Local News
Job of the Day: Hearings Officer
Source: News First 5
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has an opening for a Hearings Officer in Colorado Springs. You must have at least three years of experience in criminal or civil justice areas, dispute resolution, or as an adjudicator or practicing attorney.
Starting pay is $4700 - $6800 per month, plus state benefits. The deadline to Click to Read More
Fire danger still high in southern Colorado Play Video
Source: News First 5
A 200-acre fire in Calhan on Sunday is followed by a 3000+ acre fire in Boulder County on Monday. They stand as big reminders that we are still in the middle of fire season. "We're really concerned about what's happening along the Front Range and along our wild land urban interface areas." says Lt. Greg Martinez with the Colorado Springs Fire Department.
Just like in Boulder County, Southern Colorado has a lot of old pine trees and brush. As the fall comes in and they start to dry out… Click to Read More
Colorado reservists deploying to Iraq
Source: Associated Press
About 50 Air Force reservists and three C-130 cargo planes from Peterson Air Force Base are headed for Iraq.
Air crews and maintenance teams from the 302nd Airlift Wing will depart Wednesday from the base in Colorado Springs.
It's the third deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan for Peterson reservists. Previous deployments were in 2005 and 2008.
Contempt case to wrap up against Douglas Bruce
Source: Associated Press
The contempt-of-course case against Colorado Springs anti-tax activist Douglas Bruce is expected to wrap-up Tuesday.
There's no word on how long Denver District Judge Brian Whitney will take to decide whether to find Douglas Bruce guilty of contempt.
Government lawyers say the father of Colorado's Taxpayers Bill of Rights has been illegally avoiding answering questions about three tax-cutting proposals on ballots this fall.
Bruce has said he has nothing to do with thos… Click to Read More
Balloons glow brightly
Source: News First 5
For two nights in a row, the nighttime sky over Memorial Park in Colorado Springs fills with a warm glow. The Balloon Classic's Balloon Glo attracts thousands of people to the park for the annual night event.
Hot-air balloon pilots leave their crafts on the ground, but inflate the balloons upright. They use their burners to create the glow.
The Balloon Classic isn't over. Weather permitting, the balloons will launch again Monday at 7 a.m. The festivities begin at 6 a.m.Click to Read More
Wounded Warrior flies at balloon classic Play Video
Source: News First 5
Wounded Warrior flies at balloon classic
Neil Duncan has a simple goal in mind.
"We came out to ride a hot air balloon."
An Afghanistan veteran and Army paratrooper, Sgt. Duncan is taking his first balloon ride to promote Wounded Warrior Project.
Five years ago, he lost both of his legs in combat after an ied exploded directly under his vehicle.
"It detonated immediately underneath me and wrapped my legs in shrapnel and broke out a bunch of my teeth and… Click to Read More
Police searching for suspect in attempted murder
Source: News First 5
Colorado Springs police are searching for a suspect, in an overnight assault.
Investigators say 41-year-old Stephen Archuleta is accused of hitting a man on the head with a blunt object, several times. The victim was able to take himself to the hospital.
Archuleta faces an attempted murder charge. His whereabouts are not known.
Job of the Day: Water Treatment Specialist
Source: News First 5
Colorado Springs Utilities has an opening for a Water Treatment Specialist. Education requirements are a high school diploma or a GED.
Starting pay is $22 - $33 per hour. This government job comes with generous benefits.
APPLY by noon on Sept. 13.
AFA teacher gets bronze star for Afghanistan work
Source: Associated Press
An Air Force Academy instructor has received the Bronze Star medal for his work as an adviser in the Afghan government.
Lt. Col. Patrick Donley spent a year working with the Afghan ministry of rural rehabilitation and development. Donley says he helped with strategic planning, speech writing and organizing trips. He also functioned as a liaison between the ministry and the U.S.-led military coalition in Afghanistan.
The Bronze Star is given for heroic or meritorious achi… Click to Read More
Douglas Bruce contempt hearing continues
Source: Associated Press
Government lawyers are continuing to push for Colorado Springs tax-cutting activist Douglas Bruce to give information about his role in three ballot measures before voters this fall.
The contempt-of-court hearing against Bruce continues in Denver.
Bruce is the father of Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill Of Rights (TABOR), and the government says Bruce has been dodging subpoenas to talk about his possible role in three more tax measures on ballots this year.
