Author: KRDO

Rob Namnoum

Kain Medrano knew at a young age that he wanted to play in the NFL, “You get those little sheets that you bring home from elementary schools. What do you want to do when you grow up?  Being a NFL player like I have? There’s stuff in my mom scrapbook room,” says NFL hopeful, Kain Medrano.

The goal that he scribbled down on a piece of paper as a kid  is close to becoming a reality, “I’m getting anxious. Getting nervous is getting there. It’s getting closer day by day,” says Medrano.

Kain introduced himself to the NFL world at the NFL Combine  as he ran the fastest 40 time of any linebacker, ” I didn’t really know what I ran until after I got on the phone with my trainer. I heard everybody kind of,  you know,  gasp or, you know, kind of  in the in the crowd. And I’ve heard I heard a couple of the guys that were back at the start, you know, kind of get a little excited. And I went over there. They were like four, four, six under.  There’s no way. Let me wait for the official. You know what I’m saying? I kind of surprised myself,” says Medrano.

He says throughout this at times stressful process,  he has been able to count on his faith  with a hand  on the road for him fast, “The only thing you really have to fall back on is the relationship you have with  our Lord and Savior,” says Medrano.

His grandmother has given him some valuable advice, “She says it’s all in God’s hands and it’s the truth.  You know, I’ve done everything that I can  right now to to put my put my best foot forward in whatever direction he has for me.  You know, I know it’s right and it’ll be the right direction and the right fit,” says Medrano,

And being this close to the draft, he knows it’s all out of his control, “You know, I’m trying to do my best to tell myself to just kind of let it, you know, let it go. How it’s going to go.  Don’t get your hopes up for this day or this round or this round. I’m going to go. I’m going to go. And it’s going to be a blessing. And we’re just we’re all going to have fun and we’re going to.Yeah, just be blessed that this opportunity is is upon us,” says Medrano.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The overnight Wednesday closure of three blocks of Motor Way is a sign that the corridor and safety improvement project near Interstate 25, along South Nevada Avenue and South Tejon Street, is nearing completion.

During the closure between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., crews installed new street signs and repainted lane markings.

The $9 million project started last spring and was supposed to be finished by the end of last year but was slowed due to weather delays in late fall and early winter.

Overall project goals include reducing traffic congestion and improving traffic flow through the I-25/Nevada/Tejon interchange, and increasing safety for a large number of pedestrians, cyclists and scooter riders in the area.

The upgrades are a welcome sight for people like Jason Hotchkin, who’s disabled.

“That’s going to be great, then,” he said. “Because I was homeless for a very long time — 17 years, off and on. So, it makes me feel much safer — especially now that I’m confined to this (wheelchair).”

Officials also hope the upgrades will eliminate deaths to pedestrians hit by vehicles; several recent victims were some of the many homeless people who frequent the area.

Crews have widened sidewalks and bike lanes; in fact, the bike lanes at intersections are so wide that some drivers have mistaken them for right turn lanes.

Workers have improved traffic safety and flow by installing a new center median on Nevada, eliminating some left turns on Nevada and adding lanes on the northbound and southbound connector roads.

But Christopher Wright, a local driver, isn’t satisfied.

“They need to do more repaving on South Nevada,” he said. “And there’s still too much congestion. Enough that it’s hard for people to just stop at a store or a restaurant.”

Wright isn’t aware that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has started a six-month project to repave the south end of Nevada between Brookside Street and Fort Carson’s main gate.

Because the interchange is heavily-traveled, drivers can expect more daytime congestion until the project’s expected completion in two weeks.

Other improvements include repairs to the Motor Way bridge over Cheyenne Creek, and construction of a pedestrian bridge across the creek, along the southbound connector road.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo (KRDO) – Linemen with Colorado Springs Utilities put KRDO13’s Bradley Davis inside a bucket truck and walked him through training drills to give an inside look at how they keep the lights on in the 719 in anticipation of National Linemen Appreciation Day on Friday.

