East valley tribune - Chandler/Tempe December 10 2017

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!

ALL-NEW SHOW WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

Tucson • Mesa • Phoenix

—Christine Walevska, “goddess of the cello”, watched Shen Yun 5 times

FEB 6–25

IT MUST BE EXPERIENCED.”

Ho Pe lid rfec ay t Gi ft

“THE GREATEST OF THE GREAT!

THE VOICE OF THE EAST VALLEY SINCE 1891 AND WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR LOCAL REPORTING

New owners agree to buy, reopen TechShop

THE SUNDAY

Chandler/Tempe Edition

FREE ($1 OUTSIDE THE EAST VALLEY) | EastValleyTribune.com

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Tribune EAST VALLEY

Former Tribune publisher Karen Wittmer Jekel dies PAGE 9

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Massage Envy accusations surface in East Valley BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Tribune Staff Writer

M

assage Envy therapists in the East Valley have been accused of sexual assault multiple times over the past decade, joining the spate of customer complaints across the country. The popular Arizona-based franchise first became embroiled in controversy in late November, when Buzzfeed News reported that over 180 women nationwide reported sexual assaults at Massage Envy locations throughout the country.

One such incident occurred in 2014, when Gabriel Lopez touched Beth Fox inappropriately with his mouth during a massage at the location at 315 W. Elliot Road in Tempe, according to filings in the criminal court case. The mother of two was a graduate student at the time and said the incident impacted every aspect of her life. Prior to the assault, she was a regular massage customer because of neck and jaw issues. She said it took a long time before she felt comfortable receiving treatment again. See

MASSAGE on page 2

(Kimberly Carrillo/Tribune Staff Photographer)

More than 180 people nationwide have claimed that Massage Envy therapists inappropriately touched them, including at this location at 6626 E. McKellips Road in Mesa.

Prepare for an experience that will take your breath away.

—Kenn Wells, former lead dancer of the English National Ballet

“I just feel blessed. I come away with feeling

like a better human being for having experienced this magnificent event. It speaks not only to my intellect but to my heart.”

I have reviewed about 4,000 shows, none can compare to what I saw tonight.” —Richard Connema, renowned Broadway critic

—Omega Medina, former senior manager of Classical Awards for the Grammy Awards

“There is a massive power in this

that can embrace the world. It brings great hope. It is truly a touch of heaven.”

“Mesmerizing! I encourage everyone to see

—Daniel Herman, minister of culture of the Czech Republic

—Donna Karan, creator of DKNY

and all of us to learn from.”

“I was uplifted, I was filled with hope. The world is a better place

“There’s nothing like it. Everyone in the

audience is going to go home and say, ‘You’ve got to see this show,’ and they’ll be sold out. So get to the ticket office right away.”

because of Shen Yun.” —Richard Swett, former U.S. congressman

All Shows Sold Out 2016 & 2017! Secure Your Seats Today!

FEB 6–7

Tucson Convention Center

FEB 16–18

lkeda Theater, Mesa

—Lee Meriwether, actress

FEB 20–25

Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix

ShenYun.com/AZ 800.880.0188

ShenYun.com/AZ

This epic production immerses you in stories reaching back to the most distant past. You’ll explore realms even beyond our visible world. Featuring one of the world’s oldest art forms— classical Chinese dance—along with patented scenographical effects and all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a civilization of enchanting beauty and enlightening wisdom.

“Absolutely the No. 1 show in the world.”

800.880.0188

S

hen Yun’s unique artistic vision expands theatrical experience into a multidimensional, inspiring journey through one of humanity’s greatest treasures—the five millennia of traditional Chinese culture.

Art That Connects Heaven & Earth

EV crash victim’s mom seeks justice for ‘my baby’ BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

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ore than a year after a young Chandler woman was struck and killed by an accused red-light runner, her grieving mother’s quest for justice will continue for at least another month as the case percolates through Chandler City Court. Chandler prosecutors filed misdemeanor charges against William Epperlein after the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office declined to file the felony charge recommended by Chandler police and rejected a request for reconsideration from Jody Kieran, the mother of victim Pamela Hesselbacher. But those decisions did not satisfy Kieran. She is researching the law’s legislative history to see if Epperlein could be charged with causing death with a vehicle, a Class 4 felony. Epperlein’s newly appointed defense attorney asked for a month’s continuance last week to study the case, with Epperlein’s next scheduled appearance on the misdemeanors set for Jan. 19. The delay gives Kieran, who operates a Peoria bird rescue, more time to determine if Epperlein could be charged under a different provision of the same law, rather than the one cited by County Attorney William Montgomery. Kieran’s daughter, Pamela Hesselbacher, 31, of Chandler, was struck and killed by a pickup

tions while his sister initially was in a coma with a broken hand. The accident left Hesselbacher’s husband Matt to raise them with help from his family. Kiernan said the children are recovering physically but that their mother’s death has left them and their father emotionally scarred. “This is the only way I can face my grandchildren, knowing that I have done everything possible for their mother,’’ Kieran said of her campaign for more serious charges. “Despite the fact my daughter was a grown woman with a family of her own, she never stopped being my baby.’’ (Kimberly Carrillo/Tribune Staff Photographer) She said some of the misA makeshift memorial at Ponderosa and Ray roads in Chandler featured a photo of Pamela Hesselbacher and her daughter Audrey. The little girl survived demeanors Epperlein are the accident, but Pamela was killed. facing carry the same penalty as littering a freeway. truck driven by Epperlein on Nov. 12, 2016, “I’m trying to get the County Attorney’s Ofwhile she was crossing the street with her fice to do their job,’’ Kieran said. “This Class 3-year-old son and year-old daughter. The boy See JUSTICE on page 4 suffered a broken arm, broken hips and lacera-


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