Explorer, Jan. 5, 2022

EXPLORER The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson

Jan. 5, 2022

Volume 29 • Number 1

Mapping the Future

Partisan infighting ends with redistricting agreement | Page 8

Arizona COVID cases rising in wake of holidays

INSIDE

Happenings Events and music around town | Page 12

Liven Up

Zoppe Family Circus returns to in-person shows | Page 15

Nicole Feltman Tucson Local Media

Oracle Road construction, I-10 widening on 2022 transportation agenda Nicole Feltman Tucson Local Media

Sports & Rec

The sports world in 2022 | Page 17

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s we move into 2022, there are plenty of orange cones and detour signs warning of road construction across the community. The Arizona Department of

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Transportation will continue long-awaited improvements on Oracle Road, along with multiple freeway projects. The widening of Broadway Boulevard between downtown and Country Club Road is nearly complete, while a new phase of the Grant Road widening is set to

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begin in midtown. Pima County will be conducting multiple million-dollar projects to widen Houghton Road and Kolb Road, among other projects. Here is a more in depth look of what you can expect from Tucson construction in 2022.

W

ith holiday gatherings now over, health workers are bracing for a new wave of COVID patients as the Delta variant wave begins to subside and the Omicron wave begins to build.

Last week, officials with Banner Health announced they were operating at higher than 100% capacity as a result of both COVID-19 as well as medical cases unrelated to the novel coronavirus. Emergency rooms were strained for resources. Roughly 40% of those in the ICU were COVID-19 patients and 90% of those COVID-19 patients had not been vaccinated against COVID.

See TRANSPORTATION, P4

See COVID UPDATE, P7

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Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

EXPLORER The Explorer and Marana News is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the Northwest Tucson. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of the Explorer and Marana News, go to www.TucsonLocalMedia.com

STAFF ADMINISTRATION Steve T. Strickbine, Publisher Michael Hiatt, Vice President Jaime Hood, General Manager jaime@tucsonlocalmedia.com Claudine Sowards, Accounting claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com Sheryl Kocher, Receptionist sheryl@tucsonlocalmedia.com EDITORIAL Jim Nintzel, Executive Editor jimn@tucsonlocalmedia.com Jeff Gardner, Managing Editor jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com Alexandra Pere, Staff Reporter apere@tucsonlocalmedia.com Nicole Feltman, Staff Reporter nfeltman@tucsonlocalmedia.com PRODUCTION Courtney Oldham, Production Manager, tucsonproduction@timespublications.com Ryan Dyson Graphic Designer ryand@tucsonlocalmedia.com Emily Filener, Graphic Designer emilyf@tucsonlocalmedia.com CIRCULATION Alex Carrasco, Circulation alexc@tucsonlocalmedia.com ADVERTISING TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com Kristin Chester, Account Executive kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com Candace Murray, Account Executive candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com Tyler Vondrak, Account Executive tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING Zac Reynolds, Director of National Advertising Zac@TimesPublications.com EDITORIAL & AD CONTENT The Explorer and Marana News expresses its opinion in the editorial. Opinions expressed in guest commentaries, perspectives, cartoons or letters to the editor are those of the author. The content and claims of any advertisement are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Tucson Local Media assumes no responsibility for the claims or content of any advertisement. Publisher has the right to edit for size or refuse any advertisement at his or her discretion.

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Copyright:The entire contents of Explorer/Marana News are CopyrightTimes Media Group . No portion may be reproduced in whole or part by any means without the express written permission of the Publisher,Tucson Local Media, 7225 N. Mona Lisa Rd., Ste. 125,Tucson, AZ 85741.

Hot Picks

Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

My Fair Lady.

Wouldn’t it be lovely to see a live production of this show? Especially this production directed by Bartlett Sher, which the New York Times called “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was?” The story of Eliza Doolittle the flower seller and Henry Higgins the condescending linguistics professor was one of my favorite movies as a kid.

So count your blessing that, rather than hearing my attempt at a cockney accent belting out “The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain!” like my poor mother did for years, you have a chance to see the professionals do it over at Broadway in Tucson. Various times Wednesday, Jan. 5, through Sunday, Jan. 9. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $25 to $100.

Boulevard.

Musical Weekend at Hotel Congress. A busy weekend is coming up at downtown’s Hotel Congress, with music and food.

Starting off, on Saturday, Jan. 8, LA-based jazz group The Black Market Trust are performing outdoors on the Congress Stage.

The Black Market Trust combine the jazz guitar of Django Reinhardt with the pop stylings of 1950s American radio. 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 8. $20. On Sunday, Jan. 9, the venue is bringing back their Congress Cookout series, which combines BBQ food and local music. This weekend, local blues rock group Black Cat Bones is performing their signature borderlands style of blues.

4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9. $5. 311 East Congress Street. hotelcongress.com

The Grand Budapest Hotel. Midtown’s art house movie theatre The Loft is hosting a special screening of this unique comedy. presented by Barrio Brewing Company. The Grand Budapest Hotel is a vibrant and quirky comedy based around a legendary hotel in the mountains. The movie was directed by Wes Anderson and features a large cast including Tilda Swinton, Willem Defoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Bill Murray and many more. 10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 7 and Saturday, Jan. 8. $6, or $5 for members. 3233 East Speedway

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Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

Transportation: Oro Valley, Marana, Pima County and Tucson projects Continued from P1

Oro Valley Oro Valley doesn’t have major transportation projects on the horizon in 2022, although the town will continue with its pavement preservation work.

However, major work on Oracle Road will continue in 2022, although it’s being managed by the Arizona Department of Transportation because the corridor is also known as State Route 77 and maintenance is the responsibility of the state.

Last year, ADOT began a $34 million SR-77 improvement project on Oracle Road from Calle Concordia to Miracle Mile and on Miracle Mile from Oracle to I-10, with an estimated 2023 completion date. Improvements include repaving the 10mile segment, adding ADA-compliant sidewalks, building new dual left turn lanes at Oracle and Magee, adding LED lighting, and improving drainage and signals. In 2021, the state completed work between Calle Concordia and Magee Road; this year, work will continue south of

Magee Road.

In addition, ADOT will do a pavement preservation project on Oracle Road from Calle Concordia to Tangerine Road and throughout Saddlebrooke Drive.

Freeway work ADOT finished construction on the I-10 and Ruthrauff Road interchange in 2021.

This $129 million reconstruction project consisted of adding one lane in each direction of the highway and building a new bridge to carry traffic on Ruthrauff Road/El Camino del

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Cerro over I-10 and the railroad tracks.

Another interchange reconstruction project was completed in 2021 at I-10’s Houghton Road exit. This $24.4 million project improvement included widening Houghton from two to six lanes, updating entrance and exit ramps, and improving access for pedestrians and cyclists.

Moving into 2022, there will be reconstruction on I-10 between Ina and Ruthrauff roads.

Improvements include adding one lane along with an auxiliary lane in each direction, as well as adding dual-lane entrance and exit ramps at Orange Grove and Sunset roads.

Pavement rehabilitation will be done on I-10 between Ajo Way and Rita Road. Pavement preservation work will be done on I-10 from Tangerine to Ina Road, On I-19, pavement preservation will take place from Valencia Road to Ajo Way and from Pima Mine to Papago roads.

Marana Through the course of 2021, Marana completed many projects, including improvements to streets in the Adonis Subdivision to create better drainage, pavement preservation work in 50 subdivisions

and rehabilitating large arterials such as Cortaro Road, Thornydale Road, Costco Drive and Avra Valley Road.

Moving forward into fiscal year 2022, eight subdivisions and 10 arterial roadways will be preserved. Rehabilitation projects include Twin Peaks Road from Saguaro Bloom Road to Sanders Road, as well as Grier Road and Silverbell Road north of Twin Peaks Road.

Construction to look out for includes the Silverbell Road sidewalk infill, which is in its second phase. New concrete sidewalks will be placed alongside the eastbound side of Silverbell Road from Carefree Way to Cortaro Road.

Modifications will be made at the intersection of Silverbell and Cortaro roads.

Also on the agenda: Reconstruction of Lon Adams Road between Grier Road and Barnett Road, including improvements to public water and sewer systems, storm water drainage, curbs, sidewalks, street lighting, landscaping and new paving.

