Category: krdo-local-news

Julia Donovan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A local tea shop failed its routine health inspection, according to inspection records. We also have an update on a previous low-scoring restaurant that was temporarily closed. Meanwhile, a pasta shop has noodled its way to a top-scoring spot in this week’s Restaurant Roundup!

Kung Fu Tea on N Academy Boulevard recently failed its routine health inspection with 12 violations.

An employee reportedly told the health inspector they don’t sanitize their food equipment.

The inspector also noted that milk and yogurt were too warm, one employee had their hair down in the kitchen, and walls were caked in food debris!

When we stopped by, the man working the counter said the walls were cleaned after the inspection, but he wouldn’t let us in the kitchen to see without permission from the manager who had just left.

We left a message with contact information, asking the manager to get in touch. We’re still waiting to hear back.

In other news, you might remember The Hot Spot at the Citadel Mall was temporarily closed with 27 violations a few weeks back.

It’s open again, but back in the hot seat after failing another health inspection with 12 violations.

Now to this week’s high scores: Taco Express on S Circle Drive, Dad’s Donuts on Interquest Parkway, and Happy Eats Pasta on S Nevada with a perfect score.

“My philosophy is I’m not going to serve any food to anybody here that I wouldn’t serve to my mom,” the owner, Darby, told KRDO13.

Darby is very easygoing, except when it comes to cleanliness! 

He says he pretty much lets customers do whatever they want with an extremely customizable menu. You can choose your noodle type, combine sauces; they even have celiac-friendly options.

Restaurant Roundup high and low scores are based on recent routine health inspections conducted by the El Paso County Department of Public Health.

Keep an eye out for the Restaurant Roundup awards at your favorite restaurant to know the kitchen inside is clean.

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Josh Helmuth

Ute Pass Elementary School is celebrating Thanksgiving early for the third consecutive year, and they’re doing it with a fun lesson as well.

The Cascade school refers to it as the “Literary Luncheon.” Students plan their own Thanksgiving meals for lunch today (the Thursday before Thanksgiving), based on a book, and they make enough food to feed over 200 people.

All the students choose the book and create a recipe inspired by what they read. This year’s book is called “Stone Soup.” The 3rd-grade class also performs a play of the book.

Do you know something remarkable at your school? Email us! SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com.

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Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Five years ago, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, county officials began courting high school graduates to offset worker shortages that limited how much snowplowing and other public works tasks could be done.

That effort appears to be a growing success.

The county’s CONNECT program periodically invites students to its transportation facility, near the intersection of Marksheffel Road and North Carefree Circle, to learn how to operate plows and other equipment.

The program also travels to schools, as it did yesterday to Calhan High School.

Scott Hall, the county’s training division manager, said that students received hands-on training in simulated and actual equipment.

He said that the true purpose of CONNECT is to provide a career option to high school graduates who don’t plan to attend college, join the military, or remain undecided about their future after graduation.

“I’ve been to 16 of the programs, just with current construction,” he explained. “And all told, right now, I’ve been through 22 kids, and I have ten full-timers working right now. My first three kids are still there.”

A partner in the effort is Careers in Construction Colorado, an organization created by the construction industry in 2015 to provide similar assistance to students.

“We started in one high school with 23 kids,” said coordinator Sydney White. “We’ve since grown to 91 high schools with over 4,700 kids. We’ve partnered with six different trade associations. We’re still sponsored by the industry, just to show students their options.”

During the pandemic, the county eased some job requirements to further encourage interest in a public works career: It waived the requirement for a high school diploma and provided free training for the required commercial driver’s license.

However, the county will help non-diploma students to earn their equivalency degrees if they are interested.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A non-profit is spearheading the fundraiser of over 5,000 wreaths for the tombstones of military members at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery (PPNC).

The Auxiliary members of American Legion Post 2008 (ACA) are acting as the local partner for Wreaths Across America. The group still needs about 200 wreaths to meet its goal of 5,025 headstones. If ACA exceeds its goal, ACA said the extras will go to the Fort Lyon National Cemetery.

