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A relatively new invasive species will show is lovely flowers soon – but don’t be taken in by its beauty. This invasive plant, known for its pungent smell and rapid spread, is a threat to our delicate Sonoran Desert ecosystem. Stinknet not only replaces native vegetation, but it spreads into impenetrable mats that when dried are flammable, producing caustic smoke that irritates eyes and causes breathing problems. It has taken over Maricopa County, but there is still time to fight back against its invasion of our fair city. We need your help.
 Stinknet. Photo courtesy of the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.
You can learn more about this bad, stinky plant at https://www.stinknet.org/. This website has an interactive map of locations, which you can help update. While you are walking or biking around, if you spot it, please submit a report online. If there are just a few plants, you can carefully pull them out and dispose of them in a plastic bag (so when the seeds dry it doesn’t spread).
You can also participate in volunteer group efforts at key locations. I’ll be at one of these in Ward 3 on Saturday, March 7, at 8 to 10 am (you can come for all or part). We meet in front of the northwest Sun Tran building at 3910 N. Sun Tran Blvd. and will proceed to the nearby Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Museum. Do you know about this museum? I didn’t until just now. The museum is only open on Sunday afternoons (more info at https://gadsdenpacific.org/). Come join me that Saturday morning, but please sign up first at https://www.desertmuseum.org/buffelgrass/pullsitelist.php. The webpage also lists other volunteer opportunities to battle stinknet and invasive buffelgrass.
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The unknown woman being taken by ICE outside of Keeling Elementary.
On February 20, 2026, at approximately 9-10 AM, school was in session at Keeling Elementary in Ward 3. Right outside of the school, on the east edge of it, a woman was being abducted by I.C.E. agents. According to sources, she had just dropped off lunch for her husband, who was working in the area. A passerby witnessed the incident and took video, capturing some images. The victim's car was left behind in the street. All of this in the heart of Tucson.
 The woman's car left on the street outside Keeling Elementary after ICE detained her.
The woman's husband was notified by neighbors, and he retrieved the abandoned vehicle. Immediately, the Keeling Neighborhood mobilized and did checks, informing its residents of the heartbreaking incident.
Whistles in hand, concerned neighbors walked and distributed informational packets and supplies to alert the community on what to do in case they encounter I.C.E. Almost daily, since this woman was taken, residents walk around the school and surrounding areas to ensure this does not happen again. If anything was learned from Minneapolis, it was to mobilize as a community and stand up and protect our neighbors.
For anyone who is interested in helping to distribute Know Your Rights cards, safety whistles, and other information related to what to do if you see I.C.E. in the Keeling Neighborhood, email Kathleen Dreier, one of your Keeling Neighbors who is coordinating this activity, with your name, email, and phone number at
kathleendreier93@gmail.com
 Supplies being handed out in the Keeling Neighborhood. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Dreier.
Update:
On a positive note, last week, I wrote about the tragic case of Julia Benitez, a grandmother from Cuba seeking asylum. She was being held in an I.C.E. detention facility in Eloy for nine months while her dementia progressed. She has since been released. The 79-year-old woman will now be reunited with her daughter and grandkids. Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva made the announcement this week.
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Inside Tucson’s SAFR Pilot Program
Recently, Council Member Dahl and Ward 3 staff toured the Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI) facility operating Tucson’s SAFR pilot program. CBI has served the Tucson community for years, primarily providing detoxification and behavioral health services. Today, they’re partnering with Tucson and the Pima County Health Department to run the SAFR site as part of the City’s response to the opioid crisis.
 Mike, Jon, Lindsey Telles, Council Member Dahl, and Naomi at the SAFR entrance.
The SAFR (Sobering Alternative for Recovery) site is part of CBI’s existing facility, but people referred to the SAFR program go straight into a special triage process, bypassing other units unless they need more intensive care. Staff then assess each person and work with them to figure out next steps. Treatment is voluntary and personalized, with staff emphasizing partnership and consent.
 Chalk board inside CBI inpatient area.
