Isabella Zarate

About Me

Hello! My name is Isabella Zarate. I am a recent University of Illinois graduate. I also just finished up a Pulliam Fellowship at The Arizona Republic in Phoenix. Now I am working as the lead reporter for The Republican, Hendricks County's oldest newspaper!

The Republican Newspaper •

Language Barrier Becomes Learning Lesson for Avon Teachers

Chinese, Spanish, and Amharic were the three languages spoken in Katharine Martinez’s Monday afternoon English Learners class. Those home languages were just a few of more than a hundred spoken amongst Avon Community School students.

While many go to school to learn basics like math, history, and science, others do the same while also learning how to speak English.

At Avon, these students are referred to as Multilingual Learners, or ML’s for short. ML’s are the students that speak English as a
The Republican Newspaper •

After More than 20 Years, Dogs Still Get Their Play On at Dogtona

Cameron Johnson and the annual Hendricks County Dogtona event have been making tails wag for more than 20 years.

What started as a way to raise funds and awareness for a local dog park has since turned into a multi-decade tradition.

“I put a little letter to the editor in the Hendricks County Flyer to see if anyone would be interested in working on getting a dog park,” Johnson said.

While she quickly received some responses, and startedto build a group of supporters, they realized that moneyn
The Republican Newspaper •

Jim Beebe Builds the Unbreakable

Before opening his own gym, Unbreakable Athletics Academy, in March of 2013, Jim Beebe had embarked on a much different career path, one in the financial world.

Beebe spent a few years working in banking, investments, and with hedge funds before ultimately leaving his position at JP Morgan due to raised standards and his team’s inability to reach them.

Not long before that, Beebe realized he was unhappy with his physical physique and did not like how weak he felt. Thus, he had begun working ou
The Republican Newspaper •

Spirit Players Combine Sportsmanship with Friendship

While competition was a factor in Friday night’s Special Olympics basketball game, friendship was the star.

Athletes from all over the county came to Danville High School hoping to show off their skills, impress the crowd, and take down their competition, all while spending the time with their friends.

The organization, which seeks to provide more athletic opportunities for individuals with disabilities, has been spreading inclusivity throughout Hendricks County for more than 40 years.

“They
The Republican Newspaper •

Christmas on the Square

Gleeful cheers for Santa echoed through the air. Rosy red cheeks and bright eyes lit up the faces of children and adults alike. The anticipation had begun to build. “Five, four, three, two, one…..” A jolly Santa stepped up to fl ip the switch when whimsical warm yellow lights illuminated overhead and danced around the tree. This is Danville’s 17th annual Christmas on the Square. “I love coming in here to Danville so we can fl ip the switch every year,” Santa said with smiling Mrs. Claus by his s
The Republican Newspaper •

New Event Brings Candidates

Last Wednesday, October 11, community members, elected officials, and town council candidates gathered for Hendricks County’s Meet the Candidates Forum at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Hosted by The Republican newspaper, along with the Hendricks County Community Foundation, The Hendricks County Democrats, and the Hendricks County Republican Party. Pete Brown of ASH Interactive livecast and recorded the event. The purpose was to give candidates the chance to address the public and voice
The Republican Newspaper •

Farmer Takes a Dive into World of Scuba

Photos of John Deere tractors, coloring pages of red barns, and a Beck’s Superior Hybrid Seed clock decorate the walls, but so do framed pictures of exotic fish, colorful coral, and other sea life. This is Ken Edmondson’s office.

Outside of the office towers a giant sprayer intended for things like fertilizer and pesticides, and just a few feet away a massive, shiny green John Deere combine.

Back inside, Ken sits kicked back in his worn black leather chair wearing faded blue jeans, a button do
The Republican Newspaper •

Engelhardt’s Passion for Education Leads to Run for Indiana Senate Seat

Anne Engelhardt has had a passion for education for more than 15 years, and now she is planning on taking her passion to the next level by running for State Senate of District 24.

When Engelhardt isn’t spending time with her husband and five kids, she can almost always either be found advocating for the school or her community.

After growing up around Indianapolis and spending some time in Chicago, Engelhardt found her way back to Indiana as she moved to Avon in 2000. By 2006 Engelhardt found
The Republican Newspaper •

Candidate Brett Clark Begins New Journey

Brett Clark is many things; son, husband, father, former sheriff, and now he vies for a new title - Senator.

Serving people and representing districts was not always in the books for Clark. Growing up in North Salem, and graduating from Tri-West, Clark thought becoming a Chemical Engineer was the best thing to do.

He had this “big master plan,” as he put it. At that time, Clark knew two things for sure, he wanted to make lots of money, and he wanted to drive a Porsche 911.

After spending some
Arizona Republic •

'We are not done': Peoria allocates $170M for water infrastructure in budget

'We are not done': Peoria allocates $170M for water infrastructure in budget

Last month, Mayor Jason Beck said that Peoria is not running out of water. The statement, which was made in the city’s monthly newsletters, posed an interesting thought being that water is a hot commodity all across Arizona.

The city's newly adopted budget, which sets aside more than $170 million for water infrastructure, emphasizes just how much Peoria and Mayor Beck value the resource.

"Our policies on water manage
Arizona Republic •

'So loose and fast right now': Glendale cracks down on unlicensed sober living homes

'So loose and fast right now': Glendale cracks down on unlicensed sober living homes

Glendale is ramping up enforcement of unlicensed sober living homes in an effort to protect the community.

Sober living homes are transitional facilities specifically designated to support individuals recovering from alcohol and drug abuse. The homes, which typically house anywhere from one to nine guests, are intended to provide a secure and structured living environment.

Licensed sober living homes operate
The Arizona Republic •

Peoria Fire Chief Gary Bernard lives by Fire Dept., hockey playbooks

Life is like a playbook for Peoria Fire Chief and avid hockey player Gary Bernard.

