Good afternoon. Showers are in the forecast for Friday and Saturday, with highs of 68° and 60°, respectively. Looking ahead to Christmas Day: It’s currently expected to be sunny with a high of 61°.
🌵 Pima County Supervisors elected Sylvia Lee to serve out Sharon Bronson’s term.
Bronson, who serves District 3, is retiring due to health reasons. Lee is a former Pima Community College board member. She promised not to seek reelection next year, meaning the seat will be wide open for the 2024 general election.
🌵 The initial findings of a Pima County Jail report are scheduled to be released today.
The report comes from a Blue Ribbon Commission that was formed in January 2023 to evaluate Sheriff Chris Nanos’ request for a new jail, which could cost as much as $380 million. After releasing their initial findings, the commission will accept public input starting Dec. 26. At least eight people have died in the Pima County Jail this year, and critics say a new facility will not solve the problem.
🌵 One U.S. resident died and two others were wounded by gunfire on a Sonoran highway.
The three men were driving to visit family in Michoacán for the holidays, and attempted to flee an illicit checkpoint before being shot at. The highway where the incident occurred is now an alternative route used by tourists to reach Puerto Peñasco, known as Rocky Point, following the Lukeville border closure.
🌵 A program to help first-time Pima County homebuyers received fresh funding.
The program, known as Pima Tucson Lighthouse 2.0, offers a lower mortgage rate and gives homebuyers a downpayment of 4% of their mortgage amount, with the requirement that borrowers stay in their new homes for five years.
- Arizona Daily Star: Supervisors approve $100 million for first-time homebuyer program
- Pima Tucson Lighthouse 2.0
🌵 Lastly, an adorable bear cub rescued in Oro Valley has a new home.
The cub has been moved to Bearizona, a drive-thru wildlife park west of Flagstaff. He weighs just 15 pounds, which points to an age of four to five months. However, most U.S. bear cubs are born in January and February, making his origin story murky. Bearizona staffers named the bear Buddy after the main character in the Christmas movie “Elf.”