Forum grills mayoral hopefuls / P. 2
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
INSIDE
NEWS ................................ 6 Anasazi principal "Rookie of the Year."
NEIGHBORS ............. 16 Artist spruces up Old Town cowboy.
FOOD...............................21 Eateries primed for Restaurant Week.
NEIGHBORS ..........................................16 BUSINESS ...............................................18 OPINION ................................................20 FOOD ........................................................ 21 CLASSIFIEDS ........................................22
City getting $29M in virus aid / P. 10
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF SCOTTSDALE) | scottsdale.org
Sunday, May 31, 2020
What virus? Crowds inundate Scottsdale bars BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Progress Managing Editor
H
undreds of patrons packed into a handful of downtown Scottsdale bars and clubs over Memorial Day weekend in apparent defiance of social distancing guidelines, drawing sharp criticism from city leaders. “The images from Old Town Scottsdale this weekend are disturbing and frankly show a real lack of common sense and civic responsibility,” Mayor Jim Lane said in a statement on May 26. Lane two days later softened his stance after meeting with club owners and management. He said the clubs took some precautions but were overwhelmed by an unexpectedly robust turnout that may have included visitors from California, Las Vegas and even the Midwest seeking to escape more stringent closures.
Patrons at Bottled Blonde in downtown Scottsdale were packed in shoulder to shoulder on Memorial Day. (Photo by Wayne Schutsky)
Lane said seven area hotels were booked to capacity over the weekend – a stark change from just weeks ago, when hotel occupancy in the area dropped below 10 percent.
“And even with some well-meaning entertainment venue owners and their protocols
this August. But those guidelines, which Hoffman was expected to release May 30 – after the Progress’ deadline – will only be the beginning of a difficult task for Scottsdale Unified and other districts as they peer into a murky future that’s only about eight weeks away. Even before report cards were finished
and virtual graduations conducted, incoming Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel and Superintendent Dr. John Kriekard “have discussed the planning that is needed and have agreed on a process,” said SUSD spokeswoman Amy Bolton.
see BARS page 4
COVID-19 cloud hangs over next school year BY PAUL MARYNIAK Progress Executive Editor
P
erhaps the most significant announcement Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman will ever make was expected this weekend as she rolls out guidelines for reopening schools
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see SCHOOLS page 8
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