Queen Creek Tribune 061222

School lunch prices rising / P. 4

East Valley burn victims’ trek / P. 19

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

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Queen Creek approves $34 million in road, water work

BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer

NEWS................... 14 Chandler dad tells board of son’s suicide.

Sunday, June 12, 2022

M

ore than $34 million in road and water system projects are ready to move off the drawing board and into reality in Queen Creek.

Queen Creek Council on June 1 approved an increase in the amount necessary for new infrastructure improvements near the intersec-

tion of Ironwood and Germann roads that will cost $25 million.

“The timeline is to complete all of the improvements by summer 2024,” town spokeswoman Constance Halonen-Wilson said.

The project includes the design and construction of 6 miles of infrastructure around State Land as well as the mammoth parcel the state Land Department recently sold at auction to the American affiliate of a South Korean

lithium battery manufacturing company.

The project calls for a new section of Pecos Road from Ironwood to Kenworthy and connecting to a new section of Kenworthy Road from Pecos to Germann, according to town documents.

These new sections would have two travel lanes in each direction, bike lanes and side-

see INFRASTRUCTURE page 10

Former Big Apple cops happy in Queen Creek PD

SPORTS................ 22 ALA - Queen Creek ready for bigger arena.

GET OUT.............. 23 QC drummer commemorates late rocker.

COMMUNITY.........................19 BUSINESS...............................21 SPORTS....................................22 GET OUT..................................23 CLASSIFIEDS.........................27

BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer

O

fficers Albert Trotter and Jessica Arrubla know what it means to have each other’s back as partners.

They served together with the New York Police Department for the past three years.

More than 2,100 miles later, they still serve together on the same shift for the Queen Creek Police Department.

At a time when law enforcement faces historic public scrutiny, both wanted to have a positive impact in a place where the community still welcomed police.

“Who wouldn’t want to work for a community like that?” Trotter asked.

see PARTNERS page 6

Officers Jessica Arrubla and Albert Trotter served together in the New York Police Department and now serve the Queen Creek police force. (Josh Ortega/Tribune Staff)

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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

EV state senator defends DNA arrest bill

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

A

divided Senate voted June 8 to require that anyone arrested for any felony provide a DNA sample to police, whether or not they ever are charged or not, much less convicted.

Gilbert Republican Sen. Warren Petersen – who is running for the same seat in the new Queen Creek-focused Legislative District 14 – defended the measure in the face of harsh attacks from some members of his own party.

The 20-8 vote on HB 2102 came over objections of some lawmakers who questioned whether such an intrusion is justified. Sen. Kelly Townsend, R-Apache Junction, said she believes it violates constitutional provisions against warrantless searches.

But the majority of senators were swayed by arguments that 18 other states have similar laws, the intrusion was minimal and it could lead to Arizona being able

to solve “cold cases’’ by having a larger DNA database. And they noted there are procedures for those who are not charged or convicted to have the profile removed from state records.

That didn’t sway Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale.

“If you want to pass things because the ends justify the means, then that’s exactly what you’re going to do in this case,’’ she said.

“You want their DNA?’’ Ugenti-Rita continued. “Get a warrant and use the process.’’

Current law requires DNA collection following conviction of crimes. It also spells out that police can collect evidence after arresting people for certain specified crimes, including homicide, sex offenses, prostitution and burglary of a residential structure.

HB 2102 would extend that to any felony offense.

Petersen said it’s no big deal.

He said people leave their DNA every-

where, telling colleagues that someone who wants theirs could simply take it from their papers on their Senate desks or even “follow us to the yogurt shop and grab the hundred spoons that we just dropped into the garbage can.’’

All this measure does, Petersen said, is expand the use of an existing tool for law enforcement. Nor does he believe there is anything special about DNA. “It’s like an ID,’’ he said. “It’s like knowing your name or your address.’’

And Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, said it’s no different than when police take someone’s “mug shot’’ and fingerprints after arresting them.

The legislation has been a crusade by Jayann Sepich who has testified in multiple states about the 2003 rape and murder of her 22-year-old daughter, Katie, who was a graduate student at New Mexico State University.

Speaking to Arizona lawmakers earlier this year, she urged them to visualize someone who is dear to them.

3

“Think of how you would feel if you were notified she had been brutalized, that she had been violently beaten, sodomized, raped, strangled to death, set on fire and dumped in the desert,’’ Sepich said.

The only evidence, Sepich said, was the DNA under her daughter’s fingernails as she fought for her life. And it was that evidence, she said, that led years later to the arrest and conviction of a man whose DNA was on file for prior felonies.

Sen. Victoria Steele, D-Tucson, said she understands how DNA can be “misused.’’

But she told colleagues this proposal makes sense.

“The fact is, every day innocent people are needlessly violated, raped, murdered, shot, knifed by repeat offenders,’’ Steele said.

“We have the technology now to help prevent some of that,’’ she said. “We have the technology now that will help us catch

see DNA page 4

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NEWS

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

QC board raises elementary school lunch prices An edition of the East Valley Tribune Queen Creek Tribune is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Queen Creek CONTACT INFORMATION Main number: 480-898-6500 | Fax: 480-898-562 Circulation: 480-898-5641 Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine Vice President: Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising: 480-898-6309 Classifieds/Inside Sales: Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@TimesLocalMedia.com TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@TimesLocalMedia.com Steve Insalaco | 480-898-5635 sinsalaco@TimesLocalMedia.com Advertising Sales Executive: Jane Meyer | 480-898-5633 | jane@TimesLocalMedia.com NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor: Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 pmaryniak@TimesLocalMedia.com Managing Editor: Cecilia Chan | 480-898-5613 |cchan@TimesLocalMedia.com Reporters: Josh Ortega | 480-898-5610 | jortega@TimesLocalMedia.com Ken Sain | 928-420-5341 | ksain@TimesLocalMedia.com Photographer: Dave Minton | dminton@TimesLocalMedia.com Design: Veronica Thurman | vthurman@TimesLocalMedia.com Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@TimesLocalMedia.com Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 customercare@TimesLocalMedia.com Sports Editor: Zach Alvira | 480-898-5630 | zalvira@TimesLocalMedia.com

Queen Creek Tribune is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegratedmedia.com

The content of any advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Queen Creek Tribune assumes no responsibility for the claims of any advertisement. © 2022 Strickbine Publishing, Inc.

BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer

I

nflation is driving up school lunch prices across the Queen Creek school district next year.

On June 7, the Queen Creek Unified School District Governing Board unanimously approved a 15-cent price increase for all elementary, junior high and high school students for the 202223 school year.

District officials said they haven’t increased lunch prices in the last three years and the new price hike reflects inflation’s impact on the costs of food and services.

“It is very important to me that we stay low,” School Board President Ken Brague said. “I think it’s a goal to be as affordable as possible.”

Food and non-food supplies have risen in cost each year since 2019, according to district documents.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its “Food Price Outlook, 2022” on Feb. 25 that food prices have increased across country – though ordinary consumers probably didn’t need to be told that if they visit a supermarket regularly.

The district no longer qualifies for the free summer lunch program but families can still apply for free/reduced lunch programs during the school year starting July 1. A federal program that funds universal free school lunch start-

DNA from page 3

repeat offenders sooner, that will help us prevent violent crimes.’’

And Steele said that DNA can be used to exonerate the innocent.

Townsend, however, said all that has to be measured against the U.S. Constitution.

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated,’’ she quoted the document. And the amendment says that the only way to get a warrant must be “upon probable cause.’’

But Petersen said the constitutionality of DNA collection is clear, citing a 5-4

Queen Creek Unified showed this comparison of its school lunch prices with three other area districts.

Elementary Junior High School

Queen Creek USD

Gilbert USD

Chandler USD

Scottsdale USD

2.90 3.15 3.40

2.90 3.25 3.90

2.95 3.25 3.50

3.00 3.25 3.50

ed in March 2020 is set to expire on June 30.

QCUSD officials said in order to qualify for summer lunch program, a district must meet certain household income levels that none of Queen Creek’s school districts meet.

