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Lesko votes against $2,000 stimulus checks
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INSIDE
This Week
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Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
December 31, 2020
The top 20 stories of turbulent 2020
BY TOM SCANLON
Peoria Times Managing Editor
NEWS..............6 Vaccine rollout continues as COVID-19 spreads
YOUTH.......... 20 Other districts online, PUSD classrooms open
OPINION.................10 BUSINESS...............12 FEATURES...............14 RELIGION................18 YOUTH....................20 CLASSIFIEDS...........21
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An unforgettable, often regrettable year is coming to a close. The COVID-19 pandemic was a true global disaster, killing millions around the world, including more than 5,000 in Maricopa County. Though Peoria’s year was largely shaped by the devastating spread of the coronavirus—and the shutdowns and slowdowns called by state, county and school officials—there was quite a bit of “nonCOVID news” in 2020. Here are some of the top stories of the year in Peoria: 20. New PUSD leader The retirement of the highly respected
Good news in a tough year: The Sunrise Mountain Mustangs scored a trophy with the school’s first football state championship. (Photo by Eric Newman)
Linda Palles Thompson cleared the way for Dr. Jason Reynolds, an energetic, new Peoria Unified School District superinten-
dent. He needed the energy, as weeks into his SEE TOP
20 PAGE 2
Peoria provides COVID-19 assistance BY TOM SCANLON
Peoria Times Managing Editor
While other cities have been hesitant to spend federal funding related to the pandemic, Peoria aggressively launched programs to help residents and businesses. The AZCares Fund filtered $440 million of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) money to cities and towns. Peoria received just over $20 million, about $9 million less than Glendale. But Peoria has been much quicker to
distribute portions of those funds than Glendale and other cities. According to information on the AZCares Fund, “The direct allocations must be used on payroll expenses related to an entity’s public health and public safety expenses from March 1 through Dec. 30.” When he released the money months ago, however, Gov. Doug Ducey said he wanted cities to have “maximum flexibility” in the way they used their CARES funds. In June, when Ducey made the announcement, Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat
said, “This funding from the AZCares Fund will help Peoria get dollars where they are needed most. “My thanks to Gov. Ducey for his work to streamline this funding so we can put it to use quickly and efficiently.” Carlat was good to her word, as Peoria residents impacted by COVID-19 can receive up to $500 per month to assist with their utility bills and up to $1,500 per month to assist with their rent or mortgage up to three months. SEE ASSISTANCE PAGE 3
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