After long illness, volunteer gives back at Mercy Gilbert
Woman spent 106 in the hospital with pancreatitis and multiple organ failure. Recovery was a ''miracle,'' doctors say.

Valley may see rain by the weekend
Rain should hit the Valley this weekend, as temperatures hover slightly above average through the rest of the workweek.

Tribe gaming funds to aid local projects
The Gila River Indian Community on Tuesday earmarked $250,000 in gaming revenue money to refurbish a structure at Steele Indian School Park and fund programs that fight hunger and violent crime.

Probation for woman who locked up son
Pima County Sheriff's Deputies discovered the boy locked in a room in August after he called 911 from a cell phone to report that he was home alone.

SE Valley home prices fall for a record 18th month
Home prices in the Southeast Valley fell at double-digit rates but not as much as in three other regions in the Valley, according to a report Tuesday from Arizona State University.

Higley Park residents ready to clean up again
Grant from an organization will provide landscapers and other maintenance workers on Saturday.

Big stars taking Country Thunder stage
Alan Jackson and Tim McGraw will headline the 2009 edition of Country Thunder USA near Florence, with the event undergoing changes aimed at making it more family- and fan-friendly.

2nd-highest turnout ever for Ariz. general election
Nearly 8 of 10 registered voters cast ballots.

150 drivers arrested for DUI over holiday
Of that number, 17 drivers were arrested for aggravated DUI and 33 were arrested for extreme DUI.

Arizona gas average finally below $2 a gallon
The average was $1.91 on Monday, $1.11 less than the average of $3.02 just one year ago.
Calculate your commute | Find the cheapest gas

Corporations, individuals find ways to help the needy
Corporations are slashing jobs in the faltering economy, but corporate giving in the Southeast Valley remains a priority for some firms and individuals so far.

How to shield kids from layoff stress
Eleven-year-old Adam Clark of Tempe knows more than he should about the country's economic problems. Both of his parents have lost their jobs - his mother last year and now his dad.

Semi loaded with TVs rolls near Casa Grande
A semitruck carrying televisions and other electronics rolled over Saturday on a highway near Casa Grande, an Arizona Department of Public Safety official said.

2 get probation for dog fighting
Raid resulted in the seizure of 150 dogs.

New pro football league chooses Casa Grande site
$20 million training facility will serve three of the league's six original teams.

2,100 passengers: Gateway marks busiest day ever
Wednesday marked the busiest day in the 15-year history of the airport, which was tested by parking and restroom issues.

Renzi co-defendant makes initial court appearance
Renzi also is charged with making a false statement on a tax return, wire fraud, money laundering, insurance fraud and extortion. He maintains his innocence.

Gilbert schools to toughen graduation standards
Graduation requirements for Gilbert high school students are about to get tougher.

Pair confess to 4 bank robberies, FBI says
Couple arrested after confessing to robbing a bank at a Queen Creek grocery store, authorities say.

'Mid-Life Crisis Bandit' strikes again
FBI asking for the public's help in identifying man who has robbed three banks across the state since Oct. 28.

Plans move ahead on Gateway Freeway
Plans for the 22-mile Williams Gateway Freeway in east Mesa continue despite a $4.5 billion funding shortfall.

Deputy set to appear in court in child porn case
A Pinal County Sheriff's deputy arrested on suspicion of possessing child porn is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

Economy slowing Superior mine plan
British miner Rio Tinto PLC has temporarily slashed funding for a controversial underground copper mine being developed near Superior by Resolution Copper Co.

Man found dead at side of road; Deputies seek info
Jose Luis Dominguez-Arboles, 26, was found dead on the side of the roadway near the Rio Salado Sportsman's Club at 3960 N. Usery Pass Road.

13 illegal immigrants arrested in phony Bud van
Border Patrol agents have found a nonalcoholic cargo inside a white van bearing Budweiser beer logos.

Growth challenges Gateway Airport during holidays
Although the airport added 300 spaces to accommodate added flights, Gateway's major carrier, Allegiant Air, will be flying more than enough passengers to fill them.

Life experiences serve Griffin as she serves Maricopa
Marquisha Griffin, the first African American to serve on the Maricopa City Council, draws on experience and hard work for her constituents.