“QCUSD is proud to offer the lowest price for district school lunches in the East Valley,” district spokeswoman Jessica Bautista said.

For more information or to apply for free/reduced lunches during the school year, visit qcusd.org/Child-Nutrition.

According to district documents, the increase puts Queen Creek elementary school lunch prices at the same $2.90 price as Gilbert elementary schools.

Lunch prices for junior and high school students remain below other districts in the East Valley, according to district documents.

The school board also approved a list of items on the consent agenda including a contract renewal for school resource officers at Queen Creek High School, a mental health services agreement with Community Bridges, Inc., and several academic changes to the ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 that concluded that taking samples from a cheek swab as part of the arrest procedure is legal because it serves a legitimate state interest and is “minimally invasive.’’

Townsend, however, said lawmakers need to recognize that people are sometimes wrongfully arrested, possibly because of “political motivation, a political hit.’’

“Is any one of us at risk of being targeted politically and arrested for a felony that we are later able to prove that we are innocent of?’’ she asked. “But, meanwhile, they have forcefully taken our DNA against our will simply because we’ve been arrested.’’

district’s course catalog.

The board approved its renewal of the intergovernmental agreement with the town for an SRO at Queen Creek High School. The agreement does not mention any other distroct schools.

The cost of the agreement for Fiscal Year 2021-22 totaled $84,213 with Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office covering 50% of the cost for the first six months, the agreement said. Queen Creek Police Department covered the last six months, according to the district.

The agreement said if the service continues beyond FY 2021-22, the cost for the school district will increase to $86,762.

Funding for this service partially comes from the School Safety Program Grant administered by the Arizona Department of Education, but the agreement does not state a specific amount.

In other business, the board approved a memorandum of understanding with Community Bridges, Inc., an Arizona nonprofit that provides behavioral health services.

see LUNCH page 6

Nor was Townsend impressed by Petersen’s argument that people leave DNA around all the time.

“Just because you can take it off my desk doesn’t mean you have a right to take it during an arrest,’’ she said.

Existing law does require courts to order the removal of DNA records in cases of people who are not charged, not convicted or whose convictions are overturned.

HB 2102 would add language to specifically require any agency that collects DNA to provide both oral and written notice explaining the process, including instruction on how to request it of the court.

HB 2102 now goes to the House which has not considered the measure.

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

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NEWS

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

PARTNERS from page 1

Neither of the officers are strangers to the Grand Canyon State.

Trotter, 35, has several family members from the Tucson area and Cochise County and made annual road trips to visit them for the past 15 years.

“I’ve just always loved Arizona,” he said. “My wife and I just always loved the Southwest.”

Arrubla said her eldest brother moved to Arizona in 2004 and currently works as a sergeant for the Phoenix Police Department.

Arrubla, 40, said she has made regular trips to see him out here since 2005 and eventually bought a home in the East Valley in 2015.

She served with the NYPD since 2008 and Trotter said he joined the department in 2012 and both served together for the past three years in the 107th Precinct that sits in the heart of Queens.

In 2015, New York City started a pilot program that planned to have police work based around neighborhood policing.

In January 2018, Trotter said he started as a neighborhood coordination officer for their precinct.

NCOs work as “your local problem solvers” and spend all their working hours within their assigned sectors actively engaging with local community

LUNCH from page 4

The school district will provide private rooms for the nonprofit’s counselors at various schools for the purpose of providing school-based services to students and their families, according

Officers Albert Trotter and Jessica Arrubla are grateful to be in Queen Creek and away form New York City, where anti-police protests like the one pictured above from riots two years ago threaten cops’ lives. (Special to the Tribune) members and residents, he explained.

“They get to know the neighborhood, its people, and its problems extremely well,” according to the NYPD website.

Both officers earned local recognition for rescuing an elderly man from a house fire in Flushing.

“They’re the ones that reach out to the community in other ways than traditional,” then- commanding officer Deputy Inspector Scott Henry said in an article for the Queens Chronicle.

“They try to solve issues with the community as well as for it.”

Since 2020, Trotter said the debate around law enforcement has envel-

to district documents.

The school-based services are limited to CBI providing services for existing patients associated with QCUSD as students or family members of students, according to the document.

CBI will also provide four prevention

oped the city and decided that it became too much for his family’s safety.

“You could look up any articles about how some of the public feels back in New York City,” he said. “I didn’t live in New York City but unfortunately some of the problems from New York City would bleed out to the surrounding counties as well.”

He said the major catalyst that started his career move in motion came when he discovered the Town of Queen Creek planned to start its own police department.

Arrubla said she has become well-acquainted with the area through many

presentations to students throughout the school year at a cost of $600 for the district.

It will also provide two parent night presentations and two training sessions for faculty for a total cost of $1,200.

The district also approved updates to

visits over the years – so much so that she had applied earlier to another department but didn’t get the job.

“Since 2015, I’d always come around this area…not having any idea that they would eventually have their own police department,” she said.

After having discussions with their respective families, Trotter said they both applied and interviewed around the same time.

“We ended up telling them at one point that we both worked together as partners,” he said.

Both officers started last year and have endured some adjustment to the department and the area, including the methodology and terminology.

But they said they also understand that cultural differences naturally exist between New York and Arizona.

“I think the family values a lot of people have in Arizona, whereas New York City unfortunately, some of those family values you don’t see there,” Trotter said. “I think that plays a big, big role into the way people behave.”

Arrubla said that partnership has morphed into a sibling connection to the point that her son said he found a resemblance between him and Arrubla’s biological brother.

“I see AJ as like a brother from another mother,” she said. “He is family to me.”

the high school course catalog, including revising the weighted GPA scores.

Weighted GPA Calculation for C grade scores will increase from 2.5 to 3.0, and for D grade scores will increase from 1.0 to 2.0, according to district documents.

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sional Tennis Association’s Southwest division. In 2015, she was named the Tennis Industry Magazine National High School aurie Coach Martin was a tennis icon Coach of the Year and National High in Arizona.

School Coaches Association Girl’s Coach of For 17 years, she led the Xavier the Year.

College Preparatory girls’ Along with the five state tennis team, winning five titles, she compiled a restate titles and received cord of 271-16 during her numerous accolades for time at Xavier and was her devotion to the sport state runner-up six times. and school near downShe also led the Gators town Phoenix. She was beto 13 section and region loved by everyone in the titles. In 2009, she escommunity, which made tablished Xavier’s tennis news of her sudden passprogram as a no-cut sport, ing difficult to process. which gave opportunities Coach Martin died June to the 70-90 student-ath6 from injuries sustained letes that came out to play in a fall at her family’s cabeach year as freshmen. in in Show Low, according “Her goal was socializato Xavier Athletic Director tion with the girls,” WinSister Lynn Winsor. She Laurie Coach Martin sor said. “Have them make suffered a traumatic brain friends with each other, injury and was transported via helicopter get to know each other, and teach them to the Chandler Regional Medical Center, tennis. The tennis was the instrument to where she succumbed. get them all together. But what she did, she She was 58. made them become friends.

“Any coach that has been at Xavier as “Tennis is a lifetime sport and she reallong as Laurie has, you don’t just meet ly pushed that. She had 90 kids out there the tennis team, you meet the school,” and it was the most organized, wonderful Winsor said. “Not too long ago when she program. The kids were so happy to be a was named Coach of the Year – she’s won part of it.” many of them – we always introduce her Winsor sent an announcement about at the pep rallies, and it wasn’t too long Coach Martin’s passing to the entire Xaviago she was introduced in front of the en- er community – alumni included. A page tire school and received a plaque. The kids was set up on the online platform Kudos know her. They know who she is.” and messages from alumni from around Coach Martin became a staple in the the country were posted honoring Coach tennis community during her tenure at Martin.

Xavier.

Coach Martin is survived by her husAlong with coaching the Gators, she band, Stan; daughters Amanda, Courtney also served as United States Tennis Asso- and Natalie’ and son Tanner. All her chilciation National High School Committee dren graduated from Xavier and Brophy.

