The Colorado Springs Gazette

Zoo mourns the passing of popular striped skunk

Tiger Lilly, a striped skunk who lived at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and traveled across the region to visit schools, retirements and community events died Friday afternoon. She was 8 years old. A release from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo announced her death. Lilly came to the zoo in 2008 and was one of the first animals in the Loft Exploration...
Wahl siblings a bit 'frustrated' by delay but ready to attempt historic swim on Sunday

Danielle, Devin and Dustin Wahl are delayed in their bid to make history. The Wahls want to become the first three siblings to each swim across the 21-mile English Channel at the same time, but their attempts to swim have been repeatedly put off since Tuesday. "So far the weather has been the biggest problem," Devin said Friday by email....
Side Streets: Colorado Springs neighborhood sends messages into future, teaches us about community

The dining room table in Vic Appugliese's Old North End home is covered with the history of the neighborhood north of downtown Colorado Springs. There are dozens of photos and typed stories of neighbors past and present. On the floor, by the table, is a 6-foot-long PVC tube that Appugliese is filling with similar photos and stories. On...
Start early to infuse love of Colorado outdoors

The weekend's clear, the weather's cooperating and the mountains are calling. As a parent who loves the outdoors, you want nothing more than to be outside with your children, introducing them to the satisfactions of an afternoon hike in solitude or an evening around the campfire, looking up at the stars. They, on the other hand, want nothing...
Summer Heat Academy gives girls a chance to build confidence, learn about fire service

Before she began to perform CPR, Skylar Sypher looked at her sister Taylor for guidance. The two were motioning back at forth to each other, communicating what Skylar needed to do to correctly administer the procedure. Then, the 18-year-old started pumping on a dummy's chest, mimicking the potentially life-saving technique. It was one of...
Rain to bring Colorado mosquito baby boom

Monsoon-like weather this spring and summer could spell something of a mosquito baby boom in the weeks to come, said El Paso County Public Health supervisor Lee Griffen, who’s experienced a recent uptick in calls from citizens concerned about the insects, which can transmit West Nile virus to humans. “With all the precipitation, you’re...
Photos: Sox the Fox wants to be mascot of the year but needs your help

The annual Mascot Mania contest in minor league baseball is underway and Sox the Fox, the lovable acrobat of Security Service Field, is competing for Pacific Coast League Mascot of the Year. If Sox the Fox wins, he advances to the championship round (Aug. 4-11) against all the league champions. Here is his bio as told to Mike Hobson: ...
Add zing to notebooks, store-bought or DIY

When it's time to start stocking the school backpack, it's easy to grab a stack of plain, boring notebooks. But since kids have to tote these things to and fro every day, why not trade the standard-issue ones for something snazzy and personalized? There are plenty of eye-catching options to buy or to make yourself. At Zazzle and Cafepress,...
Hidden in cracks and crevices, Miller moths once again invade Colorado homes

For my middle-of-the-night visits to our home's smallest room, I'm usually alone. But not lately. Nocturnal moths have invaded our home. Sometimes hidden in a hung towel or closet crack, these inch-long moths are everywhere. Yesterday one burst upward at my son from beneath a closed toilet seat lid. Yikes! Well, at least he was lifting the...