May 8, 2008
Walking Off the Worry
May 8, 2008 5:32 PM
Troops from Ft. Carson have been busy in recent weeks in Iraq. They've been seeing combat every day after a period of relative calm.
Families back home are ticking off the fifth month that their loved ones have been away. It will be another ten months before they come home.
Recently some soldiers families got together to celebrate a new program that helps them fight the long deployment blues, and keep them in shape at the same time. KCFR Health Reporter Eric Whitney has the story.
Posted by Delaney Utterback at 5:32 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Ft. Carson , Health , Military
January 14, 2008
Greg Mortenson: International peace begins with education.
January 14, 2008 4:43 PM
In 1993, former army medic Greg Mortenson attempted to climb K2, the world's second-highest mountain, which is located on the China-Pakistan border. Mortenson didn't make it to the summit. Exhausted and disappointed, he got lost on his descent and stumbled into a Pakistani village, where locals generously nursed him back to health. When Mortenson saw schoolchildren there using sticks in the dirt for lessons, he found his calling: building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. This week Greg Mortenson will visit Colorado Springs to discuss his experiences working in the heart of Taliban country. KRCC's Michelle Mercer has the story.
[LISTEN]
Event information:
GREG MORTENSON AT CC
01.15.2008
GREG MORTENSON, AUTHOR OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING BOOK THREE CUPS OF TEA, WILL DISCUSS HIS EXPERIENCES IN PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN IN A FREE LECTURE TITLED "ONE MAN'S MISSION TO PROMOTE PEACE... ONE SCHOOL AT A TIME" AT COLORADO COLEGE ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 15TH. Sponsored by the UCCS Center for Homeland Security.
• INFO: 7 P.M., COLORADO COLLEGE, SHOVE MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 1010 N. NEVADA AVE., 389-6607.
Read an extended account at the Colorado Springs Independent: [HERE]
Posted by Delaney Utterback at 4:43 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education , Military , Politics , Poverty
December 12, 2007
Local News Roundup, Wed., Dec. 12, 2007
December 12, 2007 5:43 PM
Murray's Parents Speak
Ritter Visits Colorado Troops in Iraq
Salazar: No Renewable Mandate in Federal Energy Bill
Spud Pests in Colorado?
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:43 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Crime , Environment , Health , Military , Religion
December 11, 2007
Ft. Carson Continues Preparing to Care for Wounded Troops
December 11, 2007 6:11 PM
Col. Kelly Wolgast is the chief medical officer at Ft. Carson
As Fort Carson prepares to welcome home about 4,000 soldiers from a 15 month tour in Iraq, it continues to ramp up it ability to care for those wounded in action.The Mountain Post on Tuesday formally formally activated a special battalion for battle-injured soldiers only. The so-called "Warrior Transition Unit" was launched four months ago.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:11 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military , Regional
November 28, 2007
City Drops Charges Against Last of St. Patrick's Day Protesters
November 28, 2007 2:32 PM
Photo by Mark Lewis, CSAction.org
This press release was issued by the City of Colorado Springs at about 2:30pm.
City Attorney Patricia K. Kelly said:
"The City Attorney's Office has just concluded a comprehensive review of evidence regarding further prosecution of Eric Verlo and Elizabeth Fineron. Based upon that review, we have decided that it is not in the public interest to continue the further prosecutions. We have decided to seek a dismissal of charges against the two defendants."
"The comprehensive review revealed police actions were appropriate during the St. Patrick's Day parade and there was probable cause to arrest the defendants. Further, the review found ample and sufficient evidence, along with multiple witnesses to continue with the prosecution. However, a second trial would require a significant time commitment from police officers, citizen witnesses and prosecutors, and, in this case, it would appear that the public has already spoken when the first trial ended in a hung jury."
Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:32 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Crime , Holiday , Legal Affairs , Military , Politics
November 23, 2007
Ft. Carson Families Talk About Multiple Deployments, Part III
November 23, 2007 4:01 PM
Cannons are fired in honor of deploying troops at Ft. Carson Nov. 20, 2007
The third of three stories in which members of Ft. Carson's 3rd Brigade and their families talk about deploying to Iraq, many for the third time. The brigade has just begun to deploy, and all 3,800 members should be on the ground in Iraq by mid-December.