Colorado Springs Utilities linemen demonstrate a pole-high rescue drill for KRDO13

“It’s like a giant jungle gym. You get to play on the heights everyday, and you get the satisfaction of keeping the lights on,” head lineman Denton McCombs said.

The linemen said they wanted to help the public better understand what they do. They work with voltage of up to 230,000 volts. That’s compared to the 120 volts in your standard outlet.

They say they do about 70% of their work managing high voltage switchers in the ground. When they do go up, they still have to climb by hand and harness when bucket trucks can’t reach the line.

It’s a hard job, but it’s one all the linemen who spoke with KRDO13 said they love to do.

It’s the best job ever. I wish I could be up here more,” lead foreman Jay Underwood said.

Watch the story to get an up-close look at some of the most dangerous maneuvers the Southern Colorado linemen are trained to do so that residents have power when damage strikes.

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Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – KRDO13 Investigates has obtained an arrest affidavit that details allegations levied against 36-year-old Patricia Wallace. Wallace is a certified nursing aide who detectives believe was writing herself tens of thousands of dollars in checks from the 84-year-old she was taking care of. 

On Wednesday, KRDO13 Investigates went to get answers from the Colorado Springs certified nurse’s aide accused of stealing from an elderly woman she was caring for. We went to Patricia Wallace’s home address listed in police records. A woman came to the door. The woman said no comment and drove off in the car that police say was paid for with the stolen money.

Arrest records say Wallace told detectives she wrote the checks for the 84-year-old, since she was unable to write them herself.

The nursing aide said the 84-year-old wanted her to have the money. However, family members say she was in no state to consent to that.

The 84-year-old’s wheelchair had a fanny pack on the back that held her credit card. Police say the suspect took her card out and stole the information starting in April 2024.

Following that, detectives say checks made out to Wallace paid for her credit card debt, car loans, and thousands that she told police she gave to family, a friend, and a boyfriend.

Wallace told detectives the money totaled approximately 70 thousand dollars.

Wallace is facing multiple charges, including money laundering and crimes against an at-risk person.

KRDO13 Investigates contacted Wallace’s attorney, and as of Wednesday night, we have not heard back.

As of Wednesday, Wallace is still licensed as a CNA.

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Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Officials said that they’re not sure when the interchange at US 24 and Peterson Road was built, but some longtime residents believe it happened during the 1960s.

A much-needed upgrade is planned for the interchange just outside the north gate of Peterson Space Force Base.

“To me, it’s been a long time coming because this place, sometimes it’s hard to get in and out of here,” said Dave Bickett, an Ellicott resident. “So, I think it’s going to be a good deal.”

Between the interchange and the base is a shopping center with eight businesses — including a Dairy Queen that, on a warm day, attracts customers from miles around seeking ice cream and other treats.

Traffic to and from the businesses, the base and normal highway traffic create a steady amount of congestion that the interchange can no longer handle efficiently.

The highlights of the upcoming project are two roundabouts — one on each side of the highway — and other improvements to include better traffic flow and access for pedestrians, bicycles and transit buses.

At a Wednesday afternoon media briefing about the project, Gayle Sturdivant, deputy public works director for Colorado Springs, said that the bridge over Peterson Road won’t be demolished.

“It’s actually going to be reused,” she explained. “If you drive underneath the bridge today, you’ll see slope sides with it. You’ll (eventually) see new sides put in, new walls underneath there, opening up the span underneath the bridges so we can change the lane configurations coming underneath US 24 there on Peterson Road.”

Local leaders, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Department of Defense (DOD) and base leadership have worked on the details for eight years; a DOD grant is providing two-thirds of the funding.

Sturdivant also said that the project coincides with the base’s plan to increase north gate access by changing the gate configuration — which some members of the base community said will increase arriving and departing traffic through the day.

