Friday, March 20, 2020
Restaurants, bars, gyms, and more are being hit especially hard by closures right now, but they aren't the only entities that are being affected.
Almost all organized events through Pima County Parks and Recreation have been canceled in accordance with guidelines put forth by the state in response to COVID-19. They have released a statement, which can be found below:
Almost all organized events through Pima County Parks and Recreation have been canceled in accordance with guidelines put forth by the state in response to COVID-19. They have released a statement, which can be found below:
COVID-19 forces changes to County Parks and Recreation programming
PIMA COUNTY, March 20, 2020 – With an abundance of caution, and in accordance with federal, state and local guidelines, Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation is canceling nearly all Department-organized events and activities at all of its sites due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, NRPR-operated natural resource parks, urban parks and river parks, and associated facilities are expected to remain open for general public use by individuals and families in the community. Specific facilities may require adjustments in normal operating hours. Staff encourages all users of NRPR sites to practice social distancing and avoid assembling into larger groups to the extent possible.
Tags: Pima county , parks and rec , closures , covid19 , coronavirus , Image
Pima County now has eight confirmed cases of Coronavirus, or COVID-19, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services website.
Maricopa County gained 12 cases, putting their totals at 34 confirmed.
Expect as more testing becomes available that these numbers will rise.
Pima County reports that the new case reported today is a female in her 60s who is isolating at home and not hospitalized.
Two the previous individuals who required hospitalization have been released.
For updated case counts and more information about COVID-19, visit www.pima.gov/COVID19. The public can also call 1-844-542-8201 for general questions.
As of today's Arizona Department of Health Services report: A total of 343 people have been tested by the state, for COVID-19; 101 cases are still pending and 211 have been ruled out. A total of 63 people have tested positive by both state and private labs
You can see updated totals from the Arizona Department of Health here.
As for cases throughout the world, this tracker provides an interactive look at how COVID-19 is spreading, and its impacts.
Maricopa County gained 12 cases, putting their totals at 34 confirmed.
Expect as more testing becomes available that these numbers will rise.
Pima County reports that the new case reported today is a female in her 60s who is isolating at home and not hospitalized.
Two the previous individuals who required hospitalization have been released.
For updated case counts and more information about COVID-19, visit www.pima.gov/COVID19. The public can also call 1-844-542-8201 for general questions.
As of today's Arizona Department of Health Services report: A total of 343 people have been tested by the state, for COVID-19; 101 cases are still pending and 211 have been ruled out. A total of 63 people have tested positive by both state and private labs
You can see updated totals from the Arizona Department of Health here.
As for cases throughout the world, this tracker provides an interactive look at how COVID-19 is spreading, and its impacts.
Tags: covid19 , tracking , cases , arizona , update , coronavirus , Image
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Courtesy
Maricopa County's cases nearly doubled as well, putting their totals at 22 confirmed, up eight from 14 cases on Thursday, March 18.
As of today's Arizona Department of Health Services report, Pima County has seven confirmed cases of COVID-19. A total of 330 people have been tested for COVID-19; a total of 25 people have tested positive, 130 cases are still pending and 175 have been ruled out. You can see updated totals from the Arizona Department of Health here.
As for cases throughout the world, this tracker provides an interactive look at how COVID-19 is spreading, and its impacts.
Tags: covid-19 , coronavirus , tracking , update , Image
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
While grocery store shelves lay bare of staples such as beans and pasta after herd mentality drove some Tucsonans to buy as many goods and supplies as possible, there are those in the community unable to make the trip.
To provide assistance to those in need of food during these unprecedented times, Interfaith Community Services is accepting donations at its northside location (2820 W. Ina Road). Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, Monday through Friday.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, ICS said it is turning all of its focus to providing essential services like its food bank, mobile meal delivery, and modified transportation services.
“These services are vital to individuals and families that are struggling with the economic stress felt by many hourly wage earners that are finding themselves without work or with shortened hours,” the company stated in a release.
While the nonprofit works to provide food and services to those in need, the organization is postponing mobile food pantry distributions scheduled for Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21.
ICS is also looking for healthy volunteers to assist in its operations, as many current volunteers are in high-risk demographics.
To volunteer, call the ICS Volunteer Services Manager at (520) 526-9308.
To provide assistance to those in need of food during these unprecedented times, Interfaith Community Services is accepting donations at its northside location (2820 W. Ina Road). Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, Monday through Friday.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, ICS said it is turning all of its focus to providing essential services like its food bank, mobile meal delivery, and modified transportation services.
“These services are vital to individuals and families that are struggling with the economic stress felt by many hourly wage earners that are finding themselves without work or with shortened hours,” the company stated in a release.
While the nonprofit works to provide food and services to those in need, the organization is postponing mobile food pantry distributions scheduled for Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21.
ICS is also looking for healthy volunteers to assist in its operations, as many current volunteers are in high-risk demographics.
To volunteer, call the ICS Volunteer Services Manager at (520) 526-9308.
