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  • 🗣️ Gilbert senator must testify 🎵 The Watermark at Morrison Ranch residents 🏀 Gilbert teen named USA Basketball’s and more...

🗣️ Gilbert senator must testify 🎵 The Watermark at Morrison Ranch residents 🏀 Gilbert teen named USA Basketball’s and more...

Gilbert Local Pulse | Issue #034

Author

Lloyd Heath
December 08, 2023

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In this issue of Gilbert Local Pulse

🌤️ Gilbert, AZ Local Weather

 📅 Gilbert, AZ and Surrounding Area Events

🗣️ Gilbert senator must testify in vote-suppression case

⚖️ Abortion case before Arizona Supreme Court could face deadlocked vote

👨🏽‍⚖️ Gilbert's first ethics mediation reaches impasse

 😵 Mug N' Shot closes in Gilbert's Heritage District

 🤑 Free samples, food carts, games to be part of Gilbert Walmart event Dec. 8

 🎈 Winter Sports and Activities Registration Opens in Gilbert; Something for Everyone

 🎵 The Watermark at Morrison Ranch residents to share musical gifts at holiday concert

 🏀 Gilbert teen named USA Basketball’s Male Athlete of the Year

 🏀 Coaching legend Gary Ernst returns to Mountain View for Hall of Fame induction

December 8th

December 8 - 19

Gilbert senator must testify in vote-suppression case

In a significant legal development, Arizona's top Republican legislators, House Speaker Ben Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen, must testify regarding the 2022 voter registration laws. The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed their claims of legislative privilege. These laws, challenged for their discriminatory nature, are under scrutiny for possibly targeting specific racial and ethnic groups. The case, led by Judge Susan Bolton, delves into the motives and impacts of these laws. While Petersen has agreed to testify, Toma has not commented. The involvement of these GOP leaders, following a decision by the Democrat Attorney General not to defend parts of the law, marks a crucial turn in the case, challenging the boundaries of legislative privilege.

Abortion case before Arizona Supreme Court could face deadlocked vote

In a significant development, the Arizona Supreme Court is poised to deliberate on a crucial abortion rights case with a reduced panel of six justices. This situation emerged after Justice William Montgomery opted out of the case, citing ethical considerations outlined in the Arizona Code of Judicial Conduct. The court now faces the potential for a deadlock, which could leave the current legal standing on abortion unchanged.

At the heart of the debate is the decision between upholding a 2022 law permitting abortions up to 15 weeks of pregnancy and reverting to a much older, near-total ban on the procedure. A tie in the court's decision would mean the preservation of the 2022 law, a scenario that aligns with Planned Parenthood Arizona's advocacy.

This development comes amid a politically charged atmosphere, shaped in part by the appointments made by former Governor Doug Ducey, known for his anti-abortion stance. However, Ducey has indicated a preference for the 15-week law over the older ban, suggesting a nuanced position on the matter.

This case gains additional complexity in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a move that shifted the authority to regulate abortion to state governments. This has resulted in a patchwork of laws across the nation, with Arizona's approach now hanging in the balance.

The outcome of this legal battle will be pivotal in defining Arizona's stance on abortion, illustrating the ongoing national discourse on reproductive rights. The Arizona Supreme Court's decision, expected amidst this unprecedented situation of a potentially deadlocked vote, will be a landmark moment in the state's legal history.

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Gilbert's first ethics mediation reaches impasse

n Gilbert, Arizona, a recent mediation attempt between Councilmember Jim Torgeson and resident Maureen Hoppe ended without resolution, highlighting issues with the town's new ethics complaint mediation process. Hoppe's complaint stemmed from an incident on September 19, when Torgeson allegedly referred to her as a pig during a council meeting, a claim he denies. The mediation, conducted by Mark Lassiter, involved separate discussions with each party but failed to bring them face-to-face, leading both to express dissatisfaction with the process.

This incident marks the first use of Gilbert's revised mediation process, established after a series of ethics complaints in 2021. The new system, involving mandatory mediation before any investigation, was developed to prevent the misuse of the ethics process for political ends. Despite this intent, the recent experience of Hoppe and Torgeson calls into question the effectiveness and fairness of the procedure. Torgeson, who served on the subcommittee that designed the new rules, acknowledged the need for revisiting and refining the process.

The mediation process and the ethics complaint are expected to be topics of discussion at the upcoming council meeting on December 12. Torgeson, despite facing an ethics complaint himself, expressed a commitment to improving the system for all parties involved.

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Mug N' Shot closes in Gilbert's Heritage District

The metro Phoenix dining scene was recently shaken by the unexpected closure of the popular burger spot, Mug N' Shot. This restaurant, renowned for its unique burger offerings and crispy tater tots, ceased operations abruptly last week, catching even its staff and social media team off-guard. The closure came as a shock to the local community, as the restaurant had only been operational for seven months. Despite the flurry of inquiries from confused patrons on social media, the restaurant remained silent on the reasons behind its sudden shutdown.

