Twenty-eight Pima County youth will participate in a mock-trial exercise followed by a graduation ceremony and reception on July 12 to celebrate the conclusion of their summer internships with various courts and justice agencies in Pima County. The public is invited to attend both events, showcasing what the students have learned during their seven-week employment and education program.

The 10:30 a.m. celebration in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room will include remarks by the Hon. Kyle A. Bryson, presiding judge of Pima County; Ronald G. Overholt, administrator of the Superior Court, and Ramon Valadez, District 2 supervisor, Pima County Board of Supervisors. Arnold Palacios, director of Pima County Community Services, Employment and Training along with Judge Bryson will present certificates to the graduates. Courts Are Us students Melissa Baker, Montzerrat Gastelum, Ben Hong, Amil Johnson and Joseph Siml will also address the audience.

Prior to graduation, Superior Court Judge Gus Aragon will preside over a mock jury trial. The Courts Are Us interns will take on the trial roles, including as counsel for the plaintiff and the defendant, witnesses, and jurors in a case designed to demonstrate a civil trial proceeding in the Arizona judicial system.

The interns worked a variety of jobs this summer in Superior Court, Tucson City Court, and Pima County Justice Court, as well as the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court, and that of the Pima County Public Defender. Each intern was supervised in their workplace by dedicated staff members who offered daily guidance. As well, local judges and attorneys volunteered as mentors for every student and helped provide direction and feedback regarding the student’s future goals.

To date, about 760 Pima County youth have taken part in the Courts Are Us program, founded in 1992 by retired Judge Norman Fenton in response to the Rodney King trial verdicts and ensuing Los Angeles riots. The goal of Courts Are Us, said Judge Fenton, is to share with students “the majesty, rights and freedoms” that come with exposure to the United States’ legal system.

Courts Are Us is sponsored by the Superior Court in Pima County and Pima County Community, Employment and Training Department.

Mock Trial: 8:30 a.m. Friday, July 12, Pima County Superior Court, Courtroom 805, 110 W. Congress. (Arrangements to cover the mock trial must be made through Krisanne LoGalbo.)

Graduation Ceremony: 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 12, Pima County Administration Building, 130 W. Congress, First Floor, Board of Supervisors Hearing Room.

TUCSON, Arizona – Sundt Construction, Inc. (www.sundt.com) and its joint venture partner Kiewit recently completed reconstruction of the Interstate 10 interchange at Ina Road in Tucson.

Since January 2017, the joint venture team has worked to elevate the Ina Road interchange, widen I-10 and Ina Road, and replace the existing Santa Cruz River Bridge. The improved infrastructure will help reduce delays and increase safety for the nearly 25,000 drivers who use the interchange every day.

The construction manager at risk project included reconstruction of the interchange at Ina Road as a precast concrete bridge overpass to I-10. It also included several street improvements, channel construction, drainage, retaining walls, signals, lighting, and utility relocation.

Of the various improvements made, the most notable is the bridge, which will take traffic over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and break up delays on a heavily used four-lane road. Railroad crossings were previously at street level, causing frequent backups for daily drivers. Now drivers will have safer, faster access to and from the interstate.

Sundt opened its Tucson office in 1929. In the decades since, it has built notable landmarks across the Old Pueblo including nearly 60 buildings on the University of Arizona campus, the 4^th Avenue Underpass and most recently the Banner-University Medical Center Tucson’s new tower. The company has three offices in Arizona: Tucson, Tempe and Phoenix.

20192TUCSON, AZ – The Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) is hosting a week-long celebration July 8^th through July 14^th to thank Tucson’s educators. In appreciation of all the hard work our educators put into the community, and in celebration of our 75^th Anniversary, HSSA is offering sponsored adoptions for all employees that take part in education such as teachers, professors, principals, school faculty, and non-profit educators.

“We have been partnering with local educators for many years and it’s one of our proudest accomplishments. Showing our gratitude through sponsored adoptions will allow shelter pets to find their forever homes and give them time to bond with their new family over summer vacation,” says HSSA’s Director of Education and Community Outreach, Inge Koopman-Leyva.

What are sponsored adoptions? Because of the gratitude and generosity of local businesses that support HSSA, sponsors offer to cover the cost of adopting a new family member. To take advantage of these discounts you only need to provide a business card, pay stub, proof of teacher retirement pension, or school photo identification card to show that you’re an educator.

Sponsored adoptions are possible because of the generosity of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery of Arizona -Tucson, Truly Nolen Pest & Termite Control, and Mister Car Wash. As an added bonus Truly Nolen Pest & Termite Control will also be providing dog toys and bandannas to take home with your new furry family member. Sponsored adoption fees will only be available at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. Puppies and kittens under 6 months of age are not included in this sponsorship.

On Friday, July 12th educators are invited to HSSA’s Top of the Class Teacher Social from 11am to 2pm at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. Educators will enjoy delicious food and drinks while mingling with Tucson’s Top of the Class Educators! Attendees will receive a campus tour, early classroom registration for the 2019-2020 school year, humane education curriculum materials, introduction to the education ambassador animals and PET VIP therapy dogs, tote bag, book, and other exclusive giveaways. Registration is limited so RSVP now at www.HSSAZ.org/TEACH.

For more information on HSSA’s 75^th Anniversary events visit www.HSSAZ.org/75.