The Marana Unified School District is planning to distribute Chromebooks to all students who need one while schools remain closed until at least March 27.
That news came in a letter sent to MUSD parents and guardians from district superintendent Doug Wilson. In his letter, Wilson wrote that the district “is continuing to work diligently to make decisions that best serve our students, employees, and community.”
“Like you, we have many questions surrounding AzMERIT and other state-mandated academic testing, supplemental instruction, activities, and graduations, just to name a few,” Wilson wrote. “We are continuing to receive information from the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) regarding school closure, testing, instruction, and services.”
Parents of students who need a Chromebook to support online resources and activities to support at-home learning should click here to apply for a computer. Chromebooks will be given to each student who does not have access to a digital device.
The request form must be completed by Monday, March 23 at noon. Questions can be sent via email to [email protected].
In the same letter, Wilson announced that the district will provide its Marana Cares Mobile meal services Monday through Friday as long as schools are closed. Marana Cares Mobile will provide lunch service. Breakfast and lunch will also be available for pickup beginning March 23 at several MUSD schools. Breakfast runs from 7:30 to 9 a.m., while lunch runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grab-and-go meals are available from the following schools through the closure:
Butterfield Elementary School: 3400 W. Massingale Rd. Tucson, AZ 85741
Estes Elementary School: 11280 W. Grier Rd. Marana, AZ 85653
Picture Rocks Elementary: 5875 N. Sanders Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743
Quail Run Elementary: 4600 W. Cortaro Farms Rd., Tucson, AZ 85742
Roadrunner Elementary: 16651 W. Calle Carmella, Marana, AZ 85653
Marana Unified will also not send out report cards Monday, March 23. Future updates from the district will provide more information. The next expected update is also March 23.
As of today's Arizona Department of Health Services report, five people in Pima County have tested positive for COVID-19. In Arizona, a total of 27 people have tested positive, 102 cases are still pending and 148 have been ruled out. Statewide numbers updated here.
That news came in a letter sent to MUSD parents and guardians from district superintendent Doug Wilson. In his letter, Wilson wrote that the district “is continuing to work diligently to make decisions that best serve our students, employees, and community.”
“Like you, we have many questions surrounding AzMERIT and other state-mandated academic testing, supplemental instruction, activities, and graduations, just to name a few,” Wilson wrote. “We are continuing to receive information from the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) regarding school closure, testing, instruction, and services.”
Parents of students who need a Chromebook to support online resources and activities to support at-home learning should click here to apply for a computer. Chromebooks will be given to each student who does not have access to a digital device.
The request form must be completed by Monday, March 23 at noon. Questions can be sent via email to [email protected].
In the same letter, Wilson announced that the district will provide its Marana Cares Mobile meal services Monday through Friday as long as schools are closed. Marana Cares Mobile will provide lunch service. Breakfast and lunch will also be available for pickup beginning March 23 at several MUSD schools. Breakfast runs from 7:30 to 9 a.m., while lunch runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grab-and-go meals are available from the following schools through the closure:
Butterfield Elementary School: 3400 W. Massingale Rd. Tucson, AZ 85741
Estes Elementary School: 11280 W. Grier Rd. Marana, AZ 85653
Picture Rocks Elementary: 5875 N. Sanders Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743
Quail Run Elementary: 4600 W. Cortaro Farms Rd., Tucson, AZ 85742
Roadrunner Elementary: 16651 W. Calle Carmella, Marana, AZ 85653
Marana Unified will also not send out report cards Monday, March 23. Future updates from the district will provide more information. The next expected update is also March 23.
As of today's Arizona Department of Health Services report, five people in Pima County have tested positive for COVID-19. In Arizona, a total of 27 people have tested positive, 102 cases are still pending and 148 have been ruled out. Statewide numbers updated here.
Tags: chromebooks , school , musd , marana , shutdown , Image
Desperate times call for desperate measures. So, Rocco's Little Chicago is moving to delivery to make sure central Tucson is well stocked in Chicago deep-dish pizza, pasta, and hot Italian beef—with extra giardiniera, please!
"We're starting delivery for the first time in seven years," Rocco DiGrazia, owner of Rocco's Little Chicago said. "We have an untapped market of possible delivery customers we've not been able to serve."
Rocco's will be delivering their full menu, along with selling bake-at-home items like lasagna when available to a wide delivery area in central Tucson. Their delivery boundaries are Fourth Avenue to the west, 29th Street to the south, Columbus Boulevard to the east and Pima Street/ Elm Street to the north.
You may remember Rocco's used to deliver but stopped about seven years back due to it cutting into the restaurant's dinner rush. But get your orders in now because once dine-in service resumes, delivery stops.
"The problem I had previously was we couldn't deliver at night because it cut into our wait-times for our dine-in guests," Digrazia said. "Disappointingly enough, I foresee ending delivery again once people can sit inside. We simply can't do both...we don't have the capacity."
Delivery starts Thursday during normal operating hours. For more information, contact Rocco's Little Chicago at 520-321-1860.
