http://www.krdo.com/-/417342/14776464/-/14wh7xd/-/index.html en-US © 2011 Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. Home Home en-US © 2011 Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. http://www.krdo.com/news/happiest-allnighter-on-earth/-/417220/20301872/-/kcqoi5/-/index.html Three Disney World parks stayed open for 24 hours Friday to kick off the Memorial Day weekend. Guests pulled all-nighters at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, and at Disneyland and Disney Adventure parks in Ahaheim, Calif. Each park had rides around the clock as well as special events and visits from characters. Disney held a similar event in 2012 to mark leap year. Sat, 25 May 2013 11:45:40 GMT 20301872 2013-05-25T11:45:40Z http://www.krdo.com/news/return-the-favor/-/417220/20243950/-/sg3dke/-/index.html KRDO NewsChannel 13 and KRDO NewsRadio are partnering with Care and Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado and American Furniture Warehouse to help those who helped us. During the Waldo Canyon Fire, the people of Oklahoma supported us.  Now, it's our turn to return the favor. All proceeds will go to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to help those affected by the catastrophic tornadoes. Here's how you can help:Make a $10 donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma by texting "Food" to 32333 Stop by American Furniture Warehouse in Colorado Springs or Pueblo to make a cash donation to the Regional Food Bank. Visit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma's website to make a donation Sat, 25 May 2013 11:04:21 GMT 20243950 2013-05-25T11:04:21Z http://www.krdo.com/news/territory-days-festival-begins-saturday/-/417220/20297402/-/f5s578/-/index.html Last summer's Waldo Canyon Fire reduced sales in Old Colorado City, but merchants are counting on the annual Territory Days this weekend to jump-start sales this summer. The 38th annual event, held over Memorial Day weekend, attracts around 150,000 people.  It's described as the largest, longest-running street fair in the Southwest.  Admission is free. During last year's event, merchants also were confident of a successful summer ahead.  Then the fire erupted in late June. "Many businesses were down 50 percent to 75 percent (last) July and August," said Dave Van Ness of Old Colorado City Associates.  "It was major.  Five businesses closed." This year, however, the mood remains optimistic.  Van Ness said some restaurants have expanded to provide more seating for customers.  Great weather is expected for the holiday weekend. Jim Wear, in his fourth year of organizing the event, believes the economy had a greater impact than the fire on sales last summer. "We're still looking for that bounce-back," he said.  "This could be it.  The money generated from Territory Days goes to promote Old Colorado City all year long." Wear said since he began organizing the event, it has run more smoothly and there have been fewer complaints about illegal parking in surrounding neighborhoods. New this year, said Wear, is an expanded play area for kids, and a stronger patriotic focus on Monday with the 101st Army band performing.  Also appearing is the U.S. NORAD/NORTHCOM color guard. The festival features 300 vendors selling food, drink and merchandise, and 25 bands on four stages.  Many of the Old Colorado City stores will remain open, as well.  Pets are not allowed, and free shuttle buses are available at Rock Ledge Ranch and Coronado High School. The festival hours are 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday through Monday. For more information, visit http://shopoldcoloradocity.com/events/event/territory-days Sat, 25 May 2013 11:04:14 GMT 20297402 2013-05-25T11:04:14Z http://www.krdo.com/news/police-investigating-deadly-shooting/-/417220/20301498/-/11oj2xg/-/index.html Colorado Springs Police are investigating a deadly shooting on the 3900 block of E. Bijou St. Initial reports came in around 1 a.m. Saturday. The Major Crime Unit is on route to the scene. No further information has been given at this time.  