NE Valley Times

Most city offices in Scottsdale will be closed on December 25-26 for Christmas and January 1-2 for New Year's. Garbage and recycling collection will continue as scheduled. Residents are advised to place their containers out by 5 a.m. on the day of collection or the evening before.

Short-term rental property owners in Scottsdale have until January 8 to obtain a license, as required by city ordinance. As of December 16, only 591 out of an estimated 5,000 properties have applied for or received a license. Starting January 9, unlicensed short-term rentals will face enforcement actions including fines starting at $1,000 per violation.

Scottsdale Mayor David D. Ortega is set to deliver his State of the City address on January 18 at the Scottsdale Stadium Fieldhouse. The event is sponsored by the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce and HonorHealth.

The city has adopted mandatory "green" building requirements with new developments expected to reduce water use by 20% and greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10%. These standards follow the latest International Energy Conservation Code and International Green Construction Code.

Several public meetings are scheduled, including a Tourism Development Commission meeting on December 20. Various events such as Scottsdazzle continue throughout December in Old Town Scottsdale.

Dr. Benjamin Chavis will speak at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Dinner Celebration on January 12, where Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey will be honored as a Diversity Champion.

Residents can order free COVID-19 test kits from COVIDtests.gov starting this week and reserve community spaces for private events through an online form.

The United States Tennis Association has recognized Scottsdale Ranch Park & Tennis Center as a premier facility under its new pilot program.

The annual Yule Log returns on Scottsdale Video Network from December 24-25, offering holiday music alongside a virtual fireplace experience.