Weekend wrap-up: The biggest Arizona stories from Aug. 14-16
Additional federal benefits for unemployed Arizonans and Valley schools districts grappling with the coronavirus pandemic are among some of the biggest stories of the weekend.
(Flickr/Gage Skidmore)
(Flickr/Gage Skidmore)
PHOENIX — Unemployed Arizonans are going to get $300 in federal benefits, Valley schools and districts grapple with the coronavirus pandemic and a fitness facility can reopen after reaching an agreement with local health officials.
Here are some stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
$300 federal unemployment benefits available to Arizonans this week
The state’s request for federal help with unemployment benefits has been approved, the Arizona Department of Economic Security confirmed to KTAR News 92.3 on Saturday.
The $300 in Lost Wages Assistance funding comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency under an executive order signed recently by President Donald Trump will begin this week.
The extra payments will bring Arizona’s maximum unemployment benefit to $540 weekly. It would be made retroactively for each week after July 26 where previous federal payments may have lapsed, according to a press release from Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Friday.
Phoenix Union postpones sports until COVID-19 benchmarks are met
Phoenix Union in a press release on Friday announced sports activities will be postponed starting Monday until state and county health coronavirus benchmarks are met for a safe return.
Sports conditioning was cautiously allowed during the summer in preparation for fall sports and to keep students positively engaged during the pandemic.
The school, however, does not feel it is safe to continue in-person workouts, saying in the release that the community spread of COVID-19 still far exceeds recently released health benchmarks for a return to school.
While the hope is athletics will resume later in the school year, Phoenix Union said they must place the health and safety of students, coaches and the community ahead of the desire to allow students to compete in sports.
EOS Fitness reopening after reaching agreement with AZDHS, Ducey
EOS Fitness announced they will reopen Arizona locations starting Saturday at 8 a.m. for workouts by reservation.
In an e-mail to members, EOS Fitness’ CEO Rich Drengberg said they came to a reopening agreement with Gov. Ducey and the Arizona Department of Health Services to reopen their facilities.
According to the center’s website, guests will be required to make reservations up to 24 hours in advance, and gym capacity will be limited to 100 people at a time.
The centers will also require face coverings at all times, even when taking a class or doing cardio. Additional requirements include members sanitizing their own equipment between uses and practicing social distancing.
J.O. Combs school district cancels all classes Monday due to lack of staff
A metro Phoenix school district that originally planned to start in-person learning next week announced Friday they’ve canceled all classes Monday due to insufficient staffing.
J.O. Combs Unified School District, located in San Tan Valley, was planning to start in-person learning Monday following a governing board vote.
The district reversed its decision following an overwhelming response of staff saying they do not feel safe returning to classrooms with students.
Kayla Fulmer, director of marketing and community relations, told KTAR News that 109 teachers and staff have said they’ll be absent Monday. The district has around 600 teachers and staff.
“At this time, we do not know the duration of these staff absences, and cannot yet confirm when in-person instruction may resume,” Superintendent Dr. Gregory A. Wyman said in a statement.
Phoenix breaks record for most days reaching 115 degrees in a year
Phoenix set another heat record.
The mercury reached 115 degrees on Friday for the eighth time in 2020, the most ever in a year, according to the National Weather Service.
The temperature actually reached a scorching 117 degrees by 4 p.m. Friday.
The previous record of seven days was recorded in 1974.
During periods of extreme heat, experts advise people to stay hydrated, limit the amount of time outside, try to stay inside air conditioned buildings and remember to check on elderly family members and neighbors.
People should also watch for warning signs of heat-related illnesses, which can include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache and nausea.
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