NEW PROGRAM PUTS TUCSON POLICE INTO NEIGHBORHOOD APARTMENT AREAS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS - Officers from the Tucson Police Department (TPD) are addressing high-crime areas by acting as "street-corner problem solvers," connecting people with the help they need, while also working to stop crime in those areas. Police resources are focused on these "micro-locations" and violent offenders, leaving others in the neighborhood free from unwanted police attention, Assistant Chief Kevin Hall told the Arizona Daily Star. Programs will be in place for at least three years. After police and others clean up a troubled area, they'll have the time to break down any remaining criminal networks and address problems in surrounding areas instead of simply moving on to the next task, the Star reported. TPD already is working with local service providers and other City departments to ensure the changes will last. TPD selected three locations for the first sites: the north side's Oasis Apartments at 2550 N. Dodge Blvd.; the south side's Rancho del Mar Apartments at 6200 S. Campbell Ave.; and the east side's Tierra del Sol Apartments at 7450 E. 22nd St.
Read more from the Arizona Daily Star

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC INITIATIVES CELEBRATES NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK NEXT WEEK - The City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives joins the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and their regional economic development partners in celebrating Economic Development Week, May 9-13. Economic Development Week was created in 2016 by IEDC, the largest international professional trade association for economic developers. The goals of the designated week are to increase awareness of local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities. The Office of Economic Initiatives collaborated with private sector firms to create 335 new jobs and bring more than $38 million in capital investment to Tucson in the first quarter of 2022. It also works with local and regional organizations to attract and retain high-quality jobs, facilitate growth, and stimulate entrepreneurship.
Read the news release
Office of Economic Initiatives/ConnectTucson
International Economic Development Council

FREE CONCERTS IN TWO CITY PARKS IN MAY AND JUNE - Gene C. Reid Park and Morris K. Udall Park will be alive with music throughout May. The Tucson Pops Orchestra will host Music Under the Stars on Sundays, May 8-June 12, at 7 p.m., at the Gene C. Reid Park's George DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, East 22nd Street and South Country Club Road. The show is under the baton of László Veres, who curates, coordinates, and conducts the ensemble. In addition, The Arizona Symphonic Winds will host Music at the Park on Saturdays, May 14-June 4, at 7 p.m., at the László Veres Amphitheater at Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road.
Tucson Pops Orchestra
Arizona Symphonic Winds

MAJOR INTERSTATE 10 CLOSURE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS THIS WEEKEND IN PHOENIX - If you're planning to head to Phoenix this weekend for Mother's Day, allow yourself some extra time to get there. Interstate 10 will be closed in both directions between US 60 (Superstition Freeway) and Loop 202 (Santan/South Mountain Freeway). Westbound I-10 will be closed between Loop 202 and US 60 from 10 p.m. Friday, May 6, to noon Sunday, May 8. Eastbound I-10 will be closed between US 60 and Loop 202 from 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7, to 4 a.m. Monday, May 9, for utility relocation work. Detours will be in place. Follow the link below for all closures and detours.
Interstate 10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project alerts

REID PARK ZOO WELCOMES MEERKAT PUPS (VIDEO) - Meerkat parents Dudley and Leslie welcomed two pups on March 13 at Reid Park Zoo, increasing its total meerkat mob to 13. The pups can be seen digging, playing, and learning the role of sentry (scanning the sky for predators and alerting others of potential danger). Meerkats are part of the mongoose family and are found in western Africa. At Reid Park Zoo, they can be found near the otter and giraffe habitats.
Watch the video
Reid Park Zoo