EMDR Therapy in Vail, AZ

Correcting video duration on second paragraph, adding link on third paragraph

A widely shared video showing an apparent vote to “elect” a new school district board in Vail, Arizona, and to eliminate mask mandates in schools has caused confusion on social media. The claim made online that the parents elected themselves to their local school board to overturn mask mandates is untrue. While a planned meeting to discuss face-covering guidance on April 27 was canceled in response to protesters’ disruption, the “vote” conducted by protesters was not official and therefore not legitimate, according to a spokeswoman of the Vail unified school district.

Most iterations feature a 2:20 minute video ( here , here , here ) extracted from an hour-and-a-half Facebook live by a user who identifies themselves as StevenTyler Daniels and describes himself as a chairman at the Patriot Party of Arizona on his social media profile here .

A longer version ( here ) shows a crowd of protesters who are mostly unmasked. Some are holding “anti-masks” signs. “So, agenda, new board members, how many do we need?” a male voice can be heard asking at the beginning of the clip. “I hear they’ve all resigned,” he later says. Protesters then conducted a “vote” and selected five individuals to be the “new board members” who subsequently presented and voted in favor of a “motion” that declared that “the entire Vail school district will be free of mask policy” (see around timestamp 4:10 here).

A video by the Arizona Daily Star captures the same moment from another angle here (around timestamp 1:19).

The scene prompted social media posts that mistakenly echoed the claim that the school board members had “quit” in response to the demonstration and those protestors had validly elected a new board here , here . In a tweet here , Tim Swain, a U.S. Senate candidate from South Carolina, alleged parents “took over the school board - all according to the rules”. Screengrabs of this tweet have been shared on Facebook at least 2,100 times ( here , here , here )

At least a hundred protesters rallied at Vail Education Center on April 27, as reported by local media here and here to make the school’s district board lift the mask mandate. Officials eventually decided to cancel their planned meeting before it began, according to KVOA here .

Days earlier, Arizona Governor Doug Dacey announced it would be up to school districts to decide whether to require face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 ( here ) .

Darcy Mentone, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Vail Unified School District, confirmed to Reuters that the vote shown in the video is not official and dismissed the claim that the legally-elected governing board had quit their roles.

The current board has “not resigned and can only be removed through an official recall election”, she clarified in an emailed statement. Mentone further explained that the election of board members must be done through an official and legal election process as with any other process for electing officials.

If a new board or member were to be validly recalled, a resident must apply for a “recall petition and collect signatures” of at least 25% of eligible voters, she said. If this signature requirement is met, the recall question “can be voted on in the next general election”.

School board elections are part of the general election, the Arizona School Boards Association states here . Special elections can be called during the term to fill “unanticipated vacancies”.

As for the mask mandate in Vail’s school district, it “is still in place” and can only be overturned by the legally-elected governing board, Mentone concluded. According to local outlet KVOA, district leaders planned to send parents a letter to reiterate this ( here ).

Newsweek reported on the failed school district “coup” here .

VERDICT

False. Protesters did rally against a mask mandates outside the site where an Arizona school district’s board was going to hold a meeting, but the vote they conducted on video was not official or legal, according to a spokeswoman for the school district.

This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our work to fact-check social media posts here .

Vail residents will vote — for the third time — in the November General Election to decide whether the unincorporated Pima County community south of Tucson should be allowed to incorporate.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Monday to put the incorporation of Vail on the ballot for the Nov. 7 election. This will be the third time community members have tried to incorporate, with the most recent effort in 2013.

Incorporate Vail Arizona, a group of Vail business owners and residents who want to incorporate their community, collected enough signatures to put incorporation on the ballot. They had to collect at least 1,537 signatures of qualified electors within the proposed boundaries. The petitioners collected 2,542 signatures, and 2,058 were considered valid.

Reasons for disqualification of signatures ranged from missing addresses, signature on file did not match the signature on the petition, some signatures had missing dates, or multiples of the same signatures were found, among others.

For subscribers:These are some of the best public schools in Ariz.; Vail Unified District schools among them

Residents against the incorporation addressed the board during a public comment portion of the meeting, asking the board to not approve the petition to proceed to an election. However, county staff said the board was required to add the petition because petitioners collected the required number of signatures.

