"Looks like downtown cleanup plans were

in works for the past year"

2/12/08: Colorado Springs, CO - According to Gazette reporter Pam Zubeck, a $450,000 proposal will be put before City Council next month which allows for 8 Police Officers to provide special task force coverage of the downtown area, especially the Tejon Street area, with its large number of drinking establishments. According to her article published on the Gaz website this evening, "...the proposal calls for bar owners to contribute to a fund to hire extra duty police officers to provide coverage from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and for special events." "...downtown business owners don’t want to see “a SWAT team showing up in full combat gear,” but rather “a more customer-friendly approach that is present but not in a threatening way."

Credit for the proposal is being given to hundreds of people who participated in a year-long analysis of the problem, including the Downtown Partnership, about 200 businesses, and the Downtown Business Improvement District.

 
To read the entire article, go here: http://www.gazette.com/articles/city_33052___article.html/police_downtown.html

"KRDO helping to clean up downtown?"

2/12/08: Colorado Springs, CO - This is an interesting piece.  It sounds like the Downtown Partnership will be the middle-man in these matters.  According to News Channel 13, this action was sparked after they aired a story about the problem.  Hey... if that is what happened, good for them. Check it out...

From the KRDO website:

Councilman Takes Action After NEWSCHANNEL 13 Report
By: Tak Landrock

COLORADO SPRINGS - Colorado Springs City Council member Jerry Heimlicher is taking action after a NEWSCHANNEL 13 story about allowing off duty police officers to work inside downtown nightclubs.

Right now, Colorado Springs police can't be hired by any business that has a liquor license, Lt. Skip Arms told NEWSCHANNEL 13 on Thursday, that it could cause problems. "If you have a bar owner hiring police, who than may have to take enforcement action against the bar owner or the employees of the establishment, that could become a conflict of interest."

Council member Heimlicher met with the chief of police and the city manager Friday and came up with a solution to allow the Downtown Partnership to pay for the officers.

"There won't be a conflict of the owner of the bar technically being the employer of the police officer."

In March, Assistant City Manager Mike Anderson will present a list of proposals to solve the growing problems in downtown. In addition to the officers working in nightclubs, the city will also benefit from cameras placed along Tejon Street.

"Riddle me this... parking meter man"

Notice the "Out of Order" LCD readout

2/12/08: Colorado Springs, CO - On Monday I parked in a metered spot in downtown Colorado Springs, but the meter was "Out of order" according to the LCD display on both sides of the meter.  I pulled into the spot after someone else had just pulled out, so the spot was being used before I used it.  But, I still wondered what the rules were for parking in a spot where a meter was in such a state.

Ahh... I'm in luck, I thought.  There was a parking enforcement guy just across the street, issuing a ticket.  I approached him and asked my question.  He told me he couldn't advise me on what to do... because if I parked there, and the meter reverted back to working order, which they sometimes do he said... well,  I guess he was trying to tell me, if he or anyone else checked it while I was parked there, and it was no longer in the "Out of order" mode, I could get a paper invite for a monetary contribution to the city.

Okay... I'm still unclear on the rules of this scenario. What to do...???

I know, I'll go to the City website... and here is what I got.

"The mission of the Parking System is to provide safe and convenient public parking in the Central Business District and major activity centers throughout the City of Colorado Springs in a cost-effective manner".
In the early 1970's, The City of Colorado Springs established the Parking System Enterprise (parking system). The parking system is responsible for providing convenient and affordable parking for employees, customers and visitors to the downtown and Old Colorado City areas. The parking system owns and operates five off-street public parking facilities (three parking structures and two surface lots) consisting of 2,136 spaces, plus approximately 2,360 on-street metered parking spaces throughout the same areas. The parking system constitutes an "enterprise" which can be defined as a self supported, publicly owned business, that receives all of it's funding from user fees. No tax money is used in any of these operations.

Well... that wasn't any help with my question.  Does anyone know the answer to this one?  Hey... this might make a good "Sweeps" story... hint, hint.

"Smile... you're on NB Crash Cam"

2/12/08: Colorado Springs, CO - Oops, this one was on Platte, approaching downtown just about 3:15 PM, Monday.

"Most requested newsie list"

2/11/08: Colorado Springs, CO - Every once-in-awhile I get a request or question regarding someone in the media.  These requests come in the form of an e-mail, "Got a tip?" form, and even a phone call or face-to-face conversation. Usually they are about the female newsies in the market.  Well, tonight I received an interesting question about this very subject.  The anonymous "Got a tip?" form comment was this... "Mike are you planning on showing more news babes on News Blab like before and which ones will they be?"

Well... I can't promise the same type coverage as was seen on the older version of News Blab, since I don't get out there as much... but I can tell you the top four requested newsies based on venues of input, explained above.

