FREE SUBSCRIPTION
Panther Pride PAGE
28
peoriatimes.com
INSIDE
This Week
October 13, 2022
Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
Sunrise Mountain’s Bruno Bailon makes school history BY CALEB JONES
Peoria Times Staff Writer
B SPORTS......... 12 Liberty stays undefeated with win over Basha
FEATURES......18 Artist Ray Villafane explores new characters
runo Bailon, a defensive lineman on the Sunrise Mountain football team, is making history at the school. The senior is the first in program history with autism. Seeing her son get to play football at such a high level is an achievement that his mother, Dulce Rubiano, is happy to see. “I’m so proud of my son and his accomplishments,” Rubiano said. Growing up, Bailon was always involved in sports. At 5 years old, he started playing in flag football games hosted by the Special Olympics. Though he did play many other sports, he admitted football was always his favorite. “That sport really does entertain
Bruno Bailon said getting to play football at Sunrise Mountain High School is a dream come true. (Dulce Rubiano/Submitted)
SPORTS..........................12 FEATURES......................16 CALENDAR....................22 RELIGION.......................25 YOUTH...........................28 CLASSIFIEDS..................30
SEE HISTORY PAGE 4
Binsbacher, Beck outline plans for Peoria’s future in debate BY ADEN SCHULZE-MILLER Peoria Times Staff Writer
OPINION..........................8
me,” Bailon said. “Makes me happy.” A fierce competitor, Bailon wasn’t satisfied with the level of competition he was facing during his flag football games. He would say to his mother that he “needed more.” Rubiano knew Bailon was right. “We always saw something in him that he needed more, more challenges,” she said. Although it was clear her son was ready for the next step, she was initially hesitant to allow Bruno to play tackle football. “He was like, ‘Mom, I’m ready to play football,’ and I was like, ‘No, this is a dangerous sport,’” she said. After some careful consideration, and Bailon’s relentless desire to play at the next level, Rubiano decided that
P
eoria mayoral candidates Bridget Binsbacher and Jason Beck debated at the Arizona Broadway Theatre on Oct. 5, answering key questions regarding their visions for Peoria’s future. As the current executive director of the Cactus League and a former Peoria city councilmember, Binsbacher said her extensive political experience makes her a
worthy candidate for Peoria mayor. Founder of tactical equipment company Tyr Tactical, political newcomer and self-described outsider Beck has based his platform on what he calls the three pillars of Peoria. These include a focus on Peoria’s education, economic development and public safety. The debate, which ran for roughly an hour between 7 and 8 p.m., focused on a variety of issues including education, jobs, and the prospect of building an air-
port within the city. Binsbacher and Beck both intend on pursuing similar areas of concern for the city, such as economic development and residential quality of life, yet the two candidates have different perspectives on how they will approach these common issues. One of the key issues discussed was Peoria’s economic climate and the need to bring jobs to the city.
The latest breaking news and top local stories in Peoria!
www.PeoriaTimes.com .com
SEE DEBATE PAGE 4
JUST A CLICK AWAY