Chair, Arizona Tennis Coaches Association Winsor said funeral arrangements are president, USTA Strategic Plan Task Force still pending.

Member and served on the Arizona Inter“This is a huge loss not only for Xavier, scholastic Association Tennis Advisory not only for the tennis community but for Committee. everyone,” Winsor said. “People are hurtLast year, Coach Martin was named the ing because they know what a wonderful Pro of the Year by the United States Profes- person she was. This is a hard day.”

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

INFRASTRUCTURE from page 1

walks going on both sides of the landscaped median.

It also includes widening Ironwood Road from Germann Road to State Route 24, and Germann Road from Kenworthy to Meridian Road, according to town documents.

These sections would then offer three travel lanes in each direction, a bike lane and sidewalks along both sides of a landscaped median.

The project also includes wastewater improvements within Pecos Road to Ironwood.

Town Council previously approved more than $6.6 million for the improvements between March 2 and April 20, according to public records requests.

A budget adjustment of $4.5 million from the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Capital Improvements Projects Contingency will fund portions of the project committed to prior to June 30.

The remainder of the $18.5 million in funds necessary for the project is included in the FY2022-23 CIP budget, according to town documents.

The new infrastructure will eventually surround and service an area that includes the 650-acre parcel where LG Energy Solution Ltd. plans to build a lithium battery manufacturing plant.

Some residents have opposed the plant, claiming it poses risks to their health, their animals’ health and the environment.

But town officials said they welcomed the new plant as a big win for the town and the region.

“The announcement of LG Energy Solution is the culmination of years of strategic planning,” Mayor Gail Barney said in April.

“It will bring thousands of local jobs to our highly skilled workforce – enhancing the quality of life our residents experience, additional infrastructure and major capital investment.”

Council on June 1 also approved $9.7 million for street improvements around an empty lot near Town Hall.

The money will help fund new roads and and other infrastructure improvements near the Town Center streets of Aldecoa Drive, Munoz Street and Summers Place.

“This project creates or completes three

The town plans a $25 million road project in this area. The red lines indicate what roads will be widened while the yellow lines illustrate new road construction. (Town of Queen Creek)

This map outlines the street improvements around an empty lot near Town Hall. Council approved $9.7 million to build new roads and improve upon some of the features near the Town Center Streets of Aldecoa Drive, Munoz Street and Summers Place.

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new local streets within the Town Center area connecting Ellsworth Road with Ellsworth Loop Road,” according to town documents.

The project will include paving, sewer and water improvements, drainage management improvements, curb and gutter, sidewalk, bike paths, themed hardscape, landscape and irrigation, themed street light systems, parking areas and new pedestrian-oriented infrastructure.

Site plans also detail a new road connecting Summer Place between Munoz Street and Aldecoa Drive.

It also shows Aldecoa Drive connecting South Ellsworth Loop Road to South Ellsworth Road, cutting through part of the property of the Duane Ellsworth Ameri-

can Legion Post 129.

According to town documents, Council previously approved more than $400,000 between Feb. 6, 2019, and Aug. 18, 2021, for a separate project titled: “Town Center Infrastructure Design.”

Town documents state construction is slated to begin in July and last approximately 12 to 16 months.

The town has already allocated more than $6.7 million in the current budget for the project and the June 1 action added another $2.9 million for construction costs, according to town documents.

Town documents show that a contract worth an estimated cost of more than $8 million will go to Nesbitt Contracting Co. of Tempe.

NEWS

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

Truckers scoff at ADOT plan to force them into one lane

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

I

t’s billed by the Department of Transportation as a way to improve safety.

But the head of the Arizona Trucking Association says the move to restrict all trucks to just the right lane of Interstate 10 between Casa Grande and Phoenix is nothing short of stupid. And Anthony Bradley scoffed at the claim by ADOT that it had “coordinated’’ the plan with his organization.

The idea, according to ADOT spokesman Garin Groff, stems from accidents along the 20-mile stretch that has yet to be widened to three lanes in each direction.

More to the point, the agency says heavy vehicles were involved in about 20% of crashes in that corridor and 15% of rear-end and sideswipe accidents.

And when there are accidents, the freeway can end up being closed to everyone.

“This is an attempt to try to reduce the

A truckers’ group is ripping ADOT’s proposal to force trucks to remain in the right lane on I-10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande. (Special to the Tribune) number of heavy truck-related incident in the area,’’ Groff said.

Bradley, however, said that’s making a presumption that the truckers were at fault.

“We let them know that a lot of those accidents were probably the fault of the

speeding cars that are traveling recklessly throughout that corridor,’’ he said.

“Moving all the trucks to the right-hand lane doesn’t solve that problem.’’

And there’s a more practical concern.

It means that the slowest vehicle in the right lane sets the pace for every-

one behind. So a truck following someone towing a motor home at 45 miles an hour -- where the speed limit is set at 75 -- has no choice but to play follow the leader for the entire 20-mile stretch.

And heavy truck traffic of everyone behind is slowed to the same crawl.

This isn’t a short-term issue.

Signs already are going up informing truckers of the restrictions which, in turn, will empower Department of Public Safety officers to ticket errant drivers under a section of law that makes it illegal to obey traffic signs.

ADOT says the signs will remain up until additional lanes are added in each direction. And even with lawmakers approving a $400 million infusion this year to speed up the work, the target for completion is sometime in 2026.

In a news release, ADOT said it has worked to “coordinate’’ the plan with the Arizona Trucking Association. But Bradley said that’s overstating the input

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see TRUCKERS page 15

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NEWS

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

G W IN NO LL RO EN This map shows the segment of the Santan Freeway that ADOT plans to begin widening in 2034. (ADOT)

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lans are in the works to begin widening an 8-mile stretch of Santan Freeway through Gilbert and Chandler beginning in early 2024 that will increase traffic capacity and help reduce congestion through 2040.

The pubic has until June 22 to give their input on the Arizona Department of Transportation project, which includes new sound walls and wider exit ramps.

“Loop 202 is a vital transportation corridor for the southeast communities of the City of Chandler and the Town of Gilbert,” said Kirstin Huston, ADOT senior project manager at a virtual meeting June 8. “It also provides connection to and from Loop 101.”

The meeting included a question-and answer-session with viewers about the project.

Huston said the widening of the Santan Freeway from the 101 to Val Vista Drive is needed due to the fact that Maricopa County is one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

“Growing traffic demand has caused Loop 202 to become increasingly congested during the morning and evening peak,” she said.

If the situation is not addressed, “traffic is expected to have a failing level of

service by 2030,” according to Huston.

The project calls for adding two general purpose lanes in each direction on the 202 from Loop 101 to Gilbert Road and one general purpose land in each direction from Gilbert Road to Val Vista Drive.

Currently, there are three general purpose lanes and a HOV or High-Occupancy Vehicle lane in each direction.

Additionally, exit ramps in the project area will increase to two lanes from one, overhead bridges will be widen and eastbound Arizona Avenue on-ramp and bridge will be reconstructed, according to Huston.

New sound walls will be built at three locations to mitigate against the traffic noise.

Along the north side of Loop 202 east of McQueen Road there will be a 12-foottall wall, approximately 2,347 feet long; along the south side of Loop 202 east of McQueen Road, there will be a 14-foottall wall, approximately 1,985 feet long and along the south side of Loop 202, west of Val Vista Drive, the wall will be 12 feet high and about 2,000 feet long.

Huston said the locations are based on a noise analysis conducted in 2019 and updated earlier this year and on ADOT and federal regulations. Existing sound walls will remain in place, she added.

see WIDENING page 13

NEWS

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

WIDENING from page 12

And, there are no plans to extend the current sound walls, according to Diana Dunn, an environmental planner and project manager at AZTEC Engineering Group. She noted that the 2019 study looked at what the noise level would be on that portion of the freeway, 20 years out.

To minimize impacts to drivers during construction, restrictions and closures on the 202 will primary occur during overnight hours and on weekends and not on major holidays or during large community events, according to Huston.

Ramps will need to be closed for reconstruction, althoug no two consecutive ramps will be closed, she said.

