The Pueblo Chieftain
Pueblo man gets 8 years
A Pueblo man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after he brandished a handgun during a confrontation with police and led officers on a freeway chase. Daniel Stouffer, 37, pleaded guilty to criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault...
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Nonprofits to restore City Park Bathhouse
Pueblo City Council passed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on May 26 between the city and the nonprofits Friends of City Park and Historic Pueblo Inc. to restore the City Park Bathhouse. Historic City Park Inc. is included in the project due to...
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Pueblo chef bringing soul food staples to new eatery
A new Pueblo restaurant will soon be serving up plates of fried chicken, cornbread, macaroni, and other delicious soul food on Union Avenue. “Soul food, its background came from families who could not afford very much,” said Anthony Palmer, the owner...
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Potential Iran deal puts Trump in a bind
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump finds himself in a bind as he seeks to end the war against Iran: He is under pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and get U.S. gasoline prices down but at the same time faces a potential backlash from Iran hawks...
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Pueblo commissioners signal support for new projects
The Pueblo Board of County Commissioners recently approved three letters of support for grants sought by PuebloPlex, the budding industrial and technology campus. Two of the letters were related to transportation infrastructure around the site 15...
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CO’s ‘first public Christian school’ drops its lawsuit
A southern Colorado elementary school that backers have called “Colorado’s first public Christian school” has dropped its religious discrimination lawsuit against the state less than four months after filing it. Riverstone Academy, along with its...
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Claim of unfair labor practice dismissed
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Division of Labor Standards and Statistics recently determined that Pueblo Sheriff David Lucero did not commit an unfair labor practice (ULP) in his office’s negotiations with the PCSO’s deputy...
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Attorney parts ways with school board
Just over two weeks after Pueblo County School District 70 parted ways with attorney Brad Miller’s law firm as its general legal counsel, the firm has cut ties with the district’s board of education. Pueblo D70 sent out a request for proposals for new...
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Woman sues over denied land purchase
Civil rights groups have filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against a housing development, alleging the Arkansas-based organization denied a woman the chance to buy land because of her religion and her family’s racial background. The complaint,...
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Where to commemorate Memorial Day in Pueblo
For communities like Pueblo, where many people have a profound reverence for those who've served in the U.S. military, Memorial Day is much more than just a good excuse for a long weekend or an unofficial start to the summer. The southern Colorado...
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Universities still hold Native remains, artifacts
Many universities and museums in the United States have long held Native American burial artifacts, other sacred objects and even human remains. Most of these collections were acquired in the late 19th and 20th centuries. They came from grave...
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18 bodies ID’d in Davis Mortuary investigation
Eighteen of the 24 bodies found inside the private funeral home of former Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter in August 2025 have now been positively identified by the Fremont County Coroner’s Office in the ongoing Davis Mortuary investigation,...
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Pueblo man convicted of murder gets life in prison
A man convicted of first-degree murder by a Pueblo jury last week was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on May 19 in the 2025 killing of his roommate. Ryan Ramos, 43, was convicted May 14 of the April 15, 2025, killing of Rodney...
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Pueblo prioritizes smaller road projects
Several road projects are in various stages of planning and development in Pueblo, but with a smaller-than-usual 2026 budget for roadwork, the city is largely prioritizing smaller projects this summer. Pueblo has allocated about $2.5 million to road...
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Judge tosses evidence in Luigi Mangione case
A New York judge has partially granted a request to toss crucial evidence obtained after law enforcement located Luigi Mangione in the wake of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione, 28, was found at a McDonald’s in Altoona,...
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Pueblo coroner IDs 19-year-old suspect
A man who was shot and killed by a Pueblo police officer on May 14 after he allegedly brandished a handgun during a confrontation with police has been identified as a 19-year-old Pueblo man. Tayshawn Redford was killed in the shooting that occurred...
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Pueblo police shoot and kill suspect
A suspect who allegedly brandished a handgun during a confrontation with Pueblo police was shot and killed by a police officer in the early morning hours of May 14. Police were called to Drew Dix Park on Massari Road around 12:18 a.m. on a report of a...
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Trump leaves Beijing with few wins
BEIJING – President Donald Trump left China on May 15 with no major breakthroughs on trade or tangible help from Beijing to end the Iran war, despite two days spent heaping praise on his host, Xi Jinping. Trump’s visit to America’s main strategic and...
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‘Our zoo, their future’
A boisterous baby bison and a plucky little penguin are among the new animal additions capturing Puebloans' hearts at the Pueblo Zoo. The female bison calf was born on May 1 and hit "all its important first-day milestones," according to zoo...
