Phoenix still working on plan to close down The Zone before deadline

PHOENIX — On Wednesday, the city agencies responsible for protecting residents from dangerous heat told the Phoenix City Council’s Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee they’ll be ready for summer’s heat with expanded shelters, cooling stations and other heat relief options. According to the City of Phoenix, in 2022, more than 424 people died from heat-related deaths in Maricopa County. Of those deaths, 50% involved drug use and 38% of the people who died from the heat were homeless. When the agencies completed their presentation, District 8 City Councilman Carlos Garcia asked about plans for dealing with the people living in…