Community Corner

🌱 Two Recipients Of Flinn Scholarships + Items Returned With Books

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

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Welcome to Monday, neighbors! It's Megan Moreno, your host of the Scottsdale Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now. In today's issue, you'll learn about...

  • Two high school students were awarded Flinn Scholarships.
  • Pima Road being "fattened" in the midst of "road diet" controversy.
  • Tales of the items accidentally returned with library books.

But first, your local weather:

  • Today it will be breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 93 and low of 66.

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Here are the top stories today in Scottsdale:

  1. Scottsdale residents and high school seniors Sam Benavidez and Zack Okun were awarded Flinn Scholarships! The award, which is based on merit, provides them with a full ride at the honor colleges at University of Arizona, Arizona State University, or Northern Arizona University. The scholarship is "valued at $130,000" and includes "tuition, fees, housing, meals and at least two study-abroad experiences." With an award rate of 1.9%, the Flinn Scholarship is one of the most competitive in the state! (East Valley Tribune)
  2. No "road diet" for Pima Road, which is being "fattened" north of Loop 101 to include "two extra motorized lanes, bike lanes, a "landscaped median, sidewalks, ramps, storm drains and more." Construction began in February and is expected to continue into 2024, but some residents have expressed frustration with the traffic disruptions and the pace of the project. The "Pima Road Improvements: Pinnacle Peak Road to Happy Valley Road" project is expected to address both problematic monsoon flooding on Pima Road and increased traffic from significant growth to the areas east of Pima. (scottsdale.org)
  3. Scottsdale Public Library employees shared information about items accidentally returned with books, many of which tell their own stories. Staff often find bookmarks, and other... interesting... things that were used as bookmarks. Photographs, to-do lists, letters, plane tickets, brochures, unused toilet paper, band aids, money and a legendary piece of bologna are all on the list of makeshift bookmarks library staff discovered. Staffers say these items give them a glimpse into the lives of the people they support in the community, as if they are "maybe unintentionally, giving a little piece of themselves back to us as well." (12 News)

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Tomorrow in Scottsdale:

Tuesday, May 2

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know an incredible mom you'd like the rest of Scottsdale to know about, too? Maybe it's your mom — or your daughter, a friend who's a mom or someone who steps up like a mom for the people in her life. Whoever it is, we want to hear about her! Just fill out this simple form and we'll do the rest.

From my notebook:

  • Scottsdale Police Department gave kudos to Officer Burnett: "On April 15, at approximately 5:20 p.m., while off-duty, Ofc. Burnett observed what he originally thought was the immediate aftermath of a motor vehicle collision,... [but when he] stopped to render assistance... [he] discovered that it had been a shooting with the victim being shot in the neck. He began to render aid, utilizing the trauma kit he keeps in his vehicle and continued until Mesa Fire arrived and took over." (Scottsdale Police Department via Facebook)
  • SPD horse "Aiden had a big morning! Citizens' Academy participants were there to visit and learn what he does for SPD." (Scottsdale Police Department via Facebook)
  • "Attention all train lovers! With only 5 weekends left until the steam trains shut down for the summer, be sure to make the most of your time and come let off some steam!" (McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park via Facebook)
  • "We had the pleasure of hosting Tiffany Haddish during the last day of #NationalLibraryWeek for a special storytime this morning at Civic Center Library, where she read her book 'Layla the Last Black Unicorn,' did a Q&A, then posed for photos with everyone." (Scottsdale Public Library via Facebook)
  • "We sat down with Jason Duren and Jim Pomosh - Marine combat veterans from different eras who have developed a unique friendship - to talk about life after the service, what it means to be a purple heart recipient and how shared values have built the ethos behind Jason's business: Cider Corps in Mesa, Arizona. See the full conversation in this episode of Veterans AZ: youtu.be/m0jopR7sP9U." (City of Scottsdale - Government via Facebook)
  • Friendly reminder to "help Scottsdale's homebound seniors beat the heat this summer. 
    Scottsdale Senior Services is accepting donations through May 26 at Via Linda Senior Center for the Beat the Heat Program. Get details and the full list of needed items at ScottsdaleAZ.gov/seniors/adopt-a-senior." (City of Scottsdale - Government via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Megan Moreno

About me: Megan Moreno is a registered nurse, leader, cancer survivor, wife, and mother of two. Megan loves spending time with her husband, who is an Army combat veteran, and their children exploring the beautiful city of Scottsdale.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Scottsdale Patch newsletter? Contact me at meg_n_more@outlook.com

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