Tag Archives: Phoenix

As the World Trades: Leaders to discuss Arizona’s place in global economy

Posted on by

i11PHOENIX — Leaders from Arizona’s transportation, trade and commerce industries will come together with national and international business specialists next week to discuss Arizona’s stake in the global marketplace and strategies to foster international trade and economic growth.

The Transportation and Trade Corridor Alliance, a partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Arizona-Mexico Commission and the Arizona Commerce Authority, is hosting a steering committee meeting, followed by its second annual global trade forum on Nov. 6 in downtown Phoenix. The two events will bring together leaders from the state’s transportation and trade industries, along with business experts from the United States, Canada and Israel, with a focus on attracting international company investments and partnerships to Arizona.

Registration is still open for the event, which will be held at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown in the Encanto Ballroom, 340 N. Third Street in Phoenix. Visit azmc.org to register. The cost is $35 to attend. The TTCA Steering Committee meeting will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by the As the World Trades II forum from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., then ending with a hosted reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Guest speakers include:

  • Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles
  • Kerry Dewberry, controller with Magellan Aerospace
  • Ed Hadley, southwest region president of Walton Development and Management
  • Glenn Williamson, CEO and founder of the Canada Arizona Business Council
  • Bruce Wright, associate vice president of Tech Parks Arizona at the University of Arizona

The Transportation and Trade Corridor Alliance recently completed its Roadmap, a comprehensive document designed to support moving Arizona toward a more globally competitive second century, focused on high-value trade and investment, market connectivity, and alignment of policy and actions. The Roadmap was constructed by a group of experts from the public and private sectors, brought together by Governor Jan Brewer to develop a plan to position Arizona in a fast-growing global marketplace.

The result of more than a year of work, the TTCA Roadmap makes a clear case for the need to continue to add modern and efficient transportation infrastructure to ensure Arizona’s connectivity to both domestic and global markets. This infrastructure connectivity provides the means to attract new businesses and industries, create jobs, foster trade and economic development, and secure investment and new wealth.

Scottsdale BASIS Fifth-Grade Student Selected Winner Of Nationwide No Burn Day Video Contest

Posted on by


PHOENIX – Piper Sehman, a fifth-grade student at BASIS School in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills resident, has been selected winner of the nationwide No Burn Day Video Contest, sponsored by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Maricopa County Air Quality Department.

Piper’s 30-second video, which used animated Lego characters, was selected by a panel of judges as best overall and most creative. It delivered the message of why Phoenix metropolitan residents should not burn wood in fireplaces, outdoor fire pits and chimineas on high pollution advisory days during the winter, especially during the holiday season, because of the negative effects of soot on public health.

“Piper’s innovative video succinctly delivered a message about the benefits of cleaner air during our holiday season in a way that really engages the viewer,” said ADEQ Air Quality Division Director Eric Massey.

Nick Sehman, Piper’s father, said she worked on the video for dozens of hours after learning the animation style from her brother, and “our whole family is very excited about this since this is the first time Piper has entered a contest.” Piper received a certificate of achievement from the central figure in the video contest part of this year’s campaign, the super hero No Burn Man, at a BASIS School assembly today.


Stephanie Zlateva of Mountain View, California, received an honorable mention from the judges for a video she created on her iPad using cut-away images to deliver a strong message about refraining from generating wood smoke on No Burn days.

Both of the videos will be used in this year’s “No Burn Day? Don’t Burn Wood!” winter outreach campaign. The campaign is intended to raise public awareness of the harmful health impacts of wood burning on wintertime No Burn Days in Maricopa County. The campaign asks county residents and businesses to refrain from burning wood on days when a stagnant air inversion traps smoke in the Valley, resulting in a high pollution advisory or health watch designation.

First Free ADEQ Electronic Waste Recycling Event for Navajo Capitol of Window Rock

Posted on by

ADEQ-2PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials announced today that the Navajo Nation community of Window Rock will host its first free electronic waste recycling event Saturday, Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. until noon Daylight Savings Time at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds with entrance from Highway 264 next to Basha’s Supermarket.

