Category: krdo-local-news

Scott Harrison

PUEBLO, Colo. — Residents along Saratoga Road in the north side Belmont community are happy to hear that their crumbling street will finally get repaved this season.

But it comes with a heavy price: The removal of 41 trees between the sidewalks and curbs.

“I guess I’d rather have good roads,” said neighbor Duke Wright. “But I hate to see the trees go.”

Chuck Roy, the city’s acting public works director, stated that the trees must be cut down because they have large, deep roots that have already damaged the concrete infrastructure and would undermine a repaving job if left in place.

“You know, I don’t like removing 40 trees,” he said. “I really don’t. And I know that we’ve been in contact — and some of the neighbors have made contact — with groups like Trees Please and our National Arbor Society, to try and get some trees maybe donated, so that people who wanted to, could plant the trees again, obviously on their side of the sidewalk and hopefully not back in that parkway area where in 30 years we have to do this all over again.”

Some neighbors were surprised to learn that the trees are not on their property, but in the city’s right-of-way.

Roy said that a concrete crew will closely follow the tree crew to repair and replace broken concrete as quickly as possible; roots have lifted entire sidewalk sections in many areas.

He added that he hopes the entire project will be finished by the end of September.

Some trees will also be removed on Lexington Road, a block west of Saratoga.

The city is having a late start to its paving season, which normally begins in late spring, for a variety of reasons that will be explained in an upcoming Road Warrior segment.

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Rob Namnoum

When head coach Waymond Jackson took over the Air Academy football team, he had a plan to build his culture, “I wanted the guys to bond, to support one another. You know, it’s bigger than the game of football. So we wanted to make sure that we had guys that we were building their character, not just their athleticism,” says Jackson.

Now entering his second year, it seems his message is being heard loud and clear, “Let me tell you, the energy level between the previous years and then this year is different. I am never been this excited in my life. I feel like this is the most confidence that I’ve had going into a season before,” says Air Academy running back, Jackson Schmadeka.

The change in culture has his playes excited and not just for games, “It’s so much energy. I like playing it because I feel intense and I feel a will to win in practice, says Air Academy safety, Sean Kennedy.

Schmadeka adds, “I mean, I have adrenaline in practice. I’ve never had that before.”

Jackson wants his players to take charge, and they’re doing it, something he learned while coaching in college under Steve Spurrier, “It’s the most player led team that I’ve been a part of, something I’ve learned this year that really helps you build the Brotherhood and really helps you get everybody bought in. Its player led leadership on the team. When I was younger, I didn’t really have leaders. I didn’t look up to anybody that was, you know, above me. And I look up to my coaches as well as my players, even if they’re younger than me,” says Kennedy.

Jackson adds, “When you get tired in football games, it’s hard to struggle when you have that bond like yourself telling you to give up. You don’t want to give up for the next person beside you have to be more than just a football player. You have to make sure you’re developing the person on an iPad under the helmet. You got to make sure that you’re connecting with them and setting them up to be successful in their life.”

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Celeste Springer

FREMONT COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The Fremont County Department of Public Health and Environment says that two people have died as a result of the West Nile virus.

“We are deeply saddened by the two recent West Nile virus–related deaths in our community. This is a reminder of the seriousness of the disease, and I urge everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Paula Buser, public health director.

West Nile virus is typically spread through infected mosquito bites, according to health officials. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that it is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.

The CDC says that the majority of people infected with the virus don’t feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms, and about 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal illness, the CDC says.

“West Nile virus can affect any age group, but people aged 60 years and older and those with certain medical conditions are at greater risk of serious illness,” read a release from the Fremont County Department of Public Health and Environment.

The roughly 1 of 150 people who do develop serious symptoms may experience the following, according to the CDC:

High fever

Headache

Neck stiffness

Stupor

Disorientation

Coma

Tremors

Convulsions

Muscle weakness

Vision loss

Numbness

Paralysis

Recovery from severe illness can take anywhere from several weeks to several months, the CDC says.

