Vol. 26 No. 7 – July 4, 2026 – Audio Highlights

Vol. 26 No. 7 – July 4, 2026 – Audio Highlights

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ocn/id1809672251] | Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/our-community-news/PC:1001102429] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5wdAgjcoTgcGm7ZJWSS5MU] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OurCommunityNews] To subscribe on other podcasting sites, you will need to enter this RSS feed: https://wp.ocn.me/feed/podcast/ocn/ [https://wp.ocn.me/feed/podcast/ocn/] THIS PODCAST IS A SUMMARY OF THIS ISSUE. AN MP4 FILE OF THIS PODCAST IS POSTED AT HTTPS://OCN.ME/MP4/OCN2607HIGHLIGHTS.MP4 [https://ocn.me/mp4/ocn2607highlights.mp4]. IT WAS GENERATED USING AN AI TOOL AND HAS NOT BEEN FACT-CHECKED IN EVERY DETAIL BY OCN VOLUNTEERS. A TRANSCRIPT IS POSTED AT HTTPS://OCN.ME/PDF/OCN2607HIGHLIGHTSTRANSCRIPT.PDF [https://ocn.me/pdf/ocn2607highlightstranscript.pdf]. * 00:00:00 OCN Vol. 26 No. 7 – July 4, 2026 * 00:00:20 Buc-ee's seeks to avoid public hearings * 00:01:20 El Paso County Planning Commission June 18 – MA Subdivisions recommended for denial * 00:02:45 Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, June 22 – Contract with Falcon AeroLab, recognition of grants for teachers, adoption of budget * 00:04:20 Monument Academy School Board, June 4 – Board membership changes * 00:05:56 Woodmoor Improvement Association, June 24 – Enhanced fireworks patrols, $5000 fine * 00:07:17 Monument Town Council Meetings, June 1 and 15 – Use tax for November ballot, water tank site rezoned, crack seal machine purchased, police officers sworn in and promoted * 00:08:53 Monument Planning Commission, June 10 – Backs Density Drop, Single-Family Shift at Falcon Commerce Center * 00:10:50 Palmer Lake Board of Trustees Meetings, June 11 and June 25 – Palmer Lake trustees tackle legal turmoil, infrastructure priorities, and internal tensions * 00:12:14 Palmer Lake Citizen's Briefing, June 22 – Two Palmer Lake Trustees give their perspectives * 00:13:45 Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, June 8 – Board defers emergency interconnect with Triview Metro * 00:15:18 Monument Sanitation District, June 17 – District expands service area * 00:16:46 Donala Water and Sanitation District, June 18 – Kuosman takes the reins * 00:18:21 Triview Metropolitan District, June 18 – Ribbon cutting, open house planned for new district building * 00:19:50 Letters to Our Community – Thanks, OCN, for all you do * 00:20:26 Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Happy Birthday, America! * 00:21:02 Library Events – Summer Adventure continues with special programs * 00:22:21 The Nature of Our Community – Pine beetle conundrums, myths, and blunders * 00:23:35 July's Wildfire Preparation Tips * 00:24:33 High Altitude Nature and Gardens – Nature's Soil Architects: The Backyard Science of "Black Gold" * 00:25:24 Art Matters – Designing Sanctuaries: How Restorative Art Heals Our Communities * 00:26:24 Our Community Notices * 00:27:34 Conclusion ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE DETAILS SHOULD BE DOUBLE-CHECKED BY READING THE CORRESPONDING ARTICLE IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/V26N7/ [https://wp.ocn.me/v26n7/] ALL OCN PODCASTS ARE POSTED AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/]. THIS EPISODE IS AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/OCN2607HIGHLIGHTS/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/ocn2607highlights/] THE RELATED AUDIO ARTICLES EPISODE IS AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/OCN2607ARTICLES/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/ocn2607articles/]

