East Arizona News

Most city offices and facilities in Scottsdale will be closed on Monday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Year's Day. The city's solid waste collection will also be affected, with trash and recycling being collected one day later than usual. The Scottsdale Trolley will not be in operation on New Year's Day as well.

In other news, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is starting a two-year project to widen and improve Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road. The construction includes adding one lane in each direction and making interchange modifications. As part of the project, there will be closures on the weekends of Jan. 5 and Jan. 12.

The northbound section of Loop 101, from Shea Boulevard to Princess Drive/Pima Road, will be closed from 10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, to 5 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 8. This closure includes several northbound on-ramps such as Via de Ventura, Pima Road/90th Street, and Shea Boulevard. Detour routes will be signed, and drivers can re-enter the freeway at Princess Drive/Pima Road.

Similarly, the southbound section of Loop 101, from Princess Drive/Pima Road to Shea Boulevard, will be closed from 10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12, to 5 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 15. This closure includes on-ramps such as Scottsdale Road, Hayden Road, and Princess Drive/Pima Road. Detour routes will be provided, and drivers can re-enter the freeway at Shea Boulevard.

The Scottsdale Fire Department is urging everyone to use fireworks safely and responsibly on New Year's Eve. Fireworks are prohibited in sensitive desert areas, including Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Pinnacle Peak Park. They are also not allowed on publicly owned properties such as city buildings, parking lots, parks, streets, and public schools. The department also advises against pointing or throwing fireworks at others, and recommends that children under 12 should not handle fireworks or sparklers. After using fireworks, it is important to place them in a bucket of water.

In addition to fireworks, the department reminds residents not to shoot firearms into the air to celebrate. Shannon's Law makes it illegal to fire a gun into the air in Arizona's cities and towns.

There are no public meetings scheduled for this week in Scottsdale. However, individuals are encouraged to attend or listen in on the many public meetings hosted by the city to learn about city issues, projects, and activities.

Looking for things to do in Scottsdale? The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration featuring Dr. Battinto Batts, the dean of ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, is taking place on Thursday, Jan. 11, at Scottsdale Stadium's Field House. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are available for purchase.

There are also ongoing activities, such as the Holiday Lights experience at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, the Scottsdale ArtWalk on Thursdays, and the Old Town Farmers Market on Saturdays.

Students in Arizona are invited to apply for Community Celebrating Diversity scholarships, which are sponsored by a nonprofit organization. The scholarships are awarded to high school graduates who show promise in academics and community service. Recycle your Christmas trees and wreaths through Scottsdale Solid Waste Services, either by dropping them off at designated locations or placing them in the green waste pile for collection.

The city of Scottsdale is also seeking individuals to serve on various boards and commissions. Interested applicants can submit an online application by Friday, Jan. 26.

Lastly, residents are reminded to break down shipping boxes before recycling and to protect plants from frost damage during the winter months.

For more information on these updates and other city services, residents can contact the City Call Center or visit the city's website.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/news/scottsdale-update-dec-26-2023