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Cave Creek - Carefree Area Edition
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This Week
BUSINESS.......... 12
Laurie Husband affiliates with Coldwell Banker
FEATURES......... 17
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Ability360 helping with home modifications BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
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bility360 completed 128 home modification projects in 2022, valued at $1.1 million, the highest total in the last six years, and is taking applications for similar work for 2023. The Ability360 home modification program for individuals in Pinal and Gila counties and sections of rural Maricopa County includes installation of ramps, widening door openings, installing grab bars, modifying sinks and toilets, relocating electrical switches and other home modifications that combat issues related to falling and increase accessibility for those who may have various mobility issues. The program also is available in Cave
Creek, Wickenburg, Buckeye, Gila Bend, Tonopah and Wittman. “Projections indicate that one in four older adults will fall this year,” said Darrel Christenson, vice president of community integration at Ability360. “One of our goals with the fall-prevention component is to reduce the number of falls by increasing safety. The big-picture goal of the program is to ensure that homes are fully accessible.” Christenson cited one project in which a resident had to shower with a garden hose in his backyard because his shower was not fully accessible. Once the project was complete, “he was able to bathe in dignity,” Christenson said. Another resident whose progressive disabil-
ity required him to use a power wheelchair was unable to get down the five steps from his house and was unable to leave his home. Following installation of a ramp, “he was no longer trapped in house,” Christenson said. The rural grant program is primarily for fall prevention for eligible individuals aged 62 and over with low-to-moderate income. To qualify, an individual or family member must have a permanent physical disability, be a homeowner and be income eligible. Funding can cover up to $5000 of the cost and, in some cases, the work may be fully covered at no cost to the household. To apply for home modification or fall prevention, go to https://ability360.org/
see ABILITY360 page 4
Tyler Hilton celebrates Elvis with upcoming show
Town council reviews fire station remodel project progress
FEATURES......... 19
BY SUMMER AGUIRRE Foothills Focus Staff Writer
OPINION.......................7
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Jon McLaughlin is ready for the MIM’s grand pianos
BUSINESS.................. 12 FEATURES................. 14 YOUTH....................... 21 CLASSIFIEDS............. 22 Zone 2
he Cave Creek Town Council reviewed the initial design status and next steps for the town’s Fire Station No. 1 remodel project at a meeting on Jan. 17. Jim Ford, director of community risk reduction, presented the design phase progress and possible engineering steps to best utilize the available building and site space, which is located at 37042 N.
Cave Creek Road. The project is nearly set to go to bid for contracting firms, as the overall design is approximately 30% complete, so the next task is to finish the request for proposal and obtain cost estimates from the contracting industry. “The city really has been waiting for this to happen in this town, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” said Gerrald Adams, commercial director of Perlman Architects of Arizona, during the meeting. “So what we want to do is be as fiscally responsible as possible and approach
this in a way that we would feel that if it was our money, how we would address it?” The overall remodel project, which began in early 2021, has been allotted $1.475 million from the 2021-2022 budget. The funding available for the project’s design is not to exceed $254,344.50, as stated in the official agreement between the Town of Cave Creek and the architec-
see REMODEL page 4
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