Author: KRDO

Rob Namnoum

The Coronado boys basketball team defeated Palmer on Tuesday night 59-57.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A street improvement project that was supposed to end this summer has started back up this week after a year-long break.

We’re referring to the second and final phase of work along two miles of South Academy Boulevard, between Fountain Boulevard and Jet Wing Drive.

Crews are making major drainage improvements, utility upgrades, and replacing old asphalt and concrete.

Work resumed overnight Sunday, as crews removed old lane markers, added temporary markings, and set up concrete barriers.

This phase of the project will proceed in four segments, with the first being between Astrozon Boulevard and Drennan Road.

Preliminary work on the second phase began in 2023, while crews started working on the first phase, which covers three-quarters of a mile between Bijou Street and Airport Road.

That first phase ended in late 2024.

The city initially planned to resume construction last fall, but delayed resumption to devote more time to talking with adjacent neighbors and business owners about efforts to avoid project impacts that negatively affected them.

Ryan Phipps, the city’s capital improvements manager, said that officials learned three important lessons: Perform work in smaller segments, do a better job of maintaining easy access to adjacent businesses, and do nighttime work when possible.

However, although construction preparations will happen overnight when there is less traffic, most of the work will occur during conventional daytime hours.

“South Academy is a road that’s over 50 years old,” he explained. “It actually was constructed to connect the Academy — Air Force Academy — on the north, down to Fort Carson on the south. So, that was its original purpose. Since that time, obviously, we’ve had a bunch of people living along the corridor. There’s a ton of business on the corridor. So, the use of that has changed over the course of time.”

Crews are hoping to avoid issues with groundwater that slowed progress at the start of the project.

The overall cost is $100 million, mostly financed by the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority and with some federal funding included.

Meanwhile, just south of the city’s South Academy project, El Paso County is finishing its $70 million in improvements on the boulevard between Milton E. Proby Parkway and Interstate 25.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Since October, a new type of miniature “library” has started popping up around Colorado Springs. Instead of books, the cabinets are filled with both new and vintage Hot Wheels. Take a car, leave a car!

It’s a relatively new initiative by Jason Franklin and Caleb Chambley, called “Cars for Everyone.” With the help of local business sponsors, the duo has set up seven “Mini Car Neighborhood Libraries.” They said they have no intentions of slowing down.

Franklin and Chambley said it’s a community initiative to raise awareness for the different events and services they provide. In the three or so months since its launch, they said people from six other states have reached out and set up other mini car libraries in their neighborhoods.

Among other programs, Cars for Everyone hosts free car events, hosts work mentorship programs for people with disabilities, does youth outreach and provides auto services at reduced costs to people struggling with finances.

You can find each mini car library location here. If you are a homeowner or business interested in sponsoring a new library location, you can find more information here.

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Boeing has sent $50,000 in grant money to Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center to support a military spouse career program, according to a spokesperson with Mt. Carmel.

According to the organization’s website, the MilSpouse Program provides direct support to spouses, including career readiness workshops, networking opportunities, resource referrals, and volunteer positions.

“Often times, the sacrifices of spouses supporting service members go unrecognized,” said COL. (Ret) Bob McLaughlin, executive director of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, in a press release. “From moving city to city and putting their careers on the back burner to gaps in their resumes as they hold down the homefront — anything we can do to support our military spouses is an absolute honor.”

Mt. Carmel says Boeing has supported skills development and rehabilitation for veterans and their spouses through about $15.6 million in funding.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Colder temperatures and the federal Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday aren’t keeping crews from making progress in the ongoing improvement project on 8th Street.

Until now, it has generally affected northbound 8th Street, on the bridge over Fountain Creek, and the eastbound US 24 Frontage Road to Cimarron Street.

But drivers are about to see impacts on southbound 8th Street.

There have been recent traffic backups on northbound 8th Street across the Fountain Creek bridge due to an occasional right lane closure.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, and lasting four weeks, that lane will remain closed.

The closure enables crews to rebuild sidewalks, driveways, and other street features.

Here’s some good news, though.

After that work is completed, we’ll finally see the new dedicated right turn lane open, from the bridge to the US 24 Frontage Road.

Both lanes of that road have been closed since just before Christmas, with one lane briefly reopening for the holidays.

As for the street impacts hinted at, south of the bridge, expect to see brief lane closures all the way to Motor City Drive. 

That will allow workers to find utility lines under 8th Street.

Then, that work will switch to the northbound side.

We’re told it’ll take a few days to finish all of it.

Similar work will occur north of the bulk of the project, as crews locate utility lines at the intersection of 8th & Cucharras streets.

All of the coming changes are to prepare for the next major phase of this project — replacing a water main under the affected stretch of 8th Street.

Officials emphasize that access to adjacent businesses will remain open, and drivers are asked to avoid blocking driveways to businesses.

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Sara McCoy

TODAY/MLK DAY: Snow showers began just before 4 a.m. across El Paso County and surrounding areas. Outside of Denver, the most impacted locations include Douglas, Elbert, Lincoln, and Kiowa Counties. Winds will be gusty at times, peaking between 20 and 25 mph. Morning temperatures are chilly, starting out in the 20s area-wide, then warming into the upper 30s for El Paso County and near 40 degrees for Pueblo County and much of the eastern plains. Lingering snow flurries will taper off by around 7 a.m.

THIS AFTERNOON: Cloud cover gradually clears late this morning, wrapping up by about 11 a.m., but temperatures remain on the cold side for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. El Paso and Teller Counties may see a brief window between 2 and 3 p.m. where temperatures rise just above freezing.

TONIGHT: Skies turn mostly clear with cold conditions continuing overnight.