Some of the nearby merchants — such as Reese Sattler, owner of Rocky Bowl Bistro — are concerned about how construction will affect them and their customers.

“I’ve seen other restauranteurs in the Springs, over on South Academy, have the same issue,” he said. Hey, we are going through all of this construction, and now we’re having a tough time. And these are all successful small businesses. So I’m thinking (that) I’m brand new. What’s going to happen to me?”

Construction starts next month and is scheduled to end late next year.

Officials will sponsor an open house Wednesday to provide more details about the project; the event is from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Colorado Freedom Church, 6862 Galley Road.

More information is available on the project website: https://coloradosprings.gov/US24Peterson.

Bradley Davis

BLACK FOREST, Colo. (KRDO) – KRDO13’s Bradley Davis speaks with a couple cast members of Varmint, a Western Horror film shot entirely in Black Forest and acted by an entire Colorado-based cast.

Cast talk about behind the scenes work on Good Morning Colorado!

The movie will be the closing film in the Western Film Festival in Coleman, Texas. It makes its theatrical debut at the Icon Cinema in northern Colorado Springs May 13. Cast and crew will hold a Q&A after the movie for people interested.

Rob Namnoum

“I know that every every player is curious about it,” says Rockies manager Bud Black.

Hitters in Major League Baseball are curious about torpedo bats. They are baseball bats that look like a torpedo. The design of the bat helps improve making contact with the ball and bat speed, “So I think it just depends on your swing and where you miss,” says Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman, “I would try it out. I mean, see if I like it or not before using it in the game or should.”

Rockies third baseman adds, “I try it? I mean, you don’t know if you’re missing something big that can,  you know, change how you feel in the box and stuff like that. So. Yeah, definitely. Definitely. Worth trying.”

“Yeah, I got a couple on the way.  I’m not too sure if I’ll commit to it or not, but, you know, see how I like it and then go from there,” says Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle.

Doyle says he will try the torpedo battle, but he also believes that baseball bats  don’t help you perform sorcery.

“I’m a firm believer that, you know, it’s not the wand, it’s the wizard or whatever saying you can go with there. But, you know, I’m gonna try it and see if I like it at all. I don’t really think it matters what bat you use. I think it’s more the hitter,” says Doyle.

Speaking of the hitter, Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland tries to get them out for a living.”good curveball” and he says torpedo bats are not.  He is trying to make sure that hitters miss his pitches,

“Me personally, I don’t care. I’m trying to miss barrels, not hit barrels. So if they think it works, if it’s  placebo effect, whatever, if there’s actual science behind it, numbers we’ll see after this season, after five seasons of how those numbers stack up against normal,” says Freeland.

“But we’re still in that,  you know, test pilot  time period. I’m not sure whether it’s  a trendy fad or whether there’s really, truly something behind them. Time will tell,” says Black.

Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado Springs Police tell KRDO13 Investigates they are still searching for another driver involved in the road rage crash that killed a 21-year-old and shut down the interstate for hours on Friday.

At this point in the investigation, police couldn’t say what charges the driver would face.

KRDO13 Investigates obtained police documents that describe the road rage incident in more detail.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

CSPD: Road rage incident leads to fatal crash and hours-long closure on I-25 in Colorado Springs

21-year-old identified as victim in I-25 road rage crash, three passengers still in critical condition

Durriel Humphrey is now facing felony charges of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, along with misdemeanor charges of reckless and careless driving.

The arrest affidavit details his interview with police after the Friday night crash. Humphrey told authorities a white Dodge Charger was tailgating him, and he did not like to be tailgated. Then Humphrey said the charger changed lanes, sped up, and cut him off.

Humphrey then told police he sped up to 75mph to get ahead of “the joker,” and began waving at the driver of the charger. He said he was hoping it would get the car to leave him alone.

Another driver interviewed by police reported seeing Humphrey giving someone the finger. They added seeing Humphrey and the white car weaving in and out of traffic, causing drivers to suddenly brake.

