Glendale’s Community Newspaper
www.glendalestar.com
Vol. 75 No. 17
INSIDE
This Week
Fiscal year 2019-20 operating budgets updated BY DARRELL JACKSON Glendale Star Staff Writer
FEATURES .... 13 JFCS using therapy dogs at Glendale health care center
With the city of Glendale continuing its economic turnaround, there were few surprises when councilmembers were recently briefed on the fiscal year 2019-20 operating budget. Among the highlights of the city’s operating budget were reaching a goal of a $50 million fund balance by 2020, increases to the debt service and Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, risk management, and workers’ compensation and health care costs. Council is expected to vote on the final budget adoption during the June 11 council meeting.
The objective of the budget, City Manager Kevin Phelps said, is to improve community experience. “We have addressed that in our budget with increased parks maintenance, Heroes Library, the Glendale Works program, the 2020 Census outreach and the centerline district, arts and culture initiatives.” Glendale Works is a program that focuses on bringing meaningful solutions to people experiencing homelessness, instilling them with a sense of dignity and self-worth, and giving neighborhoods a cleaner and safer appearance. Centerline is the re-imagining of the city’s namesake road, Glendale Avenue, which has been on the books for years.
Student may be charged for false accusations YOUTH .......... 26 Code Ninjas combines coding, martial arts
OPINION ................... 12 FEATURES ................ 13 RELIGION.................. 18 SPORTS .................... 20 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT .... 24 YOUTH ...................... 26 BUSINESS ................ 28 CLASSIFIEDS............ 30
April 25, 2019
Considered by the city to be “the essence of opportunity embraced by a community rich in history and built on the forward thinking,” Centerline aims to turn the downtown area into a destination spot. “This operating budget also anticipates selling a number of buildings and properties including the Bank of America building, potential sale of Glen Lakes Golf Course, closing the transaction of the brown lot, and the opportunity to leverage the black lot adjacent to the new parking lot (south of State Farm Stadium),” Phelps said. The budget is balanced with no increase to the primary property tax levy. Revenues are estimated to remain strong throughout SEE BUDGETS PAGE 3
Living Room • Bedroom Children’s Furniture • Dining Room • Electronics Outdoor Furniture • Office/Entertainment
BY DARRELL JACKSON Glendale Star Staff Writer
A teacher who was under investigation for an inappropriate relationship with a student has been cleared of all charges after Peoria police determined there is no evidence to support a relationship ever having occurred between the two. Now, the student who made the claim could be charged. According to Peoria Police spokesman Brandon Sheffert, a 14-year-old Mountain Ridge High School student completed a police report in February claiming she had had a relationship with a teacher at the school. Neither the teacher nor the minor’s names have been released. SEE TEACHER PAGE 2
glendalestar.com The latest breaking news and top local stories in Glendale!
Sofa
438
$
Sofa with Accent Pillows $438 (E-8530S) • Loveseat $398 • Chair $288 Accent Chair $298 • Ottoman $138 • Cocktail Table on Wheels $288 (T500-721) Accent Table $168 Each (T500-726) • 29” Table Lamp^ $77 Each (109-DL0021) ^Available In-Store Only | While Supplies Last
GLENDALE, AZ (602) 422-8800 101 & Cardinals Way across from State Farm Stadium 5801 N. 99th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85305
GILBERT, AZ (480) 500-4121
202 Santan Freeway & S. Power Rd. 4700 S. Power Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85296
AFW.com
WE DELIVER ALMOST ANYWHERE IN THE U.S.
Your LIFESTYLE FURNITURE Store