KOAA.com

Tagged News

• Colo. prison chief's wife choosing not to be angry

  April 5, 2013 1:12 AM

  DENVER (AP) - The wife of Colorado's slain prisons chief says she could become enraged that a clerical error led to the early release of the parolee suspected in her husband's death, but she chooses not to make it a focus. Lisa Clements says being angry won't bring back her... more »

• NRA Day controversy highlights political divide

  April 1, 2013 8:32 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - El Paso County Commissioners will vote this week whether to declare Thursday as Friends of the National Rifle Association Day . The resolution of appreciation is entirely symbolic. "They're fabulous community partners," said commissioner Peggy Littleton, who doesn't mind people knowing that she carries a concealed... more »

• Slow driving conditions on many Colorado roads today

  March 23, 2013 1:21 PM

  Mother Nature may be looking to the future after turning the page to spring earlier this week, but taking a look outside it's clear old man winter is still living in the past and isn't about to go without a fight. Roads became pretty snow covered this morning, especially around... more »

• New developments in the Tom Clements shooting death investigation Play Video

  March 22, 2013 3:05 AM

  While investigators with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office make their way to Texas, News 5 is learning new details about Even Spencer Ebel, 28, and his possible involvement in the death of Tom Clements. Ebel's criminal past contains numerous felony charges from criminal impersonation to aggravated robbery. ... more »

• Corrections director remembered for his reforms

  March 21, 2013 6:09 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - His colleagues called him a visionary leader. Slain Department of Corrections Director Tom Clements introduced a number of reforms during his two years in charge of the state prison system. Clements presided over an era of declining inmate populations and championed ideas to keep the population... more »

• Search continues for gunman who shot and killed Tom Clements Play Video

  March 21, 2013 1:23 AM

  More than 24 hours into the investigation and detectives with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office have not identified a suspect in the shooting death of Colorado Department of Corrections Executive Director Tom Clements While detectives continue their search for a gunman, friends and colleagues are left mourning. ... more »

• Fundraiser planned for two murdered children

  February 16, 2013 1:41 PM

  Friends are trying to raise money for a Falcon family that lost two children this week. One-year-old Scarlett Gallagher and three-year-old Ryan Willhite were stabbed to death Wednesday on a farm in Falcon. Police say the mother's boyfriend, 22-year-old Ethan Caurou, killed the two children before killing himself. ... more »

• Vigil and celebration held on missing teen's birthday

  February 6, 2013 11:07 PM

  MONUMENT - There were balloons, birthday cake and prayers Wednesday night in Monument as friends and loved ones hold out hope that missing teenager Dylan Redwine will soon be found. Wednesday marked his 14th birthday. Dylan's mom Elaine says prayer vigil was organized to try and keep her son's disappearance... more »

• Hundreds hold on to hope for missing Colo. boy

  January 18, 2013 1:11 PM

  MONUMENT, Colo. (AP) - Hundreds of people are still holding out hope that a Colorado boy missing for two months will be found. A benefit dinner was held in Monument on Thursday for 13-year-old Dylan Redwine, who has been missing since Nov. 19 after arriving at his father's home in... more »

• Fundraiser planned to help in search for Dylan Redwine

  January 12, 2013 12:34 PM

  Family and friends of a missing 13-year-old from El Paso County, Dylan Redwine, are hosting a fundraiser to help in the search. The benefit is called Dinner for Dylan; it‘ll be Thursday, Jan. 17th, at Lewis Palmer High School. The fundraiser starts at 5:30 pm and is open to... more »

• Monument bans retail sales and open consumption of marijuana

  January 9, 2013 10:59 PM

  MONUMENT- Board of Trustees approved an ordinance Monday banning both open consumption and retail sales of marijuana. "It was very clear from our elected officials that they did not want marijuana in our town," Police Chief Jake Shirk said. Shirk was asked by the Board of Trustees to... more »

• Family prays for Dylan Redwine's safe return Play Video

  December 3, 2012 12:37 AM

  Nearly two weeks after his disappearance, the search continues for Dylan Redwine, the 13-year-old boy who vanished from his father's home in La Plata county in southwestern Colorado. Redwine was visiting for Thanksgiving when he vanished. Now as Christmas approaches and time slips away without any progress in his... more »

