Latest news with #KarmanLine
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Majority of voters oppose Karman Line annexation
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Voters in Colorado Springs have decided the final fate for the proposed Karman Line annexation. Colorado Springs citizens had one last time to vote on Tuesday, June 7, right before 7 p.m. The special election would decide whether citizens approved or rejected Ordinance 25-26, which concerns annexing the 1,876.24 acres located west of Schriever Space Force Base. For several months, the annexation resulted in pushback from community members. After it was initially approved in December by the City Council, a petition for reconsideration surged and prompted the special vote. While some community members worried about water, uncontrolled growth, and emergency services, supporters of the ordinance said the annexation would mean more housing, thus alleviating housing shortages. As of Wednesday, June 18 at 11 a.m., the city has received 76,000 votes with 14,239 for and 63,813 against. Karman Line Annexation: Preliminary Special Election results The vote would overturn the decision made by the Colorado Springs City Council, which had previously passed the annexation. Thank you to Colorado Springs voters for recognizing the concerns of the Lower Arkansas Valley about water, the lifeblood of our food systems, rural economies, and agricultural heritage. And thank you to the people of the Lower Arkansas Valley for coming together with a shared message. The coordination and unity across our communities played a meaningful role in shaping this outcome. We're at a defining moment in Colorado, with the opportunity to choose the kind of future we want to leave for the generations that come after us. Polling consistently shows that Coloradans deeply value agriculture and rural communities, and yesterday, Colorado Springs voters affirmed those values. Colorado's Front Range communities have an opportunity to manage growth responsibly while protecting our limited water supplies. We're hopeful we can work with our urban neighbors to develop fair, collaborative solutions that bring long-term certainty for all of us. Jack Goble, General Manager of the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District Some members watched ballot numbers come in at a watch party on Tuesday, with one of the groups behind the project speaking about the vote. 'We don't have a next step, this is where we've put all of our effort, and so we'll regroup and think about what the community has to say and how we can help as businesspeople to address our community's concerns,' said Kevin O'Neil, Managing Partner for the Karman Line Annexation Project. Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, who had previously supported the annexation, released a statement via Facebook where he thanked those who voted. 'I want to thank everyone who engaged and voted in this election,' Mobolade said. 'As your mayor, I remain committed to building a Colorado Springs that works for everyone. That means continuing to prioritize housing affordability, supporting our infrastructure, and ensuring that we grow responsibly and sustainably.' FOX21 News reached out to the Colorado Springs City Council and will update this article when a comment is made available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Karman Line Annexation: Preliminary Special Election results
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Unofficial results from the June 17 Special Election will begin dropping at 7 p.m., and FOX21 News is your election headquarters. The single question on the ballot is asking voters whether to approve or reject an ordinance annexing 1,876.24 acres west of Schriever Space Force Base, known as the Karman Line. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Special election to decide Karman Line annexation fate The annexation vote has caused pushback from various community members, with a petition even being submitted for the annexation to be reconsidered after it was initially approved by the City Council in December. Locals have previously expressed concerns about water, emergency services, and uncontrolled growth, among others. Supporters of the ordinance, including some current and former City Council members, say the approval of the annexation would mean more housing availability near Schriever SFB, and with it, the alleviation of housing shortages. The land is currently vacant and agricultural. If approved, developers hope to build 6,500 homes, and the project would take around 20 years to complete. Ordinance 25-16 'Karman Line Annexation' Votes For 13,878 Against 61,900 Total 75,778 This article will be updated as results come in, and you can tune in to FOX21 News at 9 and 10 p.m. for the latest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
1st New Zealander reaches space on Blue Origin flight
