June 5, 2022 | www.santansun.com
Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
Slain teen’s family decries County Attorney’s ruling BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer
Anthony Cano’s family is not happy with the Maricopa County Attorney’s decision not to charge the Chandler police officer who fatally shot the 17-year-old boy twice in the back on Jan. 2, 2021. The anger – and tears – still come quickly. “I think the county attorney is making a name for herself,” said John Clum, Anthony’s grandfather. “She did in five weeks what the other one didn’t do in a year and a half. Don’t quite understand that. She’s probably got a good job coming for now. I’m really bitter.” Interim Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced on May 26 that her office would not charge Officer Chase Bebak-Miller in the shooting death of Cano. She said that she called
Holding a photo of Anthony “Peanut” Cano, who was fatally shot in January 2021 by a Chandler police officer, are his aunt, Eva Cano, and cousin, Jennifer Morales. (Ken Sain/Staff )
Cano’s mother to inform her of the decision before announcing it to the media. “I have reviewed the body-worn camera many times, and I can understand why people would question the reasonableness of the second shot,” Mitchell said. “In reviewing Officer Bebak’s statements, he stated that he did not realize that the gun had been tossed aside before he fired that second shot.” Mitchell is running in the Republican primary Aug. 2 for a full four years in the job, was appointed by the county supervisors to replace the late Allistar Adel after she resigned. She said in a statement, “And given everything that was happening, it’s not surprising or unreasonable that Officer See
FAMILY on page 6
Chandler educator urges local action on teen mental health PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor
In the wake of the deaths of three Chandler teens last month – at least two by suicide and the third a fatal drug overdose of undetermined manner – State House Speaker Rusty Bowers has formed a task force to examine issues and causes affecting the mental health of Arizona youth. Meanwhile, the May 25 death by suicide involving a Perry High School freshman prompted Chandler educator and mental health advocate Katey McPherson a day later to ask Chandler City Council and Chandler Unified Governing Board to hold an emergency
meeting on youth mental health and school safety. “For the last five years as a mother of four in CUSD, an educator, and advocate I have asked for our city, schools, law enforcement as well as faith leaders and business leaders to come together with our students to create a call to action to confront the growing epidemic of youth struggling, suffering, and dying in our community,” she wrote. The May 25 suicide brought to seven the number of Valley teens who have lost their lives to suicide or drug overdoses since mid-March. That toll rose to eight on JUne 1 after a Gilbert 18-year-old shot himself. The deaths also underscored a warn-
ing from Teen Lifeline, the nonprofit teen suicide prevention hotline and service, that parents of Arizona teenagers must be particularly vigilant about
their children’s mental health at this time of year. See
SUICIDE on page 20
Lots to smile about
Downtown project plan change reflects lower office demand BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer
City officials say the demand for office space is falling, reflecting one way that the pandemic impacted businesses’ outlook for the future as many employees who worked from home are resisting a return to offices. “We have not seen many new office development proposals,” said David de la Torre, the city’s planning manager. Chandler City Council approved a change at the New Square development at the northwest corner of Chicago Street and Arizona Avenue in downtown that reflects that decreasing demand. The project was first approved in 2018 and has already seen construction
of a three-story office tower and the Hilton Garden Inn hotel. Council approved changing part of the plan that calls for a four-story office building at the corner of Chicago and Oregon. Now, the plan calls for a retail and multi-family development. Kim Moyers, city cultural development director, said the developer decided to make the change to condominiums because of the lower demand for office space. Moyers’ office is in charge of downtown development. Nationally, Moody’s Analytics found the office vacancy rate in the first quarter of this year was down 18 basis points from the previous year. The 18.1% rate is See
OFFICE on page 3
Declan Phuong smiles broadly as she points to her diploma that she and hundreds of her Perry High School classmates picked up May 25 at the Class of 2022 graduation. For a look at some of the other scenes from the graduation, see page 22. (David Minton/ /Staff Photographer)
F E AT U R E D STO R I E S Meet your candidates for City Council . . . . . . . . . .News . . . . . . . . . .Page 10 Indoor pickleball comes to Chandler . . . . . . . . . . . .Business. . . . . . . Page 24 Chandler High football adds more power . . . . . . . .Sports . . . . . . . . Page 27 Sun Lakes Rotary has busy month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NEIGHBORS . . . . . Page 28
More News . . . . . . . . 1-27 Business . . . . 28-30 Sports . . . . . . . . . .31 Neighbors . . .32-33 Faith . . . . . . . . . . 34 GetOut. . . . . . . . 35 Directory . . . 36-38
