The District 20 field hockey team advances in the Class 4A playoffs
Rob Namnoum
The District 20 field hockey team defeated Smoky Hill on Tuesday night 1-0 to advance in the Class 4A playoffs. They will play Colorado Academy on Thursday.
The Air Academy cheer squad will honor their lone senior on Friday night
Rob Namnoum
Caroline Kerscher is the only senior on the Air Academy cheer squad and her teammates are planning on celebrating her on Friday night. The Kadet football team will play their final home of the season on Friday.
The cheer squad will wear custom Caroline shirts to celebrate her four years on the Kadet cheer squad. It is a genuine gesture toward Caroline, who has made quite an impact on all of the girls on the cheer team.
The Air Academy cheer team receives the Qdoba Friday Night Blitz Spirit Award plaque
Rob Namnoum
Air Academy High School was our week six winner of the Qdoba Friday Night Blitz Spirit Award. On Tuesday, the Kadet cheer squad received the Qdoba Friday Night Blitz Spirit Award plaque.
Deputies say El Paso County woman murdered Uber driver and dumped his body in a field
Mackenzie Stafford
UPDATE: 10/29/2025 The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has publicly released the victim’s identity as 38-year-old Jeremy Campbell. His photo is below.
38-year-old Jeremy Campbell was murdered while driving for Uber, deputies say. (Photo provided by Campbell’s family)
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – Arrest records are unveiling new details in the homicide investigation of an Uber driver.
EPSO arrested 27-year-old Khayla Dawson after an Uber driver’s body was found in a field near the Woodlake Trailhead. The trailhead is located near Hodgen Road and Eastonville Road.
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
According to arrest records, the victim was reported missing by his family in the early hours of Monday, Oct. 27. His family told deputies that he drove for Uber, and it was not like him to disappear.
Deputies were able to ping his phone, which led them to a location near Polaris Junction apartments. There, deputies say they found his car abandoned with a significant amount of blood inside. They later located his cell phone in a stairwell of the apartment, records say.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says they were able to obtain information from Uber on his last ride. According to Uber’s data, his last customer was Khayla Dawson. Timestamp data said the trip began just before midnight, but was canceled by Dawson more than three hours later.
According to Dawson’s recounting of events, she “felt cooped up” and “wanted to get out of the house” and ordered an Uber. Deputies say she initially told detectives that she was going to visit a friend, but changed her statement later, saying she actually wasn’t going to visit anyone and just wanted to go for a “joy ride.”
Dawson said the Uber driver picked her up from her apartment at Polaris Junction. Deputies say she claimed she fell asleep in the car, and awoke to the Uber driver reaching back to sexually assault her. She says she stabbed him in self-defense, and the driver also had a knife.
According to arrest records, during the struggle, the driver accelerated through a barbed wire fence, ending up in a field. Deputies allege that she dumped his body in the field and drove his car back to her apartment.
During a medical evaluation, Dawson was found to have a broken knee bone, arrest records say.
Deputies went to search her apartment, and said there was a knife missing from a butcher block in her kitchen. A butcher knife matching this description, as well as a folding knife, were located in the field by the driver’s body, deputies say. Additionally, EPSO says they found the driver’s car key hidden inside a dryer sheet box in her laundry room, and also the driver’s wallet inside a lunchbox.
“We’re deeply saddened by this devastating loss. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the driver’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We have been in contact with law enforcement and are supporting their investigation in any way we can,” a spokesperson for Uber said.
Dawson is charged with 1st Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery, Motor Vehicle Theft, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
KRDO13 Investigates learned that Dawson is a former athlete with Olympic Dreams. In 2024, she competed at the USA Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, in the shot put. According to the Colorado Chapter of the USATF, she placed 22nd overall with a distance of 16.86m. The top three make the Olympic team.
Rampart High School senior granted permission to paint religious message on parking spot
Celeste Springer
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A Rampart High School senior will be able to paint a religious message on her parking spot following a demand letter, according to her legal counsel.
Sophia Shumaker planned to participate in a senior tradition, temporarily painting her spot in the school’s parking lot. Shumaker said her intended design, which included a Bible verse, was denied by the school.
“I was honestly pretty upset. Just because the senior parking spaces are really supposed to resemble and express who we are, and you not being able to show my Christianity or my religious side, which is honestly really upsetting,” Shumaker told KRDO13 on Tuesday, thinking back to the original rejection.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: A Bible verse, a parking spot and a legal fight: D20 senior challenges school decision
First Liberty Institute, the organization representing Shumaker, said Rampart High School denied the request, pointing to a school policy restricting political and religious paintings. However, First Liberty Institute argued that it was inconsistent across Colorado Springs Academy School District 20 (D20) schools, so the law group sent a demand letter to the district.
On Tuesday, First Liberty Institute announced that D20 will allow Shumaker and other students to paint their parking spots with religious imagery, as long as it meets a set of general requirements (no offensive language, pictures, etc).
Shumaker said the design above is what she will now paint on her parking spot.
“1 Corinthians 13:4 is probably one of my favorite Bible verses. My mother used to say it to me all the time.”
