May 20, 2015 VO LUM E 50 | IS S UE 20 | 75¢
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D-38 schools move graduation D-20 schools go forward with ceremonies at Clune Arena Staff report
The American Flag at Clune Arena provides an impressive backdrop for District 38 board and officials at last year’s Lewis Palmer Graduation. Because of security concerns this year, District 38 Graduation ceremonies have been moved to the World Arena. Photo by Rob Carrigan
Both the Lewis-Palmer High School and Palmer Ridge High School May 22 graduation ceremonies have been moved from the US Air Force Academy to the World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Boulevard, Colorado Springs 80906. The US Air Force Academy’s current heightened security status is likely to cause multiple accessibility issues. “We support the Air Force Academy’s need to ensure the security of their facility. Moving our graduation ceremonies to a confirmed venue is in the best interest of our students and families,” said Julie Stephen, Public information Officer for District 38.. The LPHS graduation will begin at 11 a.m., and the PRHS graduation will begin at 4 p.m. There will be no seating restrictions, and parking is free. Both ceremonies will be livestreamed. The link to view both graduations is: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ lpsd-live. This link will also be available on the district website www.lewispalmer.org in addition to both the
LPHS and PRHS websites. District 20 is going forward with their ceremonies at Clune Arena on the academy. Discovery Canyon Campus High School graduation is at Clune Arena, at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2. The Classical Academy graduation is at their North Campus Gym at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 22. “All five of our high school graduation ceremonies are going forward on base next week as scheduled. Below is the message we sent to all parents of high school seniors last night,” wrote Nanette Anderson, Public Information Officer, for District 20. “Although there have been recent changes in security measures at the U.S. Air Force Academy, 2015 graduation ceremonies for Academy District 20 students will still be held at Clune Arena. There will be some changes in access and those are outlined below. Access to ceremonies - North Gate ·Guest access is only through the North Gate. ·Arrive one to two hours early – please carpool. ·Be sure your driver has a current driver’s license and that all adult occupants of your vehicle have current identification. ·Vehicles will be searched. It’s faster
if the trunk of your car is empty. ·Keep totebags, gym bags, coolers, to a minimum – this will help speed up the search process.
Access to ceremonies - South Gate ·Guests who have Department of Defense credentials or DBIDs (Defense Biometric Identification System) cards may enter through the South Gate. ·Vehicles are still subject to searches. Thank you for your cooperation to make the commencement ceremonies a positive event for the graduates and their guests.” Trails, including the Santa Fe Trail, have also increased security at the Academy. “Due to increased security concerns derived from a NORTHCOM Advisory, the section of Santa Fe trail that runs through the Academy is closed to non-DOD ID cardholders. Visitors may be escorted by DOD ID cardholders. The portions of trail running outside of the Academy are not affected. This security measure is in place until further notice. USAFA leadership asks the public and military personnel to remain vigilant and if you see or hear anything suspicious, or have any further questions, please contact Security Forces at (719) 333-2000,” said U.S.A.F.A officials.
Area transportation projects receive more than $8M Much of funding to go to county projects POSTAL ADDRESS
TRI-LAKES TRIBUNE (USPS 418-960)
OFFICE: 325 Second Street, Suite R Monument, CO 80132 PHONE: 719-687-3006 A legal newspaper of general circulation in El Paso County, Colorado, the Tri-Lakes Tribune is published weekly on Wednesday by Colorado Community Media, 1200 E. Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT MONUMENT, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 10 a.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE T HI S C OPY
Staff report The Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Board of Directors allocated $8,176,675 in funding for a number of regional transportation projects at their meeting Wednesday. The Baptist Road Rural Transportation Authority received $1.083 million toward the Interstate 25/Baptist Road interchange. BRRTA advanced funding to CDOT so that the interchange could be built more quickly, since CDOT would not have been able to fund the project in the foreseeable future. The funds will be used to pay project debt. The PPACG board, which includes elected officials from 16 member governments, the area’s transportation commissioner, local military installation leadership, and others, is responsible for allocating state and federal funding to area projects prioritized through a collaborative regional process. One of the noteworthy projects, widening Powers Boulevard (State Highway 21) from Fountain Boulevard to Platte Avenue, will alleviate traffic congestion and improve safety for Peterson Air Force Base and others who commute on the arterial. The project received the final $6.5 million necessary to fully fund the project: $3 million in STP-Metro funds, $2.5 million of Regional Priority Projects funds and $1 million of CDOT rollover funds. The Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority has also contributed more than $4 million toward the purchase of right-of-way. The Colorado Department of Trans-
Crews from CH2MHILL begin construction weeks ago of an improvement project that will include construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Old Denver Highway and Baptist Road. Photo by Rob Carrigan portation will manage the project. Other projects funded Wednesday include: Sidewalks in downtown Monument: $350,000 Sidewalks on Monument’s Beacon Lite Road: $40,000 Palmer Lake’s Douglas Avenue re-
construction: $585,000 Mountain Metro Transit’s METRO RIDES program: $300,000 About the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments The Pikes Peak region’s 16 local governments join together in
PPACG to collaborate on issues that cross political boundaries and to reach solutions that benefit the entire region. PPACG’s primary focus is regional planning in transportation, aging issues, and air and