After speeding up, Humphrey said he hit a grey Toyota, which hit the SUV that 21-year-old Salvador Diaz was driving. 

Humphrey is out on bond, and his first court date is at the end of April.

Colorado Springs Police have not named any other suspects, but told KRDO13 Investigates they have solid leads on who the second driver involved in the road rage incident is.

Mackenzie Stafford

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – On Tuesday, the Manitou Springs Police Department (MSPD) announced it will be offering free handgun locks to residents. MSPD says it’s part of its ongoing commitment to firearm safety.

The department says the locks are available on a first come, first served basis. They can be picked up at the police department window at 606 Manitou Ave.

Police say one of the main goals is to prevent accidents. Just a few years ago, a 4-year-old child shot and killed himself in Manitou Springs after his family reportedly left a loaded gun in the front seat of the car.

Ultimately, the mother of the child pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death and criminally negligent homicide in 2022. Prosecutors said her son’s death could have been prevented.

PAST COVERAGE: Parents arrested, face child abuse charges after 4-year-old dies from self-inflicted gunshot

Manitou Springs Police Chief Bill Otto said it was a tragic situation.

“A loaded firearm where a young child can get ahold of it. Nothing good is going to happen. Nothing at all,” said Manitou Springs Police Chief Bill Otto.

The 4-year-old’s death happened in the parking lot of a marijuana dispensary. According to court documents, the boy’s father went in to buy marijuana and left a loaded gun in an open dashboard cubby. The boy’s mother, Ashlynne Perez, was in the car when her 4-year-old unbuckled from his car seat and crawled to the front; court documents say Perez turned away and heard a bang. 

“Unfortunately, that poor little child and his family paid the price,” said Otto.

The charge against the father was dismissed, and the case was closed, according to Colorado Court records. The mother, Ashlynne Perez, was sentenced to one year in prison and two years of probation after she pleaded guilty to two charges following her 4-year-old son’s death.

“If that handgun lock, was on that that firearm, that accident would not have happened,” said Otto.

Police Chief Bill Otto is encouraging community members and parents alike to come get a free lock for a simple fix that could save a little one’s life. 

“It’s important to us in a way that we do not have to respond to a kid that has accidentally got ahold of mom and dad’s gun and shot themselves or someone else. As we all know, kids are inquisitive. They’re curious. They see the guns lying around. They want to pick them up. They want to play with them. They have no idea how it can be so dangerous in the finality of it if they accidentally shoot themselves,” explained the police chief.

MORE DETAILS: Manitou Springs Police Department offering free handgun locks

“We discovered we have about 30 to 40 extra gun locks they can use for handguns, long rifles, shotguns. Instead of leaving them sitting around, we might as well put them to good use and give them to our community if they want them. All they have to do is come by first come, first serve, and they can have a free gun lock,” Chief Otto added.

MSPD shared these photos of the handgun locks available.

Source: MSPD

Source: MSPD

“If anybody, anybody, whether or not, they’ve used firearms before or they have no clue on how these things work, come down. There will be an officer around that can show them how the firearm works, whether it be a rifle, again, a shotgun, or a handgun. We’ll take the time, and we’ll make sure they understand the basics of how to handle that firearm and the lock to go along with that,” said Chief Otto.

Chief Otto also explained that he is more than happy to order more handgun locks if there’s a demand in the community.

Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – Officials with Manitou Springs say a 64-year-old man died on Tuesday morning while attempting to climb the Manitou Incline.

Officials say members of the Manitou Springs Fire Department responded a little after 10 a.m. for reports of a man in distress.

When first responders arrived, they said people nearby were already performing CPR. The victim was roughly 150 to 200 steps up the incline, officials said.

While an official cause of death has not been released, city officials sent the following statement:

“Many visitors underestimate the impact of our altitude and rugged conditions, especially in areas like the Incline.  Manitou Springs would like to remind everyone to take the incline slow, stay hydrated and know your personal limits.”