Monument woman wins award

The Ella Mae Bransom Sickle Cell Association honored Monument resident Kathleen (Kathy) Winder for her distinguished and enduring service to the sickle cell community. The award reads “Her steadfast dedication and commitment have made a lasting impact advancing care, support and hope for all those affected.”

Seat belt usage

Preliminary data from the Colorado Department of Transportation’s 2025 Seat Belt Survey shows that Colorado’s seat belt usage rate is 90.7% — the highest ever recorded. This rate is a 2.5% improvement from Colorado’s 2024 seat belt usage rate of 88.2%.

“This is extremely encouraging news,” said CDOT’s Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “We know that seat belts play vital and life-saving roles during crashes.”

As of 2024, the national seat belt usage rate sits at 91.2%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Sports roundup

Discovery Canyon

Lewis-Palmer trampled the Thunder in volleyball 3-0 on Oct. 2.

The Thunder and Pueblo Centennial will battle in football at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10 at School District 20 Stadium.

Lewis-Palmer

On Oct. 2, the Rangers defeated the Thunder in volleyball 3-0.

Also on that day, soccer fans saw the Rangers keep pace with the Lutheran Lions until halftime when they suddenly dropped behind their competitors 3-0.

The Rangers will take on Harrison during its home conference football game at 7 p.m., Oct. 10.

Palmer Ridge

The Bears on Oct. 1 defeated Lewis-Palmer 13-3 in the last regular-season softball game of the season.

On Oct. 2, the Air Academy Kadets soccer team edged past the Bears for a 3-2 win.

Also on that day, Cheyenne Mountain High School’s Red-Tailed Hawks beat the Bears in volleyball 3-0.

Palmer Ridge football remained unbeaten, hammering Air Academy 42-0.

The Bears on Oct. 3 lost to the Denver East Angels 7-0 in the last field hockey game of the season.