🌱 Phoenix's MLK Day Closures + Shelby Shearer's Stuffed Animals

Happy Thursday, Phoenix! Here's everything you need to know going on in Phoenix today.

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First, today's weather:

Sun through high clouds. High: 73 Low: 53.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Phoenix:

1. Phoenix's consumer prices are up nearly 10% from last year, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Energy prices are 40% higher than in December 2020 and food costs are about 5% more than last year. The price of all items excluding food and energy in the Phoenix area is up by about 8%. (12news.com KPNX)
2. The City of Phoenix announced closures and adjustments of city services in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trash and recycling pickup will be collected as usual. The 27th Avenue and North Gateway Transfer Stations will be closed. (Signals AZ)
3. Phoenix resident Shelby Shearer is celebrating her 12th birthday by collecting stuffed animals for police officers to give to children experiencing trauma and hardship. Shearer has been serving the community this way since she was 3 years old; this year, she is enlisting the help of Phoenix Christian School. In honor of her birthday, Shearer will accept new or gently used stuffed animals now until the end of February at Phoenix Christian School at 1751 West Indian School Road. (12news.com KPNX)

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Today in Phoenix:

• Tango Argentina at The Madison Center for the Arts at 5601 N. 16th St. (7:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Officer Chase McCance of the Phoenix Police Department returns to work nearly a year after he was struck head-on by a drunk driver. The accident occurred on January 1, 2021, near 25th Street and Cactus Road. After a year of intensive rehabilitation, Officer McCance is back on duty. (Facebook)
• The Phoenix Public Library is calling all young artists in grades K-12 to submit their drawing of an important person or event that celebrates the African American Experience. Entries will be displayed at a virtual gallery on the library's website and featured on social media. Submissions are due tomorrow, January 14th at 5:00 p.m. (Facebook)
• The City of Phoenix Public Works Department provides guidelines on how to dispose of your Christmas tree. You can drop off your tree at Christown Spectrum this Saturday, January 15th. Trees are composted at the city's compost facility and turned into mulch for parks and community gardens. (Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.