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  • 🚫 Employee Accused of Impregnating Long-Term Care Patient 🌟 A New Beginning for Chandler Eyeglass Shop 🍻 Arizona Beer Week: A Celebration and more...

🚫 Employee Accused of Impregnating Long-Term Care Patient 🌟 A New Beginning for Chandler Eyeglass Shop 🍻 Arizona Beer Week: A Celebration and more...

Gilbert Local Pulse | Issue #080

Author

Lloyd Heath
February 06, 2024

In this issue of Gilbert Local Pulse

🌤️ Gilbert, AZ Local Weather

📅 Gilbert, AZ and Surrounding Area Events

🚫 Certification Relinquished By Employee Accused of Impregnating Long-Term Care Patient

😢 ‘This seems subhuman’: Dog stabbed to death at dog park, owner says

🍗 Bill regulating what can be called 'meat' passes AZ House

📜 Senators release long-awaited border and asylum bill with new 'shut down' authority

❌ Town of Gilbert rejects blame for kids’ seizures

🧳 Higley's superintendent finalists come from out of state

🌟 A New Beginning for Chandler Eyeglass Shop After Near-Fatal Explosion

🎶 Jamaican Jerk, Roots & Reggae Festival

🍻 Arizona Beer Week: A Celebration of Craft Brews and Brewing Brilliance

🎵 Experience the Harmony: Gilbert Symphony Orchestra Debuts with Free Community Performances

🎷 Arizona Jazz Festival Hits High Note on High Street This Spring

Upcoming and Ongoing

Certification Relinquished By Employee Accused of Impregnating Long-Term Care Patient

In a distressing development from Gilbert, Arizona, a certified nursing assistant at a long-term healthcare facility has voluntarily relinquished his certification amidst serious allegations. The individual, identified as Bobby Lee Williams, faced accusations of engaging in sexual activity with a resident of the Palm Valley Post Acute facility, resulting in the patient's pregnancy. These allegations, brought forth in November by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the facility's personnel, prompted an investigation by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.

Williams, who was certified as a nursing assistant on June 30, 2023, reportedly admitted to investigators on December 26, 2023, that he had consensual sexual intercourse with the patient, stating that the patient initiated the contact. Following this admission, Williams chose to surrender his nursing assistant certificate on the day of the interview.

The case has now attracted the attention of the Goodyear police, who are conducting their own investigation into the matter. While specific details of the police investigation remain undisclosed, the nursing board has updated its website to reflect that Williams' certification was officially surrendered on January 16th. This incident raises significant concerns about patient safety and the ethical conduct of healthcare professionals within such sensitive environments.

‘This seems subhuman’: Dog stabbed to death at dog park, owner says

In a heart-wrenching incident at Shawnee Dog Park in Chandler, Arizona, Conrad Calderon witnessed the tragic death of his dog, Tawny, a pit bull terrier mix, who was fatally stabbed by an individual during a visit to the park. Calderon described the attack as shocking and unprovoked, highlighting the peaceful nature of Tawny, who was merely approaching the gate to play with two large black dogs brought in by the assailant. The confrontation quickly escalated when the man, described as acting nonchalantly, drew a pocket knife and stabbed Tawny twice before calmly walking away.

Calderon, left in disbelief, has since been dedicated to alerting the community about the dangerous individual, describing him as a "loose cannon" and emphasizing his fear for the safety of other park visitors. Despite the effort of Calderon and witnesses to save Tawny by rushing her to an emergency vet, their efforts were in vain. The absence of surveillance equipment at the dog park has only compounded Calderon's grief, prompting him to advocate for the installation of cameras to prevent future tragedies and ensure the perpetrator is held accountable.

This devastating event underscores the need for vigilance and enhanced safety measures in community spaces, drawing attention to the unpredictable dangers that can shatter the serenity of public settings meant for enjoyment and recreation.

Bill regulating what can be called 'meat' passes AZ House

In a significant legislative development last week, the state House passed a bill aimed at regulating the labeling of meat products. This new piece of legislation mandates that only products derived directly from animals can be marketed as meat, introducing a clear distinction between traditional meat and plant-based or lab-grown alternatives. The bill garnered attention not only for its content but also for the debate it sparked among lawmakers.

Republican Representative Alexander Kolodin stood out by voting against the bill, citing concerns over its potentially vague and inconsistent language. Kolodin raised an interesting point regarding the implications for products like veggie burgers, questioning whether terms such as "meaty veggie burgers" would be considered misleading under the new legislation. His perspective highlights the complexities surrounding food labeling and consumer perception in the evolving landscape of dietary choices.

