Author: Bob Stephens
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Planner floats toll idea for Powers Boulevard
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Adding toll lanes to highly congested Powers Boulevard is one of the innovative ideas offered recently by Don Hunt, executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation. “It’s up to local decision-makers,” Hunt said. “But…
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Planner floats toll idea for Powers Boulevard
Adding toll lanes to highly congested Powers Boulevard is one of the innovative ideas offered recently by Don Hunt, executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation. “It’s up to local decision-makers,” Hunt said. “But I think it’s good to start the conversation about tolling in Colorado Springs.” Powers was the only road in El…
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Coroner’s office anxious for its turn in county moves
Boxes of case files are stacked nearly to the hallway ceiling and have taken over an office in the El Paso County coroner’s office. Two offices, one occupied by Dr. Leon Kelly, have flooded several times. Four toxicologists try not to trip over each other in their tiny lab. And the whole office tries to…
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Sheriff uses new tax money to add 40 deputies, 13 civilians
Forty deputies and 13 civilians were hired in January by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, thanks to a voter-approved tax increase that will pump an additional $17 million into the sheriff’s budget. “We’ve been going like crazy,” said Sheriff Terry Maketa, “hiring, testing, do background checks.” It’s a welcome change. Dave Roycraft has been…
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Sheriff uses new tax money to add 40 deputies, 13 civilians
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Forty deputies and 13 civilians were hired in January by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, thanks to a voter-approved tax increase that will pump an additional $17 million into the sheriff’s budget. “We’ve been…
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Looming danger: Flood information, grant money
REHABILITATING THE LAND These are the three phases of rehabilitation after wildfires on federal lands: • Fire suppression repair: Begins immediately after a fire is contained and before the incident management team leaves. The plan is to repair damage and minimize soil erosion by rehabbing roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, drop points and fire…
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Looming danger: Burned slopes increase risk of flash floods
The scarred hillsides in the Waldo Canyon fire burn area could increase as much as twentyfold the intensity of flash flooding in the streets and neighborhoods below. In a region with insufficient stormwater systems that is prone to quick, hard summer rains that yearly produce localized flash floods, the burned slopes only increase the chance…
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County commissioners approve ban on pot shops
El Paso County commissioners voted 4-1 to impose a ban on recreational marijuana businesses for unincorporated parts of the county during Tuesday’s regular meeting at Centennial Hall. Attorneys and citizens from both sides of the issue offered arguments but the board’s vote did not change from last month’s first reading of the ordinance. Commissioner Peggy…
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County to take up pot business ban Tuesday
A proposed ban on recreational marijuana businesses will be addressed by El Paso County commissioners Tuesday, although one commissioner hopes to delay a vote until March.Commissioner Peggy Littleton wants to postpone the vote until Governor John Hickenlooper’s task force releases its findings, expected to be in late February. The other four commissioners aren’t likely to…
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Mayor’s focus on roads ruffles some feathers
When Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach voiced his opinion on regional transportation priorities, more than a few local politicians weren’t happy.Bach has the same goal as El Paso County commissioners Sallie Clark and Dennis Hisey — leaders of the group that actually makes transportation decisions.But Bach has a more aggressive approach, and that was reflected…