra bit of help in honor of the firefighters for which it was intended given in support of their efforts by family and friends.
Thank you for caring enough to cover this wonderful and spontaneous event and please know that these gifts will indeed be shared, as the firefighters wish, with those who need it so very much!

Filed Under: Local News, News Chrissy

Parker Colorado Restaurant Reviews for 2012

February 28, 2012 By Chrissy

Have you discovered a restaurant in the area that deserves a visit? 

parker buzz parker co restaurant reviews 2012

Feel free to talk about spots close to Parker as well…. after all, we have to leave the 80134 – 80138 zip code every once in a while.

Have you had a horrible experience with a local restaurant?

Feel free to share your discoveries good and bad with your Douglas County neighbors.

Please remember to be civil and use PG-rated language in your review.
If it’s too inflammatory in nature I reserve the right to not publish your review.

Let’s hear it, neighbors?

  • What’s your favorite coffee shop?
  • Mexican restaurant?
  • Italian restaurant?
  • Best Happy Hour?
  • Favorite Bakery?

Share your thoughts and discoveries.

2011 Parker CO Restaurant Reviews

2009 Restaurant Reviews

Review your favorite or warn us about your least favorite in the comments below.

Filed Under: Business, Douglas County, Highlands Ranch, Local News, Lone Tree, Restaurants, Reviews Chrissy

Memorial fund and service for Donna Royer’s kids in Parker Colorado

December 31, 2011 By Chrissy

Donna Royer victim of violent shooting domestic violence parker colorado
This photo was taken by Donna’s niece and is on Facebook.

Immediately after the tragic shooting in Parker, not one but several funds were set up for Donna Marie’s two daughters. Anyone wishing to donate to the fund for the Royer kids can go into any Wells Fargo branch and donate by cash or check in any amount. The manager of the Parker and Mainstreet branch assured us that the tellers can pull up all of the accounts for you to choose from to donate.

Steve Alter the previous owner of Tailgate Tavern kicked off one of the funds with a $300 donation yesterday when he opened the bar and has donation buckets available for anyone who wants to stop by or who can’t get to the bank during their regular hour.

If there are other individuals or businesses who are going above and beyond the call please feel free to leave that information in the comment section below this article.

Last night at the PACE Center, a memorial service was held for Donna Marie. It was SRO. Why is Parker a great place to live? What is a home-town feel? Wells Fargo, Warhorse, Parker Task Force, Target, and great citizens just to name a few of the many who have come together and came together last evening to give to Donna Marie’s girls. We laughed, cried, shared stories, hugged, supported each other and, especially, the girls. What tremendous young ladies they are. What great people we have in Parker. I, for one, am lucky to be here. May God bless Donna Marie and her children.

Wells Fargo Bank Parker Branch 
10900 South Parker Road
Parker, CO 80134

(303) 840-6014

To get instant email updates about the latest news and happenings in Douglas County be sure to subscribe below.

Filed Under: Douglas County, Fundraiser, Local News Chrissy

Murder last night mom of 3 at Parker McDonalds ends in suicide

December 28, 2011 By Chrissy

Last night we were shocked to receive a message via Twitter that there had been a shooting in the McDonalds parking lot on Parker and Mainstreet. As more information came in from various news and community sources it was learned that the mother of three girls (Donna Marie Royer) was in the parking lot of the McDonalds when her ex-husband (Mark Steven Royer)  shot her three times in the chest from his red Ford F-150 truck and drove off.

Donna Royer victim of violent shooting domestic violence parker colorado
This photo was taken by Donna’s niece and is on Facebook.

Witnesses say they heard the gun shots and saw her slump into a snow bank. She died soon after. Police were careful to say that the shooter was known to the woman and was Mark Royer whom she divorced last year. Donna Royer was granted a permanent restraining order against him in April due to domestic violence.

Fiveteen year old Christine Castello held Donna Royers head until the ambulance arrived to performed CPR and took her to the hospital.  This young woman was interviewed and shown on all the networks last night. She was of course quite distraught and did her best to comfort Royer and tell her that her children were alright.

The Denver Post reports that one of her children saw the shooting but an eye witness we spoke with said they did not and were inside the restaurant and didn’t know or see what had happened.

Read more:Woman fatally shot in McDonald’s parking lot; exhusband suspected, found dead – The Denver Post

Royer’s truck was spotted South of Parker near Bayou Gulch a few hours later. Police searched the area and found the shooter Mark Royer dead – shot by his own gun.

The family moved to Parker from Hobbs, N.M where Donna’s Facebook page shows she’s from originally. It is also being reported that Donna was pregnant with a fourth child.

Lesley Martin Channel 7 producer passed along via Twitter that the  Sec. of State page showed that the “church” that Mark Royer was show and president of ” The Renewed Hope Ministries”  incorporation was revoked in December 2001. Channel 7 was first on the scene last night.

As of 10:30 p.m. last night the children were at the Parker police department and we don’t know if there are family members close nor if they have a church community yet.

The outpouring via Facebook and Twitter from the Parker community, public officials and business owners wanting to do something for the three children left behind is typical of our small close knit community and there will certainly be a memorial fund set up as soon as the banks open. We’ll be sure to pass on all of the information as soon as we know something.

Please pray for the children.

Local resources for domestic violence include: Women’s Crisis Center is in Douglas County (303-688-8484) and Gateway in Arapahoe County (303-343-1851)

Filed Under: Local News Chrissy

Parker Chorale weathers a rough year gives back to the arts in Parker

October 24, 2011 By Chrissy

After a year fraught with struggles, Parker Colorado’s community choir still gives back.

