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The death penalty brings out the worst in people
April 1, 2021
Peoria responds to Ducey’s executive order BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Peoria Times Executive Editor
OPINION..........9
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The city of Peoria’s fourth proclamation requiring facial coverings in public settings is no longer effective in light of Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order 2021-06, according to Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat. The existing mitigation policies inside city facilities and at city-sponsored events and programs remain in place. Going forward, these policies may vary from facility to facility and will be evaluated and updated weekly with a phased reopening approach. The COVID-19 metrics show progress
for Peoria, which is among the lowest in the Valley for percent positive testing results and new cases per 100,000 residents. These numbers place Peoria in the moderate category of community transmission. In terms of vaccine distribution, Peoria residents are ahead as well. While 14% of Arizona and 13% of the U.S. population are fully vaccinated, 20.7% of Peoria residents have received their full doses of vaccine. Among other factors, these metrics are central to Peoria’s approach to balancing the safety and health of Peoria residents with the needs of individuals and businesses to return to pre-pandemic levels of activity.
“This reduction in cases is a testament to how hard Peoria residents have worked to keep each other safe and healthy during this pandemic,” Carlat said. “Because of our diligence, we have also been able to support our local business community so they could continue to serve residents.” The city will continue to monitor trending COVID-19 data, mitigating and adjusting programs and services where necessary. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arizona Department of Health Services and Maricopa County Department of Public Health still recommend individuals wear facial coverings when physical distancing is not possible.
West Valley freeways pave way for economic growth BY MARCUS BRAITHWAITE
Peoria Times Contributing Writer
BUSINESS..... 10 Karma has exclusive rights to luxury electric vehicle
OPINION...................8 BUSINESS...............10 SPORTS...................11 FEATURES...............15 RELIGION................17 YOUTH....................19 CLASSIFIEDS...........21
The West Valley has become a driving force for economic growth in Arizona, and the region is staying in the fast lane with development along five hot business corridors. Its proximity to California ports and strategic connections to Mexico and the CANAMEX Corridor historically have provided the West Valley with the ability to attract companies and workforce talent — but now, those opportunities are booming as significant freeway development and advanced industry corridors circle the western suburbs. According to Sintra Hoffman, president and CEO of WESTMARC, there is more
than 11 million square feet of approved square footage for office, entertainment, health care and retail, and other advanced industries along freeway frontage in the West Valley. These key commerce corridors, Hoffman said, highlight diverse and industry-specific uses, such as health care, advanced business services, information technology, manufacturing, engineering and aerospace, and logistics and supply-chain management. The region serves as a major transportation hub and access point via roughly 200 miles of freeway frontage along the Loops 101, 202 and 303 and Interstates 10 and 17. Rick Buss, economic development director for the city of Peoria, agreed that trans-
portation is a key component to long-term economic and social prosperity of the West Valley. “The West Valley is home to the I-10, I-17, 101, 202 and the 303 — connecting residents and businesses efficiently,” he said. “When locating a business to Peoria, we are able to talk about the benefits of the quick and easy access to anywhere in the Valley, as well as key distribution destinations for regional, national and international trade.”
Loop 202 technology corridor
The South Mountain Freeway has long
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