The top four are... in the order of most recent popularity (News Blab reader request picks):

1) Nina Sparano (KRDO)

2) Rachel Hoffenberg (KOAA)

3) Stephanie Pytlinski (KXRM)

4) Stephanie Ortmann (KKTV)

So there you go ladies... now you can add that you were a top four News Blab reader popular pick, to your media curriculum vitae.

"Another day with no verdict"

Photo special for News Blab

Natalie Jensen, wife of slain CSPD Detective Jared Jensen, leaves the courthouse this afternoon.

2/11/08: Colorado Springs, CO - Another day of jury deliberations in the Jeremy Lamberth murder trial case has ended with no verdict.  Jurors who are reviewing numerous weeks of testimony and evidence will resume deliberations again tomorrow morning.

"KREX-TV reporter coming to Colorado Springs?"

2/11/08: Colorado Springs, CO - I received a "Got a tip?" tip from someone letting me know that one of the reporters from KREX, the Grand Junction TV news station that was destroyed by fire a few weeks ago, is coming to work at one of our local news stations.  A quick check of the current KREX bio page quickly narrowed done the possibilities.  It appears reporter/anchor Samantha Anderson's bio is M.I.A. from the current KREX bio page, but can still be found on a cached entry.

I'd be willing to bet dollars-to-donuts, she is the one on the move to Colorado Springs.  Now... if that tipster would have only included the station she will be working at... we would almost have this mystery solved!

UPDATE: I received additional tips from two sources, each say Samantha Anderson will be working for KRDO News Channel 13.

From a cached KREX bio page

"El Paso Search & Rescue make a Sunday rescue"

2/11/08: Manitou Springs, CO - Sunday on the Manitou incline was anything but a normal day for one hiker.  After reaching the top of the incline, things went "down hill" from there... in more ways than one.  While on the top, the hiker took a spill, cutting himself so badly that the bleeding would not stop.  "He looked pretty bad when I saw him, so I made the 911 call.", said a fellow hiker who was the first to get to the fallen man.

That 911 call brought out Manitou Springs FD, Manitou Springs PD, AMR, and El Paso Search & Rescue personnel.  About five rescuers waited at the bottom of Barr Trail for the more than fifteen rescuers that went up for the injured hiker. The man, once brought safely down the mountain, was attended to by AMR personnel, and released.

Here are a few pics from the scene.

Photos by News Blab

"Arrest made in double homicide"

Photo by News Blab

2/10/08: Colorado Springs, CO - Detectives from the Violent Crimes Section and other CSPD Officers worked well into Sunday's early morning hours, making an arrest in connection with Saturday's double homicide at the apartment complex on Delta Dr.

From the blotter:

On 02-10-2008 Detectives from the Violent Crimes Section and other officers arrested Hiram Larry Sampson, age 32, in connection the investigation of the double homicide at 2133 Delta Drive. Sampson was arrested in the northeast part of Colorado Springs. The arrest was made after a warrant was issued for Sampson for Murder in the First Degree. The warrant affidavit was sealed by the judge to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation. No photo of Sampson will be released at this time for the same reasons.
The investigation into this crime continues.

"CSPD Major Crimes Unit spread thin on Saturday"

2/10/08: Colorado Springs, CO - Their jobs, as their title says, is to investigate major crimes within our city, something they were out doing in force, yesterday.  At scenes of three shootings, and another possible unknown event on the city's northeast side, detectives and technicians from Major Crimes and the Crime Lab were spread very thin on a very busy major crime filled Saturday.

One person shot at a bar, two shot and killed at an apartment complex, two shot and found at a local Sonic restaurant, and not far from the intersection of Union and Dublin, a neighbor tells me, "...something terrible happened inside that house today. A very bad scene.", but that's all medics would tell her (photos below).

Major crimes was called out on that one too, I hear.  And I'm sure the dedicated CSPD Major Crimes Unit worked late into the night, following leads given during witness reports of the apartment homicides.

Let's hope we don't have another big crime day like Saturday, for a long time...

Photos by News Blab

"Homicide - 2 dead, 2 wounded"

2/9/08: Colorado Springs, CO - From the blotter:

Incident Date: February 9, 2008

Time: 2:53:00 AM

Division: Professional Standards Shift III
Title: Death

Location: 2133 Delta Drive Unit F
Summary: On 02-09-08 at about 02:35 AM CSPD and CSFD units responded to a report of a shooting at the Whitney Young Manor, 2133 Delta Drive, Unit F. The arriving officers’ investigation discovered that party was going on in the apartment when someone began shooting. One male was found dead inside the apartment. A second male was transported by AMR Ambulance to a local hospital. He died at the hospital a short time later. Witnesses who were attending the party were being interviewed at the time of this release.

