Posted September 26, 2014
Posted September 26, 2014
STREETCAR RIDERSHIP HIGHER THAN PREDICTED - After two months in operation, the Sun Link Tucson Streetcar is averaging nearly 4,100 riders per day...higher than the original prediction of 3,600 passengers. The streetcar travels a 3.9-mile route through the University of Arizona, Fourth Avenue, Downtown Tucson, and the Mercado District, west of I-10. There are many fare options available to ride the streetcar. Cash is not accepted on the car, but you can use it at machines at the stops to buy a $4 one-day pass. In addition, you can buy SunGO passes online or at regular Sun Tran merchants. Discount fares are available for certain students, low-income residents, seniors and disabled passengers. Read more from Arizona Public Media.
OCTOBER MEANS BIG EVENTS AND BIG CHANGES AT TUCSON CONVENTION CENTER - Disney on Ice and comedian Bill Maher have shows next month at the Tucson Convention Center (TCC), as the $8 million upgrade to the arena proceeds. The renovations are on schedule to be completed by the end of the year. Next month also marks the beginning of private management of the TCC, as SMG - a global leader in convention center management - takes over day-to-day operations of the facility. The City's contract with SMG runs through June 30, 2015 and can be renewed one year at a time over the next 10 years.
TRAFFIC ALERT: FOURTH AVENUE ACCESS TO DOWNTOWN DETOURED ONLY AS-NEEDED TONIGHT AND SATURDAY NIGHT - The City of Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) will detour southbound vehicular traffic at the Fourth Avenue Underpass into downtown on an as-needed basis to keep traffic flowing in the area. The Sun Link Streetcar, bicyclists, and pedestrians will not be affected. From this point forward, underpass closures on Friday and Saturday nights will only occur when vehicular traffic into downtown begins to get heavy.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT NEWSNET - Thank you for subscribing to NewsNet. We hope you are enjoying the weekday digest of news about Tucson. If you like what you see, please forward this email to a friend. They can subscribe by emailing citynews-request@lyris.tucsonaz.gov with 'subscribe' in the subject line.
Posted September 25, 2014
Moving forward and until further notice, southbound motor vehicle travel through the Fourth Avenue Underpass will be detoured to Stevens Avenue on Friday nights and Saturday nights on an as-needed basis if Sun Link Streetcar operations are affected. Tucson police officers will continue to provide point control starting at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays to assist with motor vehicle and pedestrian movements at the Congress Street, Fourth Avenue and Toole Avenue intersection.
Posted September 25, 2014
Reid Park Zoo's African elephant calf, now one month old, has a name! A
poll conducted through the Arizona Daily Star’s Caliente received
7,880 votes, with 65% selecting Nandi as her name.
Nandi (Nahn-dee) is a common siSwati girl’s name, and in the Zulu
language it means “sweet” or “fun.” This calf has proven herself
to be both - capturing the hearts of Tucson residents. With two older
brothers, this feminine name also celebrates the joy of welcoming a
female calf to Tucson.
Posted September 25, 2014
THE WINNING NAME FOR TUCSON'S BIG BABY IS... - After a week of public voting between two names for Reid Park Zoo's one-month-old elephant, the calf will now be known as "Nandi," which handily beat out the other choice of "Imvula (Immie)." Nandi made her public debut in the main exhibit last Friday and has been charming Zoo visitors ever since. Read more from the From the Arizona Daily Star, and look below to find Tucson 12 video links to some of Nandi's milestones.
Video of Nandi about a week after her birth
Video of the Nandi's public debut on Sept. 19
Video of Nandi's mud show earlier this week
Zoo Cams
Baby Elephant FAQ
TWO TUCSON POLICE OFFICERS USE NEW TRAUMA KITS TO SAVE MAN'S LIFE - Two Tucson Police Department (TPD) officers are credited with helping save a man's life Tuesday after he was shot in the leg, and the officers rendered first-aid on the scene. Officers Adam Rodriguez and Randy Smith were the first to arrive at a shooting at West President Street, off West Ajo Way between South Sixth and Seventh avenues, said Sgt. Pete Dugan, a TPD spokesman. They treated the victim until Tucson Fire Department paramedics arrived. Officers used their trauma kits issued earlier this year, which are similar to ones used by the military. "There have been numerous times when officers have used the kits in the field to help people with life-threatening injuries," Dugan said. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
FORMER TUCSON FIRE CHIEF DAN NEWBURN PASSES AWAY - Retired Tucson Fire Chief Dan Newburn passed away last weekend at his home. He was surrounded by family. Chief Newburn was a member of the Tucson Fire Department from 1979 until he retired in 2008. He served as Chief from July 1, 2001 until his retirement on Sept. 12, 2008. The funeral service for Newburn will be private, but the Tucson Fire Department will honor him during the annual Firefighter Memorial Ceremony, Oct. 11th at 10 a.m. at Fire Central downtown. Read more from the Tucson Fire Department Facebook page.