TOMORROW: A warm-up arrives as temperatures climb back to above-average levels, with highs reaching the 50s across all regions. Overnight lows remain cold. Dry conditions develop early Tuesday morning, especially along and east of the I-25 corridor. Relative humidity will drop below 10 percent, and winds may gust up to 30 mph, creating elevated fire danger despite the cooler temperatures.

WEDNESDAY: Mild conditions continue with highs once again in the 50s.

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Marina Garcia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Tomorrow might be Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but honoring Dr. King started on Sunday with a gathering at Colorado College for an educational panel, earlier this evening with a special guest, his only granddaughter.

And who better to learn from than a descendant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. himself?

Panelists of all ages had the opportunity to engage in conversation with the young activist, 17-year-old Yolanda King, and ask her questions.

“I don’t think any of us expected that we would be able to discuss and have conversations like this with someone whose legacy has stretched so far,” says Teiona Dantzler, a panelist.

“I am elated to be able to have this opportunity and now take what I am going to learn and pick up from this experience and carry it on within the Colorado Springs community, within the Pueblo community, and also in Denver as well,” says Nicole Simmons-Rochon, an event mediator.

The choir sang gospel music to commemorate Dr. King’s pastor days, and his granddaughter spoke on what it means to carry on the legacy of non-violence, while also reminding young kids that age is just a number.

“Activism is about using your platform for good. It’s not a oh, let the adults handle this. Even if you’ve been told that. I’ve been told that a bunch of times. And that hasn’t stopped me,” says Yolanda King.

However, the celebration is not over just yet.

Tomorrow, the Martin Luther King Legacy Preservation Society will be participating in a unity march starting at 7 A.M. from the Antlers Hotel on 4 S. Cascade Ave to Acacia Park.

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Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – It was more than a broken window, but that’s what first drew Pueblo County Sheriff’s Deputies to the Pueblo West Library Sunday morning.

At 8:15 in the morning, sheriff’s deputies arrived at the library to find the front window smashed in by several rocks. After retrieving a key to the building, the deputies went further inside.

Inside the library, the sheriff’s office reports that deputies discovered significant damage to several computers, office equipment, machines, and the person claiming responsibility, 21-year-old Boden White.

According to the sheriff’s office, after being detained, White admitted to breaking in and causing the damage, which is estimated at $10,000.

White is now facing charges of second-degree burglary, criminal mischief, and second-degree trespassing.

Previously, White made headlines as a standout wrestler for Pueblo County High School.

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Bradley Davis

Mesa Ridge Senior Hailey Lewis finds her peace in the fractions of seconds between leaving the diving board and hitting the water.

“It gives me something to focus on, and it’s mind-clearing,” Hailey said.

“She just goes for it. She’s always been that way,” said Hailey’s mother, Danielle.

Hailey only started diving competitively three years ago. Unlike most successful divers who don’t start until high school, she entered the sport with no gymnastics background.

“I don’t even know how to explain how she got into it,” Danielle said.

“It’s really hard to find young athletes who are as dedicated to Hailey,” said Widefield Grizzliators dive coach Tristan Riffe, the consolidated dive team between Mesa Ridge and Widefield District 3.

For Hailey, seconds… turned to hours… turned to years. In the end, it only took her three to take down the Grizzliators pool record that had stood for over three decades.

“I was shocked because [coach Riffe] didn’t tell me right away,” Hailey said. “But I had my suspicions because he was running away all crazy.”

“Ah, yes. That would be myself… Haha,” Riffe said.

“I tried to keep my cool,” Riffe said. “But for her six-dive record, it was on senior night, and that kind of elevated everything.”

Riffe was in good company.

“I’m a mom. I screamed. I probably hurt some eardrums,” Danielle said.

Danielle made sure to write Hailey’s record down. She brought it on a laminated card to the interview with KRDO13.

“This is absolutely going to go up there for her,” Danielle said while standing underneath the Widefield Community Center pool record wall.

The girls’ diving record cards have collected dust for 31 years. In just five days, Hailey reset the clock twice.

“Finding out she broke the 11-dive record by 28 points was absolutely astonishing,” Riffe said.

After breaking the six-dive record Tuesday on Senior Night, Hailey smashed the 11-dive record on Saturday.

“So many hugs, and it was so much. It was incredible,” Hailey said.

“She had it. She has her moment, and it’s the greatest joy a parent could ever ask for,” Danielle said.

After Mesa Ridge, Danielle and Riffe said Hailey will leave behind much more than just her records.

“She’s the type of person that you will always hear her voice before she leaves the board, knowing that she’s supporting you,” Riffe said.

“I know she’s leaving a legacy of motivation and encouragement for the future generation that she will leave behind her,” Danielle said.

It’s been a wild few days for Hailey.

“Best week ever?” I asked.

“Probably,” Hailey said.

Her legacy could be another 30-year record, or it could be the next record, captured by one of Hailey’s peers, after being inspired by Hailey to aim higher… and dive deeper.

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Michael Logerwell

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – The Pueblo County Coroner has identified the second victim of the rural home explosion earlier this month.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘It was just debris, just chaos.’ Two killed in rural Pueblo County explosion, fire

A week ago, the Pueblo County Coroner identified 79-year-old Daniel Dale Conner as one of the fatalities. On Sunday, Tammy Lee Brown, a 66-year-old woman, was identified as the second victim. The time of death for both is 2:40 p.m on January 8, 2026.

The first report of deaths in the explosion came from the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office who said an adult man and woman perished in the explosion. Based on information at the time, the sheriff’s office said they believed the explosion was accidental in nature.

A cause of death for either, or a cause of the explosion, has not been made public.

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