“The community shows up and takes care of the veterans around here,” said ACA member Jennifer Kendig, who is spearheading the local Wreaths Across America initiative.

Jennifer said she’s had help from dozens of others, including veterans like her husband.

“We have people from out of state that contact us and say, ‘Can you make sure I get a wreath on my son’s, on my husband’s grave?’ and we’ll take a picture of that and send it to them, Jennifer’s husband, James “Farmer” Kendig said.

James is a Vietnam Veteran and a full member of the American Legion Post 2008.

“The heartfelt messages that come back are just overwhelming. At some point, I’ll be laid to rest here also, and then they’ll be doing it for me. That’s something I’m hopeful for in the days to come,” James said.

Jennifer orders the evergreen pine wreaths from Maine. The donation cutoff is Thanksgiving.

The wreath ceremony is 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 13th. Before placing the wreaths, volunteers will listen to a Taps performance, the National Anthem and a rifle volley. Last year, ACA said over 2000 volunteers came to help.

After Christmas, ACA said it will need volunteers for its wreath cleanup on January 24.

You can sponsor a wreath and find more information on how to volunteer here.

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Scott Harrison

PUEBLO WEST, Colo. (KRDO) — The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is searching for the suspect in an apparent stabbing late Tuesday night that is now a homicide investigation.

Authorities said that they know who the suspect is, but they haven’t released the name of the suspect.

On Wednesday afternoon, the coroner’s office identified the victim as Scott Valencia.

Deputies responded to a reported stabbing just before 10 p.m. Tuesday at a home on the corner of Stewart Drive and Stanley Drive, just south of Joe Martinez Boulevard.

However, when deputies arrived, they learned that someone in a private vehicle had taken the victim to a hospital; the victim died there shortly afterward.

The PCSO has yet to reveal the motive for the homicide.

A neighbor said that she came home from work on Tuesday night and found the intersection “crawling” with deputies who remained on scene for much of the overnight period.

Other neighbors said privately that the house where the incident occurred often had suspicious activity, with many people coming and going often.

A man at the home declined to be interviewed about the matter, saying only that “things happen.”

The Pueblo County Coroner’s Office says the victim’s official cause and manner of death will be released following an autopsy.

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Josh Helmuth

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A special education teacher in D11 now has a special book that’s gone to number one on Amazon’s best sellers’ list.

Shannon Pinar is a para-educator at Martinez Elementary School. She’s also the proud author of “Treasured Tales From Under The Rainbow,” which is a collection of short stories inspired by real students Pinar has taught.

“As I look back over the years, I am reminded life is made up of small moments – simple, fleeting and yet powerful enough to shape who we are,” said Pinar. “Treasured Tales from Under the Rainbow is a collection of small moments forever etched in my mind. Stories for and about real children I have known. Each story offers something – each holds a truth, about faith, love, and the power of the little things.”

Martinez Elementary School Principal Katie Cincoski praised Pinar’s accomplishment, noting the dedication and passion behind her storytelling.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Ms. Shannon for publishing this beautiful book. She poured her heart into every sweet story, and it truly shows,” she said.

The district applauds Pinar for her creative achievement and her continued commitment to students. Her success reflects the meaningful relationships built within our schools and the powerful stories that grow from everyday interactions in education.

Is there someone remarkable at your school? Email Josh! SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com.

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — To the concrete and asphalt used in widening and upgrading sidewalks along two blocks in the heart of downtown, you can include a natural resource.

Trees.

This week, workers began planting 38 trees along Tejon Street between Colorado Avenue and Kiowa Street.

As of early Wednesday morning, six of 18 hackberry trees had been placed on the west side of Tejon between Colorado and Pikes Peak avenues; that block recently reopened after being closed for improvement work since early spring, and has temporarily closed again for the tree work.

The block between Pikes Peak and Kiowa Street has recently closed for the next phase of sidewalk widening and other upgrades, and will eventually feature 20 white oak trees planted there.

The trees are planted in structural soil cells, which provide a foundation for the sidewalk and adequate space underground for tree roots to spread.

Officials said that the trees are up to 20 feet tall when planted and should eventually reach a height of 50 feet — which is as tall as some of the downtown buildings.

