Glendale’s Community Newspaper
www.glendalestar.com
Vol. 77 No. 53
INSIDE
This Week Clip-It & Save
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SPORTS ............. 14 Cardinals name GUHSD aide their Fan of the Year
December 30, 2021
Pilot helps Young Eagles take flight BY ALLISON BROWN
Glendale Star Staff Writer
Glendale pilot Rodney Tang has helped hundreds of kids experience the world of aviation with a free flight demonstration as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program. “The Young Eagles Project is to get kids exposed to things that they probably haven’t ever been exposed to before and trying to encourage them to go for aviation or science-type careers,” Tang said. “But I guess it’s also just a goodwill-type thing where the pilots do it for free.” Tang said he has been flying with friends since 1975 and got his own plane in 1990. He then joined the Experimental Aircraft Association in 1992, the same year the
Young Eagles Program started. He said he is enthusiastic about the program because it helps kids to consider jobs in aviation or stem. “It’s pretty much just to encourage kids into aviation or aeronautical careers, which includes engineering, which is why I’m involved,” he said, as a retired engineer. “We have such a small percentage of students who realize if they were to concentrate on technical studies — science, engineering, math, biology and all the other sciences — that there are a lot of career paths open for that.” As of June, the Young Eagles program has flown more than 2 million kids ages 8 to 17. Tang said he has flown close to 400 SEE EAGLES PAGE 3
Young people ages 8 to 17 are eligible for Young Eagles flights, which also gives them access to more information regarding resources to find out more about the opportunities within aviation. (EAA photo by Brandy Lane)
Gallego: DOJ giving $200K to Veterans Court BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Glendale Star Executive Editor
FEATURES ......... 16 Parachutist Nick Batsch is flying high again
OPINION............................8 BUSINESS.......................12 SPORTS ...........................14 FEATURES.......................16 RELIGION ........................22 CLASSIFIEDS ..................24
The city of Glendale will receive a $197,235 grant from the Department of Justice to implement at Veterans Treatment Court, according to Rep. Ruben Gallego. Existing within the Glendale City Court, this court will support veterans involved in the justice system with evidence-based practices that will connect them to the individualized assistance they need. “I am incredibly excited to see a new Veterans Treatment Court in the city of Glendale,” said Gallego, a member of the
House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “It’s an unfortunate fact that veterans are too often caught up in the justice system due to trauma, substance abuse and other issues that stem from their service. These men and women have served our country and deserve to have a court that respects their unique issues and can help offer a better path forward. I’m eager to see this VTC implemented quickly, and I’m going to keep fighting to make sure no veteran is left behind.” Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers said he is “incredibly excited.” “The city of Glendale is incredibly excited about being awarded federal grant
money to help us establish a Veterans Court that supports our veteran population involved in the justice system,” he said. “Establishing this court has been a priority of mine for over nine years. I would like to thank Congressman Ruben Gallego for advocating on behalf of the city of Glendale. As a veteran himself, he understands veterans’ needs. His assistance in helping Glendale secure these funds will ensure that our veterans receive the judicial resources that they are due.” In 2020, Congress passed the Veterans Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019 directing the attorney general to establish
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SEE VETS PAGE 4