Construction will begin in the first quarter of 2022 at the intersection of Mountain Stone Pine and Douglas Fir roads, including an area to the west of the intersection.

The intersection will

be stabilized through repaving, curb and sidewalk replacement, and the leveling of mailboxes.

Projects that are planning to be complete within 2022 to 2023 include the widening of Tangerine Road and both Twin Peaks Road and Rattlesnake Pass.

The town of Marana is also designing a roundabout intersection improvement at Twin Peaks and Sandario roads.

Pima County Pima County is wrapping up some longplanned projects this year.

A $30 million project widening Houghton Road approximately three miles from Interstate 10 south past the Pima County Fairgrounds to Pantano High School is already underway, with an estimated completion date of December 2022. The project will reconstruct the current two-lane roadway to a divided four-lane section.

This spring, the Pima County Department of Transportation is wrapping up a $19.5 million project on Kolb Road from Sabino Canyon to Sunrise Drive, transforming roughly 1.9 miles of Kolb Road from a two-lane roadway to a three-lane roadway.

Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

There will also be a roundabout installed at the intersection of Territory and Kolb roads.

Through a $3 million project, the intersection of Sahuarita Road and Wilmot Road will gain a traffic signal and will be widened for both right and left turning lanes. There will also be an installation of parallel drainage channels to push storm water west.

This project should wrap in spring 2022.

The Pima County Department of Transportation will be working with the Arizona Department of Transportation to design a roadway that connects Sunset Road from I-10 to River Road. This $34 million project is currently in

the design phase, with construction projected to begin in October 2022. The project is part of the 2006 voter-approved RTA 20-year multimodal plan.

City of Tucson Work is nearly finished on one of the city’s longest-awaited projects: the widening of Broadway Boulevard between Euclid to Country Club to six lanes in each direction.

The project will include bus pullouts, buffered bike lanes, sidewalks, and landscaping, along with a new underground storm system. A BikeHAWK installation will be at Treat and Broadway to better help pe-

5

destrians and bicyclists cross the busy road. City transportation planners say the project will be complete in February 2022.

Meanwhile, the nearby Downtown Links, which will run alongside the Union Pacific tracks from the Broadway and Barraza-Aviation Parkway intersection to St. Mary’s Road, is in its third phase of construction with completion date in mid2023. On the horizon: The Sixth Street and Seventh Avenue intersection is estimated to reopen by March 2022.

Construction crews are Photo by Jeff Gardner currently working to connect to the existing Pavement preservation work will continue throughout Pima County in 2022 on Oracle Road from Calle Concordia to Tangerine Road, and on Saddlebrooke Drive.

Continued on P6

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Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

Transportation: Oro Valley, Marana, Pima County and Tucson projects Continued from P5

underground box culvert and will also replace curbs and sidewalks, repave the intersection, and construct the bridge over Sixth Avenue, south of Seventh Street.

Construction on Houghton Road between Valencia Road and Mary Ann Cleveland Way, which began in September 2020, is expected to be completed in January 2022.

The project includes a new six-lane landscaped roadway with improvements for drainage, street lighting, bikes

lanes, and enhanced landscaping.

The 22nd Street Improvement Project will start work between Kino Parkway to Tucson Boulevard in spring/ summer of 2022. This phase of the project includes a new bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and widening the road from two to three lanes in each direction, along with a separated pedestrian and bicycle bridge.

A project to widen Silverbell Road to a four-lane divided desert parkway between El Camino del Cerro to Goret Road is set to

lanes, sidewalks, bus pullouts and new traffic signals at Rita Road.

Several major projects will begin in 2022.

The ongoing Grant Road Improvement Project, which is expanding Grant Road to six lanes, will begin work from Palo Verde Boulevard to Venice Place. Transportation planners expect to begin this project in the summer 2020, with an estimated duration of 18-24 months. Construction includes improvements in two new travel lanes, new and wider sidewalks, more crosswalks with signals, improved bicycle

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WWII veteran and COVID survivor Col. Richard Bushong recently celebrated his 98th birthday at the Pima Air and Space Museum, where he has volunteered for 29 years. A veteran of both WWII and the Vietnam War, Bushong is seen here sitting beneath the B-17 bomber he flew multiple missions in. Read more on page 12.

BLM reintroduces beavers | Page 4

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More important than ever | Page 8

Ducey lifts COVID restrictions but health officials warn it is too early to let guard down

mask mandates, while events of more than 50 people would no longer require permission from local governments. ov. Doug Ducey lifted all Ducey also said requirements coronavirus restrictions for businesses to limit occupancy last week regarding local and take other steps to reduce the ordinances, businesses and spread of COVID would shift to events. recommendations and bars could Ducey said he would block now operate at full capacity. local jurisdictions from enacting Ducey noted the state’s on-

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Listing our favorite patios | Page 19

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going vaccination efforts—as of Monday, March 29, at least 2 million Arizonans had been given COVID-19 vaccines and 1.2 million were fully vaccinated. In addition, hospitalizations had decreased considerably since the January peak during the winter wave.

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Kara Riley reflects on one year as Oro Valley Police Chief J G Tucson Local Media

T

aking charge of a police department with more than 100 officers is no easy feat even during a good year.

But Oro Valley Police Chief Kara Riley’s first year on the job included a pandemic, nationwide protests, natural disasters and shifting regulations.

In the law enforcement profession for nearly 30 years, Riley says 2020 turned out to be the most rewarding of her profession.

“We were really put to task and had some difficult, difficult times,” Riley said. “These challenges were things that haven’t been experienced in the law enforcement profession in many years, and the pandemic was just one of them.”

See COVID, P10

See POLICE, P7

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HEALTH & MEDICINE

INSIDE Events around town | Page 3

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#1 REALTOR IN ORO VALLEY

Christina Duran Tucson Local Media

Health & Wellness

(Left to right) Andy Cathey, Donny Cathey and Carly Timpf.

Photo by Gavin Dunham/HSSA

Cathey’s Sewing Drive Supports Humane Society

Valley fever dangers | Page 6

Jeff Gardner Tucson Local Media

Sports & Rec

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ore than a hundred shelter animals awaiting adoption are now a little more comfortable — and stylish — thanks to a donation from Cathey’s Sewing & Vacuum to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.

The donations are part of Cathey’s annual Christmas-In-July sewing event, where customers and staff create specialized items

New golf tourney | Page 15

for local nonprofits. In addition, Cathey’s also raises funds for the selected nonprofit from raffles and events. This year, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona received 165 pet bandanas, 85 cat beds and $3,250.

“Every year we try to choose a different nonprofit, as locally oriented as possible, with a sewing challenge we can connect them to,” said owner Donny Cathey. “Often it’s not too difficult to come up with

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County supervisors shoot down school mask mandate

Hot Picks

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Volume 28 • Number 33

What to keep in mind when choosing solar and contractors | Special Section

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The Voice of Marana since 2007

Home Sweet Home

work with federal government on vaccination sites | Page 5

INSIDE

RETIREMENT LIVING

MARANANEWS

August 18, 2021

Oct. 7, 2020

O. After ,  weeks of stalling, Gov. Ducey agrees to allow Pima County to

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something for a charity… Animals touch everyone’s lives, so to support a charity that helps house and support animals is always worthwhile.” The sewing takes place during Cathey’s Saturday classes, and culminates in awards given to the volunteers who are most artistic and go above-and-beyond. During the finale, attendees vote on their favorites and the best use of embroidery to decide the winners.

See SEWING, P8

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or more than nine weeks Arizona has seen an exponential increase in COVID-19 cases and public health experts predict the surge would likely exceed cases and hospitalizations seen last summer 2020.

In his latest COVID-19 forecast updated Aug. 14, Dr. Joe Gerald, an epidemiologist with the UA Zuckerman School of Public Health, reported Arizona has a rate of transmission of 255 cases per 100,000 individuals per week as of Aug. 8 and would likely soon exceed the rates seen during the summer of 2020, of 409 cases per 100,000 residents.

“While I am hopeful we will not reach the levels seen in the winter of 2021, the experience of other states (e.g., Louisiana) combined with inaction of our local and state officials suggests this may be wishful thinking,” said Gerald.

