City News

NewsNet 10-31-14

Posted October 31, 2014

STREETCAR RIDERSHIP EXCEEDING PROJECTIONS - After a little more than three months in operation, the Sun Link Tucson Streetcar is carrying more passengers than predicted. Average daily ridership has been increasing steadily since the streetcar's debut July 25. As of this month, the average has been about 4,200 passengers. Projections before launch had been about 3,600. So far, Sun Link has generated $900 million in investments along the route and revitalized Downtown Tucson. Since 2008, 194 new businesses have opened downtown and 158 of those businesses remain open, according to reports from the Downtown Tucson Partnership. Sun Link travels a 3.9-mile route between the University of Arizona, Fourth Avenue, Downtown Tucson, and the Mercado District.

ONE-DAY PARK BUILD TOMORROW - The all-ages redesign of La Madera Park, 2700 E La Madera Drive, is scheduled to be completed tomorrow during a six-hour, one-day build. The City of Tucson, Lend a Hand Senior Assistance, and Humana Inc. are working with KaBOOM! (a national non-profit organization that has built more than 2,300 playgrounds) to build a one-of-a-kind, multi-generational playground. The customized playground, funded primarily by Humana, is being created using drawings and other input from community members, including children and seniors. The new design is senior-focused with adult elements, including fitness stations and walking paths to promote good posture, balance, and flexibility. There also will be traditional, kid-friendly equipment to create a multi-generational space. Read the news release, and watch Tucson 12 video of playground equipment removal.
 
JOB OPPORTUNITY: TUCSON POLICE OFFICER - The Tucson Police Department (TPD) is accepting applications for the position of Police Officer Recruit. Successful candidates from this testing period will be considered for any funded academy class(es) within the next six months. The earliest academy that will be filled from this list is January 2015. The application deadline is Nov. 9. Read more from TPD, and view the official job description from City of Tucson. You also can ride along with an officer who gives advice about joining TPD, from Tucson 12 archives.
 
CELEBRATE THE DAY AFTER HALLOWEEN AT THE ZOO - The Reid Park Zoo is hosting a Pumpkin Bash tomorrow. Keepers will offer pumpkins to many of the animals, including elephants, otters, and bears, as they go on exhibit at 9 a.m. You can watch how they react all morning. While you're there be sure to visit Nandi, the baby African elephant, and the Zoo's youngest resident, a two-week-old baby flamingo. See photos on Reid Park Zoo Facebook page.
 
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW) COLLECTION TOMORROW - Do you have unused chemicals, oils or pesticides sitting in your shed or garage? The City of Tucson is hosting a Household Hazardous Waste collection tomorrow at the Eastside Service Center, 7575 E. Speedway Blvd. (turn north on Prudence from Speedway), from 8 a.m. until noon. Accepted materials include automotive fluids and batteries, rechargeable batteries, toxic cleaning products, fluorescent lamps, paints, solvents, lawn and garden products, and computer equipment ($2 for monitors without computer). Drop off at HHW is free for City of Tucson residents. Another collection event will be held Saturday, Nov. 8 at El Rio Neighborhood Center, 1390 W. Speedway Blvd. Download the 'My-Waste'™ App.

East Broadway Travel Lane Restrictions: 5900 E. Broadway

Posted October 30, 2014

On Friday, October 31, 2014, the City of Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) will close both the eastbound and the westbound median island travel lanes at 5900 E. Broadway, in front of Park Place Mall, to remove a dead Eucalyptus tree located in the median island. The closure will take place from 4:30 a.m. to approximately 6:30 a.m. tomorrow. The lane closures will be approximately 200 feet long on each side of where the work is taking place.

NewsNet 10-30-14

Posted October 30, 2014

VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT SHOULD BE RETURNED BY TOMORROW - If you have a vote-by-mail ballot and haven't filled it out and sent it back, time is running out. The Pima County Recorder's Office says your ballot should be dropped in the mail by tomorrow, to allow enough time for it to arrive by Tuesday's General Election. If you miss the mail deadline, you can bring your ballot to any polling place on Tuesday.
 
