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Woman allegedly runs over officer, flees scene
NEWS..............6 All-American Festival stays home this year
OPINION.................12 BUSINESS...............14 FEATURES...............16 RELIGION................20 YOUTH....................23 CLASSIFIEDS...........25
June 18, 2020
Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
Peoria Unified cancels graduations BY TOM SCANLON
Peoria Times Managing Editor
NEWS..............2
22
There will be no tearful speeches, no hearty handshakes and congratulatory hugs, no flying caps this year for Peoria Unified School District seniors. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the cancellation of our graduation ceremonies that were rescheduled to take place June 25, 26 and 27,” said a letter from David Sandoval, the PUSD board president, and Linda Palles Thompson, the PUSD superintendent, to graduates and their families. “Given the increase in COVID-19 cases, we have determined it is not in the best interest of our students, staff, parents and community to proceed with these events,” said the June 15 letter.
According to Danielle Airey, a PUSD spokeswoman, “Our leadership team made the decision after input from the board, parents and the guidance from the Arizona Department of Health Services.” The state advised against large ceremonies, the letter noted. “ADHS has released guidance recommending that mass events, specifically graduations, do not take place at this time. We received this guidance SEE GRADUATION PAGE 5
Unlike last year, when Sunrise Mountain High’s 2019 grads tossed caps in the air, this year’s Peoria Unifed graduates will not be celebrating with a big ceremony. (Photo courtesy PUSD)
‘Concerning’ COVID increases, more testing BY TOM SCANLON
Peoria Times Managing Editor
COVID-19 cases in the state, county and West Valley — especially Glendale — rose dramatically over the last two weeks. With more drive-thru testing sites opening, the number of positive tests may take another jump this week. An influx of coronavirus patients contributed to more than 80% of state hospital beds being occupied. Yet Gov. Doug Ducey repeatedly told reporters at a June 11 news conference that the state is in good shape
“We would like to assure the public that we have the available bed capacity and surge lines are in place to continue to serve the people of Arizona,” Ducey said. “We are well prepared to manage an increased inpatient volume.” At a news conference the day before, Maricopa County Department of Public Health officials addressed sharply rising numbers of people testing positive and going to the hospital for COVID-19. Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, the county health director, said community spread of COVID-19 is increasing rapidly and “hospitals are filling up.” She stressed the importance of social distancing.
“Until we have a vaccine, we cannot go back to the way things were pre-COVID-19. I know this is not what people want to hear, but in order to keep our community safe and protect our most vulnerable, we have to create a new normal,” added Marcy Flanagan, executive director of MCDPH. “We expected to see an increase in cases with more people out and about, but the rate at which cases are increasing is concerning. And, the thing is, we have the tools to absolutely slow our rate of infection if each of us does our part,” added Flanagan. An analysis of the daily data provided by the SEE TESTING PAGE 4
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