• Fire reported at Monument Post Office

  November 13, 2012 10:41 PM

  MONUMENT - Members of the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Department were called to the post office when an automatic fire alarm sounded sometime after 7:30 p.m. Lt. Ryan Graham of Tri-Lakes F.D. said when his crews arrived there was a visible haze in the building. They evacuated the postal employees... more »

• Monument neighborhood gets in the Halloween spirit Play Video

  October 31, 2012 9:28 PM

  Ahoy maties! It's a spooktacular night of fun for the whole family in the Jackson Creek neighborhood of Monument tonight; neighbors put on a reenactment of the Pirates of the Caribbean battle scene. It's the fifth year in a row neighbors have come out to assemble a full-sized pirate... more »

• President Obama creates new national monument in Colorado

  September 20, 2012 4:40 PM

  DENVER (AP) - President Barack Obama's administration is creating a national monument at a dramatic rock formation in southwestern Colorado that is sacred to the Southern Ute tribe. Senator Michael Bennet's office on Wednesday confirmed a report in the Denver Post that said the move to preserve 4,700 acres... more »

• Chimney Rock to be named national monument

  September 19, 2012 8:38 PM

  DENVER (AP) - President Barack Obama's administration is creating a national monument at a dramatic rock formation in southwestern Colorado that is surrounded by the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. Senator Michael Bennet's office on Wednesday confirmed a report in The Denver Post that said the move to preserve 4,700 acres... more »

• UPDATE: Sheriff's office confirms juvenile hit by train in Monument

  August 11, 2012 1:20 PM

  The El Paso County Sheriff's Office confirms that a juvenile was hit by a train around 1:30 Saturday morning, however they aren't releasing much more for now as the investigation continues. Sgt. Joe Roybal with the Sheriff's office tells News 5 that there's not a current update on the... more »

• Snow is a no show

  March 2, 2012 6:30 AM

  The snow that was supposed to hit overnight was mostly a no show. Dry air took the power out of the storm and left us with only a little snow and nothing much to report on the roads across Southern Colorado. We will see occasional snow flurries throughout the... more »

• COS I-25 widening project nearing, Monument section still up in the air Play Video

  February 14, 2012 7:39 PM

  Nearly 100,000 cars pass over the Woodmen Road Interchange at I-25 each day, according to Colorado Department of Transportation officials. They expect that number to be closer to 150,000 by 2025. "There's been substantial growth on the north end of El Paso County, and that's pretty obvious with the... more »

• Father believed murdered daughter could have been saved Play Video

  January 30, 2012 3:51 PM

  The father of a young girl who was beat to death and had her body buried in the crawl space of a Monument home pleaded guilty on Monday to a single charge of child abuse resulting in death. In exchange for his plea, three other charges against 31 year old... more »

• Judge considers dismissing murder case

  January 19, 2012 10:09 PM

  Defense attorneys want a judge to throw out the murder case against a former Monument man accused of killing his daughter on the grounds that detectives in the case lied about a confession. Hanif Sims and his former girlfriend Monique Lynch were arrested at a motel in Henderson, Nevada... more »

• District seeks opinions on bus fee proposal

  January 18, 2012 6:41 PM

  Lewis Palmer School District 38 in Monument is the latest district in our area to consider charging students for bus rides. The district is currently gathering input about the plan which would tentatively begin in the 2012-2013 school year. Anyone in the Monument area is encouraged to vote in... more »

• Accidents continue to keep emergency crews busy in Northern El Paso County

  December 1, 2011 2:29 PM

  Emergency crews are arriving on scene of a multi-vehicle accident on the off ramp of NB I-25 to Baptist Road. There are reports of injuries, but it is unknown if any are serious. Road conditions North of Colorado Springs have improved since early morning, but light snow, blowing snow and... more »

• Starting the month with a Brrrr

  December 1, 2011 1:01 PM

  December is off to a snowy, blustery start as a winter snow storm continues to ice over roads, cause accidents and even cancel school. Lewis Palmer School District 38 in Mounment had been on a 2 hour delayed start this morning, when at around 9:45 a.m. administrators decided to cancel... more »

