County garage to close for construction

The El Paso County parking garage at 50 E. Costilla St. will close April 21 for several months of construction that will add three levels to the garage.

The additional levels will bring the total number of parking spots to 788.

The $6.2 million project is scheduled to be completed by late fall.

During construction, drivers on Tejon Street can expect some delays. Two-way traffic will be maintained for the duration of the project, but lanes will be narrowed on the east side of Tejon between Vermijo Avenue and Costilla.

Disagree with the IRS?

Last minute taxpayers who disagree about the amount of tax liability on their tax returns can ask the Internal Revenue Service’s Appeals Office to review their case.

The Appeals Office is independent of the IRS office that proposes collections and can work with taxpayers.

Most taxpayers are able to settle their differences through the appeals’ procedures, rather than through expensive or time-consuming court trials.

For more information, visit the IRS Web site http://www.irs.gov/individuals/content/0,,id=98196,00.html.

DNC forum for business owners

The Democratic National Convention Committee will host a community forum in Colorado Springs on April 29 that will offer tips to business owners about how they can benefit from the upcoming convention.

The forum is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Antlers Hilton, 4 S. Cascade Ave.

DNCC CEO Leah D. Daughtry will be available to answer questions.

The forum is designed to provide residents and business owners with opportunities for direct communication with top convention organizers and a venue to ask questions, share ideas and find out how they can get involved.

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to rsvp@demconvention.com or 720-362-2008.

France bans ads with ultra thin models

The Associated Press

The French parliament's lower house adopted a groundbreaking bill today that would make it illegal for anyone – including fashion magazines, advertisers and Web sites – to publicly incite extreme thinness.

The National Assembly approved the bill in a series of votes today, after the legislation won unanimous support from the ruling conservative UMP party. It goes to the Senate in the coming weeks.

Fashion industry experts said that, if passed, the law would be the strongest of its kind anywhere. Leaders in French couture are opposed to the idea of legal boundaries on beauty standards.

The bill was the latest and strongest of measures proposed after the 2006 anorexia-linked death of a Brazilian model prompted efforts throughout the international fashion industry to address the repercussions of using ultra-thin models.

Humpty Dumpty back by popular demand

HUMPTY DUMPTY

He was sorely missed, but a bronze sculpture of Humpty Dumpty will be back.

He will be sat on a wall today adjacent the Wells Fargo Plaza at the Pikes Peak Center.

The 200-pound, three-foot tall statue was created by Minneapolis based artist Kimber Fiebiger, and purchased by the city of Colorado Springs. The statue is a replica of the original that was stolen from Tejon Street in 2003 after debuting as part of the Downtown Partnership’s Art on the Streets program.

The city of Colorado Springs will loan the sculpture to the county. The city will pay for its installation.

Union blasts banking CEO pay

The Associated Press

The AFL-CIO says "outrageous" pay packages for banking industry executives are partly to blame for the credit crisis, encouraging risky investment strategies that ended up hurting shareholders and consumers.

The labor federation, a major shareholder in public companies through union-sponsored pension funds, made the critique as it unveiled the 2008 version of its "Executive PayWatch" Web site, which includes a CEO compensation database.

"This year's site drives home how outrageous CEO pay isn't just a moral issue for America's working people – it's a financial one, too," AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka said in a statement. "When CEOs are paid obscene amounts to make bad decisions, it hurts average Americans who hold mortgages, have bank accounts and who are invested, such as through their pensions."

The union's leaders argued that executive-pay packages are too-often linked to short-term measures of performance, such as revenue growth, that can mask potentially catastrophic risks taken by the company.

Fate of Frontier facility still uncertain

Colorado Springs Airport officials will host a press conference tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. at Gate 5 to announce the debut of new daily Frontier Airline flights to Denver. At this point, however, no further announcement is anticipated on the fate of the planned Frontier Maintenance facility, expected to break ground later this year.

The project’s future might be impacted by Frontier’s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing though the airline has not indicated any change so far.

Housing crisis pessimism grows

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON _ A growing majority say they won't buy a home anytime soon, the latest sign of increasing pessimism about the nation's housing crisis, a poll showed Monday.

In a vivid sketch of how the sputtering real estate market is causing distress throughout the country, the Associated Press-AOL Money & Finance poll found that more than a quarter of homeowners worry their home will lose value over the next two years. Fully one in seven mortgage holders fear they won't be able to make their monthly payments on time over the next six months.

"This is a great time to buy, but not necessarily to sell," said Robert Jackson, who lives in a two-bedroom house in Ferguson, Mo., with his wife and four young children. He said he would love to purchase a larger home, but can't because even if he found a buyer, he would probably lose thousands on his house, which he bought less than two years ago.

