🌱 Locals Support Phoenix Student Battling Cancer + Missing Cockatoo

Hello, neighbors! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh copy of the Phoenix Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and hot. High: 110 Low: 88.

Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

1. Local residents are rallying around Lucas Colwell, a senior at Thunderbird High School in Phoenix who is battling a cancerous brain tumor. Despite the success of a grueling seven-and-a-half-hour surgery, Colwell faces an arduous journey ahead with daily radiation and chemotherapy treatments set to begin Sep. 5. To assist the family with mounting medical bills, a local fundraiser was held yesterday, Aug. 29, at Mellow Mushroom pizzeria, and a GoFundMe campaign has also been launched. (Arizona's Family)
2. Annette, a lifelong resident of a home south of Thomas Road in West Phoenix, is pleading for a solution to the recurring problem of cars crashing into her front yard. Despite fortifying her property with steel and concrete beams, she continues to face accidents ranging from minor fender-benders to serious incidents requiring police involvement. City officials have suggested speed humps as a potential fix but note that the installation of barriers on private property is not within their remit; meanwhile, Annette aims to raise awareness among local drivers to slow down and be cautious. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
3. The South Phoenix-based nonprofit, A Tropical Concept Exotic Bird Rescue, is asking for help in locating Bella, a 22-year-old Umbrella Cockatoo that was rehomed by her recent adopter in violation of the rescue's rules. Kimberly Vallen, the rescue's owner, suspects the bird might have been sold due to her occasionally loud nature and is offering a $10,000 reward for Bella's safe return or information leading to her current caretakers. Believing that Bella could be residing in Show Low, Sierra Vista, or Tucson, Vallen aims to ensure the bird's well-being, willing to buy her back or let her stay with her current family if she's being well-cared for. (Arizona's Family)

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Today in and around Phoenix:

Wednesday, August 30

• Blood Drive At Madison School District Office (12:00 PM)

From our partner:

Do you know an outstanding community leader in Phoenix? Nominate them here for a chance to be featured on Patch!

From my notebook:

• A new Nordstrom Rack outlet is coming to metro Phoenix in early 2024! The new 28,000-square-foot store will be located in Queen Creek Marketplace. (The Arizona Republic)
• The Phoenix Fire Department highlighted Gov. Katie Hobbs' signing of House Bill 2717, which guarantees unlimited mental health services for all 911 dispatchers in Arizona. Learn more about the bill here. (Phoenix Fire Department via Facebook)
• Did you know that public Wi-Fi is available for free from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. outdoors at multiple municipal locations, including 16 Phoenix Public Library locations (except South Mountain Community Library)? Find the closest locations to you using this map! (City of Phoenix, AZ USA via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.