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NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 7, 2021
MASK from page 14
District of Columbia. Nationally, the overall vaccination rate was 54.7 percent and the rate for adults was 66.8 percent. The data do not differentiate between fully and partially vaccinated people. But the Maricopa County data, which does break down partially and fully vaccinate people, show that more than half of all eligible Ahwatukee residents are fully vaccinated, with 85045 at 65.4 percent, 85048 at 58.8 percent and 85044 at 55.7 percent. That data – which does not measure vaccinations within school district boundaries – show lower vaccination rates for Tempe, where 48.2 percent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated – slightly higher than Phoenix’s 44.6 percent, according to data released last week by the county. Data released last week by the county health department show a moderate level of COVID-19 transmission within the boundaries of both Kyrene and Tempe Union school districts. Kyrene was recorded with 35 cases per 100,000 and positive new test results were in the low transmission category at 3.2 percent. Tempe Union was recorded 37 cases per 100,000 and a similarly low
WAYMO from page 15
thoroughly assessed by our technical team to determine if there are any potential issues before being repaired and put back in service,” Waymo’s representatives wrote in a statement. There have been several other incidents this past year in which Waymo vehicles were targets of erratic drivers or shady characters. Last February, an unknown person hurled an ice cream cone at a moving Waymo car. A few days after this incident, another person was spotted throwing eggs at multiple Waymo vehicles. Situations involving harassment have been a frequent occurrence ever since the company first introduced its cars on Chandler’s streets in 2017.
when virus spread levels, Epstein said districts have lost a valuable tool for protecting not just those on campus but the broader community. “It is possible that many more children could end up with only distance-learning as an option because of this regrettable law,” she said. “It is the opposite of choices in schools. It is the opposite of local control. Most importantly, it is the opposite of safeguarding public health, the health of our children.”
GOT NEWS?
Republican State Rep. Regina Cobb, a Kingman dentist, sponsored the ban on mask mandates. (Special to AFN)
4.8 percent positivity. But Tempe Union also gets students from Laveen, where there is a high transmission level with 74 cases per 100,000 and a 13 percent positivity rate. Humble said the mask mandate ban had been in the works for days and condemned state Department of Health Services Director Cara Christ for keeping silent. DHS did not respond to an AFN request for comment. He also rapped Ducey for approving the In the first couple years of Waymo’s presence in the East Valley, local law enforcement responded to several incidents involving residents throwing rocks or pointing weapons at the self-driving cars. A Chandler man was arrested in 2018 for recklessly aiming his firearm at a Waymo vehicle. Recent police reports suggest some Waymo vehicles continue to be targeted around the city by angry motorists. On Oct. 31, 2020, a Waymo employee called Chandler Police after two motorcyclists followed him and blocked the autonomous car from being able to exit a parking lot. The Waymo worker claims one of the drivers got off their motorcycle and started yelling and pointing at the self-driving car before it managed to drive around the
measure. “From a public health point of view and local control point of view, it’s also hypocritical because he keeps saying he’s in favor of school choice. Well, this definitely takes away choice from parents. There’s no district in the whole state where they can take their kid – especially one who is immunocompromised – that’s going to have assurances that the faculty and students are going to be wearing masks.” As for what happens if there is a time two motorcycles. On Dec. 29, 2020, an unknown pedestrian punched a Waymo vehicle near Dobson and Warner roads. A technician riding with the Waymo car alleged the man began yelling at the moving vehicle before knocking one of its side mirrors out of place. In a couple instances in recent months, law enforcement had to reassure residents who felt intimidated by Waymo’s vehicles. A cyclist expressed fear getting hit by a Waymo car vehicle didn’t seem to detect their presence while turning onto Rita Lane. Last summer, one resident told Chandler Police he felt like a Waymo vehicle was stalking his family at a nearby park because it kept hovering around them. The company later explained that it had
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@ timespublications.com
been testing its vehicles in the resident’s neighborhood and that several were moving in and out of the area, according to police reports. The company’s vehicles have additionally been damaged in multiple hit-and-run accidents reported throughout Chandler. Earlier this year, a Chevy Silverado sideswiped a Waymo vehicle on Price Road and continued driving without stopping. Another Waymo vehicle was hit by a Jeep Wrangler last September near Price and Ray roads and the other motorist kept driving. In February 2020, a hit-and-run driver struck a Waymo vehicle on Price Road and was later apprehended by police. The suspect had allegedly been involved in several hit-and-run accidents across the Valley.
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