THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
Goodyear coach honored PAGE
Avondale boy inspires family
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This Week
NEWS .............. 4 Youth sports advocate carries on despite theft
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The Voice of the West Valley for 32 years
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February 14, 2018
Spring Training returns to the West Valley By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski and Greg Macafee The popping of a baseball mitt, the crack of a bat, and the constant chatter between infielders and outfielders: These are just some of the sights and sounds that take over the Valley’s Spring Training ballparks in mid-February. Each year, 15 MLB teams converge on the Valley of the Sun to hone their skills during Cactus League play – including the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds, who share Goodyear Ballpark. Veteran players refresh their skills, rookies and minor league players vie for invites to “The Show” and coaches get their first look at their team for the upcoming season. Pitchers and catchers report Wednesday, February 14, while games start Thursday, February 22.
Cincinnati Reds (68-94; last in NL Central)
SPORTS ........ 18 3 WV boys hoops teams ready for playoffs
9 DAYS ......... 20 Looking for something to do? Check out the 9 Days a Week calendar
LETTERS ........................12 BUSINESS..................... 15 SPORTS ..........................17 FEATURES .....................22 NEIGHBORHOOD......26 YOUTH ...........................27 OBITUARIES .................34 CLASSIFIEDS................35
SOUTH
Last year was one to forget for the Cincinnati Reds, considering they missed the playoffs and finished last in the NL Central. Now they have the challenge of filling the roles left by Drew Storen, Bronson Arroyo, Scott Feldman and Zack Cozart. Cozart signed with the Angels, but the Reds still have the chance to bring back Feldman, Arroyo and Storen this offseason. Feldman was instrumental for the Reds’ starting rotation, throwing 111.1 innings in 2017, good for second on the team. He also turned in a teamhigh nine quality starts for the Reds.
The Cleveland Indians’ minor league locker room is part of the $12 million addition to its facility. (West Valley View photo by Jordan Christopher)
Fortunately for the Reds, their top offensive producer from 2017, Joey Votto, will man first base again. The 34-year-old Canadian led the Reds in batting average, home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage and hits last season.
Cleveland Indians (102-60; first in AL Central)
A year after falling to the Chicago Cubs in the World Series, the Indians made another playoff run in 2017 and the prospect of a World Series ring looked promising. Finishing first in the AL Central with a 102-60 record, the Indians took a two-game lead on the Yankees
Training...continued on page 2
Allegations of fraud, self-dealing leveled against closed charter By Connor Dziawura When Discovery Creemos Academy, formerly known as the Bradley Academy of Excellence, closed unexpectedly late last month, hundreds of Goodyear students, and their teachers, were left without a school. Now, allegations are being raised of fraud and self-dealing. Attorney Quacy L. Smith represents some of those affected by this sudden closure.
“Because we represent such a large number of folks impacted, we are in the process of formulating the necessary civil complaint, state and federal court, to pursue the interests of these teachers and some of the students,” Smith said. It is, however, still early, and decisions have yet to be made on the parties involved in the suit. Among the allegations of fraud and self-
dealing, Smith predicts embezzlement as a possibility. School CEO Daniel Hughes has been accused of using school funds for personal interests. Grand Canyon Institute (GCI) alleges Hughes created his own private companies and directly contracted with them through the school, something technically legal under Arizona state
Charter...continued on page 8