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Aurora Council to discuss ‘tough love’ approach to homelessness at Monday meeting
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Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Aurora Council to discuss ‘tough love’ approach to homelessness at Monday meeting

By Kyla Pearce | Denver Gazette At Monday night's Aurora City Council study session, councilmembers will discuss a new "tough love" approach to homelessness — which would harshen the city's camping ban and create a new court system for low-level offenses by homeless people. Mayor Mike Coffman has referred to the proposed approach to homelessness as "tough love" due to its cracking down on camping in the city while addressing the root causes of homelessness in court. Coffman announced plans for the approach on social media and will officially bring it to the council Monday night, with hopes of moving it forward to a regular council meeting for a vote. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
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New charges filed against Littleton bus aide, revealing more incidents of alleged abuse to nonverbal students
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Approved, Local, The Colorado Sun

New charges filed against Littleton bus aide, revealing more incidents of alleged abuse to nonverbal students

By Olivia Prentzel | The Colorado Sun Prosecutors filed additional charges this week against a former Littleton Public Schools bus aide accused of beating two nonverbal students, revealing more incidents of alleged abuse on their way to and from school. Kiarra Jones, 29, now faces nine counts of third-degree assault, a felony, and two counts of knowingly and reckless child abuse, a misdemeanor, according to court documents filed in the 18th Judicial District Court. Jones is scheduled to appear in court Friday afternoon. The alleged abuse began in January and continued for nearly three months, before a police officer reviewed footage from an on-bus camera showing Jones assaulting two boys on bus rides to and from The Joshua School, a school for kids ages 3 through 21 with developme...
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‘Superhero’ foster dad in Colorado Springs recognized for dedication to helping at-risk youth
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Approved, Colorado Springs Gazette, Local

‘Superhero’ foster dad in Colorado Springs recognized for dedication to helping at-risk youth

By Debbie Kelley | Colorado Springs Gazette Whenever Colorado Springs native Josh Skaggs feels like he’s losing patience or getting angry, the 36-year-old school teacher reminds himself of this: not too long ago, he was a stranger to the preteen and teen boys who now live in his home. They didn’t choose to be removed from their previous home or to be placed under his care. “It’s really important to remember they didn’t put themselves in that situation,” he said. “They didn’t choose to be a foster kid; they’re just trying to grow up and survive and find their way.” But foster care is surrounded by stigma and misperceptions that can make adults hesitant to open their hearts and homes to children who are in pain and need a little extra love, he said. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COL...
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Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy Auraria campus in Denver, demand divestment
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Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy Auraria campus in Denver, demand divestment

By Nicole C. Brambila | Denver Gazette More than 200 hundred protesters — many of them students — occupied the Auraria campus on Thursday night to make several demands, notably divestment from corporations that operate in Israel. The protesters, who chanted anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian slogans, also asked to meet with Michelle Marks, chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver, to discuss how to implement their demands.    The protest in front of the Tivoli Student Union is the latest in what has been a wave of pro-Palestinian rallies on campuses across the United States in the last several days and increasing worries by Jewish students for their physical safety.    READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
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Indoor water surfing facility eyed for Colorado Springs’ north side
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Approved, Colorado Springs Gazette, Local

Indoor water surfing facility eyed for Colorado Springs’ north side

By Rich Laden | Colorado Springs Gazette Surf’s up — on Colorado Springs’ landlocked north side, of all places. Surf Shack, a planned, two-story 12,000-square-foot recreation center, would bring indoor water surfing to Polaris Pointe, the retail and commercial development southeast of Interstate 25 and North Gate Boulevard, according to a proposal submitted to city government officials. As envisioned, Surf Shack would employ a wave machine manufactured by San Diego-based FlowRider, whose technology dates back more than 30 years and simulates ocean waves for riders, according to the company’s website. FlowRider machines can be found in water parks, hotels and on cruise ships, among other places. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE
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Man found dead in submerged vehicle in Horsetooth Reservoir
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Approved, Local, The Coloradoan