ADEQ will be sponsoring the event along with the Navajo Nation Solid Waste Management Program, Navajo Nation EPA and E-Waste Harvesters of Phoenix.

Organizers expect tons of unwanted TV s, computers, monitors, printers, batteries, chargers, cell phones, VCRs, CD and DVD players, fax machines, small appliances, cables and cords to be collected at the event. There will be a limit of two televisions
accepted per vehicle.

Event volunteers will not be accepting large appliances or air conditioners for disposal.
For more information, contact the Navajo Nation EPA office at (928) 871-7816 or the Navajo Nation Solid Waste Management Program office at (928) 871-6309.

E-Waste Harvesters will erase all hard drives with state of the art technology and will recycle all materials in compliance with state and federal regulations. Attendees may receive a certificate of disposal from E-Waste Harvesters if they want the document for
their records.

“We are very excited about sponsoring our first E-waste event in the Navajo Nation capitol of Window Rock and welcome everyone living in Window Rock, Fort Defiance and the surrounding area to bring their recyclable items,” said ADEQ Director Henry Darwin. “This is a great opportunity for people to dispose of all the unwanted electronics they have collected over the years while at the same time ensuring that this potentially toxic stream of waste is disposed of responsibly and does not take up valuable landfill space.”

ADEQ has sponsored 98 events statewide since the e-waste program’s inception in August 2009 and collected more than 2.5 million pounds of electronics for recycling.

Candidate for AZSOS misrepresents facts

Posted on by

Arizona-electsPHOENIX – Candidates often make inflammatory statements as a tactic to provoke a sense of mistreatment to curry favor with voters. However, blatant mischaracterizations about Arizona’s system of elections must be corrected. With less than three weeks before the General Election, current Secretary of State Ken Bennett believes it’s necessary to clear up inaccurate information being presented by Terry Goddard over the past few months.

The latest examples occurred during the Clean Elections Debate, hosted by Arizona PBS. During the broadcast, Mr. Goddard made two statements that were either terribly ignorant or deliberate misrepresentations of the truth for political gain.

“I’m confused where Mr. Goddard came up with amount of $2 million to implement the so-called Dual Track, or bifurcated system of voting in the primary,” said Secretary Bennett. Truth is, our counties will spend about $500,000 for both the primary and general elections. This system—one that I’ve repeatedly said is not ideal for election officials—was developed in response to two conflicting directives. One from Arizona’s voters, (Prop. 200) and the U.S. Supreme Court (Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Ariz., Inc.) As I’ve publically said before, and I’ll ask Mr. Goddard, which directive should we ignore; Arizona’s voters or the Supreme Court?

“In addition, I’m troubled by Mr. Goddard’s characterization that students, ‘who have to vote a federal ballot, are treated as second class citizens,’ which is patently false and simply absurd. College students do not have to vote a federal form. Those voting a federal ballot are simply doing so because they haven’t provided proof-of-citizenship to our County Recorders, a requirement approved by voters in 2004. Election officials around the state are committed to treating each voter equally and for Mr. Goddard to assume otherwise is offensive to elections officials statewide.

“Combined with his conspiratorial accusation of voter suppression when he declared ‘independent voters get only one chance to cast a ballot,’ I question Mr. Goddard’s fundamental understanding of how elections work in Arizona. While I certainly appreciate Mr. Goddard’s compliment about my singing voice during the debate, I would ask he either learn the songs or stop making up the lyrics.”

$6,000 reward for shooters of DPS officer

Posted on by

From Phoenix police Facebook Page:

DO NOT LEAVE ANY TIPS ON FACEBOOK.

UP TO $6,000 REWARD!!! Phoenix Police and Silent Witness are looking for the DPS Officer shooting suspect RAMON BUENO and investigative leads, Danny Vargas and Vanessa Martinez.

