Hospitals Seeing Continual COVID Surge + Vandalism On The Rise

Happy Saturday, people of Colorado Springs! Let's start today off on an informed note, shall we? Here are the most important things happening today in town.

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First, today's weather:

Clear throughout the day. High: 86 Low: 56.

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Here are the top stories today in Colorado Springs:

1. As the number of El Paso County residents testing positive rises, hospitals in the region will change from orange to orange-red. The positivity rate is 9.52 percent, an 18-percent rise in the last week. Public Health officials say the new spike is driven by the unvaccinated. So far, 61 percent of the county's residents have been fully vaccinated, which places the county near the bottom for vaccinate rates compared to the state's 10 most populous counties. (Colorado Springs Business Journal)
2. According to the Colorado Springs Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Department, Colorado Springs parks are seeing a spike in vandalism cases. Repair costs currently exceed tens of thousands of dollars. John Venezia Park alone has sustained approximately $20,000 worth of damage. Additionally, back in August, two monuments were vandalized with spray paint in Memorial Park. Department personnel are fighting back by re-evaluating camera placement within the parks as well as involving local law enforcement. (FOX21News.com)
3. An open arrest warrant shows that a Colorado Springs man, angry about the removal of a sign for his restaurant, shot two people in the head during a workplace meeting before opening fire on others on Sept. 9. (Colorado Springs Gazette)
4. On Friday morning, the Air Force Academy unveiled a new $9.5 million simulator to help better prepare cadets for the future. (KRDO)
5. Gabby Petito, the missing woman from Florida, reportedly visited a Colorado Springs pizza shop while traveling across the country with her fiance, causing the Denver FBI to join the case. (KKTV 11 News)

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Today in Colorado Springs:

• Hands-On Homeschool: Wildlife Mysteries - Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (9:00 AM)
• Colorado Concealed Carry Class - Equip 2 Conceal (10:00 AM)
• Heritage Brew Festival - Manitou Springs Heritage Center (12:00 PM)
• Guided Tour - Sold Out - Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (1:00 PM)
• Walleye Fish Fry - Viking Hall, Colorado Springs (2:00 PM)
• Teens Only Starlight Safari - Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (6:30 PM)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you around! If you're loving 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.