[LISTEN]
To hear part two, CLICK HERE
To hear part one, CLICK HERE
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:01 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military
November 21, 2007
Broadmoor Offers "Spa for the Troops"
November 21, 2007 4:48 PM
image from Broadmoor.com
This week on KRCC we've been hearing from soldiers about to deploy to Iraq and their families. Some listeners may feel moved to do something for the troops, well, the spa at the Broadmoor has an answer: Go get a massage and a pedicure. The Spa has launched what it's calling "Spa for the Troops," in which the facility donates a portion of it's fees to a fund that will allow military members returning from war zones to get Broadmoor spa treatments for free.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:48 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military
November 20, 2007
Commanders of Deploying Troops Speak
November 20, 2007 5:46 PM
Col. John Hort is the commander of the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade
This week we're hearing from the soldiers and families of Ft. Carson's 3rd Brigade, which is currently deploying to Iraq for the 3rd time in five years. In this segment we hear from two of the unit's leaders.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:46 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics
November 19, 2007
Carson Soldiers Prepare to Deploy - Again
November 19, 2007 5:17 PM
R to L, 1st Sgt. Richard Weldon and his wife Natalie talk with KRCC's Eric Whitney
This week one of Ft. Carson's three combat brigades starts heading to Iraq. For most, it won't be their first trip into the danger zone.Throughout the week, we'll be hearing from deploying soldiers and their spouses.
In this piece, 1st. Sgt. Richard Weldon and his wife Natalie talk about the challenges of multiple deployments.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:17 PM| Permalink | Comments (1) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military
November 15, 2007
Defense Bill Sends $224 Million to Colorado
November 15, 2007 5:38 PM
Colorado will receive a quarter-billion dollars in military-related funding from the Defense appropriations act that President Bush signed Monday.
The lion's share, $142 million, goes to the Pueblo Chemical Weapons Depot, to fund de-activation of World War Two era munitions stored there. An international treaty the U.S. signed requires them to be destroyed by 2012, but defense officials say their target date for destruction, with the new funding, is now 2017.
[LISTEN]
Read More --> Continue reading "Defense Bill Sends $224 Million to Colorado" »
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:38 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Military , Politics , Pueblo , Regional
November 8, 2007
Pueblo Artist Paints Portraits of Vets for Free
November 8, 2007 6:01 PM
Sunday is veterans day. There are a lot of ways to honor vets, and we bring you now the story of one artist's gesture. Sally Lincoln of Pueblo doesn't think that sitting for a portrait painted by an oil painter should be a privilege reserved for the rich and famous. Lately she's been going to the Veteran's Administration Nursing Home and Care Unit in Denver to paint portraits of the residents and patients there. No money is exchanged. Instead she just snaps a few photos of the painting and then gives it to the person who sat for it. The portraits have had a surprisingly emotional impact on the vets and the staff at the facility. Shanna Lewis reports.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:01 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture , Colorado , Denver , Military , Pueblo , Regional
Ft. Carson: Troops Return, Prepare to Leave, and Remember Fallen Comrades
November 8, 2007 5:35 PM
Ft. Carson is preparing for a lot of turnover in the next couple of months. By the end of December two different brigades of about 4,000 soldiers each are going to switch places. One will be coming home from Iraq, the other will leaving to go there. This story takes us to a "pre-deployment fair" held this week, and the memorial service for two Ft. Carson soldiers killed in Iraq in October.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:35 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Memorial , Military , Regional
October 29, 2007
On the Scene With Springs-based Firefighting Air Tankers in California
October 29, 2007 10:33 AM
On Friday, Oct. 26, the Air Force Reserve unit based at Peterson Field flew members of the local media to California to see their air and ground crews in action fighting fires.
[LISTEN]
SLIDESHOWPosted by Eric Whitney at 10:33 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Environment , Media , Military , Regional , Slideshow , Wildfires
October 25, 2007
Interview With Springs Firefighter in California
October 25, 2007 6:24 PM
To listen to an interview with Master Sergeant Pamela Ammon of the 302nd Airlift Wing, click here.
