Liberty vs. D11
Rob Namnoum
The Liberty high school hockey team defeated District 11 5-2 on Saturday afternoon.
Two Olympic medalists signing autographs at free ‘Winter Fest’ on Saturday
Bradley Davis
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin (five-time medalist) and Paralympic alpine skier Danelle Umstead (three-time medalist) will greet guests at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum for autographs during Winter Fest on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Liukin was the all-around Olympic gold medalist in the 2008 games in Beijing. Her leotard is on display at the museum. Umstead competed in the Vancouver, Sochi and PyeongChang Paralympic Games, winning three bronze medals.
The museum will be free all day Saturday, with a jumbo TV set up outside with the Olympic games, along with sport demonstrations, live music, food vendors and more.
“That’s what I was when I was younger, it’s every kid’s dream to be in the Olympics, and so to just see everybody come together and support our athletes overseas, it’s so exciting,” said Sports Corp Communications Manager Lauren De Marco.
The Olympic museum is hosting a watch party for the opening ceremonies on Friday at 12:30 p.m. It will host a number of events throughout the Olympics, included in the standard cost for museum admission.
Hosted by Sports Corp, Saturday’s Winter Fest is the exception. After checking out the outdoor activities, participants can head into the museum and check out the exhibits for free.
Winter Fest starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
The School Buzz: Harrison D2 technician and manager transforming bus fleet
Josh Helmuth
In light of “Love The Bus” Month, Harrison D2 is highlighting a bus technician and manager who is responsible for leading the charge in transforming their bus fleet.
Kyle Jackson is the district’s transportation fleet manager. He’s getting a lot of the credit for helping to transition from diesel-fueled buses to a much cleaner propane-fueled model. The district was also excited to install a new propane fueling station, which Kyle spearheaded.
His director says Kyle “consistently goes above and beyond in his role. He approaches every challenge with a strong work ethic,” said Josy Campbell.
Do you know someone remarkable at your school? Email us! SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com.
Pueblo city officials in talks with a developer regarding improvements to a crumbling northeast side road
Scott Harrison
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — There’s renewed hope that a road considered to be the area’s worst may finally be repaired this year after decades of deterioration.
That road is actually part of two roads: the north end of Jerry Murphy Road in the city and the south end of Overton Road in Pueblo County.
The city is responsible for the 3/4-mile stretch where the roads merge.
Drivers said that the road is full of cracks and potholes, and that conditions have worsened since it served as a detour around the collapse of a train bridge on Interstate 25 in the fall of 2023.
Andrew Hayes, the city’s public works director, said that the developer of the nearby North Vista Highlands has an agreement with the city to rebuild the crumbling segment — but it won’t happen until an unspecified future date.
“We want to see it get done earlier to accommodate some utility projects that are going on in the area,” he explained. “I believe the developer also wants to see it get done earlier, as well, if possible, because it technically is kind of the front door of their community.”
Hayes said the city and the developer are currently discussing the possibility of fixing the road during this year’s paving season.
Both sides would have to determine who would oversee and pay for the project.
The city also wants to acquire private property along the road to build sidewalks and curbs as part of the road improvements.
The road is among the most frequently asked questions expressed to KRDO13’s The Road Warrior as our coverage enters its third year.
FBI offering $50,000 in case of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance
Celeste Springer
On Thursday, officials held a press conference on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the morning of a Today show anchor.
According to Arizona’s Pima County Sheriff’s Office, ransom notes were sent to local media outlets. This week, the sheriff’s office said they have not yet confirmed whether the notes are legitimate. However, FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke said that an arrest has been made in connection with what he said was an “imposter ransom demand.”
A family member called 911 around noon Sunday to report her missing, according to CNN. Guthrie’s daughter, Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, pleaded for her mother’s safe return home in a video posted to Instagram this week. Investigators believe she may have been abducted.
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On Thursday, the FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to her recovery. The sheriff’s office said they believe she is “still out there.” Investigators have not announced any suspects, but say they believe she was taken against her will.
