Posted August 22, 2014
The Pima County One-Stop Career Center has funds for health-care employers to participate in a pilot training program aimed at improving employee performance and retention.
One-Stop is offering $24,000 per employer for up to five employers.
The training is for:
Posted August 22, 2014
If you have received an early ballot for the August 26 Arizona Primary Election, it's time to fill it out and drop it in the mail.
Posted August 22, 2014
TUCSON'S BABY ELEPHANT WEIGHS IN AT 245 POUNDS - The City of Tucson's Reid Park Zoo continues to monitor our first-ever newborn African elephant calf. She came into the world at 10:55 p.m. Wednesday, August 20th, which was also Tucson's 239th birthday. Cameras in the Zoo captured many of the yet-unnamed calf's first moments, such as standing, nursing, and sleeping. The calf stays close to Semba, her 24-year-old mom. At this point, only essential Zoo staff is allowed near the two, allowing them time to bond. Details on when the public can see the baby, and how the naming process will be handled, will be released soon (watch Tucson 12 interview). Until then, the Zoo is offering photos and videos of the new family on its Flickr page. In addition, you can follow the Reid Park Zoo and City of Tucson Facebook and Twitter sites for photos, links, and more information as soon as it becomes available.
Reid Park Zoo Twitter
Reid Park Zoo Facebook
City of Tucson Facebook
City of Tucson Twitter
TRAFFIC ALERT: SOUTHBOUND 4TH AVENUE UNDERPASS CLOSURE - With the return of University of Arizona students and the anticipation of heavy traffic in the downtown area, the City of Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) is not permitting southbound traffic through the 4th Avenue Underpass at 9th Street this weekend, from 7 p.m. - 2 a.m. During the temporary closure, which took effect last night, the Sun Link Streetcar and bicyclists will be allowed to use the southbound travel lane through the underpass, and pedestrians will be allowed to use the sidewalk. TDOT staff recently adjusted the timing of the traffic signals to allow for better traffic flow through the busy Congress/4th/Toole intersection, and engineers will continue to evaluate and monitor travel patterns this weekend. Read the news release.
FOLLOW THE PROGRESS ON THE DOWNTOWN LINKS PROJECT - The City of Tucson and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) have a website to give citizens information and updates on one of the largest transportation projects in Tucson. The $76 million project will result in a four-lane roadway north of the Union Pacific Railroad that will link Barraza-Aviation Parkway and Interstate 10, Broadway Boulevard with 4th Avenue, and downtown with the neighborhoods to the north. Downtown Links also will provide alternate access to downtown, new and safer underpasses and railroad crossings, and improved sidewalks and bike paths.
TUCSON'S 239th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND - Even though Tucson's birthday was Wednesday, the celebration continues tomorrow at the Historic Train Depot downtown, 414 N. Toole Ave. The Southern Arizona Transportation Museum on site will host a birthday party from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild will help cut the birthday cake at 11 a.m. Both parking and admission to the museum are free.
LEARN TO RECOGNIZE HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS - It's important to know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack if you ever need to help someone in cardiac arrest. Knowing what to do beyond that point also is necessary. Calling 9-1-1 is a must, but you can help before paramedics arrive. Tucson Fire Department Captain Barrett Baker offers some tips on CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Posted August 22, 2014
From our friends at the Tucson Fire Department:
During the monsoon season, washes can rise very quickly. Here are some tips for safety:
WHEN IN DOUBT, WAIT IT OUT!!
Posted August 21, 2014
With the return of University of Arizona students and the anticipation
of heavy traffic volumes in the downtown area, the City of Tucson of
Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) will prohibit southbound
motor vehicle travel through the Fourth Avenue Underpass at Ninth
Street.
Posted August 21, 2014
Reid Park Zoo announces that Semba, a 24-year old African Elephant,
successfully delivered a female calf at 10:55pm last night! Both mother
and calf appear to be doing well, but are spending quiet time in the
Click Family Elephant Care Center under the watchful eyes of the
elephant team. This is Semba’s third calf, but the first elephant ever
born at Reid Park Zoo. Congratulations to the Reid Park Zoo staff.
