THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
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Monkeys born at Wildlife World Zoo
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westvalleyview.com
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The Voice of the West Valley for 32 years
Verrado pitcher called an ‘inspiration’ By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
NEWS .............. 6 Tolleson Logistics Center plotting construction
SPORTS ........ 15 Tolleson boys soccer wins early season tournament
9 DAYS ......... 16 Looking for something to do? Check out the 9 Days a Week calendar
LETTERS ..........................9 BUSINESS..................... 12 SPORTS ..........................14 FEATURES .....................18 NEIGHBORHOOD......22 SCHOOLS .....................23 OBITUARIES .................26 CLASSIFIEDS................28 SOUTH
Verrado baseball coach and teacher Nick Swanson saw something special in senior left-handed pitcher Kyle Wellman. He thought just maybe the student would be supportive of Unified Sports, a program for his special needs students. “He came to our meeting and Kyle has been there ever since,” Swanson said. “My class is designed for children with multiple disabilities. We have a lot of students who are not ambulatory, not verbal. Kyle comes in every single day and greets every available student. He wants to make sure they feel they are part of the school community.” Wellman is modest about his work, but he’s also very proud. For his work with special needs students and his scholastic endeavors, he is up for a $10,000 Parker and Sons-sponsored scholarship. Swanson and his paraprofessionals nominated Senior Kyle Wellman smiles in a special education classroom him. at Verrado High School. (West Valley View photo by Jordan “It hit me at a good time,” Christopher) said Wellman, who will find out if he won the scholarship his only mission. He plans on studying during an upcoming banquet. “I’m trying kinesiology so he can work as an to figure out where I’m going to end up for occupational therapist for special needs college. If this works out, it’s going to be a children. game changer. “The more I became involved in Unified “If I tell a college coach that I have a Sports, the more I realized it came naturally $10,000 scholarship, it might make me to me. I didn’t do it to impress anyone. It more marketable. They wouldn’t have to is fun and I genuinely enjoy being around give me as much money.” the students.” While he wants to play college baseball, the Litchfield Park resident said that’s not Pitcher...continued on page 2
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January 17, 2018
Ducey discusses West Valley at luncheon By Connor Dziawura After delivering his fourth State of the State address, Gov. Doug Ducey visited the West Valley to break down the issues for elected officials, school employees and other attending personnel at the West Valley State of the State Luncheon at Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa on January 10. Primarily reflecting on the previous year, Doug Ducey. and discussing the Gov. (Photo courtesy Arizona policy goals outlined Governor’s Office) in his January 8 speech at the Capital, Ducey highlighted his desire to increase education funding, provide second chances for those convicted of crimes and crack down on the increasing opioid epidemic, among other topics important to residents in the West Valley – and throughout the state – at the WESTMARC luncheon. With more than 800 people killed in Arizona due to opioids in the last year, the worsening drug epidemic was a primary talking point for Ducey. Although steps have been taken, more change is needed, he said. “Last June, I declared a public health emergency to bring awareness and solutions to this crisis,” Ducey said. “Out of that, Arizona’s top medical, addiction and public safety officials have presented thoughtful and serious policy proposals to stop the deaths. I’m grateful for their work.” The declaration signed by Ducey last summer directed the Arizona Department of Health Services to respond with
State...continued on page 8