This is ABC 50 News the 6 o'clock difference. A sad day in the valley as a
brotherhood of officers says goodbye to one of their own. And a valley resort
closes its doors after nearly 50 years. What's coming up next we'll tell you.
And another airline adding more charges to its tickets. How much can you expect
to shell out the next time you need to fly? It has been a very rough ending to
a very long week for Valley police officers. Good evening to you and thanks
for being with us. I'm Jonathan Elias and I'm Katie ramble. This morning the
brotherhood of officers said their final goodbyes to one of their own all while
they prepare to do it all over again tomorrow. Today nearly 2000 people
turned out for officer Jason Wolf's funeral. The 27 year old was killed in
the line of duty Saturday night. He and another officer Eric White were killed
after entering an apartment where gunman opened fire. ABC 15th Christina
Estes was at the memorial service today where she talked with some of Officer
Wolf's friends. Christina, but when you lose someone you care about, it can
sometimes be hard to put into words just what that person meant to you. But at
today's memorial service, we got a good sense of the man who wore badge number
7215. Nobody wants to say goodbye to an honest, a good hero. Phoenix Mayor Phil
Gordon calls Jason Wolf a hero. His fellow officers call him a friend. I
already miss your awesome smile and the hours of laughing we shared. It's that
smile his police academy classmates remember to get a great sense of humor
and a great commitment to serving his community in the academy. He was just
always wired. I mean his his life was to be a police officer. The guy had his
uniforms bought before we started the academy. Jason was always he's always
one of the top people in our class. He was one of the top shooters. He was one
of the top guys for physical fitness and running. Jason could run and we
would always send him up to be with Sergeant Williams who was at the head of
the class on the runs when he would talk with her. It would slow her down so
that it would make the entire class look like we were running faster. That
doesn't surprise me. I'm pretty sure they've probably done that a few times,
but what he doesn't know is I was already tired. That's about as fast as
I was gonna go anyway. Sergeant Lori Williams led officer wolf and his
fellow cadets in the academy. I have a tough time dealing with her thinking
about it because I see them as in a way kids that you're bringing up and like a
parent, there comes a time when you must let them go and hope they'll do the
right thing. In this case, Williams says they did. I really do think that these
guys were doing something heroic and that their hearts were in the right
place and it was to help somebody and save somebody. And officer Jason wolf
leaves behind a wife and two sons. Christina, thanks. You know, after the
ceremony, an amazing sight on city streets. Perhaps you saw it hundreds of
police cars in procession to the cemetery, many in the valley stopping
even for a moment to bow their head, offer a prayer or just simply pay
respect to a man they never even met. ABC 15's Lisa Volonek was there
an impressive site on city streets with those inside the vehicles have lost
one of their own. It's a tragedy to not just the officers that you heard or get
killed. It's a tragedy to their families, to their police families. Mike
Tennant knows firsthand he's been with Scottsdale police for 30 years and
wanted to bring his grandson DJ to watch the motorcade to start him out of
an age that he needs to understand what respect is and showing the dedication
that all police officers have for one another.
None of these men and women have ever met officer Jason wolf, but have their
own personal reasons for being here. Respect
planning something disrespect.
You know, we need to really support the officers, just honor them. And I thank
God for them every day when they go to work, they're laying down their lives
for us. Just show the family support and love and to let them know that
they're in our prayers and we're thinking about him. It breaks my heart
for the families, but it is nice to see this unity and the Dalda officers.
Nearly 2000 turn out to pay their final respects to officer Jason wolf. But
back here at the apartment complex where both he and officer Eric White lost
their lives, a very obvious reminder that an entire community is grieving.
God bless you and thank you because you made a big sacrifice. Our prayers are
with you. Our love is with you and we just we feel we feel for you. Lisa
Voloneck, ABC 15 News, your Valley News leader. This is a long day to say the
least for officers at Squaw Peak Precinct. As you know, a second officer
was killed in the line of duty on Saturday. Tonight, hundreds are
gathering for visitation services to honor 30 year old officer Eric White.
Officers White and Wolf were both shot and killed after responding to that
shooting call on Saturday. You're looking now at a live picture from
outside the visitation services for officer Eric White. The services are
open to the public. They're open for you to go until about eight this evening.
We have been overwhelmed here at ABC 15 with folks calling up or emailing,
wanting to get messages to the family. We've made that available for you. In
fact, if you'd like to send them a message, you can do it on our website at
abc 15 dot com. We've set up a community care card for you to share your
thoughts with the families of Officer Jason Wolf and Eric White. We'll
deliver these messages to the officers family. In fact, give you a sample of
one of them. BJ Fowler writes. Our prayers are with both families at this
time of sorrow. No words can express our thanks and gratitude to them and
their loved ones. The sacrifice they have made will never be forgotten.