“Another wave of cases and hospitalizations caused by the Delta variant is now certain; the only question remaining is just how big.”

See COVID, P4

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Lawsuit: Fertility doctor fathered his patients’ children | Page 4 • UA assistant professor’s book becoming a movie | Page 9

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Summer Survival 2021

It’s time to get out and safely have fun this summer | Special Section

INSIDE

FIDO FRESHENERS

As you were

A new startup business out of the University of Arizona is getting to the science behind bad dog breath, and how to cure it with specialized bacteria.

Pictured are co-founders Eric Lyons and Scott Zentack. Read more on page 6.

Experts say vaccinated people can resume most activities | Page 4

Past the worst of it

UA researcher ends COVID reports | Page 5

2020 in the rearview Looking back at the biggest local stories from an unprecedented year| Page 2

Local Music

Desert Heart, Mountain Soul | Page 9

Photo courtesy Tech Launch Arizona

Lawmaker threatens to sue recall proponents C D Tucson Local Media

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tate Rep. Mark Finchem sent a “cease and desist” order to the group petitioning for his recall, threatening to sue the group for defamation.

The Republican, who represents District 11, faces a recall by Rural Arizonans for Accountability, a group of his district’s constituents, for spreading voter fraud conspiracy theories and his ties to the “Stop the Steal” rioters at the Jan. 6 Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Natali Fierros, co-executive

Director of Rural Arizona Action, said they were approached by Finchem’s constituents to help organize the recall. “We exist to empower people, regular folks who are involved in the democratic system and really recalling an elected official is a power reserved for the people of Arizona by our state’s constitution,” said Fierros.

“If enough registered voters sign that petition and they agree that Finchem does lack integrity, that he is dangerous and an ineffective legislator, then it goes to the voters in that district to get a chance to vote on whether or not they

should fire him.”

On May 5, the group received a letter from Finchem’s lawyers, which according to the Recall Finchem website, “demands Rural Arizonans for Accountability destroy all campaign materials Finchem incorrectly deems ‘defamatory’ and publish retractions in local newspapers. If not, Finchem’s lawyers promise to sue.”

Rural Arizonans’ lawyers rejected Finchem’s demand and stated they would seek sanctions against him should he sue.

See FINCHEM, P10

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Marana’s Class of 2021 took on big challenges C D Tucson Local Media

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arana High School Salutatorian Diya Patel didn’t sugarcoat the challenges of the last year in her graduation speech last month.

“I think most people would agree with me when I say that this has been a dreadful year,” Patel said. “Graduation speeches in the past have included stories of proms, formals and football games. However, this year we had to adjust to a brand new way of life full of Zoom calls, masks and COVID tests, which consisted of massive Q-tips being shoved up our noses. Instead of reminiscing on a joyful high school experience, we are all sitting here today, collectively taking a deep breath and just being grateful that we’re finally here.”

Patel, like so many other students, longed for a year of normalcy, but instead lived through a pandemic. Patel and fellow Marana Unified School District graduates expressed the woes of trying to graduate while juggling a series of changes beyond their control caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“This past year, the Class of 2021 proved that we were some of the most adaptable See MARANA, P8

Photo by Jeff Gardner

The ongoing Grant Road Improvement Project, which is expanding Grant Road to six lanes, is expected to continue for another 18 to 24 months. begin in fall 2022. The project will include landscaped median islands, bike lanes, new sidewalks, upgraded drainage systems, traffic signal improvements and art elements.

Through the voter-approved Tucson Delivers Better Streets, multiple arterial and residential roads through the city of Tucson have been repaved and revamped. Those roads include Sixth Avenue, Westgate Townhouses, and Hiawatha Hills and Teresa Terrace.

Arterial roads that still need to be repaved and revamped include Main Avenue and Granada Avenue. Construction for Main Avenue

began in November 2021. Reconstruction of Granada Avenue is expected to begin in February 2022.

Planned road improvements for arterial roads expected to begin in 2022 include: • Fort Lowell Road, from Country Club Road to Alvernon Way. • Glenn Street, from Alvernon Way to Swan Road • Grant Road, from Venice Place to Beverly Avenue • Wilmot Road, from Grant Road to Pima Street • Grant Road, from Craycroft Road to Wilmot Road • Silverbell Road, from Saint Mary’s Road

to Congress Street • Camino Seco, from Golf Links Road to Irvington Road • Pantano Road, from Broadway to 22nd Street • Bear Canyon Road, from Bear Paw Place to Tanque Verde Road • Broadway from Houghton Road to Tanque Verde Lane • 22nd Street, from Houghton Road to Melpomene Way • Melpomene Way, from 22nd Street to Calle Catalina • Sabino Canyon Road, Acoma Place Residential roads in various neighborhoods are also being repaired.

7

Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

COVID Update: Banner Health operating beyond 100% capacity Continued from P1

Half of the patients on ventilators had tested positive for COVID-19.

Dr. Majorie Bessel, Banner’s chief clinical doctor, said there had been a pause in providing monoclonal antibodies, a treatment that helps in the early stages of COVID infection to prevent serious illness. Bessell said Banner was expected to resume limited treatments this week once more Sotrovimab was available.

Bessel also said Banner would have a limited

supply of the oral treatment Paxlovid, which has reduced the need for hospitalization of COVID patients, for people who meet criteria and are at the highest risk of hospitalization. Banner physicians and providers will evaluate whether a patient qualifies for Paxlovid, although Bessel warned that even a high-risk patient might not qualify.

If a patient tests positive for COVID-19, it will most likely be the Omicron variant because, according to Bessel, Arizona is at a “tipping point” between the Delta and the more transmissible Omi-

cron variant. Bessel said she expected the Omicron variant to “likely” displace Delta in January in the United States and the new variant will affect even those who have had previous infections or who have been vaccinated, especially those who don’t have their booster shot.

Early evidence suggests that the Omicron variant might produce less severe disease, but because it is more transmissible, it could still cause havoc in hospital capacity even if only a small percentage requires hospitalization, according to Bessel.

Bessel pleaded with the public to remember that healthcare workers are exhausted after two years of battling the pandemic. The limited staff is stretched thin even though Banner continues to bring in external contracted labor.

Bessel recommended reducing the strain on emergency rooms by taking non-life-threatening illness and injuries to urgent care, primary healthcare clinics or scheduling virtual visits to meet medical needs.

Bessel predicted increased cases and increased hospitalizations

in the weeks to come.

She urged Arizonans to wear a mask inside of public indoor spaces or when around other people, get vaccinated and a booster shot, stay home if you feel sick and are experiencing COVID-19, cold, or flu symptoms, quarantine if you test positive and seek medical care if you’re experiencing a high fever, shortness of breath or other life-threatening symptoms.

The Banner Health website includes a symptom checker that can help you figure out what level of care you might need.

There is also a blog that

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Coming January 2022 WEEKLY SPECIALS

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Spring Arts Preview Join us as we highlight the upcoming arts events in Tucson.

This is our annual spring preview of the must-see performances of the season.

Coming February 2022 Our reader poll is designed to let YOU tell us about your favorite people, places, shops, restaurants and things to do in Tucson.

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provides step-by-step guidance on selecting appropriate levels of care.

In late December, the CDC changed its recommended quarantine policy. After five days of being diagnosed with COVID-19, if the patient feels healthy enough to engage in day to day activities, they may do so but should remain masked around other people for another five days.

As of Monday, Jan. 3, a total of 24,355 Arizonans had died after contracting COVID, including 3,177 people in Pima County.

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Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

Heated day of partisan infighting ends with unlikely agreement on congressional map Jeremy Duda Arizona Mirror

A

fter a day of accusations, recriminations and partisan sniping, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission found its way to what seemed like an improbable consensus and paved the way for a possible unanimous vote on the final version of the congressional map the state will use for the next decade.

The AIRC reached an

agreement on where to draw the boundary between two congressional districts in Tucson on Tuesday evening after making a series of changes to make one of the districts more competitive, a prerequisite for the Democratic commissioners’ support.

Democratic Commissioner Shereen Lerner and Republican Commissioner David Mehl sparred throughout the day, eventually agreeing on how to split the 6th and 7th congres-

5th Now in our 3

sional districts in Tucson. The 6th District is a competitive, Republican-leaning district that covers the eastern part of Tucson and most of southeastern Arizona, while the 7th District is a predominantly Latino, Democratic stronghold drawn to comply with the Voting Rights Act, which runs from western and southern Tucson to Yuma, extending into the West Valley in Maricopa County.