During the initial investigation, officers found two males with non-life threatening gunshot wounds at the Sonic Drive-In, 2302 S. Academy Blvd. Detectives are investigating whether there is a connection between these people and the shooting at the apartment. The two locations are within a few blocks of each other.

Detectives from the Violent Crimes Section responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. No arrests have been made. The investigation is still in the preliminary phases.

**UPDATE**
The El Paso County Coroner’s Office has completed autopsies of both individuals who died as a result of the shooting incident on Delta Drive early this morning. These two men have been identified as Darrell Mitchell, age 20 and Samone Robinson, age 21. The Coroner’s Office determined that both men died from gunshot wounds. Both deaths have been ruled homicides. These are the fourth and fifth homicides in Colorado Springs this year. Two other victims, Derek Austin, age 20 and Maurice Magazine, age 21, sustained non life-threatening gunshot wounds during the same incident. The investigation is continuing. No arrests have been made.
 

Photos by News Blab

"Deadly Saturday... and some news agencies miss mark"

2/9/08: Colorado Springs, CO - All around Colorado Springs on this Saturday are reports of shootings, death, and a developing story that may become newsworthy in no time. But if you go to KOAA's website all you can read about are tattoos and frozen pipes.  What's up with that?

Kind of the same thing going on over at KXRM's website, but instead of tattoos and pipes, it's about Denver shopping and revenue legislation.  You have to visit the KRDO, KKTV, and Gazette websites to read about today's homicides and shootings.

Actually, I was out at the homicide scene for over an hour and-a-half this morning, and only saw KRDO, KKTV, and the Gaz.  I guess the others were getting some beauty sleep...???

But I didn't see any other media at the possible "developing story", so I might have some exclusive pics from that one, depending on how it plays out.

All-in-all... not a good day in Colorado Springs as far as death, destruction, and crime goes.

I'll share my pics and other stuff later. Stay tuned...

Note: Media timeline: KRDO was there way before me. They had some good video from early on in the news event.  I arrived, followed by KKTV about 10 minutes after that.  Then a Gazette reporter arrived about 20 minutes after KKTV.  I never saw KOAA or KXRM while I was there.

UPDATE: A KOAA photojournalist writes to tell me that he was on-scene from 3:30 AM - 4:30 AM.  Since I was in dreamland at that time I had no way of knowing that.  And since KOAA doesn't have a weekend morning news program and didn't bother to even update their website by 12 noon, how is a viewer to benefit by a KOAA photog being there to get a story.  For his trouble they should at least put together a webcast or something. So... let it be known... KOAA was there during the early stages of the event too, they just had no way to let we viewers know.

UPDATE: And as of 4:45 PM, KOAA's website still has nothing at all about today's shootings or homicides.  KXRM's website has been updated with the homicide story.

UPDATE: A bit after 5 PM KOAA added the homicide story to their website.  Screen shots below from 4:49 PM (no story) and 5:56 PM (story).

"CSPD gets their man... I mean woman, robber"

News Blab EXCLUSIVE - 2/9/08: Colorado Springs, CO - Once again the hard work of the Colorado Springs Police Department has helped to take another bad guy... I mean bad girl, off the streets.  On Friday afternoon they were able to capture and arrest the long haired female robber who recently robbed local area establishments a number of times. Below is the blotter entry for Friday's CSPD action and take down.  And below the blotter entry are EXCLUSIVE photos of that arrest, provided to News Blab by a News Blab reader, via the "Got a tip?" form.

The News Blab tipster said he/she was driving on Alpine Friday afternoon when all these police appeared, and proceeded with the take down of the female. This occurred 2 blocks from the house mentioned in the entry.  Thanks to the tipster and thanks to CSPD for another job well done!!!

From the blotter:

Incident Date: February 8, 2008
Time: 6:38:00 PM
Division: Investigations Shift I
Title: Robbery
Location: 1939 Winston Road

Summary: Between 01/29/2008 and 02/06/2008 a female subject committed the below listed armed robberies in the city.
TUE 1/29/08 - Disabled American Veterans 2444 E Platte Av
SAT 2/2/08 - Subway 1825 N Circle Dr
SUN 2/3/08 - Family Dollar Store 2325 E Boulder St
Wed 2/6/08 – Dollar Tree Store 855 N. Academy Blvd

On 02/08/2008 the Robbery Investigations Unit with the assistance of the Tactical Enforcement Unit and Patrol Officers from the C.S.P.D. executed a search warrant at 1939 Winston Road in Colorado Springs. Multiple items of evidence were recovered from the address to include a firearm and additional investigation resulted in the identification and arrest of the below listed suspect in regards to these robberies.

Arrestee: Valerie Ellington AKA: Valerie Salaz, DOB: 03/03/1969

No further arrest are anticipated in regards to this investigation.
 

