Tempe in Motion

Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell had a very personal reason for seeking "Dementia Friendly City" status for the city. His mother Marianne has suffered a 12-year decline, with Alzheimer's disease progressively robbing her of her memories and functionality.

To Mitchell's family, which has seen Marianne deteriorate, the loss has been devastating. One sign of her changes was getting lost taking her granddaughter to her Girl Scout troop, an errand she had run many times. She put clothing in the dishwasher and toothpaste on her hands instead of lotion.

Mitchell's daughters, now 14 and 17, have experienced Marianne's forgetfulness and have transferred that worry to their dad. They had only really known their grandmother since she began showing symptoms of Alzheimer's.

"If I forgot something, they would ask, 'Are you going to be like Babi (their nickname for their grandmother)?'" he said.

Mitchell's father, Congressman Harry Mitchell, has been Marianne's caregiver. When the congressman lost his third-term bid for re-election, he decided to care for Marianne full time. Married for 54 years, Harry was not going to desert his wife who had always been there for him. They met when they were both teachers in Tempe.

Mark and his sister Ann attended classes on Alzheimer's and dementia to understand more about the disease. They learned about the heavy toll it could take on caregivers of dementia patients. They realized how tired their father was and urged him to get help.

Help came in the form of Oakwood Creative Care, a day-care program in Mesa where Marianne received stimulating attention from two to five days a week, which provided some respite for Harry. He was so impressed with the facility that he joined the board of directors.

"Oakwood Creative (Care) allowed my mom to stay home longer," Mark claims. "She likes to dance and loves music, especially 'Rock Around the Clock."

Oakwood encourages music and the arts to stimulate dementia patients.

Still, his father was tired. Friends and family encouraged Harry to consider full-time care for Marianne. Her disease had developed to the point where she didn't make sense when she spoke.

In August 2015, Marianne became a full-time resident at Hawthorne Court, which specializes in memory care patients, in Ahwatukee. Harry is still devoted to her, visiting every morning to help her start her day.

According to Mark, on a rare weekend away when his dad went to Washington, D.C., to visit his former Congressional staff, Harry returned and realized Marianne didn't miss him. Her memory and sense of time was lost.

The progress of Marianne's Alzheimer's disease meant she was not able to attend Mark's second swearing-in ceremony this past July as Tempe mayor.

"Not having mom there was tough. I miss my mom. She was always there for us," Mark said.

Making Tempe a Dementia Friendly City was a natural move. Dementia, of which Alzheimer's disease is the most common form, is estimated to affect 1,500 in Tempe. Multiply that number by two to include the caregivers, who endanger their health and don't ask for help soon enough.

Jan Dougherty, director of Banner Alzheimer's Institute, cited Arizona statistics estimating that 80,000 Maricopa County residents have dementia with a total of 120,000 cases in Arizona. State projections indicate that these numbers will double in the next 10 years.

By becoming a Dementia Friendly City, Tempe has set the stage for programs and resources to be available to those who can benefit, both patients and caregivers. Tempe has partnered with Banner Alzheimer's Institute to provide programs and new approaches to care and community building.

Dougherty said, "Silver Alert legislation has now made services available to people of any age with dementia."

Previously, if a loved one with dementia wandered off, but was younger than 65, services were not available. Dougherty cites statistics that 60 percent of people with dementia wander off. On foot, typically that means the patient might walk 2-3 miles. For those who have access to a car, they could drive 30-60 miles.

By being a Dementia Friendly City, Tempe has begun the process of making neighborhoods safe places for everyone, where people will know when someone could be in danger and have resources to help.

Next week: New advances in care and medicine for dementia patients in Tempe and Arizona.

Tempe police arrested civil rights leader Jarrett Maupin as he led a group of protesters who succeeded in shutting down the Mill Avenue bridge Monday morning. A group of officers on motorcycles and bicycles had pleaded with the protesters to get out of the roadway and to use the sidewalk.