After trading competing proposals earlier in

the day, Lerner and Mehl worked out an agreement Tuesday evening for the boundary in Tucson that makes the 6th District, on the eastern side of the line, more competitive.

The commission measures competitiveness using the vote spread and final results of nine statewide races in 2016, 2018 and 2020. Based on those metrics, the district leans Republican by about 2.4% and Republicans won six of the nine elections in the “basket” of races.

Under the commis-

sion’s metrics, anything within a 7% spread is considered competitive and anything within 4% is deemed highly competitive.

The map the commissioners ended their day with has four safe Republican districts, two safe Democratic districts and three competitive districts, two of which qualify as highly competitive. One of the safe Republican districts, the 2nd District based in northern Arizona, is just barely outside the range

that would be considered competitive.

The new Tucson boundary runs along 1st Avenue between the Rillito River and Fort Lowell Road. Between Fort Lowell and Speedway, the boundary will be along Country Club Road, and from Speedway to Broadway Boulevard, the border moves east to Alvernon Way. From there, the 7th District juts east into Tucson between Broadway and Golf Links.

In addition, the 7th District added the eastern

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half of Santa Cruz County and a sliver of territory along the U.S.-Mexico border that extends east to take in Bisbee and Douglas.

The Democratic and Republican commissioners also hashed out an agreement for changes to the 4th and 5th congressional districts in the East Valley. Those new lines leave the 4th District, which includes Ahwatukee, Tempe, west Mesa and part of Chandler, as marginally competitive but leaning solidly toward the Democrats. The 5th District, taking in Gilbert, east Mesa, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley and a portion of Chandler, remains solidly Republican.

Commissioner Erika Neuberg, the AIRC’s independent chair, lauded her colleagues after a day of mediating between the Democrats and Republicans.

“I do get a very strong sense from my colleagues that you’re all equally unhappy and also maybe you’re all equally motivated to find consensus that does right by the state. I know today was tense at times, but you’re remarkable colleagues that are doing really hard work, public service work. And I’m deeply grateful and appreciative,” Neuberg said.

The commission plans to vote on Wednesday morning, which is expected to be the final day of work on both its con-

gressional and legislative maps. Mehl and Democratic Commissioner Derrick Watchman wouldn’t comment on whether they expected to vote for the congressional map.

At the start of the day, consensus seemed highly improbable. Neuberg ended Monday’s meeting by voting with Mehl and Republican Commissioner David York, and against the two Democrats, on a new congressional map that included changes that Mehl, who lives in the Tucson area, proposed that made the 6th District more favorable for the GOP. Continued on P14

9

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Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

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COVID-19 on track to be leading cause of death in Arizona in 2021 Diannie Chavez Cronkite News

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OVID-19 claimed almost 15,800 lives in Arizona this year, putting it on track to be the leading cause of death in the state in 2021.

Official mortality numbers will not be available for months, but the other top causes of death in the state, cancers and heart disease, have each killed around 12,000 people in recent years. The exception was

2020, when heart disease claimed 14,185 lives in the state.

The Arizona Department of Health Services reported an unofficial total of 24,229 COVID-19 deaths in the state as of Dec. 31. With 8,430 of those deaths coming in 2020, according to a preliminary state report on vital statistics for that year, that would leave 15,799 deaths from COVID-19 in 2021.

“That’s a lot of deaths and deaths are hard to be mistaken about,” said Dr.

Joshua LaBaer, executive director of Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute. “A death is a death, there’s no misdiagnosis there.”

The surging COVID-19 numbers are a change from 2020, when the virus was the third-leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer.

LaBaer said that while it does not surprise him that COVID-19 could be the leading cause of death in the state, he is surprised by the num-

ber of deaths that occurred after the roll-out of vaccines early last year.

COVID-19 killed more than 42 people a day on average in 2021, up from a daily average of just under 26 a day in 2020.

“It’s always difficult to predict,” LaBaer said. “I thought that with all the people vaccinated and people taking boosters that we wouldn’t be seeing a wave like we are.”

But with continued vaccine hesitancy and the emergence of new variants, other health experts

predict the virus will be around for at least a third calendar year and will continue to take the lives of many.

“Until we get enough people in our country vaccinated so that we break the cycle of circulation and infection, we’re going to continue to have it,” said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association.

In Arizona, 69.6% of eligible people had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as

of Dec. 31, according to the AZDHS, compared to 78% of people nationwide who had received at least one dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The state does not provide data on the number of people who have received vaccine boosters, but the CDC said that nationwide 36.3% of those 18 and older had gotten boosters.

Benjamin said it is important for those who Continued on P13

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THEATER

WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY, JAN. 59

• Catch a performance of the beloved classic musical My Fair Lady presented

by Broadway in Tucson. Details: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m.

Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday; UA Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd.; $25-$100; broadwayintucson.com or ticketmaster.com.

THURSDAY TO SUNDAY, JAN. 6FEB. 12

• Catch a performance of one of Neil Simon’s most celebrated comedies Rumors about a dinner party gone topsy-turvy and the confusions and miscommunications that ensue. Details: 7:30 Thursday-Friday, 3 p.m. Sunday; Live Theatre Workshop, 3322 E. Fort Lowell Road; $23; 520-327-4242 or livetheatreworkshop.org.

TUESDAY TO SUNDAY, JAN. 6MARCH 27

• Don’t miss the Gaslight’s favorite hero returning with more thrills in the musical adventure Arizona Smith and the Relic of Doom. Details: 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 6 and 8:30 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday; Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway Blvd.; $27; $15 children; 520-886-9428 or thegaslighttheatre.com.

THURSDAY TO MONDAY, JAN. 723

• Bring the kids and grandma to the

Zoppe Family Circus at their return to the Big Top with a unique blend of acrobatics, humor and family entertainment. Details: 7 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday; 1, 4 and 7 p.m.

Saturday; 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday-Monday; Mercado District, 221 S. Avenida del Convento; $25-$50; 520-471-1106 or mercadodistrict.com.

SATURDAY, JAN. 8

• Laugh out loud at the Tom Papa Family Reunion Tour with his hilarious look at life in modern America.

Details: 7:30 p.m.; Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.; $23-$43; foxtucson.com.

renowned jazz pianist at the Visiting Artist Series: Lenore Raphael, Jazz Trio with Scott Black and Pete Swan.

Details: 6 p.m.; Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $20; 520-5291000 or gaslightmusichall.com.

FRIDAY, JAN. 7

• Don your dancin’ shoes for a night of music from across the decades at the Rock Rewind Dance Party with Sonora Borealis Band. Details: 7 p.m.; Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $20; 520-529-1000 or gaslightmusichall.com.

7:30 p.m.; Hotel Congress Outdoor Plaza, 311 E. Congress St.; $20-$30; rhythmandroots.org.

SATURDAY TO SUNDAY, JAN. 89

• Enjoy a concert of fresh music that deserves to be better known at Mendelssohn’s Radiance featuring conductor José Luis Gomez. Details: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive; $47-$101; ticketmaster. com.

SUNDAY, JAN. 9

• Celebrate the classic lineup of one of the most famous and beloved bands of all time at the Fleetwood Mac Tribute Mirage. Details: 2 and 6 p.m.; Gaslight SATURDAY, JAN. 8 Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $31; SATURDAY TO SUNDAY, • Harkin back to the days when great 520-529-1000 or gaslightmusichall. bands swept onto our shores from JAN. 89 com.

• You’ll be wiping tears of laughter from across the pond at British Invasion • Listen to clarinetist Narik Artyunian your eyes at From Brooklyn To Broad- & Beyond with the hits of the midand Steven Beck pianist presented by way In Only 50 Years starring Steve 1960’s. Details: 2 and 6 p.m.; Gaslight Solomon presented by the Invisible Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $31; the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music.

Details: 3 p.m.; Leo Rich Theater, 260 S. Theatre. Details: 7:30 Saturday, 2 p.m.

520-529-1000 or gaslightmusichall.

Church Ave.; $32, $10 students; 520Sunday; Berger Performing Arts Center, com.

