🌱 PFD Retrains Firefighters + Stray Bullet Misses Toddlers In Home

Hello, neighbors! Miranda Fraraccio here with your fresh copy of the Phoenix Patch newsletter, full of everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and hot. High: 113 Low: 89.

Here are the top three stories in Phoenix today:

1. Following the tragic death of 53-year-old Francesca Sandberg, who died after Phoenix firefighters allegedly refused to call an ambulance during her cardiac event, an investigation by ABC15 uncovered numerous similar complaints. In response, the Phoenix Fire Department has retrained all its firefighters on state laws regarding ambulance denial and introduced a new policy requiring paramedics to consult with a doctor in high-risk refusal situations. While ambulance transport rates in Phoenix have risen by 18 percent since the changes, Bruce Sandberg, Francesca's widower, continues to advocate for stronger patient rights and accountability for first responders. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
2. In a harrowing incident on 11th Avenue near Greenway Parkway, Phoenix, a stray bullet narrowly missed two sleeping toddlers, piercing through three walls of their family home. The Ross family discovered the bullet's trajectory the following morning, leaving them deeply shaken. As the Phoenix Police continue their investigation, the family has taken added precautions by ordering bulletproof panels for their children's rooms, while urging the community for increased safety measures on Greenway due to recurrent road rage and speeding. If you have any information, contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS; those who speak Spanish can call Testigo Silencioso at 480-TESTIGO. (FOX 10 News Phoenix)
3. Ina Daly, a seasoned Phoenix trucker with 40 years under her belt, is set to represent Arizona at the 2023 National Truck Driving and Step Van Driving Championships (NTDC) in Columbus, Ohio, often dubbed the “Truck Drivers’ Olympics.” Boasting a stellar track record, Daly has competed in 29 truck driving contests over her career, clinching titles in 16 and notably being the first woman to secure a class title at NTDC in 2013. The rigorous championships will test drivers on their regulatory knowledge, pre-drive checks, and driving skills, with Daly emphasizing the importance of safety and the camaraderie the event fosters among participants. (The Business Journals)

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Today in Phoenix:

Wednesday, August 16

• Mudvayne At Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre (5:30 PM)
• Char’s Has The Blues At Chars LIVE (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Did you know an iconic piece of Phoenix history can be found at 12th and Jefferson? The Booker T. Washington Elementary School has a rich history. Click the link to learn all about it in the latest episode of PHX in About a Minute. (City of Phoenix, AZ USA via Facebook)
• It's BOGO season at the Arizona Humane Society! Adopt one cat or critter and the second will have a waived adoption fee. View all the adoptable animals here. (Arizona Humane Society via Facebook)
• The City of Phoenix Public Works Department offered a reminder for when recycling notebooks: remove the metal bindings and recycle the loose papers separately. (City of Phoenix Public Works Department via Facebook)
• During her Monday commute on I-10 in Phoenix, a woman was surprised to discover two kittens beneath her car hood after hearing unusual meows! With the help of an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper and a roadside assistant, the kittens were safely retrieved from under the passenger side. Click the link to view photos of the kittens. (Arizona's Family)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another 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.