Discovery Canyon holds off Pueblo East
Rob Namnoum
The Discovery Canyon football team held off Pueblo East on Thursday night 22-20.
Colorado Senator grills HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., sparking vaccine debate
Mackenzie Stafford
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – In a heated Senate hearing over CDC turmoil and vaccines, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet (D) questioned Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
You can find more on Thursday’s hearing here.
This week alone, Colorado has gone up against federal recommendations when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine and needing a prescription. Colorado Senator Bennet voiced his concerns Thursday morning.
It’s a polarizing issue, but KRDO13 spoke with some local pediatricians who support Colorado’s plan.
Dr. Simony at Steel City Pediatrics in Pueblo said it’s your choice whether to vaccinate your kids. He says we cannot force vaccine mandates and that will only push people away.
But he also said, “Go to the historic cemetery and see how many kids’ and young people’s grave stones are there. There was a time before vaccines when people would die from these diseases so quickly.”
Experts with the state health department say that, regardless of what’s done on Capitol Hill, they’ll stick to the science.
“I think these are challenging times. And what we’re trying to do is stick with the science, try to stay out of the politics, and do what we can do to make safe and effective therapies available to keep our residents safe,” shared Dr. Ned Calonge, with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, “We are committed to continuing to let the evidence guide our recommendations around all vaccines.”
Some raise concerns over not being able to receive vaccines due to allergies or other contraindications. It’s part of why Dr. Calonge said it’s so important to check in with your primary care provider to see what’s best for you.
“I always would recommend that parents, and in fact adults as well, check with your usual source of care. One of the reasons you establish a relationship with the usual source of care… is because you trust them, and you trust them to provide you with the information that’s in your best interest in making decisions. So I would really ask people to start there. And then I will say… the measles vaccine is the best way to not get measles, to not get sick, not have that disease that can cause so many problems, and not pass it on to others who might do even worse. The COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to not get COVID-19. It’s a safe and effective vaccine,” explained Dr. Ned Calonge.
Doctor Valerie Beck with Sunrise Pediatrics says she’s dismayed by the news coming out of Washington, D.C. She says it’s important to follow the science and research-backed solutions when treating kids. She points to the American Academy of Pediatrics and its Red Book for trustworthy guidance on pediatric infectious disease prevention.
“So there is the American Academy of Pediatricians, and they’ve released their recommendations…They looked at the last set of recommendations, and they said, ‘Is there any new evidence that these don’t work or that they’re harmful?’ They found not…The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists did the same thing because one of the problems with the latest set of recommendations was that it left out pregnant women for COVID-19. And yet there’s no evidence other than it helps prevent Covid for pregnant women, and they’re at a high risk for having more severe illness because you’re talking about two individuals instead of one…the obstetricians and gynecologists came out with their own recommendations to make sure that we offer and provide the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant persons,” stated Dr. Calonge.
We also asked Calonge about some of the specific concerns Sen. Bennet raised regarding schools and students amid vaccine uncertainty.
One school district in Colorado Springs that’s seen a drop in MMR vaccinations in recent years is Colorado Springs School District 11. State data show that the district’s MMR vaccine rate fell from 93% to 84% over the past five years. KRDO13 asked D11 for comment and has not received a response as of Thursday night.
“This is a great concern to us. In fact, we have a goal to try to get our immunization rates specifically for measles, mumps and rubella up above that 90, even up to that 94% area. And so we’re undertaking a lot of activities in terms of making the vaccine available, sending reminders to parents. You know, we have a vaccine registry that allows us to track vaccine rate and reminders, postcards and encourage parents to get vaccinated. I think the measles is of particular importance now, because we’re seeing a resurgence of measles in Colorado, and the best way to protect our kids against what can be a very serious illness is [a] safe and effective vaccine that’s easy to get… We have a mobile van that we can use to vaccinate kids. We’re doing surveillance to be careful to see where measles might be coming back. And then we’re using a lot of effort of our staff and, in partnership with local public health departments, to try to get kids immunized and protect us from what could be a new epidemic,” shared Dr. Calonge.
Here’s where the state reports the data per school district.
You can also find the recommendations from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on Measles guidance here.
19 violations lead to failed health inspection at Biaggi’s
Bart Bedsole
When an entree costs anywhere from $17 to $51 per plate and is served on a white tablecloth, one might expect the restaurant to have no problem passing its health inspection.
