From the Ground to the Sky
West Valley Families rounds up the top stories affecting our everyday lives in a mid-week update. From sports opportunities to your mail ballot, we've got the links for you to find out more.
While headlines are filled with election news, a lot is happening in our local communities worthy of mentioning. So let’s get to it.
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA
Tonight, Goodyear’s Parks and Rec Advisory Commission will get an update from Deputy Director Seid on the I-10 Sports Complex. If you recall, the City of Goodyear, “is seeking a long-term partner to help design, build, finance and operate a new sports complex with an estimated cost of $130,075,797.” Independent Newsmedia reported about this proposed partnership in August 2024. The deadline for partnership applications was September 6th.
West Valley Families first broke the story of this development in May 2024 on Facebook. The comments varied from how much the complex is needed to concerns over water
Has the city found a partner?
Goodyear Parks and Rec Advisory Commission Meeting - This meeting is NOT live streamed.
Tonight, October 16, 2024 | 5:30pm
Goodyear Recreation Campus, 420 South Estrella Parkway, Goodyear, AZ 85338
The commission also will hear about the Bullard Wash Trail extension and park rules updates.
Goodyear’s Planning and Zoning Commission also meets tonight. This meeting is live streamed. It will hear a proposal for a use permit for a drive-through restaurant on a 1.2-acre parcel within Cottonflower Marketplace commercial center, located at the southwest corner of Yuma Road and Cotton Lane (proposed Loop 303).
We first told our Facebook friends about this last week.
MAIL BALLOTS
Last Thursday, we posted on X about the arrival of mail ballots. One of three were delivered to my home. The same happened to my friend. In fact, she’s still waiting for two of her mail ballots as I write.
Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer responded to my post and explained, “We delivered over 1.9 million mail ballot packets to the USPS yesterday (Wed., Oct 9) very early morning. I know they send them out in waves. Totally normal for one neighbor to receive a different day than another neighbor. Should get within a week. Lmk if not.”
Here is the link Mr. Richer provided for BeBallotReady.Vote. If you have NOT received your ballots as of tonight, please call the Maricopa County Elections office at 602-506-1511.
LAYOFF TRACKER
Several layoffs and closures have been announced this week and we’re waiting to see what the impact will be to the West Valley.
Walgreens is closing 1,200 stores.
Boeing is laying off 17,000 workers.
7-Eleven is shutting down 450 stores.
“Parts of the retail sector have been under huge pressure with companies like Dollar General down 70% and Walgreens down more than 90% from their all time highs,” reports TripleNetInvestor.
Even the companies helping people find work are having to put people out of work.
How will local lawmakers manage a stressed workforce? Will school districts be looking to beef up career and technical education? We’ll be watching.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRACKING IN THE WEST VALLEY
Flock Safety reported today, even though the article is postmarked tomorrow, that it is expanding into drones with the acquisition of Aerodome, a pioneer in Drone as First Responder (DFR) technology. “This strategic move brings Aerodome’s best-in-class drone and remote piloting software under the Flock Safety umbrella, enhancing the company’s mission to improve community safety and reduce crime through technology solutions for law enforcement.”
Over the next 12 months, Flock will introduce National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-compliant drones. “DFR technology enables law enforcement agencies to improve response times and officer safety by immediately deploying drones to critical incidents, providing faster intelligence and situational awareness — the addition of DFR enables agencies to identify and respond to threats faster than ever before.”
View our reporting about how AI technology is used to track you in the West Valley on our YouTube Channel.
YOUTH SPORTS
This beautiful weather means it’s time to get the kids outside and active.
This is the time of year for girls club volleyball tryouts.
If you’d like more information, please visit the Arizona Region of USA Volleyball to find out how to find a club in the West Valley. And BEST WISHES to all the athletes!
JEN’S TWO CENTS
It is not possible for me to get to each and every meeting. If you attend local meetings for committees or commission, please feel free to email me with any information you feel might be important for the public to know.
I am hoping a reader is able to get to the Goodyear Parks and Rec meeting tonight. Your report would be greatly appreciated!
Email tips to jen@news2jb.com. Thank you! And enjoy the rest of the week and this fantastic weather!