"We're just going to have to slap a Band-Aid on it and stay here until the market gets a little bit better," Jackson, 30, said in a follow-up interview.

Jackson is not alone. Sixty percent said they definitely won't buy a home in the next two years, up from 53 percent who said so in an AP-AOL poll in September 2006. At the same time, just 11 percent are certain or very likely to buy soon, down from 15 percent two years ago.

Web site connects employers, candidates with disabilities

A new Web site, www.AccessibleEmployment.org, is striving to connect disabled individuals with jobs.

Disabled job seekers can post resumes and prospective employers can post employment positions and search the resumes.

While finding a job can be difficult for anyone, it can be even harder for those with a disability. During sound economic times, the employment rate for those with a disability has been about 42 percent lower than the employment rate of non-disabled persons.

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics at Cornell University estimates that 1.25 million disabled Americans are actively looking for work.

Frontier bankruptcy won’t affect Springs

Frontier Airlines’ announcement to seek bankruptcy protection today is expected to have no effect on service to Colorado Springs.

“As we understand it there is going to be no impact on the airport or service here,” Springs Airport Aviation Director Mark Earl said.

Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc., the low-fare carrier's parent company, said it was forced into bankruptcy after its principal credit card processor announced it would begin withholding a greater share of proceeds from ticket sales, which hurt Frontier’s liquidity.

The bankruptcy filing will prevent the credit card processor from increasing its “holdback” amount.

Frontier officials said they will continue to operate a full schedule of flights, pay suppliers and employees as it reorganizes.

The bankruptcy news comes two weeks after Frontier announced it would sell “commuter passes” that would allow travelers to fly from Denver or Colorado Springs to Aspen, Durango and Grand Junction.

Earl said the announcement will not affect the COS airport financially because Frontier agreements with airport were made before the bankruptcy announcement was made.

“We’ve become accustomed to working with airlines that have filed for bankruptcy protection,” Earl said. “We’ve worked with three airlines – Northwest, Delta and United – that reorganized under bankruptcy protection, and we’ve all weathered the storm together.”

Earl also said the press conference scheduled for 9 a.m. April 15 at the airport will still happen and that there’ll “probably just be more to talk about.”

Peak Vista opens family center

Peak Vista opened its newest Family Health Center yesterday at 225 S. Union, across from Memorial Park.

The 34,000 square foot facility includes 48 exam rooms, plus staff work areas. Other services include pharmacy, laboratory, registration, health education and a well-child waiting area.

The facility is one piece of Peak Vista’s strategic plan to expand its infrastructure to support the hiring more medical and dental providers and other support staff. In addition to the new center, Peak Vista expanded hours at its Harrison School District 2 Entrada Health Center late last year and opened a family center at the Myron Stratton Home last summer.

Ominous letters from the IRS

If an envelope arrives from the Internal Revenue Service and it’s not a refund check – don’t panic.

Millions of letters and notices are sent each year with requests for additional information or notification of changes to accounts. Notices typically cover specific issues about accounts or tax returns and include specific instructions.

If you receive a correction notice, review the correspondence and compare it with the information on your return.

If you agree with the correction, usually no reply is necessary, unless payment is due. If you disagree with the IRS’ correction, then respond as requested and explain in writing why you disagree. Include supporting documents and information, along with the bottom tear-off portion of the notice.

For more information about IRS notices and bills, call 1-800 Tax-Form (829-3676).

Food poisoning levels steady

The Associated Press

ATLANTA _ Americans didn't suffer more food poisoning last year over the previous year despite high-profile outbreaks involving peanut butter, pot pies and other foods.

But it's not getting better, either. Although there have been significant declines in certain food-borne illnesses since the late 1990s, all the improvements occurred before 2004, federal health officials said in a report released Thursday.

A food safety advocacy group called the report discouraging,

"We don't consider this a success at all. We want to see these numbers going down," said Nancy Donley, president of Safe Tables Our Priority, which was founded by victims of food poisoning.

The new numbers were collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It partners with state health departments to check labs in 10 states to count confirmed food poisonings caused by intestinal bugs.

Salmonella remained the most common cause of food poisoning, causing about 6,800 lab-confirmed illnesses. That translates to a rate of about 15 cases for every 100,000 people.

House approves animal-welfare bill

The Colorado House of Representatives has approved legislation that will phase out the use of veal and gestation crates.

The Senate has already approved the bill, and Gov. Bill Ritter has indicated he will sign it.

