🌱 2022 Budget To Be Finalized + Veteran Helps Afghan Refugee

Happy Thursday, Colorado Springs! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

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First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 48 Low: 38.

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Here are the top stories in Colorado Springs today:

1. During a budget hearing at the El Paso County commissioners' weekly meeting Tuesday, members tentatively approved a one-time additional allocation of $3 million for high-priority road needs - which will increase next year's amount for road improvements from $11 million to $14 million. Commissioners also agreed to allocate $100,000 for wildfire mitigation in parks, and $75,000 for much-needed parks maintenance projects. In three weeks, commissioners are scheduled to finalize and approve the 2022 budget. (KRDO)
2. Afghan evacuee "Masi" escaped Afghanistan thanks to his work with NATO and the US military, and one very determined retired Air Force combat veteran named Mike Crandall. Crandall says he may not be alive if it wasn't for interpreters like Masi and Masi's brother, who also escaped. When asked what he will do when he gets to Colorado Springs, Masi replied, "I want to start again my education and then I want to get a good job there." He's just hoping he can get his family to the US, too. (KOAA.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo News)
3. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and one local non-profit, Care and Share Food Bank, is collecting turkeys to help local families across the 31 counties it serves in Southern Colorado. (KOAA.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo News)
4. The YOT Club, TOY spelled backward, is an organization that will provide toys, books, and gifts for community youth at schools this holiday season. (KKTV 11 News)
5. Meet FOX21's Pets of the Week, Annie and Toby! The elderly silk terrier mixes are siblings that were surrendered together and have to be adopted together. (FOX21News.com)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Rachel Kilimnik

About me: Rachel is a born-and-raised New Yorker who recently relocated to the mountains in the west. She is a freelance copywriter for the content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is assisting Patch.com with community newsletter curation. During her free time, you can find Rachel roller skating, making pottery, drinking tea, and tending to her growing collection of houseplants.