If you have any information regarding this case you may contact
Silent Witness at W-I-T-N-E-S-S, that’s 480-948-6377, or toll free
at 1-800-343-TIPS. You can also leave an anonymous tip on the silent witness website at silentwitness.org.
phoenix-suspects

NOVA airs program Surviving Ebola tonight

Posted on by

surviving-ebola-vi

In December, 2013, in a small village in West Africa, a young boy died from the dreaded disease, Ebola. Over the next nine months the virulent killer would claim more victims than all previous Ebola epidemics put together. And for the first time, the disease escaped the isolated, rural villages where it had first appeared and traveled in infected patients by air to densely populated cities in several African countries.

NOVA will air Surviving Ebola tonight on PBS at 9 pm tonight. The program will air on Eight HD, Channel 8.1.

New specialty license plates now available

Posted on by

new-vanity-platePHOENIX – Three new specialty license plates to help personalize and customize your vehicle are now available for purchase from the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division.

The new plates include a Girls Youth Organization plate to support the Girl Scouts; an Arizona Motorsports Commemorative plate for Phoenix International Raceway; and a redesigned Phoenix Suns plate.

Like many of Arizona’s specialty license plates, these three support specific charities. Funds raised by the Girls Youth Organization license plate will provide enriching experiences in Arizona’s Girl Scouts program, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects and cultural exchanges.

“We are thrilled to have a Girl Scout license plate. It’s a great way for parents and alumnae to show their support and $17 of the proceeds goes directly back to local Girl Scouts. Each license plate is actually an investment in Arizona girls and our future,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council.

Funds raised by the Phoenix International Raceway license plate will go to Motorsports Charities to provide resources and charitable support for children through education, medical treatment, dream experiences and volunteerism.

“We are thrilled to be able to help race fans show their NASCAR pride with this license plate and to support a great cause in the process,” said PIR President Bryan R. Sperber. “The idea for a custom plate was spurred by fan requests, so we are proud to make this available to them. The plates also create a wonderful legacy from our 50th Anniversary that will last well beyond this year.”

The redesigned Phoenix Suns plate will continue to support Phoenix Suns Charities for youth education and development, college scholarship programs and community development.

The license plates have an annual fee of $25 for a non-personalized plate and $50 for a personalized plate, with $17 going to support the charities. Vehicle owners can purchase the new plates at any MVD or Authorized Third Party office location or online at ServiceArizona.com.

Because the Phoenix Suns license plate is a new design, anyone with the current plate design can request the new plate design for a $5 replacement fee. However, the redesigned plate has six characters instead of the seven that are on the current Suns plate. So those with a personalized Suns plate with seven characters would not be able to transfer their personalization to the new design. They can reapply for the new design, but would have to start the application process from the beginning.

The older, original Phoenix Suns license plate design is still valid for use.

There are no special requirements to get the license plates. The plates are also available with a disability symbol.

ADOT to ensure roadway safety as another storm moves into state

Posted on by

640-140915-17PHOENIX – Following last week’s record rainfall in the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Arizona Department of Transportation is preparing for another tropical storm this week that is expected to bring more heavy rain and possible localized flooding to several regions of the state.

The National Weather Service is forecasting significant moisture in the state this week as a result of Hurricane Odile, which is making its way north into the Baja California, Mexico region.

Maintenance crews in the Phoenix and Tucson areas and statewide will be prepared to address road safety issues if flooding, mudslides or rockslides occur. Crews will be monitoring weather conditions and be ready to respond quickly to clear the roads and maintain safe driving conditions for motorists when Mother Nature wreaks havoc on our state.

ADOT is also working in close coordination with cities and the Department of Public Safety to be as prepared as possible when heavy rain is in the forecast.

“Our goal has been – and will continue to be – to focus on public safety and protecting our community members,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “ADOT will strive to ensure that all people, systems and equipment are operating efficiently to accomplish this goal.”

ADOT is also asking drivers to slow down on wet pavement and to avoid driving into areas if flooding occurs. No motorist should ever drive through a flooded wash.

