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Politics

Arizona Governor: Funding To Help Restaurants

Governor Ducey Announces Funding To Help Restaurants Expand Outdoor Seating, Protect Patrons And Staff PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) Governor Doug Ducey announced an additional $1 million for a statewide program aimed at helping Arizona restaurants and other dining establishments expand outdoor seating and limit the spread of COVID-19. “Restaurants throughout the state have expanded outdoor dining to welcome more customers while limiting the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Ducey. “We want to make sure more of our hard-working local restaurants have the opportunity to do the same. Today’s funding will help restaurants purchase items like outdoor furniture and barriers so they can safely serve patrons. I’m grateful to the businesses across Arizona working to protect our communities and ke...

Education

Arizona Celebrates School Choice Week

PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) Governor Doug Ducey declared this week, January 24-30, 2021, Arizona School Choice Week to recognize the importance of ensuring families and students have access to learning options that best fit their unique needs. "Parents, teachers and education champions across the state have worked hard to make Arizona a leader in school choice," said Governor Ducey. "Parents and families know the learning opportunities that will best fit their kids' needs, and there are a wide range of options throughout the state. My thanks to all the education professionals, community leaders and families putting kids first and ensuring they have access to an education that will put them on the path to success." Governor Ducey’s Executive Budget, released earlier this month, invests $...

Politics

Arizona Governor Proposes to Invest for Rural broadband

PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) Governor Doug Ducey is urging the Legislature to strongly support his proposal to invest more than $40 million in a dramatic expansion of broadband in rural Arizona. “Reliable, high-speed internet is crucial for health care, public safety, education and economic development,” said Governor Ducey. “The broadband investments from our budget will decrease the cost of commercial broadband development and accelerate high-speed connectivity to our rural communities. This ensures that more Arizonans can connect to the digital tools that have become so essential.” Governor Ducey’s broadband proposal is a central element of the state spending plan announced on Jan. 15. It includes investing $33.1 million to install broadband conduit and fiber from Flagstaff to the Ca...

General

Arizona 2020 Immigration and Border Crimes Report

United States Attorney's Office District of Arizona December 2020 Immigration and Border Crimes Report (STL.News) I. Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326) 241 individuals were charged in December with illegal reentry A. 153 of those 241 individuals had previously been convicted of non-immigration criminal offenses in the U.S. Of the 153 individuals with non-immigration criminal records: 1. 39 had violent crime convictions, including: 1 individual had a homicide conviction 5 individuals had sex offense convictions 8 individuals had domestic violence convictions 2. 12 had property crime convictions 3. 42 had DUI convictions 4. 70 had drug crime convictions B. 99 of those 241 individuals had been deported three or more times II. Alien Smuggling (8 ...

Business

Align Technology – New Corporate Headquarters in Tempe, AZ

San Jose, California Campus Becomes West Coast Regional Headquarters and New Digital Innovation Center TEMPE, AZ (STL.News) Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGN) today announced that it established its new global corporate headquarters in Tempe, Arizona, effective January 1, 2021. The company’s San Jose campus remains the hub for its global innovation, product, and marketing organization and will become home to its new Digital Innovation Center, currently under construction. As part of the new corporate headquarters move, Align Technology President and CEO Joe Hogan, CFO and Senior Vice President, Global Finance John Morici, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer Julie Coletti, and Senior Vice President, Global HR Stuart Hockridge have relocated their offices to Tempe...

Politics

Arizona Governor Ducey Announced Appointments

Governor Ducey Appoints Jeffrey Sklar, Lisa Abrams And Gary Cohen To The Pima County Superior Court PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) Governor Doug Ducey today announced the appointments of Jeffrey Sklar, Lisa Abrams and Gary Cohen to the Pima County Superior Court to fill the vacancies created by the appointment of Judge John Hinderaker to the United States District Court, District of Arizona and the retirement of Judges Gus Aragón and Leslie Miller. Jeffrey Sklar is a Partner at Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, where he has been a commercial litigator since 2010. He represents businesses and business owners in various legal disputes, and he has experience in eminent domain, antitrust, receiverships, and bankruptcy law. He also serves as outside general counsel to the Metropolitan Domestic Wate...

