NewsNet

The highway up Mt. Lemmon will reopen beginning tomorrow, Aug. 1. The Pima County Department of Transportation and contracted workers replaced more than 250 guardrail posts that were critically damaged during the Bighorn Fire. Replacement of non-critically damaged posts will continue next week, including the repair or replacement of nearly 1,700 feet of guardrail. Speed reductions and lane restrictions will remain in place in areas where repair work continues. The reopening will allow vehicular access on Mt. Lemmon Highway to Summerhaven and Ski Valley, and limited parking is available in those areas. Once parking areas become full, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department will control access to the Mt. Lemmon Highway until enough vehicles leave and allow for additional visitors to drive up the mountain. National Forest Service areas on the mountain will remain closed. A lightning strike sparked the Bighorn Fire on June 5, which burned for nearly seven weeks, covered 120,000 acres, and closed public access to the mountain.
Read the news release.

As part of the City of Tucson’s CARES Act funds, the Mayor and Tucson City Council approved $2.5 million for small businesses and nonprofits. Under the We Are One | Somos Uno Resiliency Fund, the grant program will distribute $2 million to small businesses and $500,000 to nonprofits. In partnership with the YWCA of Southern Arizona (YWCA) and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA), the grant program is now accepting applications. The YWCA’s Women’s Business Center will administer the small business continuity grants, up to $10,000. Applications are available in English and Spanish, and grants will be awarded within 10 business days of submission. Nonprofit continuity grants, up to $20,000, will be administered through the CFSA. Nonprofits in the City of Tucson and the City of South Tucson are eligible to apply. Follow the links below for more information.
YWCA (for small businesses)
CFSA (for nonprofits)

As of today, July 31, Arizona now has 174,010 positive coronavirus cases, with 3,694 new cases reported today. The total number of cases includes people who have recovered. Of that number, 16,167 cases are in Pima County. There have been 3,694 COVID-19 deaths in Arizona, and 459 of those occurred in Pima County. Meanwhile, the City of Tucson maintains an up-to-date COVID-19 website (link below) that includes information for businesses, residents, and even activities for kids. The site is updated as information evolves.
COVID-19 website

As the federal pandemic unemployment benefits program that provides an extra $600 a week expires today, July 31, and Congress has yet to approve an extension or scaled-back plan, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says he will not consider boosting the state's unemployment rate of $240 per week. That rate is the second-lowest in the nation. In his COVID-19 news briefing yesterday, Ducey said Congress needs to work overtime to solve that problem and the state can't just print money. Arizona lawmakers haven't raised the $240 weekly benefit since 2004. “If I have any advice for Congress it would be to turn around, order sandwiches in, stay the weekend, and figure this out,” he said.
From Capitol Media Services via the Arizona Daly Star

The City of Tucson is looking to fill several vacancies on the Independent Audit and Performance Commission (IAPC). The IAPC is an advisory committee made up of seven members, with one member appointed by the mayor and each member of the Tucson City Council. Each member of the commission must reside in the City of Tucson and will serve without compensation. Qualifications include at least 10 years of financial or executive experience or at least five years of such experience plus another five years experience in a comparable field, such as project management, grant administration, compliance reporting, or data analysis. City employees are not eligible to serve on the IAPC. More information can be found at the link below, or you can call (520) 791-4204 or email Robert.Kulze@tucsonaz.gov.
IAPC
Apply online

The National Weather Service's Excessive Heat Warning continues today, July 30, and runs through Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. Today's high temperature is expected to reach 109 degrees, increasing to 111 tomorrow, with no chance of rain until a slight chance (10%) moves in Saturday night. As the weather heats up, Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) encourages community members and pet owners to take extra precautions to keep their pets safe and cool. If you see a pet suffering in the heat, please call (520) 724-5900 and press 4. Watch the videos linked below for some important safety tips for humans and their pets.
Watch a heat safety video (humans)
Watch a safety video (pets)
PACC
National Weather Service 7-day forecast

Local contact tracing efforts will be increasing significantly this week as the Pima County Health Department and Maximus Health Services, Inc.’s expanded workforce begin making calls. The new contact tracing teams have completed training and will be starting calls this week. Calls will be coming from (833) 771-XXXX or (520) 724-XXXX. Caller ID will display as “Pima Health Dept.” If you get a call from a number beginning with these numbers, please answer. You will only receive a call if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are listed as a contact in a case. You will be asked about any symptoms you may have, when they began, and where you have been since two days before they started. You also will be reminded of isolation practices or what to look for if you do start to feel sick. Beware of scams, though, as the Health Department and Maximus will never ask you for your social security number, insurance information, or money for testing.
Read the news release

As of today, July 30, Arizona now has 170,798 positive coronavirus cases, with 2,525 new cases reported today. The total number of cases includes people who have recovered. Of that number, 15,884 cases are in Pima County. There have been 3,626 COVID-19 deaths in Arizona, and 450 of those occurred in Pima County. Meanwhile, the City of Tucson maintains an up-to-date COVID-19 website (link below) that includes information for businesses, residents, and even activities for kids. The site is updated as information evolves.
COVID-19 website

The Pima County Health Department this month launched a media campaign to help educate the public about how to find restaurants, pools, and attractions that meet the department’s COVID-19 operating requirements. The program, called Ready For You, is tied to the Pima County Board of Supervisors' May 21 proclamation establishing required COVID-19 protective measures for restaurants, County-leased visitor attractions, and pools operated by resorts, hotels, fitness centers, and gyms. Though Gov. Doug Ducey has again closed gyms and bars, the program will still apply to those facilities when they are ready to reopen. Businesses that meet the County’s requirements will receive the Ready For You emblem to display at entrances and use in marketing materials and social media.
Read the news release
Ready for You

