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  • 🌲 Where Gilbert Residents Can Now Recycle Christmas Trees 🚒 Gilbert Fire Department Seeks $99.8M Overhaul and more....

🌲 Where Gilbert Residents Can Now Recycle Christmas Trees 🚒 Gilbert Fire Department Seeks $99.8M Overhaul and more....

Gilbert Local Pulse | Issue #049

Author

Lloyd Heath
December 27, 2023

In this issue of Gilbert Local Pulse

🌤️ Gilbert, AZ Local Weather

 📅 Gilbert, AZ and Surrounding Area Events

 🌲 Gilbert Residents Can Now Donate Christmas Trees for Aquatic Life

 🔍 Widower of former Maricopa County Attorney ID'd as suspect in Christmas Eve killing

 🚒 Gilbert Fire Department Seeks $99.8M Overhaul for Modernization and Safety

 🏗️ Cooley Station to Get 568-Unit Complex with Enhanced Amenities and Open Space

 🎓 Campo Verde students earn more than $5 million in academic awards

 🌟 Mesa's Beacon of Hope: Helen's Hope Chest Uplifts Foster Children with Holiday Cheer and Year-Round Support

December Ongoing

December Upcoming Events

Gilbert Residents Can Now Donate Christmas Trees for Aquatic Life

In a unique environmental initiative, the town of Gilbert has teamed up with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to repurpose old Christmas trees into underwater habitats at Roosevelt Lake. The ambitious project aims to gather 600 live trees from the community through designated drop-off points. These trees will then be anchored to cinder blocks and strategically submerged in various parts of the lake. This effort is a branch of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Aquatic Habitat Program, which focuses on enhancing fish habitats and boosting the health of local reservoirs.

To be accepted, all donated trees must be:

  • Real — no artificial trees will be accepted;

  • Unbagged;

  • Free of all decorations – no lights, hooks or tree stands.

Drop off your old Christmas tree at one of our collection locations by Jan. 14.

Freestone Park - Overflow Parking Lot

Sunbelt Rentals (Formerly A to Z Equipment)

Moreover, Gilbert is collaborating with Goats With Horns Animal Sanctuary to convert an additional 10 Christmas trees into feed for goats. This initiative is a timely response to the Environmental Protection Agency's finding that Americans produce an extra one million tons of waste weekly during the holiday season. By donating their Christmas trees, residents of Gilbert can play a significant role in minimizing holiday waste. For more information on reducing waste and participating in this program, residents can visit gilbertaz.gov/HolidayRecycling.

Widower of former Maricopa County Attorney ID'd as suspect in Christmas Eve killing

In a tragic incident on Christmas Eve in Phoenix, David De Nitto, the widower of former Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel, was identified as the suspect in a shooting that resulted in the deaths of two women, Cynthia Domini, 83, and Maryalice Cash, 47. The incident is suspected to be a murder-suicide, with De Nitto dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shooting took place during a holiday gathering at a home, following an altercation. The nature of the relationship between Cash and De Nitto and the circumstances leading to the shooting are under investigation​​.

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Gilbert Fire Department Seeks $99.8M Overhaul for Modernization and Safety

Chief Rob Duggan of the Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department recently highlighted the significant shortcomings of the department's facilities to the Gilbert Town Council. Due to outdated infrastructure, the department is grappling with inadequate spaces, including store rooms converted into offices, exposure to diesel exhaust in makeshift workout areas, and outdoor vehicle maintenance leading to heat-related illnesses among mechanics. The current state also fails to meet the needs of female firefighters and lacks sufficient bedrooms. Built in 1999, Station 4, like other facilities, was not designed with future expansions in mind.

Duggan emphasized the need for comprehensive upgrades to maintain service levels and protect the community. With an estimated cost of $99.8 million over ten years, the proposed enhancements include remodelling fire administration spaces, expanding Station 4, constructing a new fire fleet building, and renovating six fire stations. These upgrades aim to accommodate modern technology, provide adequate space for emergency operations, and ensure the well-being of firefighters. Despite the substantial investment required, the importance of these improvements is undisputed among staff and council members, as they are crucial for efficient and effective emergency response in Gilbert.