“And then the parable of the Shepherd and the sheep. It’s just that there are 99 sheep and the shepherd leaves the 99 to go find the lost one. So that’s really been a near and dear parable,” Shumaker explained that this verse and story helped get her through difficult times.
The School Buzz: Elite D20 teacher named DOD STEM Ambassador
Josh Helmuth
Academy D-20 is home to one of the best STEM teachers in the country, according to the Department of Defense.
Amanda Trimillos, an English and Language Arts teacher at Eagleview Middle School, was recently honored as a DoD STEM Ambassador, one of just 30 teachers in the country to receive the honor.
Trimillos also coaches four robotics teams at the school and is considered an “exceptional” educator who helps expand access to science, technology, engineering, and math opportunities for students.
Is there something or someone remarkable at your school? Email us! SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com.
Retired NASA Astronaut shares perspective with Colorado Springs Community
Bradley Davis
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A retired NASA Astronaut who flew on two ISS space missions will meet with the community at the Space Foundation Discovery Center on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
“Gravity is such a drag, I don’t know why we put up with it!” retired NASA Astronaut Dominic “Tony” Antonelli said.
Antonelli will spend his week traveling around to different schools in the Colorado Springs School District 11, speaking with the students. The event on Wednesday at the Discovery Center is free for the public.
“We need creative smart folks, and they exist all over the place. We just need to make sure they know we need them and encourage them and support them,” Antonelli said. “If they are going to help make the world a better place in the future, we all should be helping them do that.”
“It’s such an important thing for me to hear,” said Space Foundation Director of outside programs Alex Grab. “That’s my whole mission. That’s the mission at Space Foundation: to bring STEM education and passion for STEM to every kind of student.”
It’s part of the Discovery Center’s “Space in the Community” initiative. Mentors from the aerospace company and NASA contractor L3Harris will join Antonelli on Wednesday. The event focuses on the discoveries of the James Webb Telescope.
Antonelli has spent over 24 days in space during his career as an astronaut. He said he feels an obligation to give back in his retirement by traveling around as an educator.
I’ve incurred a debt by being lucky enough to fly in space. You have to give it back,” Antonelli said.
Along with spreading STEM, Antonelli said he hopes he can help people realize the greater picture he discovered while orbiting the planet.
“I’m surprised we don’t treat each other more neighborly,” Antonelli said. You realize [Earth] is where everyone is from. Everyone you’ve ever met. We are all neighbors. We are all crewmates on this little spaceship together.”
Progress made on paving project in north Colorado Springs but frustration remains for drivers
Scott Harrison
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — It’s happening four years later than expected, but we’re finally seeing progress on a paving project at a major intersection east of the Air Force Academy (AFA).
Many drivers have often complained to KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior about poor road conditions at the intersection of North Gate Boulevard (in city jurisdiction) and Struthers Road (in El Paso County jurisdiction).
Within the past month, the city has repaved the eastbound lanes of North Gate between the Interstate 25 northbound exit ramp and the bridge over Smith Creek, and also filled numerous potholes at the intersection.
The improvements are part of a redesigned entrance to the Western Museum of Mining and Industry that organizers celebrated earlier this month.
However, the city won’t pave the westbound lanes of North Gate until the county starts and completes a major drainage project along Struthers, on the east side of a hill between the intersection and a new roundabout at the top of the hill.
“The county project will be resuming, or will be happening, in 2026, next year,” said Ryan Hershberger, the city’s project manager for the North Gate paving. “So, we’ll likely see city streets in the 2C program do their overlay follow the county project.”
It’s unclear when the county drainage project will be finished; The Road Warrior is waiting for an update from county officials on the matter.
Douglas Jenkins, a viewer who contacted The Road Warrior for last summer’s story, said that another reason for delays appears to be the interest or involvement of several entities.
“The county has said that the city is involved, the Air Force Academy is involved, CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) is involved — and all of that involves coordination of all these different projects,” he explained.
Several weeks ago, a crew was working on Gleneagle Drive, east of the Struthers roundabout, but information on the nature of that work and its relation to the drainage project is unavailable.
According to the county website, the drainage project will cost $4.8 million.
Drivers told The Road Warrior that while they’re glad to finally see some paving done, they’re frustrated that the work is taking so long, and they don’t know how much longer they’ll have to wait.
“In the meantime, the bad parts of the road just keep getting worse,” Dave Hardin told The Road Warrior. “I’ve lived in this location for about eight years, and it’s probably been within the last two years that it’s gotten really bad. And that’s been the frustrating thing, is that it’s just been bad for a long time.”
Federal government says food aid will halt, local food banks pick up slack
Mackenzie Stafford
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Local food pantries are reporting an uptick in shoppers as the government shutdown nears its fourth week.
Cross Fire Ministries tells KRDO13 that they typically have 20 families a day sign up as new guests, but after recipients of SNAP benefits were alerted that they would not have access in November, Cross Fire Ministries says the new sign-ups doubled.
On Sunday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1 as the government shutdown drags on.
The same day, the Cimarron Hills Food Pantry at Freedom Church reports its biggest distribution yet. In two hours, they say they served 54 families representing more than 100 people. The food pantry says it typically serves 30-40 people on Sundays.