A number of meeting participants asked questions about things such as what material will be used on the roadway to help dampen the noise.

“I know that everybody would probably like to know tonight what the surface treatment will be,” said Randy Everett, ADOT Senior Division administrator.

“And ADOT and Maricopa Association of Governments are looking at all options for surface treatment and that’s not only on this project, but that’s throughout the entire Valley.

“So we don’t have an answer for what surface treatment will be on this project.

We will, before it goes to construction but we do not have that answer at this time.”

Some viewers asked why other ramps

Reaching ADOT

For information about the widening project, go to azdot.gov/L202L101-to-ValVista.

To comment: • Email Cludington@AZDOT.GOV • Call Carolynn Ludington, Community Relations Project manager at 480-594-6206 • Send mail to ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007

that have traffic backup during commute times aren’t being widened as well.

“The traffic analysis has shown that this area from 101 to Val Vista has the biggest need,” Huston explained.

Currently the project is in the final design phase, which is anticipated to be completed late this year, according to Huston.

“Construction is expected to start in early 2024, and take two to two and a half years to complete, which places completion of the project in late 2026 to mid-2027,” she said.

Andrew Moreno, AZTEC project manager, said portions of the improved roadway will open when feasible instead of waiting until full completion of the project.

The project is part of MAG’s Regional Transportation Plan and will be funded in part by Proposition 400, a dedicated sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004.

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14

NEWS

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

Parents, students plead for help from CUSD

BY KEN SAIN Tribune Staff Writer

A

community shocked by three recent suicides of Chandler Unified School District students spoke out June 8 and told the Governing Board to do more to address the mental health of young people.

“No parent should ever, ever have to cut their child down,” said Chad Day, whose son Pierson, a Perry High freshman, hung himself on May 24.

“You reached out to me and asked me if we need anything,” Day told Superintendent Frank Narducci. “We don’t need anything financially, but what we do need is you to help us with this community, Mr. Narducci.”

Day said some students asked him to address the board and support them in their call for help.

“It is a shame that they have to come in here and ask for this,” Day said. “It’s up to you to do something about this. If you don’t, we will find someone who will, I promise.”

Members of Arizona Students for Mental Health also called for more action.

They asked for the formation of a student action board in all CUSD junior high and high schools. The students on those boards would meet monthly with school officials to discuss issues they are experi-

Jayden Riecken proposed the formation of a student action board that would incorporate junior high and high school students together to help make decisions about what the community needs. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)

Chad Day, who’s son Pierson Chad Day took his own life on May 24, joined other parents and students at the Chandler Unified Governing Board meeting June 8 to plead for more mental health assistance for students.

(David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)

encing.

They also want students, teachers and staff at all those schools to get mental health first aid training from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing so that they can recognize the signs of someone who might be in trouble.

In 2019, the state Legislature passed Senate Bill 1468, mandating all public school staff be trained in an evidence-based, best practice suicide prevention training at least once every three years.

“I saw firsthand how a lack of mental health resources in school affected my friends and family,” said Maya Lehti, who is 13 and a rising eighth grader at Santan Junior High. “I have found that it is very hard to watch my loved ones struggle … there isn’t much out there to help them.”

Jayden Riecken, a 15-year-old rising sophomore at Basha High School, said, “I’ve had my own fair share of struggles with mental health and I feel that a lot of the time there’s no one I can go to for help.

Elle Mramor was among the students who told the Chandler Unified board that the district must do more to address kids’ mental health. (David Minton/

Maya Lehti, a 13-year-old junior high student, told the board, “I saw firsthand how a lack of mental health resources in school affected my friends and family.” (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)

Tribune Staff Photographer)

“Personally, I believe that there is a negative stigma that is formed around mental health. And then many people think that the side effects of it are not fixable. In reality, they very much are,” Jayden continued, adding: “The outdated style of the current mental health system in CUSD is void of any actual potency in relation to issues surrounding mental health. It’s up to me and my fellow students to help change that.”

Jayden said a student action board “would allow for students to feel more connected in the schooling environment, helping to further academic goals. In turn, this would not just encourage students to attend school more but encourage them to go excitedly in it.”

Board President Barb Mozdzen started the meeting by addressing the recent suicides and the mass shooting at a Texas elementary school.

“Our Chandler community is not immune to the increase in student suicides that are rocking our nation,” she said. “We grieve the loss of these young lives and the lifelong impact their deaths have on their families, friends, teachers and the rest of the community.

“We are committing to more than $5 million of expenditures through our schools this year, as we continue our commitment to addressing mental health and our mental health issues in our schools,” Mozdzen said. “This also includes ongoing training of staff to identify indicators that a child might be having some troubles together with the community so we will do what we can to keep our families.”

Even though district officials are forbidden by law to respond to citizen comments on matters not on the agenda, Narducci explained what CUSD has planned. He said they have been working on improving their mental health resources for six months.

“So it takes some time to do that,” he said.

He added that the district has many resources already available, that many students may not know about. He said they need to do a better job making sure the students know about those resources.

Narducci added that the district is

see CUSD page 15

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

CUSD from page 14

working with the City of Chandler and is planning a number of forums this fall to address teen suicides. He said they will bring in national experts to speak at those forums.

“There’s a ton of things that we’re already doing that we’ve communicated out to all parents in the summer and gave them resources,” Narducci said.

He said the suggestion for student action boards came up for the first time at last week’s meeting, so there are no plans for that as of now. But he said district administrators are working on a plan going forward and that an action board would be something they can look at.

“This is not going to be one shot and done,” Narducci said. “This is going to be sustainable, so that we can get evidence-based research practices that help us move forward.”

TRUCKERS from page 11

his organization got in the decision. “ ‘Coordinate’ is probably the wrong term,’’ he said.

“They informed us of their decision,’’ he said. “We informed them of, frankly, the stupidity of the decision.’’

Bradley also said that ADOT rejected ideas that would minimize the impact on truck traffic -- and deal with the backups that could result.

“We had asked that, if they were going to do it, that they create some space for us to have passing ability,’’ he said, short breaks in that 20-mile stretch where a truck could legally get around a slow-moving vehicle. Bradley said his organization also suggested reducing the trucks-in-right-lane-only stretch to something less than 20 miles.

“They listened to us and obviously are doing what they believe they need to

The Arizona Peer and Family Coalition also wrote a letter to district officials urging them to hold a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the increase in suicides.

Board member Lindsay Love said the District is not doing enough on mental health issues.

“I get a little weepy when we talk about suicide,” Love said. “Last year, we ended … the year with a suicide and this year, we’ve ended with three. I had spoken about never wanting to be in this position again, and we’re in a worse position than we were.”

Chandler educator and mental health advocate Katey McPherson praised the students who spoke.

I was so proud to watch these students advocate for additional mental health and suicide prevention resources,” she said. “They came from all over the District and have organized themselves formally.” do,’’ he said, chiding the agency for its decision.

“It’s a typical ‘affect 20% and the other 80% are free to do what they want,’ ‘’ Bradley said.

Beyond that, Bradley said he foresees other complicating factors in the ADOT decision that he believes actually could make the traffic and safety situation even worse.

“You’re going to have passenger vehicles in the left-hand lane holding up people,’’ he said, as the trucks occupy the right lane.

“People are going to get frustrated,’’ Bradley continued. “They’re going to have no place to go and they’re going to continue to cause accidents.’’

Groff said ADOT “will be monitoring the situation if there are unintended consequences.’’

“And we’ll make adjustments if needed,’’ he said.

GOT NEWS?

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

NEWS

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NEWS

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

GOP lawmakers favor more for border than schools

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

G

ov. Doug Ducey and Republican legislative leaders are trying to line up the votes for a $15.1billion spending plan that includes more money for border security than for new unrestricted operating funds for public schools.

And at the same time, they want to cut $1.3 billion in taxes in the next three years.

The $544 million in that border security plan includes $355 million for a state-funded fence.

That wasn’t a priority of the governor in January when he announced his own spending plan. In fact, he earmarked only $50 million for “physical barriers.’’

