West Valley View: West October 3, 2018

Page 1

THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON

LP man pens David Lynchinspired film PAGE

16

PAGE

westvalleyview.com

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS .............. 3 Buckeye fills community services position

SPORTS ........ 13 Adryan Lara performing well as Scorpions QB

9 DAYS ......... 15 Looking for something to do? Check out the 9 Days a Week calendar

LETTERS ..........................8 BUSINESS..................... 12 SPORTS ..........................13 FEATURES .....................16 NEIGHBORHOOD......20 YOUTH ...........................21 OBITUARIES .................23 CLASSIFIEDS................24 WEST

Tolleson Union dancer to perform in Rome The Voice of the West Valley for 33 years

21

October 3, 2018

Avondale officers recognized for saving man’s life By Connor Dziawura

Donald Miller had no history of cardiac issues, according to his wife of 50 years, Candy. But on June 5, the couple faced a scare when Donald collapsed in the kitchen of their Avondale home. Now weeks later, Donald is alive and well, thanks to Candy and the first responders who saved him. Officers Brian Hammill, Russell Stewart and Stephen Alt were commended for their efforts during a September 26 award presentation at Avondale City Hall. “They did an amazing job,” said Candy, who teared up when given her own certificate and plaque for performing chest compressions. “I don’t feel like I deserve this. I know they deserve it. They did an amazing job.” As many people may know, and some can hardly fathom, responding well to high-stress situations can be difficult. But officers say Candy responded properly in the situation. “I think it honestly just speaks to the level of commitment that these two have to each other and their love for each other, that they would do anything for each other,” said Alt, who admitted not all 9-1-1 callers perform CPR. The couple was preparing to go out, Candy said. But after hearing Donald express he was “faint” and collapsing in the kitchen, as well as seeing blood, she called 9-1-1. When Donald gasped for air, Candy began chest compressions. Only around 2 minutes after Candy had placed the call, officers Alt, Hammill and Stewart arrived at the scene and took over.

(From left) Officers Russell Stewart, Brian Hammill and Stephen Alt received plaques and certificates for their efforts in saving the life of Avondale man Donald Miller. (West Valley View photo by Pablo Robles)

Donald’s pulse was at one point lost, so officers continued chest compressions until additional medical personnel arrived to transport him to the hospital. “When I knew he took that breath something in me just kicked into action,” Candy said. “I had learned CPR well over 30 years ago and I’ve never had to use it, but I didn’t know basically what to do. And it just kicked in.”

Donald added, “It was a community thing. I mean, these officers, the EMTs that arrived, they took us to Abrazo West and the emergency room people didn’t give up. They could have given up because I was coded.” According to Donald, he was told he had no airway or pulse for nearly 20 minutes

Officers...continued on page 6

Survey: Goodyear residents happy and safe in city By Sierra Poore

Goodyear residents enjoy living in the city and believe it is safe, according to a National Citizen Survey. “Residents continued to rate the quality of life in Goodyear quite highly and feel that it is a safe place to live,” said Erin Caldwell, the director of research for the

National Research Center. The results of the springtime survey were released during a September 24 City Council work session. The survey, which is used across the nation, allows cities to compare the satisfaction of their residents with those in other municipalities. The survey is structured around eight

primary factors of community livability including safety, mobility, economy, community engagement, recreation and wellness, education and enrichment, and natural and built environment, she said. According to Caldwell, 3,200 households

City...continued on page 6


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
West Valley View: West October 3, 2018 by Times Media Group - Issuu