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THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
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This Week
NEWS ............... 6 Barefoot Mile Walk combats trafficking
FEATURES ..... 20 Woman honors friend with Cookies N’ Cocoa
YOUTH .......... 23 Local students named to dean’s list
OPINION ...............12 BUSINESS.............. 18 SPORTS ..................19 FEATURES ..............20 YOUTH ..................23 OBITUARIES ...........24 CLASSIFIEDS ..........24 NORTH
The Voice of the West Valley for 36 years
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September 8, 2021
Schools, parents scramble for transportation BY CARRIE SNIDER
West Valley View Contributing Writer
R
eturning to school this fall was already filled with more anxiety than usual, thanks to the pandemic. But add to that another challenge in 2021 — an extreme bus driver shortage. Local school officials explained that while there are many reasons why there are fewer bus drivers than usual this year, COVID-19 and everything that comes with it exacerbates the problem. “It’s been terrible this year,” said Roberto Morales, transportation director at Desert Choice Transport, which offers bus service to many schools throughout the Valley, including those in Buckeye. “Part of it is COVID — people are concerned with crowding of buses.” Masks are enforced on buses, which can be a challenge because they are sometimes optional in schools. “It’s a big responsibility to drive our kids, and they don’t necessarily want to
Parents at Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies in Buckeye line up to pick up students. (Photo by Carrie Snider)
add that on top of it,” Morales said. According to news reports, bus driver shortages are problematic nationwide. Many bus companies and school districts
have been ramping up advertising to bring in more drivers. However, they must pass
Schools...continued on page 2
Water tower changes colors in boy’s honor BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE
West Valley View Contributing Writer
I
t was a bittersweet moment for Allison D’Ambrosio Bones recently as the Gilbert Water Tower was lit orange for three days. The Litchfield Park resident said losing her 4-year-old son Travis is the reason behind the color change. They have friends
in Gilbert. At the same time, it also marked another milestone in Bones’ effort to raise awareness of the birth defect that took Travis from her. Travis died from isolated congenital asplenia, a genetic birth defect that leaves a child with a partial spleen, none at all or a nonfunctioning organ. In Travis’ honor, Bones started T.E.A.M.
4 Travis, the only organization in the world dedicated to raising awareness of ICA. “Travis brought laughter, smiles and fun to every moment,” Bones said. “He collected friends everywhere he went. T.E.A.M. 4 Travis helps me share his light and love of life and does something good to help other kids.”
Tower...continued on page 3
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