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‘Balanced but competitive’
Pueblo’s residential real estate market saw “strong activity” in April, with a notable increase in home sales compared to April 2025. David Ramirez, a local real estate agent and spokesperson for the Pueblo Association of Realtors, said the market saw...
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New Pueblo D60 middle school on track
A $7 million project to renovate a former school building on Pueblo’s west side is underway as Pueblo School District 60 prepares to welcome students to a new middle school this fall. The new Hyde Park Precollegiate Middle School is moving into the...
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Pueblo eyes growth
A new affordable housing complex is coming to Pueblo in 2027. Compass Pointe Apartments is coming to the Eastwood Heights neighborhood, commonly referred to by residents as Dog Patch, at the corner of Beaumont Street and Oakshire Lane. The project...
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‘Finally parked’
Mother Smothers, owned by Deena and Juan Montoya, has “finally found its place to park” at its new brick-andmortar at 332 S. McCollough Boulevard in Pueblo West. Mother Smothers was a food truck for four seasons, serving up sloppers, tacos, hot dogs,...
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County cuts the ribbon on new detention center
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office cut the ribbon at its new detention center on May 7, marking a major milestone for the PCSO and the Pueblo community’s public safety. The new $150 million facility, located at 3830 Medal of Honor Blvd., has 672 beds,...
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Why many feel bad about the economy
As the impacts from the Iran war spilled over into everyday life, more Americans have said they are worse off today than at most any point in the last 25 years. h More than half – 55% – say their financial situation is deteriorating, according to a new...
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‘There’s still some loose ends’
Pueblo County School District 70’s administration has agreed to part ways with attorney Brad Miller’s firm in favor of the Boulder-based firm Caplan and Earnest. The decision comes less than two months after the district sent out a request for...
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County executive resigns 3 months after appointment
Pueblo County Interim Chief Administrative Officer Brandon Mathews has resigned roughly three months after his appointment. Commissioner Miles Lucero mentioned Mathews’ departure during a May 5 Pueblo Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) work session,...
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Wintry mix, possible snow in local forecast
Pueblo County has a 100% chance of getting some much-needed precipitation on May 6, and may even see some rare early-May snow. The National Weather Service’s Pueblo office is currently forecasting wintry conditions, with a high temperature of 41...
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Zoo pushes tax measure
The Pueblo Zoo is launching a campaign to put a 0.167% retail sales tax question on the fall ballot to support zoo operations. If the effort is unsuccessful and other funding isn’t secured, the zoo could be forced to close in the next two to three...
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‘We must also stand on principle’
Colorado State Rep. Matthew Martinez is working with Pueblo group El Movimiento Sigue to find a new name for Cesar Chávez Boulevard. The stretch of Colorado State Highway 47 was named to honor once-revered labor and civil rights activist Cesar Chávez...
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States fighting DOJ over voter data access
Anthony Nel was surprised when his voter registration was revoked in Texas after he cast an early ballot for the November 2025 election. The Denton County resident was born in South Africa in 1996 and became a U.S. citizen in 2013 when his parents...
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Iran submits latest proposal to end war
President Donald Trump showed no signs of trying to obtain congressional approval for the war in Iran despite reaching the 60-day deadline to do so, and a maritime blockade remained in effect as Tehran sent its latest proposal to end the conflict to...
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‘To help her rebuild her life’
A woman is seeking $830,000 in compensation from the state of Colorado after her 2012 conviction for a Pueblo murder was thrown out in 2025. Acacia Lyn-Darr, 47, was convicted of the murder of Robert Piserchio and spent nearly 12 years in prison...
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Activist faces felony charges a year later
A Pueblo activist has been charged with a criminal offense in his ongoing feud with a former city councilwoman, almost a year after the alleged offense was committed. Elvis Martinez, a multi-time city council candidate and vocal opponent of former...
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MAGA-like politics popular in U.K.
LONDON − King Charles III isn’t an elected politician. But his trip to the United States has political implications. And with extreme movements on the rise in the United Kingdom, echoing divisions among Americans, the monarch’s state visit to mark the...
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Farmers Market returns to Mineral Palace Park
Kicking off May 2, the Pueblo Farmers Market will return with more vendors and more variety at Mineral Palace Park, 1604 N Santa Fe Ave. Market Director Marci Cochran told the Chieftain that there are over 50 total vendors, including about 30 new...