Before officially taking the title of fire chief last May, Bernard spent 31 years serving, protecting the city of Peoria. For Bernard, infernos, soot-covered boots, and unbearable heat were all part of his regular life. But so were ice rinks, sharp-bladed skates, and bitter cold.

Growing up in Ontario, Canada, Bernard began playing hockey at the age of 5. After more than a decade, Bernard was still playing hocke
Arizona Republic •

Group that helped block Arizona Coyotes arena and entertainment district sets sights on $1B Glendale resort over 25-year tax break

Group that helped block Arizona Coyotes arena and entertainment district sets sights on $1B Glendale resort over 25-year tax break

First, it was Arizona’s beloved Coyotes hockey team, and now, it’s Glendale’s VAI Resort. It turns out a desert beach oasis is not for everyone.

Worker Power Institute, the community group that blocked the proposed Coyotes arena and Tempe entertainment district, is now taking names in hopes to do the same for Glendale’s VAI Resort.

The issues raised in the resort
Arizona Republic •

A new, free housing assistance center has opened for unhoused people in Surprise

A new, free housing assistance center has opened for unhoused people in Surprise

Housing affordability remains a consistent problem in the West Valley, and the city of Surprise is hoping to do something about it.

Arizona’s unsheltered homeless population has increased by 62% over the last 10 years with the West Valley lacking major resources to alleviate the issue, according to a news release.

Surprise has partnered with the nonprofit organization A New Leaf in efforts to alleviate some of th
Arizona Republic •

Surprise welcomes back curbside recycling

As a way to get residents back in the habit of recycling, the city plans to initiate a pre-launch program beginning on July 24, according to a press release.

Starting this week, residents are encouraged to separate recyclables into their designated blue curbside bins. The bins will be collected on Monday via a recycling truck, as opposed to a trash truck.

Bins must be out on the curb by 6 a.m. and will be picked up on regularly scheduled trash pick up days, according to the release.

Both tras
Arizona Republic •

Surprise enters new chapter with city-owned libraries

Surprise public libraries — Surprise Regional, Asante and Hollyhock — are now city-owned after having been managed by Maricopa County.

The transition from Maricopa County to city management began this March with library staffing and programs moving under the city’s purview, according to a news release.

Kelsey Lamphier, Surprise’s Arts, Culture, and Library Department director, explained why the changes were deemed necessary.

Among the list of reasons was that at nearly 150,000 residents, the
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at Illinois •

Space Invaders and the modern age

What happens when urban art becomes literally a global invasion? That’s the question addressed by Julie Gaillard, professor of French, who has been tracking the work and significance of a secretive, anonymous artist who has created pixelated characters from a 1970s video game and placed them around the world—and even beyond this world.

“What started as an urban art practice indeed evolved into a more global invasion project over time,” said Gaillard, whose recent article, “Returning ‘Home’? Or
Arizona Republic •

Glendale welcomes 3 new heat relief respite centers

The city of Glendale opens 3 new heat relief respite centers in addition to their 2 hydration stations and 10 cooling centers.

The City of Glendale has opened three new heat relief respite centers. Earlier this year, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved $771,000 in funding for the city to use towards heat relief.

As of July 6, the provided funds were used to open the three centers, finance additional outreach programs, and allow for transportation to and from the heat relief cente
Arizona Republic •

Glendale residents can get rebates for conserving water at home

Glendale residents can get rebates for conserving water at home

Financial rebates will be offered as a way to encourage water conservation in Glendale.

The city’s conservation and sustainable living team has expanded its water efficiency rebate program, according to a news release.

The purpose of the rebates is to encourage community water conservation efforts and encourage water-efficiency upgrades, which are proven to save water during droughts, the news release said.

Who can apply for Gle
Arizona Republic •

Surprise shopping center expected late 2024

As the population of the West Valley is rapidly growing, so are the developments. Surprise residents can expect to see a new shopping center as soon as next year.

Surprise welcomed The Village at Prasada just last year, a 700,000-square-foot retail and dining center located at the intersection of Loop 303 and Waddell Road. Now, Scottsdale-based national retail developer, SimonCRE is looking to expand on the new development.

Though it is still in the planning phase, Prasada North will include a
Arizona Republic •

Glendale leaders vote in favor of free housing for veterans

Glendale leaders vote in favor of free housing for veterans

Glendale leaders aim to provide free veteran housing amid a new project inspired by a trip to Kansas City.

On May 23, the City Council voted in favor of rezoning an area close to 63rd and Grand avenues. A lot that was once remnant parcels from transportation projects is now set to become a neighborhood of veterans.

It is no secret that affordable housing is something that is few and far between within the lines of Maricopa County. Ha
Arizona Republic •

Despite a special-education teacher's training efforts, students weren't finding jobs. So she did something about it

Despite a special-education teacher's training efforts, students weren't finding jobs. So she did something about it

The aroma of coffee spreads through the air. Friendly smiles offer warm welcomes. There is not an open seat in the whole shop. Racquel stands behind the register. “Iced or hot,” she asks.

Karin York opened Spencer’s Place in 2019, a Surprise-based coffee shop where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can work. As a former high school special education teacher
Arizona Republic •

Glendale City Hall set for $90 million in renovations

Glendale's Downtown Campus is expected to undergo a nearly $90 million reinvestment project starting as soon as this fall.

The campus includes City Hall, Council Chambers, the campus parking structure, the E. Lowell Rogers amphitheater, and Murphy Park.

Once construction begins, the project will interfere with the utilization of the space as all employees will ultimately need to vacate the City Hall Building. Eddie Garcia, principal architect with the City of Glendale, expressed how the vacati
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