City News

A recent poll shows voters view road repairs as the number one issue facing Tucson, followed by economic development. More than half (52 percent) of those surveyed oppose increasing the city sales tax, but the initial question made no mention of how the tax money would be used. When options were discussed, some of those people changed their minds if they thought the money would be spent on roads, police and fire, preventing cuts to services, helping the City budget, and preserving parks and recreation programs.

Two fires set this month by young children destroyed two homes, but there were no serious injuries. The fires were one week apart. Tucson Fire Department (TFD) officials say both fires were started by 5-year-old children, and it's rare to see two within a period of a week.

The Mayor and Tucson City Council tomorrow will hear about a proposed 12-month pilot program to give private parties the opportunity to install original mural art on City traffic signal controller cabinets. Proponents say mural art beautifies public spaces, builds community, and may discourage visual blight resulting from graffiti vandalism.

The Tucson Festival of Books (TFOB) depends on volunteers to help run the annual event at the University of Arizona. This year's Festival is March 12-13, from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day.

Festival volunteers help with author events, assist at information booths, act as food court hosts, set up before the festival and clean up afterward, transport authors, help with the entertainment activities, and address the needs of the hundreds of authors and exhibitors.

As the City of Tucson installs more green infrastructure along streets and on public properties, maintenance practices will need to be adjusted to fit the designed structures. Crews will need to know the difference between native plants, invasive plants, and excess volunteer plants. They also will need to know proper techniques for pruning.

To learn more, watch the video below.

The Tucson Police Department (TPD) is the recipient of a $740,000 grant from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to focus attention on human trafficking cases. The money will be used to increase undercover operations, train other Southern Arizona agencies, and offer resources to victims. With the grant, TPD now can offer resources to every victim with whom they speak.

A dual left turn lane on northbound Wilmot Road to westbound Pima Street will be created by widening the east side of Wilmot Road. Additionally, the two triangular islands on the west side of the intersection will be removed, and Pima Street will be reconfigured to accommodate the two lanes of traffic from the Wilmot Road dual left turn lanes. Eastbound Pima Street will be configured to have two designated left turn lanes and one right turn lane.

The roadway surface also will be improved for better rideability.