• Grade schools closed in Monument

  December 1, 2011 11:58 AM

  Administrators in Lewis Palmer School District 38 have closed all elementary schools today because of the changing weather conditions. All morning and afternoon kindergarten and preschool classes are canceled as well. The district has been under a 2 hour delayed start for the day. more »

• Tri-Lakes Emergency crews enroute to accident on SB I-25

  October 9, 2011 5:53 PM

  Emergency crews from Monument and the Tri-Lakes area are responding to a reported roll over traffic accident on southbound I-25 near mile marker 162. Crews have yet to arrive so no details are yet available. more »

• I-25 northbound lanes now open

  October 8, 2011 7:18 AM

  All lanes of I-25 are open right now. Colorado Department of Transportation says there are numerous accidents at mile marker 165, about five miles north of Monument. The closure began at 4:37 a.m. and continued for about one hour. Roads are still in bad condition, much of I-25 in... more »

• Tanker drops continue on Beaver Creek Fire

  August 20, 2011 2:00 PM

  Fire crews working the Beaver Creek Fire just north of the Air Force Academy are now using a Type 1 Helicopter to drop water on the blaze. The helicopter drops around 1000 gallons of water per drop. Hand crews on the ground continue to cut a containment line around the... more »

• Northbound I-25 a parking lot due to multiple accidents

  June 18, 2011 5:09 PM

  Traffic on northbound I-25 between the North Academy Exit and Baptist Road is at a virtual stand still as of 3:00 pm Saturday due to multiple accidents. Emergency crews are responding to no less than 3 separate accidents all along I-25 and traffic has backed up just south of... more »

• Teen convicted of manslaughter, father speaks out

  June 11, 2011 12:28 AM

  The family of 19-year-old Logan McClelland has mixed emotions after hearing he was found guilty Friday in El Paso County court of reckless manslaughter, instead of the first-degree murder charge he was facing. "Of course we were hoping for no conviction, but we live with the consequences of our... more »

• Verdict is in for Big O shooting in Monument

  June 10, 2011 4:57 PM

  An El Paso County jury has found 19-year-old Logan McClelland guilty of reckless manslaughter in the death of 50 -year-old Bradley Blehm last August. Blehm was an employee at the Big O Tires store, on Highway 105 in Monument, who had been drinking and ordered to go home for... more »

• McClelland defense attorneys say teen was trying to defend his dad

  June 9, 2011 12:50 PM

  Defense attorneys say Logan McClelland made a split second decision to defend his ailing father from an angry and drunk Bradley Blehm on August 9, 2010. They say Blehm was furious after Tom McClelland complained to Blehm's boss that he was swearing. They say Blehm was going to attack Logan's... more »

• Defense begins closing arguments in McClelland case

  June 9, 2011 12:25 PM

  Logan McClelland's defense attorneys are about to present their reasons why the teen should not be convicted of first degree murder in the death of Bradley Blehm. This morning, the prosecution told jurors there should be no doubt that Logan had time to think about the consequences of his... more »

• One year since girl's body found in Monument home

  May 14, 2011 7:02 PM

  Neighbors say it was awful what happened at the home on Century Place last year, and they're trying to move on. It's still hard for them to imagine what they heard from the crime scene one year ago, on May 14th. "I will not sleep at all, because it... more »

• Sims' neighbors in Monument: "It was awful, but we're moving on"

  May 14, 2011 5:05 PM

  Hanif Sims -- the father of Genesis Sims', who's body was found in the crawl space of a Monument home in May of last year. -- is scheduled to begin his trial at the end of May. Judge David Miller ruled in Sims' preliminary hearing earlier this month that there... more »

• Father of Genesis Sims due in court this week

  May 14, 2011 12:54 PM

  The trial for Hanif Sims -- the father of Genesis Sims, who was found dead last year in the crawl space of a Monument home -- is scheduled to begin this coming week in El Paso County. Sims is facing felony child abuse charges. His girlfriend at the time,... more »

• Sims will face a jury on 1st Degree Murder charge

  May 10, 2011 2:28 PM

  Reporter Zach Thaxton just got out of the courtroom in Colorado Springs where a judge ruled that Hanif Sims will face a jury on a 1st Degree Murder charge in the death of his daughter Genesis. Genesis' body was found one year ago this week in the crawl space... more »

