Category: krdo-local-news

Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) confirms a car crashed into the King Soopers off Uintah Street.

The call came in around 4:11 p.m. Tuesday, police say.

The CSPD states that the driver entered the parking lot, then made a right turn and drove eastbound towards the building, accelerating to a high speed and subsequently driving into the building.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) confirms that six individuals, including the driver, were transferred to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Police say the crash appears to be a “complete accident” and that the suspect was fully cooperative with law enforcement.

The CSFD had to cut off the vehicle’s roof to remove it from the store.

(Source: CSFD)

Firefighters were also concerned that the batteries of the electric vehicle that crashed might explode and cause a fire.

Photos from inside the store indicate that the car nearly hit the checkout registers.

SOURCE: Shawn Williams

SOURCE: Shawn Williams

Statement from King Soopers:

We are saddened to hear of the unfortunate incident that occurred at our store located at 1750 W. Uintah St. We are cooperating with local authorities as they investigate the incident. The safety and well-being of our customers and associates remain our top priority and will continue to guide all our decisions. At this time the store is currently closed.

A man named Caleb was among the family members of people inside the store who gathered in the parking lot, wondering if their loved ones were hurt.

“Honestly, like, it’s just shook me, because it sounded like a bomb,” he recalled. “I wondered, like, what the heck is happening? People are screaming and stuff. I saw this one lady. She was crying, so I checked on her real quick. I checked her head, made sure she wasn’t bleeding, because she asked me to.”

The store remained closed on Wednesday morning, and an employee told KRDO 13 that it won’t reopen until Thursday, pending official confirmation from corporate officials.

The hole in the store’s wall has been partially boarded up, and a private security guard is on duty at the entrance.

Many customers arriving on Wednesday morning were surprised and frustrated by the closing.

“I came here for a flu shot,” said Debbie Truax. “I made the appointment this morning. I didn’t think it would be closed, because they follow through on what they say. So, now I’ve got to find another one because I’m going on vacation tomorrow.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Bradley Davis

COLORADO (KRDO) – Coloradans passed Propositions LL and MM, which will support the continuation of free school meals, according to Colorado Democrats.

“Colorado voters sent a clear message tonight: no child should ever have to learn on an empty stomach,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib.

Two tax initiatives were on your ballot on Tuesday about the state’s “Healthy School Meal for All” program. Here’s a quick breakdown:

“Yes” on MM: Voting for a tax increase on households making over $300,000 to continue the “Healthy School Meals for All” program.

“Yes” on LL: Voting that the state can keep over $12 million in excess revenue from the first Healthy School Meals for All tax proposition that passed in 2022.

When the Healthy School Meals for All program passed in 2022, it allocated just over $100 million in new tax revenues to provide school meals to children at no cost for families who opt in, rather than just families who qualify as low-income. The state underestimated the amount of revenue the new tax would generate and was now asking voters to approve Proposition LL, which allows it to retain the additional funds.

“With the federal uncertainty around federal food assistance, one place kids know that they’ll for sure have, a good meal, regardless of what happens in Washington, regardless of everything, what we can control is making sure that those kids know they’ll have a good meal at school,” Save the Children spokesperson Ana Bustamante said in a previous interview with KRDO13.

While the revenue exceeded expectations, so did the costs. The program was also supposed to raise wages for school workers and buy fresh ingredients from local Colorado farmers for the schools. Neither happened.

The state said the money came up short because more students opted in than expected, and inflation drove up food costs. It said the money partially covered the meal reimbursements, as well as administrative costs.

The new plan, MM, outlines the same goals as the old plan. But the proposition warns that the wage increases and local food purchases could be cut again if the money still comes up short after the tax increase. If there is any leftover money, the state said it will go to funding SNAP benefits.

The Colorado GOP opposed both propositions. On Facebook, the group said the program was “unsustainable from its inception.” It also referenced how the state would still fund free and reduced lunches for qualifying low-income students if both initiatives fail.

No individuals or households that make under $300,000 a year will see a change in their taxes. Out of affected taxpayers, those who make less than $500,000 a year would pay about $200 in taxes toward the program. Taxpayers who make over $1 million a year would pay around $1,500.

You can find the entire tax breakdown here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — When the next round of the 2C expanded street paving program starts in the spring, residents along Kern Street hope to be included.

Homeowner Dave Cozad hopes it’s sooner rather than later.

Cozad contacted KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior this summer about extremely bumpy conditions on Kern, a block-long street that has around 30 homes, west of Wooten Road on the city’s east side.