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Roy A. Santana
U.S. Northern Command also supplied us with this video of C-130s fighting the California wildfires
U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs issued this press release at 1:30 Thursday morning, Oct. 25, 2007
CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif. At the request of the local incident commander Wednesday afternoon, five Air National Guard and Reserve C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with the Modular Airborne Firefighting System flew their first missions in support of the California wildfires. The aircraft, under operational control of U.S. Northern Command, were tasked to attack the Poomacha fire burning in San Diego County. The five aircraft came from three units; the 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo, 153rd AW, Cheyenne, Wy, and the 145th AW from Charlotte, N.C. All aircraft successfully completed their missions and have returned to base. Operations will resume Thursday morning.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:24 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Military , Wildfires
October 24, 2007
WW II Photos, Art on Display in Pueblo
October 24, 2007 6:08 PM
Pueblo photographer Walter Beck was a aerial photographer with the 20th Combat Mapping Squadron based at Peterson Field. The war took him all over the South Pacific, where he took lots of unofficial photos of men at war, the machines they flew, and the colorful, often risque art with which they decorated them. Beck died in 1989, but his daughter, Analee has organized some of his war photo collection into a display at the Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center in Pueblo. KRCC's Michelle Mercer visited the exhibit with Analee Beck.
Visit the Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center's website here.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:08 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to History , Military , Pueblo
October 23, 2007
Colorado Springs Military Response to California Wildfires
October 23, 2007 5:21 PM
Air Force General Gene Renuart Jr. at a press conference at Northern Command, Tuesday.
Photo by: Jaimie Stevenson
Lt. Col. Dave Condit is on the flight crew of a Peterson Field-based C-130 fighting fires in California.
Photo courtesy: US Air Force
A C-130 leaves for California.
Photo courtesy: US Air Force
The nationwide military response to the California wildfires is being coordinated out of U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base. We hear from the top general there, Gene Renuart. Part of the response is sending half-a-dozen Air Force C-130 cargo planes specially outfitted to drop fire retardant. Two of those planes are from the Colorado Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing based at Peterson. We talk to a navigator from the 302nd, Lt. Col. Dave Condit.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:21 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Military , Regional , Wildfires
October 18, 2007
Help for Homeless Veterans
October 18, 2007 6:21 PM
Homeless veterans in Colorado Springs were able to get a hot meal, a hot shower, free clothes and help getting other services Thursday, Oct. 18th, at the ninth annual El Paso County Homeless Veterans Coalition Stand Down. We stopped by the event at the City Auditorium and talked to Debbie Fowler with the Colorado Springs office of the Veterans Administration, she helped coordinate the event.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:21 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Health , Interview , Military
October 17, 2007
Local News Roundup for Wed., Oct. 17, 2007
October 17, 2007 6:06 PM
Photo courtesy of Colorado Environmental Coalition
Industry Says Roan Platau Gas Worth $1 Billion
Ranchers: Army Hardly Uses Pinon Canyon
2nd Bear Attack in Aspen
Teacher at Christian High School Arrested on Sex Charges
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:06 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Animal Rights/Wellfare , Business , Children & Youth , Colorado , Crime , Education , Energy , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics , Regional
October 15, 2007
Army Offers $10,000 Reward in Soldier's Death
October 15, 2007 5:28 PM
The Army is offering a cash reward in the case of former soldier Joe Baker who was found dead at Ft. Carson almost two years ago.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:28 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Crime , Ft. Carson , Military
October 12, 2007
Local News Roundup for Fri, October 12, 2007
October 12, 2007 5:43 PM
Foster Mother Jailed in Death of Two-Year-Old
222nd Ft. Carson Soldier Killed in Iraq
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:43 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Crime , Ft. Carson , Military , Regional
October 11, 2007
Lamborn Appointed to House Armed Services Committee
October 11, 2007 6:21 PM
Congressman Doug Lamborn was given a coveted seat on the House Armed Services Committee. We reached him on his cell phone in Washington.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:21 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Military , Politics , Regional
October 2, 2007
Sen. Salazar Will Talk Military and Water Storage in Springs On Saturday
October 2, 2007 5:48 PM
EVENT 1: Meeting on Military Issues Affecting the Pikes Peak Region, 11:00 AM MST, Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, 2 North Cascade Avenue, Chamber Conference Room, Colorado Springs, CO
EVENT 2: Meeting on Water Storage Issues, 12:30 PM MST, at the Worner Campus Center, room 213, Colorado College, Colorado Springs (NW corner of Cache La Poudre and Cascade)
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:48 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics , Regional , Visiting CC
September 26, 2007
Local News Roundup, Wed., Sept. 26, 2007
September 26, 2007 4:55 PM
Paccione Drops Out of 4th CD Race
Private Developer to Build Housing on Petersen, Schreiver
Murder-Suicide in Fremont County
Cotopaxi Man Missing
Arapahoe, Douglas Counties Plan $20 Billion for Water by 2020