BIKE ALONG THE ATTURBURY TRAIL - The City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Department is renting bicycles to use on the Atturbury Wash Greenway Path on Tucson's southeast side. You can rent a bike at the William Clements Regional Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Dr., Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bikes are available in adult and youth sizes and can be rented for a fee of $2 per hour for Clement's pass holders, $5 per hour for others, and $10 per hour for a family. Youth 17 and younger need to be accompanied by an adult. Bike rentals include a helmet, which must be worn while riding. A driver license is required for checkout. The three-quarter-mile multi-use path runs through Lincoln Park, linking the Fred Enke Golf Course, Pima Community College East Campus, Clements Center, the Children's Outdoor Performance Area, the Lincoln Park softball complex, Lower Lincoln Park, and the Michael Lyman Atturbury Wash Animal and Bird Sanctuary. Watch Tucson 12 archived video about Atturbury Wash Greenway project.
 
LAST-MINUTE HALLOWEEN DECORATING IDEAS - Did time get away from you and your plans to decorate for Halloween? If you have some old milk cartons and cardboard paper towel and toilet paper rolls, you're in business. Do More Blue Tucson - the City's Environmental Services Facebook page - has a couple of photos to show you how to decorate for nothing but the cost of some glow sticks and markers, provided you have some recyclables on hand.
 
HOLIDAY ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR: CALL FOR VENDORS - Applications are available for artists who wish to participate in the Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair, Nov. 29-30. The event has been held for more than two decades, attracting vendors from all over the Southwest. The Tucson Parks and Recreation Department is seeking artists, crafters, photographers, painters, potters, jewelers, and more to sell their original artwork. All items must be handmade and are subject to approval. The Arts and Crafts Fair will be held in Reid Park, west of the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center. Registration is open through Nov. 14. Walk-in registration is underway at 900 S. Randolph Way, in the Registration Office. The fee is $90 for a 10 x 10 arts and craft vendor space for the two-day event.
 
DOWNLOAD APP TO REPORT GRAFFITI IN TUCSON - Graffiti Protective Coatings and the City of Tucson have a smartphone application for reporting graffiti. MyTucson is a free download on the iOS App Store and Google Play for Android.
City of Tucson apps
Watch a University of Arizona Athletics PSA about the app

Cylcovia Tucson

Posted October 29, 2014

This Sunday, November 2nd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., thousands of fun-loving folks from across the region will take part in Tucson’s seventh open streets event – Cyclovia Tucson.

NewsNet 10-29-14

Posted October 29, 2014

NEW WEBSITE CONNECTS BUSINESSES IN ARIZONA, MEXICO, CANADA - ConnectBIEN.com is a website that uses an extensive database to link businesses in Arizona, Mexico, and Canada. The website was launched this month by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and its partners, including the City of Tucson. When a business provides a profile about its products and services, other businesses can see what is offered and email the business a connection request. Users can search for a like business by distance, industry type, or name. The goal is for businesses to find ways to collaborate, such as supplying products and services, assisting in cross-border promotion, or sharing ideas and best practices. "This database is the first of its kind in Arizona and will be a key tool in connecting Tucson businesses with supply chain opportunities in Mexico, Canada, and throughout the United States," said Juan Francisco Padrés, Tucson's economic development specialist for international trade.
City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives

CYCLOVIA BICYCLE EVENT THIS WEEKEND - Living Streets Alliance, The City of Tucson, and other partners are getting ready for the fall Cyclovia event this Sunday. The bike route will connect the North 6th Avenue area with the North 4th Avenue- North Fontana Bike Boulevard. Anyone can bike, walk, skate, and participate in fun, free Cyclovia activities. Streets along the route will be closed to vehicular traffic so people can move about freely and feel safe. Cyclovia is not a race, parade, or competition. It's a chance for people to enjoy the outdoors from outside of a vehicle. Sunday's Cyclovia runs from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sun Link riders can roll their bikes onto the streetcar and meet up with this year's route at the intersection of 4th Avenue and University Boulevard.

JAN. 8 MEMORIAL EXHIBIT OPENED TODAY - A new exhibit commemorating the Jan. 8, 2011 shootings at a "Congress on Your Corner" event in Tucson opened today at The Arizona History Museum (949 E. 2nd St.) and runs through Jan. 9, 2015. "Dia De Los Muertos: Remembering January 8th" is presented by the museum and the January 8th Memorial Foundation, which lent artifacts to the exhibit from the memorials created in the wake of the shootings. One room of the exhibit focuses on the six people who were killed. Another section of the exhibit displays all the flowers, photos, candles and other items that were left the days and weeks after the shooting. The January 8th Memorial Foundation is working on establishing a permanent memorial in Downtown Tucson. Sixty design firms and artists have submitted applications to design the memorial. Read more from Tucson News Now.