That was not the case, however, for an upscale Briargate restaurant last week.
With a total of 19 violations found on August 25, Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano at the Promenade Shops on Briargate Parkway not only failed its inspection, but was shut down due to the total number of points it lost.
Here are a handful of the violations:
There was no Certified Food Protection Manager on duty as required
”Multiple employees” were actively eating and drinking in the kitchen
”Multiple staff in the kitchen” were not washing hands prior to putting on gloves
Servers were observed touching bread with their bare hands
There were no dates marked on containers to show when chicken, pasta, and vegetables were prepared
Not only was there no soap in any of the dispensers, but there was no soap in the entire building to refill them
The report also noted that not all kitchen workers had obtained a Food Handler Certificate (different from a CFPM), although a health department spokesperson later clarified that workers aren’t required to have a certificate to be employed.
Regarding the lack of soap, the person in charge told the inspector that they ran out of soap the night before and were still waiting for an order that was placed.
When KRDO13 stopped by the restaurant on Tuesday to ask about the violations, the manager was unavailable.
A spokesperson with the corporate office released the following statement a day later:
“We take our responsibility for food safety very seriously at Biaggi’s. Our highest priorities are the safety and trust of our guests. We work very closely with the health department, and we are fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and quality.”
KRDO13 replied and asked if the company had any response to the specific violations at the local restaurant, and the spokesperson said they did not.
Biaggi’s was allowed to reopen two days after its closure, but it is still awaiting its full re-inspection.
OTHER FAILING SCORES
Mimi’s Cafe 55 – 7133 N Academy Blvd
Egglush – 1025 S Sierra Madre St
The Point Bar & Grill – 1545 S 8th St
Trivelli’s Hoagies – 4547 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
Awi Sushi – 1286 Interquest Pkwy
Milano Pizza and Italian Kitchen – 750 Citadel Dr
Fountain Creek Winery – 606 S Santa Fe Ave
HIGH SCORES
Schlotzsky’s – 2381 N Academy Blvd
Lolley’s Ice Cream – 174 Washington St
In N Out Burger – 495 Garden of the Gods
Pizza Hut – 3345 N Academy Blvd
Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen – 2839 E Fountain Blvd
Sourdough & Co. – 3264 Centennial Blvd
Red Lobster – 3510 New Center Point
Chick-fil-A – 391 Spectrum Loop
Awi Sushi – 5070 N Nevada Ave
Upstate Pizzeria – 4621 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
Honey Hill Charcuterie – 1520 Verde Dr
Mariscos El Rey #4 – 1811 S Academy
The Mariscos El Rey, near S Academy and Chelton, doesn’t just serve Mexican-style seafood.
It’s inspired by the cuisine from the state of Sinaloa on Mexico’s west coast, where its owners previously lived before moving to Colorado.
“Sinaloa-style seafood is going to be spicier and it’s going to be a lot more rich in flavor,” explains Cindy Valenzuela, the co-owner and also the daughter of the restaurant’s founder, Juan Carlos Venezuela.
Some of the signature dishes are the Pescado Zarandeado and the Agua Chile.
Valenzuela says their extensive varieties of ceviches and sushi are also very popular.
Before Mariscos El Rey opened in early 2024, it underwent a massive renovation that included adding murals of scenes from a typical small fishing village in Mexico.
“We really wanted a place to transport you to Sinaloa, to make you feel like you were in Sinaloa. The scenery we have on the walls, along with the food, should make you feel like you’re in Mazatlan,” says Valenzuela.
Part of the reason the Valenzuelas opened the location in Colorado Springs is that so many people in Southern Colorado were driving to their other three restaurants in Denver.
The next time you’re fishing around for a good restaurant, keep an eye out for the KRDO13 Restaurant Roundup awards, to know the kitchen inside is clean.
Click here for a complete look at all the most recent restaurant inspections.
Pueblo Police Department, Drive Safe Pueblo to host free car seat check event
Celeste Springer
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) says it is hosting a car seat safety check event with Drive Safe Pueblo.
PPD says the event will be at Pueblo Fire Station #11, 3205 W 24th Street, on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The department says that technicians will inspect car seats and inform drivers if they meet the correct specifications for their child’s age and weight. They will also provide instruction on how to ensure seats are installed correctly.