Posted August 21, 2014
ELEPHANT CALF BORN AT REID PARK ZOO ON TUCSON'S BIRTHDAY - African elephant Semba gave birth last night to a female calf, and both are doing well. This is Semba's third calf, but the first elephant ever born at the Reid Park Zoo. It's also the only African Elephant birth in any zoo this year. “This birth, literally the largest in the history of the State of Arizona, represents a significant milestone for the Zoo,” said Zoo Administrator Jason Jacobs. “This birth would not have been possible without the vision and partnership of the City of Tucson, Reid Park Zoo, Reid Park Zoological Society, and San Diego Zoo Global.” The first 48-72 hours following the birth are the most essential for Semba and her as-yet-unnamed calf to form a strong physical and emotional bond. Although Semba and the calf are not currently on exhibit, they may be viewable soon on the Zoo Cams between the hours of 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The rest of the herd members will remain on exhibit intermittently throughout the day. Check out the Reid Park Zoo and City of Tucson Facebook and Twitter sites for late-breaking information.
Reid Park Zoo Twitter
Reid Park Zoo Facebook
City of Tucson Facebook
City of Tucson Twitter
TUCSON POLICE PART OF MULTI-AGENCY CRIMINAL STREET GANG ARRESTS - The Tucson Police Department (TPD) joined other agencies in Southern Arizona in serving 16 arrest warrants yesterday at nine Tucson locations. TPD said the Eastside Crips (ESC) is an organized group whose members are suspected of homicides, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, trafficking in firearms, and committing violent crimes. The case was initiated based on information gathered by TPD, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety's Gang Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission. The case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Division of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office in Tucson. Read more on TPD Facebook page.
AN INSIDE VIEW OF THE 2014 TUCSON FIRE ACADEMY - It takes a lot of hard training and plenty of long hours to be a firefighter with the Tucson Fire Department (TFD). To give the public an idea of what that training entails, TFD put together a video of its most recent 21-week training academy, start to finish. The video was produced Capt. Jim Grimes.
TFD Facebook page
FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES CONCLUDES TOMORROW AT UA - Tomorrow is the final concert in the "Friday Night Live!" series at Main Gate Square at the University of Arizona. Presented by the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, tomorrow's 7 p.m. performance features Jazz saxophonist Kelland Thomas. Main Gate now is easily accessible via the Sun Link Tucson Streetcar.
HOW TO MANAGE HARD WATER AND OTHER TIPS FROM TUCSON WATER - Get tips on how to manage hard water, increase dishwasher efficiency, flush your water heater, check faucet aerators, and more. Information is available in English and Spanish. You can download, print, or request a mailed copy of the tips. You can also learn how to pay your water bill online and stop and start service.
Posted August 21, 2014
With the return of University of Arizona students and the anticipation of heavy traffic volumes in the downtown area, the City of Tucson of Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) will prohibit southbound motor vehicle travel through the Fourth Avenue Underpass at Ninth Street.
Posted August 20, 2014
TUCSON FIRE DEPARTMENT PERFORMS ANOTHER SWIFT WATER RESCUE - For the second time in three days, Tucson Fire Department (TFD) personnel performed a swift water rescue, using a fire truck ladder to help a woman trapped in her car in a wash near Broadway and Camino Seco. A single firefighter walked out on the ladder and handed the woman a lifejacket. She was then able to climb out of the window and onto the ladder to walk to safety. The woman was assessed on scene, but did not require medical attention. TFD urges motorists to stay away from flowing washes during thunderstorms, saying moving water 1-2 feet deep will carry away most vehicles. See video of the resuce on TFD Facebook page.
CEREMONY OF FLAGS TO MARK TUCSON'S BIRTHDAY - The five flags that have flown over Tucson – American, Spanish, Mexican, Confederate, and the State of Arizona – will be presented in a ceremony tonight to celebrate Tucson’s 239th birthday. The Tohono O'odham Nation and Pascua Yaqui Tribe flags also will be presented, as will a replica of the 28-star American flag that was brought by the Mormon Battalion and flown over Tucson in 1846. The celebration begins at 5:30 p.m., with a performance by Mariachi Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson at Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Courtyard (SW corner of Church Avenue and Washington Street). The flag ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by proclamations and a reading of Hugo O’Conor’s letter designating Tucson as the site of a new presidio. Those attending are encouraged to dress in “period” costumes and sample a piece of Tucson’s birthday cake. Read the news release for more information.
