Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from April 9-11
Apr 11, 2021, 6:19 PM
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — Arizona has now administered more than four million COVID-19 vaccines, Moon Valley Nursery is looking to hire hundreds and two correctional officers were arrested for allegedly promoting prison contraband.
Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
Arizona surpasses 4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines distributed
Arizona surpassed the four million mark on Saturday of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered.
The Arizona Department of Health Services’ COVID-19 dashboard on Saturday showed 4,032,557 vaccines have been administered, with that number increasing to 4,083,990 as of Sunday.
Overall, more than 2.5 million people have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine, representing 35.5% of the state’s population, and 1.6 million people are fully vaccinated against the virus.
Moon Valley Nursery hiring hundreds throughout Arizona, Southwest
Moon Valley Nursery is looking to hire hundreds of new employees throughout the Southwest due to a recent increase in business.
The plant and tree nursery announced Tuesday it is planning to hire 200 to 300 employees for locations in Arizona, Nevada, California and Texas.
Open positions include sales representative, landscape foreman, general laborer, quality assurance manager, office administrator and irrigation technician.
2 Arizona correctional officers arrested for allegedly promoting contraband
Two officers based at ASPC-Lewis in Buckeye were arrested Friday morning for allegedly promoting prison contraband, officials said.
Daniel Aguilar and Gustavo Leon were arrested on-site at the prison following a months-long investigation by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Authorities said both officers immediately resigned from their positions after the arrests.
Tucson man dies, girlfriend rescued in Death Valley National Park
A Tucson camper has died and his girlfriend has been rescued after they went missing in Death Valley National Park.
The campers Alexander Lofgren, 32, and Emily Henkel, 27, were found in a very remote area of the park, near Willow Creek on a steep ledge, according to a statement from the Inyo Creek Sheriff’s Office.
Lofgren was found dead while Henkel is alive and being given medical treatment.
He was a former staffer for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.
Grand Canyon’s Silver Bridge to close temporarily for electrical repairs
A bridge hikers use to cross the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon will close temporarily for repairs beginning Tuesday, the National Park Service announced.
The Silver Bridge along the Bright Angel trail near Phantom Ranch will be closed to all foot traffic Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for necessary electrical utility repairs through May 7.
However, the bridge will be fully accessible to hikers on the weekends, according to NPS.