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This Week
NEWS................................... 3 Phoenix unruffled by states’ water feud.
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
T
he pandemic continues to impact student performance and proficiency in basic subjects in Tempe Union high schools, including the two in Ahwatukee, and district officials say they may need a threeyear recovery plan. COVID-19 and safety protocols have been especially harsh on the academic performance
of students who are either Native American, Hispanic, African American, English learners or have disabilities. Moreover, dropout rates have increased at all six Tempe Union high schools to varying degrees in the last two school years while graduation rates slipped slightly but still remain above the statewide average of 75%. That data, mainly results from the American College Test administered to last school year’s juniors, were presented to the Tempe Union
NEWS...................................8 City Council candidate will stay on the ballot.
Governing Board last week, causing some members alarm and frustration. “Minority kids are suffering hard,” Hodge said. “So what are we going to go outside of that box to find other ways that may be working for other areas and other states? We’ve got to go beyond just Arizona and find out what we can do because minority kids are suffering.” “I’m emotional because how bad it looks to
see PERFORMANCE page 4
Dad set free after child’s 2004 death in Ahwatukee BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
O
COMMUNITY .......... 23
Ahwatukee psychologist addresses anguish of youth.
Thunder swimmers all in -for titles.
@AhwatukeeFN
Pandemic still crushes TU student performance
Christmas future
SPORTS........................ 35
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Scores of boys and girls of all ages turned out at Dance Studio 111 in Ahwatukee last Saturday to audition for the rebranded Arizona Nutcracker, which owner and Ahwatukee resident Kimberly Lewis has presented for 22 years as the “Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker.” Showing up for the second-youngest age bracket of hopefuls were, from left, Kentlee Razcon (8), Vivian Ameen (9), Millie Rash (8) and Katherine Dillon (8). To keep up with ticket information for the December show, go to arizonanutcracker.com. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)
n the morning of Aug. 16, Jeffrey R. Martinson became a free man. His ankle bracelet was removed and he could legally turn his back forever on the 2004 death of his 5-year-old son, Joshua Eberle Martinson, in a bunkbed in a spare bedroom in his Martinson’s Ahwatukee home. Convicted of first-degree murder in 2011, freed two years later when Maricopa County Judge Sandy Duncan tossed out the case, then arrested again in 2016 when the Arizona Court of Appeals overturned Duncan’s ruling, Martinson was convicted by a jury June 29 of the two least serious charges in the case after a trial that lasted more than three months. His 18-year court battle cost taxpayers at least $5.4 million in fees to court-appointed lawyers.
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see MARTINSON page 14