September 20, 2017• Vol. 15, No. 40
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
www.thefoothillsfocus.com
ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
Anthem | Black Canyon City | Carefree | Cave Creek | Desert Hills | New River| North Phoenix | Tramonto | Vistancia
DVUSD superintendent discusses district goals, future priorities ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
NORTH VALLEY – Encompassing 367 square miles and serving over 35,000 students, the Deer Valley Unified School District is an educational frontrunner in the north valley. Leadership of this district is an immense and vital task, and new DVUSD superintendent Dr. Curtis Finch shared his goals for DVUSD and thoughts on what the district needs in future in an interview with The Foothills Focus. Finch said the adjustment of settling in at DVUSD has gone well, thanks to the supportive staff members who have helped him get up to speed.
Pictured: Dr. Curtis Finch
“I am settling into the Superintendent role at DVUSD with my track shoes on!” Finch said in an email interview. “I’m trying to get to every one of our 38 campuses twice a month to meet with students,
SUPERINTENDENT continued on page 7
Merrill Gardens at Anthem holds ribbon cutting celebration ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
ANTHEM – The Merrill Gardens at Anthem retirement community celebrated its official grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 14. Merrill Gardens residents, friends, and neighbors gathered for the official welcome, with over 400 attendees at the ceremony. The community has been open for residents for several months. The ribbon cutting ceremony offered a chance for the community to view the facility, meet staff, and sample the Merrill Gardens menu choices. The event included tours, live music, and speeches from community leaders and Merrill Gardens’ staff.
Pictured cutting the ribbon are Merrill Gardens General Manager Krista Solomon and resident Jean Mork, who signed on in January 2016. Well-wishers surrounded them, celebrating the official opening of Merrill Gardens at Anthem.
Merrill Gardens at Anthem has received a warm welcome from the surrounding
MERRILL GARDENS continued on page 10
Diamond Canyon honors veterans at Constitution Day ceremony ANTHEM – Last Friday, Diamond Canyon School commemorated Constitution Day with a ceremony honoring veterans and sharing information on the history of the United States. At the ceremony, Diamond Canyon students handdelivered letters to veterans, thanking them for their service. Selected students also presented information on the Constitution and on the Pledge of Allegiance. Principal Tara LeCount spoke at the ceremony, recognizing all the veterans in attendance, including those who are parents
Pictured: Diamond Canyon student McKenna Carlson with Principal Tara LeCount, at the Constitution Day ceremony.
Pictured: Student Easton Wood
Pictured: Diamond Canyon choir
of Diamond Canyon students. “Our Coyotes want to say thank you today,” LeCount said. Diamond Canyon’s band
and choir students performed excellent renditions of patriotic musical selections, rounding out the ceremony.
INVESTIGATION:
FIRE:
SAFETY STUDY:
Animal Crimes Unit
Cave Creek home
MCDOT seeks input on
investigating cruelty case
destroyed by fire
New River Rd. improvements
Page 3
Page 8
Page 9
OTHER : • Bluhm Column
6
• Service Directory
15
• Classified Ads
18