First case of rabies confirmed in Pueblo County

Posted 5:00 PM 6/19/2013 by Kirsten Bennett

A bat found on San Carlos Road between La Vista and Starlight Roads tested positive for rabies. Public health officials warn individuals, especially children, to stay away from bats.

Rabies is caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. Bat teeth are very small and (More)

Red Cross telethon scheduled for Thursday

Posted 3:40 PM 6/19/2013 by Elaine Sheridan

With tens of thousands of Colorado residents already affected by the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history and more dry weather on the horizon, more people than ever need help. The Red Cross is one of the organizations working to get aid to those people.

To help get funds the Red (More)

News

Black Forest Fire update as of 3:30 p.m.

Posted 3:30 PM 6/19/2013 by Connie Murphy

As of this afternoon, El Paso County just released preliminary home assessment information regarding the Black Forest Fire.

• The fire is 85% contained
• 509 homes lost
• 28 homes damaged
• 3,654 homes appear unaffected

The cost of the fire is little more than 7 million dollars. The next El Paso County Sheriff Media Briefing is set for 9 a.m. Thursday.

News - Local

San Luis man sentenced to nine years for gun offense

Posted 3:14 PM 6/19/2013 by Kirsten Bennett

A man from San Luis will spend more than nine years in a federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm.

Lawrence Rolland Theil is a previously convicted felon, barring him from owning a gun.

Thiel pleaded guilty in February to the charge. According to court records, beginning on (More)

News - Local

New wildfire breaks out in Jefferson County

Posted 2:39 PM 6/19/2013 by Elaine Sheridan

The Chair Rock Fire in Jefferson County has prompted a level-3 evacuation for residents in a three-mile radius of South Foxton and River roads in Jefferson County.

The JeffCo Sheriff's Office received multiple reports of heavy smoke in the area Wednesday afternoon.

Air support was (More)

News - Local

Red Cross closes evacuation center

Posted 1:48 PM 6/19/2013 by Elaine Sheridan

The American Red Cross will closed its shelter at Palmer Ridge High School in Monument Wednesday at noon.

Red Cross caseworkers, health workers and mental health experts will continue to provide people affected by the Black Forest fire with resources, emotional comfort, health services and (More)

News - Local

Wildfire and hail claims push premiums higher

Posted 7:15 PM 6/18/2013 by Andy Koen

Homeowners in Colorado have made some of the most expensive claims on their insurance of any state in the country in recent years. Carole Walker with the trade group the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association says the state ranks among the top 10 in terms of claims for catastrophic (More)

News - Black Forest Fire

Mayor Bach says thanks to CSPD, CSFD for Black Forest fire effort

Posted 6:59 PM 6/18/2013 by Jacqui Heinrich, jheinrich@koaa.com

City leaders gathered Tuesday morning for Mayor Steve Bach's monthly press briefing, and a lot of them were praised for their efforts fighting the Black Forest Fire.

Mayor Bach thanked Colorado Springs Deputy Fire Chief Steve DuBay and Police Chief Pete Carey for their efforts dispatching (More)

News

Rental properties scarce for those displaced by Black Forest fire

Posted 6:52 PM 6/18/2013 by Jacqui Heinrich, jheinrich@koaa.com

People displaced by the Black Forest fire may run into trouble finding rental homes.

Economist Ryan McMaken with the Colorado Division of Housing says apartment and single-family home rentals are hard to come by as it is. In the last ten years there's been little new construction in the (More)

News - Local

Gessler confirms Morse recall signatures verified, now a lawsuit announced to get recall thrown out

Play Video

Posted 6:42 PM 6/18/2013 by Jacqui Heinrich, jheinrich@koaa.com

It's a first for Colorado: enough signatures were gathered to recall a state legislator, Senate President John Morse. But don't expect a ballot in your mailbox anytime soon; the Morse camp is fighting back with a lawsuit to get the recall thrown out entirely.

The claim: the petitions are (More) • Video (1)