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A walk on the wild side
The Steel City's wildest brew festival took over the Pueblo Zoo on April 25. The 11th annual Brew at the Zoo allowed Puebloans to sip, savor, and soak up the fun while checking out the unique animals that call the zoo home. The afternoon of craft...
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Riverwalk celebrates boathouse grand opening
Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo Authority Executive Director Lynn Clark told the crowds that gathered Downtown on April 23 that the Pueblo Toyota Riverwalk Boathouse and nearby channel expansion were designed with a single goal in mind —...
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U.S. delegation to meet with Iranian officials
The United States is sending a delegation to Pakistan to meet with Iranian officials, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said April 24, resuming direct talks as both countries accuse each other of violating a ceasefire by seizing and blocking...
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Brush fire burns 8 acres
A brush fire in the river bottom of Fountain Creek near the Pueblo Mall burned about 8 acres on April 22 before being contained by firefighters. Heavy smoke was visible in the area around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, sparking a response from multiple fire...
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Pueblo County weighs new reserve policy
Pueblo County commissioners discussed plans to strengthen the county’s reserve policy on April 21, aiming to ensure long-term financial stability for the county and future boards. A resolution proposed by Commissioner Paula McPheeters would replace...
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The ‘story no one is talking about’
Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham took to Facebook the morning of April 16 to share what she called the “story no one is talking about.” The story in question concerns counterclaims filed by the city of Pueblo in its ongoing legal feud with the...
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‘Not going anywhere’
Leaders of CommonSpirit St. MaryCorwin Hospital are assuring the community the Pueblo hospital is “not going anywhere” after a new report by Public Citizen identified it as one of nine Colorado hospitals at risk of closing or reducing services as a...
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ENDLESS LOVE FOR DRIVE-INS
AApril 17. pair of drive-in movie fanatics who’ve visited more than 200 of them across 45 states are the new owners of Pueblo’s Mesa Drive-In movie theater. h Husband and wife Chris and Kelly Lally, who have a lengthy history working in and managing...
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What comes next for the Diocese of Pueblo
Bishop Stephen Berg was over 40 years old when he became a priest. The Diocese of Pueblo bishop, who recently submitted his resignation as required by the Catholic Church upon reaching the age of 75, entered the priesthood only after earning a...
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U.K.’s Starmer resists pressure to step down
LONDON – Prime Minister Keir Starmer, under renewed pressure to resign, expressed anger on April 17 over not being informed that his former ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, had failed security vetting before being handed the...
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‘A significant step forward’
Rocky Mountain Steel Mills in Pueblo has reached a new long-term contract with Union Pacific Railroad for the domestic production of steel rails, putting an end to a legal dispute between the two companies. The seven-year contract between the only...
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Draft registration to become automatic
As the war with Iran approaches 50 days, a new policy that would automatically register eligible people for a possible military draft is renewing interest in the rules and process around military conscription. It’s the latest policy change around...
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Goodnight Barn says bye to city ownership
A relic of Pueblo County’s cowboy past, the Goodnight Barn just south of the Arkansas River and west of the city has stood the test of time. Action taken by Pueblo City Council on April 13 set the stage for a new chapter in the over 150-year-old...
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Dockside complete
After nearly two years of construction, the Pueblo Riverwalk Boathouse and Phase IV channel extension project is complete. h Following the official opening of the channel extension earlier this year, the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo Authority...
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INSIDE, 4A
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026 | CHIEFTAIN.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK
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YES, IT’S REALLY PUEBLO CHILE
A bill seeking to ensure Pueblo chile is Pueblo chile and Palisade peaches are Palisade peaches has been signed by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. Polis signed “Protections for Agricultural Products Grown in Colorado,” introduced as House Bill 1031, which...
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Pentagon opens doors to other AI
WASHINGTON – Small defense industry artificial intelligence startups are suddenly fielding calls from generals, combatant commanders and deep-pocketed investors, after the souring relationship between the Pentagon and its once-favored AI vendor,...
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‘The 90s are having a major moment’
A pop culture icon from the 1990s who’s as cold as Ice and a homegrown Colorado rock band are among the latest headlining acts announced for the 2026 Colorado State Fair. The “I Love The 90s Tour,” headlined by Grammy-nominated rapper Vanilla Ice,...
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New Medal of Honor Boulevard set to open
Medal of Honor Boulevard is set to open on April 10, connecting Pueblo and Pueblo West. An opening ceremony is set to take place at 11:30 a.m. at Warren Dockum Road near Medal of Honor Boulevard and will include brief remarks from Pueblo Medal of...