Bruce says he wa… Click to Read More
Colorado Springs on list of safest drivers
Source: Associated Press
Anyone who's nearly been run-down by insane drivers on Academy or Powers may dispute this--but Allstate Insurance ranks Colorado Springs as the fourth-safest driving city with the average driver involved in a collision every 12.5 years.
The list was released Thursday of the country's 200 largest cities based on the frequency of car collisions.
Topping the list at No. 1 is Fort Collins. Denver was 45th.
Ex-Fort Carson construction chief pleads guilty
Source: Associated Press
The former director of construction at Fort Carson has pleaded guilty to a charge that he failed to disclose several thousands of dollars in gifts from a contractor doing business with the Army.
William T. Armstrong pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of making a false statement to the Army when he failed to disclose nearly $3,400 in gifts on a form he filled out in January 2008.
Prosecutors alleged that Armstrong received the gifts in May 2007. They say the investigation is … Click to Read More
UPDATE: Suspicious packages blown up in Manitou Springs
Source: KOAA
Two suspicious boxes have been found at a building in Manitou Springs, in the area of Lafayette and Lovers Lane. They were blown up Thursday evening. No word yet on what was in the boxes.
Manitou Avenue reopened just before 9 p.m. Lover's Lane remained closed for the investigation.
DOD confirms two more Ft. Carson casualties
Source: KOAA
The Department of Defense has confirmed two more Ft. Carson soldier deaths, that we first told you about Wednesday on News First 5.
2nd Lt. Mark A. Noziska, 24, and Staff Sgt. Casey J. Grochowiak, 34, died Monday in Malajat, Afghanistan. They were wounded in an improved explosive attack. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Noziska was from Nebraska; Grochowiak called California home.
Former construction director pleads guilty
Source: KOAA
DENVER (AP) - The former director of construction at the Fort Carson Army base south of Colorado Springs has pleaded guilty to a charge that he failed to disclose several thousands of dollars in
gifts from a contractor doing business with the Army.
William T. Armstrong pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of making a false statement to the Army when he failed to disclose nearly $3,400 in gifts on a form he filled out in January 2008.
Prosecutors alleged that Armstrong rec… Click to Read More
Two Colo. cities recognized for safe driving
Source: KOAA
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Fort Collins Mayor Doug Hutchinson is giving credit to residents for the city's No. 1 spot in a major insurance company's ranking of the country's "safest driving city."
The Allstate Insurance Co. released its ranking Thursday of the country's 200 largest cities based on the frequency of car collisions. Its report says the average driver in Fort Collins will experience a collision every 14.5 years, about 31 percent less likely than the national average.
… Click to Read MoreDouglas Bruce faces Round 3 in contempt battle
Source: Associated Press
It's Round Three in the government's battle to have a Colorado Springs anti-tax activist answer questions about his role getting tax-slashing measures onto state ballots.
Douglas Bruce has a hearing this morning in a contempt-of-court case. The government wants to compel Bruce to talk about whether he helped some tax opponents shepherd three tax-cutting proposals onto ballots this fall.
Bruce engineered the campaign to pass Colorado's Taxpayers Bill of Rights, which limits gov… Click to Read More
CEO: Memorial should go private
Source: News First 5
The debate continued Wednesday on whether to change Memorial Hospital from a taxpayer owned facility to a private, community based hospital.
Memorial Health System's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Larry McEvoy, would like to see a ballot question to that effect for Colorado Springs voters, by next April.
At a packed public meeting, Doctor McEvoy presented the hospital's perspective on ownership and how it should be run.
It was put on by a citizen's commission chosen by c… Click to Read More
D-11 teacher accused of binding child's legs Play Video
Source: News First 5
Some big accusations are being made at Bates Elementary School in Colorado Springs. A father is angry with the school for alleged abuse to his son on Monday. "I actually find out from my son that he's sitting in his desk, just swinging his legs. Then the teacher proceeds to make him wrap therapeutic rubber bands around his legs." explains the boy's dad, Clifton Morgan, "She's not really thinking about child safety."
We took the father's complaint to School District 11, because it's a … Click to Read More
Fort Carson says its suicide rate is falling
Source: News First 5
Commanders at Fort Carson say the suicide rate among their soldiers is on track to drop by 45 percent.
Fort Carson's deputy commanding general for support, Brig. Gen. Jim Pasquarette, said Wednesday the decrease might be due in part to a campaign to make mental health experts more accessible and to reduce the stigma sometimes associated with seeking help.