He described the pavement as “like a rollercoaster” for the past 20 years.

“When these houses were put in, they used clay tile, sewer lines, and, over the years, with the heaving and buckling of the soil, the clay tiles became misaligned and caused clogged sewers,” Cozad explained.

“Most of the houses on the street, on both sides, have had to have their sewer lines replaced from the house to the tap. And that’s why we see all these patches in the pavement here.”

Cozad said that getting answers from officials about repairing the street has been difficult.

“I talked to (city) streets (division), probably,” he recalled. “It’s probably been close to ten years ago. They came out and looked at it and said This is really not a streets problem. It appears to be more of a utilities problem. So, I then contacted (Colorado Springs) Utilities, and they came out and looked at it, and said This is old, and it really isn’t a utilities problem.”

Cozad stated that Kern was included on the 2022 paving list, but the work didn’t occur.

“There have been crews come out and do measuring and markings and stuff, but nothing’s ever happened with it,” he said. “So, I really don’t know where we are on the list with it.”

Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) said that a crew was in the area in February to inspect a wastewater sewer line replacement, but that the utility didn’t perform the installation.

CSU also said that such an installation would require a city permit that meets city requirements.

Kern Street is not on the city’s paving list for 2026 or 2027, and The Road Warrior will ask the city for comment on the matter.

However, a city public works manager understands the frustration expressed by citizens who feel that they’re waiting too long to have their streets repaved.

“We do have the potential to, possibly, add streets or move streets again, depending on coordination,” said Corey Farkas, who oversees operations and maintenance. “But we do ask people to let us know. Call us. Let us know. We’ve got other alternatives”.

It’s worth mentioning that paving crews often prioritize streets that aren’t in the worst possible condition because they’ll last longer, while the worst streets often require a full reconstruction — which takes more time and money.

On Tuesday evening, Richard Mulledy, the city’s public works director, released the following statement:

“Currently, Kern Street is not on our immediate future 2C paving list. Thanks to our voters, the next version of 2C will touch approximately 40% of City roads identified through our data gathering as needing 2C treatment. While that is a staggering amount of work, it still leaves some roads off the list. Our 2C program uses data-informed decisions to prioritize our projects, making the most efficient use of taxpayer money to keep our roads smooth and safe. We also take resident input and visually inspect roads. This, like many other roads, is constantly analyzed for possible future maintenance options if it’s financially feasible.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Rob Namnoum

Top prep performances for the week of October 31st.

Click here to follow the original article.

Bradley Davis

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – The Center Toward Self-Reliance (CTSR) is working to help people with disabilities live independently through dozens of free programs as the government shutdown continues to strain personal funding.

“They’re not reliant on government. They’re not reliant on people who might be strangers. We want them to be self-reliant, and these kids can pull it off and we’re sure of that,” Executive Director Bill Edwards said.

CTSR works with people with both physical and cognitive disabilities. Its programs range from job training and placement, outfitting homes with handholds and other aids, loaning out disability equipment for free, transitioning people from nursing homes to community-based living, helping individuals with yard and household chores, and more.

“These kids will go out and interview, and they get bypassed all the time because people make assumptions,” Independent Living Director Bonnie Clark said.

Bill Edwards with CTSR said a large percentage of their client base is struggling with the SNAP cuts during the government shutdown. He said their food pantry is strained from a flood of new requests, and he’s having to refer people to other food pantries around town to keep up with the demand.

“The SNAP benefits they were relying on are no longer there, and because of that, we’ve gotten a flood of calls,” Edwards said.

CTSR has a job training program specifically for children and young adults ages 14 to 24. The organization works with Pueblo District 60 and District 70 students.

“Once we’ve gotten them placed and get them out there doing the job, they realize these kids are very capable and very skilled and more reliable than many people are,” Clark said.

Edwards said the goal of CTSR is to help individuals live independently, so disruptions like the SNAP cuts aren’t as burdensome.

Click here to follow the original article.

Scott Harrison

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — A nearly 50-year-old bridge will close on Monday as crews begin a repair project that isn’t scheduled for completion until early April.

The Mel Harmon Bridge is slightly east of the Interstate 25/US 50/Highway 47 interchange; a ramp (Mel Harmon Drive) connects to the four-lane bridge that crosses the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and Hart Road (a route to the nearby Pueblo Mall) and intersects with the I-25 Frontage Road.

Workers will improve the bridge structure, resurface the lanes, and make safety upgrades.

The bridge remained open as of noon Monday.

The city asks drivers to detour around the closure by accessing Frontage Road from its south end at 29th Street.