If the bill becomes law, it will join three other animal welfare bills signed into law by Gov. Ritter this session, a bill making the possession of a bald eagle illegal, a bill banning computer-assisted remote hunting and a bill that amends Colorado Veterinary Practice Act for animal massage therapy, allowing other treatment options for animals.

Errors on tax return call for amendment

If you’ve discovered an error after filing a tax return, you might need to file an amendment.

The IRS usually corrects math errors or requests missing forms, such as W-2s or schedules, when processing an original return. For such instances, do not amend a return.

However, an amended return should be filed if any of the following were reported incorrectly: filing status, dependents, total income, deductions or credits.

Use Form 1040X, Amended Individual Income Tax Return, to correct a previously filed Form 1040, 1040A, 140EZ or electronically filed return.

Form 1040X and instructions are available at www.IRS.gov or by calling (800) Tax-Form (800-829-3676.)

City offers free severe weather awareness, spotter training

The Colorado Springs Office of Emergency Management is offering severe weather awareness and spotter training next week.

Training includes a general overview of the National Weather Service, when and how to report severe weather, severe weather safety tips and the basics of thunderstorm development and structure.

A detailed presentation about the atmosphere and storm structure illustrated with graphs, photos and video is included in the training.

The Pikes Peak Region’s most common natural hazards include thunderstorms, flash floods and tornadoes.

The free training is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 15 at the new Fire Station Eight Community Room, 3737 Airport Road.

RSVP to Thomas.Magnuson@noaa.gov

Salazar pitches amendment to housing bill

U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar proposed an amendment to the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 that would require counseling entities and State Housing Finance Agencies to coordinate with nonprofit, toll-free foreclosure prevention hotlines.

The Colorado Foreclosure Prevention Hotline, operated by Denver-based nonprofit Brothers Redevelopment, Inc., has assisted homeowners facing delinquency or foreclosure since its launch during October 2006.

From the hotline’s inception through the end of 2007, it has received more than 25,000 calls and four out of every five callers has successfully avoided foreclosure.

Salazar said his amendment would ensure that entities receiving credit counseling funds under the bill work with already-established hotlines that are providing much needed assistance to struggling homeowners in Colorado, and across the nation.

Middle class: doing worse

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Growing numbers of middle-class Americans say they aren't better off than they were five years ago, reflecting economic pressures amid growing debt, a study released Wednesday shows.

Their short-term assessment of personal progress, according to the study, is the worst it's been in nearly half a century.

The survey by the Pew Research Center, a Washington-based research organization, paints a mixed picture for the 53 percent of adults in the country who define themselves as “middle class,” with household incomes ranging from below $40,000 to more than $100,000.

It found that a majority of Americans said they haven't progressed in the last five years. One in four, or 25 percent, said their economic situation had not improved, while 31 percent said they had fallen backward. Those numbers together are the highest since the survey question was first asked in 1964. Among the middle class, 54 percent said they had made no progress (26 percent) or fallen back (28 percent).

AARP poll shows health care concern

Sixty-two percent of Americans polled by the AARP say they believe that health care in Colorado is in a state of crisis or has major problems.

The majority of respondents are extremely or very concerned with matters of health care costs, including having to pay more for their current care (57 percent), having adequate coverage at an affordable cost (56 percent), and not being able to pay for the costs associated with a major illness or injury (54 percent).

In addition, half of those polled are “extremely” or “very likely” to vote for an extension of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) temporary suspension beyond 2010, which allows Colorado to keep an estimated $3.7 billion that would otherwise be returned to taxpayers, and use these funds for statewide programs including health care. Another 23 percent are somewhat likely to vote for this extension.

Tri-Lakes YMCA opening April 20

The YMCA of the Pikes Peak region will open its newest branch April 20.

The Tri-Lakes Family Center will serve residents in Gleneagle, Monument, Black Forest, Palmer Lake and Larkspur.

The public is invited to attend a community open house Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Easy Park in Old Colorado City

Easy Park, the pre-purchase meter parking card system that was introduced downtown last springs is expanding to Old Colorado City with 140 meters.

Parking officials also plan to add 850 Easy Park meters downtown.

Easy Park eliminates the need for drivers to have dimes or quarters to park at meters. The card also allows drivers to park up to the allowed maximum time while only being charged for the actual time their vehicle is parked.

Easy Park meters also will continue to take coins.

County health dept. at ‘breaking point’?

El Paso County Health officials say a lack of money has put the health department at the “breaking point.”

Addressing about 100 elected officials, and community leaders at an annual meeting, Public Health Administrator Rosemary Bakes-Martin said El Paso County’s growing population and increase of infectious diseases, combined with decreased money for basic public health protection, have pushed the county’s health department to the breaking point, putting the community at risk because health inspection will be dramatically cut.

