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March 26, 2020
Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
Schools focus on brains, bellies BY TOM SCANLON
Peoria Times Managing Editor
NEWS..............3 Casino in ‘hold-’em’ mode, folds temporarily
Jibriel Saunders offers fresh produce at Peoria Elementary School as part of the “grab-and-go” meal service. (Photo courtesy Peoria Unified School District)
With marching orders to take care of young minds and midsections, school administrators scrambled to develop plans in the era of COVID-19. Peoria leaders had to act swiftly March 15, when Gov. Doug Ducey closed schools for two weeks. On Friday, March 20, Ducey extended the closures by another two weeks, through April 10. In his March 15 proclamation, Ducey also ordered: “School administrators should make every effort to provide continued education learning opportunities through online resources or materials that can be sent home.”
City worker tests positive BY TOM SCANLON
SPORTS......... 14 Spring high school sports on pause for COVID-19
OPINION.................10 BUSINESS...............12 SPORTS...................14 CALENDAR.............18 FEATURES...............22 RELIGION................25 YOUTH....................27 CLASSIFIEDS...........28
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Peoria Times Managing Editor
The global COVID-19 pandemic that started in China has landed in Peoria. “We were made aware that a city of Peoria employee tested positive for the COVID-19 virus,” Jennifer Stein, a city spokeswoman, said Tuesday, March 24. “This employee was last on the city premises on March 11. All known city staff who have recently interacted with the employee have been notified.” She added that instructions and exposure protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were provided to staff members.
“Also per CDC protocol, the city has undergone a deep cleaning of potentially affected areas. Similar cleaning measures will be undertaken in various city facilities, and we will continue our elevated efforts to disinfect and sanitize,” Stein said. Stein declined to say when the city was notified or give other details. “To protect the privacy rights of the employee, the individual’s name and department will not be released,” she said. Following the mayors of many other West Valley cities, Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat declared a state of local emergency in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic Thursday, March 19. SEE CITY WORKER PAGE 4
And Ducey noted, “School administrators should develop a plan to continue breakfast and lunch services for Arizona students.” After last week’s spring break, the Peoria Unified School District started serving meals Monday, March 23. Jibriel Saunders, a chef who is a Peoria High School graduate, harvested the garden at Peoria Elementary and handed out fresh produce to go with lunches. “It was wonderful to see the smiles on the faces of our students and their families,” said Brenda LoPresto, Peoria Elementary’s principal. “We want our students and families SEE SCHOOLS PAGE 2
Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat declared a “state of local emergency” and temporarily closed in-person participation at city council meetings. (Peoria Times file photo)
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