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From Uptown to Downtown, covering Chandler like the sun.
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
INSIDE
This Week
NEWS ................................ 2 Few days left to help poor families in Kyrene.
FREE | chandlernews.com
November 28, 2021
Death penalty sought in Chandler officer’s slaying BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer
T
he Maricopa County Attorney’s office plans to pursue the death penalty against the man accused of killing a Chandler police officer. Jonathon Altland of Tolleson faces 32 charges for the events that took place on April 29 that resulted in the death of 50-year-old Chandler Police Officer Christopher Farrar and severe injuries for Gilbert Police Officer Rico Aranda. County officials are citing prior convictions as one of the aggravating factors for seeking
the death penalty – including vehicle theft and fleeing police. Another aggravating factor is the victim was a peace officer and the suspect either knew, or should have known, he was one performing his official duties. Jonathon Altland Prosecutors say the 25-year-old Altland led police on a chase that started in Eloy and ended at a Chandler car dealership the
night of April 29. In addition to the charge of first-degree murder, he faces 20 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful flight from law enforcement, endangerment, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, first-degree burglary and four counts of disorderly conduct. According to court records, Pinal County sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop Altland for speeding near Eloy in the spring. They soon learned the yellow truck he was driving had been reported stolen.
see ALTLAND page 10
COMMUNITY .......... 25
Chandler readies a merrier Christmas celebration
GET OUT .................... 36
M
Chandler man's dad a real Freedom Fighter.
FuelFest roaring into Wild Horse.
NEWS .......................................... 2 REAL ESTATE ........................... 22 COMMUNITY ........................ 25 BUSINESS ................................28 OPINION ................................. 32 SPORTS ....................................33 GET OUT ..................................36 CLASSIFIEDS ...........................38
BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer
ore than 1,900 people watched Chandler kick off the holiday season last year – but only online because the pandemic forced folks to stay home. This year, Chandler is ready to welcome citizens back in person with its traditional Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 4. While last year’s event was only online, “it was better than we hoped,” said Hermilinda Llamas, the city’s special events coordinator. “We were able to get a lot of participation from city departments.
We were still able to provide something of high quality to the families, to give them some sort of holiday cheer.” The city produced a show of about 40 minutes that aired on Facebook Live and public access TV for a virtual holiday celebration. Now, with vaccinations available and many people getting booster shots, the city is ready to gather again. “Making sure that we get back into the swing of the flow of what we have been doing for all those years,” Llamas said. “When you take a break it’s like everybody
Chandler’s Tumbleweed Christmas Tree is supported by an intri-
see CHRISTMAS page 6 cate wire framework. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)
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