Weekend wrap-up: The biggest Arizona stories from Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Sep 1, 2019, 6:06 PM
A retired Goodyear fire fighter loses his battle to cancer, a transport company has been suspended following an inmate escape and Arizona has the most West Nile virus cases this year.
Here are some stories that headlined the news cycle, both locally and nationally, over the weekend.
Retired Goodyear firefighter dies from occupational cancer
Engineer Austin M. Peck passed away Saturday from complications with an unspecified cancer he contracted while on the job.
Peck was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and recently retired in July after eleven years with the department to continue his fight with cancer.
“No matter what the situation, Austin always treated everyone with compassion,” Goodyear Fire Chief Paul Luizzi said in a press release Sunday. “His brothers and sisters are remembering not just how skilled he was at his job, but also the humor he brought to the work we do each day, especially on the toughest of days.”
Goodyear Fire Department will memorialize Peck as a line-of-duty death.
Peck is survived by his wife Erin and two daughters, Marley and Harper.
Services have not been announced yet.
Arizona sheriff suspends transport company after inmate escape
Following the escape of two prison inmates, Pinal County Sheriff’s Department is suspending its contact with a Toepka, Kansas-based Security Transport Company.
According to a release by the department, STS has transported around 70 inmates at an approximate cost of $88,500 this year, according to the release. The department spent around $235,000 total in 2017 and 2018 for the company to move about 200 inmates, an average of $1,175 per inmate.
The current version of the contract expires in Nov. 2019.
Blane Barksdale, 56, and Susan Barksdale, 59, overpowered STS guards in Utah and escaped custody near St. Johns in eastern Arizona.
The Barksdales, who are considered armed and dangerous, are suspected in the April slaying of a 72-year-old Tucson man.
Authorities say the Barksdales may be driving through Arizona and were last seen in a Red GMC pickup truck with Arizona plate 127XTY.
Arizona leading nation in West Nile virus cases this year
Arizona has had 138 probable or confirmed cases of West Nile virus this year, Jessica Rigler, the state’s assistant director for public health awareness, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday.
“It’s certainly likely due to increased mosquito activity, which is why it’s so important for people to protect themselves against mosquito bites and to eliminate mosquito breeding areas by dumping any standing water around their yard,” Rigler said.
All but three of the cases have been in Maricopa County and 10 people have died from the virus.
Last year, there were 27 cases and six deaths in all of 2018.
Rigler said people can protect themselves by wearing long sleeves and pants and use repellent when going outside.
The virus can cause fever, headaches, body aches and nausea to more serious things like inflammation of the brain or spinal cord in rare instances. Most people infected by the virus will have no symptoms at all.
Phoenix police: Hospital patient dies after visit from ‘suspicious person’
A patient at HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center died Friday afternoon after a “suspicious person” visited them, according to authorities.
The man told hospital staff he was visiting the patient and left shortly after.
Nurses found the patient unresponsive and foaming at the mouth. They performed emergency live-saving actions, but the patient did not survive.
Anyone with information regarding the incident can contact the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6151.
Those that wish to remain anonymous can contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish.
Arizona Red Cross to help with Hurricane Dorian
More than 20 Arizonans are expected to help victims from Hurricane Dorian.
The Greater Phoenix chapter of the American Red Cross is sending its Mobile Feeding Truck to help distribute food, water and supplies.
“Ninety percent of our work staff are volunteers and they take time out of their family lives when they get deployed,” Red Cross Southwest regional communications manager Jim Gilloon told KTAR News 92.3 FM Sunday.
The American Red Cross will have more than 1,600 volunteers coming from around the country.
The vehicles will stage in Alabama to figure out where they are needed most.
