Community Corner

🌱 Woman Guilty In Road-Rage Crash + AZ Prison Director Retiring

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening this weekend in Phoenix.

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Miranda Fraraccio, Patch Contributing WriterVerified Patch Staff Badge
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(Patch Media)

Good morning, Phoenix! Like many of you, the Patch staff will be taking some time off for the holiday season, so you may not see as many newsletters in your inbox between now and the New Year. We will resume our normal schedule during the first week of January. For now, here's what you need to know about what's happening around town.

But first, your weekend weather:

  • Saturday: Sunny and delightful. High: 69 Low: 44.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and comfortable. High: 71 Low: 45.
  • Monday: Sunny and comfortable. High: 72 Low: 48.

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Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

  1. Jenee Pannell was sentenced to five years in prison after a road-rage crash in Phoenix. The woman please guilty to charges of aggravated assault and drive-by shooting for the Oct. 21, 2021 incident. Pannell fired a gun at a car that held a two-year-old passenger. (12news.com KPNX)
  2. David Shinn, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry director, announced his upcoming retirement. After 36 years of consecutive public service, Shinn's last day will be Jan. 4, 2023. Shinn said, "Following careful consideration and conversations with my family whose unwavering support have made my career possible, it is with a heavy heart I am announcing my retirement." (KTAR.com)
  3. The Phoenix City Council voted to transition their current fleet of buses to zero-emission models by 2040. The current heavy-duty bus fleet is made up of over 500 buses operating on compressed natural gas or biodiesel. According to Mayor Kate Gallego, zero-emission buses will make up a third of the city's fleet within the next five years at this rate. (Signals AZ)

Coming up in Phoenix:

Saturday, December 24

  • 'The Nutcracker' At Ballet Arizona (1:00 PM)

Sunday, December 25

  • The Salvation Army Holiday Dinner At Phoenix Convention Center South Building (11:30 AM)

Monday, December 26

  • The Immersive Nutcracker At Lighthouse Artspace (2:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • It's looking like Christmas weekend will bring a high in the low 70s with clear skies. Not bad! (KTAR.com)
  • The Phoenix Fire Department held its first annual polar plunge and toy drive. Check out photos from the event on the department's Facebook page. (Phoenix Fire Department via Facebook)
  • Want to solidify your spot on the "nice" list this holiday season? Consider adopting a pet in need of a home! The Arizona Human Society's South Mountain Campus has plenty of dogs and cats waiting to be adopted. (Arizona Humane Society via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! I'll see you soon for your next update. Happy holidays!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.

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