🌱 Taxes For Crumbling Freeways + Policy Change On Plea Deals

Good morning, Scottsdale! Like many of you, the Patch staff is taking some time off for the holiday, so there will not be a newsletter in your inbox on Monday morning. We'll catch up with you bright and early on Tuesday, but in the meantime, have a great Labor Day weekend!

📣 Our readers love to celebrate good news! You can now shout out your big announcement at the top of the Scottsdale Daily newsletter. Whether it's a grand opening, new product for sale, birthday, anniversary, engagement, wedding or new baby, let everyone celebrate alongside you! Submit your announcement here.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and hot. High: 106 Low: 84.

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Here are the top three stories today in Scottsdale:

1. Over half of the rubberized asphalt on the area's freeways are at serious risk of crumbling. Maricopa County attempted to generate funds to pay for the rehabilitation but Arizona's governor vetoed the transportation tax bill. Arizona law requires the county to get state approval before holding an election on transportation taxes. It is unclear if the county will be pursuing the tax increase in the future. (Axios)
2. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office will be requiring prosecutors to offer plea deals that include prison sentences to defendants who used a firearm while committing a crime. The new policy does not extend to individuals who happened to possess a firearm when the crime was committed. Democrat Julie Gunnigle, who is running against County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, criticized the policy change. (KOLD)
3. The Riot Hospitality Group has released plans for a new restaurant and bar in Old Town Scottsdale. The project will build a location titled Fiesta Restaurant at the site on Camelback Road and Saddlebag Trail. The group has shared a rendering of the proposed building. Click the following link to view. (The Business Journals)

Today in Scottsdale:

• FREE Foam Frenzy At Odysea Aquarium (10:00 AM)
• Theater Dance Lessons At Scottsdale Neighborhood Arts Place (11:30 AM)
• Guys And Dolls At Desert Stages Theatre (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Scottsdale Police Department shares a list of K9 units that have served the community since 1987 in honor of National Police K9 Day. Click to view the full list. (Scottsdale Police Department via Facebook)
• The Scottsdale Fire Department has a new group of recruits. They will be joining the Chandler Academy on Sep. 12. Click to view the photo. (Scottsdale Fire Department via Facebook)
• The City of Scottsdale notifies the community that both measles and monkeypox have been detected in the state. Click for more information. (City of Scottsdale - Government via Facebook)

That's it for today! Have a safe Labor Day weekend!

— Helen Eckhard

About me: Helen Eckhard is a marketing assistant at Lightning Media Partners. She is a self-professed logophile who is currently pursuing her master’s degree in library science. Outside of work, you can find Helen constructing crossword puzzles, knitting, or devising increasingly crafty ways to kill off characters in her mystery novels.