Author: Pam Zubeck
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Millions in stimulus money headed for military, agencies in region
It’s impossible to predict how many people will be hired, but hundreds of millions in federal stimulus money soon will begin pouring into the Pikes Peak region. Local agencies and military bases stand to receive upwards of $360 million for major projects, such as an overpass, and tiny tasks, like fixing dog kennel floors. Some…
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Morse pulls sentencing reform in face of criticism
DENVER – A proposed overhaul of sentencing laws died without a vote Tuesday after Gov. Bill Ritter said he couldn’t support reducing prison terms without hearing from a state criminal justice commission. Senate Bill 286 was to have been heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee today, but its primary sponsor, Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs,…
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County wants school district to help pay for paving
A mile-long stretch of Eastonville Road that leads to Falcon High School carries 1,800 cars a day, most driven by parents, students, staff or teachers at the school. But the gravel road is like a washboard and requires a lot of grading and dust suppression. El Paso County had planned to have developers pave the…
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Security Fire Department eyes hiring its own ambulance firm
Security Fire Department is considering hiring its own ambulance company, raising concerns about whether that violates an agreement with American Medical Response that covers all of El Paso County. Security Fire Chief Ski Stambaugh said hiring Action Care Ambulance of Littleton would improve on response times. “If we have a dedicated ambulance just for Security…
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Biden will speak at AFA graduation
Vice President Joseph Biden will be the commencement speaker the Air Force Academy’s graduation on Wednesday, May 27.Last year, President George W. Bush spoke, and the vice president is the next in the normal rotation process. Others in the cycle are the defense secretary and Air Force secretary.Biden also will give the commencement address for…
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Study proposed to trace source of well contamination
Three special districts offered to write El Paso County a check on Thursday to answer a perplexing question. They want to help the county find the cause and extent of groundwater contamination in rural subdivisions, which could lead to a change in development rules. “Are septic systems causing problems with aquifers? The answer is yes,”…
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Two launch campaigns for county commissioner
Two Republicans have filed their intent to run for the El Paso County Commissioner District 5 seat, launching what promises to be a lively 2010 contest for the seat that covers most of Colorado Springs. Patrick J. Carter, a businessman, and state Board of Education member Peggy Littleton are seeking the seat held by Jim…
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County offering to barter easement for hookup fee
Local officials may be prepared to do a little horse-trading instead of fighting over a $233,000 water and sewer hookup charge for a new detox facility. Colorado Springs Utilities appears ready to forego the fee in exchange for an easement from El Paso County for the controversial $1 billion Southern Delivery System water line that…
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Health board off to a rocky start?
A newly constituted El Paso County Board of Health might be off to a rocky start after long-time board members expressed reservations about some changes. On Tuesday, county commissioners voted 4-1, with Commissioner Wayne Williams dissenting, to expand the board to nine members from five and appoint four elected officials as members. It was a…
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Higher reappraisal values likely to get mixed reviews
Property values in El Paso County rose nearly 5 percent in the latest assessor’s reappraisal, which should ease fears that sinking housing prices will mean less tax revenues in 2010, but will likely mystify or anger property owners expecting a steep decline. County Assessor Mark Lowderman said Monday the reappraisal, based on sales data from…