SAFR treats addiction as a health issue, prioritizing recovery and stabilization over cycling people through ineffective punishment-based approaches. For many participants, the first step is medical detox, which typically lasts five to seven days. Others may require psychiatric stabilization, which averages about a week. After inpatient care, people can transition to longer-term support, like a men’s shelter where stays can last up to three months. We were told those beds are often full; a reminder that our community still needs more treatment and recovery resources.
Exterior of CBI SAFR site.
SAFR is currently operating as a six-month pilot program during which City staff and providers are evaluating what works well and where adjustments are needed. Part of that process involves identifying and reducing barriers that might prevent someone from accepting services in the first place.
We appreciate the transparency of the CBI team during our visit and will continue monitoring the pilot as it develops. If you or someone you know needs detox or treatment services, please reach out to Ward 3 for more information about resources.
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 ID# A884288
Age: 7 years
Qualities:
Maeve is a tiger- striped short stack who is ready for her forever home! During a stay in foster, she did well with older kids, was house-trained, and loved chew toys. Her foster family described her as a friendly couch potato who loves to curl up with her people. Here’s what one of Maeve’s volunteer friends said:
“I took Maeve to a play yard where, when I sat on the bench, she immediately climbed into my lap for some snuggles. She is the cutest little, short stack lady.”
Maeve shares her kennel with another PACC pup and would like to meet any resident dogs before heading home to ensure a good fit.
Fee:
Maeve 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.
 ID# A892583
Age: 7 years
Qualities:
Burberry arrived with four other cats after their beloved person passed away. While her housemates adjusted quickly and found new homes, Burberry has chosen a different path—exercising her full calico right to be a little ornery.
Change has been hard on this girl, and she’s made it clear that she needs time, space, and respect for her boundaries. Burberry isn’t trying to be difficult; she’s grieving, processing, and doing things her way. Beneath the sass is a cat who has known love and stability and may need patience before she’s ready to trust again. Burberry will do best with a calm, experienced cat person who understands that not every cat blooms on a schedule—and that sometimes the spiciest personalities come with the deepest potential for connection.
Fee:
Burberry 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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Next Mayor & Council Meeting |
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Ward 3 Neighborhood Association / Coalition Meetings |
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Fort Lowell Corridor Crime and Safety Meeting
Every Third Tuesday, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
AGM, 3544 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
Meeting info and North Dodge Website
The Ward 3 office is open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from
9 am - 1 pm for walk-ins or later by appointment, Monday through Friday. Staff will answer phone messages, emails, and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at or email ward3@tucsonaz.gov.
Brush & Bulky Alley Service In 2026
 Feel free to type your address into the top left corner of this website to confirm your Brush and Bulky pickup dates and location.
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Ward 3 & City-wide Events |
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February 27
Friday
Lego Build At The Donna Liggins Center From 6-8 PM
February 28
Saturday
Dodge Flower Neighborhood Yard Sale At Parking Lot Of The Tucson Lighthouse Church From 9 AM-1 PM
 Attend the Event
Keeling Pollinator Project Work Party Saturday and Sunday At 2919 N. Los Altos Ave. From 10 AM-12 PM
Last Saturdays At Catalyst Creative Collective From 11 AM-4 PM
Peace Fair And Music Festival At Reid Park From 11 AM-4 PM
Water In The Desert Benefit Concert At St. Francis In The Foot Hills At 3 PM
March 5
Thursday
Regenerate Arizona Event At 1375 N. 13th Ave. From 4:30-7 PM
Rillito Bend Ice Cream Social At 2544 E. Allen Rd. From 2-4 PM
March 8
Sunday
Woman's Day March At the Tucson Federal Building At 2 PM
Mural And Pollinator Celebration At 2919 N. Los Altos Ave. From 1-3 PM
March 10
Tuesday
Oasis Apartments Resource Fair At 2550 N. Dodge Blvd. From 9 AM - 11 AM
Tucson House Groundbreaking At 1375 N. 13th Ave At 2 PM
March 15
Sunday
Richland Heights East Neighborhood Association Chili Cook Off At 2026 Kleindale Road From 3-5 PM
March 16
Monday-Friday
BICAS Youth Earn A Bike Spring Camp 2001 N. 7th Ave. 9 AM-12 PM
March 21
Saturday
Garden District Yard Sale At The Intersection Of Pima And Columbus At 7 AM
Tucson Japanese Festival At 1288 W. RIver Rd. From 10 AM-4 PM
KXCI’s 2nd Annual Baila el Pueblo–A Desert Music Festival At Cathedral Square, 192 S Stone Ave From 4-11 PM
KXCI’s 2nd Annual Baila el Pueblo–A Desert Music Festival returns Saturday, March 21, 2026. Join us as we celebrate our regional cultural diversity during this all-day musical showcase at Cathedral Square in the heart of Downtown Tucson. In 2025, more than 1,000 guests experienced a vibrant array of southwestern musical traditions along with an eclectic marketplace of local food vendors and artisans. With your help, 2026 will be even better!