UPDATE: TUCSON COMMUNITY HELPS DESIGN ALL-AGES PLAYGROUND - A successful community Design Day last week (see pictures) kicked off the first phase of the redesign of La Madera Park, 2700 E La Madera Drive, and the next phase begins next Tuesday with the removal of old playground equipment. 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 design a one-of-a-kind, multi-generational playground. The customized playground, funded primarily by Humana, will be created with personal drawings and other input from local community members, including children and seniors. The existing playground at La Madera Park, 2700 E. La Madera Drive, is in need of replacement, as it is outdated and contains some unusable components. 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 from Parks and Recreation.
CITY OF TUCSON IS REMOVING ABANDONED SHOPPING CARTS - If you see a shopping cart off store property, abandoned along the street, or sitting in a wash, call the City of Tucson's Environmental Services (ES) department to have it removed. You can call Customer Service at (520) 791-3171 or use the 'My-Waste'™ app and choose the Report a Problem option. Watch a PSA about how the program works.
Posted September 24, 2014
The Arizona Department of Transportation will close the eastbound Interstate 10 on-ramp from southbound Palo Verde Road for two hours on Friday afternoon to pour concrete for an on-going sign rehabilitation project in the Tucson area.
Posted September 24, 2014
ANNEXATION BENEFICIAL TO NEIGHBORHOODS - Becoming part of the City of Tucson has its benefits for those currently on the periphery of city limits, while Tucson also benefits by getting a larger portion of state-shared revenue. With more than 300,000 people living outside Tucson city limits, that amounts to tens of millions of dollars every year in tax money already paid to the State of Arizona that could be used in our community to help fund police, fire, roads, and parks. Learn how the Empire Vista Neighborhood is benefiting from its recent annexation, in this Tucson 12 video.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL CONDITIONALLY AGREE ON WESTSIDE VISITOR CENTER - As City of Tucson leaders plan to develop nearly 28 acres of vacant land west of downtown, Mayor and Council agreed yesterday to give five acres of that land to Pima County for a future regional visitor's center. However, the projected $15 million visitor center would have to be included in a successful 2015 bond package and satisfy other Council concerns before the City formally turns over any property. The City hopes a bond-funded visitor center will help attract commercial, retail, or residential development to the western edge of the streetcar route, south of Cushing Street, said Nicole Ewing-Gavin, program director for Tucson's Office of Integrated Planning. Even though the Council approved giving up the land, it refused a County request for the City to build a parking garage. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
Posted September 24, 2014
Southern Arizona Paving and Construction Co, under contract with the City of Tucson Department of Transportation, has issued a revised milling and paving schedule for two projects - Ajo Way from Country Club Road to 14th Avenue and
Posted September 23, 2014
AJO WAY - COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TO 14TH AVENUE
SIXTH STREET - COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TO CAMPBELL AVENUE
Southern Arizona Paving and Construction Co, under contract with the City of Tucson Department of Transportation, has issued a revised milling and paving schedule for two projects - Ajo Way from Country Club Road to 14th Avenue and Sixth Street from Country Club Road to Campbell Avenue.
The revised schedule is as follows:
Posted September 23, 2014
TUCSON POLICE WARNING OF MULTIPLE PHONE SCAMS - The Tucson Police Department (TPD) Financial Crimes Unit is urging people to be skeptical about unsolicited phone calls regarding alleged past due payments. There are various scams in which the caller claims to be from the IRS, Tucson Electric Power, the courts, and other public and private entities. The consistent link is that the scammers will claim to need payment quickly or consequences will occur, such as tax liens, shutting off power, or an arrest warrant. The callers will usually request payment through prepaid cash cards which can be obtained at various local merchants. They request the numbers on the front and back, at which point the money becomes extremely difficult to recover. If you get a call demanding payment, TPD asks you to confirm your account status by calling the business or agency directly at any of the publicly available numbers. Do not use a number provided by the caller. Read the warning on TPD Facebook page.
