HDSOUTH fundraising campaign
Gilbert seeing more bucks in classrooms
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An edition of the East Valley Tribune
INSIDE
This Week
REAL ESTATE ISSUE
COMMUNITY.......... 19 Gilbert teen is state oratory champ.
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF GILBERT) | GilbertSunNews.com
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Gilbert seniors a big concern amid virus’ spread GSN NEWS STAFF
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enior-living communities in Gilbert are on heightened alert as the coronavirus pandemic continues making an impact across the East Valley and Arizona. Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, lung disease and heart disease are at the most risk of the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But as Gilbert’s public schools were scheduled to reopen after spring break, students appeared likely to be returning to classes this week – unlike their counterparts in Mesa and Tempe – although that could change before Monday. Gov. Doug Ducey, state Health Director Cara Christ and state Superintendent Kathy Hoff-
man conferred by phone Thursday with 400 school administrators across Arizona, saying there was no need to close schools. “There’s simply no greater priority than the health and safety of our kids,” said Ducey. “We are taking proactive measures to ensure our schools have the tools necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19 and keep our kids healthy.” Hoffman said she and her aides are “working closely with public health officials to ensure we are taking the right steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.” But the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints decided there was a need to terminate all services, meetings and any other gatherings in Gilbert and across the globe for an undetermined length of time. Park University in Gilbert was taking no
chances, and directed that all classes will be online for an undetermined length of time. In-person classes were called off for this week at Chandler Gilbert Community College and its sister campus. The town also announced several future events were cancelled, including the popular Kapow! Superhero Adventure Race and the Global Village Festival. They joined cancelations of major regional events such as the Ostrich Festival this weekend and the Spring Tempe Arts Festival at the end of the month. The CDC last week said if an outbreak were to occur in a community, it could last for a long time. It advised those at a higher risk of getting sick to avoid crowds, practice good hygiene, avoid nonessential travel and stock up
see VIRUS page 14
Apartments at Cooper- Swinging in spring Baseline get initial OK BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
BUSINESS................. 25 Meet the owner of Gilbert’s newest gym.
COMMUNITY...................... 19 BUSINESS............................25 OPINION...............................29 SPORTS................................. 31 GETOUT................................33 CLASSIFIED......................... 37
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shopping center owner wants to knock down some store buildings in north Gilbert that have sat vacant for nearly eight years and put in a 205-unit apartment complex instead. Town Council is expected to vote March 24 on SyWest Development’s request for a general plan amendment and rezone for 8.63 acres at the southwest corner of Cooper and Baseline roads in the Shoppes At Gilbert Commons, which includes tenants Kohl’s, Ross and Old Navy. The Planning Commission voted 5-2 earlier this month to recommend the Council approve the requests, going against
see COMMONS page 6
The recent Gilbert Spring Fling held to raise money for Phoenix Children’s Hospital brought Sadie Tenney to take a crack at golf. For a look at how others enjoyed the event, see page 20. (Chris Mortenson/GSN Staff Photographer)