Photos special for News Blab

"CSFD battles house fire on Roundtop"

2/8/08: Colorado Springs, CO - CSFD firefighters arrived in six engines and numerous support vehicles this afternoon to battle a house fire on Roundtop, near Academy Blvd.  The fire started in the chimney and spread to the attic.  Firefighters had to rip off vents and chop or cut holes in various areas of the upper and lower floor outer walls to battle flames which had spread.

When News Blab arrived, in the early stages of the fire, heavy smoke was pouring out of the chimney and attic vents. The CSFD had the fire under control in a hurry and most of the hotspots out in just over an hour.

Tomorrow I will share my raw video which shows all the action.  Stay tuned...

Note: Media timeline - KKTV 11 News arrived about 20 minutes after News Blab, followed by KRDO News Channel 13, about 15 minutes after KKTV.

Photos by News Blab

"Manitou Cool"

2/7/08: Manitou Springs, CO - Some more pics from when I was in Manitou Springs on Saturday.  These are "Manitou Cool"...

Photos by News Blab

Cool Hula hop-ing it up

Does a Senator trump a Queen?  CO State Senator John P. Morse talks with the Carnivale Queen

70's cool

Cool spring thing

"In a small white coffin, baby Ashia laid to rest"

News Blab EXCLUSIVE - 2/7/08: Colorado Springs, CO - The scene at 3225 Galena Court on the night Maria Joseph is accused of killing her 16 month old child, Ashia M. Joseph, and attempting to kill her four other children by burning them, must have been horrific. The scene at Evergreen Cemetery this afternoon was a peaceful one in comparison, as friends and family members laid baby Ashia to rest.

In a simple white wooden coffin, the baby was buried in a small grave at the foot of Simeon Joseph's gravesite.  Simeon committed suicide in October of last year.

About 30 mourners attended today's ceremony, each sharing feelings in their own way.

Some stood, looking at the small casket and prayed, while others knelt close to it, hugging it with tenderness.  But each said goodbye...

Photos by News Blab

Not for re-print without permission

"Perp taken into custody as

News Blab snaps the pics"

News Blab EXCLUSIVE photos - 2/6/08: Colorado Springs, CO - This afternoon a perp fled on foot after crashing a stolen vehicle into the front of a Subway on Austin Bluffs, smashing the restaurant's front window glass and rearranging a table and set of chairs inside.  CSPD officers were able to track the direction the suspect had run based on footprints he left in the snow. A search of the area was soon underway.

While some officers searched, other officers found an assortment of stolen items inside the vehicle, possibly from a number of BMV's in the area.  Not long after their search began, officers were able to find the suspect a couple blocks from the original crime scene.  They took him into custody.

Back at the scene, the investigation continued.  The possible owner of the vehicle then arrived on-scene and gave officers additional information.  The vehicle was eventually towed away.

Thanks to the excellent work of the dedicated and resourceful officers of CSPD, another perp is on his way to a place far-far-away.  Thanks CSPD!!!

Note: News Blab was the only pseudo-news venue to get photos of the actual taken-into-custody-event.

KRDO-TV News Channel 13 was the only TV news station to get video of the perp as he was driven away from the scene, after being taken back to the original scene.  KOAA Ch 5/30 was there earlier, but left before the perp was returned to the scene. Bummer...

Photos by News Blab

Perp being taken into custody - News Blab EXCLUSIVE

Perp being taken into custody - News Blab EXCLUSIVE

"The Big Three Downtown Shadow Makers

only a web presence now"

2/6/08: Colorado Springs, CO - So... when will the Big Three Downtown Shadow Makers start leaving their skeletal imprints on the land?  Cooper Tower, Pikes Peak Place, and Stratton Pointe are scheduled to begin construction sometime in the not-to-distant future... aren't they?  Each has promised to change the look and feel of downtown Colorado Springs.  I keep watching for signs of change, but so far I've only seen some internal gutting going on inside the building where Stratton Pointe will be within the next year, according to reports; and of course the demolition of the old Trailways Terminal to make way for Pikes Peak Place; and the closing of the antique mall in the old theater building, where Copper Tower will be.

Each building does have a web presence... of sorts.  Cooper Tower has a webpage at coopertower.net, with the company that developed that page also owning coopertower.org.  I guess they will point that domain to the tower page, once more happens over at the intersection where the 20 plus story building will be.

Pikes Peak Place, a.k.a. Nor'wood Development Group own pikespeakplace.net and pikespeakplace.org, which I'm guessing they will be using for their website as soon as they decide to develop one.  Right now nothing but a temporary holding page is there.

And over at Stratton Pointe, LandCo has a bit about their building on their website landco1.com, but their once active strattonpointe.net expired last year, so they won't be using that one anymore.

So... I guess it might not be too long before the shadows of these three will be present in the downtown area... with more than just a web presence to look at. We'll just have to wait and see what we see...

From coopertower.net

From pikespeakplace.net

From landco1.com