Signal upgrades at two Garden of the Gods Road intersections in Colorado Springs taking longer to complete than expected
Scott Harrison
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A traffic signal project that began just before Thanksgiving was supposed to be finished by New Year’s Day, then by the end of January.
Many viewers have asked why work to upgrade signals on Garden of the Gods Road, at the Northpark Drive and Mark Dabling Boulevard intersections, isn’t done yet.
Winter weather is often to blame for construction delays, but we’ve had less snow and ice than usual.
Todd Frisbie, the city’s head traffic engineer, said that the reason for the project’s delay is common — crews digging underground and finding things they didn’t expect.
“As you get into it, it becomes more complicated,” he explained. “There are always things that you can’t anticipate. Utilities are marked and located, but they’re sometimes not in the exact place.”
Frisbie said that daily, crews have to carefully move existing underground utility lines to make room for the new signal infrastructure and avoid damaging the utility lines.
The new signals currently hang on wires, but will be placed on overhead masts that are supported by new bases called caissons.
“These caissons are anywhere from 18 to 21 feet deep, plus 36 to 42 inches in diameter,” he said. “So, it’s a big space, and you need a big area to get these in.”
One traffic lane in each direction is closed during construction, which Frisbie said should now be finished before the end of next March.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is covering most of the project’s nearly $2 million cost.
Meanwhile, more lane closures are required around the intersection of Circle Drive and Constitution Avenue, where crews will fill some concrete boring holes that were made during a recent fiber optic cable installation.
Those closures began on Wednesday evening and should end by mid-afternoon on Friday; the entrance to the Rock Island Trail in that area also will be closed during that time.
City council member floats idea to bring regulated gambling to downtown Pueblo
Celeste Springer
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — A city council member has floated an idea to bring regulated gambling to downtown Pueblo.
City Council Member Brett Boston appeared on Mayor Graham’s podcast, “The Mayor’s Mixtape,” on Tuesday, where he discussed the idea.
“I don’t want Pueblo to be a casino city, but I do want– maybe two, three, five at most– casinos all centrally located in the downtown area that’ll help revitalize downtown,” said Council Member Boston.
Council Member Boston said he hopes the idea will increase foot traffic and tourism to the area and support other existing local businesses.
KRDO13 spoke briefly with Council Member Boston, who said it’s a hypothetical idea he’s exploring, but nothing concrete has been discussed; he says he’s working to gauge interest in whether residents would approve.
“The City of Pueblo is open for business, and we are definitely looking for new opportunities to diversify our revenue. I’m happy to hear that members of City Council like Councilor Boston are looking to attract new businesses, increase tourism and utilize our already vibrant amenities here in Pueblo which then could potentially support legalized gambling,” read a statement by Mayor Graham.
Safety upgrades coming to the site of a fatal hit-and-run crash in El Paso County a year ago
Scott Harrison
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The efforts of a Colorado Congressman and the head of the county’s Board of Commissioners have resulted in $1 million of federal funding for the intersection of Constitution Avenue and Peterson Road.
Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colorado Springs, recently announced the allocation, citing the assistance of Commissioner Carrie Geitner.
His announcement came a year after the January 2025 hit-and-run crash at the intersection that killed Charlene McAlister, 76; she was a beloved employee at a nearby daycare center who walked the same route to work daily.
That summer, authorities arrested a suspect and charged him with leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
Crank said that the federal funding will finance numerous safety improvements relating to signal timing, street lighting, center median work, and lane adjustments.
According to county officials, the project is still under design and has no official start date.
Another project under design nearby and benefitting from federal money is scheduled to begin this summer: Replacing stormwater infrastructure along several blocks of Palmer Park Boulevard, in the Cimarron Hills neighborhood.
The funding will also pay for equipment at the county sheriff’s office and for a cybersecurity program at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS).