Frontage Road has two restaurants and a hotel north of the bridge, with several furniture stores and other home-related businesses on the south end.

Two former restaurants on the south end — Denny’s and KFC — closed years ago and have been boarded up ever since.

The nearest business to the bridge is 3 Margarita’s, a Mexican restaurant purchased by new owner Ricardo Alvarado.

“We’re struggling right now to put it in a good place,” he said. “The restaurant is not bad. They get some good sales. So, that’s why we decided to buy. But I think if those guys close the bridge, it’s going to be hard to bring (customers in).”

The bridge closure detour could considerably increase traffic congestion on northbound I-25 at the 29th Street interchange, which many drivers also use to get around the bridge closure at the next interchange to the south, where the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is replacing five bridges.

Pueblo is funding the bridge project with its own money and several CDOT grants, for a total cost of $1.3 million.

“It’s not the worst bridge that we have, but we also don’t want to wait until bridges get to a bad state because (then) they’re obviously way more expensive to repair,” said Andrew Hayes, the city’s public works director.

The bridge was named for noted community leader Mel Harmon and was built in 1976.

Click here to follow the original article.

Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Rampart High School band is still celebrating their 4A state championship title. Beyond this being the band’s second title in a row, it’s a repeat of history at Rampart. 

This Thursday, the Rampart Regiment put on their banner-winning performance at Rampart High School. Less than a week after that same performance earned them back-to-back state championships.

“We really had no doubt that we would do something great, and I think we were just excited to show other people how amazing it could be,” Alexandra Ross, a senior on the Rampart Band, said.

The Rams certainly left no doubt, claiming the high score in all three categories: Music Performance, Visual Performance, and General Effect en route to victory.

That victory didn’t come easy.

“All these band students spend hours outside in the sun,” Rampart Band Teacher Keith Acuncius said. The band started their training two full weeks before school even started.

“Everyone has to memorize all their music. Not only that, just like all those, like, steps and stuff, is a lot of memorization. And then it’s like every day,” said Ava Yost, a senior on the Rampart Band.

Last weekend marked Rampart’s second state championship in a row, which at a lot of other schools would be a monumental first–the top of the mountain.

But at Rampart it’s been done before.

In competitions at Denver’s Mile High Stadium in 2005 and Colorado State’s Sonny Lubick Field in 2006, the Rampart High School band went back-to-back.

“It was one of the most impactful I have ever had in my life,” said Robert Rodriguez, who was part of that 2006 title-winning group.

“Without Rampart, I genuinely do not know what I would be doing today,” Rodriguez said.

Today, Robert Rodriguez teaches drumline at Seaman High School and Washburn University in Kansas. 19 years ago, he was a 15-year-old entering the Rampart High School Regiment.

“It changed everything for me because all of a sudden they said, Hey, it’s not enough for you to just be a good musician. We need you to be deeper than that. We need you to be a strong person.”

Rodriguez said at that time he was coasting by on musical talent and wasn’t taking his academics very seriously. That changed when he transferred into Rampart High School and became part of the band, then led by Gary Arrowsmith and Chad Culver.

Rodriguez said it was that discipline and culture at Rampart that set him up for the future. He only spent one year at the school, but he carries those lessons and memories with him still.

“When I found out that they not only won state but did it again, I have no problem saying that it brought a tear to my eye,” Rodriguez admitted.

“This is my favorite thing that I’ve ever done. It’s built habits that I would probably not have without it, like, really good habits. I have amazing memories, and not only that, relationships that I will probably carry through the rest of my life,” Yost said, reflecting on her time in the regiment.

“I am thinking about every single one of those kids that just experienced that, that had that same feeling I did when I was 15, because for me, it changed the trajectory of my life,” Rodriguez said.

Congratulations to all the students and teachers a part of the Rampart Regiment.

Click here to follow the original article.

Marina Garcia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Sunday morning, all of us had to adjust our clocks by one hour, and while daylight savings can be bothersome, an extra hour of sleep is always a good thing.

But for those living with Alzheimer’s, it can be a confusing change, causing agitation and discomfort, hastening the disorientation that comes with ‘sundowning’.

The term sundowning refers to a group of symptoms that occur in people with dementia. Those symptoms can include anxiety and delusions, and the daylight saving time change makes them worse.

We spoke to a woman living with Alzheimer’s, Joanna Fix, who was diagnosed at the young age of 48 years old.

“When it hits you in the middle of your life, you’re really on a planet. You’re so isolated that you’re kind of paralyzed for a time,” says Fix.