Former UA student gets life in fatal dorm stabbing
Galareka Harrison was convicted of stabbing her University of Arizona dorm mate 23 times.
Young woman sentenced in UA dorm death

More drug tunnels being found on border
U.S. border agents are finding record numbers of tunnels.
Views of the border

Road construction halted over holiday
While no closures are scheduled, existing work zones are in place.

'McCain' among 880 names suggested for Gilbert school
Sen. John McCain fell short in his presidential bid, but Gilbert residents who voted for the Republican congressman on Nov. 4 are offering a consolation prize.
NY elementary school is renamed for Obama

Boy, 15, suspected of auto theft, DUI
Gilbert Police arrested the teen on suspicion of possessing a stolen car after he was reported to be driving while impaired.

Maricopa students deal with teacher's death
Grief counselors were meeting with students at Maricopa High School on Monday, three days after a teacher collapsed in his classroom and later died.

Dads in Eloy prison can read to their kids
More than 100 Hawaiian prisoners housed in Eloy to benefit from program.

SE Valley restaurants cater to holiday needs
Thankful you're not cooking this holiday? Plenty of restaurants in the Southeast Valley are preparing the big meal for take-out or dine-in customers.
Grocers compete to attract holiday shoppers

Valley grocers compete to attract holiday shoppers
Grocers this year are especially aware of consumers' needs to shave costs.
SE Valley restaurants cater to holiday needs

1-2 punch lifts Highland basketball's stock
Armed with one of the state's greatest dual threats in sophomore guards Matt Carlino and Nick Johnson, the Hawks have a lot of talent to make a run at a possible state championship

Islands Women's Club reaches out to community
The club brings women from all facets of life together to serve the community and build relationships among the Islands neighborhood.

What not to do if you're having a garage sale
Garage Sale Gal: Weekly tips from columnist Lynda Hammond.

Greenway knocks off Queen Creek
With his team's season on the line, Phoenix Greenway head coach Mike Brown never hesitated to make the gutsiest call of the season.

Teacher charged in sex case involving teen girl
Gilbert police on Monday arrested a Carson Junior High School teacher accused of having sexual contact with a 16-year-old.

Friends, family pay tribute at Highland teen's funeral
Kelly Tracy and her brother were on their way to meet the band for the Gilbert Days Parade when their car was struck nearly head-on.
Services | Vigil photos | Send condolences
Death all too familiar | Suspect faces charges

CGCC offering holiday assistance to others
Students and staff are contributing in a variety of ways, including holding canned food, toiletry, and book drives, as well as the college's annual Adopt-a-Family program.

Gilbert to trim employee raises; no layoffs for now
Town employees will receive a 2 percent raise this year instead of the planned 3 percent.

Retail, offices might face Gilbert LDS temple
On Dec. 2 the Town Council will hear proposals for the southwestern corner of Greenfield and Pecos.
Temple organizers want compatible development
Council considers uses for area
Twins Falls temple | Family 1 | Family 2

Sheriff-elect Babeu won't finish year with Chandler police
Paul Babeu had planned to come back to his Chandler police officer's job for a few weeks until he took office as Pinal County's new sheriff Jan. 1. That's not going to happen.

Man arrested with 17 pounds of cocaine near Picacho Peak
The drugs ran a street value of $160,000.

Mesa wants financial assist at Gateway
A policy shift at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport could be good news for Mesa, which assumes the lion's share of public safety protection at the former Air Force Base.

Arizona's unemployment rises, highest in 5 years
Arizona's unemployment rate rose to 6.1 percent in October, the highest in about five years, the Arizona Department of Commerce reported today. It was 5.9 percent in September.

Rodeo is a way of life for Gilbert family
For Denton Payne, his wife Dawnie, and their two boys, rodeo has never been just a sport.
Gilbert Days Parade | Sights and sounds

Hand grenade found at Gilbert intersection
Police clear area at Baseline after device was found not to be explosive.

4,700 respond to 'Campo Verde' survey
Some 4,684 people suggested names for Gilbert's new high school..

Florence man indicted in 2004 killing of wife
Employee at prison faces charges of first- and second-degree murder in Minnesota incident.

'Twilight' fans stake hearts on vampire romance
Elisabeth Pedersen, 19, of Queen Creek, read each book in a day, even forgoing sleep to finish.

1st flu case of season diagnosed in Arizona
The Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed the first case of the flu in Arizona for this winter.