TUCSON'S LINCOLN PARK TO HOST JENNIE FINCH SOFTBALL CAMP NEXT MONTH - The City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Department, Visit Tucson, and Pima Community College will host the Jennie Finch Softball Camp at the Lincoln Park Softball Complex, 8116 E. Escalante Road, Nov. 8-9. The camp is open to all girls in the third grade and up. Former UA Softball standout Jennie Finch and her Olympic and professional softball teammates will offer two full days of personal instruction covering all aspects of softball. Advanced registration is required, and participation is limited for the fee-based camp. Read the news release.

SAFETY TIPS FOR HALLOWEEN - With Halloween just two days away, the Tucson Fire Department is offering tips on how to keep your little trick-or-treaters safe. TFD Captain Barrett Baker and his colleagues have some "spooktacular" tips about costumes, walking the streets, cell phones, flashlights, and more.

NewsNet 10-28-14

Posted October 28, 2014

SWAP HALLOWEEN CANDY FOR ZOO ADMISSION - Halloween is Friday, and you can trade your bounty Saturday for free admission to the Reid Park Zoo. Tucson Medical Center is handling the swap at The Loop, the river path system for biking, running, and walking. The first 100 children to trade their treats will get free admission to the Zoo for one child and one adult. The Halloween candy swap is part of a day of festivities to mark the opening of the Julian Wash segment of The Loop. You can make the swap from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday at the Mulcahy YMCA, located at the Kino Community Center, 2805 E. Ajo Way. The candy will be donated to the Salvation Army for its youth programs and to the Barney Figueroa VFW Post 6271 to support military heroes. Read more from Tucson News Now.

DOWNTOWN LECTURE SERIES ON FOOD CONTINUES - The University of Arizona's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences' Downtown Lecture Series returns to the historic Fox Theatre tomorrow. The 2014 lecture series is exploring food and its relationships with health, culture, and the environment. This week's lecture by Maribel Alvarez is called "We Eat What We Are." Tickets for the free, public lecture will be available at the Fox Theatre box office beginning Wednesday at 4 p.m. Attendees can ride the Sun Link Tucson Streetcar to the event and enjoy the dining and retail opportunities along the route at Main Gate Square, Fourth Avenue, Downtown Tucson, or the Mercado District.

HOCKEY HOMESTAND BEGINS THURSDAY - Arizona Wildcat Hockey takes to the ice Thursday night at the Tucson Convention Center (TCC) Arena for the first of three consecutive home games. All games begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday's matchup is against Colorado State University, while Colorado comes to Tucson to play the Wildcats on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available at the TCC Ticket Office and Ticketmaster.

TUCSON FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS INFECTIOUS DISEASE PROTOCOLS IN PLACE - The Tucson Fire Department (TFD) is always prepared to deal with an emergency response involving infectious disease. When someone calls 911 about illness, the dispatcher asks questions about a fever, flu-like symptoms, and communicable disease, said TFD Captain Barrett Baker. Fire departments are trained to deal with infectious diseases, like hepatitis, tuberculosis, and measles. If a serious infectious disease is suspected, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) would coordinate with the hospital to put the patient in an isolation room while more information is gathered, he said. Read more from Tucson News Now.

GET THE LATEST TUCSON NEWS AND INFORMATION ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER - "Like" the City of Tucson on Facebook to get the latest news, community updates and fun facts about Tucson local government and our community. You can also "Follow" the City of Tucson on Twitter for timely, concise updates throughout the day.

Cherrybell Update

Posted October 27, 2014

Attached, please find a letter that went out today to the Postmaster General from Representatives Grijalva, Barber, Pastor, Kirkpatrick and Sinema. They highlight their deep concerns with the findings of the USPS IG report. We worked with their offices on the letter on the Tucson's behalf.

NewsNet 10-27-14

Posted October 27, 2014

NEW 'POCKET PARK' TO BE DEDICATED TONIGHT NEAR TCC - After three months of work, a new "pocket park" will be officially dedicated at 5:30 tonight. The demonstration project is part of the Eckbo landscape, a nearly six-acre space that sits north of the Tucson Convention Center, between the TCC's Tucson Music Hall and Leo Rich Theater. Work on the small park is being funded by a private group called TCC Today, which hopes to restore the Eckbo area to what it was in the 1970s, complete with running water and wooden benches that were removed for metal seats many years ago. The group also removed dead trees and replaced them with new ones that can survive the desert climate. The trees were planted with new support structures underground to give the roots room to grow without buckling the pavement. The full landscape restoration project, which includes the now-empty fountains, is competing for a spot on a proposed 2015 Pima County bond election. Landscape architect Garrett Eckbo was considered one of the most influential landscape architects of the 20th century, and his work at the TCC was honored by the American Society of Landscape Architects shortly after its completion.
 