Vol. 26 No. 7 – July 4, 2026 – Audio Articles

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ocn/id1809672251] | Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/our-community-news/PC:1001102429] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5wdAgjcoTgcGm7ZJWSS5MU] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OurCommunityNews] To subscribe on other podcasting sites, you will need to enter this RSS feed: https://wp.ocn.me/feed/podcast/ocn/ [https://wp.ocn.me/feed/podcast/ocn/] To be notified every time we post a new podcast, go to https://wp.ocn.me/newslettersignup/ [https://wp.ocn.me/newslettersignup/]. THIS PODCAST CONSISTS OF THE AUDIO FILES FROM THIS ISSUE. AN MP4 FILE OF THIS PODCAST IS POSTED AT HTTPS://OCN.ME/MP4/OCN2607ARTICLES.MP4 [https://ocn.me/mp4/ocn2607articles.mp4]. IT WAS COMPUTER-GENERATED AND HAS NOT BEEN FACT-CHECKED IN EVERY DETAIL BY OCN VOLUNTEERS. * 00:00:00 OCN Vol. 26 No. 7 – July 4, 2026 * 00:00:20 Buc-ee's seeks to avoid public hearings * 00:05:57 El Paso County Planning Commission June 18 – MA Subdivisions recommended for denial * 00:09:08 Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, June 22 – Contract with Falcon AeroLab, recognition of grants for teachers, adoption of budget * 00:18:17 Monument Academy School Board, June 4 – Board membership changes * 00:27:22 Woodmoor Improvement Association, June 24 – Enhanced fireworks patrols, $5000 fine * 00:34:57 Monument Town Council Meetings, June 1 and 15 – Use tax for November ballot, water tank site rezoned, crack seal machine purchased, police officers sworn in and promoted * 00:44:57 Monument Planning Commission, June 10 – Backs Density Drop, Single-Family Shift at Falcon Commerce Center * 00:53:09 Palmer Lake Board of Trustees Meetings, June 11 and June 25 – Palmer Lake trustees tackle legal turmoil, infrastructure priorities, and internal tensions * 01:02:15 Palmer Lake Citizen's Briefing, June 22 – Two Palmer Lake Trustees give their perspectives * 01:09:06 Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, June 8 – Board defers emergency interconnect with Triview Metro * 01:17:23 Monument Sanitation District, June 17 – District expands service area * 01:20:35 Donala Water and Sanitation District, June 18 – Kuosman takes the reins * 01:25:04 Triview Metropolitan District, June 18 – Ribbon cutting, open house planned for new district building * 01:32:34 Letters to Our Community – Thanks, OCN, for all you do * 01:34:12 Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Happy Birthday, America! * 01:42:36 Library Events – Summer Adventure continues with special programs * 01:49:52 The Nature of Our Community – Pine beetle conundrums, myths, and blunders * 01:55:33 July's Wildfire Preparation Tips * 01:57:49 High Altitude Nature and Gardens – Nature's Soil Architects: The Backyard Science of "Black Gold" * 02:01:32 Art Matters – Designing Sanctuaries: How Restorative Art Heals Our Communities * 02:05:11 Our Community Notices * 02:15:30 Conclusion ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE DETAILS SHOULD BE DOUBLE-CHECKED BY READING THE CORRESPONDING ARTICLE IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/V26N7/ [https://wp.ocn.me/v26n7/]: ALL OCN PODCASTS ARE POSTED AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/]. THIS EPISODE IS AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/OCN2607ARTICLES/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/ocn2607artcles/]. THE RELATED HIGHLIGHTS EPISODE IS AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/OCN2607HIGHLIGHTS/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/ocn2607highlights/].

Vol. 26 No. 6 – June 6, 2026 – Audio Articles

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ocn/id1809672251] | Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/our-community-news/PC:1001102429] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5wdAgjcoTgcGm7ZJWSS5MU] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OurCommunityNews] To subscribe on other podcasting sites, you will need to enter this RSS feed: https://wp.ocn.me/feed/podcast/ocn/ [https://wp.ocn.me/feed/podcast/ocn/] To be notified every time we post a new podcast, go to https://wp.ocn.me/newslettersignup/ [https://wp.ocn.me/newslettersignup/]. THIS PODCAST CONSISTS OF THE AUDIO FILES FROM THIS ISSUE. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN MP4 FILE OF THIS PODCAST [https://ocn.me/mp4/ocn2606articles.mp4]. IT WAS COMPUTER-GENERATED AND HAS NOT BEEN FACT-CHECKED IN EVERY DETAIL BY OCN VOLUNTEERS. * 00:00:00 OCN Vol. 26 No. 6 – June 6, 2026 * 00:00:20 Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, May 14 – Whitmer resigns as town attorney * 00:13:28 Gleneagle Civic Association, May 12 – Many voice opinions on court petition * 00:36:18 Monument Fire District, May 27 and 29 – Fitzgerald named new fire chief * 00:40:22 Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District, May 16 – Fire mitigation Town Hall * 00:45:09 Monument Town Council, May 4 and 18 – Growth, infrastructure among meeting topics * 00:49:40 Monument Planning Commission, May 13 – Planners eye data center limits * 00:54:58 D38 PCAC, May 12 – CIC report; academic excellence; 2026-27 budget * 01:02:14 Monument Academy School Board, May 7 – Bonds refinanced; board members selected * 01:13:04 Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, May 18 – Student and staff recognitions, CIC update, student fees * 01:20:59 Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, May 11 – 2025 finances audited * 01:24:35 Monument Sanitation District, May 20 – 2025 audit shows good financial health * 01:27:34 Donala Water and Sanitation District, May 21 – Board hears 2025 audit * 01:34:18 El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, May 12 and 21 – Executive director appointed * 01:41:25 Triview Metropolitan District, May 21 – Northern Monument Creek Interceptor project financing restructured * 01:48:06 Our Community News celebrates 25 years * 01:56:56 How OCN gets to your home * 01:58:31 Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Organizations, May 9 – Water supply an ongoing quest * 02:01:07 Woodmoor Improvement Association, May 27 – Revised rules and regulations * 02:05:04 Winter Weather Summary – The Winter That Wasn't * 02:12:27 Letters to Our Community – Solving Colorado's water crisis * 02:14:30 Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Thinking about a summer escape? * 02:21:18 June Library Events – Palmer Lake Town Hall postponed; Summer Adventure begins * 02:27:25 Palmer Lake Historical Society, May 21 – Authors describe Park-to-Park Highway * 02:30:25 The Nature of Our Community – The long reach of mountain pine beetles * 02:35:44 On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Limbaugh thrills and spills * 02:39:09 High Altitude Nature and Gardens – Nature and gardening are a two-way conversation * 02:41:53 Art Matters – The modern artist's Desilu Moment is good math * 02:45:00 Wildfire Preparation Tips – Reduce chances of fire damage * 02:46:30 Our Community Notices * 02:56:04 Conclusion ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE DETAILS SHOULD BE DOUBLE-CHECKED BY READING THE CORRESPONDING ARTICLE IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/V26N6/ [https://wp.ocn.me/v26n5/]: ALL OCN PODCASTS ARE POSTED AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/]. THIS EPISODE IS AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/OCN2606ARTICLES/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/ocn2606artcles/]. THE RELATED HIGHLIGHTS EPISODE IS AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/OCN2606HIGHLIGHTS/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/ocn2606highlights/].