Man found dead in submerged vehicle in Horsetooth Reservoir

By Miles Blumhardt | The Coloradoan A man has been found dead in a vehicle submerged in Horsetooth Reservoir, according to Colorado State Patrol. The crash was reported at 9 a.m. Friday as a single vehicle partially submerged in the reservoir near Larimer County Road 48C and Larimer County Road North 23 (Centennial Road), on the northeast corner of the reservoir west of Fort Collins, the state patrol told the Coloradoan on Monday. Poudre Fire Authority, Larimer County Natural Resources Department rangers and the Larimer County Dive Team searched the vehicle, which state patrol described as a Nissan SUV. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADOAN
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Devotional: Where does strength come from in trying times?
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Approved, Commentary, Local

Devotional: Where does strength come from in trying times?

By Drake Hunter | Guest Columnist On January 3, 2024, my wife, Sherrie, received a diagnosis that turned our reality upside down and changed our lives forever. She was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and the news was devastating and incredibly difficult to process. We now face a testing journey of love, resilience, and faith in ways we never imagined. Many have asked how we cope with such a dreadful experience, and the answer is simple: strength. This strength comes from our belief in God, who is forever strong and gives us the courage to face any challenge. We believe in the Mighty God (El Gibbor, Isaiah 9:2-7), who is strong yesterday, today, and forever. Like Sherrie and me, this strength is available to anyone who "Just Believes!" As I write these words, my wife is go...
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12 students and teacher killed at Columbine to be remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
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Approved, gazette.com, Local

12 students and teacher killed at Columbine to be remembered at 25th anniversary vigil

By COLLEEN SLEVIN | Colorado Springs Gazette (via Associated Press) The 12 students and one teacher killed in the Columbine High School shooting will be remembered Friday in a vigil on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the tragedy. The gathering, set up by gun safety and other organizations, is the main public event marking the anniversary, which is more subdued than in previous milestone years. Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who began campaigning for gun safety after she was nearly killed in a mass shooting, will be among those speaking at the vigil. So will Nathan Hochhalter, whose sister Anne Marie was paralyzed after she was shot at Columbine. Several months after the shooting, their mother, Carla Hochhalter, took her own life. READ THE FULL STORY A...
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Boll: Taxpayers subsidizing segregation through commissioner-supported Rainbow Prom in Douglas County
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Boll: Taxpayers subsidizing segregation through commissioner-supported Rainbow Prom in Douglas County

By LAUREEN BOLL | Guest Columnist The taxpayer could be on the hook for a Rainbow Prom, an event for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) youth this weekend at the Southridge Recreation Center. The event is sponsored by Castle Rock (CR) Pride. Per the event registration site, “this vibrant and inclusive event is open to ages 14-19, welcoming members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies for a night of celebration and unity.” Grouping people based on immutable characteristics - in this case sexual orientation and gender identity - and treating them differently is segregation. The Plessy v. Ferguson case in 1896 legalized racial segregation as long as facilities for each race, such as schools, were equal in quality. This ‘separate but equal’ doctrine was overtu...
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Hiring freeze, service reductions among proposed $45M cuts to Denver’s budget to pay for illegals
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, Local

Hiring freeze, service reductions among proposed $45M cuts to Denver’s budget to pay for illegals

By Alex Edwards | Colorado Politics A panel of councilmembers has unanimously advanced Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's proposed $45 million in budget cuts — dollars the administration intends to use to pay for its response to the city's illegal immigration crisis. The proposed budget cuts' next stop is the full City Council.     The budget cuts include a hiring freeze and service reductions. Early in the crisis, Denver officials decided the city would assume the responsibility to temporarily house, feed and transport arriving immigrants. That response is expected to cost a total of $90 million this year. At last count, the city has helped almost 41,000 immigrants. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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