Boulder to Hire Urban Wildlife Coordinator
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:55 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Animal Rights/Wellfare , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Crime , Environment , Military , Politics , Regional , Utilities
September 19, 2007
Salazar: Air Force Bases Need More Land
September 19, 2007 6:33 PM
Senator Ken Salazar says the Air Force needs to start preserving land around the boundaries of their bases in Colorado. The Democrat has introduced an amendment to the Defense appropriations bill currently before the Senate that would require the Air Force to do so.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:33 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Military , Politics
September 18, 2007
Local News Round-Up for September 18, 2007
September 18, 2007 6:18 PM
Senate OKs Pueblo Depot Cleanup Money
Anti-Abortion Minister Vows to Protest Dem Convention in Denver
CSU Gets TB Research Money
TB Patient Goes Back to Arizona
Gov. Ritter to Testify on Global Warming in DC
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:18 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Denver , Environment , Health , Military , Politics , Pueblo , Religion , Science
September 10, 2007
Analysis: Ranchers the Big Winners in Senate Pinon Canyon Vote
September 10, 2007 6:11 PM
A couple of veteran Colorado political analysts agree last week represented a major victory for the ranchers opposing expansion at the Army's Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. We talked to Bob Loevy, a political science professor at Colorado College and Cara DeGette, columnist for the Colorado Springs Independent and ColoradoConfidential.com.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:11 PM| Permalink | Comments (2) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics
September 7, 2007
Local News Roundup- Sept. 7, 2007
September 7, 2007 5:08 PM
Local Soldier Arrested As Internet Predator
Hsu Arrested in Grand Junction
Exxon Mobil Expanding Colorado Natural Gas Production
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:08 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado Springs , Crime , Energy , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military , Regional
September 6, 2007
Local News Roundup- Sept. 6, 2007
September 6, 2007 5:09 PM
Salazar Amendment Stalling Pinon Canyon Expansion Passes Senate
Feds Close Roads on Roan Plateau
Hunter Busted for Baiting Bear
Mountain Lion Kills Tiny Horse
Kelsey Grammer Fighting Parole for Sister's Killer
DIA Needs More Snow Stuff
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:09 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Animal Rights/Wellfare , Colorado , Crime , Denver , Military , Politics
September 5, 2007
BREAKING NEWS: Senate Passes Salazar Amendment
September 5, 2007 5:53 PM
On Thursday the Senate approved a military spending bill that includes an amendment to stop for one year all progress towards expanding the Army's Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site between Trinidad and La Junta. The amendment mirrors one passed in the U.S. House in June, which blocks all funding for studies related to expansion of the 235,000 acre training area. The Army says it needs 415,000 acres added to the site to meet future training needs.
The amendement itself narrowly passed, on a 47-45 vote.
[LISTEN]
The bill the Senate passed now goes to a conference committee to reconcile it with a very similar bill passed by the House. The bill that comes out of that committee will then go to President Bush. Sen. Salazar said today (Thurs., 9/6/07) that he expects President Bush to sign the bill into law.
Senator Allard voted against the amendment, but for the larger bill. He has also been appointed to the conference committee to reconcile the bill with the House.
To listen to Senator Salazar's press conference discussing the vote (13 minutes) [CLICK HERE]
Listen for our radio Coverage tonight at 5:30.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:53 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics , Regional
August 31, 2007
Locals Serving in Iraq: Captain Josh Silver
August 31, 2007 5:21 PM
Earlier this week, we brought you an interview from Iraq with Colorado Springs resident Susan Pardo. Pardo is a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force in Iraq for six months helping the Iraqi government set up a data network.
Today, we talk with Army Captain Josh Silver, a reservist who works for a local defense contractor. The Army sent him to Iraq in May. We hope to give listeners a little insight into the lives of local people who are sent to war.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:21 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Military , Politics
August 29, 2007
Springs Leaders Lobby Sen. Salazar on Pinon Canyon Expansion
August 29, 2007 5:27 PM
Military, economic and political heavyweights from Colorado Springs met with Senator Ken Salazar Aug. 29 to lobby for expansion of the Pinon Canyon Army training site in southeastern Colorado. Ft. Carson wants to nearly triple the size of the site to some 650 square miles. That would mean buying or condemning more than 400,000 acres of private land, something landowners and local governments in southeastern Colorado vehemently oppose. That sentiment was made evident three weeks ago when Senator Salazar visited Trinidad. He got very different opinion in the Springs.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:27 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Colorado Springs , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military , Pueblo , Regional
August 28, 2007
Locals Serving in Iraq; Lt. Col. Susan Pardo
August 28, 2007 3:58 PM
Recently, KRCC News had the chance to talk to a couple of Colorado Springs residents serving in the military in Iraq. We asked them for their assessments of how the Iraqi military and police are progressing towards being able to operate without U.S. help, and for their impressions of life in the combat zone in general. We'll have an interview with a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve later this week.