• Prosecutors try to upgrade charges against Hanif Sims

  May 10, 2011 1:15 PM

  A hearing continues in Colorado Springs on charges against Hanif Sims. According to testimony presented in court this morning, Sims grabbed his daughter Genesis by the throat and punched her in the chest, leading to her death in December 2008. Prosecutors want to charge Sims with murder.The girl's body... more »

• Update: Lynch to testify against Sims

  May 7, 2011 11:23 PM

  Monument residents are in shock over the news of Monique Lynch's plea deal that will drop her original charge of 1st degree murder. "It's totally inadequate to get a plea deal off of a murder charge of a child." says Monument resident Alan Stace.. The body of 9-year-old Genesis... more »

• DA confirms Lynch will testify against Sims

  May 7, 2011 8:17 PM

  El Paso County District Attorney Dan May has confirmed to News First 5 that as part of a plea deal, Monique Lynch will tesify against Hanif Sims regarding the death of 9 year old Genesis Sims. The body of 9-year-old Genesis Sims was discovered May 14, 2010, by two... more »

• Monument residents react to Lynch plea deal

  May 7, 2011 6:22 PM

  As we reported last night, Monique Lynch is reportedly making a plea deal with prosecuters to lower her charge of 1st degree murder to child abuse resulting in death. We are speaking with Monument residents and getting their reaction to the news. We'll have more on News First 5 at... more »

• Woman accused in Monument girl's death takes plea deal

  May 6, 2011 11:53 PM

  Our partners at The Gazette are reporting that Monique Lynch is taking a plea deal. She is the woman accused of murder after the corpse of a 9-year-old girl was found in the crawl space of a Monument home. Lynch has reportedly pleaded guilty to child abuse causing death. In... more »

• All evacuees allowed to go home in Monument

  April 21, 2011 12:49 AM

  All of the evacuees from a chemical leak in Monument have been allowed to return home. The evacuation order was lifted for the last 12 homes as of 10:00 p.m. People in 243 other homes were allowed to return earlier in the evening. The evacuations were ordered early Wednesday... more »

• Monument community providing for evacuees

  April 20, 2011 9:31 PM

  Monument businesses and volunteers opened their arms and kitchens to the 255 families forced from their homes today. Oakley's Bistro at the Sundance Mountain Lodge offered a free spaghetti buffet tonight and discount room rates for evacuees and first responders, but they weren't the only ones helping today. Rosie's... more »

• D-38 Schools in session tomorrow

  April 20, 2011 6:53 PM

  The hazardous materials clean-up is on track right now in Monument so school leaders in District 38 say schools will be in session tomorrow. If that changes we'll update you here and on News First 5. more »

• Crews here; clean-up underway

  April 20, 2011 5:04 PM

  Crews from Texas have arrived to start cleaning up the hazardous material leak in Monument. The process could take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours. No additional evacuations are needed at this time. Our crews were able to get close enough to the train to send us back this... more »

• Monument Municipal Court session canceled tonight

  April 20, 2011 1:33 PM

  Municipal Court in Monument scheduled for tonight has been canceled. Those scheduled to appear tonight can instead come to court on April 27 at 5:30 p.m. or on May 18 at 5:30 p.m. Court officials sent this terse message: "If you do not come to one of these... more »

• Magnetic seal contains leak

  April 20, 2011 1:19 PM

  All plans for Monument residents center on a damaged tanker car containing hydrochloric acid. The leak has been stopped using a magnetic seal, but hundreds of homes are under evacuation orders. The train sits directly east of Mitchell and Synthes. It awaits the arrival of a specially trained crew... more »

• Evacuation area stretches south along railroad tracks

  April 20, 2011 11:43 AM

  A rail tanker car carrying hydrochloric acid is stopped on railroad tracks in Monument and awaiting the arrival of a specially trained hazardous materials crew. About 250 homes are in the mandatory evacuation area. The evacuation area stretches along the railroad tracks from Blizzard Valley Trail all the way... more »

• Monument schools closed today

  April 20, 2011 10:20 AM

  Monument area schools are closed today due to a hazardous materials situation along the train tracks in Monument. All District 38 schools are closed. MyPlace Childcare is open at the Bear Creek location only. Monument Valley Charter Academy is also closed today. more »

