"Audrey Eldridge won $16000"

01/24/08: Colorado Springs, CO  -  To the person who wrote asking about the Colorado Springs woman who was on the Millionaire show, here is the article that was on the Gazette web, the 19th:

Audrey Eldridge, a Colorado Springs therapist, walked away with $16,000 on Friday’s episode of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.”
Read it all here: http://www.gazette.com/articles/question_32146___article.html/eldridge_web.html

"Senator Wayne Allard helping KREX-TV"

01/24/08: Grand Junction, CO  -  According to KREX-TV, Senator Wayne Allard wrote a letter to the FCC's Commission Chair, Kevin Martin, in order to smooth the way and help keep the red tape to a minimum, when getting help to put KREX-TV back on the air.
Currently, the KREX newsroom is temporarily operating out of a local Community College in a room near KRMJ, the local PBS affiliate.
This shared area will temporarily house Channel 5’s news team, edit bays, promotions, and web producers, along with 4 edit bays, desks and telephones for the reporters.
A first look at the transmitter has shown some promise of it possibly being operational some time soon. The transmitter equipment inside the fallout shelter, where it was housed, is mostly untouched according to those who entered the room. After a bit of drying out, power may be restored to its components to see if the entire unit will power-up, or if some items are in need of repair.
The cause of the fire is still a mystery, with no real timeline given for an explanation, although Grand Junction Fire Department, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms finished their on-site investigation.
The Fire Department will now be testing evidence from the fire and interviewing people who witnessed the fire early on.

"New CSPD Deputy Police Chief named"

01/23/08: Colorado Springs, CO  -  A new Colorado Springs Deputy Police Chief has been selected.

Statement from CSPD:

The deputy chief promotional process has been completed. The two candidates, Commanders Rod Walker and Pete Carey, were both deemed to be well-qualified for this promotion. Both did very well in the interview process, and both reflected a high degree of support and recognition as seen in the dozens of feedback surveys submitted by management staff. I would not hesitate to promote both of these commanders at this time, if we had more than one job to fill. Several of the survey respondents indicated that this choice was a “win-win” for the Department, as we could not go wrong with either person. While that is an accurate statement, it does not make it easy to only choose one.

In the end, I considered the varying gifts that both of these dedicated persons possess, and compared that to our organizational needs at this time.

Accordingly, I am pleased to announce the promotion of Commander Pete Carey to fill the vacancy for Deputy Chief next month. Please join me in congratulating Pete on this new adventure. We are in the process of arranging for the swearing-in ceremony and reception and will provide this information as soon as we have the date, time, and location confirmed.  - Lt. Arms
 

"GJ Sentinel editor was one of first on-scene"

01/22/08: Grand Junction, CO  -  Dennis Herzog is the editor of the Grand Junction Sentinel. Usually he hears about stories in his community from his reporters who cover them in the field, but on Sunday he was one of the first to arrive at the fire which was engulfing the KREX-TV building. He was one of the first because, he lives right across the street from the KREX-TV building.
Read his first hand account, here: Dennis Herzog article

"Fear of a communist invasion may help get KREX-TV back on-air"

01/22/08: Grand Junction, CO  -  The fire at KREX-TV in Grand Junction on Sunday pretty much destroyed the 1930's vintage building and most of what was inside; but because the transmitter was housed in a fallout shelter originally designed into the structure in case of a communist invasion, an idea of founder Rex Howell, the TV station may be able to go back on-air using that transmitter.
KREX-TV reports that fire officials say, "...the reinforced room that housed that equipment showed few signs of damage...", and, "...the company is waiting for it’s engineering staff to complete a technical evaluation of the surviving equipment to determine when operations can resume."
The old building was first used as a radio station in the 1930’s and began television broadcasts in the mid-1950s.

"EMS 'The Tree of Life' Memorial comes to Colorado Springs"

01/22/08: Colorado Springs, CO  -  The purpose of the National EMS Memorial is to remember and honor those emergency medical services personnel who have died in the line of duty, recognizing their ultimate sacrifice. The National EMS Memorial, "The Tree of Life" was on display in Colorado Springs, yesterday.  The memorial's current home is in Virginia, but a National EMS Memorial Service Board of Directors is evaluating Colorado Springs as a possible permanent new home for this memorial. Memorial Park would be the new location.  Colorado Springs is one of three finalists.

