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THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
Op-Ed: Student debt
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This Week
BUSINESS .... 14 WV nabs Soda Bomb, more new businesses
FEATURES .... 19 Alamar Park celebrates opening with free event
YOUTH ......... 23 Littleton district expands its preschool program
OPINION ...............10 BUSINESS.............. 14 SPORTS ..................16 CALENDAR ............17 FEATURES ..............18 OBITUARIES ...........21 YOUTH ..................23 CLASSIFIEDS ..........23 SOUTH
The Voice of the West Valley for 37 years
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August 31, 2022
Disabled firefighter’s wife set to be honored BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI West Valley View Executive Editor
K
imberly Nochta is a natural caregiver. Taking care of others comes easily to the North Phoenix native, who was dubbed an “old soul” as a child. The South Scottsdale resident followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a nurse. Her instincts kicked in when her 37-yearold Goodyear firefighter husband, Cory, was diagnosed with ALS on Oct. 19, 2020, forcing him to medically retire late last year. She took on a second job all the while making time for their blended family and Cory’s doctor’s appointments. Helping One Woman Goodyear will honor Kimberly on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at The Wigwam’s Sachem Ballroom, 300 E. Wigwam Boulevard, Litchfield Park. Founded in Fresno, California, Helping One Woman supports “one woman at a time move forward on her journey through times of devastating trouble and loss.” Each Helping One Woman chapter honors a recipient each month whose name is drawn from nominations submitted by women in attendance and randomly selected at the previous month’s dinner. Attendees purchase their own meal and provide a $10 or greater cash gift at each month’s dinner. This monetary gift the
Cory and Kimberly Nochta have a blended family who keeps them busy. (Kimberly Nochta/Submitted)
participants offer to each recipient supplements their income. According to the website, “The overwhelming emotional and heartfelt support that we give our recipients is the energy behind the Helping One Woman organization.” Kimberly was nominated by Zack Renschler, the director of the United Goodyear Firefighters Charities, and her name was
chosen randomly by a previous honoree. The United Goodyear Firefighters L4005 is teaming with Helping One Woman for the event. “It is beautiful,” Renschler said of the dinner. “A lot of the attention is on Cory, which I totally understand. He was diagnosed with ALS, and watching what it’s
Wife...continued on page 3
West Valley volleyball club takes nationals BY CALEB JONES
West Valley View Staff Writer
T
he AZ Epic 16 Elite volleyball team conquered an undefeated foe to win the USA Volleyball USA Division National Championship in Indianapolis for the first time. Head coach Mike Lussier said his team is the first in the West Valley to win this
tournament. AZ Epic 16 Elite has players from Avondale, Buckeye and Goodyear. The AZ Epic 16 Elite players are no strangers to qualifying for the USAV National Championship tournament, as the club has reached it several times. However, this season is the first time the club won it. The team had a mediocre start to the
tourney, with a 4-3 record through the first seven games. It finished with four straight wins, the last of which was the championship game against the 10-0 Miami Hype. “Once we got there, it was all confidence,” said Raechelle Dykstra of AZ Epic 16 Elite about the finals.
Volleyball...continued on page 4