The Voice of Marana since 2007
Volume • Number April ,
www.Maranaweeklynews.com
Multigen facility in final steps of design
Inside
This Week
FEATURES ................. 13
BY LAURA LATZKO
Tucson Local Media Staff
Nonprofit to bury veterans
her baby is on the street. It was horrible.” Hammond shares this as part of a multistory package about the women firefighters of the Marana Fire District. Out of the nearly 300 firefighters and administrative staff in the Northwest Fire District, Hammond is one of only five women who have sworn to lay it all on the line to protect lives, community and property. This is a bit of Hammond’s story. Hammond began her career in the fire service 23 years ago, when she joined the Phoenix Fire Department. From there she moved to Nogales and finally to Marana. These days, the fire department veteran works
see TRAIL page 6
see FACILITY page 8
After a fire, inspector/investigator Marcela Hammond will arrive on the scene to determine the cause of the fire. She is careful to inspect the scene with an open mind and no preconceived ideas. (Karen Schaffner/Staff )
NEWS ........................ 16 Movie, camping events come together
Blazing a trail: An 8-hour shift BY KAREN SCHAFFNER Tucson Local Media Staff
HEALTH ..................... 21 'Beezing' is the latest fad to avoid OPINION ...................................... 10 FEATURES.................................... 12 NEWS ........................................... 16 SPORTS ........................................ 18 HEALTH ....................................... 21 PUZZLE/HOROSCOPES ............. 22 WORSHIP/CLASSIFIEDS ........... 24 MLS #22307126
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arcela Hammond has a lifesaving story she likes to tell when civilians ask about her job. It involves a little girl and a terrible car crash. “When I was a regular firefighter, and I was on the ambulance, I remember we had a vehicle accident on the freeway, a very busy interstate where there was a child who was injured,” she said. “I remember talking to the mom, and I was getting the information for the child. She tells me the little girl’s date of birth, and it’s the same date of birth as my own daughter. I think that hit not only a personal thing, but I was talking to another mom who had a baby the same day I did, and now
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he town of Marana is in the final stages of designing its multigenerational community center and aquatics facility with the firm Architekton. Updates have been given at town council meetings every three months. Town staff are also working with Abacus, a project management firm, and Chasse Building Team, which is providing preconstruction services. Marana Parks and Recreation Director Jim Conroy said he expects the groundbreaking to take place in the summer, with opening slated for fall 2024. Conroy said the center will improve Marana residents’ quality of life. “As you get into the lifestyle, physical fitness and mental health benefits, that’s what these facilities are all about,” Conroy said. The facility was designed with people of various ages and interests in mind. “We really think it’s going to be the heartbeat of the community because it’s
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