Tucson NewsNet Daily Digest - A Service of the City of Tucson
PARK AMENITIES AND REID PARK ZOO TO REOPEN IN PHASES - The City of Tucson will begin the reopening phases for some Parks and Recreation outdoor amenities and Reid Park Zoo that were closed in April 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomorrow, Aug. 21, the City will remove the caution tape and put up signage at small ramadas only. In addition, all park restrooms, horseshoe pits, and outdoor sports courts, including tennis, racquetball, handball, bocce, badminton, and sand volleyball will open tomorrow. On Monday, Aug. 24, the City will remove the caution tape and put up signage at playgrounds, which will be cleaned and inspected daily. Reid Park Zoo will reopen to the public on Aug. 28 for “Wildlife Walks,” a modified viewing experience with enhanced health and safety measures for guests, staff, and the animals. The Zoo will be open daily for special summer viewing hours of 8 a.m.-2 p.m., through Sept. 30, and tickets must be purchased online. For a complete list of reopenings and restrictions, please read the news release linked below.
Read the news release
Watch a video about safety precautions at Reid Park Zoo Facebook page
Watch a video promo about Reid Park Zoo's reopening
Reid Park Zoo website
IMMIGRANT RELIEF FUND GETS $1.25M DONATION - Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Ward 1 City Council Member Lane Santa Cruz have announced their successful efforts to raise $1.25 million for the We Are One|Somos Uno Immigrant Relief Fund to provide financial relief for Tucson's immigrant communities. The funds come from the Open Society Foundations and an anonymous donor. The donations will provide aid to immigrant communities in the City of Tucson and South Tucson who have been negatively affected by the pandemic, yet are largely excluded from federal relief. The funds will help individuals who were not eligible to receive federal CARES Act stimulus checks sent to millions of households earlier this year and who face additional barriers to other safety net program benefits. The Sunnyside Foundation will administer the application process and distribution of the $1.25 million, and it'll release details on Sept. 1 about how to receive the aid.
Sunnyside Foundation
Open Society Foundations
Read the news release
COVID-19 THURSDAY UPDATE - As of today, Aug. 20, Arizona now has 196,280 positive coronavirus cases, with 723 new cases reported today (up from 637 yesterday). The total number of cases includes people who have recovered. Of that number, 20,139 cases are in Pima County (92 new cases from yesterday). There have been 4,684 COVID-19 deaths in Arizona (up 50 from yesterday), and 534 of those occurred in Pima County (down 3 from yesterday after a data revision). Meanwhile, the City of Tucson maintains an up-to-date COVID-19 website (link below) that includes information for businesses, residents, and even activities for kids. The site is updated as information evolves.
Data Dashboard from the Arizona Department of Health Services
City of Tucson COVID-19 website
REMINDER: CAMPBELL AVENUE CLOSURE NORTH OF BROADWAY STARTS TOMORROW - Campbell Avenue, from Broadway Boulevard to 10th Street, will be closed to the public beginning at 6 p.m. tomorrow, Aug. 21, through about 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 24. The closure will be in place to allow crews to safely install an underground 90-inch-diameter storm drain on the north side of Broadway as part of the improvement project taking place from Euclid Avenue to Country Club Road. Eastbound and westbound travel on Broadway will not be affected by this closure. Southbound and northbound travel on Campbell Avenue from Sixth Street to 10th Street is open to local traffic only. As a reminder, speed limits on residential streets are 25 mph. Please use caution when traveling through the neighborhoods and the construction zone.
Detour maps and news release
Project website
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TUCSON AND NANDI! - Today, Aug. 20, is Tucson's 245th birthday, and Nandi the elephant was born at Reid Park Zoo six years ago today. As we mentioned yesterday, the annual celebration bash for Tucson's birthday was canceled due to COVID-19. Nandi won't have her birthday celebrated in public, either, but there's a virtual alternative party set for Saturday, Aug. 22, from 8:30-9:15 a.m. "Growing Up Elephant: A Virtual Celebration" will feature an inside look at the Zoo’s elephant herd, details about the elephant’s care, and some of their favorite pastimes – from playing in the rain to wallowing in the mud. Tickets are free (donations accepted), but you'll need to make a reservation at the link below. If you'd like to take a look back at Nandi's first birthday celebration in 2015, follow the video link below. Nandi's baby sister, Penzi, was born on April 6, 2020.
Register for "Growing Up Elephant: A Virtual Celebration"
Watch archived video of Nandi's first birthday
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