Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Aug. 27-29
Aug 29, 2021, 6:00 PM | Updated: 6:03 pm
(Pexels photo)
(Pexels photo)
PHOENIX — Family members of a pregnant woman were arrested after they allegedly targeted and kidnaped her in Avondale, a brewery in Gilbert is looking to create a multi-use park, and enrollment continues to increase at an Arizona college program for teachers.
Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
Peoria police files charges against family of 6 allegedly targeting pregnant relative
The Peoria Police Department filed multiple charges against six family members for allegedly targeting and kidnapping a pregnant 20-year-old relative, authorities said Thursday.
Officers learned of a kidnapping in Avondale on Aug. 18 where the victim was taken from a parking lot as she arrived at a doctor’s appointment, pulled into a vehicle, then punched in her stomach by five family members, the press release said.
Two nearby witnesses helped the victim, who authorities have not identified, which allowed her to escape from her Alfartousi family members: Zahraa (31 years old), Yaser (35), Fares (63), Ali (33) and Souad (59).
Her brother Bashir, 36, had been arrested and booked by the Yuma Police Department in March for attempting to kidnap her. The victim said after he kidnapped her, he “planned to bring her back to her family where she would have likely been killed,” according to a Yuma police report.
On Thursday, the Peoria Police Department arrested and booked the victim’s parents and siblings into jail on various charges, including kidnapping, robbery, threats and disorderly conduct.
Gilbert OHSO Brewery imagines park on vacant lot behind restaurant
O.H.S.O. Brewery in Gilbert is looking to create a multi-use park on a vacant lot behind the restaurant in the town’s downtown Heritage District.
Plans for the privately-operated project – named simply “The Park” – include real grass, a stage for live music and retail spaces that vendors can lease.
Food and beverages would be prepared at O.H.S.O. to be sold at the new space, and the restaurant’s restrooms would be available to park visitors.
The proposed .42-acre site is surrounded by businesses, including O.H.S.O., and a town-owned parking garage.
Arizona tops 4 million mark for individuals receiving COVID vaccine
Arizona surpassed the four million mark for COVID-19 vaccine doses among men, women and children over 12 years old on Saturday.
More than 3.5 million of them have been fully vaccinated, according to a release by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
“Arizonans are stepping up and doing their part to put this pandemic behind us,” Don Herrington, interim director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said in a press release.
“This battle is not over but we’re clearly headed in the right direction.”
In total, 7,305,298 total doses of the vaccine have been administered and 55.8% of Arizonans have been given at least one dose, according to the ADHS COVID-19 dashboard.
Enrollment continues to expand for Arizona program addressing teacher shortage
Enrollment at an Arizona college program created to address the state’s teacher shortage continues to rise with enrollment growth in 2021 increasing 22% year-over-year, according to a new report.
The Arizona Teachers Academy had 949 students earn degrees across 84 different academic programs in 2020-21, a 17% growth in degrees earned year-over-year, according to the Arizona Board of Regents.
Through the academy, students are offered one year of tuition waived for each year they commit to teaching in Arizona public schools.
Scottsdale Fire Department deploys drone to help secure gas leak
Scottsdale Fire Department was assisted by the use of a drone to repair a gas leak near the intersection of Larry Hughes and Madera drives in north Scottsdale on Friday.
The gas leak was quickly identified as a six-inch main that had been torn into two pieces, according to a release.
The drone was able to discover the location of the leak while keeping risk levels low for firefighter personnel.
Firefighters said the leak was emitting a jet engine-like sounding noise.
Footage from the drone also allowed firefighters to find the safest entry points to reach the leak and secure the area.