2 charges pending for man in Highland teen's crash death
The suspected drunken driver involved in a collision that killed 16-year-old Kelly Tracy faces manslaughter and aggravated-assault felony charges.
Vigil | Video | Send condolences
Death all too familiar | How to help the family
Suspect in fatal crash faces charges

Highland teen killed in crash remembered
The teen's church family, band friends and classmates remember Tracy Kelly as a caring person and sang her favorite worship songs.
Photos | Video | Send condolences
Death all too familiar | How to help the family
Suspect in fatal crash faces charges

Former AJ mayor rejoins council
A long-time former Apache Junction mayor was returned to the council Wednesday night while the city manager took a self-imposed cut in benefits to save the city money.

Lawyer fuels mystery of wife's death
Three days before she drowned in the bathtub of her Gilbert home in September 2001, Faylene Grant fell off a cliff in Utah. Or did she?

Roberts: Never an excuse for DUI
The illegal immigrant who police say drove drunk and killed a girl on Saturday wasn't exactly living in the shadows. In fact, he'd been arrested at least four times - twice for DUI.
Vigil for Kelly | Video | Send condolences
Death all too familiar | Suspect faces charges

St. Johns police video: Boy says he 'thinks' he killed his dad
A police videotape released Tuesday shows a tearful 8-year-old in St. Johns confessing to murder.
Interview with 8-year-old suspect | Hearing today

Pinal County man admits having sex with girl, 14
A Pinal County man told police he knew he was wrong to have sex with a 14-year-old girl, according to a sheriff's report.

Gaylord plans to drop Calif. resort a boost for Mesa
Gaylord Entertainment Co., which plans to build a huge hotel-conference center in southeast Mesa, has dropped plans for another such facility in California.

Man killed in glider crash; was carrying 141 pounds of pot
This was the second time in two months that a plane had been discovered trying to smuggle marijuana into the United States.

Prescription drug turn in planned for Johnson Ranch
Johnson Ranch residents can turn in unused medications and cell phones to authorities for safe disposal

Woman, 77, escapes fire with help of alert teen
Fire burned half of Gilbert house, but nobody, including a dog and cat, were injured.

Personal data of Gilbert residents found in model home
Information discovered in boxes in garage of a ransacked house in Higley Park.

Alleged drunk driver faces manslaughter charges
Church event is mainly for Gilbert's Highland High School students and teachers who knew her.
Death all too familiar | Another young girl gone
Video | Send your condolences
Dream cut short | Funeral set for Friday

Downturn may hinder snowbirds' spending
Don't count on winter visitors to save the local economy this year. They are returning, but not flocking, to the Valley, according to some RV park owners.

Sex assault suspect was in holding facility
Maricopa County Sheriff's officials say they tracked a sexual-assault suspect to a Tucson holding facility where he was awaiting voluntary return to Mexico.

Drugstore clinics provide care in a hurry
The clinics are staffed with nurse practitioners and are designed to treat minor illnesses and injuries.

Students helping others is Gilbert teacher's legacy
Teacher Chuck Day inspired his Highland Junior High students in the classroom and in his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. In turn, they found a creative way to honor his memory and help others.

Internet tool allows access to police accident reports
Residents involved in traffic accidents have a new way to access police reports that eliminates time-consuming trips to the department, Gilbert Police said.

Chandler Library seeks books for fundraising sale
The organization is running low on book donations and is asking residents for contributions.

Gilbert Historical Museum to expand hours, open 5 days
New Tuesday-through-Saturday schedule to begin in December.

New Hope pastor decides it's time to leave the pulpit
After nearly 40 years of studying, practicing and preaching from the pulpit, the Rev. Richard Koerselman will finally take a seat among his peers.

Seniors enjoy benefits of CGCC Fitness Center
Campus opens gym to seniors for free or reduced tuition.

Gold Canyon residents win lower sewer rate
The Arizona Corporation Commission voted, 4-1, on Thursday reduced the rate the Gold Canyon Sewer Company can charge its residential customers from $60.67 to $52 a month.

Foreclosures big player in Southeast Valley resale market
Nearly half of the Valley homes resold in October were due to foreclosures in which banks took back properties or bidders bought them from the bank.
Nearly half of Pinal resales due to foreclosures

Allegiant finds niche as low-cost carrier
Analysts say Allegiant's unique business model allows it to grow, purchase more aircraft with cash and keep competition at bay.

Woman gets 1-year prison term in abuse case
A woman who kept her little sister locked up in a bedroom for months has been sentenced to one year in prison.