General

Arizona: Jair Abraham Gil Valdez Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Conspiracy

Arizona Man, Jair Abraham Gil Valdez Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Conspiracy BUFFALO, N.Y (STL.News) U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced that Jair Abraham Gil Valdez, 29, Tuscon, Arizona, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distributing cocaine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that between June and August 8, 2019, the defendant conspired with Ruben Moran Bustamante, Guillermo Garcia, and others, to sell cocaine. On August 7, 2019, Valdez traveled to Rochester, NY, and met Bustamante and Garcia at a hotel. The defendant had with him cocaine intended for distribution. The nex...

Politics

Arizona Governor Ducey Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News)— Governor Doug Ducey today released the following statement in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: “Arizona today is proud to honor the memory and enduring influence of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s celebration of Dr. King’s legacy takes on added significance following the extraordinary challenges we confronted in 2020. “Dr. King devoted his life to equality, peace and justice. He urged us to never lose hope in the face of adversity and always move forward despite the disappointments that come our way. And he reminded us that violence can bring only temporary victories, never permanent peace. “At the threshold of what we all hope will be a bright new year, it’s worth recalling one of Dr. King’s most inspirational observations. ‘Darkness ca...

Politics

Arizona Governor Applauds Draft Decision For Resolution Copper Project

PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) Governor Ducey today welcomed two federal documents that represent a critical step forward for the Resolution Copper Project, a mine that will ensure a reliable supply up to one billion pounds of copper annually. "Arizona has a long history of responsible mining, showing that we can have a robust mining sector while protecting our environment and cultural history," said Governor Ducey. "My thanks to the USDA Forest Service for their partnership on a project that will benefit our mining industry, mining professionals, and entire state." On June 2, 2020, Governor Ducey sent a letter to USDA Undersecretary Jim Hubbard urging the USDA to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scheduling process set forth in 2015. Today the USDA Forest Service is...

Health

Arizona: 200,000 COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered

State vaccination site in Glendale helps boost numbers, with another state site coming Feb. 1 PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Arizona has passed 200,000 as the state and counties collaborate to get more and more vaccine into the arms of prioritized individuals. “This is an exciting milestone for Arizona,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). “Any dose that remains in storage remains a challenge to be addressed, but as a state we are gaining momentum in protecting prioritized Arizonans from COVID-19.” As of Thursday, Arizona’s total was 217,716 doses administered to 186,779 Arizonans, including 21,612 who have received both doses. With 602,625 vaccine doses ordered so far in Arizona, that mea...

Politics

Arizona Governor Ducey To Attend 2021 Presidential Inauguration

PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) The Governor’s Office today announced Governor Doug Ducey will travel to Washington next week to attend the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. “In America, we believe in the peaceful transition of power. It doesn't matter who you supported in the election — once the election is over, we put country before party. Never has it been more important than right now to observe these traditions for the whole world to see," said Governor Ducey. “I was honored to represent Arizona at the inauguration of President Trump in 2017, and I am honored to represent our state at the 59th Inaugural Ceremonies next week. President-elect Biden is assuming office at a critical time in our nation’s history, and I wish him well. I will n...

Politics

Arizona Governor Ducey: Nomination of Clay Hernandez

Arizona Governor Ducey: Nomination of Clay Hernandez To Game And Fish Commission PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) Governor Doug Ducey today announced the nomination of Clay Hernandez, a Tucson attorney and avid outdoorsman, to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. “Clay’s dedication to wildlife conservation and to his community make him a great fit for the Game and Fish Commission,” said Governor Ducey. “I look forward to his service on the commission and know that he will serve Arizona well." Clay is a longtime hunter and angler, and has dedicated nearly 30 years to wildlife conservation. He is a member of Trout Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Arizona Elk Society, the Arizona Antelope Foundation, and Project Healing Waters of Southern Arizona. Clay has served as Presid...

