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The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved a pair of agreements on its consent agenda on Sept. 30 for services with the Department of Correctional Health Services.

Board of Supervisors approves agreements for correctional health services

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved a pair of agreements on its consent agenda on Sept. 30 for services with the Department of Correctional Health Services.
Sasha Wellers.

Scottsdale resident Q&A: Sasha Wellers

In an effort to create a stronger sense of community, the Daily Independent is asking residents to share a little about themselves with some standard questions. Here are Sasha Wellers’ answers. …
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Man dies at scene of 2-vehicle West Valley crash

A man died Saturday afternoon after a crash in Sun City, authorities said. Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Sun City Fire and Medical Department personnel arrived about 1 …
Jewish War Veterans Copper State Post 619 Commander Dr. Julian Wyatt, right, presents 106-year-old World War II veteran Fannie McClendon with a copy of a book that mentions post members. The Post is one of the veterans organizations with a Chandler and an East Valley presence that help fill in the gaps in supporting specific veterans services.

East Valley veterans organizations fulfill specific or support needs

When Steve Weintraub’s organization arranges for tickets for veterans to attend an event, he knows he’s not solving any major crises in their lives. But that seems to be how some veterans …
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Man dies in Grand Avenue shooting, suspect captured with license place reader tech: PD

A 34-year-old man died at the scene of a shooting Friday night near a business in the area of 39 th and Gand avenues, Phoenix police said. The shooting occurred about 9:30 p.m. Oct. 2, and …
POLICE

Evidence points to homicide/suicide in deadly Scottsdale shooting

A man and woman died after a Friday night shooting that Scottsdale police said appears to be a homicide and suicide. The man and woman, who have not been identified, were hospitalized with …
In this file photo, William Mack, special agent in charge of the United States Secret Service Phoenix field office, provides cyberscams information to residents in Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office District three in the West Valley.
'THREAT ACTORS'

Arizona warns of phishing campaign mimicking state, county authorities

A targeted social engineering, impersonation and phishing campaign is mimicking Arizona state and county authorities with “threat actors” registering lookalike.us’ domains,” officials said. …
The three-acre property at the southeast corner of 26th Street and Indian School Road contains a Almost There Rescue and Pizza To The Rescue, a pizza restaurant where 25% of proceeds benefit the adjacent pet rescue.
Development

Phoenix pizza restaurant and dog rescue to add parking lot, event space

The Phoenix Planning Commission on Thursday approved a rezone for Pizza To The Rescue and Almost There Rescue to add an 83-car parking lot to a vacant property to the south. The rezone now goes …
Adam Brice fills up a customer’s water tank with his water hauler on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026 in Chino Valley, Ariz.
Arizona Water

Dry wells in rural Arizona force residents to rely on water haulers

CHINO VALLEY – The gas-powered motor roars as water hits the near-empty trough, alerting cattle it’s drinking time.  Adam Brice moves from one metal trough to the next with a green …
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors members, from left, Supervisor Steve Gallardo (District 5), Vice Chair Debbie Lesko (District 4), Chair Kate Brophy McGee (District 3), Supervisor Thomas Galvin (District 2), and Supervisor Mark Stewart (District 1). The Board of Supervisors approved a number of items on the consent agenda on Sept. 30 to provide funding for emergency shelters and groups involved with rapid rehousing services.
AGREEMENTS

Board of Supervisors approves grant funding for emergency shelters, rapid rehousing services

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved a number of items on the consent agenda on Sept. 30 to provide funding for emergency shelters and groups involved with rapid rehousing services.
No one was injured when the car Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky’s was driving struck the curb in a roundabout in 8700 of Via Linda Oct. 1, but the car was towed from the scene.
COMMUNITY NEWS

Scottsdale Mayor Borowsky in traffic accident

Much has been made by Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky’s unpaid traffic ticket from Oct. 14, 2025, but police records show it wasn’t an isolated incident. Borowsky made headlines in August …
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office is asking the public to provide information after a 16-year-old boy was found on a San Tan Valley road and later died at a hospital.
Pinal County

Boy found on San Tan Valley road dies at hospital

A 16-year-old boy who was found with serious injuries late Thursday on a San Tan Valley road has died, authorities said. The boy was found about 11:30 p.m. Oct. 1 on Murray Grey Drive near …
Arizona voters will decide in November whether to expand the state's existing restrictions on participation in girls' sports while adding new requirements for locker rooms, restrooms and other spaces connected with athletics.
Education Solutions

