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  • 🚨 Gilbert Police Chief Warns Against Misinformation 🤖 New Chatbot Launched to Aid At-Risk Families 🏳️ Peterson Dropping Out and more...

🚨 Gilbert Police Chief Warns Against Misinformation 🤖 New Chatbot Launched to Aid At-Risk Families 🏳️ Peterson Dropping Out and more...

Gilbert Local Pulse | Issue #072

Author

Lloyd Heath
January 26, 2024

In this issue of Gilbert Local Pulse

🌤️ Gilbert, AZ Local Weather

📅 Gilbert, AZ and Surrounding Area Events

🚨 Gilbert Police Chief Warns Against Misinformation in Youth Violence Cases

💔 Family of Veteran Killed in Gilbert Police Shooting Wishes to Raise Awareness on PTSD

🤖 New Chatbot Launched to Aid At-Risk Families in Arizona

✅ Affordable Care Act Enrollment Hit Record Highs in Arizona, U.S. in 2023

🏳️ Peterson Dropping Out of Gilbert Mayoral Election

🎉 RareTea Celebrates One Year in Queen Creek

🎭 Actors Youth Theatre Brings 'Footloose' to Gilbert

Upcoming and Ongoing

Gilbert Police Chief Warns Against Misinformation in Youth Violence Cases

In Gilbert, Arizona, Police Chief Michael Soelberg has made a strong appeal to the public to refrain from spreading misinformation, particularly in relation to the ongoing youth violence cases in the East Valley. During a recent press conference, Soelberg emphasized the detrimental impact such rumors can have on individuals, highlighting an incident where a 17-year-old boy faced threats due to unfounded allegations.

The police chief pointed out a specific case where the boy, erroneously accused of being a murderer, experienced harassment after his personal details were leaked online. Soelberg clarified that the teenager was not a suspect in any of the ongoing investigations. This situation underscores the harmful consequences of spreading unverified information, with Soelberg stressing the importance of responsible communication and warning against any form of vigilante justice. His message was clear: the community should focus on seeking justice through proper legal channels and avoid taking matters into their own hands based on rumors.

Family of veteran killed in Gilbert police shooting wishes to raise awareness on PTSD

In Gilbert, Arizona, a tragic incident involving a Marine Corps veteran with PTSD led to a fatal shooting by local police. Brett Shanahan, 40, confronted the officers while wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying firearms, disregarding their orders. His wife, Sabrina Shanahan, hopes to use this unfortunate event to increase awareness about PTSD and its impacts.

PTSD, a condition affecting 7% of veterans at some stage, can significantly alter behavior and mental health, as explained by Dr. Dara Rampersad, chief psychologist at BluePaz. Symptoms include severe flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, and even hallucinations due to sleep deprivation. Rampersad emphasized the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy and the importance of a robust support system in treating PTSD, offering a message of hope for those struggling with the disorder.

For immediate assistance with PTSD-related crises, individuals can contact a crisis counselor by calling or texting 988. Veterans seeking specific support can dial the same number and press one to connect with a veterans crisis responder.

New Chatbot Launched to Aid At-Risk Families in Arizona

The Together for Arizona Chatbot, a pioneering digital tool, is now available to assist Arizona families in crisis, along with the service providers who support them. This chatbot simplifies access to critical resources like food, clothing, and cell phone support, all through a confidential virtual chat platform.

This initiative is a collaboration between Together for Arizona (formerly known as the Collective Impact for Child Safety and Well-Being initiative) and Valley Leadership’s Child Well-Being Impact Team. Offering services in both English and Spanish, the chatbot can be accessed through various devices, enabling users to discreetly seek help.

Highlighting the importance of easily accessible resources, Claire Louge from Prevent Child Abuse Arizona pointed out that the key is not just having the resources but ensuring families are aware and can easily reach them. This chatbot serves as a bridge to this gap, ensuring immediate access to support.

