Mask rage at MPS / P. 6
Cooper's Mesa gig / P. 3
Sunday, August 29. 2021
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE THE EAST VALLEY) | TheMesaTribune.com
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
Mesa tops a half million, but not Tucson BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Managing Editor
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here did everyone go? Even though the U.S. Census shows Mesa’s population grew to over a half million, solidifying its rank as the secondlargest city in Maricopa County...it was still a far cry from earlier projections. According to Census information released by the Maricopa Association of Governments,
Mesa’s of�icial new population is 504,258. That population is greater than the number of people who live in Pinal County (425,264), and second only in Maricopa County to powerhouse Phoenix (1,608,139). After Mesa comes Chandler (275,987), Gilbert (267,918), Glendale (248,325) and Scottsdale (241,631). Mesa’s population grew in the last decade by 65,217, a 15 percent increase from the 439,041 who were counted here in 2010.
Even so …. The of�icial number for 2020 is far below the U.S. Census 2019 estimate for Mesa of 518,012 – not to mention MAG’s previous estimate of around 550,000. Though some thought Mesa might challenge Tucson as the second-biggest city in the state, it’s not even close: The census counted 542,629 in Tucson.
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Mesa booster clubs hope for ‘normal’ season
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NEWS ............................ 4 Sports betting is coming to Arizona in 10 days in a big way.
COMMUNITY ............. 18 At 88, Mesa nurse is still going strong.. COMMUNITY ............................... 18 BUSINESS ..................................... 21 OPINION .. ..................................... 23 SPORTS ........................................ 26 PUZZLES ...................................... 29 CLASSIFIED ................................. 30 Zone
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BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor
From left, Sara Peavler, Krystal Schmier, Kim Rowley and Leslie Heidrick, all members of the Red Mountain Football Touchdown Club, are hopeful for a more “normal” season after they estimated a 50 percent loss in revenue last year due to the pandemic. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)
he COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on businesses last fall, forcing many to limit their donations and sponsorships for Mesa high school athletic programs. That led to a loss of funds for team booster clubs, which support the athletes and the program through sponsorships and other fundraisers. Many programs saw losses of nearly 50 percent from 2019 – an astronomical hit for some of the bigger teams. But as high school football season begins this week in Arizona, fall sports teams are preparing for what they hope will be a normal season due to the widespread availability of the vaccine. And boosters are hoping for better year in terms of revenue and the athletes’ overall well-being. “I’m excited for the kids because they get
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