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Cooley Station to Get 568-Unit Complex with Enhanced Amenities and Open Space

A developer, Cooler Black Canyon LLC, is planning to construct a 568-unit apartment complex, the Trax at Cooley, in the master-planned neighborhood of Cooley Station near Williams Field Road and Verde Drive. This development on former farmland will feature 10 buildings, with two of them proposed to be five stories high. Despite some concerns from Councilwoman Bobbi Buchli about the increased height, the project is seen as a fulfillment of a long-term vision for the area, aligning with the original Planned Area Development which anticipated a significant number of residential units.

The project aims to utilize the additional height to provide more open space and amenities while having minimal impact on water use compared to single-family housing or agricultural use. The proposed deviations have sparked a discussion among council members about the balance between density, height, and community benefits. Some council members expressed concerns, but others, like Vice Mayor Kathy Tilque, were persuaded by the unique design and additional amenities.

Councilman Jim Torgeson highlighted the project's potential to offer amenities and open space to the public, which he viewed as a win. The discussion also touched on the strategic placement of higher density developments in Cooley Station to support a walkable, amenity-rich urban village concept, aligning with the area's proximity to key institutions like Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport and ASU-East campus.

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Campo Verde students earn more than $5 million in academic awards

Campo Verde High School in a rural area is celebrating a significant achievement, with 85 of its students earning the prestigious College Board National Recognition. This recognition honors underrepresented students, including Hispanic, African American, Native American individuals, and those living in rural areas, highlighting their academic achievements and enhancing their visibility in college applications.

The recognition could lead to substantial scholarship opportunities, with the potential for the 85 students to collectively receive over $5 million. Eligibility criteria include attending a rural high school or being from specific minority groups, maintaining a 3.5 GPA, and achieving high scores on the PSAT or AP exams. Although the award itself isn't a scholarship, it significantly boosts students' profiles for college and scholarship applications.

Arizona's major universities offer substantial scholarships to recipients: Arizona State University provides $16,000 annually for four years, the University of Arizona offers $18,000 per year for the same period, and Northern Arizona University covers full tuition for four years plus a stipend.

Cassidy Chaney, a career center liaison at Campo Verde, has taken a proactive role in ensuring students are aware of and apply for this opportunity. By identifying and encouraging eligible students to apply, Chaney aims to maximize their chances of academic and financial success. Applications for the National Recognition Program typically open in April, and interested individuals can find more details on the College Board's BigFuture website or check their school's rural status via the Department of Education Statistics map.

Mesa's Beacon of Hope: Helen's Hope Chest Uplifts Foster Children with Holiday Cheer and Year-Round Support

In Mesa, Arizona, Helen's Hope Chest, operated by Mesa United Way, offers a lifeline for foster children and their families, particularly during the financially straining holiday season. Cathy Grosso, the executive director, recalls poignant moments, like when a young girl from a group home experienced shopping for the first time in their boutique, reflecting the profound impact they have. They not only provide holiday gifts through their annual JaKelle's Christmas Box event, honoring JaKelle Westergard, but also year-round support with clothing, toys, and books, all free for foster children. This service significantly eases the burden on both licensed families and kinship families, who often receive less financial assistance. The facility, a spacious 8,000-square foot boutique, is sustained by a dedicated network of volunteers and community donations. Helen's Hope Chest was founded in memory of Helen Paula Simmons, a former foster child, and strives to ensure every child feels valued and dignified. Despite budget cuts and increasing demands, the organization remains a beacon of hope, not just during the holidays but throughout the year.

Donations for Helen’s Hope Chest can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at 126 E. University in Mesa.  

Volunteers often offer a quick tour of the boutique. Appointments can be made for a more extensive tour with a staff member.

Monetary donations are always welcome and benefit the giver through the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit and the Foster Care Tax credit. Information is available on the HHC website, HelensHopeChest.org.

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