“The role of the board is essentially ministerial to call the election after a review is conducted of signature, the role of the Recorder and Election Department is to conduct that review,” said Chief Civil Deputy County Attorney Samuel Brown. “Once the review is conducted, it is the board’s duty to call the election.

Supervisor Rex Scott said the board heard numerous complaints about Vail residents who thought their area should not have been included in the boundary.

County staff explained the issue would be for the courts to decide and was not in the purview of the board.

According to the county, if the election is successful and Vail is incorporated, that will result in additional revenue to the county.

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About 20,000 residents live in Vail which is just 23 miles southeast of Tucson. Those in support of incorporation said it would allow residents to have more control over the growth and development of their town and have access to state funds.

Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com. The Republic’s coverage of southern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. Support Arizona news coverage with a tax-deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com.

The Tucson City Council voted to annex 300 acres of land to be rezoned for industrial use south of the city. These parcels of land, at the entrance of Vail, caused consternation for residents and parents of a nearby school.

The annexation passed on a 5 to 1 vote with Councilmember Steve Kozachik voting against the annexation of three separate parcels at the July 18 City Council meeting.

In an email, Kozachik said he was concerned that the nearby residents whose neighborhoods are included in the Vail Incorporation vote were explicitly left out from the annexation, as requested by the state, and would have no say on the issue.

This is especially concerning with industrial zoning adjacent to their neighborhoods, he said. He also had concerns about the impact on water with heavy industrial uses. Kozachik said he wants the people who will be impacted to have a seat at the table.

Councilmember Nikki Lee, whose ward is closest to the annexed parcels, said she supports allowing the public outreach process to commence.

“Knowing that there is going to be a lot of opportunity to bring these concerns in and be very active part of this process … I do feel comfortable moving forward with a public process,” said Lee, whose ward borders the areas under discussion.

The three parcels are adjacent to a 2,000-acre planned development for large-scale industrial users in Ward 4 and are planned to be included in that development.

Community members worried about how future development will impact their lifestyle and children

One of the parcels, a 137-acre plot adjacent to Acacia Elementary School, drove concerned parents and school district staff, as well as community members, to speak up against annexation efforts. The annexation includes the land surrounding Acacia Elementary but excludes the school from annexation.

They voiced concerns at what annexing an area to house a large industrial complex would mean to the health and safety of the students at Acacia Elementary School.

One concerned father, David Lara, said he moved to Vail for his daughter. He wanted her to grow up having fun in nature.

“I don’t want her surrounded by a bunch of heavy industry. I don’t know what that is going to mean ... it is going to surround her school, she is going to be around it every single day,” he said.

Other people worried it would impact wildlife in the area and add traffic in a place known for its wide-open spaces and rural landscape.

Councilmember Kevin Dahl had similar concerns to Kozachik about water. He said that with these lands slated for development, the city would be better stewards of the land than if it stayed part of the county.

Dahl proposed looking at requiring industries to participate in the principle of net zero water, which he said would result in no additional use of water from the basin.

What does this annexation mean for Vail residents?

While last week's vote did not address zoning in the area, annexation had to first be established before considering zoning issues.

The law firm representing the state said members and nearby residents will be included in a neighborhood meeting during its public outreach period about future development of those parcels. There will also be a zoning examiner public hearing, where residents will be able to voice their concerns.

Nearby residents who will be notified will include Hansen Ridge residents, said Attorney Keri Silvyn with Lazarus & Silvyn, P.C., a land and zoning firm based in Phoenix and Tucson. The firm is also in discussion with the Vail School District superintendent about the district's concerns.

Mayor Regina Romero also supported the annexation process, reiterating how it would benefit Tucson with high-wage and long-term job opportunities. Romero also noted this is the beginning of the process, and there will be opportunity for feedback and input from Vail residents.

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Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com.

The Republic’s coverage of southern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. Support Arizona news coverage with a tax deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com.

The principal of Mesquite Elementary School said three men came to her office last year and threatened to arrest her over COVID-19 protocols.

TUCSON, Ariz. — Editor's Note: The above video is from an earlier broadcast.