577-3769 or arizonachambermusic.org.

1200 W. Speedway Blvd.; $45; 520-882- • Enjoy an ancient art form tran9721 or invisibletheatre.com. scending borders through the healing • Listen to a recital by soprano Ailyn power of sounds and music at A Taiko Pérez with pianist Abdiel Vázquez Drumming Performance featuring featuring German and Mexican art SUNDAY, JAN. 9 songs presented by the Tucson Desert Ken Koshio. Details: 4-6 p.m.; Yume • Join award-winning photographer Song Festival Celebrating Women of Japanese Gardens, 2130 N. Alvernon Steve Winter - On the Trail of Big Cats chronicling the activities of endan- Way; $25, $10 children; 520-303-3945. Song. Details: 7 p.m.; UA Fred Fox School of Music, 1017 N. Olive Road, #109; $35; gered wild felines sharing their beauty • Take a first-class trip through the tucsondesertsongfestival.org. and the work to save them. Details: 6:30 melodies you love with a new feel at p.m.; Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.; UPTOWN! Motown Rewired. De$25-$53; foxtucson.com. tails: 7:30 p.m.; DesertView Performing MONDAY, JAN. 10 Arts Center, 39900 S. Clubhouse Drive; • Listen to the timeless harmonies of rock and roll duos at Bye, Bye Love - A $30; 520-825-2818.

Salute to the Everly Brothers in a • Listen to the Black Market Trust THURSDAY, JAN. 6 presented by Rhythm & Roots. Details: brand new concert starring Alex Mack • Don’t miss the internationally and Chach Snook. Details: 6 p.m.;

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Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway Blvd.; $27, $15 children; 520-886-9428 or thegaslighttheatre.com.

TUESDAY, JAN. 11

• Enjoy a Master Class: Ailyn Pérez presented by the Tucson Desert Song Festival Celebrating Women of Song.

Details: noon; UA Fred Fox School of Music, 1017 N. Olive Road, #109; free; tucsondesertsongfestival.org.

• Tap your toes to the traditional tunes of Canyon Currents and Cadillac Mountain Bluegrass Bands at the Bluegrass Jamboree. Details: 6 p.m.; Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $27; 520-529-1000 or gaslightmusichall.com.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12

• Get whisked back to the golden age of big bands with a unique twist at The Flyboys! Imagine Sinatra Meets Bruno Mars. Details: 7:30 p.m.; DesertView Performing Arts Center, 39900 S. Clubhouse Drive; $30; 520-825-2818.

THURSDAY, JAN. 13

• Enjoy a night of live music and dancing at the Dance Party with The Rillito River Band to benefit the Hearth Foundation providing affordable housing for low income families. Details: 6 p.m. Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road; $20; 520-529-1000 or gaslightmusichall.com.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS

TUESDAY, JAN. 11

• Explore Fascinating Fungi and the critical role they play in many ecosystems at a Tucson Botanical Gardens online class presented by naturalist Jeff Babson. Details: 10 a.m.-noon; Zoom link provided; $30, discount for members; 520-326-9686 or tucsonbotanical.org.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12

• Capture the colors and magic of desert plants at the Tucson Botanical Gardens online class Drawing Desert Native Edibles – Drawing & Watercolor with instructor Devon Meyer for all skill levels. Details: 2-3:30 p.m.; Zoom link provided; $30, discount for members; 520-326-9686 or tucsonbotanical.org.

TUESDAY TO SUNDAY THROUGH JAN. 9

• Enjoy the Wee Winter Wonderland at the seasonal exhibition Holidays Around the World and Through Time at the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures. Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday; 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive; $9.50$11.50, $8 youth/students; 520-8810606 or theminitimemachine.org.

FILM

TUESDAY TO SUNDAY, JAN. 6FEB. 20

• Calling all film lovers to screen full-length, mini-series and short films online at the Tucson International Jewish Film Festival and vote for your favorites. Details: various times, $12 or $120 for festival pass; tucsonjcc.org/film.

Leading cause of death Continued from P11

are not vaccinated, and are eligible to receive the vaccine, to get vaccinated as soon as possible in order to help prevent more deaths.

“It is really clear that if you are fully vaccinated, and even better if you are boosted, your risk of getting really sick and dying, even if you get infected from COVID, is extraordinarily low,” Benjamin said.

Benjamin criticized those elected officials who he said “have not supported getting vaccinated. And we have other people who have

actually put functional political barriers in the way.”

Will Humble, the executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, agreed that there will likely continue to be thousands of new cases a day in the coming year, but he thinks the mortality rate will eventually decline.

“Over time, the general trend will be towards this becoming a less lethal disease but it’s not something that will probably ever go away,” Humble said. “But COVID-19 will eventually no longer be a public health emergency when enough people have been

13

Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

vaccinated.”

Benjamin said that while he does not know what the death toll will look like in the upcoming new year, he does not expect the virus to go away anytime soon.

“Only time will tell, but in those communities that remain unvaccinated, we are going to see continued significant disease spread,” Benjamin said.

“Mask wearing is still going to be with us for a while,” Benjamin said.

“Sorry.”

BUSINESS CALENDAR • Startup Tucson offers Lunch & Learn Web Series Product Design & Development with a Product Manufacturing Overview. Details: noon-1 p.m.; free; startuptucson.com.

• The Rotary Club of Dove Mountain meets weekly. Details: 5-6 p.m.; Highlands of Dove Mountain Clubhouse; 4949 W. Heritage Club Blvd.; dovemountainrotary.org.

909-9162 for virtual meeting information.

• Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce offers business bootcamp How to Franchise Your Successful Business and Watch It Grow.

Details: 8:30-10:30 a.m.; online; azhcc.org.

• The Arizona Commerce Authority holds Small Business Bootcamp & Resource Collective - Know the 5 Ps of Your Business webinar.

Details: 9 a.m.; free; azcommerce.com.

Tuesday, Jan. 11

Wednesday, Jan. 12

EMAIL DETAILS FOR YOUR BIZ EVENTS TO

SHERYL@TUCSONLOCALMEDIA.COM

Thursday, Jan. 6

• he Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce holds a Business Summit with guest speakers Mayor Joe Winfield and David Aaker and breakout sessions on employee recruitment, retention and marketing. Details: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa, 245 E. Ina Road; $10 members; orovalleychamber.com.

• Southern Arizona SCORE offers a webinar on 2022’s Hottest Businesses, Markets & Trends presented For more stories from by small business expert and Cronkite News, visit author Rieva Lesonsky. Decronkitenews.azpbs.org. tails: 11 a.m.; free; southernarizona.score.org.

• The Rotary Club of Marana meets (weekly). Details: 7 a.m.; Northwest Fire Dept., 5125 W. Camino de Fuego (in person first 3 Tuesdays of the month); via Zoom (first 4 Tuesdays of the month); maranarotary.org or text 520-

• The Tucson Metro Chamber holds Coffee & Contacts at Antsy Nancy. Details: 7:30-8:30 a.m.; 5655 E. River Road, #101; members free; tucsonchamber.org.

14

Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

Redistricting: ‘Improbable consensus’ on Congressional map Continued from P9

Though Neuberg made it clear that she wanted to see changes that would make the 6th District more competitive, Lerner opened Tuesday’s meeting at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix with a jeremiad against the map.

“It’s going to be incredibly difficult to make this map competitive,” she said. “This map … is going to be virtually impossible to fix.”

Lerner said she and Watchman couldn’t accept either the 6th District or the north Phoenix and Scottsdale-based 1st Congressional District as they were drawn on Monday’s

map. She also criticized Neuberg for locking them out from making changes they wanted to the 2nd Congressional District in northern Arizona and the 9th Congressional District, which runs from the West Valley north through Mohave County.

She accused her Republican colleagues of seeking partisan gain for the GOP by making Republican-leaning competitive districts better for their party, while making the Democratic-leaning districts more competitive. And she criticized Neuberg for siding with Mehl and York on the bulk of the 3-2 votes the commission has had since it began its mapping work

in October.

“This has been very dominated by one side.

It has been all the way through, as you know,” Lerner said.

Neuberg said she was sorry Lerner felt that way, but urged her to continue negotiating, especially on the 6th Distdrict, warning that if she and Watchman didn’t do so, additional changes could be made without their input.

