Since the mandatory curfew came into effect back in mid-December of 2020, the struggle continued for many local restaurants and bars throughout the county.
However, on the night of Tuesday, January 19, a Superior Court judge granted temporarily canceled the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in Pima County, claiming that it violates an executive order issued by Governor Doug Ducey.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to administer the curfew to try and slow the spread of COVID-19. However, a group of local businesses filed a lawsuit against the county, disagreeing with the county’s actions and its lack of legal authority.
So, it all came down to Pima County Superior Court judge Kellie Johnson, who eventually sided with the business owners involved in the lawsuit.
It turns out that the executive order that Governor Ducey created in March 2020 contains a provision that prohibits counties, cities, towns, and local governments from issuing:
“any order, rule or regulation that conflicts with or is in addition to the policy, directives, or intent of this executive order, including but not limited to any order restricting persons from leaving their home due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.”
? UPDATE?
In just the last hour things have changed with the county curfew so our hours are changing effective…
Posted by The Hut Tucson on Wednesday, January 20, 2021
In the end, Judge Johnson’s ruling forbids the county from enforcing the curfew.
Although, it’s also ordering the businesses who filed the lawsuit to pay $10,000 to the county for court costs and for additional efforts needed with the curfew being halted.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
