Email Author Melanie Asmar

Awards

• 2012 - GLAAD Media Awards, published May 5, 2011

  "Coming Out in America"

• 2012 - National Association of Black Journalists Awards, published March 17, 2011

  "Say What?"

• 2011 - Education Reporting Awards/National Education Writers Association, published June 10, 2010

  "Teacher's Fret"

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2012 Stories by Melanie Asmar

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  FEATURED STORY

  The odor-related lawsuit continues between RiNo neighbors and the Kasel pet-treat factory

  published Dec 31, 2012

  Was Kasel Associates Industries, a pet-treat factory in the hip River North neighborhood, harmed by receiving an odor citation after five neighbors called to complain about the smellr No way, say the... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Is the smell of wood-fired pizza "obnoxiousr" Il Vicino's neighbors think so

  published Dec 20, 2012

  Update, 4:50 p.m.: We heard from Carol Mrzlikar, one of the neighbors upset over the smoke emitted from Il Vicino's wood-fired oven. Continue reading for her comments. Should the smoke emitted from ... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  The nose knows: To be a city odor inspector, you have to have the right sense of smell

  published Dec 20, 2012

  All noses are not created equal. Some are too sensitive, others not sensitive enough. And to be a city odor inspector, your nose can be neither. While reporting this week's cover story, "Raising a Sti... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  "Smells like dead animals" and other complaints made about a pet treat factory in RiNo

  published Dec 19, 2012

  One neighbor said the air smelled like a dead body. Another described the odor as akin to the stench of "a lot of dead rodents." Yet another said he "literally dry heaved into my mouth." Those are ju... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Denver Nugget Kenneth Faried pukes into a towel on television during last night's game

  published Dec 19, 2012

  Attention, everybody. It is flu season. Know how we can tellr Because during last night's game against the San Antonio Spurs, Nugget Kenneth Faried -- the Manimal, if you will -- puked into a towel w... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  DPS expulsions, suspensions down but racial disparities in discipline remain, report says

  published Dec 19, 2012

  Denver Public Schools is expelling and suspending fewer students than in the past, according to a new report by the group Padres y Jovenes Unidos. The number of times students are referred to law enf... More >>

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  COVER STORY

  RiNo neighbors are raising a stink about factory smells in their ’hood

  published December 20, 2012

  The air smelled like a dead body, the woman said. And she isn't the only one who thinks so. Over the past eight years, the city has received no... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Aurora theater shooting victims set up fund to raise money for Sandy Hook victims

  published Dec 17, 2012

  Five months after suffering their own losses, family members associated with deceased victims in the Aurora theater shooting have set up a fund to help Newtown school shooting victims, including Emil... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Videos: Richard Heene, Balloon Boy's dad, invents crazy stuff, makes crazier infomercials

  published Dec 13, 2012

  Ever wonder what happened to Balloon Boyr As explained in this week's feature, "What's Upr," nine-year-old Falcon Heene and his family are now living an hour north of Tampa. Falcon and his two older ... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Linda Robbins cleared of animal cruelty but may still lose her beloved Lhasa Apso dogs

  published Dec 13, 2012

  A Colorado pet owner accused of abusing or neglecting his animals will most likely lose those animals -- whether he's guilty or not. That's what happened to Bill Lee, a mall Santa whose reindeer we... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  James Holmes hearing: Fox News reporter to be subpoenaed about notebook leak

  published Dec 10, 2012

  Update on our coverage of today's hearing in the James Holmes case (previous reporting below): Six more police officers testified after the lunch break, including the Aurora officer who wrote the warr... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  James Holmes: Read e-mails written by him before shooting, e-mails sent to him after

  published Dec 10, 2012

  The University of Colorado has released 1,500 e-mails from accused Aurora theater shooter and former student James Holmes's e-mail accounts. (They didn't release 1,200 others, deeming them privileged... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Immigration: Report says CO's "show me your papers" law costs $13 million per year

  published Dec 07, 2012

  Colorado spends about $13 million a year to enforce a 2006 state law that requires local cops to report to federal immigration authorities arrestees who they suspect are undocumented immigrants, accor... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  James Holmes: Timeline of CU e-mails in twelve hours after shooting shows confusion, fear

  published Dec 07, 2012

  How did faculty and staff at the University of Colorado, where accused Aurora theater shooter James Holmes was a neuroscience student, react the morning of July 20r We've put together a timeline of e... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  James Holmes: CU releases 3,800 e-mails about him, to him and written by him

  published Dec 05, 2012

  Today, the University of Colorado released about 3,800 e-mails related to accused Aurora theater shooter James Holmes, a neuroscience student at the school who had begun to withdraw more than a month... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Union Station to close Monday for renovations, so get a last look tomorrow

  published Nov 30, 2012

  Union Station will close on Monday for renovations that include a boutique hotel -- part of a multi-million-dollar plan to turn the sleepy train station into a multi-modal hub. But the nostalgic among... More >>

• Highland Mommies fave Stroller Strides exempt from Denver park-permit rules -- for now

  published Nov 27, 2012

  Several years ago, the powerful Highlands Mommies put a stop to a policy that would have required private workout groups to pay for permits to operate in Denver parks. But after receiving complaints ... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Biker Jim on selling reindeer sausages at Christmas: Some Santas won't eat 'em

  published Nov 26, 2012

  Reindeer are real animals, and the proof is on the menu at Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs, which serves the "smoky, juicy and delicious" deer between two buns for $6.50. In light of the current cover sto... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Bill Lee, mall Santa whose animals were seized, gets two of his reindeer back

  published Nov 23, 2012

  In June, Bill Lee lost all of his reindeer -- a tale told in this week's cover story, "Santa is Grounded." But the mall Santa from Idaho Springs has a reason to be grateful this week: Two of his rein... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  CU releases some documents related to James Holmes, including a second ID photo

  published Nov 23, 2012

  The University of Colorado has released four documents in response to more than thirty open records requests filed by the media. Three are heavily redacted and the fourth is a log of which buildings ... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Reindeer have nice racks, and other fun facts about these non-mythical creatures

  published Nov 21, 2012

  This week's cover story, "Santa is Grounded," tells the tale of Bill Lee, a mall Santa from Idaho Springs whose twelve reindeer were seized as part of an animal cruelty investigation. A judge has sin... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Guardian Angels increase patrols in Capitol Hill in reponse to recent violence

  published Nov 21, 2012

  November has been a violent month in Capitol Hill. To start, there was the stabbing death of Ryan Haldeman, 28, near Pub on Penn on November 2. Two days later, 47-year-old Ronald Smith was shot to de... More >>

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  COVER STORY

  Even a miracle may not bring Bill Lee's animals back

  published November 22, 2012

  For a time, the North Pole existed in the Colorado mountains. On a ranch in Idaho Springs, a man with a white beard and twinkling blue eyes... More >>

• Aurora agrees to buy odd eyesore Fan Fair building to make way for redevelopment

  published Nov 20, 2012

  Gayle Jetchick of the Havana Business Improvement District has waited years for Aurora's old Fan Fair building to turn into something -- anything! -- else. Last night, her wish came one step closer t... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Aurora Victim Relief Fund: 38 victims will split $5.3 million in donated money

  published Nov 16, 2012

  Thirty-eight claimants will soon receive a portion of the $5.3 million raised through the Aurora Victim Relief Fund, according to an announcement by Governor John Hickenlooper's office. As per a prot... More >>