City News

CITY OF TUCSON OPENS SANDBAG DROP-OFF LOCATION

Posted September 19, 2014

Residents who no longer want to keep sandbags distributed earlier this week in preparation of severe weather can return the bags to the parking lot of the Ward 5 Council Office at 4300 S. Park Avenue. The drop-off location opened today at 10 a.m. and will remain open until Friday, September 26, 2014 at 5 p.m. Staff from the City of Tucson Department of Transportation Streets and Traffic Maintenance Division will collect the sandbags at the end of each work day. Staff will not be on hand to collect sandbags from residents.

NewsNet 09-19-14

Posted September 19, 2014

TUCSON'S BABY ELEPHANT MADE HER PUBLIC DEBUT THIS MORNING - One day shy of her one-month birthday, the 342-pound baby African elephant at Reid Park Zoo made her first public appearance in the main exhibit this morning. Approximately 300 visitors were on hand to watch the historic moment. Tomorrow, the Zoo will host a debut celebration for the calf (normal admission applies). Education staff will offer crafts, activities, and information stations to celebrate the debut. For the rest of the month, the Zoo will allow the calf to have daily access to the public-facing side of the exhibit from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m., weather permitting. Beginning next month, the Zoo opens at 9 a.m. As the public got its first glimpse of the baby elephant, the naming contest continues. Online polling at the Arizona Daily Star offers two name choices for the calf: "Imvula (Immie)" and "Nandi." The winning name will be announced next Thursday.
Watch Tucson 12 video of the elephant's public debut
Zoo Cams
Baby Elephant FAQ
Reid Park Zoo Flickr page
Reid Park Zoo Twitter
Reid Park Zoo Facebook
 
HOW TO DISPOSE OF SANDBAGS - Residents who no longer want to keep sandbags distributed earlier this week, in preparation of severe weather, can return the bags to the parking lot of the Ward 5 Council Office, at 4300 S. Park Ave. The drop-off location opened today at 10 a.m., and will remain open until Friday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. Staff from the City of Tucson Department of Transportation Streets and Maintenance Division will collect the sandbags at the end of each work day. Staff will not be on hand to collect sandbags from residents. Signs are posted in the parking lot to indicate the location for people to drop off sandbags. Monitor tucsonaz.gov for info and road closures.
 
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK BEGINS TONIGHT - The El Rio Theatre Project will present its 8th Annual Shakespeare in the Park, with William Shakespeare's King Lear at the Himmel Park Outdoor Amphitheater, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd. Performances are scheduled for tonight, through Sept. 21, Sept. 25-28, and  Oct. 2-5. Curtain time is 7 p.m. for all performances. The event is free, with a suggested donation of $5. You're invited to bring a blanket and a picnic basket.
 
RIDE THE STREETCAR TO UA FOOTBALL GAME TOMORROW - University of Arizona football fans can ride the Sun Link Tucson Streetcar to University of Arizona football games. Prior to tomorrow's  7 p.m. game against the California Golden Bears, fans can experience the dining, entertainment, and retail opportunities at Main Gate Square, Fourth Avenue, Downtown Tucson, and the Mercado District, and then board the streetcar to the UA from any one of the 23 stops along the 3.9-mile route. Once on campus, Arizona Stadium is a short walk from the Second Street and Cherry Avenue stop. Fans can also park in one of the many garages downtown and take the streetcar to the game to avoid UA congestion. The Pennington Street Garage is offering discounted parking fees when you buy a Sun Link Day Pass, park in the garage, and ask for the "Park, Dine, and Ride" bundle. 
UA Parking and Transportation football information
 
TV SAFETY SEGMENT FROM TUCSON FIRE DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES 100TH EPISODE - KGUN9's "No Bad Days with Barrett" just completed 100 episodes. Each week, Tucson Fire Captain Barrett Baker offers safety tips, typically mixed with plenty of humor to keep them interesting.

City of Tucson Opens Sandbag Drop-Off Location

Posted September 19, 2014

Residents who no longer want to keep sandbags distributed earlier this week in preparation of severe weather can return the bags to the parking lot of the Ward 5 Council Office at 4300 S. Park Avenue. The drop-off location opened today at 10 a.m. and will remain open until Friday, September 26, 2014 at 5 p.m. Staff from the City of Tucson Department of Transportation Streets and Traffic Maintenance Division will collect the sandbags at the end of each work day. Staff will not be on hand to collect sandbags from residents.

Ajo Way - Country Club Road to 14th Avenue Resurfacing Project Work Rescheduled Until Tomorrow

Posted September 19, 2014

The milling and paving work scheduled for today on Ajo Way from Country Club Road to Kino Boulevard has been canceled due to wet roadways. Crews will resume milling and paving operations on Saturday, September 20, 2014 beginning at 5:30 a.m. Crews will work until 6 p.m. tomorrow, weather permitting. During this work two lanes of travel will be maintained in each direction. 

Ajo Way - Country Club Road to 14th Avenue Resurfacing Project Update

Posted September 18, 2014

In order to finish the paving operations on a section of Ajo Way from Country Club Road to Kino Boulevard, crews from Southern Arizona Paving and Construction Co., will shift its paving operations to daytime hours on Friday, September 19, 2014. Crews will begin taper milling at 5 a.m. and begin mainline paving at 8:30 a.m. Crews will work until 5 p.m. Crews will return Saturday morning, September 20, 2014 at 5:30 a.m. and are scheduled to complete the paving operations by noon. During this work two lanes of travel will be maintained in each direction. 