National Signing Day
Rob Namnoum
Colorado Springs Christian School
Jordyn Rollins – Soccer – Colorado Christian University
Ella Turner – Soccer – Wartburg College
Coronado High School
Thomas Buckmiller – Football – Western Colorado University
John Corbett – Soccer – Air Force Academy
Xzavier Campos – Cross County/Track & Field – Northern Arizona University
Emma Hylton – Soccer – McPherson College
Emery Meares – Swimming – Carthage College
Libby Gutowski – Cross Country/Track & Field – Kansas Wesleyan University
Florence High School
Noah Howard – Football – Western Colorado University
Jaret Lozano – Football – Knox College
Fountain Fort Carson High School
Ava Archuletta – Track & Field Metro State University
Justyn Jordan – Football – Idaho State University
Alexa Queen – Track & Field – Duke University
Logan Osborn – Baseball – Friends University
Cadence Hirsch – Soccer – University of Northwestern St. Paul
La Junta High School
Yliani Garcia – Wrestling – Otero College
Mesa Ridge High School
Johnnie Roane – Wrestling & Track – Colorado Northwestern
Emma Yancey – Cross Country – Fort Lewis College
Gabby Mares – Cross Country – Friends University
Serenity Higgins – Softball – Doane College
Justine Sifuentes – Softball – Kansas Wesleyan
Deondre Green – Football – Colorado Western University
Trevon Salas – Football – South Dakota School of Mines
Kobe Dooley – Football – Air Force Academy
Jakehlan Watts – Football – Adams State University
Savana Iverson – Volleyball – Knox College
Palmer Ridge High School
Tyler Himebauch – Football – Boise State
Brody Elliott – Football – Pittsburgh State
Jack Mabe – Football – Black Hills State
Mike Toth – Football – Butler University
Dylan Yanovich – Football – Fort Lewis
Jake Coyle – Football – Fort Lewis
Pine Creek High School
Jayden Riberty – Football – Central College
Pueblo County High School
Jacob Gonzales – Football – Concordia University – Wisconsin
Brody Kidd – Football – Concordia University – Wisconsin
Colorado Springs grocery store helps grant 7-year-old’s unique birthday wish
Mackenzie Stafford
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Many parents go above and beyond to make things happen for their kids, but one Colorado Springs mom exceeded expectations for her son by simply going to the grocery store.
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon on the West side of Colorado Springs. Many people were grabbing groceries, but there was one person who couldn’t be happier to be at the local food store.
Hunter Vigilotti comes to King Soopers often.
“Well, a lot, since we just live right down the road over there,” explained Hunter, “[We’re here] sometimes it’s every other day or every day.”
The local grocery store has become his own personal playground. He showed KRDO13 all of his favorite aisles, including the snacks, the ice cream and the frozen food, because “there’s food from all different countries.”
He says that King Soopers is his second-favorite place on Earth. When asked what the first is Hunter replied, “At home with mom.”
Hunter’s mom made his wishes come true.
“This is my child, Hunter. And he wanted to have a food store birthday party,” explained Katie Vigliotti.
She says she felt silly calling the grocer to ask to host a party there, but that it was worth it to make her son happy.
“I had to say a million times, I promise you, I’m not crazy. I’m just a mother, and my kid wants something. And so we’re going for it,” shared Katie.
Hunter received a seventh birthday shout-out over the loudspeaker in King Soopers.
“At first, we had a brainstorm about what a party here would look like. But we were thrilled to be a part of Hunter’s big day,” shared King Soopers department head, Nikki Benavidez.
Despite Hunter’s mom asking multiple times if he wanted to go to a typical birthday spot for his big celebration, she says he continued to beg to have his party at King Soopers.
“I do feel like a nut job when I have to send out the invites, and I go, hey, by the way, he wants to have his party here at King Soopers. He doesn’t feel crazy, and I don’t care. You know, he’s happy,” said Hunter’s mom.
The group celebrated Hunter turning seven with a cake decorating contest in the King Soopers conference room. Even Hunter’s best friend, Derek, showed up for his birthday bash. Derek Poindexter is Hunter’s favorite employee at the store. Poindexter tells KRDO13 he’s grateful he got to be there and wishes Hunter a happy birthday.
Hunter said it was the craziest and best birthday yet!
Hunter’s mom tells us the only other spot he asked to have his birthday in was Starbucks, and she had some good news for him: there was, in fact, a Starbucks in King Soopers.
King Soopers helped to provide the cakes for decorating, sandwiches and even goodie bags for the kids to take home.