An Honor Guard from the Fort Carson Fire Department stand vigilant

Tawnya Silloway from American Medical Response (AMR) reads the names on the memorial

Changing of the Guard

Photos by News Blab

"AP reports on investigating the KREX-TV fire"

01/21/08: Grand Junction, CO  -  Investigators seek cause of fire that destroyed Colo. TV studios
The Associated Press
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Grand Junction fire investigators say they're still looking into what caused a blaze that destroyed the studios of KREX-TV and KFQX-TV.
The fire broke out Sunday morning. Five people inside escaped safely but the building was considered a total loss.
Damage was put at about $6 million.
It's not yet clear when the stations will be back on the air. KREX is a CBS affiliate and KFQX is a Fox affiliate.
The blaze knocked out local broadcasts of Sunday's NFL playoff games.
Fire Department spokesman Mike Page said Monday that investigators did not enter the building overnight because of flare-ups and the danger that the structure would collapse.
 

"Grand Junction NBC affiliate offers help to KREX-TV"

"KREX-TV updates their website again"

01/20/08: Grand Junction, CO  -  KREX-TV has updated their website again, letting viewers know they will be back on the air soon, and giving business account holders contact information in case they have questions.

"KREX-TV's story is KREX-TV"

01/20/08: Grand Junction, CO  -  This has got to be one heck of a weird feeling.

"Grand Junction TV station burns"

01/20/08: Grand Junction, CO  -  Denver and Grand Junction news stations are reporting that KREX-TV in Grand Junction caught fire early this morning, burning the 1950's vintage building and some of what was inside.  The fire damage was so extensive, it was declared a total loss according to reports, some which put the dollar amount at $6 million.

Here is how some of those news stations reported the KREX fire.

"KKTVer gives me CAPITAL LETTER scolding"

01/20/08: Colorado Springs, CO  -  Yesterday I received an input via my "Got a tip?" form, which I'm guessing was from a KKTVer.  It was all in capital letters, so I guess I was being yelled at.  This KKTVer wanted to remind me that KKTV 11 News had a fatal crash story on Friday that none of the other stations had aired, (referencing my 01/18 entry in the tidbit/gossip scrolling marquee about how KKTV completely missed the fatal crash on I-25, when the other stations had video & more).

Yes, I will acknowledge, I did see it, and I remember the interview with the man from the house who went down to check the condition of the high school girl that was killed.  KKTV 11 News' Mindy Stone was the reporter who did the original piece on Friday, with Rosie Barresi doing a follow-up last night, talking with some of the girl's friends and reporting the name of the girl.

Yes, I will also acknowledge that KKTV had the story, when I didn't see it on the other news channels.  Nice work KKTV.

"KXRM anchor 'alley oops' her way through sports"

From KXRM.com

01/19/08: Colorado Springs, CO  -  I haven't watched the KXRM Fox 21 News@9 for a while, so I decided to watch it tonight.  Weekend anchor Grace Polanski appears to have changed her hair style and color a bit, since the last time I saw her.  It looks good.  And another nice change I saw in her tonight was the way she flowed through the stories, capping off the evening with a cute little "alley oop" during the sports segment.

She was joyfully and playfully reading the sports script, describing a basketball game play-by-play.  After a brief giggle, she told viewers, she doesn't write the stuff, she only reads it.

But the way she read it made that sports segment all-the-better.  Nice job Grace Polanski and Fox 21.  I'm glad I watched your newscast tonight.

"Bucket Brigade"

01/19/08: Colorado Springs, CO  -  If you've been reading News Blab religiously during the past 7 years, you already know how News Blab is PRO first responders.  Whenever there is a good story to share about the CSPD, CSFD, and AMR,  News Blab does just that.  So, with that in mind, and to continue sharing with the community those stories you probably won't see on other news outlets, here is a nice bit of information about our first responders, taking care of you... I guess you could say... "every step of the way".

I just happened to catch this the other day, while driving home from work.  Take a look at the following sequence of pics, and make sure to notice the first responder holding the bucket.  He is throwing sand down in the path of where they will be wheeling the patient being taken from this house.

