Apr 20 - May 3, 2019 | www.santansun.com
Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler and our neighboring communities
Chandler Unified building $18M school bus depot BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer
Chandler Unified School District is preparing to begin construction of an $18-million school bus yard north of Ocotillo Road between Arizona Avenue and McQueen Road and complete it by September. The new facility will feature 16 bus bays, lifts and new servicing
equipment. The site will also have a lounge for bus drivers and administrative offices and be centrally located in the district. Steve Hewitt, director of community education and transportation for CUSD, said the new yard is needed because of the increasing difficulty in maintaining the current bus hub and satellite site because of growth over the last 30 years.
“Currently we deliver over 11,000 students on about 200 general routes each day; we do another 40 on athletic trips and field trips. So, getting to one location is great for us and then our efficiencies can really, really improve by being at one location,” said Hewitt. The main bus yard, located on Hamilton Road, is far north of a majority of the district’s schools.
An additional pop-up bus service site was created last July across the street from Perry High School after the service station on the school’s lot was forced out to make room for additional parking spaces. “Every time we open a satellite site you need at least four leadership staff, dispatch, radios, reception and phones and a See
BUILDING on page 12
Chandler rallies for boy, 11, facing 3rd cancer battle BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer
A Chandler community has rallied around 11-year-old Kameron Sherman as he faces his third bout with rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive soft tissue and bone cancer. Neighbors came together April 16 to raise money for the Sherman family at Zzeeks Pizza and Wings, which donated 20 percent of total profits from the day to the family. The event was also a testament to the community’s support of Kameron, as local organizations like the Chandler Police Department, teachers from his school, Basha Elementary and even strangers donated over $8,500 worth of baskets raffled off throughout the evening. An additional GoFundMe campaign has raised over $50,000 for the family. “The power of this community and their constant support has really helped Kameron and his family more than I think anyone realizes.
This has been a scary time for [the Shermans] but with the community and God behind them, I don’t think they’ve ever felt alone,” said family friend Jennifer Lyle. Lyle said before his diagnosis, Kameron was a typical boy. He was active, a fan of practical jokes and pranks, highly involved with his church and a kind and courageous leader in school. But a spill on the field in March of 2017 led to an alarmingly large bruise and a trip to the hospital, where doctors discovered the aggressive cancer as well as an orange-sized tumor behind Kameron’s bladder. “For a 9-year-old kid who was really social and athletic and outgoing it's tough because his entire world and way of life changed,” said Lyle. On the day of his 9th birthday, Kameron started 54 weeks of chemo, six weeks of radiation and a dramatic change in lifestyle. “He wasn't able to enjoy the
See
BATTLE on page 14
Kameron Sherman, 11, keeps his sense of humor during his battle with a rare form of cancer while his family and community rally around him. (Special to SanTan Sun News)
Teen’s death brought life to Chandler boy, three others BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer
Hugs were shared and tears were shed last week as an Ahwatukee couple met the recipient of their late granddaughter’s kidney – one of four people whose lives were saved by the 16-year-old’s organs. The reunion, hosted by Phoenix Children’s Hospital, was part of Heroes for Hope – an effort by the Donor Network of Arizona to educate the public on the importance of organ donations and encourage them to register as donors.
Zoe Mar, an Ahwatukee native, was 16 when she died of a brain aneurysm, but the memory of her giving nature lives on through Jovani Perez, a 7-yearold Chandler boy whose health was declining because of a defective kidney he was born with. Today, Jovani dances and runs to prove his newfound resilience as a result of Zoe’s gift of life. “I get to play now and be with my friends,” said Jovani. “I tell them [a kidney is] a thing that needs a lot of water and it helps your body be healthy.” Jovani’s life is filled with laughter and See
ORGANS on page 8
F E AT U R E STO R I E S Tech school district chief ousted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chandler care care firm gives back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chandler athletes impress at ASU Pro Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seton students bond with foreign visitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chandler Children's choir plans novel concert . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charcuterie the focus of new restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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