• Gilbert Local Pulse
  • Posts
  • 🔍 Disappearance in Arizona: The Case of Reyna 💧 Gilbert to vote Feb. 6 on rate hikes ⚖️ San Tan Valley man sentenced to 20 years and more...

🔍 Disappearance in Arizona: The Case of Reyna 💧 Gilbert to vote Feb. 6 on rate hikes ⚖️ San Tan Valley man sentenced to 20 years and more...

Gilbert Local Pulse | Issue #057

Author

Lloyd Heath
January 09, 2024

In this issue of Gilbert Local Pulse

🌤️ Gilbert, AZ Local Weather

📅 Gilbert, AZ and Surrounding Area Events

🔍 Disappearance in Arizona: The Case of Reyna, Teen Missing Since October

🐝 Threatened Arizona bee population needs community support

🕊️ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Gilbert Office Closure and Community Event

💧 Gilbert to vote Feb. 6 on rate hikes for water, trash and recycling service

⚖️ San Tan Valley man sentenced to 20 years for possessing child porn

📚 Move One Million and Milk & Cookies: Augusta Ranch Students Get Active and Read

🩰 Auditions open for Ballet Arizona’s summer training program

🚒 Queen Creek offers Community Emergency Response Team training

Upcoming

Disappearance in Arizona: The Case of Reyna, Teen Missing Since October

The Mesa Police Department is intensively searching for Reyna Patty, a 15-year-old Hispanic female who went missing on October 30, 2023, from Gilbert, Arizona. Reyna was last seen in the local area and may have traveled to Mesa or Phoenix, Arizona. She is recognizable by her pierced ears and nose. Authorities urge the public to exercise caution and advise against approaching her directly if found. Instead, they request immediate contact law enforcement to ensure Reyna's safety. Anyone with information about Reyna's whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Mesa Police Department at 1-480-644-2211. The community's prompt response and assistance are crucial in the efforts to locate Reyna Patty safely.

Threatened Arizona bee population needs community support

Phoenix's key pollinators, particularly its diverse bee population, have endured a challenging summer. Arizona, with over 1,300 native bee species, is second only to Texas in bee diversity. While honeybees are not native to the state, they are crucial for agricultural pollination. Pollination ecologist Stephen Buchmann emphasized the importance of both honeybees and native bees, many of which are ground- and twig-nesting species.

Urban expansion poses a significant threat to these native pollinators, disrupting their natural habitats and access to food and water. Buchmann suggests that planting native, desert-acclimated wildflowers in gardens can support these bees. Flowers like desert bluebells, penstemon, and sunflowers are particularly beneficial, providing nectar and thriving in desert conditions.

At the 2023 Arizona Honeybee Festival, beekeepers and experts shared insights on supporting local bees. Master gardener Mike Hills noted that plants beneficial to native bees also aid honeybees. Despite native bees' adaptability to heat, nonnative honeybees struggle with extreme temperatures. Honeybee hives require constant cooling, which became problematic during Phoenix's record-breaking heat. Limited water access further exacerbated this issue.

Cricket Aldridge, director of the Arizona Backyard Beekeepers Association (ABBA), highlighted the importance of creating water stations to help bees survive. Simple solutions like a bowl of water with marbles can provide bees with the necessary resources to maintain their hives.

The festival aimed to educate the community on the importance of bees in the ecosystem and promote coexistence rather than fear. Beekeepers from Prescott showcased a wooden beehive display, emphasizing bee relocation and education.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Gilbert Office Closure and Community Event

Mesa's East Valley is gearing up to celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration 2024 Parade and Festival on January 15, starting at 11 AM in Downtown Mesa. For more details and to plan your visit, check out mesaaz.gov/MLKParade.

The celebration will commence with a dynamic parade at 11 AM, featuring the participation of the Gilbert Police and Gilbert Fire & Rescue Departments, showcasing a sense of unity and community spirit.

But the parade is just the beginning. The festival will also offer an assortment of live music, providing a festive atmosphere for all attendees. Additionally, engaging speakers will be present to inspire and reflect on the significance of the day. For those interested in the local scene, there will be ample opportunities to connect with retailers and local organizations that are at the forefront of community development and enrichment.

This event is a perfect blend of celebration and community engagement, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while fostering the ongoing growth and unity of the local community.

Gilbert to vote Feb. 6 on rate hikes for water, trash and recycling service

Residents in Gilbert are being invited to provide their input on a proposed rate increase for water services, set to be implemented over several years. The town reports that the current average water bill stands at around $30 per month. However, under the new proposal, this amount is expected to more than double by 2026, with an initial increase of $17 beginning in April.

