Good morning, Chandler.
🚁 Chandler PD expands its Drones as First Responder program. Officer Melissa Deanda is leading the rollout. Details.
🎓 Hamilton High graduates the Class of 2026 Wednesday. Ceremony at 2:30 PM, 600 E Veterans Way. Details.
🪖 80 area seniors head to military service after graduation. City of Chandler hosted the Military Bound Ceremony. Details.
🏃 Chandler High's Imani Galera-Young wins Gatorade Girls Track Player of the Year. Details.
Chandler PD's drone program, expanding
Chandler Police is scaling up its Drones as First Responder program. Officer Melissa Deanda is leading the effort.
Key facts:
What's changing: scope of the Drones as First Responder (DFR) program is being expanded.
Lead: Officer Melissa Deanda, Chandler PD.
Source: chandlernews.com, posted May 18.
The "first responder" framing means dispatchers send a drone airborne on certain priority calls so responding officers have an aerial view of the scene before they arrive. Chandler joined the DFR wave earlier than most Arizona cities, and this round adds to existing scope. The linked story has the specifics on which call types and coverage hours are being added.
What to watch: any city council follow-up on use-policy, footage retention, or program budget. Full story.
Around Chandler
🪖 80 seniors trade caps and gowns for uniforms. The City of Chandler held its Military Bound Ceremony for 80 area seniors heading to military service after graduation. Jacob Vasquez and Yadira Avalos are among the cohort. Story.
🌹 Sun Lakes Rotary honors four members at the district level. The recognized members: Dr. Honora Norton, Jon Lyons, and Roger and Judi Edmonds. Story.
🎨 Ocotillo Artist Group visit lands at Hope Christian Academy. One member of the South Chandler artist collective brought her work to kids. The group has members in 13 valley cities. Story.
The week ahead
Public library and community events worth knowing about, Monday through Wednesday.
Monday
- 📋 Job Center. Drop-in resume and job-search help, 10 AM to noon, Downtown Library, Citrus Room. Details.
- 🎒 Ready, Set, Kindergarten. School-readiness session for 4 and 5 year-olds. 1 PM, Downtown Library. Details.
- 📖 Night Owl Book Club. Evening discussion group, 6:30 PM, Downtown Library, Makery Program Room. Details.
- 🔍 Mystery Round Table: Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line. 6:45 PM, Sunset Library. Details.
Tuesday
- 🍫 Anime Café: Kit Kat Taste Tournament. Teens 13-17 crown the best Japanese Kit Kat flavor. 3:30 PM, Basha Library. Details.
- 📚 Romance Lover's Book Club: Ocean theme. 5 PM, Hamilton Library. Details.
- 📚 Teen Summer Volunteer overview. Ages 13-17, learn about library volunteer opportunities. 4 PM, Downtown Library. Details.
Wednesday
From the schools
🎓 Hamilton High graduates the Class of 2026 on Wednesday. 2:30 PM at 600 E Veterans Way. The Husky farewell for one of the biggest senior classes in CUSD. Details.
🏃 Imani Galera-Young of Chandler High wins Gatorade Girls Track Player of the Year. The sprinter, coached by Eric Richardson, earned the statewide and national honor for the Wolves' track program. Story.
Around the Valley
A few picks worth leaving Chandler for early in the week.
💻 Master Boot Record, Tuesday at The Rosetta Room in Mesa. Industrial chiptune act playing one of Mesa's small rooms. 7 PM. Tickets.
🏀 Phoenix Mercury host the Toronto Tempo, Tuesday at Mortgage Matchup Center. Toronto's brand-new WNBA expansion team makes its first Phoenix trip. 7 PM tip. Tickets.
🎸 Mac McAnally, Tuesday at the Musical Instrument Museum. Veteran songwriter and longtime Buffett collaborator, in MIM's theatre. 7 PM. Tickets.
⚾ Diamondbacks vs. Giants, Monday at Chase Field. NL West series, 6:40 PM first pitch. Tickets.
The Weekend edition arrives Thursday morning.