City News

The City of Tucson has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation
Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United
States and Canada (GFOA) for the 30th year in a row.

From Barrett Baker at the Tucson Fire Department:

In Tucson, we generally have Summer,Winter, and very little in between. We can be challenged by going from near 90 degree high temperatures one week and lows in the 30’s just days later. As the need for warming the house increases, so can the dangers associated with fireplaces, furnaces, and space heaters. Below are a few reminders as you heat up while the temperatures drop.

TUCSON POLICE STOP SUSPECTED FRAUD RING - Proactive policing by officers from the Tucson Police Department's Eastside Division put a stop to a potential fraud ring involving an extensive amount of stolen identifications, checks, credit cards, mail, and license plates. An officer on patrol last week conducted a traffic stop at the 700 block of South Camino Seco, and the driver fled on foot. Three others in the car remained in the vehicle and were detained. Several stolen license plates and stolen mail were found inside of the car, police said. Detectives from the TPD Fraud Unit and U.S. Postal Inspectors responded and interviewed the three detainees. All the passengers were arrested for Aggravated Identity Theft and booked into the Pima County Jail. The investigation continued and led detectives to the 11000 block of East Calle Aurora. Stolen identifications, checks, and credit cards were located at the residence, police said. The investigation is ongoing. Read more from TPD Facebook page.
 
TUCSON EARNS PERFECT SCORE IN LGBT EQUAL RIGHTS SURVEY - The City of Tucson earned a score of 100 in the latest survey from the Human Rights Commission, which works for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) equal rights. The Municipal Equality Index (MEI) examines the laws, policies, and services of municipalities, rating them on the basis of how they affect LGBT people who live and work there. Some of the categories include non-discrimination laws, recognition of civil unions, and local governments' relationships with the LGBT community. Read Tucson's scorecard from MEI.
 
COLD WEATHER BRINGS FURNACE SAFETY WARNINGS - Now that Tucson's temperatures are getting close to freezing, many people will be firing up their furnaces for the first time this season. Tucson Fire Captain Barrett Baker offers some tips to keep you safe when trying to get warm.
 
SANTA TO CALL TUCSON CHILDREN EARLY NEXT MONTH - Santa and his elves would like to add some sparkle to a child’s holiday season through the "Santa's Calling" program, courtesy of Tucson Parks and Recreation. The special child(ren) in your life, between ages of 3 and 8, will have an opportunity to speak with Santa and listen to his elves hard at work. Santa will make the calls from 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 2, 3, 4 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). In order to receive a call, you'll need to fill out a form and mail the request by Friday, Nov. 28.
 
GRAPES FOR APES - The Reid Park Zoo is hosting a fundraiser this Friday to help pay for habitat renovation for the Zoo's gibbon family, Billy, Moms, and Lilith. Enjoy wine, food, various activities, and animal encounters. Music also will be a part of Friday's event, with Gabriel Ayala performing. Uber will be offering rides home from the event for those drinking wine. Learn more about the event.

FAMILY FESTIVAL IN THE PARK THIS WEEKEND - The Tucson Parks and Recreation Department presents the 9th annual Family Festival in the Park tomorrow. This free community-wide event will be held from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Reid Park, 22nd Street and Country Club Road. The Festival is about having fun with your family, while also serving as an opportunity for Tucson Parks and Recreation to showcase programs and activities offered to the community. Activities include a carnival, games, inflatables, crafts, a golf clinic, tennis games, and demonstrations of leisure classes. Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center is hosting an afternoon of free swimming from noon - 4 p.m. Tucson City Golf will offer a free 10-minute golf instruction at the Randolph Driving Range, adjacent to the park, from 10 a.m. - noon. Entertainment will be presented throughout the day, and a variety of foods will be available for purchase through local vendors.

TUCSON GOLF COURSES GET MAKEOVERS - If you attend the free golf instruction referenced in the story above, you'll notice some changes at Randolph Golf Course. Players at Tucson City Golf are enjoying improvements, from the kitchen to the fairways. See what the golfers think, in this video from Tucson 12. 

