Author: Pam Zubeck
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Pilot’s heroic actions inspire old friends, new pilots
If anyone could have been prepared to land a crippled US Airways Airbus 320 on the Hudson River, saving all 155 passengers and crew, it was Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III. Described as a “pilot’s pilot,” Sullenberger spent a lifetime training for a moment that even one with the skill and courage he demonstrated Thursday afternoon…
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A growing number of county households getting food stamps
El Paso County residents are applying for food stamps in record numbers and staying on the relief program longer. “It’s the highest we’ve seen,” Department of Human Services deputy director Rick Bengtsson said Wednesday. “It’s gone through the roof in the past three months.” The increased number of people receiving federally funded food stamps is…
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November’s ballot will be in the mail
Saying they’d prefer having residents vote at the polls, El Paso County commissioners voted reluctantly Monday to conduct the off-year election in November entirely by mail. Voting at polls has drawn a higher turnout, but the commissioners said their hands were tied by the lack of money – mail ballots will save the county nearly…
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County’s top officials agree to forgo raises
Amid a budget crunch that’s cost more than 100 county workers their jobs, El Paso County’s top officials have agreed to stick around without a pay raise. County Administrator Jeff Greene, County Attorney Bill Louis and Department of Human Services Director Barbara Drake will stay on the job at their 2008 salaries. Although all three…
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Thousands of workers being hired for census
The 2010 U.S. Census for 46 Colorado counties is revving up in a nondescript building south of downtown that will be home base to 4,000 workers being hired amid a time of the highest unemployment in recent years. Some workers in rural areas might see mileage reimbursements exceed their paychecks as they drive hundreds of…
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Employee disciplined over fuel contract
An El Paso County employee overstepped his bounds by brokering a 2009 diesel fuel deal without the commissioners’ approval, triggering a disciplinary action and a review of county purchasing procedures. The county has since renegotiated the contract for $80,000 less, and commissioners approved it this week. County Attorney Bill Louis called the incident unusual, noting…
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Wife plans to sue over husband’s jail death
The wife of a man who died in the El Paso County sheriff’s custody Nov. 10 plans to sue over jailers’ alleged “negligence and carelessness” and “extreme and outrageous conduct.” Georgeanna Howard of Fountain submitted a notice of claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, last month seeking more than $300,000 in the death of her…
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Army post gets $370K to expand buffer zone
A plan to surround Fort Carson with a buffer zone free of development took another step Monday when El Paso County commissioners approved spending $370,000 in federal money to acquire more property at Rancho Colorado on the Army post’s east side. “This is important for us to continue to be able to purchase buffer land,”…
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POLITIGAB: Herpin tries again
Bernie Herpin will formally announce his candidacy for the Colorado Springs City Council at a 10:30 a.m. event Saturday.Herpin is running to represent City Council District 4, covering eastern and southeastern portions of the city. He’ll face Robert Andrews II and Regina Vigil. The election is set for April 7.Herpin was appointed to serve on…
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Region’s first baby of 2009 beats the second baby by one minute
Esha Faith Langness started life with a lot of firsts. She was the first born in Colorado Springs in 2009. She’s the first child of Micah and Eunice Langness, and she was the first New Year’s baby born at St. Francis Medical Center, which opened in August at Powers Boulevard and Woodmen Road. Delivered by…