“For safety reasons, there is a correct seat for every age and developmental stage — from infants to teens,” read the event page. “Whether it’s a rear-facing car seat, a forward-facing car seat installed with a tether, a booster seat, or a seat belt, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can put parents’ minds at ease by discussing correct car seat selection and showing them how to correctly install that seat in their vehicle.”
If you can’t make the event, PPD says that you can still have a car seat inspection scheduled by calling Pueblo Police Department at 719-553-2502 or the Colorado State Patrol at 719-288-2636.
There will also be another event on Oct. 4 at Pueblo Fire Station #8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
El Paso County woman found asleep in car with drugs and children, deputies say
Celeste Springer
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) says that they arrested a woman, who is accused of having drugs in her car along with three children.
Deputies say that in the early morning hours of Sept. 3, they came across a car with 38-year-old Kimberly Harris asleep inside. Deputies say they saw drug paraphernalia in view.
After searching the car, deputies allege they found more drug paraphernalia as well as 0.1 grams of methamphetamine and 3.0 grams of heroin.
EPSO says none of the children required medical treatment, and they were taken in by the El Paso County Department of Human Services.
The sheriff’s office says Harris has three prior drug convictions. She faces the following charges, according to EPSO:
Unlawful possession of a controlled substance
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Child abuse
EPSO says she has a $1,000 bond.
Pine Creek High School student’s non-profit helping students worldwide
Josh Helmuth
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A student at Pine Creek High School started a non-profit that’s already helping thousands of students across the world.
Started as a way to help tutor students before taking the ACT or SAT exam, Emma Luu started ApexSAT three years ago. Now a senior, Luu is proud of what the non-profit has accomplished in its short time.
“I felt that since I have opportunities, I should sort of pay it forward and not keep them to myself,” she said.
The non-profit has helped at least 4,000 students across the world, including in countries like England, South Africa, and Greece.
Is there something or someone remarkable at your school? Email us! SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com.
Performers to line streets of Old Colorado City for final “Mystical Stroll”
Bradley Davis
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Performers, musicians, tarot card readers and costume actors will take to Colorado Avenue from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow to close out Old Colorado City’s first-ever “Mystical Stroll” series.
The Old Colorado City Associates (OCCA) said there will be fire breathers, musicians, hula hoop dancers and more.
Tune in to Good Morning Colorado, where KRDO13’s Bradley Davis is live with one of the performers and some of the participating local business owners.
Water vault project delays on Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs frustrate drivers, but end is near
Scott Harrison
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) project that began in January and was initially scheduled for completion in June has encountered several delays and is now two months away from completion.
Alex Trefry, a CSU spokesman, mentioned two reasons for the delays.
“One is weather, all the rain we had this spring and summer,” he said. “And in addition, we have seen some supply chain issues. A lot of these parts — valves, specifically — are not something you order easily. Many of them are coming from Europe and places like that. And we have seen some supply chain issues that have led to delays with that, as well.”
The delays have frustrated and puzzled drivers navigating the work zone at the intersection of Academy and Meadowland boulevards; the traffic impacts stretch for a mile on Academy between Austin Bluffs Parkway and Flintridge Drive.
Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction through the zone — squeezed into the northbound side —resulting in increased congestion and longer backups.
“They’re still working on it, and the project is going to take as long as it takes,” said Wendy Auck, who lives near the project. “There’s really nothing I can do about it. And it hasn’t been too much of a negative impact for me and my husband.”
Leslie Gannon is another project neighbor.
“I can understand why it’s not popular because Academy is one of the main thoroughfares — and it intersects with Austin Bluffs, which is also having construction,” she said. “The length of time it’s taking is crazy.”
We’re also getting our first look at the interior of the $11 million water vault that is the purpose of the project.
The vault provides CSU with secure and protected access to valves and controls that manage water pressure in a 42-inch main transporting water from a treatment facility at the Air Force Academy and along Academy Boulevard.
CSU uses the vault to reduce pressure and prepare water to enter the distribution system to customers.
The project also allows CSU to be more efficient in locating and responding to water leaks throughout its system.
CSU is replacing the previous vault that was built in the 1960s.
Trefry said that the traffic pattern should improve to two lanes in each direction by the end of the month, with the remaining two lanes reopening by Halloween after paving and other restoration work.
The water vault is one of six projects — four planned and two emergency repairs — that have directly or indirectly affected Academy Boulevard this year.