As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread in our community, the Pima County Health Department says it’s unsafe to reopen schools next month for traditional face-to-face learning. The guidance, released to Tucson-area schools yesterday, July 28, says the earliest traditional instruction should be anticipated to resume is after Labor Day. That guidance comes from Pima County Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Cullen and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Francisco Garcia. They say their recommendation is based on public health data, but schools are not required to follow their guidance. Although the doctors' guidance does not advocate resuming traditional face-to-face learning, it does recommend opening schools for at-risk youth, on a limited basis, as envisioned in Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s latest executive order. The Arizona Department of Health Services will release health metrics by Aug. 7 that schools can refer to while deciding when to resume traditional in-person instruction. However, the Pima County Health Department has its own metrics, which the governor’s executive order says schools should consider as well.
From the Arizona Daily Star
Pima County Health Department
Arizona Department of Health Services

As of today, July 29, Arizona now has 168,273 positive coronavirus cases, with 2,339 new cases reported today. The total number of cases includes people who have recovered. Of that number, 15,601 cases are in Pima County. There have been 3,454 COVID-19 deaths in Arizona, and 431 of those occurred in Pima County. Meanwhile, the City of Tucson maintains an up-to-date COVID-19 website (link below) that includes information for businesses, residents, and even activities for kids. The site is updated as information evolves.
COVID-19 website

Tucson's summer temperatures are ramping up again, with highs reaching or surpassing 110 degrees tomorrow and Friday. The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for today, July 29, through Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. In the video linked below, watch Tucson Fire Department Battalion Chief Barrett Baker give tips on how to keep yourself cool during the heat wave.
Watch the video on Twitter 
National Weather Service 7-day forecast

The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona is recruiting volunteers to distribute food to those in need, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many of the regular volunteers are unable to help at this time. Volunteers are needed to help on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. They should be at least 16 years old, healthy, be able to work in the heat, and be able to lift and stand for several hours. There are also other opportunities in Tucson, Amado, Green Valley, Marana, and Nogales. For more information or to offer help, email volunteer@communityfoodbank.org.
Community Food Bank volunteer opportunities

Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) has taken in around 30 cats and kittens from a recreational vehicle near South Nogales Highway and East Pima Street. All of them appear to have upper respiratory issues, and there was one dead kitten in a crate. All of the cats, except for two, appear lethargic. The temperature inside the RV was 101 degrees, and PACC responded to neighbor complaints about conditions in and around the vehicle. These pets will not immediately be available to foster or adopt because they are still being evaluated.
News release from PACC

As part of the City of Tucson’s CARES Act funds, the Mayor and Tucson City Council approved $2.5 million for small businesses and nonprofits. Under the We Are One | Somos Uno Resiliency Fund, the grant program will distribute $2 million to small businesses and $500,000 to nonprofits. In partnership with the YWCA of Southern Arizona (YWCA) and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA), the grant program will start accepting applications on Friday, July 31. The YWCA’s Women’s Business Center will administer the small business continuity grants, up to $10,000. Applications will be available in English and Spanish, and grants will be awarded within 10 business days of submission. Nonprofit continuity grants, up to $20,000, will be administered through the CFSA. Nonprofits in the City of Tucson and the City of South Tucson are eligible to apply. Follow the links below on Friday for more information.
YWCA (for small businesses) 
CFSA (for nonprofits)

The Pima County Health Department will begin offering free COVID-19 saliva testing beginning tomorrow, July 29, at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Road. The testing, which requires preregistration, is offered by Arizona State University, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services. The Flowing Wells location is the second free COVID-19 testing site being offered by Pima County. Hours at the Ellie Towne Center for July 29 and 31 only will be 3-7 p.m. Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 5, testing will be offered every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Follow the links below for more information. Free nasal swab tests are available by appointment only at the Kino Event Center, 2805 E. Ajo Way.
Register for a test 
Pima County Heath Department
Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center 
Arizona Department of Health Services

As of today, July 28, Arizona now has 165,934 positive coronavirus cases, with 2,107 new cases reported today. The total number of cases includes people who have recovered. Of that number, 15,292 cases are in Pima County. There have been 3,408 COVID-19 deaths in Arizona, and 431 of those occurred in Pima County. Meanwhile, the City of Tucson maintains an up-to-date COVID-19 website (link below) that includes information for businesses, residents, and even activities for kids. The site is updated as information evolves.
COVID-19 website

The City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility has launched the Tucson Slow Streets program and is looking for your help to select the next round of Slow Streets. Slow Streets are residential streets that are restricted temporarily to local traffic only through barricades, cones, and signs that provide space for safe physical activity, transportation, and recreation. Now is your opportunity to participate and request that your neighborhood be part of the program. If your neighborhood is selected to participate, the Slow Street will be in place for about one month, followed by low-cost traffic calming improvements. Applications are open until Friday, Aug. 7.
Read more about Slow Streets
Map of Slow Streets

The Pima County Elections Department has begun mailing approximately 150,000 sample ballots for the Aug. 4 primary election to voter households that have not requested an early ballot. Voters who are members of a political party will receive a sample ballot based on their party affiliation. Voters who are not affiliated with a political party will receive a sample ballot for each political party. To check your voter registration status, follow the Pima County Recorder’s Office link below. The site also provides voters with election details and polling locations. Those who prefer to wait until Election Day to cast their vote can locate their polling place by reviewing the information on their sample ballot or by visiting the Pima County Find My Polling Place Locator link below. The polls will open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 4.
Pima County Recorder’s Office - Check Your Registration
Find My Polling Place Locator