Health

Arizona: The Launch of 2nd Vaccination Site At Phoenix Municipal Stadium

Strong Demand For COVID-19 Vaccine Paves Way For Second State Site At Phoenix Municipal Stadium PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced the launch of a second state vaccination site following the success of Arizona’s first 24/7 state vaccination site in Glendale. “Arizona’s vaccine site at State Farm Stadium has been a game changer,” said Governor Ducey. “This week has demonstrated Arizonans are ready for the COVID-19 vaccine. We’re going to do our part to make sure they get it. I’ve said that vaccines do no one any good sitting in a freezer, and I’m grateful to the team at the Arizona Department of Health Services and Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs who have worked tirelessly to ramp up distribut...

General

Arizona AG Brnovich Obtains Judgment Against Santiago Montelon

AG Brnovich Obtains Judgment Against Used Car Dealer in Odometer Rollback Case PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced today that his office obtained a judgment against Santiago Ramirez Montelon, owner of Pacific Auto Sales in Mesa, related to violations of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. The judgment bars Montelon from engaging in the business of selling or financing used motor vehicles or owning a used car dealership. The State’s lawsuit alleged that Montelon altered odometers of approximately 23 vehicles from April 2014 to December 2017. Montelon purportedly advertised the vehicles using false mileage figures on Craigslist and then sold those to unsuspecting Arizona buyers. The State alleged that Montelon failed to honor the statutorily mandated implied warr...

Politics

Arizona: Art Harding Appointed As Deputy Director Of Legislative Affairs

PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News)— The Governor’s Office today announced that Art Harding has joined the team as a Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs. Art joins a talented team that includes Katie Ratlief and Darbi Jenkins. In this role, he will work with the legislature to ensure state government focuses on policies that best serve Arizonans during the pandemic and beyond. “Art brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in public policy, community engagement and organizational efficiency,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “I’m grateful for his commitment to continue serving the state of Arizona, and I look forward to his contributions to our team.” Before joining the Governor’s Office, Art worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the Executive Secretary of the Office of the Exec...

Health

Arizona Governor Announces $65 Million for Vaccine Rollout

PHOENIX?, AZ (STL.News) Arizona Governor Doug Ducey Friday announced Arizona is receiving $65,769,416 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support COVID-19 vaccine clinics and strengthen vaccine confidence and community engagement. “We want to get Arizonans vaccinated as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible,” said Governor Ducey. “There’s no time to waste. COVID-19 is spreading, our medical professionals are working around the clock, and Arizonans who want the vaccine deserve to get it without delay. The funding from the CDC will help amp up vaccine distribution, reach communities in need, and protect Arizonans from the virus. My thanks to the CDC for the continued support, and to our medical professionals and frontline workers who continue to step up a...

Health

Arizona: Opening 24/7 COVID-19 Vaccination Site at State Farm Stadium

Operation Expands Availability With More Arizonans Prioritized For Vaccine PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Health Services announced Friday Arizona will open a 24/7 vaccination site Monday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale to dramatically expand the availability of COVID-19 vaccine doses in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The opening of the site is made possible in part thanks to a generous $1 million grant from the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation and with support from the Arizona Cardinals, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Arizona State University, and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. “Our new vaccine site in Glendale will rapidly expand the number of Arizonans getting vaccinated,” Governor Doug Ducey said....

Politics

Arizona Governor Announces Innovative Partnership for Water Testing

Governor Ducey Announces Innovative Partnership To Expand Yuma Wastewater Testing PHOENIX (STL.News) Governor Doug Ducey today announced $500,000 to fund a wastewater testing pilot project to provide early detection of COVID-19 throughout Yuma County. “The wastewater testing pilot project in Yuma is a crucial step to expand an innovative technology that may help with early detection of COVID-19,” said Governor Ducey. “This initiative will help local public health officials make fact-based, community-driven decisions and best mitigate COVID-19 spread during the pandemic.” The project is a partnership with Yuma County Public Health Services District, the University of Arizona, and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). It builds on the success of wastewater testing at Uni...