Parker Chorale, Parker CO’s community choir started their Spring 2011 season with high hopes and terrific plans. They had been chosen by Parker’s new P.A.C.E. Center as one of their Artistic Partners for the facility’s Inaugural Season. They had an exciting, diverse program of Broadway music planned for their Spring Concert.

Though the group was still new, having formed in April of 2010, they had a membership of 70 full-time members and were running in the black. Then, one week prior to their first rehearsal, tragedy struck the tightly knit, small town group. Their Artistic Director/Senior Conductor and heart and soul of the group, John J. Polinski suffered a stroke that resulted in limited mobility of the left side of his body. With no associate conductor on staff, new accompanist Jane MacQueen took over rehearsals and the group started working on music for the season. As Polinski worked through months of recovery and therapy, the group struggled on, not sure of it’s future.

After a long postponement, the hiring of an Associate Conductor, Dr. Farland Bottoms, and a tremendous amount of work by it’s members and MacQueen, the revitalized group is proud to present “Broadway! Seven Spectacular Decades” on Staurday, Nov. 5th at 7pm. The concert will be at Parker United Methodist Church and tickets are available online for $10 at www.ParkerChorale.org. The show features Boradway favorites from the past 7 decades, from “Oklahoma!” to “Wicked” and will herald Polinski’s return as he conducts 2 of the evening’s choral selections.

Even with the financial difficulties that came as the result of running a 2 performance budget on a 1 performance year, the group will be presenting a cash donation to Parker’s Ponderosa High School’s Vocal Music Program during this concert. The donation is part of the Parker Chorale Grant Program, established as part of the groups commitment to the support of music education in Douglas County.

“We are so happy to be able to do our part in the support of the arts in our schools. We know that in our troubled financial times, the arts are usually the hardest hit when it comes to budget cuts in our schools.” says Chorale Chairman and Founder, Alicia Pope.

Ponderosa’s new vocal music teacher, Bill Phalen will be accepting the donation on behalf of the school.

If you haven’t had a chance to attend one of the chorale’s past concert, do yourself a favor and purchase tickets now for the Broadway concert for only $10.

The Parker Chorale will also be part of the Grand Opening VIP Only Celebration on Friday at the PACE Center October 28, 2011 and Saturday afternoon with a teaser peek at their Broadway selections.

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: PACE CenterChrissy

Murdoch’s in Parker is now open to the public

October 12, 2011 By Chrissy

You may have missed the soft opening yesterday but never fear, Murdoch’s first full day in Parker is Thursday, October 13, 2011.

murdochs store sign going up in parker co
Sign going up at Murdochs Photo Credit: Murdochs Facebook Page

It’s been a long time since we’ve had a store on the empty corner at Parker Road and Lincoln to keep the Sprouts and Starbucks company so having Murdoch’s open for business is cause to celebrate.

Grand Opening at Murdoch’s in Parker

Wednesday, October 12 thru Sunday, October 16 to get the Parker shoppers in the door Murdoch’s is kicking off with a sale on tools a Dead or Alive tool trade in event and a 25¢ BBQ on Saturday, October 15 from 11 AM – 1 PM.
WIN JASON ALDEAN TICKETS AND GET A FREE POSTER
Now thru October 16, 2011

Spend $30 on any Wrangler or Justin products and receive a FREE Jason Aldean Poster and register for your chance to win tickets!

Wondering what they sell at Murdoch’s? We did too, here’s the list:

Ag supplies | Animal Health | Automotive | Boots & Shoes | Clothing | Feed | Fencing
Gifts | Hardware | Heat | Lawn & Garden | Pet Supplies | Tack | Tools & Shop | Toys
They certainly have their social media and website in order.You can subscribe for specials find their facebook page and see the store hours all on the Parker page here.  There’s lots of action happening on their Facebook page too. That’s where I found the photo up above.

Filed Under: Animals, Business, Local News Chrissy

How to handle Coyote encounters in Parker Douglas County CO

October 1, 2011 By Chrissy

Coyote sightings occur on a frequent basis in Parker, as well as in our surrounding communities. Residents should expect to see coyotes in this area, but are encouraged to employ hazing tactics to deter them from becoming too comfortable around people. The goal of hazing is NOT to hurt or endanger animals, rather to help change behaviors and establish and maintain a healthy wariness of humans in local coyote populations.

The Colorado Department of Wildlife recommends the following hazing techniques: 

  • Yell and clap
  • Bang pots and pans together
  • Throw rocks and sticks
  • Spray with garden hoses, water guns or sprinklers
  • Use noise-making devises such as air horns, whistles, cans filled with pennies, etc.
  • Install motion sensor lights and sprinkler systems at your home
  • Use deterrent sprays

Residents should not seek them out, but are encouraged to use these methods if they are approached by or come in close proximity to coyotes.

Residents are also encouraged to avoid walking between dusk and dawn – hours when coyotes are most active. Keep all pets on a leash when walking and avoid areas with a lot of vegetative cover for coyotes. Walk with a friend and/or carry a noisemaker, walking stick or similar deterrent with you. Also be vigilant about supervising your pet when they are outside, especially if your home backs to a trail or open space.

If a coyote approaches too closely or engages in aggressive behavior towards you or your pet, please contact Animal Services at 303.841.9800.

Filed Under: Animals, Douglas County, Local News Chrissy

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