He cautions that the rate could still climb. He says officials are still studying the reasons for the declining rate at the… Click to Read More
UPDATED: More casualties reported from Afghanistan Play Video
Source: News First 5
As many as seven Fort Carson soldiers have been killed this week in bombing attacks in Afghanistan.
The Pentagon has not yet announced by deaths of two of the soldiers. However, the Gazette reports 1st Lt. Mark Noziska, 24 of Nebraska and SSG Casey Grochowiak, 36 of California were killed Monday.
It is unclear whether they died in the same attack that killed 5 other soldiers from the Mountain Post or in a separate attack.
The Department of Defense announced Wednesday… Click to Read More
Fort Carson opens medical evacuation training area
Source: Associated Press
Fort Carson is opening an outdoor training area to teach soldiers how to evacuate wounded comrades while under fire.
The Medical Simulations Training Center will be formally launched on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It includes an observation tower, walled courtyards and other features.
Fort Carson says about 3,000 soldiers are expected to train at the center over the next year.
Streets closed by house fire in Colorado Springs
Source: News First 5
If you're heading out the door to work--you need to avoid some downtown streets because they're blocked by police and fire equipment.
A vacant house caught fire at 702 S. Nevada, at the corner of Rio Grande, directly across from the Police Operations Center. Both Nevada and Rio Grande are closed because of emergency equipment.
Colorado Springs firefighters report that the back door had been forced open prior to their arrival.
There are no reports of injuries.
2-year-old boy hit at car wash, child critical Play Video
Source: News First 5
Colorado Springs Police are investigating an accident involving a 2-year-old boy at a car wash.
The accident happened at 6:35 p.m. at a car wash on Hancock and Academy. Sgt. Lonnie Spanswick tells News First 5 the boy was with his dad who was vacuuming their car. The boy wandered out of the sight of dad and into the path of a Hummer that was leaving the car wash.
Spanswick says the boy has serious head injuries and is in critical condition at Memorial Hospital. Detectives w… Click to Read More
Jobs workshops planned this month
Source: News First 5
If you're planning to make a job change, the Pikes Peak Workforce Center can help you with your resume, job hunting skills and the stress associated with your search.
Some workshops require that you register in advance. Here's what's coming up in September:
Resume ‘Righting!' - Resume and Portfolio Design
These sessions provide intermediate to advanced resume and portfolio guidance.
• Mondays, 2 to 4 p.m.
• Wednesdays, 10 a.…
Click to Read More
Gas line break causes traffic tie-ups
Source: KOAA
A gas line break is causing traffic problems on Colorado Springs' southeast side.
Colorado Springs Utilities says a private company, working in the area, damaged a 6-inch pipe on Circle Drive. Gas is no longer leaking, but it could take several hours for the damage to be repaired.
Circle is closed, between Fountain and Airport. You will want to avoid that area until the repairs are complete.
Friday: Stargazer night at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Source: News First 5
Traverse the night sky through telescopes with the guidance of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society this Friday at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The Zoo will host its final Stargazer Night of the year.
Cool Science and Science Matters will have fun activities for kids of all ages. Check out the Egyptian fruit bats, wide-eyed and active with the sun down.
The Stargazer Night will run from 8-10 pm. The cost: Adults $5, Children (3-11) $4.
Driving Directions from Inter… Click to Read More
Hwy 24 Ute Pass bridge construction to begin
Source: News First 5
Construction will begin in mid-September on Highway 24 in the Ute Pass area. Crews will replace a 79-year-old eastbound bridge, on the east side of Cascade. Traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction for approximately two weeks.
Separate crews will perform rock mitigation operations in mid-September, reducing Hwy. 24 to one lane in each direction from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, between Cascade and Manitou Springs.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) … Click to Read More
Couple linked to rabid bat finally found
Source: News First 5
The El Paso County Health Department has finally found the two people who dropped off a rabid bat at the Pikes Peak Humane Society on Aug. 15. Their health is being evaluated.
"We are relieved that we are able to conduct a proper investigation of this situation," said Marigny Klaber, M.S., communicable disease epidemiologist for the Health Department.
Rabies cases have increased rapidly in wild animals the past few years in Colorado. Rabies is fatal in humans. Symptoms include… Click to Read More
Colorado camp sites available for Labor Day Weekend
Source: NewsFirst5, Associated Press
Many of Colorado's state parks still have camp sites available for the Labor Day weekend.
Arkansas Headwaters, Yampa River, Crawford, Eleven Mile and Mancos state parks are among the sites that still have spaces open all three days.
