Category: krdo-local-news

Celeste Springer

NEW YORK, N.Y. (KRDO) — Jurors in the sex trafficking and racketeering trial for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have announced a full verdict, according to ABC News. He was found not guilty on the most serious counts.

The five counts are:

Count 1: Racketeering conspiracy, NOT GUILTY

Count 2: Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion – pertains to Victim 1 (Cassie Ventura), NOT GUILTY

Count 3: Transportation to engage in prostitution – pertains to Victim 1 (Cassie Ventura) and commercial sex workers, GUILTY

Count 4: Sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion – pertains to Victim 2 (“Jane”), NOT GUILTY

Count 5: Transportation to engage in prostitution – pertains to Victim 2 (“Jane”) and commercial sex workers, GUILTY

Combs faces a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Click here to follow the original article.

Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Driving around the Pikes Peak region this summer, it’s easy to find crews performing concrete work to prepare for repaving streets for this year and future years.

Some residents wish that the broken sidewalks in front of their homes could be fixed as quickly and efficiently.

Two viewers recently contacted KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior to share frustrations about sidewalk damage in front of their homes.

One of them is Barbara Emerson, a 78-year-old widow who said that she and her late husband were the first to build a home in the Villa Loma neighborhood of northeast Colorado Springs.

Over time, her sidewalks haven’t fared well.

“I’ve been waiting for several years to have them repaired,” she said. “There are a lot of people who walk on them, or walk their dogs, and I’m afraid of someone tripping and falling, and getting hurt.”

Emerson said that a city official told her in 2019 that she was on a list to be considered for a city cost-sharing program, in which residents can opt to pay half the cost of a sidewalk repair, in order to have it fixed sooner.

“Then he said that my half will be $700,” she explained. “Well, I about fell over because I didn’t think I’d be paying anything. So, I’ve left it that way. I’m not going to fix it myself.”

During a sidewalk controversy covered by The Road Warrior in December 2024, officials revealed that the city had a backlog of 6,000 requests for sidewalk repairs — because of growth, limited resources, and the number of requests coming in faster than repairs can be made.

At that time, the city said that between 100 to 150 residents register annually for the cost-sharing program.

Meanwhile, just southeast of the city, in Security-Widefield, Michael Sadley has a somewhat unique issue with his sidewalk on McGrew Circle; roots from a neighbor’s tree, he believes, are undermining his sidewalk and driveway.

The sidewalk is sinking in some places and rising in others, creating a tripping hazard.

“(One) morning, a lady tripped and scraped her knee pretty badly,” he said. “So, I tried to help her. I gave her some water and some bandages. She was alright. She was walking her dog. She was mad at me. She came knocking on my door. I said that it wasn’t my fault.”

Sadley said that he has contacted the city several times about the matter, and didn’t realize that he should have contacted El Paso County instead.

“I’m going to do that,” he said.

The tree is on property owned by an elderly woman, he explained, who can’t afford to have the tree trimmed or removed.

“A group of us neighbors get together once a year to clean up her yard, but there’s only so much we can do,” Sadley said. “I hope the county can do something because it’ll cost me $7,500 to pay for fixing the sidewalk myself.”

The Road Warrior contacted the county about the matter, and a spokesman said that it’s being investigated.

Residents with sidewalk issues should report them to the appropriate department as soon as possible, so that officials will be aware of them.

Click here to follow the original article.

Rob Namnoum

Nique Clifford from Colorado Springs arrived at the Sacramento Airport on Tuesday night and received a warm welcome from Sacramento Kings fans. Clifford was selected in the first round of the NBA draft last week. Clifford will be introduced to Kings nation later on this week.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mackenzie Stafford

ALAMOSA COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – On Tuesday, July 1, Barry Morphew appeared at the Alamosa Combined Court.

Morphew, a Salida man accused of killing his wife, Suzanne, was indicted and charged with first-degree murder.

It comes more than five years after his wife, Suzanne Morphew, was reported missing on Mother’s Day in 2020.

Around a year after Suzanne’s disappearance, Morphew was charged with first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a dangerous weapon, and an attempt to influence a public servant.

The case was dismissed just days before going to trial in 2022, making Morphew a free man at the time, but the case could be retried if new evidence came to light. It’s why the charges were refiled last month, and why Morphew had to face court once again on Tuesday.

Morphew’s most recent mug shot courtesy of the Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Just before Morphew’s first appearance in court, his daughter walked in beside Morphew’s attorney. She has stood by her father’s side, maintaining his innocence.

In court, Morphew walked in sporting an orange and white striped jumpsuit. He was stoic with a straight face, aside from a smile he flashed to his daughter sitting in the stands in support. 

Only one of Morphew’s daughters joined the court for his first appearance. She could be seen leaving with Morphew’s attorneys, also giving a glint of a smile as she left.

For the most part, Tuesday’s court date was a procedural hearing. The defense representing Morphew said they would need some time to review all the evidence prosecutors are planning to use in the case– a terabyte worth. 

Part of that is the discovery of Suzanne’s remains, where the coroners found BAM, a tranquilizer made for animals, that prosecutors say only Morphew had access to at the time. 

We asked Morphew’s attorney for comment, and he declined. 

Morphew is being held in the Alamosa County Jail on a $3 million cash bond. His attorney advised that he would like additional time to ask for that to be changed at Morphew’s next hearing.

Morphew will be back in court on Sept. 2 for another status hearing. 

You can read the full grand jury indictment below.

Grand Jury Indictment_0Download

Click here to follow the original article.

Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Academy School District 20 has changed its cafeteria services provider, opting for a different company. The change has resulted in layoffs for 152 Sodexo employees.