TUCSON AND OTHER CITIES WIN LATEST ELECTION BATTLE AGAINST STATE - An appellate court ruling says the State of Arizona can't make Tucson, Phoenix and other cities move their municipal elections to even-numbered years. Monday's ruling by the Arizona Court of Appeals upholds a trial judge's ruling that the 2012 law improperly intrudes on the constitutional authority of charter cities. The State had appealed a 2013 ruling by Judge James Marner of Pima County Superior Court. Cities claim they have the right to set their own elections, while opponents suggest turnout would be greater and cost less if local elections were held at the same time as presidential and gubernatorial elections. There was no immediate response from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office about a possible appeal to the State Supreme Court. Read more from the Arizona Capitol Times and the Associated Press via Tucson News Now.
NEXT WEEK IS DEADLINE TO SUBMIT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF TRANSIT CENTER - The City of Tucson is looking for a developer for a 4.7-acre site in the heart of downtown (Congress Street and Sixth Avenue) to create a distinctive multi-modal, mixed-use development incorporating a modern transit center. Adjacent to the Sun Link Tucson Streetcar line, the area currently consists of the Ronstadt Transit Center and two surface parking lots. More than $930 million in recent private and public investment - including new restaurants, shops, businesses, and housing - are near the site. Upcoming investments near the area include a grocery store, a new hotel, additional housing, and roadway improvements. The City’s goal is to transform the development site from a single-use transit center into a mixed-use development that contributes to an active, economically-robust downtown. Requests for Proposals are due Aug. 28, 2014. More information is available from the City of Tucson Office of Integrated Planning.
DOWNLOAD APP TO REPORT GRAFFITI IN TUCSON - Graffiti Protective Coatings and the City of Tucson have a smartphone application for reporting graffiti. MyTucson is a free download on the iPhone App Store and Google Play for Android.
Watch a University of Arizona PSA about the app.
Posted August 19, 2014
PIMA COUNTY COMBINED PROPERTY TAXES TO INCREASE 12 PERCENT - Most Pima County homeowners will see an increase in their property tax bills this year. In a 3-2 vote yesterday, the Pima County Board of Supervisors set the County’s combined tax rate at $5.76 per $100 of assessed valuation - an increase of about 12 percent from last year. Supervisors also approved tax rates set by dozens of municipalities, school boards, fire district boards, and other special taxing districts. The exact increase varies depending on where a person lives, but the owner of a $150,000 house in Tucson and the Tucson Unified School District can expect to pay, on average, an extra $123 next year. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
TUCSON PROGRAM SAVES WATER AND HELPS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS -Tucson Water customers have saved 3.6 million gallons of water while contributing to community enhancement projects through Conserve to Enhance (C2E), a program started at the University of Arizona. Tucson participants have saved water through conservation strategies, ranging from behavioral changes to rainwater harvesting installations. Tucson C2E has received nearly $40,000 in donations since the program began. Donations have come directly from participant water savings and the “Riparian Enhancement and Open Space” check box on Tucson Water monthly bills. The program has funded numerous projects, including the Atturbury Wash restoration. Now, the effort has expanded beyond state boundaries, looking to help Colorado and California start their own water conservation and community enhancement programs under the umbrella of the UA-based sustainability program.
DEVELOPER ALLAN NORVILLE WINS RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE POSSIBLE LAND PURCHASE FOR DOWNTOWN HOTEL PROJECT - The Rio Nuevo Board voted yesterday to enter into negotiations with developer Allan Norville to have him buy and develop 8.5 acres of Rio Nuevo Land currently occupied by the Greyhound Bus Depot. Norville beat out Ron Schwabe of Peach Properties. Although Norville won a chance to negotiate with Rio Nuevo, the Board still must vote on whether it wants to open talks or scrap the plan and start over. Board discussion is set for next Tuesday. Norville’s plan - offering to pay $5.6 million for the land - calls for a 140-room hotel, a 96-unit apartment complex, a visual arts center, three museums, and a theater. Norville also says he'd build a 120,000-square-foot exhibition hall on his property adjacent to the Rio Nuevo land. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
TRAFFIC ALERT: KOLB ROAD STREET LIGHT REPAIRS - Beginning tomorrow, crews from the City of Tucson Department of Transportation Streets and Traffic Maintenance Division will replace lamps and repair all of the street lights on the west side of Kolb Road, from Tanque Verde Road to Speedway Boulevard. Crews will be working from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to be finished in one day. For the safety of the work crews and motorists, the southbound curb lane on Kolb Road will be closed during the work. Residential and business access will be maintained at all times. Expect delays if driving through the area during work hours.