BABY ELEPHANT PUTS ON MUD SHOW FOR ZOO VISITORS - She's only been on the main exhibit since Friday, but Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant calf is already a crowd pleaser. Yesterday, the month-old baby decided to have some fun playing in the mud, and Tucson 12 caught it on video. It's already a big week for the baby, as the public voting on a name for her ended at noon today. The winning name - "Imvula (Immie)" or "Nandi" - will be announced Thursday in the Arizona Daily Star.
Zoo Cams
Baby Elephant FAQ
Reid Park Zoo Flickr page
Reid Park Zoo Twitter
Reid Park Zoo Facebook
COX EXTENDS PARTERNSHIP TO HELP LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS - Cox Communications says it will continue its partnership with Connect2Compete to provide discount high-speed Internet service to low-income families who meet eligibility requirements. Some of those requirements include having a child eligible for free lunches through the National School Lunch Program, and not having been a Cox customer for 90 days (with no outstanding bills or equipment). The national discount program was launched in Tucson earlier this year. Cox is promoting the program to certain agencies and school districts in Southern Arizona. A public information session will be available Oct. 25 at Hope Fest, at Kino Stadium.
HOW TO MANAGE HARD WATER AND OTHER TIPS FROM TUCSON WATER - Get tips on how to manage hard water, increase dishwasher efficiency, flush your water heater, check faucet aerators, and more. Information is available in English and Spanish. You can download, print, or request a mailed copy of the tips. You can also learn how to pay your water bill online and stop and start service. Visit Tucson Water website for more information.
Posted September 22, 2014
Guardrail work on I-10 in Tucson
Posted September 22, 2014
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz.--The revised draft Environmental Assessment for Total Force Training (formerly Operation Snowbird) was released by Air Combat Command here today.
Posted September 22, 2014
Dear Friends:
The Mulcahy YMCA is excited to announce our upcoming FIESTA De Los Niños celebration & fundraiser on Saturday, September 27th from 9am to 1pm at the Mulcahy/City YMCA Program Center, 5085 S. Nogales Highway, Tucson. Activities include Mexican food, ballet folklorico dancers, mariachi music, performances by Mulcahy YMCA youth, a car & bike show, a salsa contest, children’s art auction, raffle prizes, and other fun activities for children.
Posted September 22, 2014
Posted September 22, 2014
CITY SEEKING COMMENTS ON POSSIBLE CHARTER CHANGES - Tucson's Charter Review Committee is asking for public comments as it reviews and make recommendations regarding possible amendments to sections of the Tucson City Charter. Comments will be accepted through 2015, and potential amendments to the City Charter may be on the Nov. 3, 2015 City ballot. All comments should be made via email to the City Clerk’s Office, cityclerk@tucsonaz.gov.
PARKS AND REC BEGINS NEW SESSION OF CLASSES SOON - Did you miss the first session of Arts and Craft classes this fall? Session two begins later next month, and registration is open now. Choose from Art Safari, Parent/Tot, Yummy for the Tummy, Painting for Tots, or try more than one. Many other types of classes also begin in October, including pottery and dancing. The registration deadline for the next session of classes is Oct. 14.
SINGER LINDA RONSTADT TO HEADLINE SUNDAY EVENING FORUM - Native Tucsonan Linda Ronstadt returns to Tucson next month to reflect on her long singing career at the Sunday Evening Forum. During a recording career spanning four decades, Ronstadt performed rock 'n' roll, folk music, older pop standards, and traditional Mexican songs. Ronstadt will be interviewed by Jeff Haskell, her longtime friend. Haskell is the musical director of the Tucson Jazz Orchestra and past conductor of the "Linda Ronstadt Sings the Great American Songbook" show, with arrangements by Nelson Riddle. The Sunday Evening Forum, which will be held Oct. 5 at the Fox Theatre in Downtown Tucson, is free and open to the public. The box office opens at 4:30 p.m., and the interview and audience question and answer session starts at 7 p.m.
PREDATOR-PREY RELATIONSHIPS - Reid Park Zoo is home to more than 200 animals. Some are predators, and some are prey. That determines how they act and how they're cared for at the Zoo. Predators have adaptations that make them excellent hunters, while prey animals are always ready to flee. Learn more about the differences between predator and prey animals in the latest edition of "Zoo News," produced by Tucson 12.
REDUCE CLUTTER AND GO PAPERLESS WITH CITY E-BILLING - Go paperless with your Utility Services Statement. Set up an eBill account to pay your bill, get notification of your billing statement, view water usage, and read Tucson Water's newsletter.
