City News

The 91st annual Tucson Rodeo Parade begins at 9 a.m. tomorrow at Park Avenue and Ajo Way. To prepare for the event, at approximately 7 a.m., Sixth Avenue will be closed between Ajo Way and Irvington Road. An hour later, Ajo Way between Sixth Avenue and Park Avenue, Park Avenue between Ajo Way and Irvington Road, and Irvington Road between Park Avenue and Sixth Avenue will be closed. All streets should reopen sometime between noon and 1 p.m.

Children's Museum Tucson is one of 30 finalists for the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The downtown museum is the only museum in Arizona to be recognized as a finalist.

Presented by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the award is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to the community. The winners will be announced later this spring.

Tucson City Manager Michael Ortega and Chief Financial Officer Joyce Garland will provide the public with a budget update during a meeting tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Ward 6 Office, 3202 E. 1st St. The meeting follows an update given today to the Tucson City Council.

Despite a hiring freeze, an early retirement incentive, and other cost cutting measures, Tucson still has a projected $25 million deficit for the new fiscal year that begins July 1.

The Tucson Department of Transportation says it can deliver better lighting that saves energy and money without adding light pollution. An energy audit conducted for the City by the vendor selling the lighting system says Tucson could reduce energy consumption by approximately 70 percent and reduce the contribution of roadway lighting to sky glow by 20 percent.

Unlike the current lighting system, the new lighting would be able to be dimmed or turned up as needed.

The Mayor and Tucson City Council tonight will vote on whether to implement the program.

Tucson Water and Arizona Project WET are offering a series of self-guided tours at the Sweetwater Wetlands, 2551 W. Sweetwater Dr. The new Discovery Program engages visitors through a journey along the path that surrounds the ponds and recharge basins. Guests can use a QR code reader app on any smart device to view the Wetlands in a scientific way as they navigate around the 60-acre site.

Members of the Australian Capital Territory Delegation visited Tucson yesterday to learn about the Sun Link streetcar. They're planning on building a streetcar route in the city of Canberra and wanted to gather information from Tucson officials, ride the streetcar, and learn about the economic development Sun Link spurred since it debuted in July 2014.

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