🌱 Scottsdale Council Water Vote + Local Shot Wrong Person & Arrested

Hello all. It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Scottsdale Patch newsletter — here to explain everything you need to know about what's happening in the community.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy, a shower; cool. High: 57 Low: 43.

These are the great local businesses who sponsor the Scottsdale Patch newsletter. We love what they do, and we think you will, too:

• Wondering if it is a good time to buy or sell a home in the Scottsdale area? Let us connect you with an experienced Scottsdale real estate agent with over a hundred 5-star ratings on Zillow! Meet local market expert, Realtor Liz McDermott of Homesmart. Liz has lived in Scottsdale since 1997 and is ranked in the top 1% of all Maricopa Realtors. Work with the best — visit Liz here or call her at 480-414-3123.

• Today’s Scottsdale Daily is brought to you by Banner Health. Banner Health makes health care easier, so your life can be better. Find a provider, schedule an appointment, or find the nearest Banner Health location here. With options like telehealth visits, online appointment booking, urgent care services and a convenient app, Banner Health ensures you get the care you need when you need it. Learn more about Banner Health's services in and around Scottsdale here.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top three stories today in Scottsdale:

1. On Tuesday night, Feb. 21, the Scottsdale City Council unanimously approved a plan for the city to provide water to Rio Verde Foothills again after 'turning off the taps' on Jan. 1. According to the new plan, Scottsdale would get Rio Verde’s water from a third party, then treat it and use Scottsdale’s pipes to get it to Rio Verde. The agreement is also temporary, and would only last for up to three years. The plan still needs to be approved by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. (KJZZ.org)
2. Patrick Gruchala, 55, was arrested by Scottsdale police after he allegedly shot the wrong person. According to police, Gruchala attempted to murder the person who foreclosed his home and waited at the intended victim's home. Instead of the correct homeowner, Gruchala attacked a visitor who came to the home for an appointment. Gruchala is currently in Maricopa County Jail; he was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. As of Feb. 21, the victim is in critical condition at a hospital. (AZ Central)
3. At a Tuesday, Feb. 21, meeting, Dr. Scott Menzel, a top educator at Scottsdale Unified School District, said he has no plans to step down. Three state republican lawmakers called for his resignation last month due to comments he made during a 2019 interview in Michigan. Hundreds of parents attended the meeting and according to 12 News, Menzel's supporters outnumbered his opponents. (12 News)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Scottsdale Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Scottsdale Patch newsletter possible.

Today in Scottsdale:

• Immersive Monet & The Impressionists At Lighthouse Artspace (12:00 PM)
• Robert Dubac’s Stand-Up Jesus At Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts (4:00 PM; 7:30 PM)
• Dear Martin, A Jazz Tribute To MLK At Community Design Studio (5:30 PM)
• Live Music Open Mic At Wandering Donkey (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Feb. 21, more than 150 detectives, prosecutors, and probation officers from around the state gathered in Scottsdale for a two-day training session to improve how they interact with victims and investigate sexual assault cases. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said, “We never question a bank robbery victim and say, 'well, were you really robbed?' But we do that all the time with [sexual] assault victims, and so that makes it where you have to jump over an initial hoop to prove a crime ever happened, then prove who did it." (AZ Family)
• This past weekend, there have been a couple of trail rescues that involved fractures. Take the Scottsdale Fire Department's "Desert First Aid" class so that you know what to do while you wait for emergency responders to arrive. The next class is Mar. 25, learn more and sign-up here. (Scottsdale Fire Department via Facebook)
• The youth room at Civic Center Library will be closed beginning Monday, Feb. 27 for carpet replacement and has a tentative reopening date of Friday, Mar. 3. All youth programming will be relocated to the Copper Gallery. Visit any other Scottsdale Public Library or opt for curbside hold pick-up for alternate access to youth items. (Scottsdale Public Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Phoenix Online Media — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 24)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (February 28)
• Estate Planning Seminar at Mustang Library (March 1)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! See you all soon for your next update.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.