NE Valley Times

The city of Scottsdale is seeking further public input on the updates to the Old Town Scottsdale Character Area Plan and Zoning Ordinance. According to the City Council, additional outreach is required for this project. Three sessions will be held on Monday, March 7, to discuss open space provision in Old Town, mixed-use development definitions, building height regulations, and development bonus provisions. Interested individuals can register via the "Old Town Updates" website.

The Alli Ortega Empty Bowls fundraiser continues until Monday. This event allows participants to bid online for handcrafted bowls made by local artists and students from the Scottsdale Unified School District. Proceeds will support various social service programs like Back to School and Healthy Packs.

Scottsdale's COVID-19 case rate has decreased by 37% to 134.1 cases per 100,000 residents as of February 19th. However, community transmission remains high according to Maricopa County's definition of more than 100 cases per 100,000 people. The county reports that 77.9% of eligible Scottsdale residents have received at least one vaccine dose while 70.6% are fully vaccinated.

Free COVID-19 testing is available at Granite Reef Senior Center and Mustang Library through Vincere Cancer Center for those aged three years and older. The city also offers free vaccination events at Eldorado Park Community Center and Horizon Community Center with no registration required.

Scottsdale celebrates its founder Winfield Scott’s birthday on Friday with an event featuring Mayor David D. Ortega among other speakers.

Residents can register for spring programs starting February 28th for activities running through April and May including swim lessons and youth activities.

Scholarships are available for college-bound students with disabilities who have shown initiative in overcoming challenges related to their disability; applications close on February 28th.

The Sister Cities Association hosts its Young Artist and Authors Showcase themed “Generation Rescue: Sustainable Water for All” with submissions accepted until March 10th at Scottsdale Civic Center Library.

Spring break camps begin March 14 offering enrichment experiences such as crafts and sports at a cost of $125 per week per participant.

Scottsdale Airport ranks fourth globally in business aviation departures despite having only one runway due to high-season events like Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction contributing significantly to traffic increases.

Marianne T. Bayardi has been appointed as presiding city judge following Joseph Olcavage’s retirement after serving since 2019 as assistant chief presiding judge at Phoenix Municipal Court where she handled misdemeanor cases among others during her tenure there prior roles included working within Arizona Attorney General’s Office Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Arizona Office Administrative Hearings holds Juris Doctorate University Arizona College Law