ABSOLUTELY COLORADO: Veteran receives gift of free roof repair
Celeste Springer
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The “Roof Deployment Project” from Owens Corning brought its mission to Green Mountain Falls on Wednesday. They give military veterans help repairing or replacing the roofs on their homes.
The program has been running since 2016, and the company that organizes it all says they want to show gratitude and honor the veterans who served our country and the families who support them.
Walter Kunstmann is a U.S. Navy veteran. He was stationed on the eastern part of the Mediterranean during the 60’s. He recently had his roof checked out and learned it needed some repairs.
Habitat for Humanity and Drury Roofing got together to make the full project free for him.
“It makes you feel good,” said Ike Drury with Drury Brothers Roofing.
The organizers say they have one mission for their work: to get the job done right the first time, every time.
So far, they say they’ve been able to help more than 700 veterans and their families around the country.
What to do if you win the $1.4B Powerball
Mackenzie Stafford
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing has garnered the attention of many and the dollars of many. The prize has climbed to $1.4 billion.
According to Powerball, Wednesday night’s drawing will feature the fourth-largest prize in the lottery’s history. If no one wins tonight, it will go even higher.
Winners Corner in Pueblo is statistically the luckiest store in Colorado, as it has sold the highest number of winning tickets this year.
READ MORE: This Pueblo store sold the most winning lottery tickets in the state, but there’s a reason why
On Wednesday, many people flowed into the store to try their luck and buy a ticket.
Are there numbers that increase your odds?
John Morris, a math professor at Pikes Peak State College, has some tips that can increase your statistical probability of winning the lottery.
Firstly, sentimental numbers like birthdates could hurt your chances. Some might pigeonhole you into making selections from numbers 1 through 30.
“Whereas they can draw any number from one in 1 to 69. Your best way to ensure that you’re not limiting yourself is to do their quick pick, which draws it completely randomly, and therefore it is simulating what you’re likely to see when the actual drawing happens,” said Morris.
He says that even if you don’t win the major jackpot you still have a chance to win some cash.
“it’s important to recognize that even though in the odds, odds are very much against you for winning the big jackpot. First of all, they have lots of smaller jackpots. If you go to, the official published numbers of the Colorado Lottery, they say that the odds of winning any of their prizes is about 1 in 25. And so that means even if you don’t get the big life changing money, you can get some money that is nice. Or just, hey, I can get a nice steak dinner tonight or something like that. So don’t be afraid to play it. Also, the thing to remember there is that they also have ways for very cheaply to, get the multiplier so that if you do win one of the lower prizes, it will double it, triple quadruple it,” explained Morris.
A map of the 25 luckiest stores (the ones that have sold the most winning tickets) is below. This map was created with data from the Colorado Lottery.
You won. Now what?
KRDO13 spoke to a financial advisor at FRS Financial Group who says he’s been preparing for the day one lucky winner walks into his office.
“I have actually built a plan over the years to help folks who do win the lottery to actually save themselves from their money, because we know oftentimes those lottery winners within three, five, seven years down the line really have nothing left to show for those winnings. So building out that plan to not only make the money available now, but to make it last, not only your lifetime, but this is something that’s going to change your family’s financial tree for generations to come, and we want them to be able to have those dollars available, you know, two, three, four generations down the line,” said Rick Stevens, LPL Financial Advisor.
Stevens provided tips regarding how to give back, without giving it all away.
“One of the first things that’s part of that plan is actually a giving budget, because we know the lottery winners that win these huge sums, all kinds of family and friends come out of the woodwork looking for the opportunity to, you know, have some of that money themselves. And I have told folks we’re going to set a giving budget and, you know, if you win a billion and a half dollars, we’re going to give away maybe $10 million a year. And that starts January 1st, and if by January 5th we’ve given away $10 million we have 360 days left to say no to people and come back next year,” shared Stevens.
Stevens recommends paying off your debt and putting away some of the money. He also noted how important it is to think about the additional costs that will come with any purchase. Stevens says if you buy a new car it’s also important to set aside the money for the license plate and to renew the registration every year.
And what about the lump sum versus annuity? Stevens suggests taking the lump sum, as it’s best to just get the tax burden over and done with.
“Even over those 30 years that this is going to pay out to you, you’ll end up with more to pass on to future generations. If you take that lump sum and invest it in a wise way, rather than taking that smaller amount over those next 30 years,” explained the financial advisor.