Yeah, we are out here at the phone bank already again and we have just had a
wonderful response. Of course, this is happening for the 100 club. It was the
least we could do joining us first as Mayor Phil Gordon. You know, we're
seeing we're talking about this happening all week. Five officers shot
in five days. But at the same time, we see the goodness of the valley. We see
thousands of people coming out lining the streets. It has to feel good when
you see that it I'll tell you, it takes away a lot of the pain of the officers,
their family, the community's healing this way and the outpouring is just
phenomenal. Excuse me. We gotta get the call. We can let you answer the phone.
We should mention that he's out here answering the phones right now and
taking donations as well. In the meantime, we can talk to Sharon. You
lost your husband several years back. A DPS officer. We all remember that day as
well. This has to bring back a lot of emotions for you. But again, as we were
talking about good emotions to taking away some of the pain because of this
phone bank, it does. I feel like every time I see a pledge come through, it
reminds me of that support and it kind of warms my heart all over again and
just it just moves me beyond words because I know what it will do for
these families. It helps him to remember that there's still hope. And
speaking of still hope, you have such a tough job as well. When you talk to
other families, what is even said to you that was of comfort at that time? Well,
I think sometimes it was things that weren't said that was the most
comfort. I don't think there's really those magic words. People ask me about
that all the time. I think just sharing a tear, putting your arms around people
and just telling them thank you and I'm just sorry for your losses. It's really
about all you can say. The most important thing as well. We want to
speak with the mayor again. I know we can let them get the phone for you. What
the last caller have to say? Just was a young woman that said she wanted to make
sure she donated for the families and to say thank you to the families for
their sacrifice. We're sorry to lose an officers in the city. You're calling
today at the funeral calling this officer a hero. Is that the same sort of
message you'll have tomorrow? Yes, tried to write my thoughts last night to this
family and we'll do the same tonight. But they're all heroes and not only those
that have given their lives, but those that grew on the street every day and
fortunately don't ever have to come home either wounded or never come home. I know
it's great to see to all the officers out here as well as you, Mayor
Phil Gordon. We are going to send it back, but we do want to let you know that
since there are a few phone lines that are very busy as you're trying to get
through, you can also head to our website at abc15.com. We'll direct you to their
website to make even more donations to the 100 Club. Katie, thanks very much. We
should let you know that we did this on Tuesday. We raised $10,600 in two hours.
That's why they're back there. So go ahead and make a donation. You can just
call the number on your screen. Turning our attention now to the weather and if
you've been outside recently, boy it is blowing in some areas pretty hard. In
fact, we heard about some damage in Fountain Hills. Bill's been covering it
all and tell us what's going on out there. Bells. Well, at least the good
news in terms of severe weather. Jonathan here, it's all moved east and
northeast of Fountain Hills. It's a severe thunderstorm warning still for
eastern and northeastern Maricopa County up around sunflower for the next 20
minutes, but not much else happening here in the valley. We do have a lone
thunderstorm just to the southeast of Apache Junction. That also is moving
northeast at 15 to 20 miles an hour. There's not a whole lot of activity
behind this, but boy earlier Chopper 15 picking this up. Have a look 60 mile
an hour winds. This is out over Mesa 500 people still without power. But the
good news that power as we speak slowly but surely beginning to get turned back
on. But hey, it's the nature of the monsoon. Only a small small fraction of
us here in the valley picking up some rain. But you just can't most of the
time you can't get rain without severe weather during the monsoon. Of course,
we'll have more on this plus the latest on Francis and Howard coming up in
weather. Time now to talk politics. Democracy 2004 for you this evening. The
race for the White House is heating up with both candidates campaigns in full
swing. Democratic candidate John Kerry wasted no time in getting back to the
campaign. In fact, he held a midnight rally in Springfield, Ohio to try and
combat President Bush's acceptance speech, which was made just a few
minutes earlier. Kerry held off campaigning though during the R. N. C. But
in the meantime, President Bush also wasted no time hitting the campaign
trail. He was in Pennsylvania today talking about several of his new
campaign themes, including the economy. We are just getting started here on the
six o'clock difference. Can we tell you six more than $6,000 has been raised in
just one hour by you are abc 15 viewers calling into pledge your donation for
the 100 club. We're gonna leave the number up. They'll be there till seven
o'clock and I can't tell you how good it makes so many of us feel. Thanks for
calling in and the phone lines again open until seven more news for you right
after this. This burger's back down to six o'clock difference. Checking out
Wall Street, a down day across the board. The Dow is off 30, the Nasdaq and the
S and P also pointing in the down direction. Time for your consumer
minute tonight. An established Valley resort is closing its doors. But first,
American Airlines is following Northwest leaders. We told you about.