But others are already full for the three-day weekend. They include Lake Pueblo, Cheyenne Mountain, Cherry Creek, Paonia and San Luis state parks. Other parks have camp sites available one or two days.
Reservations may be made Click to Read More
Memorial service today for Colorado Springs fallen soldier
Source: Associated Press
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is holding a memorial service Tuesday for a Colorado soldier killed in Iraq.
The Army says Sgt. Faith R. Hinkley of Colorado Springs died Aug. 7 in Baghdad of wounds suffered in an attack.
She was assigned to the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion of the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade.
Former Colorado Springs executives indicted
Source: Associated Press
Three former executives of a Colorado Springs medical equipment company and a consultant are named in a federal indictment claiming that they imported medical devices that weren't cleared for use by the federal government.
The U.S. attorney's office in Denver said Monday that the former Spectranetics Corp. officials have been indicted on charges of conspiracy, making false statements and importing adulterated and misbranded medical devices from 2004 through October 2008.
Autho… Click to Read More
Backers of initiatives claim voter guide biased
Source: Associated Press
The battle over three tax-cutting proposals on the Colorado ballot in November is spreading to a voter's guide written by legislative staffers.
Proponents of the measures have sent angry e-mails to the Legislative Council denouncing the analysis of the proposals' fiscal impact. They have accused the council, a nonpartisan agency, of bias against the ballot measures.
The council writes the so-called "Blue Book," a voter guide that explains initiatives and referred measures on t… Click to Read More
Flu vaccine arrives in southern Colorado Play Video
Source: News First 5
You may have seen a few signs the flu season is on the horizon. Some pharmacies around southern Colorado have the flu shot available now. Not everyone plans to get one.
"I just tend to be a healthy individual, and I never seem to get things," explains Dave Urban.
"No, I'm not going to get a flu shot this year. The children get one because they're more out in the public. I don't get one. It doesn't agree with me," says Mary Beddoe.
Health experts remind us, that d… Click to Read More
Is your family ready for an emergency? Play Video
Source: News First 5
You never know when an emergency might strike you or your family. September is National Preparedness Month and with snow just a month or two away it's important to be ready for the worst.
"In the case of a blizzard, often times they (rescue crews) can't respond. It's very difficult for them to get anywhere fast," says Jennifer Mariano with the Pikes Peak Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross recommends you have enough to survive for 3 days without any outside help. … Click to Read More
Powers Blvd. construction project underway
Source: News First 5
There's a cone zone in Colorado Springs to avoid.
Paving is underway on Powers Blvd. between Bradley Rd. and Milton E. Proby Pkwy. Expect lane closures, blocked left turn lanes, and reduced speeds.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) also has installed a new traffic signal at the Powers/Grinnell intersection to improve safety and traffic movements. It is expected to be activated either this week or just after Labor Day.
In addition to paving and signa… Click to Read More
Fort Carson beefing-up alcohol abuse programs
Source: Associated Press
A new Army program will allow Fort Carson soldiers to seek help for alcohol abuse anonymously so they don't worry about their supervisors finding out.
The program is already in place at other Army posts including Alaska and Hawaii and it will begin Monday at Fort Carson.
The program eliminates the requirement that soldiers notify their supervisors first before getting help from the Army's Substance Abuse Program.
The Army is also hiring seven more counselors to work at… Click to Read More
Focus says gay groups pushing school agendas
Source: Associated Press
The Colorado Springs-based Christian group Focus on the Family is accusing national gay advocacy groups of using bullying-prevention initiatives at schools to introduce the viewpoint that homosexuality is normal.
Focus on the Family education expert Candi Cushman told The Denver Post that the Christian group supports bullying prevention but that the issue "is being hijacked by activists."
The Colorado Springs-based group says gay groups are being deceptive and trumping the opp… Click to Read More
Local group protests Palin, Beck rally in D.C.
Source: News First 5
On the 47th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, hundreds of thousands showed up at the Lincoln Memorial for a rally hosted by conservatives Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin.
"We must restore America and restore her honor!" exclaimed Palin to the cheering crowd. Beck called for a return to conservative values in the government. "Something beyond imagination is happening." He told the enormous crowd, "America today begins to turn back to God."
But in Color… Click to Read More
Red light camera update: 1 already operational
Source: News First 5
One of the four red light traffic cameras in Colorado Springs is up and running. It's at westbound Platte and Murray. There won't be any tickets issued until mid-October, but police want you to know it's there and operational.