In an effort to spread awareness and educate the public on using this chatbot, a free webinar is scheduled for January 30 at 1pm. Interested individuals can register for the webinar on the registration link. This webinar will provide insights into the chatbot’s functionality and usage.

The introduction of the T4AZ Chatbot signifies a major leap in using technology to assist families and children in need, making vital resources more accessible and streamlined.

Email Shannon Gnam, director of Community Collaboration at Together for Arizona, at [email protected] for more information.

Affordable Care Act enrollment hit record highs in Arizona, U.S. in 2023

In 2023, Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment reached record highs both in Arizona and across the United States, as highlighted in a report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Over 21.3 million Americans signed up for 2024 coverage, marking a significant increase from the previous year's 16.6 million. In Arizona, enrollment numbers rose by more than 110,000, reaching a total of 348,055.

This surge in enrollment represents a stark contrast to the declining numbers seen during the Trump administration and signifies a rebound to new heights. The Biden administration has played a pivotal role in this turnaround, particularly with the introduction of the Inflation Reduction Act, which included improved subsidies for ACA plans. This made health insurance more affordable, with some plans costing less than $10.

The end of the federal public health emergency for COVID-19 also influenced this shift. During the emergency, states received additional federal funds to maintain Medicaid coverage but were required not to disenroll most people. Once the emergency ended, states like Arizona began disenrolling those no longer eligible for Medicaid and directed them towards the ACA marketplace.

Healthcare experts believe this increase in ACA enrollment will positively impact both providers and patients. With more people insured, there's less reliance on emergency rooms for primary care, leading to better overall health management and outcomes. This marks a significant step in making healthcare coverage a priority in the U.S.

Peterson dropping out of Gilbert mayoral election

Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson has announced that she will not be seeking re-election this year. Approaching her 60th birthday, Peterson has cited the desire to spend more time with her family, including her 15-month-old grandson, as the primary reason for her decision to step out of the mayoral race.

This development marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Gilbert, with Mayor Peterson's departure opening the field for new candidates. Her tenure as mayor has been characterized by a commitment to the community, and her decision to prioritize family over political ambition speaks to her personal values.

As Gilbert prepares for its upcoming mayoral election, the absence of an incumbent candidate like Peterson is likely to influence the dynamics of the race. The announcement has prompted interest in who will step forward to vie for the mayoral position and how this change might impact the future direction of Gilbert.

RareTea celebrates one year in Queen Creek

RareTea, a popular bubble tea shop in Queen Creek, recently celebrated its first anniversary. The event, held on January 19, was marked by the presence of the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce staff, local business owners, and RareTea's team including owner Shari Obsitos. Obsitos expressed gratitude to the community and shared plans to enhance their menu with more dessert options, aiming to become a family favorite spot.

Specializing in bubble tea, RareTea prides itself on using high-quality ingredients such as real cane sugar, homemade fruit jams/purees, and organic milk. Their diverse menu features a range of milk teas, boba milk teas, smoothies, and 'smooteas'. Boba Tea, a staple at RareTea, is a Taiwanese tea-based drink known for its distinctive tapioca balls.

Located at 21148 E. Rittenhouse Road in Queen Creek, RareTea operates weekdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. More information about their offerings can be found at rareteausa.com.

Actors Youth Theatre brings 'Footloose' to Gilbert

The Actors Youth Theatre is set to dazzle audiences with their rendition of the classic musical "Footloose." Scheduled for an exciting three-week run from January 25 to February 10, this vibrant production promises to captivate theater-goers. "Footloose" narrates the journey of a young man from a bustling city as he navigates life in a conservative small town, overseen by a pastor intent on influencing the local youth. The performances will light up the Tuscany Theater stage, located at 861 N. Higley Road, suite 105, in Gilbert. Audiences can catch the show every Thursday to Saturday at 7 p.m., with a special matinee show at 2 p.m. on Saturdays. With tickets priced at $25, this production offers an affordable gateway to the world of theater. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 480-907-7050 or visit www.aytaz.org.

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