News from January 2017


McCain, Flake applaud Trump's pick for Supreme Court

President Donald Trump named federal appeals court Judge Neil Gorsuch as his nominee to fill the vacant U.S. Supreme Court seat previously occupied by the late Justice Antonin Scalia. U.S. senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) praised the president's pick.

Free fitness, wellness expo coming to Mesa

Mesa Vice Mayor David Luna is hosting the free Heart Your Health fitness and wellness expo Saturday, Feb. 11, the city said in a news release.

Pima County accepting applications for summer youth work program

Youth and young adults ages 14-25 can apply for Pima County’s Summer Youth Employment Program to earn money or school credits.

Arizona City child's disease prompts family to become blood donation advocates

Myah O’Dell’s mother recently expressed her gratitude for those who donated blood to help keep the 2-year-old Arizona City girl alive. Myah was born with hemoglobin SD, a form of sickle cell disease, and she has received upwards of 30 blood transfusions since infancy.

Hacienda de la Canoa hosting 'When Bronc Riders Wore Lipstick' exhibit

Hacienda de la Canoa in Green Valley will be hosting a cowgirl exhibit for a limited time. The exhibit, "When Bronc Riders Wore Lipstick," running from Feb. 18 to March 4, will feature the dress of cowgirls from the early 1900s through the '30s

Arizona State University, businesses team up for Manufacturing Research and Innovation Hub

Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering recently launched the Manufacturing Research and Innovation Hub, decked out with the latest in 3-D printing equipment.

Ducey extends 'Infant at Work' program to Department of Economic Security workers

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is extending a program to allow parents to bring their newborns to work to Department of Economic Security (DES) workers statewide.

Tucson recruits 'emerging leaders'

The Tucson Metro Chamber recently put out a help wanted ad, asking for applications from "all young, dynamic, engaged, driven, upwardly mobile and top performers.”

Pima holds warrant resolution court

The Pima County Consolidated Justice Court stayed open late recently to hold warrant resolution court, allowing anyone with a suspended driver's license or an outstanding warrant to walk in and resolve legal issues. Judges Maria Felix and Keith Bee presided.

Governor, teachers at opposite sides on pay hike

Arizona teachers and Gov. Doug Ducey have recently begun playing tug of war over a decimal point.

Shelter offers pet lovers free cats and dogs

If there's one thing better than adopting a cat or dog from a shelter, it's being able to do so for free. Such is the case with the Pima Animal Care Center (PACC), which is waiving adult dog and cat adoption fees during its "Clear the Shelter" event on Friday and Saturday.

Pinal takes priority for medical examiner

Pinal County recently welcomed its first medical examiner, and it expects to see the position pay dividends in many ways.

Panel removes some business hurdles

The Arizona Corporation Commission recently acted to eliminate some regulatory relics that it said caused unnecessary rejections, slowed the process and did nothing to benefit customers.

Pima County road crews clear boulders, snow from Mount Lemmon Highway

Pima County said a Department of Transportation team cleared 800-pound boulders and some snow off the Mount Lemmon Highway to keep the road to Mount Lemmon open during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

Medical marijuana use in Arizona more than doubles from 2015-16

Data from the Arizona Department of Health Services and the state's Office of Economic Activity indicates medical marijuana users legally consumed more than 29 tons of the drug last year in Arizona, up 52 percent from 2015, a recent article on the Casa Grande Dispatch website said.

Pima County OKs Community Facilities District for Rocking K South development

The Pima County Board of Supervisors recently approved designating the Rocking K South residential development southeast of Tucson as a Community Facilities District (CFD).

Sundt Construction lands $16.3 million contract for Pima Animal Care Center

Pima County said the board of supervisors recently awarded a $16.3 million contract to Sundt Construction Inc. to begin construction on the Pima Animal Care Center facility in Tucson.

Court denies appeal to stop South Mountain Freeway project

The Arizona Department of Transportation said work will continue on the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway after a recent court ruling in a legal dispute to halt the project.

Realtor sees rising rents as signal to buy

Because of the tight rent market, “its actually easier to buy than to rent right now,” President of Arizona Realtors, Sue Flucke said in an article on the Arizona Association of Realtors website.

Funding approved to update Yavapai County water system

The Arizona Corporation Commission recently approved using emergency funds from the Small Water Systems Fund for water system improvements in Yavapai County.