Arizona State quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) throws against California during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Tempe police arrested civil rights leader Jarrett Maupin as he led a group of protesters who succeeded in shutting down the Mill Avenue bridge Monday morning. A group of officers on motorcycles and bicycles had pleaded with the protesters to get out of the roadway and to use the sidewalk.

Starting near Tempe Beach Park, the protesters at first marched west toward Phoenix, shouting "Hands up, don't shoot" and "No justice, no peace." They turned around near an underpass, east of Washington Street. At that point, Maupin was arrested by Tempe police and loaded into the back of a white van. At least two other protesters who refused to get out of the road also were arrested.

"Protesters were provided the lawful opportunity to voice their concerns and reminded numerous times to remain on the sidewalks to assure their safety, along with the safety of others commuting in the area,'' Tempe police said in statement released  late Monday afternoon.

The release said that Maupin, 29, was arrested and booked on suspicion of failure to obey a lawful order of a police officer and obstruction of a public thoroughfare.

Michael Moynihan, 34, and Calvin Hollins Jr, 43, was arrested on suspicion of the same charges. Calvin Hollins was booked also on an outstanding warrant from Chandler City Court accusing him of disorderly conduct. 

Earlier in the protest, police said on Twitter, "Rev. Maupin is telling protesters to stay in the street. Police continue to advise protesters to get out of street for everyone's safety."

But a crowd of other protesters, probably as many as 100, succeeded in crossing the Mill Avenue bridge and returned to Tempe Beach Park. They included the mother and father of Dalvin Hollins, 19, who was shot to death July 27 by a Tempe officer.

Police said Hollins had stolen a narcotic drug from behind the counter of a Walgreen's pharmacy and had fled on foot. The shooting occurred after police pursued Hollins to a nearby nursing home. Police said Hollins was unarmed, but simulated a gun. The shooting remains under investigation and Lt. Edward Ouimette, who shot Hollins after police said he perceived a threat to his life, is on medical leave, said Detective Lily Duran, a police spokeswoman.

Sarah Coleman, Hollins' mother, appeared to confront officers as they shouted commands for her and other protesters to use the sidewalk. Coleman and the other protesters had been walking across the east lanes of the bridge toward downtown Tempe.

"I said, 'Arrest me, you murdered my son. If you are going to arrest one person, arrest us all.'"

"It was helpful," Coleman said, when asked if the protest helps her grieve her son's loss, "but I want more people to join me."

She said she remembers her son's smile and said the protest "is going to help us deal with the aftermath of his death."

Frederick Franklin, Hollins' father, called for police to release the result of their investigation and any videos related to the shooting as soon as possible.

"They are adding insult to injury by prolonging the release," Franklin said.

Tempe police met with Maupin, who had attempted to block roads in Phoenix during two previous protests, and told him that they would respect his right to protest but they would not allow him to shut down Mill Avenue. The protesters were warned in advance that they would be subject to arrest if they blocked Mill.

Maupin criticized Tempe police and Chief Sylvia Moir before the protesters walked into Mill Avenue, near Rio Salado. He called Tempe police a "predominantly white racist police department with a terrible record" and said you would have to be a black person driving in Tempe at night to understand his statement fully.

Maupin accused Tempe police of covering up the shooting and demanded that police fire Ouimette.

He called Moir, who is in her first year as Tempe's police chief, "a coward and a hypocrite."

A three-car crash in Chandler on Sunday afternoon injured 10 and sent 8 to the hospital.

The intersection of Arizona Avenue and Warner Road was restricted for much of the day. It reopened after six hours.

One of the injured, a young girl, was ejected from the car. She was in critical condition Sunday night.

Also sent to the hospital were two teenagers and a 35-year-old woman.

Authorities are still investigating.

ASU's Edmond Boateng, (from left) Tramel Topps and Jeremy Smith, celebrate following ASU's 51-41 win over Cal at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Saturday, September 24, 2016. David Wallace/azcentral sports

The Arizona Attorney General's Office plans to file a motion to dismiss more than 1,000 lawsuits filed against Arizona businesses that accuse them of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Attorney General's action is the last leg of a strategy to attack the suits filed by Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities. A judge made it possible to dismiss the suits by issuing a ruling that consolidated 1,106 cases.