But the idea has proven much more popular among GOP lawmakers, with the Senate actually voting along party lines this year to put $700 million to “administer and manage the construction of a new border fence.’’

Republicans in the House were more reserved, approving just $150 million.

House Majority Leader Ben Toma, R-Peoria, said the budget plan does not necessarily require all this be spent on physical barriers. He said it also would permit a “virtual’’ fence, monitored with technology.

But Senate President Karen Fann, R-Prescott, said doing something remains a priority. And she said an actual wall or fence makes sense, especially along 17 miles of what the federal government planned to build during the Trump administration but were abandoned after Biden took office.

“Most of those materials are still laying around and were already paid for by the federal government,’’ she said. And Fann said that border security is among the top issues in Arizona, and for good reason.

“There are young ladies getting raped by these coyotes,’’ she said.

“We have unaccompanied children coming across,’’ Fann continued. “The atrocities are absolutely horrendous.

And that has got to stop.’’

Phoenix Republican Sen. Paul Boyer remains a stumbling block to Senate Republicans’ border-over-schools spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1. He says the plan woefully under fails to support public education. (Tribune file photo) The border barrier is only part of that $544 million security plan. It also includes everything from additional dollars to help local sheriffs to financial assistance for prosecutors.

But those priorities are not shared by everyone.

The biggest hurdle for Republicans remains Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale.

He points out the state has a surplus of more than $5 billion. And while some of that is being spent to pay off the debts of state retirement systems, Boyer said there should be more than enough left for what he thinks should be the top priority: public education.

It starts, he said, with the fact that voters approved Proposition 208 in 2020 to tax the wealthiest Arizonans to provide about $900 million more a year in school operating funds. While the Supreme Court ruled the form of the levy to be illegal, Boyer said the state has more than enough to fund that out of existing revenues.

In fact, even with adding $425 million to the state’s “rainy day’’ fund and cutting property taxes by $350 million a year, the

state would still have a $1 billion surplus at the end of three years.

There are some additional education dollars in the GOP proposal, like $49 million to increase basic aid to schools by 2.5%. But Boyer said there’s less there than meets the eye.

He pointed out that the plan actually reduces the money schools now get for things like higher salaries for experienced teachers. The result, said Boyer, is some districts will end up with little, if any, new dollars.

“It’s a shell game,’’ he said. What it also is, said Boyer, is bad policy.

“At a time when Arizona needs teachers desperately to stay, especially experienced ones, you’re getting rid of that state program,’’ he said.

But gubernatorial press aide C.J. Karamargin said Ducey supports the idea of killing what is known as the teacher experience index.

“More affluent schools typically have longer-tenured teachers versus lower-income schools that have higher teacher turnover,’’ he said. ``So we see this issue as a matter of equity.’’

But Chuck Essigs, lobbyist for the Association of School Business Officials, said it will hurt rural districts who use the funds to keep experienced teachers.

There is another $100 million in additional dollars for students with special needs. But here, too, Boyer said, the plan fails to fund programs for students in poverty.

And there are other dollars for K-12 education in the plan, like $60 million in relatively unrestricted “additional assistance.’’

Only thing is, that is being divided up evenly between traditional public schools and charter schools that are privately run, often for profit, even though there are far more students in traditional schools. Essigs said that translates out to $30 for each public school student - and $130 for each student in a charter school.

Another $200 million in new education funds is earmarked only for school construction and repair, with none of it available for teacher salaries, a sore point among some who cite reports that show Arizona has among the lowest-paid teachers in the nation.

And while there is $50 million being added for school safety, the dollars are restricted and can be used to hire only police officers.

Aides to the governor defended the restriction, noting that state schools chief Kathy Hoffman gave certain federal pandemic relief dollars to schools, but with the limitation to use the cash solely for counselors. They said there are schools who want actual officers in place for protection.

Fann said if GOP leadership can’t line up the votes of all the Republicans -–it takes all of them as they have only a onevote edge in the House and Senate – then she will have to look to Democrats.

There are things in the spending plan that appear to have bipartisan support, like $334 million as a down payment on a $1 proposal to obtain new water supplies, possibly through desalination projects.

The state also is increasing its funding for various programs for foster care and other social programs.

NEWS

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

17

BBB, SRP honor Queen Creek JROTC cadet

Team within AFJROTC. I was nervous, because it was very new to me, but once I was there I was welcomed. They worked with my communication skills and also taught me how to be efficient when working with others. The word team means so much more to me now than ever before.

This team gave me the opportunity to learn to rely on others when I need help.

The motto we go by in the Corps is “One Team, One Fight, One Win.” I proceeded to be on JLAB for two years afterwards serving as the Varsity Captain, and we still fight as one team and consistently win. My sophomore year I had finally found my voice in leadership. I was assertive in situations and quickly rose to the top of my class, but my struggle was that I lacked confidence. I constantly doubted myself, and these problems seemed to only grow as I grew older….

With my first leadership position came a lot of guidance from my instructors and others in leadership. From the time I first joined the Corps to now, I no longer am the nervous kid on the first day of school that was too afraid to approach her instructors. I am the first person to volunteer for an event, and now I can perform in front of hundreds or do color guards at major events without being nervous. I am excited to go to events where I have a role, because I am confident in myself that I can do it correctly and well. I acknowledge that failure is an option, but I don’t let it control the outcome of anything I do.

I have confidence in my skills and that they embody “Excellence in All We Do”.

I lead with confidence, and it reflects in

how well my team performs…

My instructors, teammates, and comrades in AFJROTC helped me through everything this year. Many helped tutor me, uplift me, and assure me that one failure doesn’t define me and rather those failures helped me grow and learn. They also pushed me to do better, but in a way that helped me instead of put me down. They provided constructive criticism that I could work on and think about. I have grown more in this year than any other, and now I have more realistic expectations for myself that are still challenging. These are goals and expectations that are possible to reach and leave me excited to meet them.

Working on a team, being confident and learning to better myself in a healthy way are all things that I have struggled with before I joined JROTC. In JROTC we build better citizens of character, and all of these things I was given the opportunity to work on so I can give back to my community. I am an efficient team worker that contributes as much as I can and asks for assistance when struggling. I am a confident person who can trust myself and my own decisions.

I am a strong leader who is setting up the future of my Corps.

Wirth, who is an older white man, to say he did not understand that, especially following the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

“Yes, I’m very uncomfortable with your statement about not wanting police officers on the campus,” Wirth said.

“Considering all that is going on in the world, that seems like the worst decision we can make.

Love began speaking as Wirth kept pleading, “Let me finish.”

Love said that while he may be comfortable, there are likely parents and students in the audience who are not.

Board President Barb Mozdzen tried to regain control, asking Love to allow Wirth to finish his remarks.

“I will not be silenced about this,” Love said.

Love made extended remarks saying that the District is not doing enough on equity or on mental health and needs to do better.

“I just think that it is interesting that there is more done, you know, to silence me,” Love said. “But that same energy was not given when you have people who came in and made homophobic and transphobic comments, when we had people who made racist comments, some of them sitting on this dais.”

Wirth responded: “I guess I don’t mind the comments, I don’t appreciate the bullying that seems to come from your mouth all the time,” he said.

“And that’s a perfect example right there,” Love said.

“Yeah, just a bully,” Wirth said.

It is not the first time the two board members have had a heated exchange.

Earlier this year Wirth said he did not understand why race had to play a role in who sits on the board of the Arizona School Boards Association.

Love, who sits on that board to represent African Americans, took exception.

The proposal they were discussing was to give Native Americans and Latinos a permanent seat on the board. They had shared a seat, alternating each year.

Wirth later dropped his opposition to that proposal after saying he learned more about the issue.

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

A

Queen Creek teen is among four Gilbert public school students who have received scholarships as part of a program by the Better Business Bureau and Salt River Project to honor students in the Junior Officers Training Corps in their schools.

Abigail McKena Cramer , a junior at Higley High School, is among a total 10 JROTC cadets cited for their “leadership, character, commitment to service and actions that go beyond the call of duty.”

The winners were asked to write an essay that focused on those values.

