Chandler Police Expand Drone Program as Hamilton High Prepares to Graduate Class of 2026

Chandler Police is expanding its Drones as First Responder program, with Officer Melissa Deanda leading the effort, according to a report posted May 18 by chandlernews.com.

Under the first-responder model, dispatchers send a drone into the air on certain priority calls so that officers heading to a scene can see it from above before they arrive. Chandler adopted the approach earlier than most Arizona cities, and the new round of changes adds to what the program already covers. The full report spells out which call types and coverage hours are being added. Observers may look for city council follow-up on use policy, footage retention and the program's budget.

On the school calendar, Hamilton High School will graduate the Class of 2026 on Wednesday. The ceremony starts at 2:30 PM at 600 E Veterans Way. The Husky farewell is for one of the largest senior classes in the Chandler Unified School District.

Another group of area seniors is already looking past graduation. The City of Chandler held its Military Bound Ceremony for 80 seniors who plan to enter military service. Jacob Vasquez and Yadira Avalos were among those in the cohort.

In athletics, Imani Galera-Young of Chandler High has been named Gatorade Girls Track Player of the Year. The sprinter, coached by Eric Richardson, earned the statewide and national honor, which reflects well on the Wolves' track program.

Community groups also made news. Sun Lakes Rotary recognized four members at the district level: Dr. Honora Norton, Jon Lyons, and Roger and Judi Edmonds. Separately, a member of the Ocotillo Artist Group, a South Chandler collective with members in 13 valley cities, brought her work to students at Hope Christian Academy.

Chandler's public libraries have a full start to the week. On Monday, the Downtown Library hosts a drop-in Job Center for resume and job-search help from 10 AM to noon in the Citrus Room, followed by a Ready, Set, Kindergarten school-readiness session for 4- and 5-year-olds at 1 PM. The Night Owl Book Club meets at 6:30 PM in the Makery Program Room, and Sunset Library holds a Mystery Round Table on "Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line" at 6:45 PM.

On Tuesday, Basha Library runs an Anime Café Kit Kat Taste Tournament at 3:30 PM, where teens ages 13 to 17 choose the best Japanese Kit Kat flavor. The Downtown Library offers a Teen Summer Volunteer overview for ages 13 to 17 at 4 PM, and Hamilton Library hosts an ocean-themed Romance Lover's Book Club at 5 PM.

Several events are drawing attention elsewhere in the Valley on Tuesday. Industrial chiptune act Master Boot Record plays The Rosetta Room in Mesa at 7 PM. The Phoenix Mercury host the Toronto Tempo, a new WNBA expansion team making its first Phoenix visit, at Mortgage Matchup Center with a 7 PM tip. Also at 7 PM, songwriter Mac McAnally, a longtime Buffett collaborator, performs in the theatre at the Musical Instrument Museum.