So see... they make sure YOU and others are safe... every step of the way!

Photos by News Blab

"KRDO website declared, Go To News Page"

01/18/08: Colorado Springs, CO  -  For the past 2 weeks, without the knowledge of the local news media community, News Blab has been polling the various Colorado Springs news related websites.  Each day, at various times throughout the day, five news websites were visited to see what type of news content was being presented to the visiting public.  News Blab looked for accuracy, consistency, and most importantly... information on the website that was fresh, relevant to the community, and up to date.

The following websites were included in the poll, KOAA.com, KXRM.com, KKTV.com, KRDO.com, and Gazette.com.

The clear winner, and the website that News Blab declares the "Go To News Page".... is KRDO.com, maintained by KRDO News Channel 13.

Congratulations KRDO.com!

"Victorian supporters save the Police Chief's job?"

News Blab Exclusive! 01/17/08: Cripple Creek, CO  -  News Blab has learned: Over 100 people crowded into a recent City Council meeting in the town of Cripple Creek, with over one third of those people speaking out against a wrong doing they thought was about to happen.  They were there in force after hearing rumblings that Cripple Creek's Police Chief, Gary Hamilton was going to be ousted from his position.  Possibly a ploy to use Hamilton as a scapegoat over a lawsuit filed against the city, some say.

Many of the Chief's supporters there that night belong to the Gold Camp Victorian Society, one of the most supportive groups of this dying gold rush community. And Cripple Creek needs all the supporters they can get in these turbulent times.

City leaders are said to have made some very bad decisions recently; decisions that have cost them, not only needed revenue but also tourist numbers, which have decreased due to popular events being cancelled after these "bad decisions" were made.

The members of the GCVS were at the meeting to see that another "bad decision" didn't happen,  while supporting their friend at the same time.

During the meeting, and after many supporters spoke out, Council members assured the gathering that the Chief, "...would not be going anywhere."

"From KKTV News Director to Omaha Sales, but they toast him anyway"

01/17/08: Colorado Springs, CO  -  He arrived here 4 years ago, when KKTV was in solid second.  He leaves here 4 years later, as KKTV is now reaching for that last place position in the ratings game. He arrived here 4 years ago, when KKTV had the big three in prime time. He leaves here 4 years later, after getting rid of the big three, and bringing in a lesser number. He arrived here 4 years ago, when KKTV and News Blab were on equal ground... or at least on speaking terms. He leaves here 4 years later, having caused a bitter moment or two after engaging News Blab in a war of words, some I'm guessing being spewed in a moment of emotional outburst.

KKTVers toasted (or roasted) News Director Nick Matesi last night at a local restaurant, amid the sound of pool balls clicking, and drinking reporters sipping.  They were saying goodbye to their old chief, as he makes his way up north, to assume the position of internet sales manager at the same Omaha TV station that former KKTV GM, Charlie Peterson is now at.  Matesi is assuming a position that some say is a great opportunity, one to further his career; while others may assume it to be a step down from an ND spot.

At any rate... newly assigned General Manager, Tim Merritt appears to consider Matesi, a shining star, and an asset that will be missed.  He believes Matesi put KKTV 11 News in a direction to be followed... which is what concerns me.  Why would they want to continue to go in the downward direction...???

Good luck in the new sales job, Nick.... Too bad you had to let your mouth get in the way of the good thing we had going.  Maybe after you're  knee deep in sales in Omaha for awhile, some of those people at KKTV... won't hate me so...???  And maybe... just maybe... KKTV may once again become a news reporting station.

The following is only for Nick to read... all others please close your eyes, and scroll past this so I don't expose a non News Blab like post:

(But really Nick... we did have some good times every once-in-awhile.  And I did enjoy talking with you on many occasions.  So, putting down the News Blab pen for just a minute.... I will say, Good luck in your new position, stay warm up there, I hear Omaha is a bit colder than here... and most of all... I realize that outside factors may have played a big part in all the changes at KKTV... so you may have been somewhat powerless with "the big picture".  So, once again... Good Luck and have fun with the new job and location.  - Mike)