Here are some excerpts from Abigail’s essay.

“My freshman year I learned how to work in a team environment. Growing up I thought that being successful meant that I could do everything by myself without the help of anyone including my parents, friends, teachers or coaches. This led to unnecessary stress throughout my academic and athletic career.

Words like “weak” were what I commonly associated with being dependent on others. This was until I was given the opportunity to be a part of the Varsity Joint Leadership and Academic Bowl

ABIGAIL McKENA CRAMER

2 CUSD board members argue over SROs TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

A

long-simmering dispute between two Chandler Unified School District Governing Board members reached the boiling point at the June 8 meeting with the two trying to shout each other down and making unflattering statements about each other.

It came at the end of an emotional meeting where a number of students and the father of a recent suicide victim urged the board to do more to address mental health.

The dispute became open after Lindsay Love, who is Black, said she is not comfortable seeing school resource officers on campus. That prompted Joel

18

NEWS

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022

Gilbert woman’s slaying rattles community TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

T

he fatal shooting of a 19-year-old woman by a stranger in her apartment jolted Gilbert, ranked consistently as one of the safest communities in America.

Gilbert Police identified the victim as Rachel Hansen, who died from a single gunshot wound at Chandler Regional Medical Center.

“We know that an unknown person entered Hansen’s apartment but identifying a potential motive is part of the ongoing investigation,” police spokeswoman Brenda Carrasco said in an email two days after the homicide. “I do not have any additional or new information to provide at this time.”

Officers responded to a 911 call at 2 a.m., Saturday, June 4, at the Redstone at SanTan Village apartments near San Tan Village Parkway and Ray Road.

Hansen said in the 911 call that she was shot by an “unknown person” insid-

er her apartment, police said.

Friends paid tribute to Hansen on social media, calling her an “angel” and “extremely sweet.”

“It was hard to have a bad day around Rachel,” wrote one person. “The sweetest person and no doubt a lot of peoples best friend.”

“It was hard to have a bad day around Rachel. The sweetest person and no doubt a lot of peoples best friend.”

Rachel Hansen of Gilbert was shot to death by a stranger in her Gilbert apartment June 4. (Gofundme) A GoFundMe account was set up to raise $15,000 for Hansen’s family. By Friday, 141 people gave more than $9,200.

With few details released, speculation about Hansen’s death was rampant on social media, many tying her death to a horse she owned.

“She had received threats from the persons who stole her horse, they had

been harassing her over posts she made,” a man wrote. “She was selling her things because someone had stole her horse and was demanding ransom to have it returned.”

A woman posted, “I feel it was the people that stole her horse and made many threats. They wanted ransom money and was threatening her from fake Facebooks. It’s a ugly situation.”

And another women wrote, “There is NO WAY the people who stole her horse aren’t related to this. This is not a coincidence.”

Police remained tight-lipped if the speculations had merit.

“Identifying a potential motive in this shooting is part of our ongoing investigation,” Sgt. Paul Alaniz said. “ Any leads or tips submitted by the public are actively being worked.”

According to a post by Missing Equine Search & Awareness in Mesa, Hansen’s horse Dash is a registered quarter horse in foal with.

Other social media reports showed residents were unnerved by the circumstances of the killing.

“There is no video or security anywhere? So the killer is just out there?” wrote a person.

And a woman commented, “I’ve been here for 2.5 years and all of a sudden I don’t feel so safe here anymore.”

But, the majority of comments blamed apartments for leading to Hansen’s death.

“Apartments bring crime!” a man wrote. “Watch and see! Gilbert once bragged about their low crime rate.

Keeping building these apartment complexes and watch what happens!”

Another man agreed, saying “Apartments will be the downfall to the low crime in Gilbert but it’s all about the tax dollars.”

And another wrote, “This is EXACTLY what happens when Gilbert is being flooded with apartments. Apartments and investors who rent out homers instead of having homeowners this is what to expect. Not all renters but a majority.”

Rent at the Redstone ranged from $1,650 for a one-bedroom unit up to $2,543 for a three-bedroom apartment.

Hansen’s death was the second homicide so far this year in Gilbert.

In January, Raeanna Ferguson, 22, was fatally shot in her rental home at the Carol Rae Ranch neighborhood.

Police arrested her roommate, Dwayne M. Toone, 46, on suspicion of killing the young mother.

How to help

Anyone with information regarding the victim or incident is urged to call the Gilbert Police Department non-emergency line at 480-503-6500 or submit information through Submit A Tip portal: gilbertaz.gov/.../submit-a-tip-requestspecial-patrol To donate on GoFundMe, go to gofundme.com/f/stm3f9-assist-Rachels-family

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Area burn survivors take on a mountain

BY CECILIA CHAN Progress Staff Writer

I

t’s been a painful two-year journey of 47 surgeries, setbacks and rehab for burn survivor Jason Nelson, who lives in Mesa.

Today, June 12, the former Gilbert resident begins another journey – hiking 19,341 feet up to the top of Africa’s tallest mountain.

“For me personally it’s just a challenge to come from almost dying to standing on top of Mount Kilimanjaro with a group of survivors,” said Nelson, 45, who now lives in Mesa. “It’s hard to resist that.”

Joining Nelson are seven other burn survivors all treated at Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health. The trip is mean to raise awareness of what burn survivors can accomplish and also to

raise money for the burn facility.

Among them are a Mesa couple who miraculously survived a crash that obliterated their private plane.

Stephanie Neilson in 2004 as a young mother became one of the first “mommy bloggers” when she started an online journal about motherhood, traveling with children and creating a family home. Over the next four years, thousands of followers shared in the couple’s joy as their family grew.

On Aug. 16, 2008, she and her husband Christian were flying their small plane when it crashed and exploded on impact in the Arizona desert. Over the next four months, their lives and future were in the hands of medical experts at the Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health.

Stephanie’s New York Times best-selling memoir, “Heaven Is Here:

After 47 surgeries for injuries he sustained in an explosion at his then-home in Gilbert, Jason Nelson, now living in Mesa, is preparing to climb Africa’s highest peak with seven other burn victims form Maricopa County. (Courtesy of Jason Nelson)

Jason Nelson, in the black ski cap, joins the rest of the burn survivors comprising Team Courage Rising in a trek in Arizona. (Courtesy of Jason Nelson)

An Incredible Story of Hope, Triumph, and Everyday Joy” honors many of her heroes in the Arizona Burn Center.

The couple has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, ABC News, The Oprah Winfrey Network and many more – and followed by supporters around the country and world.

The Nielsons share their gratitude for the compassionate care by the first responders and medical heroes who saved their lives. A video about their ordeal can be viewed at youtube.com/ watch?v=apd_wTSVmpU. The other survivors doing the climb are Isia Cook, 11, a Peoria gymnast

who suffered burns over 46 percent of her body from a propane tank accident. She will be hiking with her mother, Aly; Isabella McCune, 12, of Phoenix who suffered severe burns when a fire pit exploded in the family’s front yard; Phoenix Fire Capt. Susie Fawcett, burned in 1998 while fighting a structure fire; and Hailey Boyce, who at 17 suffered severe burns in a vaping accident.

Nelson’s near-death mishap happened on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, while he was doing remodeling work on his

see SURVIVORS page 20

20

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SURVIVORS from page 19

house in Gilbert.

“I went out to the garage to light a cigarette and there was a natural gas leak in the street that I didn’t know about,” he recalled. “I lit the cigarette and it ignited a fireball in the garage.

“I just knew there was an explosion.

It pretty much put me in shock. I remember standing outside screaming in pain.”

A neighbor heard the explosion and called 911.

Nelson suffered second- and third-degree burns to 80 percent of his body – from his face to his waist and from his knees to his ankles.

“Pretty much, the upper body caught the brunt of the explosion,” he said.

He was put in a medically induced coma, awakening at the end of May in the ICU. Nelson was discharged during the first week of July for inpatient rehab but ended up with MRSA, a deadly superbug bacteria.

“So, I had to get readmitted to Valleywise,” he said. “It (MRSA) killed my graphs, it ate my graphs.”