Prop. 318 would expand Arizona’s existing restrictions on girls’ sports

Arizona voters will decide in November whether to expand the state's existing restrictions on participation in girls' sports while adding new requirements for locker rooms, restrooms and other spaces connected with athletics.
Scottsdale has budgeted $780,000 in fiscal year 2026/27 for the first phase of design for Eldorado Park.
COMMUNITY NEWS

Scottsdale invites residents to help shape Eldorado Park’s next chapter

Nearly 60 years after Eldorado Park opened as Scottsdale’s first community park, residents have a chance to help shape what comes next. The City of Scottsdale is beginning to plan recreational …
Musicians perform beside illuminated Hilltop letters during the grand-opening celebration for the Hilltop Theatre and Concert Hall on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Litchfield Park.
Community

Hilltop Theatre opens its doors in Litchfield Park

Hundreds of residents and local leaders streamed through the new Hilltop Theatre and Concert Hall in Litchfield Park Oct. 1, getting their first close-up look at a venue designed to bring professional entertainment and arts education together in the West Valley.
Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions isn’t opposed to Axon creating a world headquarters campus in Scottsdale, just the 600 apartments and 600 condos that go with it.
COMMUNITY NEWS

Legal battle over Axon’s Scottsdale site continues

The political action committee Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions is not out of the fight over the 600 apartments and 600 condos planned as part of the taser maker Axon’s world …
A six-story, 216-unit apartment building is planned in the Last Chance shopping center, called Camelback Colonnade, southeast of State Route 51 and Camelback Road in Phoenix.
Camelback Colonnade

Six-story apartment building planned next to Last Chance in Phoenix

A six-story, 216-unit apartment building is planned in the Last Chance shopping center, called Camelback Colonnade, southeast of State Route 51 and Camelback Road in Phoenix. The building will …
Proposition 142 asks voters whether to add new restrictions involving diversity programs, training, spending and other practices in public schools, colleges and universities.
Education Solutions

Prop. 142 would add restrictions on race, DEI programs to Arizona Constitution

Proposition 142 asks voters whether to add new restrictions involving diversity programs, training, spending and other practices in public schools, colleges and universities. Arizona already prohibits public institutions from granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.
Three cans of Arizona Iced Tea are displayed in Phoenix, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)

In a 99-cent AriZona Iced Tea can, echoes of childhood autonomy and fleeting freedoms

AriZona Iced Tea has long been a symbol of childhood autonomy and simple pleasures. Priced at 99 cents, it remains affordable for many American youths, offering a taste of freedom without needing …
Greg Blackie (left) and Randy Keating (right) debate about Prop 144 in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 1, 2026.
Arizona Elections

Tempe councilmember argues against Prop. 144 in election debate

A ballot measure that could change how Arizonans vote was the subject of debate Thursday night, with proponents saying it could lead to faster results and require IDs to vote and opponents saying it …
ELECTION 2026

Deer Valley Unified candidate Q&A: Staff Pay & Retention

Four candidates are vying for two open seats on the Deer Valley Unified School District Governing Board in the Nov. 3 general election. David Alvarado, Paul Carver, Kristi Cooper and Julie Stockwell are seeking four-year terms on the five-member board.
Rides and midway games with stuffed animals as prizes are major attractions at the Arizona State Fair 2026.
Things to Do

Arizona State Fair opens its monthlong run without a petting zoo, but lots of animals

PHOENIX – The Arizona State Fair is open for its monthlong run. Decked out with flashing rides, colorful carousels, food vendors and midway games, the only thing missing in this year’s edition is …
As of Tuesday, Sept. 29, prediction market Kalshi gave Rep. Andy Biggs a 13 percent chance of beating Gov. Katie Hobbs in the 2026 gubernatorial race.
Election 2026

Kalshi declares Biggs a long shot as Arizona polls show mixed margins

PHOENIX – Anyone betting on Rep. Andy Biggs to become Arizona’s next governor is in for a large payday, as traders wagering on the race appear convinced the Gilbert Republican will lose. As …
FILE - The Army dress uniform and photo of the late Christopher Pelkey is displayed at his mother's home, May 7, 2025, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)
COURT OF APPEALS

