🌱 Homicide Suspect Arrested + Equity Leadership Team Disbanded

Hello again, Colorado Springs! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Colorado Springs Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Colorado Springs Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Colorado Springs long term. So if you're interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

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First, today's weather:

Cloudy. High: 53 Low: 10.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Colorado Springs today:

1. 24-year-old Austin Luke is being charged with a DUI after damaging eight parked cars at a used car dealership. Luke was driving on East Pikes Peak Avenue when he lost control of his vehicle, struck a light pole, and caused major damage to cars within a dealership parking lot. (FOX21News.com)
2. Amid recent conservative takeovers of local school boards, equity and inclusion divisions are being shuttered. The Colorado Springs school district disbanded its equity leadership team in response to the new school board's decision to revisit the diversity issue in the undetermined future. The district was the first in the area to adopt a formal equity policy in 2020 after the George Floyd protests forced the district to reflect on social justice issues within schools. (Sentinel Colorado)
3. A 41-year-old Colorado Springs mother's boyfriend is the lead suspect in her Feb. 8 death. According to a court affidavit, 32-year-old Douglas Elton Hawkins Jr. is accused of using a metal baseball bat to kill Daisha Dawn Fry within her residence. Fry's death is the ninth homicide in Colorado Springs this year. (Colorado Springs Gazette)

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Today in Colorado Springs:

• Mindful Mondays At The Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center (10:30 AM)

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From my notebook:

• Congratulations to the Colorado Springs recruits who completed their 23rd week of training at the police academy. The recruits learned about directing traffic, investigating major crashes, and reality-based scenarios. (Facebook)
• A Red Flag Warning has been issued for parts of the Interstate 25 corridor due to weather conditions that could easily spread fires. Please avoid any activities that may lead to sparking a fire. (Facebook)
• Feb. 19 marked the 80th anniversary of the executive order issued by President Roosevelt that created the internment of Japanese-American citizens during World War II. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum shines light on historical moments that impacted the world we live in. (Facebook)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Real Estate Investment Hour (February 22)
• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Erica Zenn

About me: Erica Zenn is a Masters Student in Applied Psychology at the University of Southern California who originally hails from Chapel Hill, NC. With a bachelors degree from Cornell University, Erica is an expert verbal and written communicator who brings extensive experience in employee engagement and customer experience of companies. Erica is passionate about community building, and loves using her writing and communication skills to bring people together.