Avondale council recognizes nurse and police officers, kicks off 80th anniversary and proclaims anti-trafficking month
January 12, 2026 | Avondale, Maricopa County, Arizona
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The Avondale City Council began its Jan. 12 meeting with several recognitions and community announcements.
City staff and the mayor recognized Councilmember Sherry Weiss for being selected as a Distinguished Nurse of the Year by the March of Dimes. "This honor reflects not only clinical excellence, but also deep commitment to the compassion, advocacy, and service values that align closely with public service," the city manager said, and Weiss thanked her NICU team.
Chief Espinosa recognized Officers Daniel Benavides and Jared Redfern for receiving the Bronco Rise Up Award at Rancho Santa Fe Elementary; community members and school leaders praised their campus safety and outreach work and the officers received a challenge coin from the department.
City staff also previewed Avondale’s yearlong 80th anniversary celebration, noting plans for a banner on Avondale Boulevard, commemorative merchandise (shirts, polos, hats, postcards and pins), a State of the City in March themed to the anniversary, a Billy Moore Days parade float and a year-end Winterfest birthday event on Dec. 16.
In recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Family Advocacy Center manager and coalition partners described local anti‑trafficking work through the West Valley trafficking task force. Presenters said the task force has arrested nearly 200 buyers (including 45 child predators) and assisted 89 individuals since it began. Not in Our City representatives invited the public to Night of Hope on Feb. 22 at Pure Heart Church in Glendale at 5:00 p.m., and staff promoted a Jan. 22 training focused on runaway youth.
Councilmember Condie read and the council adopted a proclamation declaring January 2026 as Not In Our City month, urging residents, organizations and businesses to join in prevention and survivor support efforts.
Following the presentations the council took routine business items and moved on to public hearings and other agenda items.
City staff and the mayor recognized Councilmember Sherry Weiss for being selected as a Distinguished Nurse of the Year by the March of Dimes. "This honor reflects not only clinical excellence, but also deep commitment to the compassion, advocacy, and service values that align closely with public service," the city manager said, and Weiss thanked her NICU team.
Chief Espinosa recognized Officers Daniel Benavides and Jared Redfern for receiving the Bronco Rise Up Award at Rancho Santa Fe Elementary; community members and school leaders praised their campus safety and outreach work and the officers received a challenge coin from the department.
City staff also previewed Avondale’s yearlong 80th anniversary celebration, noting plans for a banner on Avondale Boulevard, commemorative merchandise (shirts, polos, hats, postcards and pins), a State of the City in March themed to the anniversary, a Billy Moore Days parade float and a year-end Winterfest birthday event on Dec. 16.
In recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Family Advocacy Center manager and coalition partners described local anti‑trafficking work through the West Valley trafficking task force. Presenters said the task force has arrested nearly 200 buyers (including 45 child predators) and assisted 89 individuals since it began. Not in Our City representatives invited the public to Night of Hope on Feb. 22 at Pure Heart Church in Glendale at 5:00 p.m., and staff promoted a Jan. 22 training focused on runaway youth.
Councilmember Condie read and the council adopted a proclamation declaring January 2026 as Not In Our City month, urging residents, organizations and businesses to join in prevention and survivor support efforts.
Following the presentations the council took routine business items and moved on to public hearings and other agenda items.
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