Fort Missoula to catalog WWII internment barracks ahead of restoration
Missoula County will begin a full architectural assessment and begin planning for the restoration of two barracks once used to house Japanese Americans and Italians at Fort Missoula during World War II. Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $40,000 contract with A&E to assess what historic elements remain in the dated buildings and what it will cost...
On the record: What do candidates think about the toppled Christopher Columbus statue?
Protesters pulled down a statue of Christopher Columbus in St. Paul on June 10 as anti-racism demonstrations surged around the country. State Rep. Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, watched from her office window. "We watched in amazement as we saw them lasso the statue and start pulling on it," said Erickson. "I saw a lot of women pulling on it. I was...
Virtual Concert: Julian Gargiulo, August 8
Lauded by Fanfare for his “dazzling technique and white-hot interpretations” and by News Review for his “stunning mastery of the instrument,” the classical pianist, composer, and recording artist Julian Gargiulo performs a virtual concert in celebration of the Figge Art Museum's 15th anniversary, the streaming August 8 event sure to demonstrate why...
City of Pueblo working to hire mediator to try and resolve Columbus statue dispute
There's a new voice in the debate over Pueblo's Christopher Columbus statue. After weeks of protests on both sides of the issue and no decision made on whether to keep or remove it, the Pueblo City Council says it has passed an agenda item on first reading. It will go for final presentation on August 10 and if passed, the city will be allowed to hi...
Former Broomfield official George Di Ciero dies at 77
George Di Ciero, a man whose dedication, passion and love for Broomfield as its city and county manager for 43 years, has passed away. Di Ciero, 77, died Tuesday night after a year-long battle with cancer. He was diagnosed lat spring with colon cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. It went well for six months, but they learned it had sprea...
Omaha's Santa Lucia Italian Festival is back in August with a new look
The yearly Italian festival will have a new look this year due to the coronavirus. Traditionally held in early June, the 96th Santa Lucia Italian Festival will be held on August 22nd and 23rd. The organizers had to put the festival on hold because of the virus. The festival will be reduced to two days instead of the normal four. Of course, the fest...
Controversial new state holiday shines spotlight on Mother Cabrini
Since 1938, visitors have flocked to the mountains just west of Golden to learn about and pay tribute to Frances Xavier Cabrini, the Catholic saint who established 67 schools, hospitals and orphanages around the U.S., including in Colorado. Now, the rest of the state is about to become more familiar with Cabrini as well, as a result of the Colorado...
Columbus controversy? Pueblo Italian community: `Statue is going nowhere’
For more than a century, the Christopher Columbus Piazza in the 100 block of Abriendo Avenue has served as the hub for celebrations of the federal holiday dedicated to the Italian explorer. Built in 1905 by members of the local Italian community, the monument, capped by a large bronze bust of Columbus, has come to symbolize the opening of the New W...
Pueblo to keep Columbus statue, at least for now
Memorials to Christopher Columbus are coming down across the United States, but the one in Pueblo will stay up for now. Mayor Nick Gradisar had a Community Connections Event Friday, with the memorial in Mesa Junction a big topic. Demonstrations have been held there in recent weeks, with protesters calling for its removal while the city's Italian co...
Denver’s Italian-American community fights to keep Columbus Park from being renamed
All across the country, Christopher Columbus statues have been toppled to the ground. Denver was no exception. However, the city’s statue in Civic Center Park wasn’t the only reference to Columbus that is possibly being erased from our city’s landscape. Denver City Councilmember Amanda Sandoval is leading the push to rename north Denver’s Columbus...
Columbus Park sign removed, moving forward to change name
Columbus Park, in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood, has been a gathering place for families for decades. The sign bearing the Italian explorer’s name for the park has been removed. The sign’s disappearance both pleased and surprised Arturo Bones Rodriguez. “I looked over and I said wow it’s down. Now the next thing was, who took it down. Was it prot...
Italian community to meet with Pueblo mayor after protesters arrested during Christopher Columbus rally
Italian-Americans plan to meet with Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar after two people were arrested during Sunday's rally over the Christopher Columbus monument. Pueblo police say 66-year-old James Pospahala of Pueblo was cited for disorderly conduct and 28-year-old Daniel Gilette of San Antonio, Texas, was arrested for interference, resisting arrest. Bo...