Weekend wrap-up: The biggest Arizona stories from Feb. 28 – March 1

New coronavirus testing, a settlement involving a service dog and a local bar and the Scottsdale PD nabs its suspect after appealing to the public for help.

BY KTAR.COM

Mar 1, 2020, 6:11 PM

Follow on Google News

(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Arizona’s same-day coronavirus testing, a settlement involving a service dog and a local bar and the Scottsdale Police Department catch their suspect after appealing to the public for help.

Here are some stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.

Arizona health department to start same-day coronavirus testing

Arizona is set to become one of just a handful of states that will be able to perform same-day testing for coronavirus.

Cara Christ, director of Arizona Department of Health Services, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday that the state is expected to begin the testing on Monday.

The state’s public health lab was recently validated for the testing, which set the plan in motion, Christ said.

Previously, potential Arizona coronavirus patients had to get their tests sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Depending on when the tests came in, we’d be able to take public health action that day,” Christ said.

Settlement reached between Phoenix bar, man with service dog turned away

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office has settled a civil complaint against a Phoenix bar that allegedly turned away a man because of his service dog, Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced in a press release Friday.

In January 2018, O’Brien’s Sports Bar employees allegedly told Bill Larson he could not bring in his service dog, an American Bulldog named Whopper.

O’Brien’s agreed to pay $7,500 to Larson and $2,500 in civil penalty to Arizona.

The bar also agreed to implement policies to prohibit discrimination based on disability, train employees to understand the Arizonans with Disabilities Act, and post a sign stating service animals are welcome.

Major supplier of Arizona firefighters’ worker’s comp leaves market

While lawmakers contemplate legislation that would guarantee worker’s compensation for firefighters battling cancer, one of the industry’s most prominent suppliers announced it is leaving the market.

CopperPoint Insurance Companies earlier this month notified policyholders — including those in cities and fire districts across Arizona — of the decision.

“Unfortunately, workers’ compensation insurance within the municipal and fire district marketplace has become increasingly volatile and difficult to properly assess – which is why most private insurance carriers stopped covering these customers years ago,” CopperPoint said in a statement to KTAR News 92.3 FM.

After seeking help, Scottsdale police arrest suspect in bank robbery

Police arrested a Scottsdale bank robbery suspect Thursday evening after seeking the public’s help with identifying him earlier in the day.

Scottsdale detectives took Jeffrey M. Browning, 49, into custody at his Phoenix residence, the Scottsdale Police Department announced Friday.

No details were given about how investigators linked Browning to the robbery at the Comerica Bank at Scottsdale and McDowell roads.

Arizona House passes bill that would allow police at polling stations

Police at the polls?

It could be allowed in Arizona after House lawmakers passed HB-2268 31-29 along party lines. The state Senate will consider the bill next.

Republican state Rep. John Kavanagh recalled his experience seeing police monitor polling locations in New York City “to make sure there’s no disruption.”

He claimed police presence was necessary “to make sure that no one was trying to intimidate voters, as would sometimes happen.”

Democrats like House Minority Leader Charlene Fernandez argue the opposite would happen, accusing Republicans of making it harder for voters to cast their ballots.

“I can’t wait until we get to the day when we open that door where people that live in this state — and are citizens of this country — can vote freely in our elections, with no fear of being arrested, or pointed out, or being investigated,” she said.

KTAR.com

KTAR.com is the online home of KTAR News on 92.3 FM, the Voice of Arizona. We're your source for breaking news, traffic, weather and the stories that matter to you.

Comments

0 Comments