THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
Happy Thanksgiving
Public art spices up Alamar PAGE
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westvalleyview.com
INSIDE
This Week
The Voice of the West Valley for 35 years
Caution urged as virus spreads BY TOM SCANLON
West Valley View Managing Editor
NEWS .............. 9 Reward offered in killing of 21-year-old
SPORTS ........ 17 Lady Tigers bring another title to West Valley
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
With COVID-19 cases on an “extreme” upward trajectory, local and state officials are urging people to take great caution at Thanksgiving gatherings. “Thanksgiving holds a very special place in the hearts of Americans,” Avondale Mayor Kenneth Weise said. “This year is no different, but it may look and feel a little unique.” Weise advised people to take safety precautions: “Check in either virtually, by phone or in person with those who may be alone.” In a virtual presentation, Marcy Flanagan, executive director of Maricopa Coun-
ty Department of Public Health, spoke to reporters about the danger of Thanksgiving gatherings. “As we move into the holiday season we know all yearning to be with family and friends,” she said. “The safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is by not getting together in person with people outside your household.” Flanagan provided specific guidelines for Thanksgiving gatherings. “If you do get together with people outside your household please take as many precautions as you can. Eat outdoors and keep people from different households at least 6 feet apart. Have each household bring their own food or have one person
serve food for everyone to reduce the number of people touching shared utensils. Wear masks when you are not actively eating or drinking and limit the number of guests,” she said. She stressed that while people will be tempted to get together with friends and extended family members, “We’re still in a pandemic. We need to make tough decisions in order to stay safe.” Flanagan said the county was alarmed over the trend in COVID-19. “The increase we have seen from new cases has been extreme,” she said. “The seven-day average is now over 1,500 new
Holiday...continued on page 4
Goodyear’s farm-to-warehouse explosion
BY TOM SCANLON
West Valley View Managing Editor
YOUTH .......... 28 More schools closing classrooms due to virus
OPINION ...............12 BUSINESS.............. 16 SPORTS ..................17 FEATURES ..............23 YOUTH ..................27 OBITUARIES ...........29 CLASSIFIEDS ..........31 NORTH
While farm-to-table is big in many parts of the country, in Goodyear the trend is farmto-warehouse. While the city wins awards for business development, some residents are concerned. The West Valley View’s Facebook posts on Amazon and other commercial projects were greeted by mixed comments. “Very exciting that more jobs are coming for people who need them!” said Vicki Vasquez. While several joined her in praising the development, others bemoaned the rapid growth of Goodyear industrial operations. “Stop with all the warehouses!” cried Robert Cunningham. “Listen to your citizens, city of Goodyear, we do not want industrial buildings all over!” Yet developers seem to be humming a Bachman-Turner Overdrive tune: “You
An Amazon facility on South Bullard Avenue near West Yuma Road is open, with humans working alongside robotic devices in a “fulfillment center.” This is just one of nearly a dozen warehouse-sized facilities being built in a neighborhood that is the epicenter of Goodyear commercial growth. (West Valley View photo by Tom Scanlon)
Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet.” That hit was released in 1974, when Goodyear had a smattering of warehouses surrounded by massive farms. In the next
year, the “flip” of that will be nearing realization, as more farms give way to shipping
Warehouses...continued on page 2