The department is required by law to work to protect residents from about 60 different infectious diseases – many potentially life-threatening. Yet the ability of the Health Department to provide basic public health protection is increasingly impaired, she said.

Gas could hit $4 this summer

The Associated Press

NEW YORK _ Retail gas prices could climb as high as $4 a gallon this summer, which could make Americans think twice about hitting the road, the Energy Department said today.

High prices and a weak economy are expected to cut demand for gasoline by about 0.4 percent during the peak summer driving season, the department's Energy Information Administration said in a monthly report on petroleum supplies and demand. Overall consumption of petroleum products will drop by 90,000 barrels a day this year. Previously, the EIA had projected petroleum consumption would rise by 40,000 barrels a day.

Average monthly gas prices will peak around $3.60 a gallon in June, the EIA said. However, prices could rise much higher than that at times.

"It is important to note ... that even if the national average monthly gasoline price peaks around $3.60 per gallon this summer, it is possible that prices at some point will cross the $4 per gallon threshold," the EIA said.

The government had previously estimated that average monthly prices would peak near $3.50 a gallon.

Glaxo skirts FDA reporting laws

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON _ Federal regulators have issued a warning to GlaxoSmithKline for not reporting safety results on its diabetes pill Avandia, which received a prominent warning label last year.

The Food and Drug Administration said that between 2001 and 2007 the drug maker did not annually update the agency on more than 10 ongoing studies of Avandia, as required by regulations.

While the agency acknowledges information from the studies was disclosed in other notices, the omissions "are serious and may be symptomatic of underlying post-market reporting failures."

The FDA said it had no record of nine other studies until last September, when Glaxo provided a corrected version of its 2007 update on Avandia.

FDA posted the warning letter, dated March 25, to its Web site today.

Airline performance worsening

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON _ The annual Airline Quality Rating survey released today found that the industry did a poor job last year. There were more lost bags, more bumped passengers, more consumer complaints and fewer on-time flights than in the previous year.

The rate of consumer complaints was up 60 percent. US Airways had the most complaints last year. Southwest had the fewest.

All these problems are making travelers grumpy, the annual survey said.

The past year "was the worst year ever for the U.S. airlines," said Brent Bowen, a study co-author and professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Aviation Institute. "Overall operational performance and quality declined once again to the lowest level that it's ever been."

AirTran and Jet Blue have taken the top spots in a national survey of airline quality.

They were followed by Southwest, Northwest and Frontier airlines. At the bottom of the list was Atlantic Southeast Airlines.

The industry posted declines last year in every area of the Airline Quality Rating, amid rising fuel prices, safety problems and bankruptcy filings that shut down three carriers last week alone.

The rate of consumer complaints, for example, more than doubled at US Airways and Comair, and rose for 15 of the 16 airlines included in the study. The exception was Mesa Airlines.

On-time arrivals dropped for the fifth straight year, with more than one-quarter of all flights late, according to the survey. The rates of passengers bumped from overbooked flights and bags lost, stolen or damaged also jumped in 2007.

Glass found in organic yogurt

Stonyfield Farm has recalled its organic nonfat blueberry yogurt because glass fragments were found in the product.

The company does not believe the problem is widespread and there have been no reports of injury, said Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment officials.

Yogurt with the following 2008 expiration dates was recalled: Apr. 14, 15, 25 and 26.

Consumers are advised to return opened and unopened containers to their retailers for reimbursement.

Consumers with questions should contact Stonyfield Farm at 1-800-PRO-COWS or the Department of Public Health and Environment at 303-692-3644.

Venture capital M&As drop

Liquidity generated by mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings of venture-backed companies fell to $8.2 billion during the first quarter of 2008 – the lowest total since the fourth quarter of 2005.

A Dow Jones VentureSource report showed first-quarter mergers and acquisitions at 80, accounting for $7.8 billion in liquidity, versus 105 M&As and $10.2 billion during the first quarter of 2007. Only six U.S. venture-backed companies went public in the first quarter, raising $392 million, a 67 percent decline from last year.

$321 million of “green housing’ at Peterson

Peterson Air Force Base will begin construction on a $321 million sustainable energy housing project Thursday.

Nearly 600 homes will be built and 53 renovated to house Peterson personnel and their families.

New homes will be built with tankless water heaters and will include ENERGY STAR appliances, home office spaces with technology niches, covered porches for integrated indoor/outdoor living and master bedroom suites.

Plans also include solid waste recycling and water saving devices that will reduce consumption by 30 percent.