KXCI’s 2nd Annual Baila el Pueblo–A Desert Music Festival Music Lineup
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Headliner: Mexican Institute of Sound is the project of producer, DJ, and cultural agitator Camilo Lara, who has been redefining the sound of Mexico since the mid-2000s. Blending cumbia, mariachi, and Latin traditions with hip-hop, electronica, and global beats, Mexican Institute of Sound has become a cornerstone of Mexico’s modern music scene. From festival stages like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo to contributions for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever & Pixar’s Coco, Lara’s work bridges the underground and the mainstream with playful, futuristic vision. As a producer, Lara has worked with Damon Albarn, David Byrne, Trent Reznor, Run The Jewels among many others.
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Regional Artists: Ruben “El Gato Negro” Ramos featuring Carrie Rodriguez & Sergio Mendoza & Friends, La Texana, Dámaris Bójor, Las Azaleas, Sage Lacapa, D Faktion Nyne, DJ Set by Afrizona.
About the Festival: KXCI presents Baila el Pueblo–A Desert Music Festival, celebrating our regional cultural diversity. The festival will showcase a vibrant array of musical traditions from around the southwest. Local food vendors will be on-site—poster artwork by Michael Mendoza.
Buy Tickets $40 KXCI Supporter Advance
$45 General Admission Advance
$50 Day of Show
$150 VIP Tickets include access to the 2nd floor terrace, private bathrooms, private bar, and high-top seating.
March 24
Tuesday
Coffee With A Cop At 3114 E. Ft. Lowell Rd. At 9 AM
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Preparedness Resources For Immigrant Families
Community Rapid Response Team https://rapidresponsetucson.com, 520-221-4077
 A handy bilingual Know Your Rights card for your wallet (pictured below) is available free, in quantities, from Ward 3 or at the Gloo Factory.
Family Preparedness Plan for Immigrant Families, in English and Spanish. Click the buttons below to download a PDF file of the plans.
Other resources:
City Meetings On Data Center Regulations
The City of Tucson invites community members to participate in public meetings to provide input on proposed new regulations for large-scale data centers. These meetings are intended to present considerations for a potential amendment to the Unified Development Code (UDC) to establish standards and regulations for this land use.
Four public meetings will be offered for the community to learn more about the proposed regulatory framework and share feedback.
Click on the button below to see the schedule of meetings and to register to attend.
Winter Warming Center in Ward 3 From 5 - 9 AM
Where: Inside the Ward 3 Community Room at 1510 E. Grant Road.
When: Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., through March 13.
What: Guests are provided a simple breakfast, coffee, a warm indoor space, and on-site resource navigation.
Pets are welcome.
St. Francis Community Food Pantry Has Moved!
Find Food Access Resources In Tucson
Tucson food assistance providers are seeing a sharp rise in demand from families affected by delayed federal benefits, such as SNAP and WIC. At the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, there is an increase in first-time visitors, many of whom had never sought food assistance before. Volunteers are working overtime to assemble emergency food boxes for those suddenly without access to those benefits. The Community Food Bank offers help multiple times a week during varying hours continues to distribute food at its main location, 3003 S. Country Club Road, and through partner agencies across Southern Arizona. Officials urge residents in need to reach out early, as local inventories may fluctuate if the shutdown continues. You can also find a list of food resources by following the This is Tucson link below.
Friends of Ward 3 Is Helping Rio Vista Elementary
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 - 9:30 am.
https://tucsonfoodshare.org has more information about volunteering, donating, or requesting delivery
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