🌱 Scottsdale Gas Leak + Southwest Center Awarded Grant + 'Watchers'

Hello all. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through all the most important things happening in town these days.

But first, today's weather:

A shower; breezy in the a.m. High: 62 Low: 44.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Phoenix! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

1. In nearby Scottsdale, a gas leak caused over 200 apartments to evacuate yesterday, Nov. 2. The gas leak also caused a portion of Scottsdale Road to temporarily shut down. Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Tempe Fire Departments worked with Southwest Gas to find the source of the leak near Scottsdale and Thomas rRoads. As of Wednesday evening, the source has not been disclosed. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
2. Phoenix’s Southwest Center was awarded a grant to fund its gender-expansive Housing Support Program. The $150,000 Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Program grant will support the Center's efforts focusing on ensuring that LGBTQ+ people experiencing housing insecurity won’t have to put their health to the side in order to afford the cost of living. With the grant, the Center will expand its pre-existing program so it can support 24 clients over the next three years. (Arizona's Family)
3. A federal judge in Phoenix issued a temporary restraining order against ballot "watchers." Following voter intimidation in the Valley last month, a full written order has been issued for a temporary restraining order against the ballot box watchers with Clean Elections USA. The "watchers" will not be able to be within 75 feet of drop boxes and armed watchers cannot go within 250 feet of the drop boxes. According to the order, the watchers will not be allowed to speak or yell at a voter first unless they talk to the armed watchers first. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)

Today in Phoenix:

• Arizona Goes to the Movies: A Filmmaking History With Jim Turner, At McFarland State Historic Park (11:00 AM)
• Arizona Sierra Club Conservation Meeting, At 514 W Roosevelt St. (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Here are the 2022 Phoenix Business Journal Best Places to Work finalists. Did your company make the list? (Subscription: The Business Journals)
• Did you know? All new and current City of Phoenix employees can use up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave following the birth, adoption, or placement of a new child. More details can be found here. (City of Phoenix, AZ USA via Facebook)
• Take a look at some of the adorable pets at Arizona Humane Society who are now ready for a home of their own. All of these cuties can hardly wait to meet you at the Arizona Humane Society! If you're interested, you can schedule your adoption appointment here to meet them. (Arizona Humane Society via Facebook)
• Join the Phoenix Public Library for the 2022 Día de los Muertos celebration in the Central Gallery and the Second Space Gallery at Burton Barr Central Library. This year’s exhibitions are on display through Nov. 4. (Phoenix Public Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Our World Energy — (Visit website)
• 9 Cent Color Copies — (Visit Website)
• Phoenix Online Media — (Visit website)
• Faceless Digital — (Visit website)
• Jensen Family Law in Glendale AZ — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Seminar - Prescott Public Library (November 9)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (November 12)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.