“That will be your choice how much you want to engage in,” Neuberg said. “We’re struggling on CD6. You shouldn’t pre-judge where the outcome is.”

Neuberg also said Lerner’s position was that if she didn’t side with the

Democratic commissioners on their map Monday night, negotiations would come to an end.

Tension remained high as the commissioners battled throughout the day on the districts in Tucson and the East Valley. Commissioners argued over each other, at one point prompting their transcriptionist to ask them to speak one at a time.

The Republicans accused Lerner of digging in her heels on unreasonable positions regarding competitiveness.

“We’ve tried to be patient, but we have as much pressure on us as I’m sure Commissioner Lerner has on her,” Mehl said.

But though Lerner initially said she and Watchman wouldn’t consider the 6th District competitive, regardless of the vote spread, if the “basket” of nine races didn’t have a 5-4 split one way or the other — which was the case in her proposal that Mehl and York rejected — she eventually agreed to the proposed changes that fell short of that mark.

“I think we’re all trying to find a compromise.

Is this the compromise I want? No. I don’t think this map addresses a number of things. We can talk about it tomorrow.

We’re trying to find some consensus. Did we say OK to that? Well, I don’t think it was going to move any further. We had a 5-4, and then we clearly did not have the votes to keep it,” Lerner told reporters after the meeting.

Watchman, a member of the Navajo Nation, said he still hopes to see the 2nd District get more competitive. It currently has a GOP advantage of 7.2%, outside the range of competitiveness. And Neuberg has largely put her foot down when it comes to additional changes Lerner and Watchman have proposed that would alleviate that.

“I still have hope. As one of my old bosses said, we’re going to sleep on it.

I’m going to take an opportunity overnight to look at it,” Watchman said after the meeting.

Native American voters tend to support Democrats, and Watchman said Democrats have traditionally been better for the tribes. Democrats provide more resources to the tribes, and they’ll need those federal dollars as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit Native American communities especially hard, Watchman said.

“Just in the last year, a significant amount of resources has been sent to tribes because of COVID. I haven’t seen that in my lifetime. Billions of dollars are now in the tribes’ hands. But that’s not enough. More is needed,” he said.

Once the commission finalizes and approves its congressional map, it still likely has work to do before it finishes the state’s 30 legislative districts.

The AIRC reached a tentative compromise on

the legislative map during a debate that largely centered on the contours of four competitive districts in the Phoenix metro area.

That legislative map has five competitive districts overall, along with 13 safe Republican districts and 12 safe Democratic ones.

Tribal issues are likely to be the biggest sticking point on the legislative map. In particular, the Democratic and Republican are still at odds over how to divide the predominantly tribal District 6 and neighboring District 7, a rural Republican stronghold. The tribes want Flagstaff excluded from District 6 over fears that white Democrats could outvote Native Americans in primary elections, but that would likely require non-tribal communities in the White Mountains to be part of the district, which the Republican commissioners oppose.

Mehl pitched a potential solution on Monday that would move more of Flagstaff out of District 6 and some non-tribal areas of the White Mountains in. But it’s unclear if that will create a high enough Native American citizen voting age population in District 6 to satisfy the Navajo Nation and six other northern tribes that are part of the district.

This article originally ran online in Arizona Mirror, a nonprofit news agency.

LIVEN UP

Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

15

Zoppé Family Circus returns with in-person shows Alexandra Pere Tucson Local Media

Z

oppé: An Italian Family Circus returns to Tucson for its 11th year at the Mercado District, bringing new acts to perform under the Big Top tent.

Circus director Giovanni Zoppé said returning to the Big Top “feels like we’re home again, back where we are supposed to be.”

When COVID first swept the nation, the circus adapted their show into a drive-in experience. The audience had a full view of circus performances while staying isolated in their vehicles.

This is just one of many adaptations the circus has gone through during its 178-year run. Although the drive-in was successful in reaching audiences, performers are excited to return to the tent.

“The best thing for me is to watch the performers be filled back up again with what they love about performing and I’m proud that they were able to continue to perform last year, but they were missing something,” said Jeanette Prince, circus co-producer and marketing director.

In honor of the Big Top return during a global pandemic, the tour has been named La Vita Nuova (A New Life).

“As a ringmaster says at the beginning of the show, this is a new life for all of us,” Zoppé said. “We’re all trying to navigate through this brand-new life that we all have.”

The circus will run for a limited time in January 2022 at the Mercado District.

This year’s performances will feature acts such as the Russian Bar act with Mikhail & Alexel Drozdov and Illya Alikov; swinging trapeze acrobatics by Disa Carneol; and sword balancing by German Rodogell. Ringmaster Mace Perlman will moderate the lively performances.

Zoppé and Prince are particularly excited about the performance of their contortionist.

“You can see somebody go over their head or twist the leg around and that’s great, but he does it with such class and such elegance,” Zoppé said.

Prince said the contortionist pushes the bounds of the human body while incorporating artistic skills from his classical ballet training.

The newest addition to the Zoppé family, 8-month-old Ilario Fabrizio Luigino Zoppé, may also make an appearance at the Big Top performances during pre-show or the finale.

“As soon as he hears the

Zoppe Family Circus 100 S. Avenida del Convento Various times, Friday, Jan. 7 through Sunday, Jan. 23 Kids 3 to 13, $25; adults 13 and up, $35; ringside kids 3 to 12, $40; ringside adult, $50 Courtesy photo

Masks strongly recommended

music for the finale and we walk in the ring, I reach my arms out to grab him and he smiles his biggest mug,” Zoppé said.

Opening night is Friday, Jan. 7, at 7 pm.

Go to Zoppe.net to purchase tickets and learn more about Zoppé’s Circus history. You can also purchase tickets from the mercadodistrict.com website. Masks are strongly recommended.

The circus will be offering short mini-shows on Fridays at 10 a.m. The mini-shows are one hour, as opposed to the full twohour shows.

16

Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

HEALTH & WELLNESS

As pandemic enters third year, new treatments are on the horizon Mia Smitt

Special to Tucson Local Media

L

et’s face it, COVID, with all its myriad variants we know and are yet to appear, is not going away any time soon.

Last year we thought the pandemic would wane with vaccination and prevention strategies. These have certainly helped but thanks to a highly transmissible Omicron variant, COVID-19 is reaching record highs as we enter 2022. More than 800,000 people have died in the United States, including more than 3,100 in Pima County, since we started counting. Treatment options vary according to the severity of disease, risk factors, while research continues into what is the best treatment and for whom. Medications and supportive care continue to be our mainstays and prevention should always be at the forefront.

Mild symptoms usually

appear within two weeks of contracting the virus and can usually be treated at home.

Cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headache, sore throat and a loss of the senses of taste or smell are all symptoms (except for taste and smell loss) that can be attributed to influenza, so it is important to be tested. Rest, adequate fluids, cough suppressants, and fever reducers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen should help to control symptoms. These symptoms may last up to three weeks but could resolve more quickly for some or worsen for others.

If you find it harder to breathe or experience pale skin, a higher fever or chest pains, or just become very sleepy, then an emergency is brewing and hospital care is warranted. These symptoms can worsen in a very short time so timely treatment is essential.

There are several medications that can treat COVID

19. Some viral infections (such as shingles and influenza) can be treated with drugs. Antivirals are not antibiotics, which treat bacterial infections and are not useful against viruses. Remdesivir is an intravenous medication that helps people hospitalized with COVID to recover faster. Dexamethasone is a steroid that reduces inflammation and suppresses parts of the immune system. It is used in patients on oxygen or on a ventilator. Inflammatory pathway inhibitors, also called immunomodulators, treat severe systemic inflammation. Inflammatory markers can get very high in people with severe COVID. Baricitinib and Sarilumab are examples of such medications and are used when a hospitalized patient needs high flow oxygen or a ventilator for breathing.

Monoclonal antibodies are “biologics,” manmade antibodies which inhibit the progression of some in-

flammatory diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis) and cancer. Monoclonal antibodies can target the SARSCOV-2 virus and prevent a serious infection in people who have been exposed and would be likely to developing severe illness. This medication is considered “post exposure prophylaxis.” Those at risk include people with chronic medical conditions, the elderly, and the disabled.

