Glendale’s Community Newspaper
Vol. 76 No. 5
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NEWS...............2 Impeachment means TV exposure for Lesko
NEWS ..............9 Speak Up conference draws thousands to GCU
OPINION..................... 12 BUSINESS.................. 14 SPORTS ...................... 16 CALENDAR ................ 20 FEATURES.................. 22 RELIGION ................... 26 YOUTH........................ 28 CLASSIFIEDS ............. 30
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January 30, 2020
Recycling ‘a huge problem’ for city BY ERIC NEWMAN
Glendale Star Staff Writer
Recycling, while important to Glendale city officials, has become increasingly difficult economically. Mayor Jerry Weiers called recycling “a huge problem” at a recent workshop. Glendale’s Director of Field Operations, Michelle Woytenko, gave a Jan. 14 presentation to the city council on recycling. The presentation came as a result of the city considering changes or the complete stoppage of its recycling program altogether, as directed in a December meeting by the council. Since starting its program in 2000, recycling has become more cost-inefficient. Recycling costs Glendale about $1 million per year, according to staff reports. The process will include an economic analysis of the recycling program, out-
The cost to cities for recycling is increasing, as workers must be paid to sort through recyclables. (Photo courtesy city of Glendale)
reach to the public through various forms of social media, a survey and local meetings and an education plan to inform Glendale’s residents on the new policies mov-
ing forward after a decision is made, said Woytenko. In years past, recyclables from Glen-
Two adult males, ages 18 and 26, were shot and both were transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The suspect was not found, police said. There was no suspect information. Ten minutes later and less than 3 miles away, three men were shot at 6817 N. 63rd Avenue. Glendale resident Jose Ayala, 51, died at the scene. His son Louis Ayala, 19, also was found with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening.
Police say Robert Mahoney, 58, of Scottsdale, shot the two before shooting himself. “Mahoney was known to Ayala due to previous business dealings and it is believed at this point those relationships were the motive for the homicide,” according to a police statement. Just after 6 p.m. Saturday, Watkins, 53, was shot and killed in the alley behind his downtown Glendale business. O’Neill said an Investigation revealed the suspect, who was known to the victim and
SEE RECYCLING PAGE 2
Three dead after multiple weekend shootings BY TOM SCANLON
Glendale Star Managing Editor
Within 24 hours, six people were shot in three unrelated shootings in or near downtown Glendale. Three died, including Ray Watkins, co-owner of the Astrology Store. One suspect remains at large, said Jay O’Neill of the Glendale Police Department. A second suspect is in custody. A third suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot. The first shooting was at 7:14 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at 4748 W. Sierra Vista Drive.
The Glendale
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SEE SHOOTINGS PAGE 5
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