—Daniel Herman, former Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic
“I felt like I was in heaven. If people watch this production, their inner souls will be purified. This really is a
Phoenix • Tucson • Mesa
A TOUCH
HEAVEN.”
FEB 19–MAR 3
of
“There is a massive power in this that can embrace the world. It brings great hope…It is truly
THE VOICE OF THE EAST VALLEY SINCE 1891 AND WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR LOCAL REPORTING
—Choi Yun Xi, Korean President’s Award-winning artist
—Broadway World
S
hen Yun’s unique artistic vision expands theatrical experience into a multi-dimensional, inspiring journey through one of humanity’s greatest treasures—the five millennia of traditional Chinese culture.
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.
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Where Art Connects Heaven & Earth
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FEB 19–24
FEB 26–27
MAR 1–3
Phoenix Orpheum Theatre Tucson Music Hall Mesa Arts Center
ShenYun.com/AZ 800-880-0188 Tickets
800.880.0188
“A must-see!”
ShenYun.com/AZ
“Absolutely THE NO.1 SHOW in the world” ALL-NEW SHOW WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA
THE SUNDAY
Chandler/Tempe Edition
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PAGE 3
Tribune EAST VALLEY
Mesa getting first light rail roundabout PAGE 9
Sunday, October 14, 2018
31 teen suicides in 15 months fuels alarm in EV BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer
T
performance for the very fortunate.”
—Kenn Wells, former lead dancer of the English National Ballet
EV at center of driverless vehicle plan
hirty-one East Valley teenagers have completed suicide in the past 15 months – including five since Aug. 30 – with the latest a 16-year-old Chandler boy who took his life last week. The alarming trend has prompted parents, school administrators and teachers, youth outreach workers, a state legislator and the mayors of Gilbert and Chandler to mobilize the region and develop a strategy to combat a complicated issue with no easy answer. The most recent deaths occurred in Queen Creek, east Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert, with the youngest an 11-year-old boy. Although the multi-city, multi-dimensional response to the heartbreaking trend is in an early stage, education consultant Katey McPher-
son believes she is making progress in developing the community-wide approach that she says is needed to deter teen suicide. “Everyone needs to speak the same language and take action,’’ McPherson said. “Mental health and wellness are an ongoing, progressive education. It’s a constant conversation all year long.’’ McPherson has been building a coalition of allies to combat teen suicide – including Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels, Chandler Mayorelect Kevin Hartke, state Rep. Jeff Weninger, RChandler – as well as community organizations focused on behavioral health issues in both municipalities. The East Valley Behavioral Health Council in Gilbert and For Our City-Chandler have pledged their support. Gilbert Public Schools also is leading the new East Valley Prevention Collaborative, a network of East Valley school
districts that will work together on deterring teen suicide. Noticeably absent is a state-level suicide prevention coordinator. Though that position was created by the State Legislature in the final days of the 2018 session, it has yet to be filled. Suicide is the leading cause of death of Arizonans between the ages of 10 and 14 and the second leading cause of death for those 15-24. Wenninger said he supports more mandatory training for teachers to recognize the warning signs of teen suicide and child abuse. He praised the Tempe Union High School District’s recent groundbreaking training sessions to educate more than 800 employees on the warning signs of suicide and said he hopes it will serve as an example for other districts. “It’s serious, no matter who is doing it,’’ WenSee
SUICIDES on page 4
Despite ‘red alert,’ strays cram EV animal shelter BY JASON STONE Tribune Staff Writer
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he Maricopa County Animal Care and Control’s East Valley campus seems to be bursting at the seams. After 40 years, the facility at Rio Salado and Loop 101 in Mesa is housing too many animals in too-cramped spaces – prompting officials to sound another “code red alert” for adoptions because of overcrowding. “This place we’re in now is just not built to handle the number of animals we see,” said Jose Santiago, spokesman for Animal Care and Control Services. Help appears to be on the way with a planned new facility in East Mesa that Deputy County Manager Reid Spaulding said could be functional as early as late 2020. Officials said a new facility would double its current size and be more functional for the workers and volunteers who spend countless hours there. See
SHELTER on page 6
( Jason Stone/Tribune Staff)
Some dogs at the Maricopa County Animal Shelter stay only for a couple of days, while others go at least six months without being adopted.