In addition to water rates, the proposal includes an approximate $8 rise in the monthly cost for solid waste and recycling services for most residential customers. These proposed hikes are intended to fund vital infrastructure projects in Gilbert.

To facilitate community engagement and feedback, the town will host an open house later this month. This event will allow residents to ask questions and share their opinions on the proposed changes. The Gilbert Town Council is slated to make a decision on this proposal on February 6.

San Tan Valley man sentenced to 20 years for possessing child porn

Matthew Haag, a 48-year-old man from San Tan Valley, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material. The sentencing, handed down by Pinal County Superior Court Judge Daniel Washburn on November 29, also includes two terms of lifetime probation following Haag's prison term.

This case came to light in January 2022 when the Phoenix Police Department received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip indicated that Haag had uploaded multiple sexually explicit images of children, which were later confirmed to be child sexual abuse material. In March 2022, a search warrant executed at Haag’s residence led to the discovery of thousands of images and videos of child sexual exploitation on various electronic devices. The materials also included videos of Haag viewing this content for sexual stimulation.

Haag pled guilty to several charges, including sexual exploitation of a minor and dangerous crime against children

Move One Million and Milk & Cookies: Augusta Ranch Students Get Active and Read

Augusta Ranch Elementary students recently enjoyed an enriching experience combining physical activity and reading. The fourth graders participated in the Move One Million program led by fitness expert Chris Powell and the Arizona Cardinals' Milk and Cookies program.

Chris Powell surprised the students during their physical education class on November 14. He introduced them to his Move One Million initiative, which involves daily movements and meditation techniques aimed at fostering lifelong positive habits. The exercises, taking less than 150 seconds, are designed to stretch every major muscle group, increase blood flow, and reduce stress.

Jennifer Brennan, a fourth-grade teacher at Augusta Ranch, expressed her enthusiasm for incorporating these movements into the daily routine, recognizing the benefits of exercise on learning readiness.

Additionally, the students engaged in the Cardinals' Milk & Cookies program, promoting literacy in Valley elementary schools. During the session, Cardinals running back Corey Clement and two cheerleaders read stories, played games, and distributed Cardinals merchandise to the students, who were also able to get autographs.

Brennan highlighted the lasting impact of such programs on students. Move One Million is a free service available to all, with more information on M1M.org. Details about the Milk and Cookies program and how to nominate a school are available on the Cardinals' Community Webpage.

Auditions open for Ballet Arizona’s summer training program

The School of Ballet Arizona is welcoming auditions for its Summer Intensive program this month. Targeting students aged 11 to 20, the upper division program offers an advanced training experience from June 10 to July 19. Aspiring dancers can either submit a recorded video or attend in-person auditions held nationwide.

Additionally, the program includes a children’s and intermediate division for younger dancers aged 4 to 12, running from June 12 to July 7. Auditions for these divisions are scheduled for March 3 in Phoenix.

Maria Simonetti, the School's director, emphasized that participants, whether serious or beginners, will leave with a greater appreciation for dance and improved skills and technique. The program focuses on classical training, supplemented by various dance forms to align with the diverse requirements of contemporary dance companies.

Classes for both upper and lower division students are held five days a week. Housing options are available for those aged 13 and above. Depending on their age and level, ballet school students attend classes two to five times per week. Additionally, attendees of the Summer Intensive have the opportunity to be selected as future members of the Ballet Arizona Studio Company.

Devin Lentz, a current member of the Studio Company, reflected on the Summer Intensive as a pivotal experience for personal and professional growth, praising the quality of instruction and the opportunity to learn alongside talented peers.

For audition details and further information, interested candidates can visit balletaz.org/summer-programs. Video auditions are due by April 1.

Queen Creek offers Community Emergency Response Team training

Residents of Queen Creek are being invited to participate in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. This initiative, organized by the Queen Creek Fire & Medical Department, aims to educate volunteers about emergency preparedness specific to the region's potential hazards.

The CERT program equips participants with fundamental skills in various disaster response techniques, including fire safety, light search and rescue, and team organization. Spanning a total of 20 hours, the course is spread over four weeks, with classes typically conducted on Thursday evenings and two additional sessions on Saturdays.

Enrollment is capped at 25 participants, and the program is open exclusively to residents of Queen Creek or those living within the Queen Creek County Island Fire District.

Those interested in joining or seeking further details about the CERT program can find more information at QueenCreekAZ.gov/CERT.

We Want To Spotlight Your Business!

Would you like us to spotlight your local business in front of thousands of Gilbert area residents in an upcoming issue of Gilbert Local Pulse?

We ❤️ Local Businesses!

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you're a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! "Gilbert Local Pulse" is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our town. Let's collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special. Send us a message, and let's celebrate the spirit of Gilbert together!

👇 Click the link below to get started