ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
Bluhmin’ Around Town PAGE 4
Anthem Pet of the Week PAGE 13
Serving the communities of Anthem, Black Canyon City, Carefree, Cave Creek, Desert Hills, New River, North Phoenix, Tramonto and Peoria
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
INSIDE
This Week
NEWS............................. 3 Fulton Homes giving away 10 pool fences
BUSINESS.................... 6 Homie, Valley of the Sun United Way helps struggling residents
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COVID-19 cases rise throughout Peoria BY ERIN BRASSEY Foothills Focus Contributing Writer
C
OVID-19 cases continue to rise sharply in Peoria. On Easter, the Arizona Department of Health Services released a COVID-19 ZIP code map showing Peoria 85382 with 61 positive cases. One week later, Peoria 85382 had 99 positive COVID-19 cases—the most of any ZIP code in the state. The striking 62% rise gave 98532 one more positive test than Mesa 85206 and a few more than Tucson 85714. The state map includes a disclaimer: “If the patient’s address was unknown the case was mapped to the address of the provider followed by the address of the reporting facility.”
Banner Health has several drive-thru COVID-19 test sites, including one in Peoria. (Photo courtesy Banner Health)
For that reason, Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat challenged the accuracy of this data. “Unfortunately, this data appears imperfect, as noted by the AZDHS website,” Carlat said. “Due to this discrepancy, I’ve pressed
Local singer shares her life through song
OPINION................................ 4 BUSINESS.............................. 6
ARTS.........................................7
FEATURES.......................... 10 CLASSIFIEDS..................... 14
the governor’s office to provide more accurate data.” Some residents agree.
see COVID-19 page 2
Foothills Food Bank executive director to retire BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor
ARTS............................... 8
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
P
am DiPietro, the executive director of Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center for 18 years, will retire from the organization on December 31. The community leader joined the food bank as executive director in January 2002 after serving as business manager for a Catholic parish in Deerfield, Illinois, for 20 years. At the time, the food bank only served about 35 to 40 local families a month. Foothills Food Bank now serves more than 5,000 seniors and families from its Cave Creek and Black Canyon City locations. DiPietro’s achievements include opening a new food bank location in 2017 in Black Canyon City, increasing the food bank’s growth to
Pam DiPietro came to Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center in January 2002 after serving as business manager for a Catholic parish in Deerfield, Illinois. (Photo courtesy Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center)
reach more than 180 square miles. The original food bank was 400 square feet but now totals more than 11,400 square feet for the two locations. In addition, DiPietro created a Snack Pack program, Adopt-a-Family and others; expanded financial assistance and resources to those in need to help pay for utilities, rent, medical bills or car repairs; and expanded the food bank to more than 400 volunteers. DiPietro was presented with the KPHO & KTVK TV Pay it Forward award for leadership and the 2019 Anthem Business Nonprofit of the Year Award, among others. She developed deep relationships with St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, three St. Vincent De Paul conferences, the Salvation Army, Arizona
see DIRECTOR page 3