Author: Helen Wolt
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Downtown Woodland Park will get a facelift
Woodland Park is undergoing an extreme makeover. Face-lifts for 19 buildings in the heart of the downtown business district began Wednesday. Completion is scheduled for July 11. That’s less than five weeks to paint, hang new signs and awnings and redo landscaping. Local businesses are investing in spite of the recession, and see the improvements…
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Interfaith Hospitality Network gets people back on their feet
The Torres family came to the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Colorado Springs in February with three grocery sacks, which held all of their belongings. Neither Julio Torres, 29, nor his wife, Jennifer Natal, 22, had been able to find work since moving here last year from the East Coast. The network provided the homeless couple…
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Rain, hail in afternoon forecast
Thunderstorms could dampen weekend activities as a front pushes through the Pikes Peak region. Today’s high will be near 68 degrees with a 40 percent chance of precipitation after noon. Severe thunderstorms could form with a possibility of large hail. Forecasters with the National Weather Service Office in Pueblo say the best chance of severe weather…
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Posh shops went to the dogs Saturday
Jocelyn Bissell, 14, dresses like a dog.Her miniature dachshund, Duke.The pair turned out Saturday for the Bark at Briargate held at the Promenade Shops at Briargate.Each wore a neon green bow-tie and a black leather collar and hat. Bissell’s painted-on whiskers and black-dotted snout won the crowd’s vote, earning the duo top prize in the…
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Amnesty program cuts taxpayer fees
The city of Colorado Springs wants to give taxpayers a break, and it’s trying to get the word out before its amnesty program ends Aug. 14. The program was launched in May, and so far, response has been slim, officials said. Many business owners may not realize they owe sales-and-use taxes. Or individuals who have…
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Minutes count when snakes bite
Karin White often finds snakes in her backyard, which borders Ute Valley Park. Usually she shovels strays into a bucket and hauls them back to park grounds. That’s what she expected to do a few weeks ago, as her dogs pranced around a coiled baby rattler in the middle of the lawn. When her blue-heeler,…
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With closure near, Ivywild turns back clock one last time
Ivywild Elementary School’s open house on Friday evening felt like a family reunion. Several families had two and three generations who attended the school, and for others, the ties were just as strong. Friendships were rekindled while former students and teachers shared memories. “I loved the school. It had a family feeling. The staff knew…
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With closure near, Ivywild turns back clock one last time
Ivywild Elementary School’s open house on Friday evening felt like a family reunion.Several families had two and three generations who attended the school, and for others, the ties were just as strong.Friendships were rekindled while former students and teachers shared memories.”I loved the school. It had a family feeling. The staff knew all the kids,”…
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A prom for all ages, abilities
No teenagers were on the dance floor at this senior prom. But live music filled the recreation hall in the Mountain View Care Center. Dozens of senior citizens, and others with disabilities, filtered into the room, some in wheelchairs, some using walkers. Joe Vasquez, 55, sat in a wheelchair at a table next to his…
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Second chance makes a great impression
No teenagers were on the dance floor at this senior prom. But live music filled the recreation hall in the Mountain View Care Center.Dozens of senior citizens, and others with disabilities, filtered into the room, some in wheelchairs, some using walkers.Joe Vasquez, 55, sat in a wheelchair at a table next to his date, Mary…