Mug N' Shot was part of the HL Concepts restaurant group, a local entity known for its Asian-themed establishments such as Jin Jia, Nori, Sizzle, and Shinbay. This was their first foray into a non-Asian themed restaurant, and it turned out to be their first closure as well. The future of the prime location at 100 North Gilbert Road is now the subject of speculation, with rumors of a new restaurant opening soon.

Free samples, food carts, games to be part of Gilbert Walmart event Dec. 8

Gilbert's Walmart Supercenter, freshly remodeled and located at 5290 S Power Road, is inviting the community to its reopening celebration at 8 a.m. on Friday, December 8. The store's grand reopening will be a festive event complete with numerous attractions. Visitors can expect an array of food carts, various games, creative face painting, and even a monster truck inflatable for added fun. To enhance the experience, the event will offer free samples from renowned vendors including Coke, Pepsi, Kellogg’s, Frito Lay, General Mills, and Red Bull. The celebration will be highlighted by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, featuring the participation of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce.

Winter Sports and Activities Registration Opens in Gilbert; Something for Everyone

Gilbert Parks and Recreation, located in Arizona, has opened registrations for an array of winter sports leagues and various recreational activities. This season's lineup includes winter break camps, the festive Galentine's Bingo, and the exhilarating new Polar Plunge event. Additionally, highly anticipated events like the 2024 Father/Daughter Dances on February 2nd and 3rd, and the Kids Baking classes at the Gilbert Community Center, are expected to be in high demand.

Adults can also indulge in various sports leagues and classes. Offerings include tennis lessons, a co-ed volleyball league, and an indoor soccer league hosted at Cactus Yards. These activities provide a perfect opportunity for residents to engage in socializing while maintaining their fitness.

The entire schedule of winter sports leagues, classes, and programs is accessible through Gilbert's online catalog. To keep the community informed about ongoing and upcoming activities, the town circulates a monthly newsletter focused on Gilbert Parks and Recreation offerings. Residents are encouraged to register promptly to secure their spots, especially for the more popular events.

The Watermark at Morrison Ranch residents to share musical gifts at holiday concert

The Watermark at Morrison Ranch is preparing for a heartwarming holiday concert featuring its own residents. Under the leadership of Sandy Macdonald, the Christmas Chorale group will delight the audience with beloved holiday tunes on December 14th. Notably, the concert will include a special guitar performance of "Silent Night" in Spanish and an interpretative presentation in American Sign Language. Macdonald, a long-time music enthusiast, has been a catalyst in cultivating a vibrant musical culture within the community. Her journey with music, from playing instruments to singing, has been a guiding light in this endeavor. The event is not just a showcase of musical talent but also an embodiment of the community's collaborative spirit and passion for the arts.

The concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 at Morrison Ranch, 3333 E. Morrison Ranch Parkway, Gilbert. 

Gilbert teen named USA Basketball’s Male Athlete of the Year

Koa Peat, a 16-year-old basketball prodigy from Gilbert, Arizona, has been honored as USA Basketball's Male Athlete of the Year. A standout player at Perry High School, Peat's impressive height of 6′8″ and his significant contributions on the court have not only led his team to back-to-back state titles but also played a pivotal role in the U.S. team's victory at the FIBA U16 Men’s Americas Championship in Mexico. His achievements at such a young age include being a two-time gold medalist.

USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley praised Peat's leadership qualities, both on and off the court, highlighting his embodiment of championship traits. This dedication to basketball runs in his family, with his father Todd Peat having played six seasons in the NFL and his older brother Andrus currently an offensive guard for the New Orleans Saints. Despite the family's football background, Koa Peat focused his talents on basketball, drawing attention from scouts as early as middle school.

Koa credits his success to the hard work he put in, especially when no one was watching, and acknowledges that competing with his athletic siblings helped hone his skills. During the FIBA U16 Men’s Americas Championship, he averaged 17.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 steals over six games, including a standout performance against Puerto Rico where he scored 29 points. USA U16 head coach Sharman White commended Peat's continuous improvement and deep understanding of the game, reflecting the young athlete's commitment and potential​

Coaching legend Gary Ernst returns to Mountain View for Hall of Fame induction

Mountain View High School in Arizona recently celebrated the remarkable achievements of Gary Ernst, a legendary basketball coach, by dedicating their basketball court in his honor. Ernst's coaching career, spanning over 38 seasons at Mountain View, is marked by extraordinary success, including a state record of 943 wins, eight state championships, and two runner-up finishes. He joined Mountain View in 1984, transforming its basketball program into a powerhouse. Ernst's dedication led the team to its first state championship in 1995, notable for being Arizona's last large school team to finish undefeated at 31-0. Under his leadership, the program consistently excelled, achieving back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999 and a three-peat from 2005 to 2007, with his final championship in 2011. The current coach, Andy Johnson, who has a strong relationship with Ernst, continues to build on this legacy, leading the Toros to a 3-0 start this season

Those in need of help this holiday season can submit a request for assistance. 

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