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THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
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This Week
NEWS .............. 6 Cookies ‘n Cocoa plans 2022 return
BUSINESS...... 15 BUSINESS KORE Power, city of Buckeye win award
YOUTH .......... 23 New Buckeye charter school adds pre-K program
OPINION ................. 8 BUSINESS.............. 14 SPORTS ..................17 FEATURES ..............18 YOUTH ..................23 OBITUARIES ...........25 CLASSIFIEDS ..........27 NORTH
Zoo watched his dreams come to fruition BY LAUREN SERRATO
West Valley View Staff Writer
W
ildlife World Zoo founder and owner Mickey Ollson, who died Jan. 9 at age 80 of leukemia, was a dreamer. The lifelong West Valley resident was so regarded for his love of animals that he was recently honored with a national award. “His vision and hard work entertained and educated millions of people through the Wildlife World Zoo,” said Kristy Hayden, Wildlife World Zoo media director. “He was born and raised in the West Valley, and he leaves an indelible mark there for future generations. He gave back to his community. He was an inspiration to his family and everyone who knew him.” Prior to his death, Ollson was awarded the Zoological Association of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is the highest ZAA honor for professional excellence and contributions to the zoo industry. The award recognizes the improve-
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ments made to the craft of zookeeping and zoo management by an individual. After winning the award late last year, Ollson reflected on his career and said he wouldn’t change a thing because it all came together just as he envisioned as a little boy. As a child, Ollson dreamt of opening his own zoo, even drawing a map of the future facility during his recovery from chicken pox. The plan began with a couple of ducks, a gift from his grandfather who lived next door to him when he was growing up, on land where he planned to someday build his Wildlife World Zoo. Before opening the zoo, Ollson graduated from North High
Zoo...continued on page 4
Wildlife World Zoo founder and owner Mickey Ollson died on Jan. 9 at the age of 80. (Photo courtesy of Wildlife World Zoo)
Ducey gives final State of State to West Valley BY LAUREN SERRATO
West Valley View Staff Writer
G
ov. Doug Ducey gave his State of the State address to the West Valley at the Phoenix Raceway in Avondale on Jan. 12, hosted by WESTMARC. Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise welcomed the room filled with local dignitaries, business leaders and community members to
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the event. He referred to the West Valley as the “heartbeat of Arizona” and deemed the area the “economic driver for the state of Arizona” in the decades to come. Ducey took the stage, marking his eighth and final State of the State address. It may be his last year, but he promised a busy 2022, focused on education and changes to the southern border.
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“As I stand here today, the job is not done,” Ducey said. “The goodbyes are going to come later, much later. Today is not a farewell tour. I intend to make the most of every moment and work very hard every single day all along the way for my employers, the citizens of this state.”
Ducey...continued on page 4
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