• Leak has been contained

  April 20, 2011 9:47 AM

  The leak in a tanker car in Monument has been contained. A specially trained crew is on the way from Fort Worth to move the remaining hydrochloric acid to another container. The crew is expected around 1 p.m. Once that crew arrives the work will take four to five... more »

• 250 homes to be evacuated

  April 20, 2011 7:13 AM

  Calls are going out to residents in Monument due to a leaking tanker car on a train. The train is stopped in Monument and hazardous materials crews will have to unload the hydrochloric acid that is inside. The leaking tanker is near Wagon Gap Trail and Elk Valley Trail. ... more »

• Accident turns deadly in Monument

  March 30, 2011 12:00 AM

  A crash on Highway 83 near Highway 105 in Monument has left one woman dead. The single-car roll-over crash happened just after 7:30 tonight. The driver suffered minor injuries, but the woman passenger was flown to Penrose where she died. Highway 83 is still closed in both directions tonight.... more »

• Investigation into two missing Monument boys continues

  March 13, 2011 7:26 PM

  Investigators continued into the weekend, scouring near the home that Edward Bryant junior and his brother Austin were last know to live at on Granite Circle in Monument; but they wouldn't have known there was a disappearance to look into at all if it wasn't for family friends saying the... more »

• Stolen urn returned on late wife's birthday

  March 12, 2011 1:06 PM

  The urn that had been stolen from a Monument widower was returned to him on Friday after being missing for more than 2 months. On January 10, the mahogany box containing the ashes of Bob Herrle's late wife Terry was stolen from his home along with many other items.... more »

• Double homicide possibly a solicited murder

  March 2, 2011 12:21 AM

  Friends and co-workers are still in shock after a double homicide last Wednesday near Castle Rock. Investigators believe 26-year-old Josiah Sher, 26-year-old Matthew Plake and 29-year-old Micah Woody of Colorado Springs and 49 year old Christopher Wells of Monument all had a hand in the murder of Well's estranged wife... more »

• Population gains for El Paso County good for some

  February 27, 2011 8:50 PM

  El Paso County's population grew 20 percent, according to the 2010 census, making it now the most populated county in the state. That kind of growth is a boast to the local economy for sure, but within the county it's not spreading evenly; so while some parts of the... more »

• School closes in preparation for storm

  January 31, 2011 1:21 PM

  Schools are already preparing for an icy blast and blowing snow. Monument Academy Charter School will close at 1 p.m. for elementary students and 1:15 p.m. for middle school students. Afternoon preschool and kindergarten are canceled as well as all afternoon activities. more »

• Winter storm hits Southern Colorado

  January 19, 2011 10:57 PM

  A quick winter storm made things a little chilly in Southern Colorado on Wednesday evening. High wind gusts, dropping temperatures and slick roads made Jeniese Cathey, a Las Vegas transplant, a little nervous. "It's been crazy and I'm definitely not used to the snow." she says, "I will say I... more »

• Sims and Lynch plead not guilty

  December 17, 2010 4:53 PM

  Two people charged in the death of a child in Monument last year have entered a not guilty plea. Hanif Sims and Monique Lynch were bound over for trial last month. Lynch is accused of 1st Degree Murder, Sims is charged with Child Abuse Resulting in Death. This... more »

• Monument looks for car break-in suspects

  December 17, 2010 4:07 PM

  Monument residents have experienced an increase in vehicle break-ins at business parking lots. Generally the crimes are happening in the early evening hours. According to Monument Police, most of the vehicles were locked and a window was smashed to get at something in plain sight, like a purse or backpack.... more »

• Icy roads delay start of school in Monument

  November 30, 2010 7:55 AM

  The icy roads in Monument have caused school administrators at the Lewis Palmer School District 38 to delay the start of school by 2 hours today. District Spokesperson Robin Adair says the road conditions are just too slippery. Monument Charter Academy also in D-38 has a 2 hour... more »

• Weather advisories expire, conditions improve

  November 29, 2010 6:56 AM

  The weather improved overnight enough to help the morning commute in northern El Paso County. Last night Baptist Road was closed for awhile because it got so slick. But by 4 a.m. all the weather warnings had been canceled, except for a small area around Castle Rock. While there's snow... more »