Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Oct. 2-4
Oct 4, 2020, 6:00 PM
PHOENIX — Safely trick-or-treating during the coronavirus pandemic, the manhunt for a former MLB player suspected in a killing and the former Surgeon General was disappointed in how President Donald Trump has handled the coronavirus.
Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
Trick or treat? Arizona health director says Halloween can be done safely
Arizona’s top health official said there’s no reason to disappoint kids looking forward to trick-or-treating, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
“Actually, my littlest one was crying the other day saying, ‘Please don’t cancel Halloween,’” Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Friday.
Christ said trick-or-treating can be done safely as long as participants wear face masks – the protective kind, not the costume kind – and follow social distancing guidelines as much as possible.
She suggested putting twists on traditional trick-or-treating like putting treats out in bags for kids to pick up without contact or throwing the candy.
Police find body of former MLB player suspected in Scottsdale killing
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Scottsdale police have identified the body of a 37-year-old former MLB player who is suspecting of killing his ex-girlfriend.
Charles Haeger was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound along the rim trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon Saturday afternoon, according to police.
On Friday night, Haeger allegedly shot and killed 34-year-old Danielle Breed and pointed a gun at her roommate, who was able to escape, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.
The investigation into Haeger’s death is still ongoing.
Former Surgeon General disappointed in Trump’s reaction to coronavirus
Dr. Richard Carmona, the former U.S. Surgeon General who served under former President George W. Bush from 2002 to 2006, said Friday he thought President Donald Trump missed an opportunity to be a guiding figure of good public health behavior amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m disappointed that the president had an unusual opportunity, as probably the most visible person in the world, to model the behavior that he would want everybody in the United States to exemplify,” Carmona told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad. “That is wearing a mask, social distancing, washing your hands frequently.”
Trump and first lady Melania Trump both tested positive for the coronavirus early Friday morning after a top aide tested positive on Thursday.
Trump was later taken to Walter Reed Medical Center where he was receiving treatment.
Donald Trump gives COVID-19 update in Twitter video from hospital
President Donald Trump posted a video to Twitter on Saturday speaking from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in which he expressed optimism in the battle against COVID-19 for both himself and first lady Melania Trump.
“I’m starting to feel good,” he said. “Over the next period of a few days, I guess that’s the real test, so we’ll be seeing what happens over those next couple of days.”
Trump released a similar video on Sunday where he said he “learned a lot about COVID” and teased that he would briefly leave the hospital to thank supporters.
According to Trump’s medical team, the president could leave the hospital as soon as Monday if he continues to improve.
Vice President Mike Pence to host event in Arizona on Thursday
Vice President Mike Pence will return to Arizona Thursday to hold a campaign event at TYR Tactical in Peoria.
Pence last visited the state in September when he made two campaign stops.
The announcement of Pence’s visit came as President Donald Trump was at Walter Reed Medical Center, where he was being monitored after his coronavirus diagnosis.
Trump was scheduled to visit Arizona on Monday and Tuesday but had to cancel his plans because of his diagnosis.
