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Op-Ed: Tech reducing attention PAGE
Anthem RV sells
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TheFoothillsFocus.com
INSIDE
This Week
NEWS.................. 7
U.S. Marine Chuck Hale is stronger because he served
FEATURES ........ 17 Scottsdale’s Javier Soto debuts at ABC15
FEATURES ........ 18 Dr. Gasser changes lives 1 smile at a time
OPINION.................... 10 FEATURES................. 16 CLASSIFIEDS............. 22 Zone I
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Serving the communities of Anthem, Desert Hills, Norterra, Sonoran Foothills, Stetson Valley, Tramonto, New River, Desert Ridge and North Phoenix
Anthem Area Edition
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Wednesday, June 22, 2022
County sheriff talks traffic, staffing, school safety BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
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aricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone discussed residents’ concerns about traffic violations and school safety and gave a brief update on the state of the organization at a June 10 meeting. Traffic is a frustration in every city across the country, but it’s more than that for some Anthem residents. At a previous Anthem Public Safety meeting, residents voiced not only their frustration but fear for their lives due to reckless driving in the area. Several said the problem has gotten worse and nothing seems to be done about it. A few of those same residents attended the June 10 meeting to bring their issues directly to Penzone, who said he is aware of the increasing issue. “As our population continues to boom, that means there’s more cars on the roadways and more folks are driving a little bit aggressively or
selfishly, and then we’re all in harm’s way and there’s jeopardy on the roadways, which is not acceptable,” Penzone said. “As we grow, we want to kind of set a standard and expectation that if you drive in our community, we expect you to drive safely. We expect you to care for those around you and be thoughtful.” One way the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is helping enforce that expectation is through a new motor squad. Penzone said five or six motorcycles have been purchased and deputies are currently undergoing comprehensive training specifically to handle traffic issues. He said the team will be up and running by the holidays and there will be a full force next year. “Whenever we have traffic issues anywhere in the county, I can assign that team to go there and do some positive enforcement, educate folks and read citations when appropriate,” Penzone said.
see SAFETY page 6
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone has been with the Phoenix Police Department for 21 years. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office/Submitted)
Program offers new way to support Veterans Memorial
BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
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he Anthem Way Foundation is implementing a new legacy giving program for those who want to continue supporting the Anthem Veterans Memorial after they have died. Elizabeth Turner, Anthem Veterans Memorial programming director, said while there has always been multiple ways to donate to the memo-
rial, there has never been a program that allowed people to continue to support the programs by leaving the memorial in their estate plans and will. The new program will allow people to do that. “We have actually had requests for this in the past and have people who are interested,” she said. “We have donors that have been with us now since 2011 and they contribute annually. I think the memorial has become so much a part
of people’s lives in Anthem and even outside of Anthem that they want to continue to support it any way they can.” For those interested in naming the Anthem Veterans Memorial in their will, trust, beneficiary designation form or other estate planning documents, Turner said they should reach out to their attorney and provide the legacy giving pro-
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VETERANS page 4