Author: By Debbie Kelley debbie.kelley@gazette.com
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Colorado Springs homeless family shelter to close half its beds as need surges
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The annual Point in Time headcount of El Paso County’s homeless population taken one frigid night in January showed a large and record-high jump in numbers this year, leading to the conclusion that the community needs more emergency shelter beds. But, facing a more than $1 million budget shortfall, one key provider says it has…
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Developer of affordable tiny homes for young adults in Colorado Springs needs help
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Stalled by the domino effect of delayed or no-show grants from state and federal coffers, the organization behind affordable tiny homes for low-wage essential workers and young adults exiting homelessness hopes the community will come through with donations. We Fortify, a nonprofit land developer and “social impact community builder” has launched a $6.2 million capital…
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Colorado has no cases of measles — yet — but officials urge vaccination to prevent the spread
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As an infectious disease specialist for nearly 26 years, Dr. Michelle Barron has never physically seen measles, and neither have a lot of other physicians of the 21st century. The virus, most commonly identified by a flat red rash, fever, cough and white spots on the back of the throat, officially was eradicated in the…
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Expansion of Colorado Springs’ ‘sit-lie’ ordinance passes despite objections
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The expansion of a “sit/lie” ordinance that prohibits anyone from blocking access and movements on sidewalks, alleys, roads and other public right of way in the central and westside commercial districts of Colorado Springs received final approval from City Council Tuesday, but not without objections. Councilwoman Yolanda Avila said in voting against the proposal at…
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‘J-6 Praying Grandma’ attends Trump’s inauguration, pledges to keep fighting for Judeo-Christian values
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After being court-ordered not to return to Washington, D.C., or step foot in the Capitol building as part of her sentencing related to the Jan. 6, 2021, United States Capitol breach, Rebecca Lavrenz of Falcon cried when she got off a bus Monday in that very spot to attend the inauguration of President Donald J.…
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Convicted U.S. Capitol breacher from Colorado Springs area plans to deny Trump pardon — if it’s offered
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Colorado Springs-area resident Rebecca Lavrenz, who was found guilty last year on four federal misdemeanor charges related to the United States Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021, while demonstrators protested the 2020 presidential election results, says she will deny a pardon should President-elect Donald J. Trump offer such a deal to her after he takes…
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New homelessness response plan for Colorado Springs includes 60 actions
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Getting a clearer idea of the scope of homelessness in Colorado Springs is one of the next steps that will come out of the new Homelessness Response Action Plan that Mayor Yemi Mobolade released Thursday. Whether he’s speaking with residents, business owners or service providers, “the concern is clear,” the mayor said while mentioning highlights…
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New addiction recovery center opens in Colorado Springs using trending model in the field
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Angelletta Hixon lives up to the shortened name of “Angel” that she goes by, say people who know her. Whether she’s passing out coats, tents and food to people living in homeless encampments, coaxing them to give addiction treatment a go or talking about her own personal struggles, the energetic Hixon’s modus operandi is protection…
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Two new affordable-housing apartment projects come online in southeast Colorado Springs
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Sue Blythe is ecstatic. The 70-year-old Colorado Springs resident has found her people and is packing up and relocating to live closer to them. Blythe will move on Friday across town from her current apartment, where a recent rent increase bumped her monthly payment by $125, into her new home at Silver Key Apartments at…
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Colorado Springs school to seek approval for 7-foot fence amid problems with vagrants
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A “significant increase” in criminal activity largely by transients is forcing one Colorado Springs pre-kindergarten-12 campus to take what it’s calling expensive action. A rise in vandalism, theft of items from storage sheds, open drug use and school buses being broken into and trashed with garbage, spent needles, liquor bottles and cigarette butts prompted Colorado…