Oro Valley, AZ

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - A warning out for folks who live in Oro Valley: Arizona Game and Fish says a bear has been spotted several times in the area, including right on people’s doorsteps.

They’re working to find the bear so they can relocate it, but they need your help.

Wednesday, the bear was spotted in a neighborhood off of Oracle and Ina.

Jerry Quesnel lives in the area.

“We were surprised, taken back, shocked, because nobody expects to have a bear walk across their porch in Tucson,” he said.

Quesnel couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw a bear walking just outside of his home in the middle of the day. He’s lived in the area for more than 30 years and he’s seen all kinds of wildlife, but never a bear.

In the video, the bear makes its way across the property. It passes a fruit tree and walks right up to the camera. Quesnel says it also visited several of his neighbors.

“Why was it here? it’s hot. there’s been plenty of rain so why isn’t it up in the mountains where they normally hang out?” he asked.

That’s what many people are asking. We saw a number of bear sightings back in May, but Arizona Game and Fish expected the bears to return to their natural habitat once monsoon hit.

“It is unusual, but if it’s a young bear it may be just separated from its mother and learning new territory. those bears typically get into more trouble than not when they’re wondering about,” Mark Hart said.

Hart says there’s a possibility this bear could be the same one that was spotted at Fort Lowell Park in May. He estimates that it’s a two to three year old black bear.

“He hasn’t done anything dangerous per se, he hasn’t menaced anyone or stood on his hind legs, huffed or done any of the tell tale signs of an immanent attack. It’s just looking for resources and probably learned from its last time in Tucson that there are food sources to be had,” he said.

Hart says the bear hasn’t shown that it’s dangerous yet, but wild animals are unpredictable. Game and Fish is asking people in the area to do what they can to keep the bear away from their homes.

″Make sure you’ve left no pet food outside. Then if you have fruit fallen trees, pick it up. Take down your bird feeder, even take down your hummingbird feeders cause bears love hummingbird nectar,” he said.

And if you have trash pick up, don’t put your trashcans out for pickup until the day of.

Right now, Game and Fish’s goal is to locate the bear so they can tranquilize it and move it out of the area.

They are asking for the public’s help. If you see the bear, you’re asked to call them as soon as possible at 623-236-7201.

Copyright 2022 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.

Athletico is looking forward to continuing its quality of care throughout the state of Arizona

ORO VALLEY, Ariz., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Athletico Physical Therapy has opened a new location in Oro Valley, Arizona, located in Placita De Oro Shopping Center near Ace Hardware. This location offers convenient hours, including early morning and late evening appointments, and does not require a referral or prescription to start treatment. To learn more, or to schedule a free assessment, visit www.athletico.com/OroValley.

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"Physical therapy plays an incredibly vital role in the day-to-day lives of patients, as it aims to restore everyday functions of those being treated," said Robert Direnfeld, PT, DPT and Clinic Manager of Athletico Oro Valley. "At Athletico, we can treat the full continuity of musculoskeletal conditions from young to old, sprain to strain, and even reconstructive surgeries. I look forward to leading my team of physical therapy experts while serving the Oro Valley community."

In addition to in-clinic treatment at Oro Valley, Athletico is expanding access to care by offering virtual appointments from the convenience of your own home. Patients have the option to have their condition assessed and treated virtually by a licensed physical therapist through a secure online video chat.

Services available at Athletico Oro Valley include:

Additionally, Athletico Oro Valley:

Athletico – Oro Valley11941 N. 1^st Ave., Suite 151Oro Valley, AZ 85737Phone: 520-640-4920www.athletico.com/OroValleyOroValley@athletico.com

About Athletico Physical Therapy

Athletico Physical Therapy is a leading provider of the highest quality orthopedic rehabilitation services to communities, employers and athletes. With the recent acquisition of Pivot Physical Therapy, Athletico operates more than 900 locations in 24 states and the District of Columbia. We are committed to our patients and referring physicians through our patient-centric focus, inclusive work environment, and attention to quality and high standard of care. Delivering market-leading patient outcomes and satisfaction are at the core of what we do, as measured by our industry leading patient satisfaction scores and recognition as a National Top-Tier Provider by the CMS Quality Payment Program. We are also passionate about giving back to the communities we serve through outreach, volunteer and fundraising initiatives supported by the Athletico Cares Foundation. Our comprehensive services include physical and occupational therapy, workers' compensation and onsite employer services, athletic training, and over 50 specialty services, including free assessments, pelvic health, spine health, hand therapy, concussion management, and more. For more information, or to find an Athletico clinic near you, visit www.athletico.com.

Media Contact: Dana AndreoliAthletico Physical Therapydana.andreoli@athletico.com 630-259-5156

SOURCE Athletico Physical Therapy

Five years after construction of a major senior living community in Oro Valley abruptly halted due to a labor shortage, the project is once again underway.

La Posada Communities, which has an existing community in Green Valley, recently broke ground on La Posada at Pusch Ridge, on First Avenue and Lambert Lane, west of Oracle Road.

Originally called Nakoma Sky, more than 200 independent and assisted-living units were planned.

“Our board paused the project in 2018 due to the high volume of projects under construction in Pima County and Phoenix, which created a lack of subcontractor availability,” said Joni Condit, president and CEO of La Posada. “When the board and senior management determined to restart the project ... we chose to break the project into phases to streamline the process.”

The first phase will be 166 apartments ranging in size from 1,000 to 1,900 square feet.

Amenities to be built in the first phase include two dining venues, a bar, library, fitness and art studios and a spa.