Many of the suits were filed earlier this year against Mesa businesses. The suits typically accused the businesses of failing to install handicapped parking spaces, or failing to have large enough handicapped spaces to accommodate a van. Businesses also were accused of not having signs that were high enough to comply with the regulation.

The 26-year-old civil rights law's purpose is to ensure that the disabled have an equal opportunity to access public buildings. It requires handicapped parking spaces, ramps and other measures designed to remove impediments that would block disabled people from entering buildings.

Business owners have said that they support the law but not the foundation's tactics. Advocates for the disabled have said there is no excuse for businesses to not comply with such a well-established law.

Peter Strojnik, the attorney who filed the suits on the behalf of the foundation, has said he took the action to enforce the law because government agencies, specifically the Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Department of Justice, had failed to do so.

He accused the state agency of siding with lawbreakers and bowing to pressure from business interests, which include the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, which has sponsored two forums about the suits.

But in a press release, the Attorney General's Office called Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities "a serial litigator targeting Arizona businesses" and said it was necessary to take action.

During one Chamber of Commerce forum, defense attorney Lindsay Leavitt said the foundation often demands as much as $7,500 for out-of-court settlements but has settled for less on some occasions. He said many suits involve technical violations, such as having signs that are not posted high enough on a pole.

"The state intervened as a matter of general public importance given the high volume of lawsuits being filed against businesses in Arizona," the Attorney General's press release said.

In his Sept. 23 ruling, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David Talamante issued a stay on all of the cases and barred the foundation from filing any additional suits.

"The state has moved to consolidate for 'limited purposes' and has set forth a persuasive argument," Talamante wrote in part, "for allowing consideration of the common legal issues."

Among the primary legal issues is whether the foundation had standing to sue and whether there is an actual disabled victim who was unable to enter a business because of ADA violations.

Doug Conley Invitational

Salde Sumners of Corona del Sol runs during the Doug Conley Invitational cross country meet at Shalimar Golf Course on Saturday, September 24, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona.

The 44th annual Doug Conley Cross Country Invitational at the Shalimar Country Club in Tempe showcased some of the Valley's top, high school, team and individual runners on Saturday.

Perfect weather conditions afforded each of the 20 teams that competed an opportunity to show everyone in the state what they're all about minus the excuses.

On the girls team side Highland did just that and won without star freshman Caroline McLeskey. Highland grouped five runners in the top 30 (28, 23, 16, 8 and 7), for a tournament best team score of 82.

"We had mixed expectations going into this (without McLeskey), but we have some great kids," Highland head coach Dave Montgomery said. "What helps is that these girls are all good friends and they don't want to let each other down."

The Chaparral girls team also had a strong showing at the invitational, placing second overall. Chaparral scored 128 points, and placed four of five scoring runners in the top 30 (2,3,24,27 and 72).

The most impressive footnote from the women's varsity elite group Saturday was the underclassman performances. Sophomores Morgan Foster of Chandler (17:36), along with Abi Archer (17:43) and Rachel Turner of Chaparral finished in the top three spots.

On the boys elite side of the invitational it was Brophy Prep leading the way with a team score of 102. Placing three of its five scoring runners in the top 20 (3, 11, 13, 35, 40).

"It's a good day for Brophy Prep," Mike Keahon said. "I'm shocked (to win)."

The other top 10 placers in the elite boys race: Boulder Creek's Jacob Lewis (fourth), Mountain View's Carson Klepinger (fifth), Perry's Anthony Haren (sixth), Hamilton's David Nelson (7th), Corona del Sol's Slade Sumners (8th), Ganado's Jalen Chee (9th) and Rincon University's William Hewings (10th).

Page was eilte boys runner-up with 139 points.  Local squads Perry (162), Corona del Sol (164) and Mesa Mtn. View (171) completed the top five.