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Free ride program for teens proposed
An April 2022 crash near Fourth Street that killed two teenagers was the “tipping point” that led community leaders to brainstorm ways to prevent youth traffic fatalities. During an April 6 Pueblo City Council work session, Pueblo County Commissioner...
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Amplify Pueblo
The third annual Steel City Music Showcase is set to bring over 40 artists to four stages in downtown Pueblo on April 10-11. The performance stages include Neon Alley, La Bella Union Plaza, Gold Dust Saloon, and Presley’s Community Stage. Steel City...
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Pueblo records hottest March in history
On the heels of its third-hottest February and third-hottest winter in history, Pueblo just had its hottest March ever, toppling a record set way back when William Howard Taft was U.S. president. According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo,...
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‘Nervous as to the harm it could cause’
Daneya Esgar, a former state representative from Pueblo, hoped that the U.S. Supreme Court would agree that a 2019 Colorado bill banning conversion therapy for minors was not about restricting free speech. Esgar was a prime sponsor of “Prohibit...
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1 rescued after U.S. jet downed over Iran
One crew member of a U.S. F-15E fighter jet that went down over Iran on April 3 has been rescued, according to a U.S. official. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the jet, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement...
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‘Right to observe deliberation and decision making’
Three candidates who were passed over for a Pueblo County School District 70 board seat under controversial circumstances in February filed a lawsuit against the school district on March 30, asking a Pueblo District Court to force a new vote and...
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Auto thefts in Colorado drop for third year
Colorado has marked its third consecutive year of declining auto thefts with a 34% reduction in 2025 compared to 2024, according to the 2025 Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA) Report from the Colorado State Patrol. This decline...
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Recreation center to begin charging fees
Pueblo County is instituting fees at the Pueblo County Recreation Center, 1650 Cooper Place, as well as for some programs at the county’s two community centers. The fees will be implemented on May 1. Using the Pueblo County Recreation Center’s...
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‘Abuse committed upon grieving families’
The daughter of a man whose body was left to decay in Davis Mortuary in Pueblo for more than a decade is the latest person to sue the funeral home and its owners, Brian and Chris Cotter, for alleged breach of contract and negligence. Brian Cotter is...
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‘Hard conversations’
Thousands of Puebloans marched to Sister Cities Plaza on March 28 to protest President Donald Trump’s administration and advocate for democracy and workers’ rights in Pueblo’s third “No Kings” protest of Trump’s second term. The protest was one of...
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Date announced for da Vinci museum opening
A date has been set for the grand opening of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America, 310 Central Main St., in Downtown Pueblo. The museum celebrating the late 15th- and early 16th-century Italian polymath will be the only one of its kind in...
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Trump delays strikes on Iran power plants
The Pentagon is weighing sending an additional 10,000 troops to the Middle East as the war with Iran rages, multiple news outlets reported. It remained unclear when a decision will be made on whether to send the additional combat soldiers, according...
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After being released by Taliban, Dennis Coyle is finally home
A day after his release by the Afghan Taliban following more than a year in captivity, Dennis Coyle is finally back on U.S. soil. The Pueblo-based researcher of Afghan languages, who was detained by the Taliban without charges and held captive for 421...
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Spring is underway
One day after spring officially began on March 20 with the coming of the spring equinox, many Puebloans took to the outdoors on March 21 to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather, which reached a daily high of 92 degrees -- a Pueblo record for the highest...
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‘Are you ready for change?’
The city of Pueblo and the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO) contractually severed ties on Dec. 31, 2025, but tensions between the two organizations have escalated in March 2026. In a lawsuit filed against the city just before 9 a.m. on...
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The Cutting Board opens after three-year journey
After a three-year journey, The Cutting Board recently opened the doors to its brick-and-mortar restaurant at 130 South Union Ave., offering the only entirely plant-based menu between Trinidad and Colorado Springs. Owner Chad Hankins, 40, has worked...
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Troops deployed to Middle East region
Despite President Donald Trump’s promises of the war with Iran ending soon and broad domestic disapproval of further involvement, the United States is sending more troops to the region, a defense official said. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit,...
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No charges, no trial
Four hundred and seventeen days — as of March 20, that’s how long a Pueblo man has been held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan after being detained without charges last January. Dennis Coyle, a Pueblo resident, was in Afghanistan conducting...
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Interstate 25 reopens after semitruck rollover
Interstate 25 was closed in both directions in Pueblo for an extended period on March 17 after a semi-tanker transporting diesel fuel was involved in a rollover wreck. According to a Pueblo Police Department news release, the wreck occurred at I-25...
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