Tucson NewsNet Daily Digest - A Service of the City of Tucson
VOTERS RETURNING MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND EARLY VOTING IN-PERSON IN RECORD NUMBERS - The Pima County Recorder's Office reports early ballots are being returned at a fast pace ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. County officials already have mailed a record 505,903 early ballots since Oct. 7. By Saturday, Oct. 17, 191,755 ballots (nearly 38%) had been received by the elections department. Also, 4,751 people voted at six early voting sites. Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez is calling for voters' patience, as the time between when a ballot is received and it being scanned into the tracking system is taking a little longer than usual. The elections department is now running two shifts every day, including weekends, to get the ballots processed. If you have an early ballot, you're urged to send it back or drop it off at the Recorder's Office as soon as possible. You can track the status of your ballot at the Pima County Recorder's Office website linked below. From the Arizona Daily Star Pima County Recorder
COVID-19 MONDAY UPDATE - As of today, Oct. 19, Arizona now has 231,897 positive coronavirus cases, with 748 new cases reported today (up from 742 yesterday). The total number of cases includes people who have recovered. Of that number, 26,955 cases are in Pima County (up 44 from yesterday). There have been 5,830 COVID-19 deaths in Arizona (17 reported today), and 634 of those occurred in Pima County (0 reported today). Meanwhile, the City of Tucson maintains an up-to-date COVID-19 website (link below) that includes information for businesses, residents, and more. The site is updated as information evolves. Data Dashboard from the Arizona Department of Health Services City of Tucson COVID-19 website
DOWNTOWN LINKS TRAFFIC ALERT - Downtown Links Constructors, under contract with the City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility, continues work on the Downtown Links project, and there will be traffic restrictions this week to allow for sewer work. Stone Avenue will be closed at Fifth Street tonight, Oct. 19, starting at 8 p.m., running through 6 a.m. tomorrow. Vehicles and bicycles on Stone Avenue will be detoured around the work area using University Boulevard, Sixth Avenue, and Sixth Street. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, Ash Avenue at Fifth Street will be closed to vehicular traffic for approximately six weeks. On Friday, Oct. 23, the intersection of Fifth Street and Echols Avenue will be closed for approximately four weeks. All vehicle and bicycle travel through the intersection will be restricted. Access to businesses will be maintained. The contractor continues clearing plant material for the future roadway alignment, as well as removing existing fences, walls, and asphalt concrete in various areas throughout the project limits. The 30-month construction project is scheduled for completion in early 2023. Read the news release
2019 TUCSON FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT RELEASED - Have you ever wondered which fire station in town is busiest, or what sort of training your Tucson firefighters go through? You can find the answers to those questions and so much more in the 2019 Tucson Fire Department (TFD) Annual Report. Learn about the various departments within TFD, their roles, and all of the work done behind the scenes to maintain the highest level of service for the citizens of Tucson. The 2020 report will be released in early 2021. Tucson Fire Department Facebook page Tucson Fire Department website
FREE VIRTUAL SMARTSCAPE COURSES IN SPANISH - Smartscape is a comprehensive landscape training program for professionals. The fall Spanish series runs Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 3:30-6:30 p.m., Oct. 20-Nov. 19. The 10 training sessions are taught by University of Arizona faculty and local green industry experts. The Smartscape course prepares students with the essential skills to plan, create, and care for water-efficient landscapes. Participants receive 30 hours of high-quality education on the best irrigation and horticultural practices for the Southwest desert region, and they can earn a Smartscape Certificate upon completion. Register at the link below. Register
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