State Glance
Phoenix dismantles Squaw Peak, Robert E. Lee street signs
PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix officially installed new signs for two streets whose names have long been considered offensive.
Mayor Kate Gallego watched Monday morning as workers erected a new sign for Piestewa Peak Drive, formerly Squaw Peak Drive.
“This is a huge milestone in becoming the city we strive to be and we will continue working hard to ensure every resident feels respected and safe,” Gallego said later on Twitter.
Historically, “Squaw” is a slur used to describe Native American women. Piestewa honors fallen Native American soldier Lori Piestewa, who was a member of the Hopi tribe and was killed during an ambush in Iraq in 2003.
Officials also unveiled signage for Desert Cactus Street, formerly Robert E. Lee Street.
Critics said having a street named for the Confederate general glorifies the pro-slavery Confederacy.
For years, critics have urged the street name changes. But it wasn’t until last year’s rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and talk of racial reckoning that the issue gained momentum.
The Phoenix City Council approved both new names.
Some residents disagreed, arguing it would force them to change their addresses on personal documents and records.
Ariz. reports no new COVID deaths as toll nears 16,000
PHOENIX — Arizona is reporting no new COVID-19-related deaths as the state’s overall death toll approaches 16,000.
The state Department of Health Services released the latest figures Monday morning, which include 1,039 more confirmed virus cases. This brings Arizona’s overall total case number to 817,821 and the number of deaths to 15,979.
According to the state’s coronavirus dashboard, the number of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 inpatients in the state’s hospitals decreased to 1,241 on Sunday, the fewest since early November. Meanwhile, the number of ICU beds used by COVID-19 patients stood at 382.
Navajo Nation confirms 14 new COVID-19 cases, 2 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation is reporting 14 new coronavirus cases and two more deaths.
The latest figures from tribal health officials on Sunday evening bring the total number of COVID-19 cases to 29,740 cases since the pandemic began. The death toll is now at 1,170.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez cautioned in a statement that people should not become complacent just because case numbers continue to trend downward. He said everyone must continue to practice safety measures like wearing masks and social distancing.
Health facilities on the reservation and in border towns are conducting drive-thru vaccine events or administering doses by appointment. The Navajo-area Indian Health Service has vaccinated more than 100,000 people so far.
A daily curfew from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. and a mask mandate remain in effect for residents of the vast reservation.