Individually, Saguaro's Michael Barney (14:49), and Chandler's Morgan Foster (17:36) led the pack and won their respective varsity boys and girls races.

Barney's run time left some spectators congregating near the finish line shaking their heads in disbelief.

Barney was falling in and out of second and third place until the last 600 meters, and also said that he was battling runner's pain the whole race. Then he heard someone from the crowd yell, "Michael he's dying," and Barney turned on the afterburners for the win.

"I didn't plan on breaking 15 (minutes)," Barney said. "I've never done that before."

Similarly, Foster experienced a personal best and was tightly contested most of the race. Chaparral's Abi Archer was stride for stride with her up until the last 100 meters, and then she reached deep to increase the pace, she said.

"I definitely dropped down the hammer and bought it home," Foster said.

Other top-10 individual finishers in the girls elite race were Chaparral's Rachel Turner (third), Mountain View's Kailey Welch (fourth), Desert Mountain's Alexis Hocken (fifth) and Stephanie Stewart (sixth), Chandler's Gabrielle Enns (ninth) and Prescott's Makenna Mills (10th).

And even with all the great performances it seemed like most of the coaches were more excited about next week's meet The Nike Desert Twilight XC Festival.

Most agreed that what makes the 2016 Conley Invitational so great is its ability to prepare everyone for the national stage.

The Twilight Festival starts on Sept. 29, in Casa Grande, and is a national competition that invites more than 75 schools countrywide.

* Cadeau is a sports journalism student at Arizona Stat

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Sonny Dykes brought an offense with him to California that rolls up yards and points in bunches.

On Saturday, the Bears will face another light-up-the-scoreboard team in Arizona State, setting up the kind of game fans love.

The coaches, not so much.

"I'd love to win one 3-2 if I could," Dykes said. "If it's 70-63, that's not as much fun probably in some ways, but we'll take that one as well. I guess it's all in your perspective. Fans would probably have more fun at the 70-63 game, where coaches might have more fun at the 3-2 game."

The Bears (2-1) are rolling to start the season, averaging 47 points while ranking second nationally in passing offense (453 yards per game) and third in total offense (580.3). Quarterback Davis Webb has been a more-than-able replacement for Jared Goff after transferring from Texas Tech, entering Saturday's game with 1,359 yards and 13 touchdowns passing.

Arizona State (3-0) has been shaky on defense, allowing 55 points and 540 yards passing in its win against Texas Tech alone, so Webb and the Bears could have another big game.

But the Sun Devils also have a similarly explosive offense, capable of keeping up with nearly anyone.

Arizona State scored 68 points to outlast the Red Raiders and enters Saturday ninth nationally with 48 points per game. The Sun Devils play fast and will likely have it in an even higher gear in opening Pac-12 play at home.

"We know that we are going to be up against one of the top offenses in the country and our guys are going to get ready for the challenge," Graham said.

A few more things to look for when Arizona State hosts Cal on Saturday night:

WILKINS' RIDE: Manny Wilkins won a tight battle to be Arizona State's starting quarterback. He's handled the role well. The dual-threat sophomore has been adept at orchestrating the Sun Devils' offense

FINDING HANSEN: Webb has quickly found chemistry with receiver Chad Hansen. The Cal junior leads the nation in receptions (40) and receiving yards (546), while tying for the lead with five touchdown catches. A big receiver at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Hansen is a load for any defensive back trying to cover him and is not afraid of trash talk, mocking a Texas defensive back with a "Hook 'em Horns" sign after scoring what ended up being the decisive touchdown against Texas last weekend.

NUMBERS: Cal is playing at Arizona State for the first time since 2007. ... A win would give Arizona State its first 4-0 start since 2007 and just its fifth since 1976. ... The Bears allow 39.7 points per game, 117th in the FBS. ... The Sun Devils have 13 rushing TDs this season after having 19 in all of 2015. Kalen Ballage had seven of those in one game on his way to the NCAA record of eight overall TDs against Texas Tech.