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Robert Celifie was recently sentenced to natural life in prison for hiring someone to kill Ilya Shimonov in Scottsdale in January 2022.
COMMUNITY NEWS
L.A. man sentenced in murder-for-hire scheme in Scottsdale
Italian opera singer Ripalta Bufo was a finalist on “Italia’s Got Talent” in 2013.
ENTERTAINMENT
Opera singer to perform at Italian Festival in Scottsdale
Bill Harris points out where he served to Sydney Moore.
Education Solutions
$100K grant expands student-veteran education program across Arizona
Karen Cahn.
NEIGHBORS
Scottsdale resident Q&A: Karen Cahn
A road sign points to Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation, where leaders say AM radio is necessary to cover the vast distances of the nation were more modern infrastructure may be lacking.
Media
Arizona broadcasters back AM frequencies as Congress debates mandate for autos
A Scottsdale police bicycle officer was injured Oct. 24 in Old Town. The suspect driving the vehicle in the crash has been arrested, police said.

Vehicle hits Scottsdale bicycle officer in Old Town

A Scottsdale officer was injured early Saturday after being struck by a vehicle after police said they were attempting to stop the driver in Old Town Scottsdale. Officers saw a vehicle driving …
Barry Graham (left), Michelle Ugenti-Rita (center) and Raoul Zubia (right) are squaring off in the Nov. 3 election for two seats on the Scottsdale City Council.

Scottsdale City Council candidates collect, spend tens of thousands of dollars

Scottsdale City Council candidates Barry Graham, Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Raoul Zubia raised and spent tens of thousands of dollars during the third quarter of the fiscal year in their bids for the …
Gas prices are seen at the Circle K at 99th Avenue and Bell Road in Sun City. Gas prices fell for the second straight week according to AAA Arizona.

See the cheapest gas in Scottsdale

Gas prices in the Valley fell 13 cents a gallon this week to $4.51 a gallon as the transition to winter blend of gasoline is underway according to AAA Arizona.
Over 100 golfers participated in the fifth annual Rosendin Foundation Golf Tournament and Auction, Oct. 20.

Golfers raise funds for Rosendin Foundation

Talking Stick Golf Club hosted 140 golfers in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for the fifth annual Rosendin Foundation Golf Tournament and Auction, Oct. 20, to raise money for the …
Tammy Caputi, a candidate running on the Democratic ticket in the Legislative District 4 race, has received two threats against her and her family through her campaign website

Threats made against political candidates, volunteers in Scottsdale

Being part of the political process is getting dangerous in Scottsdale this election season. Scottsdale resident Tammy Caputi, who is running on the Democratic ticket for the Legislative …
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Local Business directory
Steve and Maria Sanghi cut the ribbon on the new Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale’s branch bearing their names Oct. 21.
NEIGHBORS

Boys & Girls Club opens Steve & Maria Sanghi Branch in south Scottsdale

The Boys & Girls Club of Scottsdale officially cut the ribbon on its new Steve & Maria Sanghi Branch Oct. 21 The branch, which is located on the Tonalea Middle School campus, provides a …
Sponsored Content

Your new internet and mobile provider Spectrum says ‘hi!’

Spectrum is now the Internet, Mobile, and TV provider for former Cox customers in the Valley. “We’re now part of your community in all of the Phoenix metro area, and we couldn’t be more …
Collab Medspa employees and Scottsdale residents can celebrate their 10 years in business on Oct. 22.
business

Scottsdale medspa celebrates 10 years built on community relationships

For Shani McKee and Andrea Jefferson, running a medspa has always been about more than skincare treatments. It is about the relationships built with clients who have returned year after year, sharing …
Members of the public will get a chance to play a a nine-foot Steinway Spirio concert grand piano and listen to performance from Francesco Parrino for free Nov. 20-21.
ENTERTAINMENT

Steinway & Sons Scottsdale hosts Adult Education Festival

Steinway & Sons Scottsdale, 14418 N Scottsdale Road, Suite 184, will host its Adult Education Festival with Steinway’s Hall of Fame Legend and Master’s Music Academy founder Ashley Lane Nov. …
Scottsdale officials say there have been no inquires to the city about building a data center but there are already two smaller ones already in city limits.
COMMUNITY NEWS

Data Center regulations coming to Scottsdale

Scottsdale could soon have an ordinance governing data centers on where they can be built, noise limitations and water usage. The Scottsdale City Council voted unanimously during its Oct. 20 …

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The latest edition of the Scottsdale Independent

The latest issue of the Scottsdale Independent pdf eedition

The latest issue of the Scottsdale Independent

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The latest edition of the Scottsdale North News

The latest issue of Scottsdale North News pdf eedition

The latest issue of Scottsdale North News

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Scottsdale Opinions with Civility
Marla Lit

Love at first byte: Is your next date human — or is it AI?

OPINION — Online dating used to mean wondering whether someone’s profile photo was 10 years old. Now there’s a more fundamental question: Does this person even exist?
Photo Caption

Scottsdale residents deserve whole truth on apartments, water

OPINION — Polls show water ranks atop the issues local voters consider most important. It’s no surprise, then, to see politicians make dubious claims about water usage to sway voters. …
Photo Caption

Question of the Week: Do you still play games in the Arizona Lottery?