The city’s project manager will be available later on Wednesday morning to provide more details.

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Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Quilters from the local chapter of Quilts for Kids and the Colorado Springs Quilt Guild sewed over 300 colorful and unique quilts for the Special Kids Special Families (SKSF) community.

“Just an overwhelming, wow!” Quilts for Kids volunteer Kristin Alexander said after stacking all the quilts.

It is quite the display. Quilts for Kids said the average quilt takes about 15 to 20 hours to make. Each one is a unique pattern and design. Wednesday morning, the local chapter packed them up and delivered all 313 to SKSF.

“It’s not just warmth, but they also bring a lot of happiness and joy,” said Kristin’s mom and fellow volunteer quilter, Bonnie Alexander. “Quilts just make people happy. They can last with that kid all their lives.”

SKSF is a non-profit that provides services to people with disabilities and their families. They specialize in daycare and foster home services for children with disabilities, but it also provides resources for adults with disabilities.

“These kids don’t have a lot, right? So, one of these quilts is going to make a big difference on Christmas Day,” said SKSF events and donor relations manager Bailee Barwick.

SKSF said it will use the quilt donation for its annual Christmas gift giveaway. Kristin and Bonnie said the Colorado Springs Quilt Guild sponsored their giveaway, and the guild’s quilters made about 60% of the stock.

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Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has announced sentencing for a man who forged signatures in a 2024 El Paso County Commissioner race.

According to the D.A.’s office, 29-year-old Juan Pichardo was working for a petition signature gathering company subcontracted to support David Leinweber’s campaign for El Paso County Commissioner.

In El Paso County, candidates’ names can be placed on the ballot through a petition. It’s one of three ways that a candidate can get on the primary ballot.

According to the D.A.’s office, the El Paso Clerk and Recorder’s Office noticed something seemed off about his campaign’s petition signatures. Prosecutors say Pichardo forged signatures before submitting the petition.

“The detection of fraudulent petition signatures by my office demonstrates the effectiveness of the safeguards and verification processes we have in place,” a statement from El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker read in part.

Schleiker said his office noticed several anomalies in the petitions. The ink colors and font styles were similar. Most damming of all, the signatures made it appear the petitioner went criss-crossing around town to get his signatures. There was one signature from Manitou Springs, then one from Monument, then another one from Cascade, unlike what a legitimate canvassing effort would look like.

“In addition to that, the majority of these signatures were taken was during the snowstorm, where we received over 35in of snow in 2024,” Schleiker said the petition papers themselves didn’t look as if they had been carried through a snowstorm.

At that point, the clerk and recorder’s office contacted the DA’s Office and the candidate, David Leinweber.

“The candidate, Mr. Leinweber, and his campaign at that time, for commissioner of District three, as the clerk recorder, they did everything correctly,” Schleiker said in a sit-down interview with KRDO13. Schleiker said the campaign expressed some of their own concerns about the signatures, too.

The district attorney’s office says there was no evidence uncovered that Leinweber was involved in any of the fraudulent activity. In a statement, David Leinweber added that his campaign notified elections officials that they thought something was off about the signatures as well.

“When my campaign submitted our petitions, we proactively notified election officials about several packets we believed had been improperly completed by a petition circulator. Protecting the integrity of our elections is paramount, and we took immediate action to ensure full transparency,” the statement read. “I’m glad to see this matter resolved and that the individual responsible has been held accountable by the courts. Voters deserve confidence in the process, and I will always act to uphold that trust.”

“They were in full transparency. The candidate was absolutely in the right. He paid for a service that was not provided,” Schleiker said.

Even after the investigation, Leinweber still garnered enough verified petition signatures to get his name on the Republican primary ballot, records show. However, he ultimately lost that primary for El Paso County Commissioner District 3. Leinweber is currently serving out a term on the Colorado Springs City Council.

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Rob Namnoum

Discovery Canyon high school was our week, seven winner of the Qdoba Friday Night Blitz Spirit Award. On Tuesday the DCC cheer squad received the Qdoba Friday Night Blitz Spirit Award plaque.

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