Condit said about half of the apartments have already been leased by future residents.

As for pricing, Condit said, “La Posada at Pusch Ridge is a life-plan community which has an entrance fee deposit and a life lease. The monthly service fee covers their apartment, flexible dining program, housekeeping services, maintenance, wellness services, and many activities.”

She did not provide specific numbers.

More information can be requested by future residents at laposadapuschridge.org

La Posada’s “life lease” is included with the entrance fee and deposit provides lifetime access to all amenities, activities and services.

Much of the site work has been completed on the 80-acre parcel and the construction timeline is about 30 months with an anticipated move-in by mid-2025.

Gensler Architects designed the community to center around a common gathering area and construction will be steel frame and concrete for better sound buffering, durability and termite resistance, Condit said.

“Sundt Construction self performs its major concrete work, helping them to control their schedule,” she said of the general contractor.

“We are off to a good start on the construction of our second campus, with an opportunity to offer a new and wonderful lifestyle option for the residents of the Oro Valley area,” said Simon Davis, chair of the La Posada board of trustees.

Demand for senior living communities — independent living, assisted living and memory care — continues to be strong across the country.

The biggest demand is for assisted living and the occupancy rate of such units around the U.S. is at nearly 90%, according to NIC MAP Vision, which researches senior housing data for investors, developers, health care providers and other industry stakeholders.

Since March 2021, the pace of move-ins exceeded move-outs in all three categories.

PHOENIX — Light rain showers covered the Valley overnight and snow fell in northern Arizona and Tucson in the latest winter storm.

The widespread storm saw rain gauges across the Phoenix area record an average of just over a tenth of an inch of rain by the early morning, the National Weather Service said.

Rain gauges in Mesa and Apache Junction captured the highest amount of rain, with over half of an inch recorded by 10 a.m., according to the Flood Control District of Maricopa County.

Parts of Queen Creek and Gold Canyon recorded just under half an inch of rain, while areas in Chandler and Fountain Hills saw over a quarter of an inch.

Some residents near Scottsdale and Anthem even saw hail.

Small hail and graupel possible over the next hour near Scottsdale and Anthem. #azwx https://t.co/naqQOFUuwT

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) February 26, 2023

In northern Arizona, snow showers were expected to continue through the afternoon.

Only one highway, US 180 between mileposts 236-248, was closed due to blowing and drifting snow along with high winds, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Anywhere from 2-4 inches of snow could fall in areas higher than 4,000 feet.

Snow was also seen in southern Arizona, north of Tucson in Oro Valley.

@NWSTucson Snow at 2,480’ in Oro Valley near CDO wash. Mixed with rain & occasionally heavier. Temp 33* Rh99%. Started 0745, for 20 minutes. pic.twitter.com/td7SgnM5jE

— Res-Q Life (@ResQLife1) February 26, 2023

Here is a look at the CDO at Edwin Road in Catalina (Elev 3100 feet). The flakes are starting to fly with a light dusting so far. Snow levels could briefly get down to as low as 2500 feet (including parts of Tucson Metro) but no accumulation below 3000 feet. #azwx pic.twitter.com/hb3bnnrDMY

— NWS Tucson (@NWSTucson) February 26, 2023

NWS said areas as low as 2,500 feet could see brief snow levels, with minor accumulations of up to a couple of inches in parts above 3,000 feet in southern Arizona.

Drivers were advised to be prepared for extra travel time during extreme weather conditions. Travelers should also track the forecast and pack an emergency travel kit before hitting the roads.

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - Friday marks the third day in a row that a bear has been spotted near homes in Oro Valley.

Arizona Game and Fish officials have not been able to track it down.

It was first seen Wednesday at a home near Ina and Oracle roads. Then yesterday, it was spotted near Oracle and Linda Vista, more than three miles away. On Friday, it was spotted twice. The bear was at River and Campbell around 7:30 a.m. It made its way back to Ina and Oracle about an hour later.

Game and Fish says this bear is simply moving too fast, so they’re changing their approach.

“My wife saw the bear truck through our yard, right through this area here and head across the street,” Oro Valley resident Dan Washuk said.

His wife then followed the bear at a safe distance. When she saw it climb over their neighbor’s fence, she warned her neighbors that there was a bear in their backyard.

“We’ve been looking around when we go outside. I thought it might try to get into our garbage,” he said.

Arizona Game and Fish officials say the bear is going after garbage, and with trash pick-up day in parts of Oro Valley, it had a lot to choose from.

Game and Fish says the bear is constantly on the move, which is why it’s been nearly impossible for them to track down.

“We’re monitoring its movement and behavior, but unless it goes near a school, we’re not going to chase it anymore. Our hope is that it will be treed by a dog or somehow get confined in a backyard. We have to get within 30 yards to safely dart it,” Mark Hart said.

Hart says the bear still hasn’t done anything dangerous yet, but that could change. So if you see the bear in person, here’s what you should do:

“Stand your ground, wave your arms, yell, throw objects you may have on hand like a keychain, a backpack and try to get that bear to scare off,” he explained.

Hart says if they’re able to tranquilize the bear safely, one of the biggest challenges will be relocating it far enough away where it won’t come back and pick up where it left off.

The best-case scenario is that the bear will go back up the mountain on its own, but Game and Fish is doubtful that will happen because the bear has discovered trash as a reliable food source. So, a good reminder not to leave your trash out for pick up until the day of.

If you see the bear, you’re asked to call Game and Fish as soon as possible at 623-236-7201.

Copyright 2022 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.