Tune in to Good Morning Colorado at 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. for the latest information. Sat, 25 May 2013 08:02:51 GMT 20301498 2013-05-25T08:02:51Z http://www.krdo.com/news/gov-hickenlooper-speaks-on-death-row-inmate-reprieve/-/417220/20299998/-/118yj21/-/index.html Gov. John Hickenlooper gave a death row inmate his life back, and now he's talking about the decision that's sparked outrage across the state. Hickenlooper indefinitely delayed the execution of Nathan Dunlap, the man who murdered four people at an Aurora Chuck E. Cheese in 1993. Hickenlooper was a supporter of the death penalty when he ran for governor two years ago. "I started out in one place, but when you get the facts and the facts are different than anything you've been told, I mean, I'm a business person. I have to look at the facts," Hickenlooper said. He said he's met with and listened to the victims' families and the survivor of the massacre. "I felt awful," Hickenlooper said. "I went and met with them, everyone I could. All the families of the victims and the sole survivor." He said the worst part of his decision was knowing they would be bitterly disappointed, but ultimately, it was what he learned about the death penalty that swayed him. "That's there's no deterrent value, that it costs four times more money (than life in prison without parole) to go through the death penalty process, all the courtrooms and appeals. And that it really doesn't bring closure to some of the families of the victims," Hickenlooper said. "Why are we doing it? Is it vengeance?" It's anger and hurt for Bobby Stephens, the sole survivor of the massacre. "My current reaction is, I feel as if the wind has been kicked straight out of me," Stephens said. Stephens and a juror on the case now question the state's justice system. "If one person can take what a juror came up with and set it aside, then there is no system," said Steve, juror number 39. "Why do we need juries?" Hickenlooper said part of the reason he granted a reprieve instead of clemency, which would permanently take Dunlap off death row, is consideration for everyone involved with the case. "I also recognize that  juries and prosecutors and defense attorneys and expert witnesses all invested a great amount of time in this, and I don't want to disrespect them any more than I absolutely have to," Hickenlooper said. "I think this is a way of saying, 'Your work wasn't wasted.' I see the way the court of law decided this, but as a state, let's look at the bigger issues around capital punishment." Hickenlooper stopped short of saying he wants to repeal the death penalty in Colorado. He said he believes that will happen eventually and that it's a conversation he wants Coloradans to start having. Sat, 25 May 2013 05:21:30 GMT 20299998 2013-05-25T05:21:30Z http://www.krdo.com/news/dui-crackdown-including-fewer-checkpoints/-/417220/20301080/-/7oaavlz/-/index.html Colorado Springs police and El Paso County Sheriff's deputies will be taking drunk drivers off the road this summer without a traditional safety tool. In the past, driving under the influence checkpoints ramped up every summer as part of the annual Heat Is On campaign. Now several law enforcement agencies are foregoing the checkpoints and spreading their officers out. A DUI checkpoint watchdog group that tracks checkpoints across the state shows the decrease. Most occurred in the Denver area. The last one in El Paso county happened in January at Fort Carson. The site showed no DUI checkpoints in Pueblo over the last several years. In 2012, there were 653 DUI arrests in Pueblo County and 2,659 in El Paso County. Sat, 25 May 2013 05:20:28 GMT 20301080 2013-05-25T05:20:28Z http://www.krdo.com/news/cadets-bring-afa-ball-to-cancer-patient/-/417220/20299240/-/m4ganoz/-/index.html A local woman couldn't attend the Air Force Academy ball Friday because of treatment for leukemia.  So a group of cadets brought the ball to her. Amber Moore, 18, is a graduate of Widefield High School.  She was diagnosed with leukemia last fall and receives treatment for the disease.  Joseph Abakunda, an Academy cadet from Rwanda, offered to take Moore to the ball.  She accepted. "I have a girlfriend back home, and I talked with her about it," said Abakunda.  "We thought it was a good idea." But Moore, who's received most of her treatment on an outpatient basis, had to be readmitted to Memorial Hospital.  She said she'd be unable to attend. What Moore didn't know, however, is that Abakunda and hospital officials were planning a surprise ball-type gathering near her room.  The hospital provided food and decorations.  Abakunda brought flowers and three fellow cadets for support. "It's a dream come true," Moore said of the occasion.  "I was disappointed about not going.  Now, I feel like Cinderella.  It pretty much turned my day around." "We'd never met him before," Moore's parents said of Abakunda.  "He asked us for his blessing.  He seems like a nice young man." A Widefield store, Once Upon a Time, rented a formal gown to Moore for free. "At first, the bill was $72," she said.  "Then, they told me I didn't have to pay.  They had three dresses, and this is the last one I tried on.  