Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Dec. 6-8
Dec 8, 2019, 6:00 PM | Updated: 6:30 pm
(Facebook Photo/Katerra)
The closing of a Phoenix factory, another death following last week’s heavy flooding in Gila County and an officer-involved shooting in Mesa.
Here are some stories that headlined the news cycle, both locally and nationally, over the weekend.
California-based construction company closing Phoenix factory
A high-tech design and construction company based in the Bay Area is closing its west Phoenix factory and laying off workers after a new California facility made it obsolete.
Katerra announced Tuesday it plans to close the 250,000-square-foot facility near 43rd Avenue and Van Buren Street by the end of the year.
The semi-automated factory opened in 2017 and was Katerra’s first building components plant. It also has a showroom where clients can see the company’s products.
The Menlo Park-based company, which specializes in modular construction and was founded in 2015, is cutting 200 jobs, according to Bloomberg.
Man found dead in Tonto Creek 8 days after family of 9 swept away
A man has been found dead after trying to cross Tonto Creek just 20 miles north of Bar X where three children went missing and two were found dead after their family attempted to cross the creek in a truck.
The Gila County Sheriff’s Office said that the man was attempting to cross the creek in a four-door sedan.
A resident called for help after spotting the vehicle in the creek around 12:30 p.m. Officials found his body nearly 200 yards downstream.
Video: Man arrested after attempt to steal a wheelchair on Phoenix light rail
A man was caught on video in Phoenix on Friday attempting to steal a wheelchair from a woman while she was still sitting in it.
He was located and arrested for two outstanding warrants on Saturday and identified as 26-year-old Austin Brett Shurbutt.
The incident occurred at 3:40 p.m. inside a light rail car at the Jefferson Street stop, according to authorities.
Police investigating officer-involved shooting in Mesa
The Mesa Police Department was investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place Friday night.
According to authorities, the shooting happened at approximately 7:45 p.m. near the U.S. 60 and Alma School Road.
Officers were responding to a call at Ojos Locos Cantina after the restaurant reported having issues with several customers that were being disorderly and causing a disturbance, according to Mesa police detective Chris Adamczyk.
Loop 101 overnight restrictions scheduled through Friday morning
Overnight restrictions are scheduled to take place along the Loop 101 Pima Freeway in north Phoenix and Scottsdale until the end of the week, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The restrictions are part of ADOT’s $185 million Pima Freeway widening project that began earlier this year. Lanes will be added, in addition to other improvements, along 13 miles of the freeway between Interstate 17 and Pima Road upon completion.