One of the men who made national news last year after threatening to zip-tie an elementary school principal in Vail over COVID-19 protocols was found guilty in court this week.

In September 2021, Kelly Walker and two other men showed up at Mesquite Elementary School to zip-tie the school's principal, Diane Vargo, after one of the men's children was told to quarantine due to potential COVID-19 exposure.

According to the VUSD officials, the decision to place the child under quarantine was made per state policy, citing that when a school in Arizona experiences a positive case of COVID-19, it is required to report the case to its county health department - in Vail's case, Pima County Health Department.

As heard in the video live-streamed on the business owner's Instagram page, the student's parent reportedly told the principal that quarantining would force his child to miss a school field trip. The principal said one of the individuals was carrying “military, large, black zip tie" during the discussion.

"They were telling me that they were going to arrest me and my assistant. And I was scared,” Vargo said last year.

Kelly was found guilty of two charges of disrupting an educational institution. He's scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 17.

RELATED: Arizona principal seeks restraining orders after men with Zip-Ties threatened to arrest her at school

RELATED: Arizona mom arrested for allegedly assaulting teacher in classroom

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There was a time in Vail when residents were ecstatic that a Dairy Queen opened near the local church and post office. Within the last ten years, however, Vail and the Rita Ranch area has expanded.

Where there was once miles of raw desert now stands a vibrant community, including new and exciting Vail and Rita Ranch restaurants like Serial Grillers and Bowld.

Here’s a list of local favorite Vail and Rita Ranch restaurants to try.

Argenziano’s

16251 S. Houghton Rd.

While closer to Corona de Tucson, Argenziano’s was the first Italian restaurant all Vail citizens went to for birthdays and special occasions. They offer both pizzas both classic — like the margherita —and inventive — like the taco pizza.

The menu features Italian-American favorites, including meatballs and stuffed shells.

Arizona Pizza Company

13190 E. Colossal Cave Rd., 160

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcgkJUYFz0x/

Huge pizza slices, subs, and calzones… it’s comfort food that satisfies.

End your meal with a bite of sweetness in cannolo form and delight in the fact that they deliver to Vail residents.

Bowld

13160 E. COLOSSAL CAVE RD. STE. 100

Bowld restaurant and meal prep opened in March 2019.

The counter-service restaurant features a menu focused on a variety of bowls and “rowls,” which are items rolled in ham, breaded and fried or griddled.

Civano Coffee House

5278 S. Civano Blvd.

Tucked away in the Civano neighborhood, the Civano Coffee House is a hidden gem. Whether you’re stopping by for an espresso in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening, the cozy atmosphere invites you to stay and relax.

Or, take your coffee to go and walk around the beautiful Civano Nursery.

For more information, visit civano.com.

Hacienda Del Lago

14155 E. Via Rancho del Lago

It might be surprising to learn that there is a golf course and club in Vail, but soon you’ll be looking for reasons to go play a round or two.

The Hacienda del Lago is both the clubhouse and the restaurant. Sit on the patio and enjoy the Campfire, a comforting stack of hash browns, eggs, and gravy, or stop by for a pint of beer as a celebration after hitting a hole in one — the bar is open until 9:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

For more information, visit dellagogolf.net.

El Coronado Family Restaurant

7385 S. Houghton Rd.

El Coronado Family Restaurant has been in operation since 1983. The staff is friendly and helpful and the servings, generous.

Standard Mexican fare is served, including enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, and combination plates served with beans and rice. Try the Menudo and Shredded Beef Enchilada with green sauce.

Weekly specials take place on Tuesday for Taco Tuesday and Saturdays for Margarita Specials.

For more information, visit elcoronadotucson.com/menu.

Happy Wok

9040 E. Valencia Rd.

Tucked in a strip mall and labeled as a “dine in and carry out Asian Bistro,” Happy Wok offers Chinese and Asian-fusion appetizers; soups; noodle dishes; Chow- and Lo Mein; fried rice; meat, vegetable, and shrimp plates; and Egg Foo Young.

The Chef Specials feature Hot & Spicy Shrimp & Chicken, Hunan Triple Delight, Kung Pao Combo, and Coconut Shrimp, to name a few.