RIDE A CAMEL AT REID PARK ZOO - Animals aren't just for show at Reid Park Zoo nowadays, as four dromedary (one-hump) camels are ready to give rides to guests. Winston, Luke, Mack and Riddle will give rides every day during Zoo hours (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.). The cost to ride is $7 (in addition to admission), and riders must be at least two-years-old. See photos at Reid Park Zoo's Facebook page.

IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AT KINO PARKWAY AND 22ND STREET CAUSES WEEKEND TRAFFIC SHIFT - The Kino Parkway and 22nd Street Intersection Improvement Project is nearing completion. As the work winds down, crews this weekend will begin shifting traffic to install the new traffic signals on 22nd Street and restripe the roadway. During this work, left turns in all directions at the Kino Parkway and 22nd Street intersection will not be permitted. The Ashton Company, Inc. is working under contract to the Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT). Read more about the weekend traffic patterns.

RIDE THE STREETCAR TO UA FOOTBALL GAME TOMORROW - Football fans can ride the Sun Link Tucson Streetcar to tomorrow's University of Arizona football game. Prior to the 1:30 p.m. game against Washington, fans can experience dining, entertainment, and retail opportunities at Main Gate Square, Fourth Avenue, Downtown Tucson, and the Mercado District, and then board the streetcar to the UA from any one of the 23 stops along the 3.9-mile route. Once on campus, Arizona Stadium is a short walk from the Second Street and Cherry Avenue stop. Fans can also park in one of the many garages downtown and take the streetcar to the game to avoid UA congestion. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., the Pennington Street Garage is offering discounted parking fees when you ask for the "Park, Dine, and Ride" bundle, which includes a Sun Link Day Pass and parking.
UA Parking and Transportation football info

The Ashton Company Inc., under contract to the Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT), is nearing completion of the Kino Parkway and 22nd Street Intersection Improvement Project, and this weekend crews will begin shifting traffic to install the new traffic signals on 22nd Street and restripe the roadway. During this work, left turns in all directions at the Kino Parkway and 22nd Street intersection will not be allowed. 

GRANT ROAD WIDENING PHASE II PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE NEXT WEEK - The City of Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) will host a public open house next Wednesday, 5:30-7 p.m., to discuss the widening of Grant Road. The meeting will be held at the Tucson Association of Realtors building, 2445 N. Tucson Boulevard, and there will be a brief presentation by the project team at 5:45 p.m. Staff from the City of Tucson's Office of Integrated Planning will discuss amending the Major Streets and Routes Plan (MSRP) to reflect the Grant Road widening alignment, from Oracle Road to Swan Road, approved by the Mayor and Tucson City Council in 2009. Staff will be available to answer questions regarding the MSRP and the amendment process. Grant Road Widening Phase II is from Stone Avenue to Park Avenue, and the design is 60 percent complete. Phase II construction is scheduled to begin in late 2015. Read the news release.
 
CITY WINS NATIONAL BUDGET AWARD - The City of Tucson is receiving national recognition, with an award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for Tucson's Office of Budget and Internal Audit reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the award, the City had to satisfy nationally-recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. Read the news release.
 
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA) BEGINS THIS WEEKEND - Saturday marks the start of a three-month period where people can enroll for health care under the Affordable Care Act (link below). Government leaders and nonprofits gathered yesterday to inform the public about open enrollment. "It’s one thing to say that health is important for individuals – and it is," said Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, "But health is also important for communities. There’s an economic cost to illness, to the person, their family, their employer, and their community." There are more than 100 health care plans available in Pima County. Read more from Tucson News Now.
 
TUCSON WATER IS PART OF CONSTRUCTION CAREER FAIR - More than 700 students from nearly 30 schools are meeting a variety of professionals during the two-day Southern Arizona Construction Career Days today and tomorrow. The event for high school students is hosted by the Arizona Transportation Builders Association and KE&G Construction. Tucson Water joins nearly 30 construction industry firms and contractors who will give students the opportunity to meet a variety of professionals and see displays and demonstrations related to careers in construction and infrastructure. The career fair is being held at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds. Read the news release.
 
REDUCE CLUTTER AND GO PAPERLESS WITH CITY E-BILLING - Go paperless with your Utility Services Statement. Set up an eBill account to pay your bill, get notification of your billing statement, view water usage, and read Tucson Water's newsletter.