Sentence tossed in Chandler case where victim was depicted in AI-generated video

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona man’s 10-year manslaughter sentence has been tossed in a case where a video generated by artificial intelligence portrayed the deceased victim addressing a judge before …
From left, Paige Quinn plays bingo with her daughter Adelyn. They sat at the same table with Quinn’s brother, Dylan Chamberlain and his daughter, Briella.
community

Freedom Traditional Academy families play bingo together

Playing bingo on a Friday night is just one of the many ways the Freedom Traditional Academy Parent-Teacher Association keeps families engaged and connected to the school in Surprise.
Arizona Water

Cave Creek navigates Colorado River cuts with proactive water management strategy

Intake pumps that draw water from the Central Arizona Project canal, which is then pumped 12.5 miles to Cave Creek.

For decades, the Town of Cave Creek operated under the quiet assumption that water would always flow. But behind the scenes, a growing crisis has forced local leaders to reckon with harsh realities, fragile infrastructure, and a shrinking supply from the Colorado River.

2026 Preps Football Previews

2026 Preps football preview: Ironwood

Ironwood

Ironwood coach Tony Stillings did not have to say much to his current seniors in January, when they gathered for the first time after a 1-9 season in 2025. No one wanted another fall like that. …

Calendar of events
Data Driven
Arizona is adding people, but the state’s households are not necessarily getting bigger.
Arizona continues to attract new residents, but the state’s growth is creating very different communities for children and families.
Opinions with Civility
Valley & Arizona Sports Coverage
Your Nonpartisan Daily News Source
Valley business

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess sold

The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, a federally recognized Native American tribe located near Highland, California has bought the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has bought the of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The Nation is a federally recognized Native American tribe located near Highland, California, according to a …

West Valley city sees home permits drop for fiscal year

Kamarata Ranch is a built-to-rent development on the southwest corner of Happy Valley Road and 147th Avenue.

New residents have not stopped moving to Surprise, but single-family home and commercial permits showed a downward trend in fiscal year 2026.

Neighbors

Scottsdale Railroad Society hosts fundraiser

The Scottsdale Railroad Society’s Sunset Soiree is designed to expand access to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park for eligible Title I students.

The Scottsdale Railroad Society, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving railroad history, will hold its inaugural Sunset Soiree On the Rails 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct.9, at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, …

Paradise Valley volunteer police officer Howard Hecker remembered for decades of service

Howard Hecker with his wife Janet Hecker.

Paradise Valley area resident and volunteer police officer Howard Hecker, who served the town for more than a decade, died after years of service to his wife, children and neighbors. He was …

Things to do

Carly Rae Jepsen bringing 2027 tour to Phoenix

Carly Rae Jepsen will bring her newly announced North American tour to Phoenix next spring.

Weekend Picks: Valley events for Oct. 2-4

Food is only part of the fun at the Arizona State Fair, which opens today and runs through Nov. 1.

October has arrived in the Valley, and the first weekend of the month brings plenty of reasons to get out of the house — whether that means taking a spin on the midway, raising a stein or spending an evening exploring Taiwanese culture.

Obituaries & Memorials: Remembering your loved ones
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Sally Jo (Lovelace) Brown

Sally Jo (Lovelace) Brown died peacefully at her group home residence in Surprise, Arizona on Sat., Sept. 26, 2026. The former resident of Davenport, Iowa, who had lived most recently in Sun City …
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Shirley Wright Wagner

Shirley Wright Wagner, née Dripps, was born in Oregon on February 10, 1932. She passed away peacefully at home, resting in her favorite chair in the loving arms of family. Shirley lived with an open …
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Mary Helen Jones

Mary Helen Jones, 86, passed away on September 20, 2026, in Oshkosh, WI. She was born on December 7, 1939, in Racine, WI to parents, Joseph Edward and Alma Veronica (Goebel) Cumicek. Mary married the …
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Shirley McAllister

Shirley McAllister Dr. Shirley E. Stauber Friend McAllister was born November 12, 1931 in Noel, MO and passed peacefully in her sleep September 12, 2026 in Chandler, AZ at the age of 94. She was …
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Nancy Hoard Glenn

Nancy Hoard Glenn was born on April 14, 1938, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Hal and Betty Hoard. Nancy was the great granddaughter of William Dempster Hoard, who was the governor of Wisconsin. Starting …
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