They said it was perfect for me." The cadets barely had enough time to visit with Moore before they had to return to the academy for the 3 p.m. ball. Moore said her cancer is in remission, and she hopes to be cured after two more years of treatment. Sat, 25 May 2013 02:05:30 GMT 20299240 2013-05-25T02:05:30Z http://www.krdo.com/news/total-roofings-help-for-oklahoma/-/417220/20298960/-/srywus/-/index.html Friday is a red letter day to help Oklahoma tornado survivors.  Total Roofing's Scott Mcintyre brought in to the KRDO, NewsChannel 13 studios a check for 25 hundred dollars.  He told me he and his wife saw the devastation and knew it was important for them to do something, "We just decided that we were going to do this.  We didn't know what level or magnitude.  We've been blessed.  Emotionally It gets me in the heart, these people looking around for their belongings.  What makes me feel good is the community coming together, helping one another." Mcintyre pledged 25 dollars for every roof he did in the month of May and June up to 25 hundred dollars.  He knew he was going to do that much work so he told me, "We want to pay a little back." Every dollar raised in our Return The Favor Fundraiser goes to the Food Bank in Oklahoma City.  One dollar stretches to purchase ten pounds of food.  Thanks to Scott Mcintyre and Total Roofing and to all those who have donated large or small and to those who are thinking of donating.  Go back to our home page to find out all the donation information. Sat, 25 May 2013 01:16:41 GMT 20298960 2013-05-25T01:16:41Z http://www.krdo.com/news/wildland-fire-near-la-veta/-/417220/20298400/-/pedv0u/-/index.html Firefighters from several departments are working to put out a wildland fire west of La Veta in Huerfano County. Winds were causing problems for firefighters working to put out a 20-acre fire south of Highway 160 near County Road 442. As of about 6:00 pm Friday the fire was 10 percent contained. Lori Cordova with the Huerfano County Office of Emergency Management says the fire is being fought by firefighters from La Veta, Huerfano, Upper Huerfano, Ft. Garland and Stonewall. A hand crew from Canon City has been called in and is expected to arrive around 7:00 pm. The fire is not threatening any buildings. Sat, 25 May 2013 00:23:07 GMT 20298400 2013-05-25T00:23:07Z http://www.krdo.com/news/Students-safe-after-armed-man-reported-at-school/-/417220/20298350/-/h81r4p/-/index.html Police say a Denver-area high school student whose class project included a replica AK-47 was carrying the display to his mom in the parking lot, roughly around the time another student and teacher saw someone outside with what appeared to be a rifle. The report Friday of a possible gunman near campus drew armed officers and worried parents to Thornton High School, as several students hunkered down in classrooms and closets. Other students left the school in single file, holding hands and led by police to buses taking them away from campus. An officer was posted in each bus. Police say no gunman was found, and everyone is safe. Thornton police said Friday evening that the investigation remains active, but no one has been arrested. Sat, 25 May 2013 00:02:27 GMT 20298350 2013-05-25T00:02:27Z http://www.krdo.com/news/search-for-bank-robbery-suspect/-/417220/20298460/-/8om5v2/-/index.html Monument Police and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office are looking for the man who robbed the People's National Bank on Woodmoor Dr. Deputies say it happened a little before 2 p.m. on Friday. The suspect came in, demanded money and got away with cash. Witnesses say he's white, between 6’4’’and 6’6’’ tall, with facial hair, wearing a green t-shirt, black pants, and a white baseball cap. Anyone with information on the suspect or the robbery is encouraged to call the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office at 390-5555. Fri, 24 May 2013 23:57:39 GMT 20298460 2013-05-24T23:57:39Z http://www.krdo.com/news/volunteers-work-on-flash-flood-mitigation-along-fountain-creek/-/417220/20297862/-/6u9psn/-/index.html A group of about 30 to 40 volunteers worked on flash flood mitigation Friday along Fountain Creek in the Ute Pass area. Members of the Coalition for the Upper South Platte and FedEx employees cleaned up debris in and along the creek. They took out branches, trash and other material that could easily fall and flow downstream. During a heavy rainfall, the debris in the creek could flow into people's homes. Many also worry it could clog culverts and cause an overflow. "If that happens, we're at risk of losing the highway (24), and that of