Get an earful / P. 6
Get a seatbelt / P. 10
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
INSIDE
This Week
BUSINESS ................. 24 Mesa company launches Alzheimer's study.
SPORTS ................. 30 Meet the 'X Factor.'
GETOUT ................ 33 Going big and beautiful with Disney. COMMUNITY................................. 2 0 BUSINESS....................................... 2 4 OPINION......................................... 2 7 SPORTS........................................... 3 0 GETOUT ........................................ 33 CLASSIFIED................................... .36 Zone 1
Sunday, June 19, 2022
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE THE EAST VALLEY) | TheMesaTribune.com
Mesa moving on massive pipeline for more water BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Tribune Staff Writer
M
esa city officials have been talking about the Central Mesa Reuse Pipeline for years, and the big infrastructure project may take a step closer to reality tomorrow, June 20, when City Council will consider selecting a contractor for the project and awarding $3 million for preconstruction services. When finished, the planned 3-foot-wide underground pipeline would move millions
Mesa to ratchet up illegal fireworks crackdown
of gallons of reclaimed wastewater a day 10 miles south from the Northwest Wastewater treatment plant at Thomas Road and Val Vista Drive for ultimate delivery to the Gila River Indian Community’s agricultural fields. With an estimated $90 million price tag, the project is a major undertaking, both financially and in terms of public inconvenience during construction, which could last up to two years. But the city believes the costs and impacts will be worth it, potentially expanding Mesa’s access to Colorado River water at a relatively cheap price.
That’s vital for continued growth, leaders say, particularly for southeast Mesa, where industrial growth is rapid and current and prospective users are seeking access to large volumes of water. Following a study of routes, officials selected a path for the pipeline completely within city rights-of-way beneath public streets, meaning crews will have to dig up portions of roadways to install the pipeline. The pipeline route heads south down Val
All kings and queens
see PIPELINE page 4
BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Tribune Staff Writer
W
ith the July 4 holiday approaching, Mesa police and fire and medical officials briefed the City Council on plans for enforcing fireworks laws this year during its June 16 discussion session. Several council members said they are inundated with calls and emails each year complaining about fireworks. Mesa PD Commander Mike Beaton told council members that the department receives about 1,300 calls related to fireworks annually, concentrated around the Fourth of July and Memorial Day. Vice Mayor Jenn Duff said illegal use of fireworks is “very disruptive to people’s lives, their
see FIREWORKS page 3
As Ben Barrus as Mufasa shows Caleb Evans, young Simba the sights, the ensemble cast danced to “grass of the Pride Lands” in a unique production sponsored by the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, Arizona Disabled Sports and Red Mountain High School Theatre in Disney’s “The Lion King Jr” last weekend at the school. The cast comprised all disabled students dressed in an array of colorful costumes. For the story, see page 20. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)
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