Ex-mayor loses Corp Comm bid
Children Cancer Network pivots
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From Uptown to Downtown, covering Chandler like the sun.
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
This Week
BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer
NEWS................................... 6
Good Samaritans rally for car theft victim.
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Chandler artist brightens canal.
BUSINESS........................
MAY 17, 2020
Chandler starts reopening public facilities
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COMMUNITY.................
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Tutoring firm founder pulls double duty. NEWS........................................ 3 COMMUNITY.........................17 BUSINESS............................... 21 CLASSIFIEDS..........................24
T
he city of Chandler has begun implementing a three-phased process for opening up public facilities that had been closed due to COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, the city announced it was advancing through Phase Two of its reopening plan, which will allow residents to start utilizing more facilities that have been closed for several weeks in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Recreation centers and the Chandler Museum will reopen on Monday, May 18, but visitors must still follow social-distancing
guidelines. Playgrounds, basketball courts and splash pads reopened on May 16. Swimming pools will allow limited activities on May 18 before reopening for public swimming on May 23. These latest developments follow Gov. Doug Ducey’s decision to let his stay-athome executive order expire – prompting Chandler to accelerate its reopening process. Ducey announced that pools, spas gyms and fitness centers that are public or in hotels and apartments will also be allowed to open immediately. Beginning May 16, major league teams were welcome to start playing their games here.
But for the moment, the stadiums and arenas will have only the players and staff. No spectators will be allowed, though Ducey said he believes the conditions of the pandemic in Arizona actually are safe enough here to permit people in the stands. Ducey cited a decline in the percentage of tests for the virus coming back positive. At one point the rate was in the 10 percent range; the most recent figures are at 5 percent. The initial tests performed for months in Arizona had been only of those who showed symptoms of COVID-19. That was done at least in part because of limited test-
see REOPENING page 4
Virtual graduations upset Chandler parents, seniors BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer
T
o the chagrin of some parents and seniors, the Chandler Unified School District is planning to go online with graduation ceremonies and summer school classes, though it plans to hold a special commencement-like activity at each high school next month. The district had been waiting to see if the COVID-19 pandemic might subside before the semester ended, but Superintendent Camille Casteel said holding an in-person graduation ceremony in May no longer appears to be a realistic option. “It just isn’t a wise move if we’re going to
Chandler Preparatory Academy senior McKenzier Singer displayed a sense of humopr May 1 during a vehicle parade for the Class of 2020 with her sarcastic sign. (Pablo Robles/Arizonan Staff Photographer)
maintain quality health,” the superintendent said. Each of the district’s six high schools will host a digital ceremony, including a commencement address, pre-recorded speeches and a reading of student names. Yearbook photos of the graduating seniors will accompany the grad’s name as it is called. A paper program listing out all the graduates will
see GRADS page 3