KRDO13 spoke with many people who rely on SNAP benefits, who say Cimarron Hills Food Pantry is a great place to find essentials.
One woman, Kaveen Rose, works nearby and tells KRDO13 it was a shock to hear the federal SNAP benefits were ending.
“I wonder what the heck I’m going to eat for breakfast or lunch or dinner, depending on what I’m working. But I worry about how I’m going to eat. It’s like, well, I always needed a diet. I didn’t think that I would be on one now,” said Kaveen Rose.
For now, Rose says she finds comfort in the food and the people at the Cimarron Hills Food Pantry. She says people like Pastor Scott Maxon and the other volunteers are always willing to listen.
“It’s just a wonderful opportunity to give back. You know, one of the mottos for our food pantry is serving our community in Jesus’ name, so people can go get food anywhere, any food bank. But what makes us unique is is we take an interest in the folks that come and visit us,” explained Pastor Scott Maxon.
The food pantry is always accepting financial and food donations to continue giving back to the community. You can connect with and find ways to donate to the Cimarron Hills Food Pantry here.
KRDO13 also reached out to multiple school districts to see if they would assist students and families during this time.
Colorado Springs Academy School District 20 sent this communication to families:
Academy District 20 has learned SNAP benefits for November may be delayed. However, school meals are still available. For families in need of additional food before SNAP benefits are available, there are local resources that can help:
· Colorado 211: Call 2-1-1- or 866-760-6489 or visit www.211colorado.org
· Feeding Colorado: Visit www.feedingcolorado.org/find-foeod or email info@feedingcolorado.org
· Hunger Free Colorado Food Resource Hotline: 855-855-4626
Academy District 20 also participates in the state program, Healthy School Meals for All, meaning free breakfast and lunch will still be provided at school.
A Colorado Springs School District 11 spokesperson tells KRDO13 that they have food pantry programming at certain schools throughout the year.
Colorado Springs School District 11 has notified families that they can continue to rely on free school breakfasts (where available) and free school lunches. Many of our schools are also stocked with food pantries to assist families who may be experiencing need. Programs like Cougars Care at Coronado High School exemplify the generosity and community spirit that support our students and families year-round.
As always, our school counselors and community liaisons are working closely with families to connect them with community resources and local partners, including Care and Share Food Bank, Pikes Peak United Way, and numerous churches who generously support our school communities.
Harrison School District 2 is encouraging families to take advantage of the free school meals for students.
In Harrison School District 2, we’ve been proactively communicating with our families, staff, and community partners about this situation. All D2 students continue to receive free breakfast and lunch, and this program will not be affected. We’re encouraging families to make the most of both meal opportunities for their students.
To further support students and reduce food waste, we’re launching a USDA-approved Share Table program. This allows students to leave any unopened, shelf-stable items—for example, a sealed applesauce cup—on a shared table for other students to take if they wish. It’s a simple, effective way to ensure good food doesn’t go to waste while helping address food insecurity.
We also maintain an up-to-date list of local food pantries and distribution sites located near our district or with strong ties to our families and staff. These resources are available on our district website for anyone who may need additional support.
Here is what Pueblo School District 70 will provide:
Pueblo County School District 70 students will continue to have access to free breakfast and lunch. There is no change to the current meal schedule. We understand that some families may need additional support during this time. We have provuded information for local resources, including Colorado 2-1-1, to help families access food and other essential services.
Pueblo School District 60 also has many plans in place to support students.
All Pueblo School District 60 students will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch each school day. In addition, the district partners with several community organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County and local libraries, to expand access to meals outside of school hours. Boys & Girls Club members receive meals through club programming, and free suppers are also available to anyone under the age of 18 at participating library locations. These meal programs are funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and offered through the Colorado Food Program.
To help ensure students have consistent access to food, the district’s food share program makes shelf-stable items that are not consumed during the school day available to any student who needs them. In addition, many D60 schools operate on-site food pantries or backpack programs, allowing families to take food home for evenings and weekends. The district’s nutrition services provider, SFE, is also coordinating a canned food drive in partnership with D60 to further support students and families who may experience food insecurity during the federal government shutdown.
All D60 students will continue to have access to free breakfast and lunch. School meals will not be affected by the federal government shutdown. Pueblo School District 60 will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, Monday through Thursday, at every school site.
KRDO13 also contacted District 49 and has not received a response.
The School Buzz: Girls’ flag football ‘senior night’ more than football
Josh Helmuth
It’s one of the fastest-growing high school sports in America, and recently, the new team at Fountain-Fort Carson High School had their night to truly embrace what’s become a tremendous athletic achievement.
To celebrate their inaugural season in flag football, the girls team at FFCHS celebrated their first Senior Night on October 6. They won the game, defeating The Vanguard School, but the night was about so much more.
Michael Clayborn is the head coach. He says the team is really about a movement, noting that the team worked tirelessly throughout the season and that Senior Night was well-deserved and great to see the community support.
Is there something or someone remarkable at your school? Email us! SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com.