About Sunday’s garbage truck fires. At approximately 3 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, a fire started in a city of Scottsdale Solid Waste truck, which was parked at the North Corporation Yard (9191 E. San Salvador Drive) alongside other vehicles.
The fire spread to adjacent trucks and before it could be controlled and eventually put out, 12 were damaged or destroyed. Initial estimated damage is more than $3 million. Scottsdale Fire Department's investigation revealed that the blaze originated in the battery compartment of one of the trucks. The exact cause is unknown but foul play is not suspected. A Scottsdale police officer who stopped at the yard early Sunday morning to refuel his patrol vehicle first noticed and reported the fire. Units Scottsdale and Phoenix fire departments responded.
Despite losing a dozen vehicles, Solid Waste collection service to residential customers in Scottsdale was not disrupted. About 50 commercial customers were delayed by one day. Scottsdale Solid Waste thanks the cities of Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Peoria for providing loaner vehicles that are helping the city continue to serve its customers.
Recycle your Christmas tree through Jan. 19. Yellow collection bins will be available at various city locations to dispose of our Christmas tree. We don't accept artificial trees, stands or ornaments. Single-family home residents can place Christmas trees in their green waste pile, separated from bulk trash, for collection on their scheduled brush/bulk service week.
Programs honoring Martin Luther King Jr. kick off. The city honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in many ways each January. Of course this year, we’ve had to re-invent our programs due to COVID-19. An example is the Regional Unity Walk. Scottsdale is proud to join several Valley cities to co-host “Unity ArtWalk: A Visual Journey of Diversity, Culture and Equity” through Jan. 31. Enjoy this monthlong artistic enrichment at your leisure and take your photo at one of the locations to create “Unity in our CommUNITY,”using #unityartwalk. We hope you will explore and experience local art murals, sculptures and exhibitions in your neighborhood or a nearby city. Watch this video to learn more.
Register for the virtual MLK Jr. Community Celebration. The 2021 annual event will be held virtually Thursday, Jan. 14. This year’s featured speaker is Ken E. Nwadike, Jr., a peace activist, motivational speaker and video journalist known as the Free Hugs Guy. He founded the Free Hugs Project to spread love, inspire change and raise awareness of social issues. Get more information and learn how you can participate in the free program.
Last chance! McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park extends Holiday Lights through Jan. 10. Experience the magic of the holiday season – safely – on board the Paradise & Pacific Railroad as the park lights up Scottsdale with a winter wonderland. Holiday Lights runs most nights from 6:30-9 p.m. through Jan. 10, 2021. There are several big changes to this year’s event that will provide a safe and physically-distanced environment. Tickets for Holiday Lights are $15, with free admission for children two years old and younger.
Gold Palette ArtWalk benefits the 100 Club. From 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, the Scottsdale Gallery Association will honor first responders as part of its first Gold Palette ArtWalk of 2021. The event will serve as a fundraiser to benefit the nonprofit organization which has aided public safety agencies, officers, firefighters, EMT/paramedics and their families statewide since 1968. Special precautions are being taken to ensure guests' safety, and attendees must practice physical distancing and wear a face covering.
Mark your calendars for the Golden Rule City tree planting ceremony, Jan. 16. The Scottsdale Human Relations Commission will host a small ceremony at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, next to the Scottsdale Civic Center Library and LOVE statue. The ultimate goal of a Golden Rule City is that its citizens treat each other the way they would like to be treated, helping those in need, embracing diversity and transcending differences. This is an outdoor event, open to the public. Masks will be required. Learn about “Scottsdale for All.”
Kudos to city employees:
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City names assistant police chief. The Scottsdale Police Department promoted Commander Joseph LeDuc to the rank of assistant chief. He replaces Scott Popp who retired in December. LeDuc now oversees the department’s Investigations and Forensic Services Divisions as well as the Public Information Office. Read more.
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Employees earn ADA certification. Safety Manager Kevin Cullens and Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager Sharon Cini earned their Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Coordinator certification from the University of Missouri-College of Human and Environmental Sciences, School of Architectural Studies. This designation shows that they have the knowledge essential to performing the role of an ADA coordinator, a position required as a Title II local government entity. It also verifies they completed training in required content areas and have a depth of knowledge in ADA issues. They join the city’s third certified ADA coordinator Community Services Operations Supervisor Deanna Zuppan.
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Paradise Valley and Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is honor Scottsdale’s diversity and inclusion program manager. The 2021 Paradise Valley Martin Luther King Planning Committee selected Sharon Cini as the recipient of its annual Diversity Award. The Baha’i Community of Paradise Valley spearheaded its first celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday 23 years ago to further “the oneness of the human race,” which is the Center Core Belief of the Bahai Faith. The celebration will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18 online here. Cini, a Native American veteran, said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and her own ancestors words and actions resonate with her as a strong sense of purpose she shares in common with those who fought and continue to fight for equitable justice, fair practices and nondiscrimination.
This week's traffic restrictions in and around Scottsdale. Get the list.