TUCSON FIRE DEPARTMENT URGES ABCs OF DROWNING PREVENTION - After Friday's drowning death of a four-year-old boy at an apartment complex at the 300 block of E. Mohave Road, the Tucson Fire Department (TFD) is again stressing its safety message of the ABCs of drowning prevention all year long. "A" is for adult supervision. Watch children at all times. "B" is for barriers. Have a fence that encloses the pool or spa and make sure the gates close and latch automatically. "C" is for CPR. Knowing CPR allows the parent or nearby person to be a first responder. TFD says drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children between the ages of one and four. Read TFD news release.
 
BABY FLAMINGO BORN AT REID PARK ZOO - A flamingo baby has taken the title of the youngest resident at Reid Park Zoo. Born a little more than a week ago, the chick is being cared for by its mom and dad, with Zoo staff keeping a respectful distance. The flamingo birth makes Nandi the African elephant baby the second-youngest inhabitant at the Zoo. She was born Aug. 20, on Tucson's birthday. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Visit Reid Park Zoo's Facebook page.
 
CATCH UP ON CITY NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED - Learn where your recyclables go every week; an old playground makes way for a new one; every month, Congress Street is packed with fun; and take a special tour from the driver's seat of the Sun Link Tucson Streetcar. Those stories are featured in this month's edition of Tucson City News in Review, produced by Tucson 12.
 
HOW TO REPORT TRANSPORTATION CONCERNS - Is there a tree hanging over the road? Is there a pothole you'd like to see fixed? Is a street sign missing? You can report these issues to the Tucson Department of Transportation, (520) 791-3154, or email the exact location to tdotsr@tucsonaz.gov.

NewsNet 10-24-14

Posted October 24, 2014

TUCSON CITY COURT AWARDED TWO FEDERAL GRANTS - The Tucson City Court’s Regional Municipalities Veterans Treatment Court (RMVTC) recently was awarded two federal grants totaling $2,339,277 over four years. Both grants are from the Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and will be used to expand the treatment services for veterans assigned to the RMVTC. Municipalities participating in the RMVTC are Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, South Tucson, and Sahuarita. The RMVTC directs veterans charged with certain offenses to rehabilitation services and helps at-risk veterans avoid further legal difficulties. Meanwhile, Tucson City Court recently won the Arizona Supreme Court’s 2014 Strategic Agenda Award in the Limited Jurisdiction category for protecting children, families, and communities. City Court was recognized for its excellent work through the RMVTC and the Dedicated Domestic Violence Court. Read the news release.
 
DONATION DRIVE UNDERWAY FOR TOMORROW'S 'HOPE FEST' - The Hope Network today is collecting donations of gently-used clothing, shoes, accessories, canned food, bottled water, diapers, stuffed animals, and personal care items. Today's event, which runs until 7 p.m. at Kino Stadium, 2500 E. Ajo Way, is the precursor to tomorrow's "Hope Fest" at the same location. From 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. tomorrow, the donated items will be distributed free of charge (on a first-come, first-served basis). The 22nd annual event provides about 20,000 needy Tucsonans with free groceries, clothing, medical services, dental services, haircuts, hygiene items, and a number of other services. Hope Network is a nonprofit organization that collaborates with many other Tucson nonprofits, government organizations, and businesses to help people living in poverty. Last year, Hope Fest provided more than $1.5 million of goods and services to needy Tucsonans.
 
BROADWAY/HOUGHTON BLOCK PARTY TOMORROW - Residents will gather for a block party tomorrow to celebrate the completion of the final paving of the intersection of Broadway Boulevard and Houghton Road. The party will include free food, giveaways, raffles, and more. The event runs from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. near the intersection of the RTA-funded project.
 
TRAFFIC ALERT: SPEEDWAY - ALVERNON WAY TO ROSEMONT BOULEVARD - Beginning Monday, crews from Southern Arizona Paving and Construction Co., under contract with the City of Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT), will begin work to improve pavement conditions on Speedway Boulevard, from Alvernon Way to Rosemont Boulevard. Crews will begin the project by lowering manhole and water valve covers. Work hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with scheduled completion by next Friday. Crews will return to the area on Sunday, Nov. 2 to begin milling (removing asphalt) and paving operations, scheduled to be finished on Thursday, Nov. 6. Work hours for that portion of the project will be 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The pavement improvement program is part of the voter-approved $100 million, five-year Road Recovery bond. Read the news release and Bond Oversight Commission Annual Report
 
MAYOR TO HOST WEEKEND WALK THROUGH DOWNTOWN - Mayor Jonathan Rothschild's walk will be held Sunday on the 2.5 mile Turquoise Trail - a historical loop that takes walkers through Downtown Tucson. The Turquoise Trail highlights structures and sites of historic interest and is marked by a turquoise stripe on the sidewalk. Rothschild will join fellow walkers to celebrate historical downtown and the need to be active. The walk begins at 8 a.m. at Presidio San Augustín, with registration at 7:30 a.m.

