Glendale’s Community Newspaper
www.glendalestar.com
Vol. 77 No. 2
INSIDE
This Week THE VOICE OF BUSINESS
NEWS...............6 Suspect killed by police days after prison release
January 7, 2021
City utility bills increase in New Year BY TOM SCANLON
Glendale Star Managing Editor
Some say city bills are like Luke Air Force Base jets: They keep going up. Indeed, a New Year begins in Glendale with new increases. Those flushing 2020 away and celebrating 2021 with a glass of city water will be paying slightly more than last year. Most Glendale residents will be paying slightly more on their city utility bills, as of Jan. 1. In 2019, the “base charge” for water usage for most residents was $10.80. In 2020, the base charge increased to $11.40. This year, the base charge went up to $12—an 11% increase over 2019 rates. The usage rate for Glendale water per 1,000 gallons up to 6,000 gallons for most residents increased from $3.11 in 2019 to $3.28 last year and $3.40 this year.
In November, Glendale City Council approved utility rate increases that went into effect Jan. 1. (Glendale Star file photo)
Sewer/wastewater rates increased from a base charge for usage of $10.20 to $10.80 last year and $11.40 this year.
The flush rate per 1,000 gallons was $3.94 in 2019. It increased to $4.15 last SEE INCREASE PAGE 3
New guidance urges open classrooms BY TOM SCANLON
Glendale Star Managing Editor
FEATURES .... 15 Got milk? This giant baby will need plenty of it
OPINION..................... 13 BUSINESS.................. 14 FEATURES.................. 15 SPORTS ...................... 16 RELIGION ................... 18 YOUTH........................ 20 CLASSIFIEDS ............. 24
A New Year begins with school districts struggling with a divisive question: to close classrooms or not to close? Arizona’s COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population soared to 112, the highest in the country, according to CDC data released Tuesday, Jan. 5. Arizona’s rate was nearly double the national average. And, as of Dec. 31, Glendale and Peoria ZIP codes were all above 500 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days, indicating a “substantial” level of COVID-19 risk. While previous guidance from public health officials was to close
classrooms and have online teaching in communities with substantial spread, officials now urge districts to have students in classrooms. The guidance appears somewhat conflicting. For public schools in the West Valley, Maricopa County school metrics show an overall risk level of “substantial” and “recommended learning scenario” of “virtual with onsite support.” But, according to new guidance updated Dec. 31, “Maricopa County Department of Public and Arizona Department of Health Services After returning to classes with masks required in the fall, stuhave agreed to support those juris- dents at Copper Creek Elementary School and other DVUSD dictions who are able to maintain a students began the New Year with classrooms closed and onSEE CLASSROOMS PAGE 4
line learning only due to COVID-19. (Photo courtesy DVUSD)