[LISTEN]
Read More --> Continue reading "Locals Serving in Iraq; Lt. Col. Susan Pardo" »
Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:58 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Interview , Military , Slideshow
Local News Round-Up, Aug. 27, 2007
August 28, 2007 3:05 PM
A freshman at the University of Colorado's Boulder campus is recovering following surgery after he was slashed in the throat by a man school officials called incoherent.
A Fort Carson soldier is behind bars and another man is in critical condition after a weekend shooting in Colorado Springs. Police say 23-year-old Private First Class Matthew Kyle Moore was arrested Saturday evening, a few hours after he allegedly shot Leo Garcia twice in the chest.
Congressman Doug Lamborn doesn't want to talk about the 2008 election. In an interview with the Canon Daily Record Newspaper in Canon City, 5th District Rep. Lamborn said he's "busy concentrating (his) efforts on serving" his constituents and hasn't even officially declared as a candidate for a year from November. "At this point, I'm not concerned about any potential candidate," Lamborn said.
[CU LISTEN]
[CS SHOOTING LISTEN]
[LAMBORN LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:05 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Crime , Education , Elections , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics
August 24, 2007
Mistrial Declared for St. Paddy's Day 7
August 24, 2007 6:29 PM
After deliberating for about two-and-a-half hours a jury in Colorado Springs municipal court said they had differences that weren't going to be resolved. City Judge Robert Warren then declared a mistrial. It's now up to the city whether to re-file charges and bring the case again. Scott Patlin, the lead prosecutor for the city at the trial says he expects the city will re-file. The mistrial came after a day and a half of testimony and arguments in the city's case against seven people it says intentionally obstructed the St. Patrick's day parade last March.
[LISTEN]
Read More --> Continue reading "Mistrial Declared for St. Paddy's Day 7" »
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:29 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Crime , Holiday , Legal , Military , Politics
August 23, 2007
St. Paddy's Day 7 Trial Begins
August 23, 2007 6:42 PM
The City of Colorado Springs called 13 witnesses in municipal court Thursday to try and prove that seven people deliberately obstructed the St. Patrick's Day Parade in the city last March. The defense says that's simply not true. The City says it was just trying to maintain public safety, the defendants say their first amendment rights were stepped on.
The trial continues Friday, two more witnesses are scheduled to testify before closing arguments. It will then be up to a jury of four women and two men to decide the guilt or innocence of the so-called St. Paddy's Day 7.
Read More --> Continue reading "St. Paddy's Day 7 Trial Begins" »
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:42 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Crime , Legal , Military , Politics
August 20, 2007
Critic Cautiously Optimistic About Changes In Army Medical Care
August 20, 2007 5:42 PM
Andrew Pogany, an investigator with the national non-profit group Veterans For America, has vocally and persistently complained that soldiers with combat-related mental health problems at Ft. Carson have been mistreated and received sub-standard care. Some, he says, have been kicked out of the army on trumped up charges when what they really needed was behavior health treatment.
But he says recent changes at Ft. Carson have good potential to help rectify the situation.
"I think it's probably one of the best things that has come up out of this entire dilemma and all these problematic issues that have surfaced over the past 4 years," says Pogany.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:42 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military
August 17, 2007
Nurse Takes Command of Ft. Carson's Hospital
August 17, 2007 2:14 PM
Col. Kelly Wolgast took command of Evans Army Community Hospital at Ft. Carson in June. She takes the reins at a time when Army health care has been taking a beating in the media. Col. Wolgast talks to KRCC about the challenges she faces.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:14 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military
August 14, 2007
Ft. Carson Stands-up "Warrior Transition Unit"
August 14, 2007 5:13 PM
The Army is trying out a new way of taking care of wounded soldiers.It comes in the wake of the scandal earlier this year at Walter Reed Army hospital, where soldiers were found languishing in substandard housing and mired in paperwork and mismanagement that made it difficult for them to get the care they needed. Now, returning soldiers are being assigned to what are being called "Warrior Transition Units."
