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Sunday, February 25, 2018
Though suicide prevention bills are dead, advocates are hopeful BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer
T
he East Valley-based movement to prevent teen suicide ran into a temporary roadblock at the Arizona Legislature, where separate bills sponsored by two area legislators failed to gain adequate support. Republican-controlled committees in both chambers bottled up the bills, essentially killing them for this session. That move came despite the fact that at least 18 East Valley teens have taken their lives between July 24 and Novem-
ber, according to Chandler educator Katey McPherson’s unofficial count. McPherson has been tracking teen suicides in the Valley through her contacts with other educators. In January, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released new statistics for 2016 showing suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24 in Arizona. The measures – introduced by state Sen. Sean Bowie, D-Ahwatukee, and state Rep. Mizti Epstein, D-Tempe – sought to require Arizona school districts and charters to provide staff and teachers with two hours of training annually on recognizing suicidal
students. Despite the bills’ defeat, however, both Bowie and McPherson believe teen suicide is getting more attention than in the past. “We are going to keep up the good fight, especially after the tragedy in Florida,’’ McPherson said, referring to the mass shooting at a Florida school last week. “Our resolve is even stronger about our students getting the connection to services they need,” she added. “We’re not going to stop asking for training when the bill dies. We can’t afford to lose another life.’’ See
SUICIDE on page 6
Even without a diamond, Chandler Compadres shine
BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer
(Kimberly Carrillo/Tribune Staff Photographer)
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he Chandler Compadres are hoping to raise $1 million for disadvantaged children this year, even though they have not had a Cactus League ballpark as a source of revenue for more than 20 years. While Compadre Stadium, with its distinctive blue roof and large outfield berm, has vanished and become a pleasant Cactus League memory, the Compadres have flourished and stayed true to their community service mission. With the 2018 Cactus League season in full swing, the resourceful Compadres will again continue to make a more lasting impression even if they have a much lower-profile than during their baseball heyday. Milwaukee Brewers Hall of Famers Robin Yount and Paul Molitor once played at Compadre Stadium. So did New York Yankees Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, who was once a teammate of basketball great Michael Jordan on the Chandler Diamondbacks, an Arizona Fall League team. See
COMPADRES on page 8
Compadre Stadium, shown in the right photo, closed more than 20 years ago but left Sun Lakes resident Frank Pezzorello, its former general manager, with memories for a lifetime.