It’s important that drivers take it slow and drive safely in heavy rain and low visibility conditions. ADOT, along with the Department of Public Safety, offer the following safety tips for motorists:

  • First and foremost, SLOW DOWN. The posted speed limit may not be a safe speed to travel in bad weather. On wet roads your vehicle will have less traction than on a dry road. Slower travel speeds allow for safer stopping distances.
  • Be sure to leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you and be aware of the vehicles around you in other travel lanes. Braking will be affected by wet and slippery roadway surfaces.
  • Do not enter an area where the roadway has been closed by barricades due to flooding. You risk your life and face being cited under the state’s “Stupid Motorist” law.
  • Storm runoff can loosen boulders and rocks on slopes above highways. Stay alert in rockfall-prone areas.
  • Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling. One to two feet of water will float most vehicles and can cause them to be swept away.
  • If traffic lights are out, treat an intersection just like a four-way stop.

Bearizona in caHOOTs with the Arizona Diamondbacks

Posted on by

300-george2WILLIAMS – Families should plan to stop at the Flagstaff Cool Zone near Chase Field this Saturday prior to the D-Backs opening pitch to meet George, a Great Horned Owl from Bearizona Wildlife Park. George will be available for photos during this one-of-a-kind meet and greet, as part of a promotional event for Bearizona’s Howly Growly Owly Fall Festival.

Bearizona staff will be offering passersby an opportunity to get some Bearizona ink (temporary tattoos) as well as information and a significant coupon for the Howly Growly Owly Festival, which will be held weekends in October.

Bearizona will enhance the Cool Zone with a festive fall atmosphere, and Buster the Bearizona mascot will be on hand entertaining folks who stop by.

Howly Growly Owly Festivities Include:

  • Howl-O-Ween Express: Hop on the windowless bus that takes visitors through the drive-through animal exhibits. Patrons can howl with the wolves in the Alaskan Tundra & Arctic Wolf enclosure and watch the animals interact with a special Howl-O-Ween enrichment treat. Bus rides depart from the Fort Bearizona parking lot at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October. Rides are on a first come first serve basis and seating is limited.
  • Growly Bear Cave: Those who dare can walk through our haunted bear cave (PG-13)
  • Raptor Show: Guests should plan to catch an Owly Raptor Show at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m., after visiting Fort Bearizona’s baby and smaller animals.
  • Wandering Entertainers: Stop by the park between 11:30-2:30 weekends in October to catch juggling performances, balloon artists and face painters!

On Saturday’s “Things to Do” list – check out the new Loop 303/I-10 Interchange before it opens to traffic

Posted on by
ADOT Photo

ADOT Photo.

PHOENIX – Saturday morning (August 16) provides an opportunity for you to get an up-close look at the soon-to-be-completed Loop 303/I-10 Traffic Interchange in Goodyear. The Arizona Department of Transportation and city of Goodyear will provide local residents and visitors with a chance to walk, jog, skate or cycle beneath the elevated ramps that will soon carry traffic between the two freeways in the West Valley.

A Loop 303 dedication event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday along the new westbound I-10 frontage road that also was built as part of the $145 million freeway-to-freeway interchange project. All ramps at the interchange are scheduled to be open to traffic by September.

Governor Jan Brewer is scheduled to be on hand for the event, along with Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord, ADOT Director John Halikowski and other dignitaries.

Parking will be available on the eastbound I-10 frontage road east of Citrus Road, south of I-10, in Goodyear. Citrus Road, which is west of the new Loop 303/I-10 Interchange, can be accessed from either McDowell Road or Van Buren Street.

After parking, those attending the event will be able to walk or roll through the Cotton Lane underpass beneath I-10 and have an up-close view of the large ramps at the interchange. Local community organizations will be on hand to share information with guests.

For safety reasons, those attending the open house will not be able to go onto the elevated ramps at the interchange. Guests are asked to be prepared for sunny conditions and are discouraged from bringing dogs or other pets because the pavement will get hotter as the morning moves along.

Governor Brewer will speak at a ribbon-cutting ceremony starting at 9 a.m.

In addition to marking the upcoming completion of the Loop 303/I-10 Interchange, the Open House and dedication also will celebrate the completion of ADOT’s recent series of projects to improve Loop 303 from an older two-lane highway to a six-lane freeway traveling north and south from Goodyear to Surprise. The projects are all part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ 20-year Regional Transportation Plan approved by county voters in 2004.