The Arizona Lottery was created when voters approved Proposition 200 in November 1980. The two biggest games are Powerball and Mega Millions, both multi-state games. Odds of winning are just as …
Dr. Vanna Campion

Arizona’s fentanyl overdose statistics are alarming; free Narcan training can help

OPINION — While deaths from drug overdoses across the United States declined during each of the last three years, they have surged in Arizona. From September 2024 to September 2025, our state recorded a 17% increase in overdose deaths — twice the national average — according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Jan Dubauskas

Facts over fiction on Scottsdale’s water

OPINION — Councilwoman Solange Whitehead’s recent column claims city water professionals and her colleagues misled residents at the latest work-study session. The record says otherwise. For …

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SCOTTSDALE EDUCATION

SUSD opens enrollment for next school year

Arizona educator disciplinary cases have more than doubled since 2022, but state officials say expanded oversight, additional investigators and efforts to clear a backlog, rather than a documented surge in misconduct, are driving much of the increase.

Arizona educator discipline cases surge as state clears backlog

Arizona educator disciplinary cases have more than doubled since 2022, but state officials say expanded oversight, additional investigators and efforts to clear a backlog, rather than a documented surge in misconduct, are driving much of the increase.
Nathan Walker will take over the school head position at the International School Arizona next July.

Scottsdale’s International School of Arizona chooses new head of school

The International School of Arizona Board of Trustees has appointed Nathan Walker as the school’s next head of school, effective July 1, 2027. Walker succeeds Jason Smith, who will continue to …
Jeanne Beasley, Amy Carney and Dr. Jennifer Johnson shared their ideas on what the future of Scottsdale Unified School District should look like Oct. 7 during a forum put on by the Scottsdale Parent Council.

Three candidates square off in forum on SUSD governing board election

A paralegal, a businesswoman/writer and a career educator who has served as a teacher principal and district superintendent squared off in a candidate forum hosted by the Scottsdale Parent Council …
Parents and students can get a look at kindergarten classes offered by Scottsdale Unified School District Oct. 20 through Nov. 10, depending on the school.

SUSD invites future families to explore schools at Kindergarten Roundup

Families with children entering kindergarten for the 2027–28 school year are invited to attend Kindergarten Roundup, a series of events hosted at Scottsdale Unified School District elementary …
About 150 people came out Oct. 6 to hear the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board vote to close Copper Ridge K-8 School and Laguna Prep next year as a money saving venture.

SUSD to close Copper Ridge K-8 and Laguna Prep schools

Copper Ridge K-8 School and Laguna Prep will close at the end of the current school year. The Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board voted 3-2 on Oct. 6 to close the two schools as …
High School Sports
Notre Dame Prep new Girls Basketball Head Coach Alicia Hopkins. (Submitted Photo/NDP Saints Athletics website)

NDP announces Alicia Hopkins as next girls hoops coach

SCOTTSDALE — Notre Dame Prep has announced a new Head Coach for the girls basketball program. Alicia Hopkins, the 3A West Region Coach of the Year, was introduced as the team’s new leader …
Chaparral Badminton places for both singles and doubles at the State Championship on Oct. 24, 2026. (Submitted Photo/Chaparral Badminton Instagram account)

Chaparral Badminton singles, doubles place at State Championships

PHOENIX — Chaparral Badminton had success over the weekend at the singles and doubles State Championship. In singles, Chaparral’s Pallavi Narayanan took third place overall. In doubles, …
Will Shaffer with his brother Langston. (Submitted Photo/Will Shaffer X account)

Former Saguaro Star Will Shaffer looking to shape next generation at McClintock

TEMPE — Saguaro, in years past, was known for the high-caliber of football talent they’d continuously produce. Year after year, the Sabercats were State Championship contenders under Head Coach …
Desert Mountain's captains take the field for the coin toss against Horizon on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. (Az Newsmedia/Brittany Bowyer)

Desert Mountain Football downs Horizon 24-15

SCOTTSDALE — It was the closest game Desert Mountain has played in since last year, but the Wolves were able to outlast Horizon on the road 24-15 to pick up yet another victory. Horizon …
Horizon's new film room. (Submitted Photo/Tyson Ditmore X account)

Horizon Football gets new film room

SCOTTSDALE — Horizon football has recently received an upgrade to the film room. On Wednesday, the team announced the project was complete before unveiling it to the team on Thursday morning. …

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Scottsdale Entertainment
The Sonoran Bells are a professional ensemble of hand bell players dedicated to performance and community outreach.

Sonoran Bells to perform winter concerts in Fountain Hills and Scottsdale

Sonoran Bells, a Tucson-based handbell ensemble, will present "Wintertide", a concert celebrating the winter season, on Saturday, Dec. 5, according to a press release. Performances are scheduled …
“Ten Perfect Guests,” by Jonathan Santlofer

Scottsdale’s The Poisoned Pen welcomes book lovers

The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale hosted author Jonathan Santlofer to speak to a room of readers about his new crime thriller, “Ten Perfect Guests.” He spoke about his path from being a visual …
“Way of the Wild, 1832” depicts a lone hunter standing tall and confident with his gaze directed into the distance.

New monument to go on display in front of Western Spirit

A new, eight-foot tall monument called, “Way of the Wild, 1832,” by western artist John Coleman will be installed in front of the Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West in December. …
Proceeds from the Run the Runway event at the Scottsdale Airport benefit nonprofits Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial and Opportunity 4 Kids.

Run the Runway returns to Scottsdale Airport Oct. 25

Runners and families can race along Scottsdale Airport’s taxiways and ramp when Run the Runway returns Sunday, Oct. 25. Presented by Volanti and PHX Run Club, the event features a 5K open to …
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland, top, is congratulated by teammates after kicking the game winning field goal against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.

Cardinals stun rival Rams on walk off field goal 18-16

NFL teams don’t typically win games exclusively scoring points via the field goal, but that’s exactly what the Arizona Cardinals (2-4) just did, as they took down the Super Bowl favorite and …

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