Volume 30 • Number 1 January 4, 2023
The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson
www.explorernews.com
Police officers, suspect named in a deadly shooting
INSIDE
This Week
BY HOPE PETERS Tucson Local Media Staff
T golf weather for charity and they showed up with smiles on their faces.” Golfers from various clubs and courses in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana and Green Valley formed four-member teams, each including a PGA professional and three club or staff members. Men and women participated. The winner was Skyline Country Club, which included head pro Chris Dompier, Dee Dee Huffer, Jack Schettek and Chris Meza. They will select the beneficiary for new year’s Whiskey Tree Golf Challenge on Dec. 11.
he Tucson Police Department has identified a man shot and killed by officers on Dec. 7 as Kevin James Wallace, 34. On Dec. 27, the department also named the officers involved in the shooting: Sgt. Nicolo A. Solarino, a seven-year veteran of the Tucson Police Department; officer Vicente Valenzuela, a four-year veteran; and lead police officer Rudolpho Tomas Gallego, a five-year veteran. Wallace forced his way into a woman’s apartment in the 5500 block of South Forgeus Avenue and damaged an entry door and several objects inside, according to a police report. When he left, she could not secure the door. Tucson police arrived and tried to de-escalate the situation by firing nonlethal beanbags. When Wallace tried to enter her unsecured apartment for a second time, officers shot Wallace. “The suspect (Wallace) turned to go into the apartment the victim was in that was not able to be secured,” Oro Valley Police Department public information officer Darren Wright said. “The door had been damaged to the point it could not be locked.” Officers rendered aid to Wallace until the
See TOURNEY Page 6
See SHOOTING Page 5
ARTS............................ 11 Artist draws inspiration from shadows and the understated.
SPORTS...................... 13 Madisyn Kunze is Athlete of the Week.
Julie McDermott, executive director of Tucson First Tee, accepts the check from John Ault, general manager of Oro Valley Country Club. (Oro Valley Country Club/Submitted)
Tourney raises $9K Tucson First Tee BY HOPE PETERS
Tucson Local Media Staff Writer
HEALTH...................... 15 Could saturated fats in dairy actually be good for you? YOUTH................................................ 10 ARTS.................................................... 11 SPORTS............................................... 13 HEALTH.............................................. 15 PUZZLE/HOROSCOPES.................. 19 WORSHIP/CLASSIFIEDS................ 20
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ourteen country club golf teams endured near-freezing temperatures to play the inaugural Whiskey Tree Golf Challenge at Oro Valley Country Club for a good cause. Thanks to the foursomes, raffles and sponsorships, the Dec. 12 event raised $9,000 for Tucson First Tee. “We had a lot of donations,” said John Ault, Oro Valley Country Club general manager. “It was amazing because it was for charity. Fourteen teams went out there and braved the really poor
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