The other cameras are going in at
Northbound Nevada Avenue @ Bijou Street
Eastbound Barnes Road @ Oro Blanco Drive
Westbound Platte Avenue @ Circle Drive
Juile Penrose fountain closes early
Source: News First 5
Sad news for families and anyone who wants to keep cool, the Julie Penrose Fountain at America the Beautiful park in Colorado Springs has closed for the season. The city says a broken pump is to blame.
NB I-25 cleared in Monument
Source: News First 5
All vehicles involved in a traffic accident on northbound I-25 in Monument have been moved to the shoulder.They had been blocking the center and left lanes, causing a back-up that went for miles.
Injuries were reported.
The crash is at milemarker 162.
Cheyenne Mtn. State Park this weekend
Source: News First 5
With the weekend here, it's time to get outside and remember why it's so wonderful to live in Colorado.
You don't have to go far to immerse yourself in beauty--Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado Springs has plenty for you to do--from hiking to special programs.
Here's what's on tap this weekend--
Junior Ranger Program
August 28, 10:00 a.m.
Complete the activities in the Junior Ranger Handbook (for ages 7-12 years) and earn a level one …
Click to Read More
Job of the Day: USOC Administrative Specialist
Source: News First 5
The USOC has an immediate opening for an Administrative Specialist at its Colorado Springs headquarters.
The pay is $10 - $14 per hour.
Duties include:
* Maintains HRIS databases for new hire record creation, benefit enrollments and changes, COBRA, LOA's and terminations
* Provide administrative support for Open Enrollment and Benefit Fair
* Responsible for the creation, tracking and correspondence of all new hire paperwork
* Ensures new hire files ar…
Click to Read More
Stolen SUV crashes into Colorado Springs house
Source: News First 5
A stolen SUV crashed into a home in the 3000 block of E. Pikes Peak Ave. The driver fled the scene, but was later caught by police. It happened just after 5 am Friday.
The suspect is being held on charges including hit and run and motor vehicle theft. His name has not been released.
No one in the home was injured.
Peterson AFB plans homecoming for deployed soldiers
Source: Associated Press
Eight soldiers from the Colorado Army National Guard are returning home after a nine-month deployment in Bahrain. A homecoming ceremony is planned Friday at Peterson Air Force Base.
The soldiers are members of Commercial Imagery Team 4 from the Colorado Guard's 117th Space Battalion. The unit provided commercial satellite imagery for military and diplomatic operations in the U.S. Central Command. The images were used in flood relief in Pakistan and anti-piracy operations i… Click to Read More
Colorado's stimulus spending under microscope
Source: Associated Press
Auditors from western states have met in Colorado to discuss the challenges of keeping track of billions of dollars worth of federal stimulus money.
Bozeman, Montana, audit technician Nathaniel Pehl says because election year politics have created a partisan split over whether the $862 billion program is working, "Transparency is the name of the game."
Denver auditor Dennis Gallagher says the federal program is creating and retaining jobs, but trying to keep track of the money… Click to Read More
Skateboarder could be ticketed after being hit by car
Source: News First 5
A man who lost control of his skateboard and was hit by a car on South Circle Drive while chasing after it could be ticketed for causing the accident.
Antjuan Peebles Bennett, 21, was taken in an ambulance to the hospital with what were described as non-life threatening injuries.
According to the Colorado Springs Police Department blotter, a citation for Bennett is pending review by the Major Accident Unit.
The driver who hit Bennett will not be charged. The police sa… Click to Read More
Free show will honor 4th BCT soldiers
Source: News First 5
The 2010 Army Soldier Show is dedicated to the Soldiers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson who recently returned from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan.
Social media is the theme of this year's "Soldier Show 27.0". It features a cast and crew of active-duty Soldiers from duty stations around the world. The show, which is "by Soldiers, for Soldiers," is open to the general public.
The Army Soldier Show is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 27 at 7 … Click to Read More
El Paso County resumes debate over medical marijuana
Source: Associated Press
The El Paso County commissioners are once again debating whether medical marijuana operations should be allowed in unincorporated parts of the county.
The commissioners are expected to consider Thursday whether to ask voters to weigh in or decide the issue themselves. They postponed a decision after a daylong hearing earlier this month.
One of the options El Paso County is looking at is asking voters if they want to ban medical marijuana centers. The commissioners are also con… Click to Read More
