🌱 District 11 Student Protest + Dead El Paso Inmate Identified

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:

Cold with a bit of snow. High: 13 Low: 0.

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Here are the top three stories in Colorado Springs today:

1. A group of students from Colorado Springs District 11 plans to hold a protest outside the administration building before today's Board of Education meeting. According to the students, the protest is in response to a social media post depicting a transgender woman undergoing an ultrasound procedure posted by Board Vice President Jason Jorgenson. The student protestors say the district requires students to be responsible social media users and to abstain from bullying, but are not holding their own staff members accountable. (Colorado Springs Gazette)
2. As the season's coldest week arrives in the Colorado Springs area, the Springs Rescue Mission prepares to welcome those who need to take shelter from the cold weather. The rescue recently expanded their available beds from 450 to 475 and are offering meals, showers, and various services. (KRDO)
3. The inmate who died at the El Paso County Jail has been identified. Sean Williams, 32, was taken to the medical section within the jail but was declared dead after staff attempted to perform emergency life-saving procedures. The El Paso County Coroner's Office says it plans to conduct an autopsy on the body to determine a cause of death. (FOX21News.com)

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Today in Colorado Springs:

• Music and Movement At The Old Colorado City Branch Library (10:30 AM)
• FAB Time! (Family & Book Time) At The Penrose Public Library (11:00 AM)

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From my notebook:

• Ongoing winter weather will persist in the Colorado Springs area. Click for the full report issued by the US National Weather Service. (Facebook)
• Looking to make an impactful difference in the community? Maybe consider applying to the Colorado Springs Police Department. Applications are open until Mar. 8. (Facebook)
• The Colorado Springs PD has announced the expansion of a 2016 city ordinance prohibiting any "sitting, kneeling, reclining, or lying down on the surface of any public right-of-way (ROW)," and prohibiting any objects like tents from being placed on the surface of the ROW. The ordinance is now in effect 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, and from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. (Press Release Desk)

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That's it for today! 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.