The morning of Friday, Dec. 11 will be remembered as a  special moment for the waste service behemoth, Republic Services, as it bid farewell to Joe Romero, a heavy machine operator entering retirement this month. Mr. Romero is retiring after 38 years of service. To honor the occasion, Apache Junction Mayor Jeff Serdy, along with Republic Services dignitaries, dedicated the scale site at the Apache Junction Landfill as the Joe Romero Honorary Scale House. more

The Rotary Club of Scottsdale recently welcomed Rotarian and Scottsdale Mayor W. J. “Jim” Lane to the club’s virtual Zoom meeting. more

Few people are as self-aware as Gauge, a boy barely into high school who knows his strengths and knows where he needs to improve to reach his goals. “Gauge is always trying to do … more

The Arizona Cardinals and Desert Financial’s annual toy drives pivots their focus this year to accommodate health concerns surround the global COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday Dec. 5, the toy … more

Here is a look at Surprise history through the years on this week. more

Life lessons come in all shapes, forms and fashion but the virtues of responsibility, respect and characters are rites of passage many would argue everyone needs. But some children don’t … more

The end of a tumultuous 2020 brings forecasts of continued public health, economic, and social stresses in the new year. It’s abundantly clear that meeting this ongoing moment, filled with … more

The City of Peoria is seeking residents to join the Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Board. more

To eliminate the stress of holiday shopping for West Valley teachers who have been stretched thin during the COVID-19 pandemic, the West Valley Mavericks Foundation distributed 930 turkeys and all the fixings. more

Scottsdale resident Lela Bogardus got an early start in fitness, one that led to a job on ice. more

Scottsdale resident and business owner Kim Cullum sheds light on running a successful home building company during the global pandemic. more

Former Peoria City Manager Terry Ellis has known former Surprise City Manager Jim Rumpeltes for about 40 years. more

Lake Pleasant in Peoria is among the statewide sites to which Arizona’s bald eagles are returning, soon be preparing for the next generation of eagles at breeding sites. more

Nancy Fassbender of Gold Canyon is one of 23 fellow military veterans who have been chosen for the 2020 Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame. The Unified Arizona Veterans organization annually selects … more

Catholic Charities Community Services is gearing up for the holidays. In its 26th year, the holiday assistance team has been collecting gift items for children and youth up to 17 years of age … more

While everyone has been stuck at home to slow the spread of COVID-19 virus, not many have been as stuck at 16-year-old Aaron. When someone in Aaron’s group foster home tested positive for … more

Like a lot of teens doing remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, Julio misses the classroom. Well, at least the other students in the classroom. “He does not like virtual … more

It’s hard keep a straight face when you’re talking to a puppet, so 16-year-old Nelly is all giggles while building a hand puppet at Puppet Pie, a wondrous workshop operated by Stacey … more

Here is a look at Surprise history through the years on this week, compiled from archives of Independent Newsmedia, Newspapers.com and the city of Surprise historical records. more

The Rotary Club of Superstition Mountain is encouraging and participating in a holiday season toy drive for Community Alliance Against Family Abuse. Toys for all ages are appreciated, according to … more