Try the Hunan Triple Delight, specific to the Hunan region of China, which features chicken, beef, shrimp with broccoli, carrot, bell pepper, water chestnut, bamboo, and onion in a spicy Hunan sauce.

Luckie’s Thai Asian Cuisine

8110 S. Houghton Rd., Ste. 186

Luckie’s is the quintessential takeout spot, perfect for stopping by after doing your grocery run.

The menu includes Thai classics like papaya salad, pad Thai, and larb, and also includes other favorites like Vietnamese pho and Chinese egg foo young.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, Luckie’s will provide it both quickly and deliciously.

Montgomery’s Grill & Saloon

13190 E. Colossal Cave Rd., Ste 190

https://www.instagram.com/p/mrH9XAokHL/

A classic neighborhood bar, Montgomery’s offers staples like burgers, wings, and sandwiches, as well as a wide-ranging drink menu.

The atmosphere is welcoming and family-friendly, a perfect place to stop for lunch on the way to local landmarks like Colossal Cave.

Papa Locos Tacos & Burgers

8201 S. Rita Rd.

Despite the name, Papa Locos is known for more than just their tacos and burgers—though those alone are worth a visit.

The menu is full of creative dishes, like the breakfast enchiladas filled with eggs, or the Enchi-Locos Platter, featuring fresh corn masa filled with meat and fried.

They also feature both Sonoran and LA-style hot dogs to satisfy your cravings.

Keep up with Papa Locos Tacos & Burgers on Facebook.

Rancho Rustico

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnaPZZeHjYb/

Ever had a molcajete?

Rancho Rustico specializes in the traditional Mexican dish, where sizzling hot meat and vegetables are served inside a stone bowl.

The menu also offers Tucson classics like chimichangas, and plenty of seafood to remind you of a trip to Rocky Point.

For more information, visit ranchorusticorestaurantaz.com.

Sa-Ing Thai Cuisine

9136 E Valencia Rd., Ste 100

Named one of Tucson’s most underrated restaurants by Maynards Market & Kitchen executive chef Brian Smith, Sa-Ing features a vibrant menu of classic and craveable Thai dishes.

Everything on the menu is sure to please, from curry to stir-fried noodles. Pair the spicy food with a creamy, smoky Thai tea, and you’ll be able to imagine you’re far away from the Tucson fast-approaching summer heat.

For more information, visit thaitucson.com.

Serial Grillers

7585 S. Houghton Rd.

Serial Grillers expanded southeast with its third location.

This location seats 282 people — double what the second location can hold, and triple the size of the first location on Speedway Boulevard.

Although the local chain is known for its pizza and sandwiches, it also features 65 taps that include both beer and wine.

Get the signature Bone Collector pizza with mozzarella, provolone, cheddar, boneless wings, scallions, ranch, and buffalo sauce and wash it down with a beer from their extensive selection.

Tay’s BBQ

16461 S. Houghton Rd.

Earlier this year, Tay’s Brew House expanded to include a barbecue restaurant (with a bar) on site.

The menu features Meat Plates (choice of one to three meats and two sides), Sandwiches, Kids Meals, Family Ranch Packs, or individual meat servings — brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken.

Be on the lookout for weekend drink specials and have fun outdoors with games, such as bowling and cornhole.

Viva Coffeehouse

9136 E. Valencia Rd., Ste. 160.

This specialty coffee house has a family focus and is supplied by local company, Presta Coffee Roasters.

Viva features a variety of drinks and treats in addition to activities like story time, monthly book club, and family game night.

Wings on Fire

9040 E. Valencia Rd.

This hot, new wings spot offers regular or boneless wings in a variety of flavors. There are 11 flavors, including their fiery house sauce, Buffalo Hot, Garlic Parmesan, Honey Mustard, and Chile Lime.

In addition to wings, you’ll find Appetizers, Chicken Tenders, Buffalo Shrimp, Combos, Fries and Sides, Hot Dogs, Salads, and Sandwiches on the menu.

They’re open daily with the option of take out.

Have any suggestions for additional Vail and Rita Ranch restaurants to try? Let us know below.

[This article was originally written on June 20, 2018, and most recently updated on May 14, 2019. Kate Severino contributed to this article.]