course is a huge economic impact, not only for the community downstream but all the communities upstream that would lose access to Colorado Springs through this corridor," FedEx volunteer Greg Tabor said. FedEx also gave CUSP a $30,000 grant to be used for flood mitigation purposes. The organization plans to use those funds in numerous ways, like reseeding and sandbagging. "We're going to be working on these burned hill slopes, stabilizing the debris, the sediment so that it doesn't flood the highway. We'll be working in floodplains, removing debris," CUSP Volunteer Coordinator Lisa Patton said. Volunteers said they hope others in the community will get involved, too. "We realize that this is just one small part," Tabor said. "To be truthful, this is hardly enough. We really need a lot of community support and involvement." Fri, 24 May 2013 23:08:17 GMT 20297862 2013-05-24T23:08:17Z http://www.krdo.com/news/rampart-reservoir-reopens-after-fire/-/417220/20294798/-/lnagbuz/-/index.html A local treasure devastated by last summer's fire reopened Friday. The U.S. Forest Service opened 40 percent of the Pike National Forest burned in the Waldo Canyon Fire. The reopened area included Rampart Reservoir and the Rampart Reservoir Trail as well as the picnic areas and campgrounds near the reservoir. The road across the reservoir's dam remained closed. The fire took away Barbara Ket's favorite fishing hole. "We were so disappointed, devastated by the fire," said Ket. She had the day off on Friday so she and her husband grabbed their poles and headed to the reservoir. They were some of its first visitors.  They didn't know what to expect on their first trip. "I'm looking forward to the hike to see all the changes," said Ket. "We haven't seen it yet." Jacob Nicholson wasn't just happy to see the fish biting; he had expected to see more devastation. "I'm glad to see they saved most of the forest around it. It isn't as bad ad I thought it would be," said Nicholson. The U.S. Forest Service kept a large portion of the burn scar closed to visitors. It cited dangerous conditions in the wake of the fire that made the area unsafe to visitors. "As you walk into the burn itself you still have trees burned halfway up that are ready to break. Any wind event could have trees down on top of you," said U.S. Forest Service Forest Technician Rick Ellsworth. "If you're in a low area you have to watch out for the flooding." Ellsworth said that is also a concern in the area that re-opened. Crews only cleared debris and potentially hazardous trees along trail systems and roads.  The U.S. Forest Service will re-evaluate conditions after the area sees its first major rain. Ellsworth said they will assess the area continuously to determine if more areas can be opened to the public. Colorado Springs Utilities isn't allowing motorized boats on the reservoir at this time because water levels are too low in the reservoir. However, hand-launched boats with small electric motors are allowed. It said it doesn't think water levels will increase enough to open the reservoir to motorized boats this summer. In meantime, Kets was happy to be back at the reservoir. "I don't care if I catch a fish or not, as long as I'm just out here enjoying the outdoors," said Ket.   Fri, 24 May 2013 19:55:56 GMT 20294798 2013-05-24T19:55:56Z http://www.krdo.com/news/pueblo-shuts-off-gas-pumps-for-nonprofits/-/417220/20295208/-/5hjiv4z/-/index.html Pueblo is shutting off the gas pumps for nonprofit organizations at city-owned maintenance shops.      The decision comes after the Colorado Department of Revenue said it was illegal.      According to our partners at the Pueblo Chieftain, 17 local nonprofits will no longer be allowed to fill up with tax-free fuel, which allowed them to avoid an 18-cent federal gas tax and 23-cent state tax on each gallon. Fri, 24 May 2013 19:30:10 GMT 20295208 2013-05-24T19:30:10Z http://www.krdo.com/news/Denver-police-officer-bitten-by-suspect/-/417220/20288832/-/w2gfitz/-/index.html A Denver police officer had to be taken to the hospital after he was bitten by a suspect while making an arrest. Police say the officer tried to stop a vehicle wanted by authorities on Thursday and the vehicle crashed. According to KMGH-TV http://tinyurl.com/nnb23w2, the suspect was also taken to the hospital with unspecified injuries. Fri, 24 May 2013 18:54:34 GMT 20288832 2013-05-24T18:54:34Z http://www.krdo.com/news/pueblo-shuts-off-gas-pumps-for-nonprofits/-/417220/20289200/-/5i3ahyz/-/index.html   Fri, 24 May 2013 13:46:17 GMT 20289200 2013-05-24T13:46:17Z http://www.krdo.com/news/fugitive-in-la-attemptedmurder-case-held-in-colo/-/417220/20288914/-/ykbrfd/-/index.html