Good morning, Colorado Springs.

Officers responded in June on the southeast side of Colorado Springs after reports of gunfire at an apartment complex and found 51-year-old Jesus Ramirez Jr. who fired at them—when he raised his handgun again, officers fired multiple shots, fatally striking him.

Colorado Springs police are searching for 76-year-old Everett Francis Wann, a missing at-risk adult last seen Thursday in the Broadmoor area near Cheyenne Mountain Animal Hospital+ he is described as about 5 feet 5 inches tall and 160 pounds, wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and a blue and white knit cap, and anyone with information is urged to call 719-444-7000.

Blue Hands Collective is a group of fiber artists in Colorado Springs who holds indigo dye events and classes around the Pikes Peak region to teach the art, history, and cultural ties of indigo on textiles.

The collective, founded in 2021 as a fundraiser for a previous group, will host a festival today and additional events that offer lectures and hands-on demonstrations—highlighting indigo’s chemical process and its legacy linked to slavery and colonialism.

At its meeting last Thursday, School District 49 approved a new rule that requires pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students to turn off and store personal devices during the school day — a change prompted by a new state law to reduce cyberbullying and support academic success. The board also approved the application for Honor Charter School, a Marzano Academy that will open for the 2027-28 school year and grow its enrollment over time — pending land acquisition and construction.

Ramona Avenue at South Nevada Avenue will close from Monday, July 14 at 7 a.m. through mid-August for the South Nevada Avenue Traffic Signal Improvements Project — crews will install new traffic signals, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and streetscape improvements while detours guide drivers and nearby businesses stay open.

The City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County announced community open houses for a regional housing needs assessment set for July 23 at Library 21C and the Family Success Center and for July 24 at UCCS Downtown Lounge, Manitou City Hall, plus a virtual meeting on the same day.

Residents can drop in any time during these sessions—each following the same format—to share their experiences and views on local housing needs.

The Colorado Department of Transportation announced that southbound I-25 from South Academy Boulevard to Santa Fe Avenue will be closed on the nights of July 18 and 19 from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and on July 20 from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. for safety improvements — northbound South Academy Boulevard and the southbound off-ramp to US 85/87 will also close on July 17, so drivers should follow detour routes.

Family Fun! Customize Your Sweet Bear

2:00-3:30 p.m. — Painting with a Twist — $27-$29 per person — Unleash your inner artist while creating a masterpiece alongside friends and family with optional drinks and snacks.

Colorado Springs Open Source Software Monthly Meetup

5-7 p.m. — Pikes Peak Library District - East Library — Free entry — Explore the power of AI tools in application development with expert Venkat Subramaniam.

Summer Concert Series

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Bancroft Park — Free entry — Enjoy the groovy sounds of Hoodoo Honey as they blend classic blues with a soulful twist.

All-Ages Story Time

1-2 p.m. — Peterson Library — Free entry — Enjoy an hour of delightful stories, songs, and crafts for all ages.

Jazz Thursday with Sarah Groh Trio

5-8 p.m. — The Mining Exchange — Free show — Experience the soulful sounds of jazz standards and folk classics performed by the captivating Sarah Groh Trio.

Boys with Blue Concert

5-7 p.m. — Sunshine Studios Live — All ages welcome — Enjoy a night of music with TH3TA, Alyssa Mongiovi, and Evan Bingham.

Community Block Party

10 AM – 2 PM — Family Success Center - Pikes Peak United Way — Free entry — Enjoy a lively neighborhood celebration with food trucks, games, and community resources.

Flyin' West Performance

4-5:30 p.m. — Ent Center for the Arts — Tickets starting at $140 — Experience the captivating performance of Flyin' West in Colorado Springs.

Mangia! Italian Kids' Cooking Camp

1-4 p.m. — 1753 S 8th St, Colorado Springs — $8.50 ticket fee — Young chefs get messy making pasta, pizza, and cannoli at this fun-filled cooking camp.

Post-Deployment Welcome Home

10-11 a.m. — Airman & Family Readiness Center — Free entry — Celebrate and reconnect during this welcoming event for returning service members.