But after nine years, she and her husband say they’ve made adjustments to live a happy life.

They play games to implement cognitive training, they put the Christmas tree up early, so she remembers what season we are in, and she makes sure to get her daily exercise.

But there are still some inevitable obstacles, like daylight saving time.

“It’s nice to have an extra hour to do things, but it’s not nice when you are relying on your environment to move throughout your day,” says Fix.

KRDO13 spoke to a specialist who says this type of change can be very disorienting.

“It’s really important for family caregivers to be aware that this can be a challenge for their loved ones, because roughly 80% of all people living with Alzheimer’s are cared for at home,” says Jim Herlihy, Alzheimer’s Association vice president of communications.

And Joanna says her husband, who proposed to her after being diagnosed, is the support she wishes everyone had.

“Life is totally different, but it’s actually really good now. And I’m happy. I think my sweetheart is happy most of the time. I think the dogs are okay and happy. And, you’ve got to count your blessings, and I’ve lost count. I have so many,” says Fix.

Every case of dementia is different, with many variations. If you are a caregiver or someone seeking guidance, you can call a 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900 to speak to a trained professional.

Click here to follow the original article.

Sadie Buggle

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Monument Academy has confirmed one of its now-former teachers was arrested in connection with a stabbing attack in Colorado Springs on Halloween night, which killed one and left two others in critical condition.

According to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), 33-year-old Matthew Regnier was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and one count of child abuse.

A spokesperson with Monument Academy in Lewis Palmer School District 38 has confirmed to KRDO13 that, prior to the stabbing, Regnier was an art teacher on their secondary campus and had served in the role since August 2023.

The school says Regnier’s employment was terminated, effective Nov. 2, after administration learned about the charges against him.

District 38 also confirmed Regnier served as a coach with the junior varsity soccer team at Palmer Ridge High School. He is no longer serving in that coaching role.

“This news is heartbreaking for our entire school community,” said Collin Vinchattle, the executive director of Monument Academy. “The safety, well-being, and trust of our students, families, and staff are our toppriorities. We are focused on providing care and support to those who may be affected.”

The school says it will be fully cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues, and that counseling services will be available to both students and staff as they process the news.

Background

On Oct. 31, Colorado Springs police were called out to a home on North El Paso Street. Upon arrival, officers found three people, one man and two women, who had been stabbed. Further inside the residence, officers found another man with minor stab wounds and a child, who was not injured in the attack.

The first three found by officers had suffered life-threatening injuries. The man later succumbed to those injuries at the hospital, while police say the two women are still being treated for their injuries.

CSPD said the man with minor wounds was also transported to the hospital for treatment before he was taken to the police station for questioning. The department has not said if the man found at the scene with minor injuries was Regnier.

Click here to follow the original article.

Marina Garcia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – It’s the first day that SNAP benefits have not been distributed as the government shutdown continues. As a result, people are relying more heavily on food pantries and other resources, and KRDO13 witnessed it first-hand.

We visited various hunger relief programs in Colorado Springs and spoke to volunteers who are working to keep up with the increased demand.

At God’s Pantry, a volunteer, Mashana, tells me they took extra steps to make their food stretch.

“Today, we are giving away free food, and you can come in and get three items daily off the food shelf. Normally it’s five, but we’ve had a lot of people coming in for food, so we’ve had to drop it down,” says Mashana Reliford, God’s Pantry volunteer bookkeeper.

And in the parking lot of God’s Pantry was a food drive run by Compassion Food Distribution of Colorado, where families can get around $300 worth of food for only a fraction of the price.

“We have more cars today, but we try to service everyone. It’s already past 3:00. We normally just shut it down, but we have a lot of cars out there. So we don’t want to just turn everybody away,” says Donna Purvis, the supervisor for Compassion Food Distribution of Colorado.

And at Catholic Charities, they tell me more volunteers are needed.

“The calls have come in. They’ve increased significantly throughout October, with people concerned about whether or not SNAP was going to be available or not. And now we know it’s certainly not going to be available,” says Rochelle Schlortt, the Catholic Charities of Central Colorado chief communications officer.

This month, the non-profit says it’s looking at a fifty percent increase in recipients

“We’re going to see if we can get more volunteers to come in to help the people shop, to help get them signed in, and and more importantly, to help restock, during our open hours, so that the food is available so that they can shop for the things that their family needs,” says Schlortt.

On Friday, two federal judges ruled the government must use emergency funds to keep SNAP benefits available, but it’s currently not clear when or if assistance will be reinstated or how much.

Click here to follow the original article.