A man who has been wanted in Los Angeles on attempted-murder charges for 13 years has been taken into custody in Colorado after being arrested for urinating in public. Los Angeles police Sgt. Albert Gonzalez says Miguel Sanchez was arrested Wednesday by Colorado Springs police. Police discovered he had a warrant related to an attempted murder in 2000. In that incident, Sanchez allegedly argued with another person, stabbed the person multiple times, then stabbed a second person, and ran away. Gonzalez says the incident was classified as domestic violence and that one victim was male and the other female. He declined to provide more details. Gonzalez says Sanchez is in the process of being extradited. Fri, 24 May 2013 12:59:38 GMT 20288914 2013-05-24T12:59:38Z http://www.krdo.com/news/wildfire-bills-get-colorado-governors-signature/-/417220/20288420/-/d6cthuz/-/index.html Wildfire prevention measures passed after Colorado's tragic wildfire season last year have been signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper. The governor signed the bills at Mesa Verde National Park in Cortez. One of the bills puts new curbs on prescribed burns on state forest land. The safeguards include a new requirement that people tend the fire as long as it's burning, along with a requirement that nearby residents are alerted to planned burns. The other bill gives the governor more flexibility to send money to fight wildfires in an emergency. Six people died in three major wildfires last year. Hickenlooper also had a list of economic development bills he signed into law at locations across southwestern Colorado. Fri, 24 May 2013 12:32:15 GMT 20288420 2013-05-24T12:32:15Z http://www.krdo.com/news/man-opens-fire-on-intruders/-/417220/20288084/-/nul3gbz/-/index.html No injuries have been reported after a man opened fire at three people who broke into his apartment in Colorado Springs early Friday. Police say the trio knocked on the man's door, and when he did not recognize them, he slammed the door. Police say the intruders forced their way into his apartment waving a gun, and the victim opened fire. Police say they currently have no suspects. Fri, 24 May 2013 12:03:51 GMT 20288084 2013-05-24T12:03:51Z http://www.krdo.com/news/pueblo-police-say-officers-safety-being-compromised/-/417220/20285926/-/3ocsw5/-/index.html The job of a police officer can be a dangerous one, but Pueblo police say being understaffed by two dozen officers makes the job even more hazardous. Officers say being short staffed is compromising their safety and not allowing them to respond to calls as fast as they want, forcing them to be more reactive than proactive. Activists with the American Indian Movement say if police are too busy to be out patrolling, they'll do it themselves. It's welcome news to neighbors on Pueblo's east side who are on edge following reports of three sex-related crimes involving children in their neighborhood in the past month. "Somebody's got to be responsible for watching these children. Somebody's got to be responsible for finding out who's doing this and trying to help stop it," said neighbor Sue Doyle. Last Friday, it took an officer about 90 minutes to respond to an attempted child abduction. When the call came in, the child was with his mother. Neighbors question why it took an officer so long to get out there. Police said when they got the call of an attempted child abduction at around 3:20 p.m., they had eight officers patrolling around that area, all of whom were tied up at calls. Here's a breakdown of what officers were working on: Three officers were responding to a suicidal person, one officer was at a call for a burglary alarm, another officer was dealing with a pedestrian interfering with traffic, one officer was at a fire, another was dealing with an abandoned vehicle and one officer was responding to a report of a missing child. Police said five out of those six calls should have had at least two officers responding, but only one of them did. "We had single officers responding to those calls just because we had a need to get there," said Officer Shelly Taylor. "Unfortunately, we make a decision to put ourselves at risk, to go on these calls by ourselves because we know people need us." Taylor says until more officers are brought in, officer safety will continue to be compromised. Pueblo city leaders put a hiring freeze on 14 officer positions. Ten officers have been hired and are currently going through the police academy. They're expected to hit the streets in December. Fri, 24 May 2013 06:30:54 GMT 20285926 2013-05-24T06:30:54Z