Weekend wrap-up: The biggest Arizona stories from July 31 to Aug. 2
Aug 2, 2020, 5:29 PM | Updated: 5:48 pm
(Getty Images/Guillermo Legaria)
(Getty Images/Guillermo Legaria)
PHOENIX — Arizona continues to endure the coronavirus pandemic, soaring temperatures scorch Phoenix in historic fashion and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office seeks volunteer consultants for a citizen review board.
Here are some stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
Arizona reports 1,465 new coronavirus cases, 18 more deaths
Arizona health authorities reported 1,465 new coronavirus cases and 18 additional deaths on Sunday morning.
The numbers brought the state’s documented totals to 178,467 COVID-19 cases and 3,765 deaths, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
In recent weeks spread of the coronavirus in Arizona has been showing signs of slowing.
The positive rate for diagnostic PCR tests in the state, which indicates how much the virus is spreading, is falling.
Weekly rates are based on when the samples are taken, not when they are reported, so the percentage for recent weeks can fluctuate as labs get caught up on testing backlogs.
Phoenix sets heat record for second consecutive day
The heat in Phoenix has shown no signs of slowing down this summer.
On the same day it was announced July 2020 will go down as the hottest month in history, Phoenix set a record high for the second consecutive day.
The temperature at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport reached 116 degrees at about 4 p.m. Friday.
It surpassed the daily record for July 31 of 115 degrees set in 1996.
On Thursday, Phoenix shattered an 86-year-old record for the date, hitting 118 degrees to blow past the 115 degrees recorded July 30, 1934.
Survey shows teens concerned returning to classroom amid COVID-19
As the first day of school in Arizona nears, a survey found two-thirds of teens are concerned about returning to in-person classes in the fall because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The survey released on Wednesday from 501(c)3 non-profit Junior Achievement and ENGINE Insights found that 66% of the 1,000 students aged 13 to 17 who responded were concerned about attending school on campus in the fall, with 39% saying they are “extremely” or “very” concerned.
Katherine Cecala, president of Junior Achievement of Arizona, told KTAR News 92.3 FM that 71% of teens say parents and caregivers are also worried about in-person education in the fall.
More than half of the students surveyed expressed a desire for an online component to education this fall, according to the release, with 36% preferring a blended schedule and 30% wanting exclusively online courses.
Maricopa County seeking volunteer consultants for citizen review board
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is seeking volunteer consultants to serve on its citizen review board for officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths.
The agency is looking for 1-3 qualified members to serve on the board on a rotational basis.
Volunteers will be among those to provide their input to Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel on the likelihood of a crime being committed in an incident and the chances of a conviction if criminal charges are filed.
“Increasing transparency and accountability is a priority for this office and the addition of outside members to this process supports my commitment to collaborating with the community,” Adel said in a press release.
Since volunteers will give personal views on the legality of incidents, those with a background in criminal law will be heavily considered.
Tucson-based retailer cuts ties with 3 Colorado stores amid abuse case
A vintage clothing retailer based in Tucson has cut ties with three of its Colorado stores after dozens of anonymous allegations of employee abuse surfaced on social media this week.
Buffalo Exchange has stores in 19 states, with three locations in Denver and Boulder.
“As of today, our relationship with the Buffalo Exchange Colorado franchise stores is terminated,” Corporate Vice President Rebecca Block said in an open letter Thursday.
The Denver Police Department with help from the FBI are investigating the allegations against Colorado franchise managing partner Patrick Todd Colletti of sexual assault, underage drug and alcohol abuse, fraud and theft, The Denver Post reported.
