🌱 More Black Widow Spiders + Phoenix PD Recruits In Ohio

Welcome back, Phoenix! Here's everything you need to know to get this Thursday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 86 Low: 61.

Here are the top stories today in Phoenix:

1. ASU and Phoenix police are partnering to ensure that the best person responds to emergency calls. The best person might be a police officer or a counselor. ASU will help police analyze data to determine which response will best resolve the issue. (ABC15 Arizona)
2. Electric bicycles may be coming the Phoenix Sonora Preserve and the city's mountain parks. Phoenix's preserve and mountain park committee is considering allowing the bikes, but first is looking to determine how the bikes might impact trails and which types of electric bikes would be allowed. (AZ Big Media)
3. As officer numbers continue to dwindle, the Phoenix Police Department is upping its recruiting efforts across the state and the country. The department is offering a $7,500 hiring bonus and has recruiting events scheduled for early November in Ohio. (KTAR.com)
4. Phoenicians are seeing more black widow spiders this fall because of abundant Monsoon rains that fed the spider and insect populations. Insects are a food source for black widows. Black widows typically don't come inside houses unless a home is left empty for a month or more. People are usually bitten when smashing the spiders, so experts recommend killing them with a broom or another object. (FOX 10 News Phoenix)

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Today in Phoenix:

• Blood Drive — Horizon High School. (7 a.m.)
• Project Roots Yoga and Wellness Collective Yoga, workshops and training. (8:15 a.m.)
• Martin's Auto Repair celebrates 50 years. (11:30 a.m.)
• Drama Haunted House — Horizon High School. (5 p.m.)
• Haunted Paradise — Paradise Valley High School. (5 p.m.)
• CMAS Phoenix Police Department 10th Annual Halloween Festival. (5:30 p.m.)
• Guitars From Spain — ASU Kerr Cultural Center. (8:30 p.m.)

Phoenix Patch Notebook

• Phoenix Police Department: "Meet Doc and Mazie. These sweet pups are a part of our Employee Assistance Unit. They have one job, to bring happiness and comfort to our employees when there is a need. Doc and Mazie go to traumatic scenes, attend critical incident debriefings and spread joy around police facilities." (Facebook)
• City of Phoenix: "The Mystery Castle near South Mountain appears much the same today as it did when it was built over 75 years ago, and the story behind it is just as interesting." (Facebook)
• City of Phoenix, AZ USA: "$100 grocery gift cards for adults who get fully vaccinated using our #PHX mobile #COVID19 vans. We are still offering no out-of-pocket testing, too! Gift cards available while supplies last. Start here: Phoenix.gov/COVIDTesting" (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update! If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Caitlin Sievers

About me: I'm a passionate writer and photographer who worked as a reporter and editor for various publications in the Midwest before landing in Phoenix. I have seven roommates. Four of them are cats. Contact me at caitlin.sievers@patch.com with story ideas and feedback.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Phoenix Daily? Email me at caitlin.sievers@patch.com.