Surgeons had gotten the skin graphs from Nelson’s back, butt, any place that was not damaged by the flames.

“I had to learn to walk again and feed myself,” Nelson said. “I was almost 40 at the time and my parents moved from Minnesota to Arizona to take care of me.

“So, it’s been a journey.”

By late 2016, Nelson completed his last surgery, which totaled 47 in all, and married his girlfriend, whom he was dating before his accident.

For the most part, he has full function of his limbs aside from some scar contractures and some fused fingers that don’t bend anymore, Nelson said.

“I tell people it probably took me five years to get back to the person I was before the accident mentally and physically,” he said, adding that he has learned compassion for other people

Among the burn survivors making the trek are Christian and Stephanie Nielsen of Mesa, who miraculously survived a crash that obliterated their private plane. (YouTube)

These are the remains of the Nielsens’ plane after it crashed. (YouTube) because of his experience.

Also going on the trip are medical professionals from the burn center and supporters.

They will fly to Africa on June 13 and once there they will spend seven days covering 38 miles. Although the

GOT NEWS?

trek can be strenuous at times, climbing Kilimanjaro requires no technical skills or equipment, such as rope, harness, crampons or ice axe.

The team is expected to reach the final summit Uhuru Peak on day six or June 22.

Valleywise Health Foundation, the nonprofit charity for the hospital, is sponsoring the trip. Each burn survivor has a fundraising page to raise money for the burn center.

Nelson said he’d like to see more mental health programs at the hospital with the money raised.

“There’s nothing about a burn that’s not traumatic,” he said. “Everything about a burn, from how it occurs to how to care for a burn is very traumatic.”

Nelson said when he was asked two years ago if he was interested in the trek, he jumped at the opportunity.

“I didn’t have to think about it,” said Nelson, who when asked shares his journey with other burn survivors at the hospital. “The goal for me is to give back to someone who gave me so much.

“I don’t think I would be the person today if I’ve not gone through Valleywise. My outcome would have been a lot different.”

Nelson and the other survivors began training almost every other week by hiking around the state at places such as South Mountain, Piestewa Peak and Humphreys Peak, the highest pinnacle in Arizona at 12,633 feet.

Nelson also has hiked the Grand Canyon three times since his accident.

He has always been physically fit, a self-described cross-fit junkie who had just competed in a Spartan race with obstacles the day before the exposion.

“We wanted to make sure we were all healthy enough to do this,” Nelson said. “Burn survivors have different issues, some have skin tightness, scar contractures and some have inhalation damage to the lungs.”

But COVID came and threw a wrench into their plans, delaying the hike for two years, until now and Nelson said he’s raring to go.

“It’s about overcoming the odds,” he said. “A burn injury isn’t the end of someone’s life.”

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

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Bug & Weed Mart thrives with family

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Tribune Staff Writer

L

ike most things, it started with a need, Owner Jim LaBrie likes to tell people about how he founded Bug & Weed Mart over 40 years ago.

LaBrie had been teaching at Alhambra High School and felt bugged by critters that snuck into his home.

However, since he was on a teacher’s salary, he couldn’t afford an exterminator. So he decided to do the best he could by going to hardware stores and purchasing the best bug juice he could find.

Unfortunately, the sprays didn’t do the trick. So, he kept searching until he stumbled into a small shop in Mesa that had what he needed.

LaBrie was able to purchase the same chemicals used by professional exterminators and his creepy-crawly visitors took a hike.

He became so impressed by the concept that he kept a close eye on it and eventually purchased the business he once patronized, giving birth to Bug & Weed Mart.

Before Jim knew it, the business began to swarm its way from its humble beginnings in Mesa to four more locations in the valley: Gilbert, Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix.

“We started as one store in Mesa and our customers who drove from other areas told my dad ‘hey, we’d love to be able to come to see you’ or ‘is there a chance you could open (another) store’ and the business finally justified enough growth,” said Jim’s son Joe, who joined

Bug & Weed Mart owner Jim LaBrie stands next to his son Joe who operates the Scottsdale location and acts as the business’s director of operations. Bug & Weed Mart has been in business for over 40 years and has had a presence in Scottsdale for over two decades.

(Special to the Progress)

the business in 2010 and currently operates the Scottsdale location in addition to acting as the companies director of operations.

One by one, the stores kept opening and the timing became perfect for Jim to turn the business over to his daughter Cara and son Joe. Although he admits he did put his kids through the wringer in the years leading up to their transition.

“Terrible, I had to fire them four times,” Jim said with a laugh after being

asked what it was like to work with his children. “But it worked out pretty well because it is a business relationship and they’ve learned enough over the years about how to do things and they’re quite mature.”

However, Joe and Cara have proven their worth by managing their way through shortages of certain products and dealing with rising costs.

“There were some spikes that were crazy recently. And that was followed by the unavailability,” Joe said. “I’m very

proud to say we’ve worked diligently to maintain stock on all of our items even though it’s been a little bit of a hop, skip and a jump to where I will have to stuff products in my trunk and lug them from one store to another some days.”

Joe believes that the tide is beginning to settle in terms of having items on backorder.

“It looks like things are finally starting to mellow a bit and I’m very happy to say we have not been out of stock for anything our customers have needed,” Joe said.

This has come at the most opportune time as Joe has just begun stacking his shelves in preparation the re-emergence of scorpions and mosquito season looms.

“Scorpions have kind of been the long-standing given here,” Joe said.

“However, in the last couple of years, we’ve seen a lot more mosquito activity and the West Nile virus is here which is a pretty real issue.”

Those are not the only critters that Joe has seen jump into the fold in recent years either.

“We’ve also seen a roof rat infestation that used to be focused on just a couple of neighborhoods, and many more places now than it used to be,” he said.

However, Joe feels confident in his products and authentic approach to customer service but in terms of the future expansion of the business, he plans to continue to do whatever his dad wants.

Know anything interesting going on in Queen Creek?

Send your Business news to pmaryniak@timespublications.com

Info: bugweedmart.com

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ALA Queen Creek embracing 5A jump

BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

A

merican Leadership Academy Queen Creek established itself as a 3A power early in the football program’s existence.

The Patriots played their first season in 2012 in the Canyon Athletic Association, a league designated for smaller charter schools across the state separate from the Arizona Interscholastic Association. After three years, they made the jump to AIA play and won a 3A Conference state title in 2016.

That championship run set the stage for what was to come at ALA, as it became a hot spot for talent in Queen Creek that proved it can hang with some of the biggest teams in the state.

“It really shows the growth of our program and how hard we work and come together,” senior cornerback and wide receiver Ryan Meza said. “Every time we get higher competition our coaches prepare us to play whoever. It doesn’t matter if we are smaller, we come out hungry.”

When Meza enrolled as a freshman, the Patriots were still a part of the 3A Conference. But a realignment by the AIA that separated football from other sports and focused mostly on the success of teams in the past moved them up to 4A by the time he was a sophomore.

The COVID season was a difficult one for all teams, but the Patriots still made a run to the playoffs before falling to eventual champion Mesquite.

Last year, ALA took another step toward becoming a powerhouse program. The Patriots were one of just two 4A teams to make the Open Division playoffs — an eight-team bracket comprised of what is supposed to be the best in the state.

While the first-round game against Hamilton didn’t go the Patriots’ way, they were

American Leadership Academy – Queen Creek seniors Matt Blau, “left,” and Ryan Meza have embraced the challenge that comes with the Patriots moving up in conference since they enrolled as freshmen. The program started in 3A and is now preparing for a 5A season where they hope to further earn respect from the state. (Dave Minton/Tribune Staff) competitive. And they feel they proved themselves.

“What most people don’t know is, it was 14-7 at halftime. We feel we can play with anyone, and we are tough as nails,” Meza said. “We just play with the philosophy that we come out and aren’t afraid of anybody.

We learned this team is way stronger than most people in the state give us credit for.”

Like Meza, senior offensive and defensive lineman Matt Blau has also been at ALA since he was a freshman. He hasn’t been surprised by the program’s jump up in conference since he’s arrived. He enjoys the competition.