This is an intravenous medication given in hospitals. With the demand for this therapy increasing, there will likely be a shortage so health care professionals will determine greatest need. Just last week, Banner Health announced a pause in monoclonal antibody treatment statewide and warned that when it resumed this week, it would be in limited supply.

Antibodies produced by people who have had COVID and recovered are called convalescent plasma. They are donated after recovery and

these antibodies are then infused into hospitalized patients with impaired immunity in an effort to help the ill person’s immune system fight the virus.

Various pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Merck, and Roche are currently developing and testing oral medications that might reduce the risk of severe disease in people with mild or moderate COVID illness.

These are antivirals that will target proteins specific to SARS-CoV-2. The most promising thus far is Paxlovid, by Pfizer and Roche together. It’s in clinical trials now and is showing an 89% reduction in the risk of hospitalization or death due to COVID. Oxygen therapy is of critical importance in hospitalized COVID patients.

Reduced lung function is a hallmark symptom and can lead to death since the body cannot get enough oxygen to maintain healthy tissues and

organs. Supplemental oxygen can reduce shortness of breath, increase oxygen saturation and help recovery. In acute respiratory distress, patients may receive high flow or positive pressure oxygen.

If that’s not enough, patients can be placed on ventilators. Supplemental oxygen is sometimes needed upon hospital discharge and this can be easily arranged and managed.

COVID-19 can be managed but there are no guarantees of an easy recovery.

“Long COVID” symptoms such as fatigue, sensory loss, headaches, shortness of breath, cognitive impairment and muscle pain can persist for months upon initial symptom resolution.

As always, maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps to protect against many illnesses. Vaccination, masking in crowded places and reasonable physical distancing will help protect not only you but others from getting sick with COVID-19.

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Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

SPORTS EXTRA POINT WITH TOM DANEHY &RECREATION A few ways to make the wide world of sports better in 2022 Tom Danehy

Tucson Local Media

H

ere’s what we need to help make 2022 waaaay better than the past two years: Let’s have the investigative/legislative/punitive body finish its work on the University of Arizona men’s basketball program from what feels like a generation ago and be done with it.

Sean Miller’s tenure as Wildcat coach will be remembered as a disappointment, an era in which the Cats flirted with greatness a couple times, but couldn’t close the deal. It was a time when superstars played below their level or were denied the chance to shine (Lauri Markkanen not being given the chance to take the last shot in an excruciating loss in the NCAAs). And, ultimately, it all ended in scandal and disarray.

Raise your hand if you believe that Sean Miller knew what shady things were going on in and around his program. That collective gust of wind could be measured on the Beaufort Scale.

The current UA team is a delight. It reminds

me of early Lute Olson squads, guys who just want to play ball and do whatever it takes to win.

There is no underutilized DeAndre Ayton and no over-hyped Nico Mannion, just a collection of ballers who have gone from unranked in the preseason into the Top 10 heading into January.

If they ever get another chance to play, they deserve the chance to compete for the Pac-12 title and go to the NCAA Tournament.

Other schools that committed similar violations have served their time and are good to go.

(The UA self-imposed a postseason ban on themselves last year.)

This year’s team, under new coach Tommy Lloyd, deserves a chance to know what it’s playing for. And if things go right (and fairly), we Wildcat fans could be rooting for our squad into the second weekend of the Dance or beyond.

Happy days would be here again.

We need to have cooler heads prevail when it comes to this winter’s high-school sports. With COVID cases spiking yet again, I’m terrified that

athletic administrators will overreact and cancel things that needn’t be canceled.

In full disclosure, I’m in my first year as coach of the varsity girls’ basketball team at Amphi High. The program has not had a winning team in 20 years. Two straight decades of losing teams (and I mean a bunch of 2-16 and 3-15 seasons).

This year’s squad has worked hard and is 11-5 heading into conference play. The girls have a chance to have the program’s first winning season THIS CENTURY(!) and go to State. It would be devastating if they missed out on either or both of those opportunities.

I fully appreciate the gravity of the decisions that must be made by administrators, but we, as a society, need to learn from the recent past. A lot of the things that were done, in retrospect, may have erred on the side of caution.

Going forward, if you need to ban maskless and/or unvaccinated fans from attending, please do so. If the kids have to go back to wearing masks in the games, that would be

infinitely better than canceling games.

(As I am writing this, the New York Times just reported that South Africa says that Omicron cases have dropped by 30 percent in the past week and that the spike in cases did not lead to a spike in deaths. That’s certainly cautious good news.)

I just hope that we can get through the winter sports of wrestling and basketball without any major disruptions (soccer is outdoors). Once we get to the spring sports, thing should be fine. With the exception of boys volleyball, they’re all outdoors (tennis, softball, baseball, track & field, beach volleyball). Here’s hoping.

It would be great if the two new Wildcat coaches (baseball’s Chip Hale and softball’s Caitlyn Lowe) can continue the tradition of excellence in their respective sports without missing a beat.

And for Adia Barnes, in her inexorable march toward world domination in all things, may we all just bask in her glory.

How cool would it be for the Arizona Wildcat football team to play in a bowl game next year?

(Actually, at gloomy press

time, how cool would it be for there to be a full slate of bowl games next year?) For Arizona to go from one win to six or more in one year would be a gargantuan leap, but the Cats managed to rope in one of the most impressive recruiting classes in the entire conference and who knows?

Finally, it would be great if some teams had a do-over. Let the Suns get back to the NBA Finals (and finish the job this year). Let the UA women make it to the Final Four again. And how about getting a professional baseball franchise in the Valley of the Sun? Oh, wait…

Week) Navine Mallon, who led the All-Tournament Team and scored 25 points in the championship game… The (my) Amphi girls made a spirited run to the championship game of the Central Arizona Holiday Classic in Casa Grande. The Panthers knocked off host Casa Grande in the tournament opener, then beat previously undefeated Kingman and 6A power Maricopa in the semis to reach the championship game, where they lost a close one to undefeated Sabino… The Marana girls played in back-toback tournaments over the holidays, going 2-2 in the aforementioned Central Arizona Holiday Classic, then going 2-2 in the Lady Badgers Winter Classic in Prescott… The Marana boys basketball team made its annual holiday trek to Show Low and came away with the championship trophy in the White Mountain Holiday Classic…

EXTRA POINTS: The Flowing Wells girls won their own basketball tournament over the holidays, holding off a tough Mesa Westwood team in the championship game, 66-57. The Caballeros beat Desert Christian in the first round, squeaked

by Sierra Vista Buena in Editor’s note: Tom the quarters, and hammered a tough Sunnyside Danehy coaches the Amteam in the semis before phi varsity girls’ basketbeating Westwood for the ball team. title. Flowing Wells was led by junior (and former Explorer Player of the

18

Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis

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Titan of industry 5 Peyote and prickly pear 10 Bash 14 Crazy, in Spanish 15 Literary partner of Porthos and Aramis 16 Like the Australian outback 17 Play a wrong note during a violin sonata?

20 Artist Kahlo 21 Source of milk for Manchego cheese 22 Roast host 23 Golf course supply 24 Totally wreck, as a noob 26 Ripped 28 Little prince taking a bath?

33 Went it alone 36 Suffix with auction 37 “Get out!”

38 Smooths (out) 39 Largest artificial satellite in orbit, before 9-Down 40 Leave a mark on

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Muppet’s makeup

42 One might read “Don’t talk

to me until I’ve had my coffee” 43 No-can-do 44 “We all put things on TV sometimes”?

47 Fretboard locale 48 D.C. player 49 American acquisition of 2001 52 Condescend (to) 55 Lip balm brand with a podshaped container 57 Pink-red hue 59 Headline after Jane becomes queen?