Of those laid off are about 102 food service workers.

The new contracted company, Aramark, says that the workers have been invited to apply for their new open positions. They say they will have a career event next week for current employees and plan to have more job fairs in the future, open to the whole community.

Academy District 20 provided the following statement:

“As Academy District 20’s current food service contract reached the end of its fourth and final option year, the District was required to initiate a formal, state-mandated Request for Proposal (RFP) process. This process, guided by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), ensures transparency, fairness, and open competition among vendors. An evaluation team of District stakeholders carefully reviewed all proposals, and in alignment with CDE guidelines. Following this rigorous process, Aramark was selected to assume food service operations for the 2025-26 school year. This decision does not reflect the quality of past service providers, but rather the criteria established by the CDE and our commitment as a District to fiscal responsibility.

While we cannot speak on behalf of either company regarding employment matters, we can confirm that Aramark will fill the same operational role and plans to communicate directly with staff and the community about available job opportunities. Our top priority has been and will remain providing nutritious, student-centered, and USDA-compliant meals, and we look forward to a smooth transition as the 2025-26 school year begins.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Celeste Springer

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) says cases of a jury duty scam are on the rise.

EPSO says scammers are posing as law enforcement or court staff. They’re calling residents, saying that they have missed jury duty and have warrants out for their arrest. The scammers then pressure the victim to pay them through Bitcoin, prepaid cards, or wire transfers to clear up the warrants.

“They may mention a “signature verification” process, this is a fake legal procedure designed to make the scam sound official. In reality, it’s just a tactic to get you to comply with their demands, which usually involve paying a fine or handing over sensitive information,” the sheriff’s office wrote.

EPSO says law enforcement will never call to ask for payment for a warrant, and never ask for gift cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfers.

Click here to follow the original article.

Celeste Springer

COSTILLA COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The Costilla County Sheriff’s Office says a man has escaped custody.

According to the department, Dallas Hayes was being held on burglary charges when he escaped during the booking process yesterday morning.

The sheriff’s office says that at the time, he was wearing black pants, a white muscle shirt, and no shoes. He was last seen near Costilla Street and 8th Street in San Luis.

If you see him, call 911.

Click here to follow the original article.

Celeste Springer

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — The Boys and Girls Clubs of Pueblo County has announced plans for this summer’s teen program.

According to the organization, the program will be hosted at Pueblo Community College (PCC).

“The college is excited to have the Boys & Girls Club on our Orman campus,” said PCC President Chato Hazelbaker in a press release. “Their mission to provide safe, fun spaces for teens aligns perfectly with our mission and I’ve already seen the students enjoying what the college has to offer.” 

The Boys and Girls Club says the teen center is free to all high school students ages 14 to 18.

 “This opportunity is for incoming freshmen through upcoming seniors. The teens can earn workforce certifications such as: CPR/First Aid, Teen Mental Health First Aid, and Food Safety. We will have skill-based activities, a 360 arts program, STEM activities in the STEM Lab at PCC and physical fitness opportunities,” said Site Director Karsyn DeHerrera.

Officials say there will also be a “creative resiliency workshop” from July 7 through July 10, where teens can build emotional literacy skills. The program will include field trips.

The teen center will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. now through Aug. 1. To register, click here. For more information, you can also call 719-920-8809.

Click here to follow the original article.

Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Crews are making gradual progress on concrete construction in some areas of Security-Widefield in advance of repaving later this summer.

It’s a big change for residents along Bison and Chimayo drives, widely considered to be in the worst condition; old sidewalks, curbs, and gutters have been torn out.

Construction signs and markers indicate where workers will pour new concrete, and platforms have been placed at entrances to homes so that residents can walk over unfinished sidewalks.

Security-Widefield received a considerable amount of street work last summer, but it was via slurry-sealing, a less expensive resurfacing process designed to extend the life of streets already in good condition.

Bison and Chimayo — along with Alturas, Birch, and Holly drives — are in worse condition and require asphalt repaving, which, in turn, requires a new concrete framework.

“It’s an older neighborhood,” said Dan Gerhard, a public works engineer for El Paso County. “So, we have a lot to address in there to properly bring it up to current standards and improve the roads. We’ll probably have something planned in the neighborhood almost every year.”

Affected streets are open only to local traffic during the concrete work and paving.

Those roads are really rough,” said neighbor Janice Schoenfelt. “It got so we wouldn’t drive up them because they are rough. So, I’m glad to see that they’re getting it done.”

Another neighbor, Jennifer Cronin, said that the old humpy sidewalks are unsafe and contribute to poor drainage.

“It can be a problem getting our trucks in and out of our driveway,” she said. “The camper, too. The sidewalk scrapes the bottom of everything.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Rob Namnoum

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Pioneer Baseball League’s Board of Directors accepted the resignation of the Northern Colorado Owlz baseball club as a team in the league. Instead, a new team has entered: the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

The Sky Sox will complete the Owlz’ 2025 season.

Field Manager Dimitri Young, Pitching Coach Ray King, and their coaching staff will assumecommand of the Sky Sox, who open their first series in Grand Junction on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

“I am so grateful and proud of the Owlz players and coaches who have performed this season withthe highest degree of professionalism,” said PBL President Mike Shapiro. “Under the leadership ofmanager Dimitri Young and pitching coach Ray King they’ve conducted themselves with utmostcharacter and have honored the Pioneer League and the game of Baseball.”

The Sky Sox will play their 2025 home games at blocktickets Park in Colorado Springs, home to theRocky Mountain Vibes.

Click here to follow the original article.