Vol. 26 No. 6 – June 6, 2026 – Audio Highlights

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ocn/id1809672251] | Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/our-community-news/PC:1001102429] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5wdAgjcoTgcGm7ZJWSS5MU] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OurCommunityNews] To subscribe on other podcasting sites, you will need to enter this RSS feed: https://wp.ocn.me/feed/podcast/ocn/ [https://wp.ocn.me/feed/podcast/ocn/] THIS PODCAST IS A SUMMARY OF THIS ISSUE. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN MP4 FILE OF THIS PODCAST [https://ocn.me/mp4/ocn2606highlights.mp4]. IT WAS GENERATED USING AN AI TOOL AND HAS NOT BEEN FACT-CHECKED IN EVERY DETAIL BY OCN VOLUNTEERS. A TRANSCRIPT IS POSTED AT HTTPS://OCN.ME/PDF/OCN2606HIGHLIGHTSTRANSCRIPT.PDF [https://ocn.me/pdf/ocn2606highlightstranscript.pdf]. * 00:00:00 OCN Vol. 26 No. 6 – June 6, 2026 * 00:00:19 Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, May 14 – Whitmer resigns as town attorney * 00:01:32 Gleneagle Civic Association, May 12 – Many voice opinions on court petition * 00:03:02 Monument Fire District, May 27 and 29 – Fitzgerald named new fire chief * 00:04:11 Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District, May 16 – Fire mitigation Town Hall * 00:05:25 Monument Town Council, May 4 and 18 – Growth, infrastructure among meeting topics * 00:06:37 Monument Planning Commission, May 13 – Planners eye data center limits * 00:07:42 D38 PCAC, May 12 – CIC report; academic excellence; 2026-27 budget * 00:09:00 Monument Academy School Board, May 7 – Bonds refinanced; board members selected * 00:10:37 Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, May 18 – Student and staff recognitions, CIC update, student fees * 00:11:40 Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, May 11 – 2025 finances audited * 00:12:53 Monument Sanitation District, May 20 – 2025 audit shows good financial health * 00:14:01 Donala Water and Sanitation District, May 21 – Board hears 2025 audit * 00:15:15 El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, May 12 and 21 – Executive director appointed * 00:16:41 Triview Metropolitan District, May 21 – Northern Monument Creek Interceptor project financing restructured * 00:17:40 Our Community News celebrates 25 years * 00:18:45 How OCN gets to your home * 00:19:38 Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Organizations, May 9 – Water supply an ongoing quest * 00:20:36 Woodmoor Improvement Association, May 27 – Revised rules and regulations * 00:21:32 Winter Weather Summary – The Winter That Wasn't * 00:22:42 Letters to Our Community – Solving Colorado's water crisis * 00:23:23 Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Thinking about a summer escape? * 00:24:23 June Library Events – Palmer Lake Town Hall postponed; Summer Adventure begins * 00:25:26 Palmer Lake Historical Society, May 21 – Authors describe Park-to-Park Highway * 00:26:33 The Nature of Our Community – The long reach of mountain pine beetles * 00:27:49 On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Limbaugh thrills and spills * 00:28:39 High Altitude Nature and Gardens – Nature and gardening are a two-way conversation * 00:29:35 Art Matters – The modern artist's Desilu Moment is good math * 00:30:30 Wildfire Preparation Tips – Reduce chances of fire damage * 00:31:23 Our Community Notices * 00:32:06 Conclusion ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE DETAILS SHOULD BE DOUBLE-CHECKED BY READING THE CORRESPONDING ARTICLE IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/V26N6/ [https://wp.ocn.me/v26n6/] ALL OCN PODCASTS ARE POSTED AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/]. THIS EPISODE IS AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/OCN2606HIGHLIGHTS/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/ocn2606highlights/] THE RELATED AUDIO ARTICLES EPISODE IS AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/OCN2606ARTICLES/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/ocn2606articles/]

