COS Town Tidings #24-222

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🤣Today’s Chuckle

📰 Big Lots Shutters 3 Springs Stores 📉

📰 Road Improvements Coming to the Springs 🚧

📰 New CSPD Graduates Begin Training 👮‍♂️

Recipe: 🍅 Homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

🚨 CRIME: Spike in Smash-and-Grabs Alarms CSPD

📆 Local Events

⛈ COS Weather - Still Cooler with Heavy Rain Possible

🏅 Olympic Update - Medal Count

Wife: So how are we doing with Toilet Paper?

👉Husband: I’ve been practicing for 30 years, I think I got a good technique going🤣

📉 Big Lots Shutters 3 Springs Stores

For those of us who grew up with Big Lots as a place to save money, the recent news might be disheartening. They are closing all three stores in Colorado Springs as part of a broader plan to close over 300 locations nationwide due to financial troubles. The retailer is dealing with substantial debt and declining sales, with a net loss of $205 million in the first quarter. The closures include stores at Union Square, Chelton Center, and First & Main Town Center, each offering a 20% discount on inventory. While the exact closure list is not published, customers can check the status online each has a banner on each closing location.

With over 1,300 stores across 48 states, Big Lots faces uncertainty, and potential bankruptcy looms as it struggles to compete in the current economic climate..

🚧 Road Improvements Coming to the Springs

Colorado Springs has received two federal grants to address critical infrastructure needs. A $10.7 million Department of Defense grant will fund a new interchange at U.S. 24 and Peterson Rd, improving safety and traffic for Peterson Space Force Base. This project could start by August 2025.

Then a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will support a study to replace the aging Academy Blvd bridge over Platte. The study aims to address structural concerns and secure future funding, beginning as early as August 2025, with community input sought, TBD.

👮‍♂️ New CSPD Graduates Begin Training

CSPD Training Academy saw 30 recruits graduate, marking the completion of its 78th Police Officer Class. The graduates, representing ten states, Puerto Rico, and three countries, bring diverse backgrounds to the department, including military service and higher education.

Following 26 weeks of rigorous training, they will undergo 15 weeks of field training before taking calls independently. This class adds to CSPD’s staffing, following a previous graduation of 31 recruits earlier this year, and helps address the department’s staffing shortages.

⬇⭐Support Our Local Businesses!⭐⬇

🍅 Homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

The best homemade tomato basil soup recipe made with roasted fresh tomatoes, garlic, caramelized onions and optional add-ins for extra creaminess. This recipe is full of flavor and the best way to use up fresh tomatoes and basil from your garden! You’ll never want to go back to the canned stuff after you try this.

Access the complete recipe with tailored modifications to suit your dietary requirements, along with convenient print options.

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🚨 Spike in Smash-and-Grabs Alarms CSPD

Colorado Springs has seen a series of smash-and-grab burglaries targeting gun stores (see timeline), with recent incidents at Spartan Defense Armory. This incident is part of a worrying trend, with several gun stores falling victim to similar crimes in the past month. The DA and police are collaborating to address this issue, emphasizing zero tolerance for such crimes as vehicle thefts rise.

📆Local Events

*Events are weather permitting

• Aug 9-10 (8am-noon): You-Pick Flowers @Venetucci Farm $5 general admission

• Aug 9, 10am-2pm: USA Wheelchair Fencing Media Day @United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum

• Aug 9-11, 1-4 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Aug 9, 2:30-4:30pm: Seniors Game Event @East Library, 5550 N Union Blvd FREE

• Aug 9-10, 3:30 PM: 2.5-Hour Cocktails & Canapés Walking Tour @1 N Tejon $79 must be 21+

• Aug 9, 6pm: Happy Trails fundraiser @Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Rd $50

• Aug 9, 6-9pm: 6th Annual Black Forest Biergarten Fundraiser @Black Forest Log School Park $30

• Aug 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 9pm: Circus of the Night @Millibo Art Theater $28

• Aug 17, 7-9pm: Wizard Sock Gnome Craft Party @The Mountain Mercantile, 2616 W Colorado Ave Ste 19 $30 (9 Tickets left)

• Sept 20, 7pm: Crystal Gayle @Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers, 13071 Bass Pro Dr $49-$99

• Sept 28, 11am-6:30pm: Blues On The Mesa @Gold Hill Mesa, 142 S Raven Mine Dr $50

  • 🌟Spotlight: 🎸Uniting Colorado Springs Through Blues with Amy Whitesell

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🏅 Olympic Update - Medal Count

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