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Community Corner

🌱 SUSD Employee Arrested + West Nile Passes 1,000 + Lottery Loss

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Scottsdale.

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Geoff Campbell, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Good Monday morning, Fellow Scottsdallians!

Scottsdale Patch Daily Digest reader, Bob, wrote to me last week regarding the bulk trash pick-up delays that many of us are experiencing. I called the City of Scottsdale City Solid-waste department and identified myself as a resident and a Patch Contributing Writer. I spoke to Marco to get the most up-to-date information. Marco was accommodating and said that area one would likely be completed early this week, and then the work will continue through areas two - four, one at a time until they are completed. He added there would be "no more jumping around" from area to area. Marco reminded me that the delay is due to an acute and nationwide labor shortage and that Scottsdale continues to do its best to collect the bulk refuse in a timely fashion. For a map of the areas, click here.

First, today's weather:

We will see some sun, then clouds with a high of 81 and a low of 62 - enjoy!

Here are the top stories in Scottsdale today and over the weekend:

  1. Scottsdale Unified School District continues to make headlines. Late last week, Nicholas Claus, 62, was booked and jailed for alleged "sexual abuse, child abuse, and public sexual indecency," according to reporting on ABC15. Claus, reportedly a paraeducator at Chaparral High School, was seen "acting inappropriately" by a colleague who told authorities. SUSD sent a letter to families detailing Claus's employment history and the alleged incident and added, "If these allegations are determined to be true, this behavior is reprehensible." (ABC15)
  2. More than 1000 cases and 78 West Nile Virus deaths have been reported in Maricopa County so far this year. According to Patch/Caitlin Sievers, the previous record set in 2004, was 355. The uncharacteristically wet summer was a central factor in the uptick of cases, according to Maricopa County Health Department Epizoologist Melissa Kretschmer. She said, "standing water is the perfect breeding ground for the mosquitos that spread the virus," She went on to explain that, "It's a trifecta." The weather has caused an increase in the sheer numbers of mosquitos; infected birds are spreading the virus more than in past years. The report offers the hope of winter cold enough to stop the virus's cycle. (Patch)
  3. Lottery winnings of one million dollars were never claimed; the clock on the ticket's validity ran out. According to an AZCentral report, "The winning ticket was purchased on May 21 at Circle K at 7140 E. Shea Blvd. in Scottsdale." John Gilliland of the AZ Lottery said, "It's a relative rarity to see one this big go unclaimed." Imagine the Thanksgiving celebration that could have been in the house where the defunct winning ticket sits in the only shirt pocket that wasn't searched! (AZCentral)

ICYMI And In Other News:

  • 300 CVS to close across the country. (Patch)
  • Thanksgiving dinner will cost us more than it did last year. (AZCentral)

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Today in Scottsdale:

  • Photos With Santa 12 – 7 p.m. — Scottsdale Fashion Square. (Nov. 22)

Scottsdale Patch Notebook

  • Check out Scottsdale's Local Marketplace — Classifieds. (Patch)
  • A touching tribute to Scottsdale Police Department's Crisis Intervention Specialist Diana. (Facebook)
  • McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park will host Holiday Lights from Nov. 26 - Jan. 2. (Facebook)
  • Scottsdale EZ makes it easier to report problems with city facilities. (Facebook)
  • Thanksgiving cooking is made easier by checking out the cookbooks at Scottsdale Public Library. (Facebook)
  • COVID-19 vaccine clinic for children ages 5-11 years old in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community will be on Dec. 3, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Salt River Community Building. (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Events:

  • Celebrate Thanksgiving With 15 Percent Off Floral Centerpieces. (Nov. 26)
  • Taxes In Retirement Seminar — Foothills Library. (Dec. 1)
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Housing:

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday. I'll see you soon! If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Geoff Campbell

I live in Scottsdale; I am a freelance writer, published in print and on the web. Following a 40-year career as a teacher, administrator, and coach, now committed to education in the broadest sense possible.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Scottsdale Daily? You can contact me at Geoff Campbell/Patch Contributing Writer.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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