May 31 (UPI) -- Blue Origin's 12th human spaceflight carried the first New Zealander into space and back on Saturday morning in West Texas. The flight carried six passengers beyond the Karman Line, which is the internationally established boundary between space and Earth's atmosphere at an elevation of 62 miles, reported. Among the passengers was Mark Rocket, who is an aerospace executive from Christchurch, New Zealand, and is that nation's first citizen to reach space. Rocket changed his surname many years ago in honor of his passion for space travel, TVNZ1 reported on May 22. "Ever since I was a kid, I've always been fascinated by space technology and space travel," he said. "We live in a solar system, which is vast; a galaxy, which is vast; and this incredible universe, which is just hard to imagine." Rocvket's fascination with space led to a career in aerospace, and before the flight he said he was looking forward to experiencing "3Gs of rocket-powered flight up to space." Rocket is the president of Aerospace New Zealand and ownsKea Aerospace, which is developing a solar-powered, unmanned aircraft capable of reaching the stratosphere to collect high-resolution data of the Earth below it. Other crew members The flight also carried K-12 STEM teacher Aymette Medina Jorge, former Panamanian ambassador to the United States Jaime Aleman and radiologist GretchenGreen into space, according to Blue Origin. Also aboard the spaceflight were businessman Jesse Williams and entrepreneur Paul Jeris. The six passengers were weightless for about three minutes while getting a unique view of the world from space. Upon landing back on Earth, Green called the experience "perfection." "There are very few things in life that were true perfection," Green told "When I looked out at space and back down to the Earth, [it] was perfect." 32nd successful spaceflight The spaceflight was the 32nd for Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin and its New Shepard program and launched at 8:39 a.m. CDT from Blue Origin's Launch Site One about 30 miles north of Van Horn near the U.S.-Mexico border. The New Shepard launch vehicle included the capsule that carried its passengers and a booster rocket. The capsule and booster rocket are reusable. The booster rocket separated from the capsule about 2.5 minutes into the flight, which allowed the capsule to continue its ascent into space before returning to Earth. The autonomous capsule used a propulsive system to slow its descent while making a vertical landing on a concrete pad near where it launched. New Shepard is named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space in 1961 and 10 years year was the fifth person to walk on the moon. The program is intended the ferry humans and scientific payloads into space. "We thank our customers for trusting us to give them the opportunity to appreciate Earth's fragility from above," said Phil Joyce, senior vice president of New Shepard. Joyce said the experience "truly transforms those who embark on it." Blue Origin's New Shepard program has carried 64 people into space and back, including singer Katy Perry and CBS broadcast Gayle King.
NZ Herald
10-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Tomodachi gives Matamata trainer Andrew Scott huge milestone in Rotorua mud
A stronger and better version of Tomodachi returned to racing as a 4-year-old this season, collecting back-to-back wins at Tauranga and Ellerslie before flashing home from the back of the field for a close third in last month's Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m). Saturday brought a deserved black-type breakthrough. 'What a mare,' Scott said. 'It doesn't matter if it's quick ground or wet ground – she's just a really good racehorse, and she can only get better from here. 'Our concern coming into today was that the pace might not be quick enough for her to relax, but fortunately she did and then she had that kick in the straight. 'To get the big black type and a Group 3 win today is so valuable for the team at Pencarrow, and we still think it's all in front of her. We can start to get really serious with her next season. 'Her sectional times at Trentham last start were just off the charts. She has an exceptional turn of foot when she's on quick ground and has the opportunity to let down.' A big part of Saturday's success was jockey Joe Doyle, who got Tomodachi to settle into a good rhythm in third-last before saving crucial ground around the home turn. Tomodachi snuck through the inside and burst to the lead at the top of the straight. Bedtime Story emerged from the pack and chased hard through the last 200m, but Tomodachi was able to hold her out and win by a length and three-quarters. 'She's all class,' Doyle said. 'The track is in bits now and it's tough wherever you go, so I didn't see much point in going wide and spending more petrol than I needed to. 'She was on the bridle a little bit today, but looking at her previous races, I've seen her pull a lot harder than that. 'Going into next season, when she gets on a good track, she can run some savage splits. She's very high-class. All credit to Lance, Andrew and the owners.' Tomodachi became the seventh individual stakes winner for Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino, who has also been in the black-type spotlight this season through the deeds of Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) hero Willydoit, Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) winner Torranzino and Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) victor Kadavar. The dam of Tomodachi is the High Chaparral mare Quintessentially, who herself won three races. Second dam Uberalles placed in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), while the third dam is the great Ethereal, whose four Group 1 wins included the Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Caulfield Cup (2400m). O'Sullivan and Scott have now won the Rotorua Stakes two years in a row, having taken out the 2024 edition with Karman Line. That mare was checked out of contention in the straight on Saturday, but stablemates Lux Libertas (third) and Kelly Coe (sixth) performed with plenty of merit. 