They will also begin adding new fees on Monday. The airline will tack on an
additional five bucks if you buy a ticket by phone and 10 bucks if you buy
it at the airport ticket counter. American hopes to bring an additional
$25 million, which should obviously help offset the rising jet fuel costs. After
45 years in the business, Mountain Shadows Resort, the Marriott in
Paradise Valley is closing its doors. The fate of the Marriott property still
up in the air, but the executive golf course of Clubhouse will remain open
until a decision is made. About 80% of the employees will transfer to other
Marriott hotels in the valley. It's so hard when you see things closed because
you have so many memories there and sad to it is nice place. It is a time for
a quick break. We do want to remind you that the phone bank is up and running.
We partner with the 100 Club. We're raising some money for the families of
those slain officers. You can give us a call. We'll leave this number up here
and they will be here until seven o'clock. You can make a donation again.
All proceeds will be going to the two families. Two families. More news after
this.
Checking your hometown headlines. Let's move to the west of Little California.
A camper survives a bear attack. The 39 year old man suffered claw wounds and
was treated at the scene. The bear weighed about £400 is apparently
still in the area. We do not know what provoked this attack. If anything,
meantime, utility crews in Texas prepare for an emergency trip over to
Florida. The crews have been busy packing up gear to help out after
Hurricane Francis hits. Some of the workers just returned after repairing
down lines from Hurricane Charlie. Bill, that's right. Not only the hurricanes
we're talking about, even some severe weather in the valley, it's good to see
that monsoon back. But you know the way it goes. These storms could pack a
punch. This is a video earlier from Chopper 15 Mesa. Look at all these
trees down as we speak. 500 people without power after 60 mile an hour
winds just ripped through parts of the east and southeast valley. Then that
storm moved up in the Fountain Hills, also producing some damage and as well
as a half an inch of rain. That's the part we need. The rainfall. We do not
need the severe weather, but it's the monsoon. It's isolated and that's the
way it's gonna be. The good news here. There's still a slight chance of rain
in the forecast, at least through the holiday weekend. I wouldn't cancel
plans, but if you do have plans, a little golf, little camping, little
barbecue, keep an eye on the sky late in the afternoon hours. Temperatures. Yeah,
it's hot out there. 105. We're now down to 98, but the humidity is way up 24%.
There's that dew point, that magical number that represents moisture in the
atmosphere. Once we get that to 55, there's a decent chance, combining with
the heating of the day, but least producing a few showers and
thunderstorms. Let's talk radar. I'm gonna stop it here. So bear with me
right at about 5 15. That's the storm that was prompted into a severe
thunderstorm warning right over Mesa and then watch it just ripped through
Fountain Hills. These storms moving over 30 miles an hour and moving off to
the northeast right now. Most of the action away from us may catch a few
showers in this extreme southeast valley around Chandler Heights, but
there's not much more behind this. So we pretty much are in the clear for
tonight. The question here, why are we getting this? We have low pressure and
it's a vigorous upper level, very unusual for this time of the year. In
addition, we're getting a cold front attached to that. So that's providing
some spark in the upper parts of the atmosphere. A few scattered showers and
flag up through page in the Grand Canyon had a wind gust up in page at
three o'clock this afternoon up to 66 miles an hour. Now what's happening also
in the upper parts of the atmosphere is Howard. It's a hurricane top winds 95
miles an hour. It's really moving very slowly off to the north northwest 5 to
10 miles an hour, but it's the combination of that cold front and the
moisture from Howard that is pretty much converging over the state of
Arizona. So a slight chance of thunderstorms in the forecast tonight
through the holiday time frame. Let's talk Francis right now continues to
weaken. This is actually old data 115 mile an hour winds now down to 105. I
get that right. John 105, which makes it a category two and the movement is now
down to four miles an hour, but it's still a massive storm and it is
pounding part to the Bahamas. All right, let's check the radar here and you're
gonna see some of these feeder bands just moving on through and keep in mind
this storm is still a good 12 to 18 hours away from making landfall in
florida. Have a look at this. The surfers are out in full swing in Miami waves
there estimated from 4 to 8 ft. I'll tell you what 12 hours from now, I
guarantee these guys will not be out there. Let's check your seven. Miami
waves there estimated from 4 to 8 ft. I'll tell you what 12 hours from now. I
guarantee these guys will not be out there. Let's check your 70 Valleycast
or in fact your Valley planner. Still a chance of a storm tonight. Otherwise
partly and mostly cloudy lows down to 80 isolated storms through Labor Day.