FARE OPTIONS FOR STREETCAR - There are many fare options available to ride the streetcar. Cash is not accepted on the car, but you can use it at machines at the stops to buy a $4 one-day pass. In addition, you can buy SunGO passes online or at regular Sun Tran merchants. Discount fares are available for certain students, low-income residents, seniors and disabled passengers. University of Arizona faculty, staff, and students can ride streetcar for free, through Sept. 14, if they sign up for a special U-pass. The City of Tucson has a video that tells you everything you need to know about how to ride the streetcar.
Cómo viajar video
Posted August 18, 2014
On Wednesday, August 20, 2014, work crews from the City of Tucson Department of Transportation Streets and Traffic Maintenance Division will relamp and make repairs to all the street lights on the west side of Kolb Road from Tanque Verde Road to Speedway Boulevard. Crews will be working from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to be complete in one day.
Posted August 18, 2014
Posted August 15, 2014
Posted August 15, 2014
Posted August 15, 2014
UA COMMUNITY CAN RIDE STREETCAR FREE FOR 30 DAYS - Starting today, students, faculty, and staff at the University of Arizona can ride the new Sun Link Tucson Streetcar and all Sun Tran buses for free, through Sept 14. The promotion requires a special U-Pass that can be ordered online at the link below. After the 30 days end, the card can be loaded with one-day and 30-day monthly passes. In addition, the UA is offering a 50 percent discount for those who buy semester or annual passes. The streetcar travels a nearly 4-mile route through parts of the UA campus, 4th Avenue, Downtown Tucson and the Mercado District west of I-10. If you don't have a UA affiliation, you can buy a SunGO monthly pass for unlimited rides on the streetcar and bus system.
How to Ride the Streetcar
Take a virtual 5-minute ride on the streetcar, produced by Tucson 12
'PULL ASIDE & STAY ALIVE:' MONSOON RAINS CAN THREATEN LIFE & PROPERTY, CAUSE HAVOC ON ROADS - The Tucson Fire Department (TFD) has been busy this year with several swift water rescues during and after thunderstorms, but some of those situations could have been avoided. TFD Captain Barrett Baker says the motto this time of year is to "pull aside, stay alive."
TRAFFIC ALERT: 12TH AVENUE ASPHALT WORK - Crews from the Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) Streets and Traffic Maintenance Division will be performing asphalt maintenance work for the next two weeks on 12th Avenue, between Santa Paula Street and Bilby Road. The work begins on Monday and is scheduled to be complete by Friday, Aug. 29. Work hours will be 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. During the project, at least one lane of travel will be maintained in each direction.
MERMAIDS UNITE DOWNTOWN - Tomorrow's the day mermaids, pirates, jellyfish, and other sea creatures will be washed ashore on downtown's pop-up beach on the MLK Lot at North Fifth Avenue at East Congress Street, and at Fourth Avenue’s Haggerty Plaza, 316 N. Fourth Ave. The "Return of the Mermaids" event begins at both locations at 7 p.m. The Haggerty's Plaza location is more family-friendly, featuring face painting, crafts, games, island music, and a visit with a professional mermaid. The downtown location will have a staged coronation of King Neptune and a goddess of the sea at about 9:30 p.m. or later. The festivities (accessible by streetcar) will then move to Hotel Congress for a beach-themed party from about 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The event is part of the Downtown Tucson Partnership's Summer in the City Celebration, complete with entertainment and food trucks. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
NEED HELP STARTING OR EXPANDING A BUSINESS IN TUCSON? CALL THE SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE LINE - The City of Tucson's Small Business Assistance Line, (520) 837-4100, is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Help is available in both English and Spanish. Staff from the City Manager's Office of Economic Initiatives answer the calls. The Small Business Assistance Line is one of a number of City initiatives, along with 21 new business incentives, streamlined permit processes and more, to make the City of Tucson more business-friendly.
