ARIZONA NEWS
Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from June 12-14
PHOENIX — Arizona continues to see a surge in confirmed coronavirus cases, a wildfire closes the Grand Canyon’s North Rim and an arrest is made in connection to a Phoenix apartment fire.
Here are some stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
Arizona reports coronavirus case total more than 35,000
The Arizona health department reported 1,233 new coronavirus cases and three additional deaths Sunday morning.
That increased the state’s documented totals to 35,691 cases and 1,186 deaths.
The latest numbers come after Arizona saw its highest single-day case total to date on Friday, reporting 1,654 cases.
Grand Canyon’s North Rim closed until further notice due to Mangum Fire
A fire in northern Arizona prompted officials to temporarily close a portion of the Grand Canyon National Park.
The Mangum Fire burning in the Kaibab National Forest has forced the closure of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park until further notice, national park officials said in a press release Friday night.
According to the release, the wildfire had not burned within the park, but smoke was visible from both the North and South Rims.
The blaze also resulted in road closures that include Highway 89A between Bitter Springs and Fredonia, as well as State Route 67 to Grand Canyon National Park.
The road closures and the park’s North Rim closure remained in effect on Sunday, as well as a temporary flight restriction for the entire area.
Authorities make arrest in downtown Phoenix apartment fire
Authorities have made an arrest in connection to Sunday’s fire in downtown Phoenix at an apartment building under construction.
Ted Hopkins, 54, was arrested Friday night and booked into the Maricopa County Jail for one count of arson of an occupied structure, criminal damage, weapons violation and endangerment, the Phoenix Fire Investigation Task Force said in a press release early Saturday morning.
The task force, along with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have spent the past week processing the scene.
Bush Fire grows to 14,000 acres as part of State Route 87 remains closed
A brush fire that has closed State Route 87 from State Route 188 to the Bush Highway grew to approximately 14,000 acres on Sunday, according to Tonto National Forest officials.
The blaze, dubbed Bush Fire, is currently 0% contained and was human-caused, authorities said.
There are no evacuations in effect and no structures have been damaged.
“The fire is human-caused and remains under investigation,” Tonto National Forest officials said in a press release.
ASU makes face coverings mandatory, effective immediately
With reported coronavirus cases on the rise in the state, face coverings are now mandatory at Arizona State University, the school’s president announced Friday.
The policy follows health officials’ recommendations and applies to all employees, students and visitors in campus buildings or outdoor spaces where physical distancing isn’t possible, President Michael Crow said in a statement.
Crow said the requirement already was in the school’s plan for the fall semester but was being put into effect immediately.