We're gonna keep that moisture in there guys through Thursday. And as always,
it's important reminder to please watch your kids around water. All right, Bill,
thanks Ernie Zuniga is live in Mesa. We'll check in with him next. The high
school football season is underway. It is a rematch of the five a title game.
It'll be exciting tonight. Big game. Also something big going on in our
newsroom. We've paired up with the 100 club and Mayor Phil Gordon is helping
man the phones in our newsroom, raising money for the families of the slain
officers. The numbers on your screen. They'll be there till seven. We're back
after this
mm.
Mhm.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
What a great game.
Mhm.
What a great game indeed. What a moment for high school sports in the state of
Arizona. John ran in the Hamilton Huskies, champions of five a football in
the year 2000 and three fast forward a few months. Here we are September about
the only thing different with John Rennie. You don't have that sling that
you had back in December. No place of it. I got eight screws and a plate. So
it's uh, I'm you know, I'll tell you what was worth it though. I'm not
gonna do it this year. That's for sure. You're a real trooper is Hamilton
Huskies taking on Mason Mountain View. The Tauros. It is a rematch of the
title of the title game. The five a title game triple overtime. How often
do you luck out like this and get this kind of a match up in week one or I
guess week two of high school football? Well, it's not. Tell you what, it's
very fortunate for us that we get to play them. You know, they got a great
tradition and for us, it's a no lose situation because we find out our
deficiencies. Both teams are I think are very great teams and I'll tell you
what, we're looking for a great matchup. But to come out like this, it's not
like you don't get any cakewalks early on. I mean, this is the real deal. It's
can you call it a playoff preview or at least a playoff matchup? I'll tell you
what, I hope we see him again and I you know, that means we're both in the
playoffs and that's what we're all shooting for. But you know what? It's
fun to play. It's exciting. What a great atmosphere we have here and this is
what high school football is all about. Hey, get out here and see the game
tonight. It's still early. Come on out. We'll do coach. We'll let you go back
and coach your guys. Best of luck to you tonight. Thank you very much. Mason
Mountain View Chandler Hamilton going at it here in a matter of moments. And
since it's a new season of high school football, it's a new season of high
school football for us at ABC 15 debuting a brand new segment tonight.
We're calling it first and 15 and among the topics they are going nuts in
Chandler right now. Their bash of bears are two and oh, they are the new kids on
the block, but they are playing football like they've been around for a while.
Head coach Tim McBurney is running the show. He has more
obviously one game doesn't make a season. So we've still got a work cut out
for us. They're still young. They're impressionable and they think they
conquered the world and they haven't.
All right, there it is much more coming up tonight on first and 15. We leave you
with the Hamilton, the xylophone, the crew out here playing music, getting
ready for the game tonight and we'll send it back to you guys in the studio.
All right. Thank you. I wanted to hear it has been a rough week for everyone in
the community. We know especially Valley police officers. It was five officer
shot. Two of them killed today. Officers gathered for the funeral of Officer
Jason Wolf.
So where were you when you heard about the Phoenix police officers being shot
here at this apartment complex? I was at home on a Saturday night when most of
us are getting away from our most treacherous duty at an office somewhere.
Two young men officers, Eric White and Jason Wolf came here to protect others
from a man with a gun. And where were we? It's hard to avoid the question. You
know, the one would I risk my life for someone else as hundreds of soldiers
began dying in Iraq. We wondered we faced it big time when Pat Tillman quit
football to chase down Osama bin Laden only to be killed. We fight big wars
overseas. We fight small ones here at home every day. And who among us is
willing to do either one? I was at home Saturday and I left to pick up my
children at a birthday party when I heard the wounds were fatal. And I
thought maybe like you did, what a waste. What a tragedy and what risk these
police officers go through for us. I heard somebody say this week that it
might be a time for an officer to retreat as if the community at large
were on the attack. But I had a different feeling as I watched Phoenix
police cars drive by after the shooting. And I'll bet you did too.
We live in a great city, but it can get rough. And when it does, who is going to
make that Saturday night call? Two young men who left wives and Children
behind. They did. And you know what? There's a whole line of brave people
with badges right behind them, and they'll be there next time you and I
are begging for help. And at times like these and in better days too, we
really should thank them. Yeah.