'The team's run well,' Scott said. 'Lux Libertas was massive. She was held up behind them and just couldn't quite get to the right part of the track, but Warren [Kennedy] was really pleased with the way she just kept coming. Kelly Coe hit the line really well too.'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor Mobolade backs putting Karman Line to voters
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — On Monday, April 7, Mayor Yemi Mobolade released a statement in support of bringing the Karman Line Annexation decision to the voters rather than repealing the decision, saying it supports our democratic process. On Jan. 28, the City Council approved The Karman Line Annexation, which would make about 1,900 acres in El Paso County, west of Schriever Space Force Base, a part of Colorado Springs. On Feb. 26, a petition opposing the annexation was submitted to the City Clerk's Office with over 31,000 signatures, far beyond the required 18,696, requesting for the annexation to be put on a ballot for Colorado Springs citizens to decide. The petition cited concerns over issues such as water, housing needs, increased utility costs, and wildlife concerns, among others. Since then, allegations have been brought against the petition organizers, claiming that false information was used to convince voters to oppose the annexation and sign the petition. RELATED STORY: Karman Line letter claims petitioners lied to convince voters Mayor Mobolade's statement referenced the allegations, saying that special interest groups misled the community and weaponized the petition process, but that he supports bringing the annexation to the voters so that they have the chance to make a fully informed decision. On Tuesday, April 8, the City Council is scheduled to vote on whether to repeal the annexation or send it to a ballot. Read Mayor Mobolade's full statement below: Our country is founded on a democratic process that is central to the functioning of a representative government. It is upon us to always respect that process, and to recognize and call out any efforts to subvert that process or the will of the people. The Karman Line annexation was a transparent and thorough two-year process. This annexation was first recommended by Planning Commission, which is comprised of dedicated, unpaid volunteers who thoroughly reviewed the proposal in its entirety. It was then voted on and approved by City Council, who is elected by the people to oversee and vote on such issues. This was by no means a hasty decision. It was made after careful consideration, in-depth analysis of critical issues like water, utilities, and public safety, and meaningful public discourse to ensure we responsibly manage growth with a long-term mindset. Public safety agencies have also expressed support, and Colorado Springs Utilities, another key body involved in city infrastructure planning, has given its approval, assuring there is enough water to support future development. I cannot underscore enough that a rigorous review and democratic process was upheld. What unfolded after that was a misleading campaign sponsored by local special interest groups. They systematically worked to weaponize our democratic petition process by spreading misinformation, attempting to manipulate the facts, and in some cases, outright deceiving people. Now, on Tuesday, City Council once again faces an important decision regarding the Karman Line annexation. Councilmembers will have two choices. One, bring the Karman Line annexation to the ballot to let you decide. Or, two, repeal their decision to annex and, instead, allow local special interest groups who did not like the outcome to unfairly influence the future of our city's growth in place of you, the voters. I offer my full support to our City Council in reaffirming its previous decision and responding to the referenda requirements by sending the question to the voters. To me, this supports our democratic process. The strength of our democracy lies in the will of the people, and it is imperative that we protect and honor that process. As your Mayor, I stand firmly in support of upholding that commitment. I ran on ensuring every voice was represented. By now putting the Karman Line annexation to the ballot, we give a voice to all residents, not just to those who signed the petitions and who may or may not have understood the full proposal. The path forward is clear. We must stand up for what is right. This is true whether or not the final decision is what we want – the end cannot justify the means. We must now and always protect the democratic values and integrity that our country was built on and ensure that Colorado Springs evolves into a city for the many, not just the few. Onward and upward, Mayor Yemi Mobolade Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