62 Something to regress to 63 Numbers for a diva 64 Very top 65 First word of Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns” 66 Where Nintendo is headquartered 67 Mother of Helen of Troy

Know Us, Know Your Community

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You don’t have to choose in the moment to be kind because that’s a choice you made so long ago; it’s now just who you are. Even so, events will challenge your patience or catch you off guard, giving you a refresher course in compassion and further expanding your emotional and social skills.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Get stern with yourself. It will take greater diligence to keep your actions in line with your goal. The cosmic boon is that this is a time when you’ll comply with your own parenting. Pull in the reins on your thoughts as well, disallowing your mind to wander to unhelpful places.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ve held a certain unfulfilled dream for a long time. You’re now wondering if you would be happier if you were to just give it up. The answer is no, but it’s time to try new things. Consider going at it from a different angle. Brainstorm alternative approaches to making your dream come true.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll be moving between different settings and groups. Though each scenario has its unique culture, your desire to connect will win out, especially if that desire is combined with a message, product, service or general purpose you believe in. Go forward in confidence. One size will not fit all but it will fit most.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It’s a good week for following instructions, recipes and traditions. Avoid mixing up the order because success will depend on things happening in the correct sequence. You won’t get happy because it’s perfect but it will be perfect because you’re happy.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There’s much about the week that can be won through a scientific approach. Those who don’t set up expectations will not be disappointed -- but they also won’t be prepared. So, consider what is likely to happen. Get more information. Ask questions.

Look for patterns. Make predictions.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). To possess a thing doesn’t automatically mean you love it, feel good about it or have confidence about it.

Knowing that superficial appearances are

Crossword Puzzle Answers

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). In a perfect world, each person would be liked always by everyone. In this imperfect world, if you were liked by everyone, it would be a bad sign -- a sign that you’re changing for others instead of being totally yourself. This week, the ones who get you will be pure gold. Forget the ones who don’t.

C L E F S

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GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Listen inwardly. Your inside voice will have astounding compassion and deeper knowledge than you might expect.

This week, the body goes through life like a soldier, and you’ll be grateful for its obedience to your intentions. But it’s the inner life that will make the biggest difference to your experience.

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SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). All your prophesies will not be self-fulfilling. Good. They are not all things you want to manifest. You’re still working on cultivating more positive thoughts. You’ll succeed in this, growing a garden of beautiful ideas this week. As for the thoughts you don’t want to return to, you’ll have luck steering clear of them, too.

O R E O

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20). According to the Taoist saying, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”The beauty of theory is that it applies to any length of journey. Whether you’re in a three-step process or a 3 million-step process, it’s all stepping, and the number you’re on is always the right one.

often carefully constructed, you’ll choose your compliments and social focus with great care.

Your empathy and diplomacy will win trust.

S I F T

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ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re not aware that you are mentally working out your options, bouncing them from one lobe to the other, yet your synapses are all lit up with solutions. Trust yourself. When you’re zoning out, you’re really working things out. When you’re checking out, you’re actually checking in.

A L E X A

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Heads of staff?

2 Swordsman with a horse named Tornado 3 Nostril-burning 4 Church cross 5 Only domestic species in the family Felidae 6 She created the olive tree, in myth 7 ___ toy 8 In a relationship 9 39-Across successor: Abbr.

10 What wearing a shirt at the beach might get you 11 Former attorney general Holder 12 One of three in the foreground of “American Gothic” 13 Upper hand 18 Home of the first pizza 19 Actress Hatcher 25 Calendar abbr.

27 Anthem contraction 28 Delegation 29 Hey, for horses?

30 Obsessed captain 31 Roll of stamps 32 Timbre 33 Filter (through) 34 ___ O’s (Post cereal) 35 “Whatever ___ wants, ___ gets” (“Damn Yankees” lyric) 39 Skill never performed by 15-Across, oddly enough 40 Grab suddenly 42 Word with stand or drop 43 Actress Thurman 45 1996 musical set in New York’s Alphabet City 46 Vote out, say 49 Amnesia in soap operas, e.g.

50 Diminished 51 Voice with an Echo 52 Singer Lovato 53 Hawks have sharp ones 54 Modern home of ancient Persepolis 56 Birthplace of seven U.S. presidents 58 Kind of thermometer 60 Barrel wood 61 General on a menu 1

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C A C T A T H O N T H E G A E W E P W N T L E A N H E D E E S M I R M U G R I S H U E C K N N E O S T O T H E A R I A K Y O T

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Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

Worship Guide 520.797.4384

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Welcome to Resurrection Lutheran!

Come join us every Saturday evening or on Sunday for worship!

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Newear, Y sed Increa th Fai

Lord God Most High, give us true faith, and help that faith grow daily this new year.

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

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An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UCC

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

Join Us In-Person and Online Sundays at 9:30am

Give us hope and love, so that we may serve our neighbors according to Your Will.

We ask this through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

www.caucc.org/welcome 520.297.1181 | info@caucc.org | 6801 N. Oracle Road

20

Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

Worship Guide

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Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

Classifieds

EMPLOYMENT GENERAL

520.797.4384

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EMPLOYMENT GENERAL

Know Us Know Your Community

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EMPLOYMENT GENERAL

EMPLOYMENT GENERAL

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EXPLORER PUBLIC NOTICES MARANA NEWS

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022

Tech Talk: Infection benefits and 520.797.4384 hypersonics research Classifieds@tucsonlocalmedia.com EXPLORER MARANA NEWS

Jeff Gardner Tucson Local Media

W

ith a major research university right in our backyard, a strong military presence and innovative companies throughout the metro region, there’s often a plethora of interesting science, medical and technology news to be found in Southern Arizona. Here’s a breakdown of the most interesting recent developments.

Infection Benefits.

New research from UA Health Sciences shows how infections may counteract the negative effects of aging on the immune system. T cells are used by our immune systems in the adaptive immune response. However, both the number and function of naïve T cells are negatively impacted by aging. But new research indicates that infections boost the production and function of naïve T cells.

“The main population of cells that we lose in the process of aging are naïve T cells,” said professor and head of the UA College of Medicine Dr. Janko Nikolich-Žugich in a press release. “This study showed that both the maintenance of naïve T cells over time and their function were im-

proved by the presence of an infection, which aligns somewhat with the hygiene hypothesis that basically says if you allow your kids to be exposed to everyday germs, it’s going to be better for them.”

According to UA, it was previously thought infections primarily affected the creation of memory T cells. When exposed to a pathogen, some naïve T cells learn and remember, becoming memory T cells that prevent reinfection when they encounter the same pathogen again. Eventually, the UA Health Sciences research team wants to develop therapies that “boost the immune system to fight disease by using naïve T cells that are in a heightened state of alertness to target things like cancerous tumors.” They also hope to examine the feasibility of using the mechanism that maintains naïve T cell production to strengthen the aging immune system.

“Now we know that when you have these fairly substantial infections, interferon type 1 molecules are making the MHC and Interleukin 7 signals stronger, more abundant and more available to naïve T cells. It has never been shown that an infection can do something like this,” Nikolich-Žugich said. “This

study showed that an infection not only better maintained the number of naïve T cells, but it put them on a slightly higher state of alertness.”

Hypersonics Research.

Researchers at the University of Arizona are part of a new collaboration focused on technology that travels more than 3,830 mph, or at hypersonic speeds. The University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics, a network of national laboratories, government, industry, and research universities, recently awarded its first round of funding totaling more than $25 million.

Among the recipients was UA professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering Samy Missoum, who was awarded $1.5 million to lead the development of a “surrogate aerodynamic database,” an essential tool in the design of next-generation hypersonic systems.

According to UA, vehicles traveling at hypersonic speeds experience tremendous heat and pressure. To test how a vehicle responds under specific conditions, such as speed and angle of attack, engineers and researchers typically set the desired parameters and run wind tunnel experiments and simplified computations. The results are used to form an aer-

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odynamic database that indicates what forces a vehicle will experience in that configuration. Missoum is taking this one step further by working with machine learning to develop such a database.

“Hypersonics is an area of strategic priority for the University of Arizona, and this funding reflects our position as a national leader in the field,” said UA president Robert Robbins in a press release. “We are proud to have a strong team of faculty members working closely with Raytheon and partner institutions to further advance this fast-growing field of critical importance to national security.”

Established in 2020, the University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics works with 87 universities and 90 industry partners, including Raytheon Missiles & Defense, which operates in Tucson.

“The multidisciplinary nature of this work is remarkable,” Missoum said.

“Skills from the computational design and machine learning communities migrate to the field of hypersonics to deliver techniques and tools useful to researchers and practitioners alike. I’m really excited because it has the potential to be transformative for the hypersonics community.”

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Explorer and Marana News, Jan 5, 2022