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Strings of streetlights are going dark because of a major increase in copper wire theft across the city. The thefts have overwhelmed the staff’s capacity to make repairs in a timely manner as staff has done in the past, especially since in many cases there is also damage to underground conduit, pull-boxes, and other associated infrastructure, which can be time consuming and costly to repair.
Some locations have been hit repeatedly after repairs have been made.
 The City crew that works on these repairs, from left to right are: Raoul Bedoy, Michael Taylor, Francisco Ramirez, Juan DuPont.
All streetlight repair locations (wire-theft caused or not) are being prioritized by safety, operational impacts, and work efficiency. Staff investigates every report and will address the outage as quickly as possible.
The Department of Transportation and Mobility has four people on staff who work on streetlight repair (not just wire theft situations), which until recently was the right level of staffing. The Department is hiring contractors to do some repair work and help us catch up with the backlog of need. They are also trying innovative techniques to foil continued theft, and while some have been circumvented, we hope that some will ultimately prove successful.
Tucson Police is aware of the problem and is on the lookout to arrest people doing this. They had one big bust thanks to a company’s security camera catching thieves in the act, and the camera was one that had been registered with the police so they can see it in real time and review footage right away.
YOU CAN HELP. Please be on the lookout and report to 911 immediately any activity that looks like wire theft, or people walking around with bundles of wires. You can report streetlight outages to TDOT Concerns, 520-791-3154 (or 311).
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Wildcat Inn Donations: Help spread holiday cheer! Ward 3 is collecting donations for over 50 children at the Wildcat Inn, a City of Tucson transitional housing shelter. If you would like to help, drop off your donations at the Ward 3 Office, Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 1 PM, through Wednesday, December 18th. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
 Outreach kits: Join us to support our unsheltered neighbors! As colder weather approaches, those experiencing homelessness need extra help to stay safe and warm. Ward 3 is hosting an event to pack winter outreach kits, which City of Tucson staff will distribute to those facing homelessness. Sign up to volunteer on Saturday, December 14th, from 10 a.m. to Noon in the Ward 3 Community Room (1510 E Grant). If you'd like to donate items for the kits, please refer to the flyer below for a list of requested donations.
Moira Sartin is the owner and operator of Desert Compostables [desertcompostables.com], a curbside food waste pick-up service. I first met Moira in September during Park(ing) Day - her table had these great, eye-catching stickers of moldy fruit and I stopped to chat and learn more. It turns out, this small, one-person business is doing the heavy lifting of diverting tons (well, maybe hundreds of pounds) of food waste from our landfill. Her business offers bi-weekly, curbside pickup of your food waste, delivering it to the Sustainability Campus Composting Facility.
 Moira Sartin, owner of Desert Compostables, with her compost buckets.
According to the Arizona Composting Council, food is the most common material sent to the landfill comprising 24% of municipal solid waste, contributing 58% of total landfill methane emissions. Only 5% of food wasted is composted throughout the country. Moira feels this deeply. When I asked what she wanted people to walk away with, she said, “I want people to think about our waste systems. When we throw something away, what does ‘away’ mean? Where is ‘away’? How does it impact our environment, our communities, and our collective future?”
 A particularly pretty food waste pile.
Moira had an earlier iteration of this program with her sister. They started it after returning to Tucson from cities with municipal curbside compost programs. After responsibly handling food waste for several years, it didn’t feel right to put it back in the trash can, so the pair started a service for themselves, family, and friends. Unfortunately, the pandemic put them on pause, and life continued to happen. Moira credits this earlier version as her foundation which started out of a sense of responsibility and the joy of doing it with someone you love.
 Desert Compostables - Residential Food Waste Pick-Up
The City has a composting program as well, FoodCycle at Home - this program is free but you drop off your scraps at nine available containers scattered throughout the City.
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 TJ/ #A837740
Age: 3 years
Qualities:
Handsome Lab mix Maximus is an energetic, enthusiastic type of guy who loves his people and doggy friends! Maximus is the kind of guy who plays hard and loves hard! Plus, if you're looking for a water dog, look no further - Maximus has never met a body of water he didn't like! This happy guy came to PACC as a stray in April and has waited a long time to find his people. We'd sure like to see him find a (foster OR adoptive) home for the holiday!
Fee:
Maximus has a $0 adoption fee. A $20 license fee applies to adult dogs. Adoption includes spay or neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, and a free vet visit.
Contact:
Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12pm - 7pm.
Wednesday 1:30-7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
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Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting
Tuesday 12/10, 5:30-7 pm
Marty Birdman Center,
2536 N. Castro Ave.
Limberlost Neighborhood Association Meeting
Wednesday 12/11, 5-6:30 pm
Hem & Her Bridal,
4004 N. Stone Ave.
The Ward 3 office is open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from
9 am -1 pm, Monday through Friday. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email ward3@tucsonaz.gov.
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Introducing Cyclovita! December 7 From 10 AM to 3 PM
 Next month Amphi neighborhood will host the first Cyclovita along four blocks of car-free streets with a winter market at one end and a resource fair at the other. Cyclovitas are meant to be hyperlocal, so if you're from the neighborhood or the general area (nearby neighborhoods) we invite you to check it out. Learn more by clicking below. Questions about Cyclovita? Contact LSA!
Mother's Street Clean-up Sunday December 8 at 9:30 AM
Tucson House Coat And Magazine Drive Donations Accepted Until December 10
Community Food Bank Food and Sneaker Drive
ZooLights: Holiday Magic December 5-23
Encore Nights December 26-30 and January 2-5.Click to edit this placeholder text.
Slaybells And Mimosas Holiday Toy Drive December 8 Beginning At 12 PM At The Playground Bar And Lounge
Celebrate TUSD’s Student-written Climate Action Resolution on December 10
Healthy Companions Pet Wellness Event December 18
19th Annual Southern Arizona Transportation Museum Holiday Express
Arizona Women's Chorus December 22 At 3 PM
FAFSA Workshop
Earthwise Equitable Green Financing
 
Team Up To Clean Up Your Neighborhood
What is Team Up To Clean Up?
The City of Tucson, along with community partners, is organizing a citywide clean-up effort. Residents, families, students, community groups, and businesses are invited to join forces to clean and enhance our neighborhood.
For more details on events dates and times, visit: Team Up To Clean Up.
No Tools Needed!
The city provides all necessary materials and will handle trash disposal.
Want to Clean at Your Own Pace?
You can get recycled 55-gallon bags from your local ward office, courtesy of our local breweries.
For questions, email Steven at steven.laturco@tucsonaz.gov
Schedule for Tucson Home Sharing Events
Watershed Management Group Tucson On The Move Events
 
Free Hot Soup From November 12- March 14
Selfie With Santa Sundays Thru December
Free Workshop!
Ready, Set, REC! in December
Grocery Sharing at Tucson Food Share - 2500 N. Stone Ave.
Groceries are shared Mondays 4:30 - 6 pm, Thursdays 6 - 7:30 pm, and Saturdays from 8 - 9:30am. https://tucsonfoodshare.org/ has more information about volunteering, donating, or requesting delivery.
We welcome your feedback!
Please feel free to email us at Ward3@tucsonaz.gov
To subscribe to this newsletter go to https://www.tucsonaz.gov/ward-3
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