"We're starting delivery for the first time in seven years," Rocco DiGrazia, owner of Rocco's Little Chicago said. "We have an untapped market of possible delivery customers we've not been able to serve."
Rocco's will be delivering their full menu, along with selling bake-at-home items like lasagna when available to a wide delivery area in central Tucson. Their delivery boundaries are Fourth Avenue to the west, 29th Street to the south, Columbus Boulevard to the east and Pima Street/ Elm Street to the north.
You may remember Rocco's used to deliver but stopped about seven years back due to it cutting into the restaurant's dinner rush. But get your orders in now because once dine-in service resumes, delivery stops.
"The problem I had previously was we couldn't deliver at night because it cut into our wait-times for our dine-in guests," Digrazia said. "Disappointingly enough, I foresee ending delivery again once people can sit inside. We simply can't do both...we don't have the capacity."
Delivery starts Thursday during normal operating hours. For more information, contact Rocco's Little Chicago at 520-321-1860.
Desert Diamond Casino, run by the Tohono O'odham tribe, announced on Wednesday, March 18, that their two casinos would temporarily close. See the release below:
For Immediate Release
TOHONO O’ODHAM NATION TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND GAMING OPERATIONSAction taken to Slow COVID‐19 Pandemic, Support Community Health
TUCSON, Ariz. ‐‐ Leaders of the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise
(TOGE) have made the decision to suspend their gaming operations temporarily. All Desert Diamond Casino properties will close beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. As a responsible community partner, TOGE is taking this precautionary measure to assist public health efforts to slow the spread of the COVID‐19 coronavirus pandemic.
Tags: casino del sol , desert diamond , casinos , entertainment , events , to do , canceled , covid19 , Image
The Tucson Premium Outlets, located in Marana, is temporarily closing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 through March 29.
The decision was announced by Simon Property Group Chairman and CEO David Simon.
“After extensive discussions with federal, state and local officials and in recognition of the need to address the spread of COVID-19, Simon will close all of its retail properties, including Malls, Premium Outlets and Mills in the U.S.,” the company’s update states.
"The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers and employees are of paramount importance and we are taking this step to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities," said Simon.
The decision was announced by Simon Property Group Chairman and CEO David Simon.
“After extensive discussions with federal, state and local officials and in recognition of the need to address the spread of COVID-19, Simon will close all of its retail properties, including Malls, Premium Outlets and Mills in the U.S.,” the company’s update states.
"The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers and employees are of paramount importance and we are taking this step to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities," said Simon.
Tags: outlets , mall , closed , tucson , covid19 , marana , coronavirus , Image
Beloved local food truck, Pop's Hot Chicken, went up in flames last night after the truck's generator caught fire while serving food at Caps and Corks Bottle Shop on the Northwest side, according to the food truck's Instagram account. No injuries were reported but the food truck is out of commission, according to the post.
View this post on Instagram
Pop's Hot Chicken recently opened a location at American Eat Co., but the food court has since been shut down due to the City of Tucson's proclamation that shuttered bars, restaurants, food courts, gyms and other public venues over the COVID-19 pandemic. The proclamation went into effect at 8 P.M. Tuesday. City-area restaurants, bars and bottle shops are still offering to-go, delivery and drive-thru service.
We'll update as the story develops.
View this post on Instagram
The truck with flames went up in flames 😔😔😔😔😢😢😢 our generator caught fire and toasted up the outside of our truck a great bit. Fortunately no staff or customers were injured. We do want to thank the fire department for controlling the fire and responding quickly saving us the inside of our truck. We want to thank the @capscorksaz staff for alerting the FD and keeping the guest safe. We did have customers that gave us the heads up and helped us try to control the situation and we are forever grateful for you! There are a lot of questions that we don’t have answers to right now as we asses the damages. We love you! Be safe! And rock on! A post shared by Pops Hot Chicken Truck (@popshotchicken_) on Mar 17, 2020 at 8:33pm PDT
Pop's Hot Chicken recently opened a location at American Eat Co., but the food court has since been shut down due to the City of Tucson's proclamation that shuttered bars, restaurants, food courts, gyms and other public venues over the COVID-19 pandemic. The proclamation went into effect at 8 P.M. Tuesday. City-area restaurants, bars and bottle shops are still offering to-go, delivery and drive-thru service.
We'll update as the story develops.
The following statement has come out from Target CEO Brian Cornell regarding the company's COVID-19 response:
An Update on How We’re Supporting our Guests and Team, from CEO Brian Cornell
Every day, for weeks now, you’ve turned to Target to stock up on supplies as you cope with the impact of the coronavirus. As we all continue to adapt to the country’s fast-changing needs, we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to keep our stores open and support our team.
We've announced a couple of changes that will go into effect today and last until further notice.
We’ll reduce hours and close all stores by 9 p.m. daily. This will help us as we replenish and deeply clean our stores for our guests. And it builds on measures we shared earlier this month, including enhanced cleaning and more staffing for in-demand services that support social distancing, like Order Pickup and Drive Up.