The Fremont County Department of Public Health and Environment says that the majority of West Nile virus cases in Colorado occur during the months of August and September. The most effective way to prevent West Nile virus is to avoid mosquito bites.

Here’s how you can protect yourself, according to officials:

• Use effective insect repellant with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol when you go outside.

• Limit outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes that spread the virus are most active.

• Wear protective clothing (long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks).

• Drain standing water around your house weekly. Treat water that can’t be drained with Bti larvicide.

• Install and repair screens on doors and windows.

For more information on West Nile virus, visit https://cdphe.colorado.gov/…/west…/west-nile-virus-data

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A section of Sinton Trail will close on Tuesday as construction begins, according to officials with the City of Colorado Springs.

According to officials, a closure from Holland Park Boulevard to North Chestnut Street will run until October.

A detour will be available via Darby Street and Ellston Street. City of Colorado Springs officials say there will be signs to direct you, and you can check out a detour map by clicking here.

According to the City of Colorado Springs, construction is set to bring new improvements, including:

Removal of degraded asphalt

Replacement of the concrete trail to enhance the trail surface

Removal of overhead hazards (abandoned utilities and waterline)

Grade and drainage improvements

Improvements to accessibility and connectivity

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Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A block of Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs will be closed this week for milling and paving as part of an ongoing revitalization project.

The closure will be between Colorado and Pikes Peak avenues, the area that has received much of the work since the $8.6 million project began in late March.

Also possible is a lane shift on northbound Tejon, just north of the Pikes Peak intersection, allowing Colorado Springs Utilities to work on its electric system; some concrete removal and replacement could start on the southeast corner of that intersection.

In a release issued Friday, the city said that the project has now reached the halfway point.

The improvements will expand outdoor dining areas and sidewalks, increase public safety, and improve pedestrian accessibility and business activity.

Expanding outdoor dining was a strategy first used downtown during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Existing sidewalks will remain open during this round of construction.

In two weeks — after Labor Day weekend — the next phase of the project begins with a full closure of Tejon between Pikes Peak and Kiowa Street.

The project’s cost is shared by the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Downtown Development Authority, and the city’s Parking Enterprise.

Officials expect to complete the project by the end of the year; the long-range plan is to continue the improvements farther north on Tejon as funding becomes available.

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Marina Garcia

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – On August 16th, police say an employee of the Pikes Peak Cog Railway was beaten in the parking lot, located at 515 Ruxton Avenue, sending them to the hospital in critical condition.

We spoke with neighbors, and they say they haven’t seen anything like this in decades.

One family told us they have lived in their home for thirty years, and for other homeowners, it has been even longer, making the community very tight-knit.

“It’s just very worrisome to hear something that violent and actually occurring in the daytime, you would expect something at night, but in the broad daylight, that’s very concerning,” says Byron Bell. “When something like that gets brought to light, it just caught me off guard.”

Bell says he and his family are now staying on their toes, thinking twice before walking towards the cog rail.

Manitou Springs Police Department says two persons of interest in the case have been located, but no arrests have been made, and the assault is still being investigated. They say the employee is still in the hospital tonight and is in critical condition.

FURTHER COVERAGE: Persons of interest identified after assault at Cog Railway, victim in critical condition

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Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Four people were lucky to escape with non-life-threatening injuries after they climbed out the windows of a truck before it was engulfed in flames.

The Colorado Springs Police Department says five minutes after 5:00 a.m., officers were dispatched to reports of a crash at 26th Street and Hwy 24.

Police officers determined the vehicle, travelling westbound on Hwy 24, passed through the intersection, went over the northwest curb, hit a light pole, and kept going through a chain link fence into a large tree.

The tree then fell on top of the truck, causing it to catch fire. While the flame was growing, the driver and three passengers inside the truck made a quick escape.

The foursome was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, but it certainly could’ve been a lot worse.

Now all that’s left behind is a broken fence, a light pole, and a tree trunk snapped in half.

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Marina Garcia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – ALS United Rocky Mountain hosted a walk to raise money and awareness, while celebrating the power of solidarity.

ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that can affect anyone, at any age, and is mostly at random.

It’s a scary diagnosis that has no cure, but Saturday, August 16, people living with ALS and their loved ones gathered at America the Beautiful Park and showed that with a little hope, you can still have a future.

“They usually want you to plan the funeral, and that’s about it. That doesn’t work for me. I feel we have to get involved and really support others,” says Kellie Hazlett, who has ALS. “There’s a lot of us that are sticking around for a long, long time. A lot of us are reversing and getting better, which is a struggle, but they’re doing it all the time.”

Kellie and others with ALS say they’re able to do that with support — which is why all the money raised goes directly to families providing in-home equipment, wheelchairs, special utensils and more. 

Supplies to make living conditions more comfortable allow patients to focus on their friendships, which they say gives them the strength to fight.

“I have so many people here with me today that have helped me in this journey,” says Theresa Feuerbach, who has ALS.

With gratitude and smiling faces, the walk exceeded its goal of $20,000 but if you are interested in donating, you can learn more here.

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Michael Logerwell

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – On Aug. 16th, police say an employee of the Pikes Peak Cog Railway was beaten in the parking lot, located at 515 Ruxton Avenue, sending them to the hospital in critical condition.

The Manitou Springs Police Department (MSPD) has arrested Randy Blevins, who has been charged with second-degree assault. Police say he has since posted bond.

Mugshot of Randy Blevins provided by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office

Police say the 66-year-old male victim remains in critical condition.

Court Affidavit

According to the affidavit, police say Blevins told them he and his wife had finished the incline Saturday morning and were walking through the parking lot of the Cog Railway to get to a gift shop.

Blevins told police that he and his wife were told not to walk through the parking lot by an employee, and after they continued, they were approached by another employee, a 66-year-old man.

The couple told police that the 66-year-old employee grabbed Blevins by the shirt and punched him twice in the head. Belvins said he hit the employee back once, telling police that on a scale of 1-10, with one being the least amount of force, he used a 10.

According to court records, two witnesses say the opposite occurred.

Both witnesses told police that they saw employees telling the couple that they were trespassing and that police were going to be called.

They say that the employee grabbed Blevins by the shirt to move him off the property, but that Blevins “clocked” him in the face and then punched him two more times while he was on the ground.

Both witnesses said that the employee never hit Blevins in the face, according to arrest documents.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: Cog Railway employee in critical condition; locals concerned

Image provided by the Manitou Springs Police Department.

MSPD continues to ask that anyone who witnessed the incident, has information, or possesses video footage contact El Paso County Dispatch at 719-390-5555.

Police remind others that information should be provided directly to dispatch and not sent in on social media platforms, to ensure timely follow-up and accurate documentation.

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Rob Namnoum

“We’re ready to play dude,” says Rampart tailback, Brayden Werth.

Rob Royer’s Dudes are always ready to play, “We’re blessed with the kids. We have and we don’t worry about the ones that we don’t,” says Rampart head coach Rob Royer.

What they have. Our players who really love playing football, they know this is the Demarion Simpson’s first year at Rampart and he noticed day one his teammates deep desire to succeed, “I came to practice The first day I could tell that everyone was a lot more serious Coming here was like a big culture change. It’s a lot different. I mean, all these guys want to win. They’re not going is going to mess around at practice. They take everything seriously. Everybody wants to play football. Everyone wants to compete at that next level,” says Simpson.

And they don’t just compete on the football field, “Competing for the highest grade on a chem test. We’re competing to be the valedictorian  like we want these kids to compete, and they’ve really embraced that. They’ve done a phenomenal job,” says Royer.

Werth adds, “Every year we’ve seen a progressive growth like  a better culture, and it’s just been really exciting to grow with all the other seniors this year, too. So I’m proud to be part of it.”

The Rams believe there’s something special brewing, “I think we’re a little doubted. I think we’re also going to write that off pretty quick. So everyone here  has kind of that that small person syndrome. We all know we’re better than what people give us credit for and that’s again, that’s what makes us good,” says Werth.

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