Read More --> Continue reading "Ft. Carson Stands-up "Warrior Transition Unit"" »
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:13 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military
August 8, 2007
Sen. Salazar's Fence-Sitting Frustrates Pinon Canyon Opponents
August 8, 2007 5:33 PM
Opponents of Army plans to expand its Pinon Canyon training area in southeastern Colorado left yesterday's meeting with Senator Ken Salazar frustrated.
Lon Robertson, who ranches in Las Animas County, and runs the store in the tiny town of Kim, is a leader of the Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition. The Coalition, and the elected commissioners of the counties which the expansion would impact, several months ago invited Salazar to come hear their concerns.
The Coalition and commissioners say that the 370 square mile training area between Trinidad and La Junta is big enough, and that the Army shouldn't be allowed to grow it by another 650 square miles.
Robertson says they were hoping Senator Salazar would stand with them.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:33 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Military , Politics , Regional
August 7, 2007
Salazar Meets Pinon Canyon Opponents in Trinidad
August 7, 2007 4:50 PM
In Trinidad today, U.S. Senator Ken Salazar asked opponents of the Army's plans to expand its Pinon Canyon training area if they're willing to accept some compromises.
Part 1: [LISTEN]
Part 2: [LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:50 PM| Permalink | Comments (1) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Colorado , Military , Politics , Regional
August 2, 2007
Kids of Deployed Troops Get Their Own Summer Camp
August 2, 2007 5:18 PM
With U.S. Troop deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan now well into its
fifth year, American military families are being stretched to their
limits. Tens of thousands of troops have already done two yearlong
combat tours, many have done three. Long deployments to dangerous places
can be especially hard on children of soldiers. A national program aims
to give these kids a chance to take a week off from their worries at
special summer camps for military kids only. Last week, we visited the
first one in Colorado.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:18 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Colorado , Ft. Carson , Indoor/Outdoor Recreation , Military
August 1, 2007
Local EMT, Iraq Vet Remembered in Colorado Springs
August 1, 2007 4:45 PM
On Wednesday, more than 200 people, including the mayor and many city council members, met in Memorial Park to remember Army Corporal Teddy Eastburn. Eastburn, age 22, was an Iraq war veteran. He served there with the 900th Chemical Recon detachment. He died Sunday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A first sergeant from his unit, James Marsh, called him a casualty of war.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:45 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Memorial , Military
July 30, 2007
Air Force Remembers Local Airman Randy Gillespie
July 30, 2007 12:20 PM
The Air Force Academy held a memorial service last weekend for a 44 year old airman who was recently killed in Afghanistan. A master sergeant, he was planning to retire next year and move back to Colorado to be near his family. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:20 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Memorial , Military
July 26, 2007
Victims of Single Deadliest Attack on Carson Soldiers Remembered
July 26, 2007 4:46 PM
Fort Carson held a memorial service for five soldiers killed in an attack in Iraq last month. It was the single deadliest incident involving Ft. Carson soldiers since the war began. Bente Birkeland reports from Colorado Springs.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:46 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Memorial , Military
July 24, 2007
Ft. Carson Remembers 7 Fallen Soldiers This Week
July 24, 2007 5:46 PM
This week Ft. Carson is honoring seven soldiers from the 2nd Infantry's 2nd Brigade. Five were killed in the single deadliest incident for troops from the post since the war began.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:46 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Memorial , Military
Academy Board to Talk Over Diversity
July 24, 2007 5:37 PM
The Air Force Academy will miss it goals for recruiting minority students for the class of 2011. Air Force officials partially blame minority members in Congress for low recruitment.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:37 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Military
July 19, 2007
Army: "Back to the Drawing Board" on Pinon Canyon
July 19, 2007 4:59 PM
The Army told Colorado's senators that it will go "back to the drawing board" on its plans to triple the size of its Pinon Canyon training site between Trinidad and La Junta.
In a letter, Acting Secretary of the Army Pete Geren says he shares Democratic Senator Ken Salazar's desire for a win-win solution to expanding Pinon Canyon.
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:59 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military , Regional
July 17, 2007
National Guard Chinooks Training at Ft. Carson
July 17, 2007 6:26 PM
If you live south of Ft. Carson, or west, up in the mountains all they way to Leadville and Eagle, you may have noticed some of the Army’s biggest helicopters flying around lately.
They’re the twin-rotor Chinook helicopters that can haul more than 25,000 pounds of cargo, like a pair of humvees, or up to 33 soldiers plus an air crew of three. Chinooks can operate at higher altitudes than any other chopper in the Army, and are a mainstay of operations in Afghanistan, moving troops and gear around the high mountain areas that are often roadless.
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:26 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military