Teen excels on court, in class
Group gets kids in the game
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An edition of the East Valley Tribune
INSIDE
This Week
Best Of The Best
BUSINESS................. 19 Tucson fave invading Gilbert.
GETOUT.................... 30 Pumpkin art show perfect for Halloween.
COMMUNITY....................................... 16 BUSINESS............................................. 19 SPORTS....................................... 23 GETOUT......................................28 PUZZLE.......................................29 CLASSIFIED..........................................32
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF GILBERT) | GilbertSunNews.com
Sunday, October 25, 2020
Legacy family mourns Gilbert slaying victim BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
T
he Bernal family’s roots run deep in Gilbert, having settled in the community five years before the town incorporated in 1920. Frank Bernal, whose dad took over the family hay-bailing business from his father, helped celebrate Gilbert’s centennial this year in a video, sharing memories of simpler times when farming was the way of life, canals were full of fish and people left their doors unlocked. “Modern technology is what made Gilbert,” the septuagenarian said in the Centennial video made for HD South. “But you can’t farm anything in Gilbert (anymore). You can’t farm anything in Gilbert or the Valley that will make you any money.” Gilbert may have shed its image as a sleepy
Frank Bernal farm town and its moniker “Hay Shipping Capital of the World” but its safety ranking still reigns supreme for a community reaching 260,000 residents.
LD17 senator is a million-dollar target
So, it came as a shock Oct. 11 when police found Bernal, 73, severely injured in his home after an apparent early-morning attack. He died nine days later – last Tuesday – from his injuries. Police spokeswoman Brenda Carrasco released a statement and declined to go beyond that. According to the statement, Gilbert police arrived to the 800 block of south Cooper Road shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, in response to a call about damage to a business’ exterior. “Officers arrived and located a trail of blood that led officers to a home near the 800 block of south 131st Street,” the statement read. “Officers located a 73-year-old male victim inside the home with serious injuries. The victim was transported to the
see BERNAL page 6
Fun at Regional Park
BY PAUL MARYNIAK GSN Executive Editor
C
handler state Sen. J.D. Mesnard has become a million-dollar target in his reelection bid in Legislative District 17, which also includes part of Gilbert. Independent organizations have spent $1,099,882 on advertising and other efforts to unseat him, according to campaign financials filed with the Arizona Secretary of State by Oct. 14. Another $507,558 has been spent by other independent organizations supporting the longtime Republican lawmaker’s campaign for a second term in the State Senate.
see ELECTION page 3
Kids flocked around Eric Hodgson and Kayla Frahm Oct. 17 to learn volleyball on the new sand lots at Gilbert Regional Park that opened with other amenities. For details, see page 5. (Pablo Robles/GSN Staff Photographer)