The bill saw a mix of reactions from Democrats, with some supporting it while others pointed to the existing regulatory framework of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that oversees lab-grown meats. This division underscores the broader discussion on how best to regulate and label non-traditional meat products, balancing innovation in food technology with clear and honest communication to consumers.

Having cleared the House, the bill is now poised for consideration in the Senate, where it will undergo further scrutiny. The outcome of this legislative process will likely have significant implications for businesses, consumers, and the future of food labeling practices.

Senators release long-awaited border and asylum bill with new 'shut down' authority

A coalition of senators, including Arizona's own Kyrsten Sinema, has unveiled a comprehensive bill aimed at overhauling the United States' border and immigration policies. This legislation seeks to authorize military and border security funding as previously requested by President Joe Biden, marking a significant step towards reshaping the country's approach to immigration and border management.

A central feature of the proposed bill is the introduction of the Border Emergency Authority. This new provision would empower the president to temporarily close the border to asylum seekers and migrants under certain conditions, specifically if the average daily number of encounters exceeds 4,000 people over a week, and would mandate such closure if the figure surpasses 5,000. This move comes in response to recent data indicating that the Border Patrol reported an average of about 2,000 crossings a day in Arizona alone in December.

The Border Emergency Authority would significantly alter how migrants are handled at the border, allowing officials to turn back individuals largely without processing. Repeat crossers during the closure period could face a one-year ban from entering the U.S. However, asylum seekers who manage to secure appointments through the CBP One app, which is limited to 1,400 daily appointments at select ports, would still be processed.

Proponents of the bill argue that the Border Emergency Authority is crucial for reducing the influx of individuals crossing the border and for tackling the burgeoning backlog of asylum cases at Citizenship and Immigration Services. Conversely, human rights organizations have raised concerns that these measures could fundamentally disrupt established norms within asylum law. Additionally, the bill proposes adjustments to the asylum screening process and mandates that asylum seekers be detained or placed under supervision while awaiting immigration hearings.

Despite the bill's ambitions to address pressing border and immigration challenges, its future remains uncertain. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has already expressed skepticism, stating that the bill would be "dead on arrival" in the House, highlighting the political hurdles it faces in becoming law.

Town of Gilbert rejects blame for kids’ seizures

In Gilbert, Arizona, two families have brought to light a grave concern, alleging that their elementary school-aged sons have suffered life-threatening seizures due to exposure to toxic sewer gas from a town pipeline. The claims, targeting the town of Gilbert, demand a combined total of $55 million in damages for the adverse health effects on their children. Despite submitting notices of claim in November, the town's lack of response has propelled the families, represented by attorney Buddy Rake, toward filing a complaint in Superior Court.

The cases center on the boys' exposure to harmful gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, at Gilbert Christian Schools’ Greenfield campus, where an unpleasant sewer smell was noticeable since the start of the school year in August 2022. Symptoms of illness appeared shortly after the boys began attending the campus, with both experiencing severe tonic-clonic seizures, previously known as grand mal seizures, which involve loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions.

Efforts to address the foul odor, including plumbing repairs and updates from the school's administration, failed to eradicate the problem. Despite these measures, the severity of the boys' conditions escalated, with multiple seizures occurring over several months, leading to hospitalizations and increased medical intervention. The families' ordeal highlights a concerning environmental health issue, with the attorney emphasizing the continuous exposure to hydrogen sulfide and its correlation to the children's deteriorating health.

The town of Gilbert has yet to publicly address these claims, even as the council discusses related matters in private sessions. This situation underscores the potential risks of environmental pollutants and the critical importance of timely and effective response from both educational and municipal authorities to ensure public safety.

Higley's superintendent finalists come from out of state

Mathew Neal left, and Nate Carmen vie for Higley Superintendent

The Higley Unified School District is on the cusp of welcoming a new superintendent, with two out-of-state candidates, Mathew Neal from Woodland Park, Colorado, and Dr. Nate Carman from El Paso, Texas, as the finalists for the position. These individuals will present themselves to the Gilbert community in a public forum scheduled for February 6, offering an opportunity for direct interaction and engagement with potential questions from the public. The forum aims to provide insights into the candidates' visions and strategies for the district's future.

Mathew Neal brings a rich background in educational leadership, with over two decades of experience across various school settings, including his most recent role as a transitional superintendent in Colorado and a six-year tenure in Kuwait. His accomplishments include spearheading school reform initiatives and launching 11 new schools. Neal's expertise spans data-driven instruction, positive behavior support, and comprehensive district management.

Dr. Nate Carman, currently leading a Texas district with over 47,000 students, has a history of innovative educational leadership, including the establishment of specialized academies focused on STEAM, fine arts, and environmental studies. Carman's career started in 2013 with his superintendency in Teague, Texas, and he holds a doctorate in educational administration from the University of North Texas.