Vol. 26 No. 5 – May 2, 2026 – Audio Highlights

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ocn/id1809672251] | Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/our-community-news/PC:1001102429] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5wdAgjcoTgcGm7ZJWSS5MU] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OurCommunityNews] To subscribe on other podcasting sites, you will need to enter this RSS feed: https://wp.ocn.me/feed/podcast/ocn/ [https://wp.ocn.me/feed/podcast/ocn/] THIS PODCAST IS A SUMMARY OF THIS ISSUE. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN MP4 FILE OF THIS PODCAST [https://ocn.me/mp4/ocn2605highlights.mp4]. IT WAS GENERATED USING AN AI TOOL AND HAS NOT BEEN FACT-CHECKED IN EVERY DETAIL BY OCN VOLUNTEERS. A TRANSCRIPT IS POSTED AT HTTPS://OCN.ME/PDF/OCN2605HIGHLIGHTSTRANSCRIPT.PDF [https://ocn.me/pdf/ocn2605highlightstranscript.pdf]. * 00:00:00 Introduction * 00:00:13 Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, April 9 and 23 – Proposed disciplinary hearing frustrates board; Water emergency declared * 00:01:30 Buc-ee's buys parcel for over $10 million * 00:02:11 Monument Town Council, April 6 and 20 – Fire training facility Final Plat approved * 00:03:21 Monument Planning Commission – Town re-evaluates the metal barn look * 00:04:16 Monument Academy School Board, April 9 – Board hosts candidate forum, makes staff decisions * 00:05:19 Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, April 14 – Discussion of bylaws; improvements to Priority 3: valuing our people * 00:06:17 Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, April 20 – 2026-27 budget, transportation fees, curriculum adoption among topics * 00:07:50 Donala Water and Sanitation District, March 27 and April 16 – Board hires new general manager * 00:09:13 Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, April 9 – District signs on to PFAS lawsuit * 00:10:29 Monument Sanitation District, April 15 – Monument Ridge West addition included in service area * 00:11:13 El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, April 16 – Design contracts awarded * 00:12:33 Triview Metropolitan District, April 23 – Northern Monument Creek Interceptor funded; 2026 budget amended * 00:13:58 Monument Fire District, April 25 – Station 3 construction begins; training center is approved * 00:14:28 Shiloh Pines Wildfire Preparedness Meeting, March 7 – Ready, set, go! for wildfires * 00:15:14 El Paso Board of County Commissioners, March 31 and April 9 – Highway 105B project agreement approved * 00:16:02 Woodmoor Improvement Association, April 22 – Volunteers maintain trails * 00:17:26 Letters to Our Community – Upset that proposed train won't stop here * 00:17:56 Between the Covers at Covered Treasures – Bookstore May is the month for advice * 00:18:40 May Library Events – CEO to talk about Pikes Peak Library District budget and planning * 00:19:34 Palmer Lake Historical Society, April 16 – Old West maps explored * 00:20:18 The Nature of Our Community – Making sense of 2025 pine beetle survey * 00:21:32 High Altitude Nature and Gardens – The vital refuge: water, soil, and the path to wellness * 00:22:13 Art Matters – Art and nature share a secret language * 00:23:02 Our Community Notices * 00:23:50 Conclusion ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE DETAILS SHOULD BE DOUBLE-CHECKED BY READING THE CORRESPONDING ARTICLE IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/V26N5/ [https://wp.ocn.me/v26n5/] ALL OCN PODCASTS ARE POSTED AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/]. THIS EPISODE IS AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/OCN2605HIGHLIGHTS/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/ocn2605highlights/] THE RELATED AUDIO ARTICLES EPISODE IS AT HTTPS://WP.OCN.ME/PODCAST/OCN2605ARTICLES/ [https://wp.ocn.me/podcast/ocn2605articles/]