NewsNet 10-23-14

Posted October 23, 2014

TUCSON WATER WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE - The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) this week honored Tucson Water with one of its top utility management awards. The award was presented during Monday's ceremony at the 2014 Annual Executive Management Conference of the AMWA, an organization of the largest publicly-owned water utilities in the United States. Tucson Water was recognized with the Platinum Award for Utility Excellence for its exceptional performance in implementing nationally-recognized management standards. “It is an honor to be recognized by our peers in the water utility industry as being one of the best in the nation," said Tucson Water Director Alan Forrest. "All of our employees work hard to ensure that we meet all of our customers' needs as well." Read the news release.
 
DEADLINE TO REQUEST EARLY BALLOT IS TOMORROW - If you want to cast an Early Ballot for the Nov. 4 election, you have until 5 p.m. tomorrow to request one. Pima County voters can request an early ballot online, or call 724-4330. In order for your vote to count, ballots must be returned and received before 7 p.m. on election day.
 
UA WILDCAT HOCKEY FAN FEST TONIGHT - The University of Arizona Wildcat Hockey program is hosting its first Fan Fest tonight from 6:30-8 p.m. at the newly-renovated Tucson Convention Center (TCC). The free Fan Fest meet-and-greet event will allow hockey fans to meet the 2014-15 UA Wildcat Hockey players on the eve of their first home game tomorrow. Fans can watch an open team practice and meet new Head Coach Chad Berman, the team's 17 new players, and the returning players. This season will offer a new experience for hockey fans at the TCC. There are about 4,900 new seats with cup holders, new sound, updated lighting, new concession stands, fresh paint and updated restrooms. Rio Nuevo funded $7.8 million of improvements and the City paid about $1 million. Most of the work is finished, with the final touches expected to be completed by the end of the year. Read the news release.
 
FIREFIGHTERS CHILI COOK-OFF THIS WEEKEND AT NEW LOCATION - The Tucson Fire Department's (TFD) annual charity competition to see which firefighters make the best chili has a new venue this year to accommodate more people and families. Saturday's event will be held from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center at Reid Park. Aside from chili and other food, there will be live music, fire trucks, and trick-or-treating for children. The Tucson Firefighters Local 479 chili cook-off benefits the Tucson Firefighters Adopt-A-Family Program, which assists needy families and children with clothing, food, basic necessities, and toys throughout the holiday season.
 
BOO BASH SATURDAY ON SOUTHEAST SIDE - The annual Halloween Boo Bash is a fun-filled night with tricks, treats, entertainment, face painting, food, and more. Some of the activities include a costume contest, carnival games, and storytelling. The City of Tucson Parks and Recreation department and Pima Community College East Campus are hosting Saturday's event from 4-8 p.m. at the William Clements Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Dr. Admission is $3 (free for children 3 and under), and children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Read the news release.

ROAD RECOVERY SPEEDWAY BOULEVARD - ALVERNON WAY TO ROSEMONT BOULEVARD RESURFACING PROJECTS

Posted October 23, 2014

On Monday, October 27, 2014, crews from Southern Arizona Paving and Construction Co., under contract with the City of Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT), will begin work to improve pavement conditions on Speedway Boulevard from Alvernon Way to Rosemont Boulevard. Crews will begin the project by lowering manhole covers and water valve covers. Work hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This work is scheduled to be complete by Friday, October 31, 2014.

Speedway Boulevard : Alvernon Way to Rosemont Boulevard

Posted October 22, 2014

Resurfacing Projects

On Monday, October 27, 2014, crews from Southern Arizona Paving and Construction Co., under contract with the City of Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT), will begin work to improve pavement conditions on Speedway Boulevard from Alvernon Way to Rosemont Boulevard. Crews will begin the project by lowering manhole covers and water valve covers. Work hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This work is scheduled to be complete by Friday, October 31, 2014. 

Pages

Subscribe to City News