That’s why he was excited to learn ALA would again be moved up, this time to 5A, the state’s second largest classification.

Blau believes last season was a turning point for the program. All season long they felt they were on a collision course with Cactus for the 4A title. But when both teams were placed in the Open Division,

they were left with a “what if” scenario.

The two were arguably the best teams in 4A last season but never got to see it play out.

This year, however, will be different.

They will meet in Week 2 of the season.

“I don’t know if it’s a rivalry but it’s definitely a competition,” Blau said. “We definitely would’ve gone to state, us and Cactus. It’s a thought of who would’ve won if we played. Now we get that opportunity to play them this season.”

Like many other teams, ALA has used the first few weeks of summer to compete in 7 on 7 and big man competitions.

It kicked off the summer at the Gotta Believe Athletic Club’s high school championships at Mesa High over Memorial Day weekend. The Patriots then went to Arizona State’s 7s tournament where they lost to eventual champion Chandler.

ALA head coach Ty Detmer said his team isn’t big on 7s. But he recognizes

that it allows the kids to compete and most importantly see where holes need to be filled on the depth chart.

The Patriots graduated several seniors from last year’s team, including quarterback and track star Logan Hubler. They also lost two starting offensive linemen but have reloaded with a few transfers and with Blau returning as an anchor at 6-foot-4, 290 pounds.

Detmer will rely on players like Blau and Meza to lead the way from a player’s perspective. He’s already seen them step up into bigger leadership roles. That’s something that will be needed throughout the rest of the summer to prepare for the fall.

“This is probably a bigger jump than from 3A to 4A,” Detmer said. “I hope our guys can recognize that and rise to the challenge throughout the summer. It’ll be different because of that. These guys will have to be ready to play and some of them both ways.”

There’s a new sense of urgency and confidence that surrounds the ALA team.

They feel they belong and they’re eager to prove that to the rest of the state.

But with a jump in conference comes a tough schedule. Along with Cactus, the Patriots will face off against Queen Creek, sister school ALA - Gilbert North, Mesquite, Higley, Campo Verde and last year’s 5A champion Horizon, among others.

The players have adopted a new mindset. No longer are they able to come in and push teams around in the lower conferences. Every week is going to be a challenge. But they’re ready for it.

“We’ve got a good group of guys who are ready to go at it,” Blau said. “We talk every week about our toughest games.

Every time we hit the weight room we think, ‘these aren’t pushover teams anymore. These are good, tough football teams.’ We have to work.”

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QC drummer shares beloved singer’s final tunes

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Tribune Staff Writer

W

hen the alt-rock band Grey Daze wanted to honor its late lead singer, Chester Bennington, one way stood out.

Drummer Sean Dowdell approached Bennington’s widow, Talinda Bennington, and her children about breathing new life into 20 unreleased tracks with the Linkin Park singer’s vocals.

“I told Talinda and the that we’re going to curate this project and keep his original intention to not exploit anything,” Dowdell said.

Bennington died by suicide at age 41 in 2017.

Grey Daze formed in 1993 and released two albums – “Wake Me” (1994) and “…No Sun Today” (1997) – and recorded demos for several other works at Anthem Studios in Glendale and the Valley’s Conservatory of Recording Arts and Science. When Linkin Park reached commercial success at the turn of the millennium, Grey Daze disbanded.

With Talinda Bennington’s blessing, Dowdell – who graduated from Shadow Mountain High School and resides in Queen Creek – bass player Mace Beyers and guitar player Cristin Davis moved forward d to shed one more light on another dimension of the singer.

The first chapter was the 2020 release of “Amends,” featuring 10 Bennington-led tracks. Following the success of the album, Dowdell returned to the studio later that year to wrap up the remaining 10 tracks.

“The Phoenix” will be released on June 17.

A listening party is being planned.

“We chose the songs the first one because we felt like they all fit together,” said Dowdell, Bennington’s partner in Club Tattoo —which opened its first of six locations in Tempe 27 years ago, among other things.

“The songs that were left fit really well together, too. It feels like we did it on pur-

Alt-rock band Grey Daze is set to release the second half of 20 tracks worth of vocals recorded by vocalist Chester Bennington on an album titled “The Phoenix” which is set to hit the airwaves on June 17. (Special to GetOut) right in the chest, but in a good way,” Dowdell said with a laugh.

“It’s not the ‘Amends’ record, which was much sadder. It was more of an emotional roller coaster and a lot of tears were shared.

I have a feeling that, when people listen to Former Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington died in 2017. this record, it’s not going to be as emotional.

(Special to GetOut) They’re going to want pose and, maybe subconsciously on some to raise their fist and scream along with level, we did. But it wasn’t as conscious of Chester.” a decision as one might think,” The sticks That’s because “The Phoenix” was reman said. corded with the same attitude, which can While “Amends” offers a somber celebra- be seen in the YouTube docuseries titled tion of Bennington’s work with Grey Daze, “Creation of The Phoenix” which followed “The Phoenix” offers a sharp contrast in the band through the creation of the album. sound and attitude.

“So, with the last album, there was a lot “The entire record feels like a rock an- of crying and a lot of hugging,” Dowdell them and it feels like a very powerful rock said. “This time, the studio was a lot more band that is in your face and punching you celebratory. We really had a lot of fun and

shared a lot of good stories about Chester.”

The team featured Dowdell, Beyers and Davis along with Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro and Filter vocalist Richard Patrick. Ben-nington’s daughters, Lily and Lila, perform on “Hole.”

Dowdell admits it was hard to create the perfect sound.

“Mace, Cristin and I took our best guess at what we thought Chester would have appreciated,” Dowdell said. “I can’t say for certain he definitely would have done this, or he definitely would have done that because he was such a creative human. We took our best-educated guess as to what we think you would have liked.”

Although “The Phoenix’s” lyrics further immortalize Bennington, Dowdell feels the album’s title and artwork notably exemplify his best friend.

“We thought the flames (on his arms) were the most visually iconic part about Chester,” Dowdell said.

“That photo is just such an iconic capture of, not only who he was in life, and what he meant to me, but who he was, visually, to the rest of us.”

Dowdell admits he desperately misses Bennington – who grew up in the Valley and owned a home in Gilbert – with whom he played on stage. They also played basketball, test drove cars and sat and talked during their decades of friendship.

“I think it’ll always be a sad thing, but it doesn’t tear me up inside every day as it did for the first two years,” he said.

Nevertheless, he feels “The Phoenix” allows fans to relish Bennington’s notable voice one last time and appreciate who he was as a person.

“We finished this music to not only fulfill his thoughts and our thoughts, but I think it’s nice to be able to appreciate Chester, for all of the things that he did,” Dowdell said.

Info: greydazemusic.com

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Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures, Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors, We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors. If it’s glass, we can help you.

QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices. FREE Estimates

10% OFF

WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR Call 480-306-5113 wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

• 20+ Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty

Handyman

LLC

• Drywall Repair • Bathroom Remodeling • Home Renovations

Not a licensed contractor

Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

josedominguez0224@gmail.com

Bonded/Insured • ROC #289252

833-777-8337

• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service ARRANTY 5 -YEAR PART W

Jose Dominguez Painting & Drywall SEE OUR AD IN DRYWALL! Quick Response to your Call!

15 Years Exp 480-266-4589

• Electrical Repair • Plumbing Repair • Dry rot and termite damage repair

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES

480.345.1800 ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded

Painting

All Water Purification Systems Voted #1 Plumber 3 Years In A Row OVER 1,000 5-STAR REVIEWS

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

844-560-7755 Roofing

SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

All Estimates are Free • Call:

520.508.1420

www.husbands2go.com

Licensed, Bonded & Insured • ROC#317949 Ask me about FREE water testing!

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Call us to place your ad online!

480-898-6465

PAINTING Interior & Exterior Residential/Commercial Free Estimates Drywall Repairs Senior Discounts References Available

— Call Jason —

(602) 502-1655

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof

MonsoonRoofingInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 12, 2022