NewsNet 09-18-14

Posted September 18, 2014

THOUSANDS TURNED OUT FOR FREE SANDBAGS YESTERDAY - Even though the expected big storm yesterday never really materialized, the City of Tucson handed out thousands of sandbags to help residents prepare for the worst. The National Weather Service originally predicted up to four inches of rain in Tucson before the storm changed course. The Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) quickly assembled six distribution points, helped residents fill the sandbags, and offered advice on where to place them. In addition, TDOT crews spent yesterday cleaning washes of fallen tree limbs, shopping carts, and trash to allow water to flow properly. Read more from KVOA.
 
SEE THE BABY ELEPHANT TOMORROW - Weather permitting, the baby African elephant at the Reid Park Zoo will make her public debut in the main exhibit tomorrow morning at 8:30. The Zoo opens at 8 a.m. After the debut, zookeepers will allow the calf to have daily access to the public-facing side of the exhibit daily from 8 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.  It's a big week for the baby elephant, as she's also the subject of a naming contest (see story below).
Watch Tucson 12 archive video of the calf's first days of outside
 
HELP NAME TUCSON'S BABY ELEPHANT - The Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant is a couple days shy of being a month old, but she doesn't have a name yet. However, that's about to change. After weeks of calling her "Tucson's Big Baby," the Zoo has selected two names, and the public will get to pick the winner. The names choices are "Imvula" and "Nandi." Tucson 12 recently caught up with Zoo Education Curator Vivian VanPeenen to explain the names and the online voting at the Arizona Daily Star's website (voting link below). The winning name will be announced next Thursday.
Vote online
Zoo Cams
Baby Elephant FAQ
Reid Park Zoo Flickr page
Reid Park Zoo Twitter
Reid Park Zoo Facebook
 
TUCSON POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN FEDERAL REVIEW PROJECT - The Tucson Police Department (TPD) has been nominated to participate in the Comprehensive Law Enforcement Review Project, which is a U.S. Department of Justice program the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) office will be managing. COPS recently was tasked by the U.S. Attorney General to lead the project that will examine what the United States has learned in policing since the Crime Commission was established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965. Eight team review panels will examine existing reports, studies, and practices in a number of key areas related to law enforcement. The review will help identify current gaps in the criminal justice system, particularly those that focus on the organization and delivery of police services.
Tucson Police Department Facebook page
 
FOLLOW THE PROGRESS ON THE DOWNTOWN LINKS PROJECT - The City of Tucson and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) have a Downtown Links website to give citizens information and updates on one of the largest transportation projects in Tucson. The $76 million project will result in a four-lane roadway north of the Union Pacific Railroad that will link Barraza-Aviation Parkway and Interstate 10, Broadway Boulevard with 4th Avenue, and downtown with the neighborhoods to the north. Downtown Links also will provide alternate access to downtown, new and safer underpasses and railroad crossings, and improved sidewalks and bike paths.

NewsNet 09-17-14

Posted September 17, 2014

FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 P.M. TOMORROW - The Tucson area and surrounding communities are under a Flash Flood Watch through tomorrow afternoon. The National Weather Service says conditions for widespread flooding are developing, and rainfall amounts could total two to four inches by late tomorrow. Monitor forecasts closely, take quick action if Flash Flood Warnings are issued, and stay away from washes. The Tucson Fire Department says it only takes as little as eight inches of water to move a vehicle. When in doubt, wait it out.
 
CITY OF TUCSON PREPARED FOR POTENTIAL FLOODING - With the Flash Flood Watch in effect, the City of Tucson is prepared for any emergencies that may arise. City services are coordinated in one place to make response as fast as possible. Monitor the City's website and social media (links below) for late-breaking information, including free sandbag availability. Pima County also has information for those outside of city limits.
City of Tucson
Pima County
City of Tucson Twitter page
City of Tucson Facebook page
Tucson Fire Department Twitter page
Tucson Fire Department Facebook page
Tucson Police Department Twitter page
Tucson Police Facebook page
 
TUCSON FIRE DEPARTMENT URGES YOU TO BE PREPARED FOR EMERGENCY - September is National Preparedness Month. Tucson Fire Captain Barrett Baker and crew show you how to prepare for 72 hours of distress. Tips include keeping a gallon of water on hand for each person, stocking a three-day supply of non-perishable food, having a battery-powered radio with fresh batteries, and more.
American Red Cross Southern Arizona Chapter safety tips
Tucson Fire Department Facebook page
 
HOW TO REPORT TRANSPORTATION CONCERNS AFTER STORM DAMAGE (OR AT ANY TIME) - Tucson transportation crews are prepared to respond to calls after heavy storms. Is there a tree in the road after a thunderstorm? 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. You also can use the SeeClickFix website and app.
Tucson Department of Transportation:
 
BABY ELEPHANT'S MAIN EXHIBIT DEBUT DEPENDS ON WEATHER - The Reid Park Zoo had hoped to have Tucson's nearly month-old elephant out on the big exhibit by now, but the weather has changed the timetable for the public debut. In this Tucson 12 video, Zoo Education Curator Vivian VanPeenen says zookeeepers are monitoring the weather conditions..

Be Prepared

Posted September 17, 2014

The storm might turn out to be no big deal, but are you ready if the power goes out for an extended period? Check out this video from Capt. Barrett Baker of the Tucson Fire Department or visit Be Prepared Tucson.

Red Cross Safety Tips

Posted September 16, 2014

From our friends at the Southern Arizona Red Cross:

Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths. Most of these drownings occur during flash floods. Six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. Use a pole of stick to make sure that the ground is still there before you go through an area where the water is not flowing.

Hurricane Odile

Posted September 16, 2014

Remember that over the next few days, our area is expecting severe storms. Most flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. Moving water as little as one or two feet deep will carry away most vehicles and can knock a person off their feet. Keep children away from creeks and washes when heavy rain is in the area. Be especially careful at night when water depth and road conditions are harder to see.

The advice from our Fire Department is: WHEN IN DOUBT, WAIT IT OUT!!

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