The selection process for Higley's next superintendent comes after Sherry Richards stepped in as interim following Dawn Foley's resignation. The chosen candidate will inherit the responsibility of guiding the district towards continued growth and excellence in education.

A New Beginning for Chandler Eyeglass Shop After Near-Fatal Explosion

The All-American Eyeglass Repair shop in Chandler, located near Ray and Rural roads, has undergone a significant transformation with a completely new interior. However, for General Manager Glenn Jordan, the memories of the shop's former setup are indelibly marked by a harrowing event. On August 26, 2021, while Jordan was in the midst of a routine customer call, a devastating gas explosion from a neighboring print shop shattered the tranquility of the morning. The blast injured Jordan along with three others, burying him under debris and inflicting severe burns over 40% of his body.

Despite the physical and emotional scars, Jordan is poised to reopen the shop's doors on February 5, 2024, in the very suite where he faced near death. This act of resilience is more than a business decision for Jordan; it symbolizes a full-circle moment of confronting and overcoming the trauma of that day. He views the reopening as a vital step in his healing process, a testament to survival and the strength to reclaim control over his life's narrative.

As Jordan prepares to welcome customers back to the All-American Eyeglass Repair shop, he reflects on the significance of returning to business as usual. The simple act of answering the phone in the shop holds profound meaning for him, representing not just a return to normalcy but a victory over the circumstances that once threatened to define his future. The shop's operational hours are set from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., marking a new chapter for Jordan and the All-American Eyeglass Repair shop.

Jamaican Jerk, Roots & Reggae Festival

The Jamaican Jerk, Roots & Reggae Festival is set to celebrate Black History Month and Bob Marley's birthday at the Ruben Romero Ramadas in Kiwanis Park 5500 S. Mill Ave, Tempe on Feb 10th. This event, returning for its second year, will coincide with the release of the movie "Bob Marley: One Love." It offers a vibrant mix of food, culture, and music, with ticket prices ranging from $25 to $40, and free entry for children aged 6 and under.

Arizona Beer Week: A Celebration of Craft Brews and Brewing Brilliance

Arizona's craft beer aficionados are in for a treat with the upcoming 10-day Arizona Beer Week. This much-anticipated event is set to begin with the Arizona Strong Beer Festival, showcasing an impressive collection of over 150 breweries from both local and international origins. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample from a selection of over 500 beers, making it a premier destination for beer enthusiasts. Among the highlights is O.S.H.O. Brewery's Donut Daze on February 15, offering an innovative experience with 13 unique pairings of doughnut-inspired craft beers and crullers. Another standout event is the Pink Boots Fifth Annual Arm Wrestling Throwdown on February 21, taking place at Boulders Bar & Grill in Mesa. This vibrant event celebrates the influential women in brewing through arm wrestling competitions, beer tastings, and a silent auction. The proceeds will benefit the Pink Boots Society of Arizona, dedicated to empowering women in the craft beverage sector.

Experience the Harmony: Gilbert Symphony Orchestra Debuts with Free Community Performances

The Gilbert Symphony Orchestra emerges as a fresh highlight in Gilbert's local scene, inviting the community to experience the artistic flair and musical brilliance of its homegrown talent. This year, the ensemble is set to enchant audiences with three captivating concerts, courtesy of a collaborative effort between the Town of Gilbert and the Higley Center for the Performing Arts. These performances are not only a showcase of musical excellence but also a testament to the spirit of community and the arts, with admission free of charge.

To sustain and nurture this musical venture, the orchestra depends on the kind support of donors and sponsors. Their contributions are crucial, enabling the musicians to dedicate themselves to the craft of delivering outstanding orchestral pieces to the community. This initiative not only enriches Gilbert's cultural tapestry but also fosters an environment where music and community thrive together.

Arizona Jazz Festival Hits High Note on High Street This Spring

For all the jazz lovers in the Valley, get ready for the Arizona Jazz Festival's much-anticipated return to High Street in Phoenix this spring. This vibrant three-day event, scheduled from March 22-24, promises a weekend brimming with exceptional music and delectable cuisine at the prime location of 5415 E. High St.

This year's festival boasts an impressive roster of over 20 bands and musicians, featuring a mix of renowned jazz legends and today's popular acts. Highlighting the lineup are Charlie Wilson, Keith Sweat, En Vogue, Jodeci, Eric Darius, Babyface, Anthony Hamilton, Teddy Swims, Robin Thicke, along with many more artists set to be revealed.

Beyond the captivating musical performances, attendees can look forward to exploring a diverse array of food and drink vendors throughout the weekend, enhancing the festival experience.

Tickets for the Arizona Jazz Festival are currently on sale, offering options for three-day passes or single-day tickets, catering to different preferences and schedules.

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