Health centers draw more financially stressed patients
New faces are beginning to show up at community health centers throughout the Valley.
Border patrol: Illegal immigrant arrests down in 2008
Increased manpower, resources, technology bring dramatic drops in illegal immigrant arrests.
Tucson food bank forced to reduce donations
TUCSON - For the first time in its history, the Tucson Community Food Bank has been forced to reduce the amount of food it gives needy families each month.
Remains found in refrigerator are those of Phoenix woman
Camper made grisly discovery in the desert near Superior.
Top stories of 2008 for Pinal County/QC
A yearbook controversy and a deadly crash were among the most popular online stories on pinal.azcentral.com in 2008.
License-plate frame crackdown begins
Check your license plates tonight to make sure you don't ring in the New Year with a ticket.
See some examples: Dos and Don'ts
Fresh snow in the high country likely by weekend
Those heading up to the slopes this New Year's weekend can expect fresh snow on the ground, while rain might hit the Valley.
Asthma's links to Valley pollution stir worry
Problems in kids rise during poor air-quality days.
Air quality settlements | Reports | Environmental news
2 still in hospital after corn-dust explosion
One man is in critical condition. Investigation into blast could take two months.
Gilbert a place to party this New Year's Eve
Nightlife is picking up in town, though some residents still want more options.
Out, about | Party plans | Newsmakers in '08
Conservatives look to Flake to rescue the Republican party
The Arizona libertarian congressman's profile is quickly rising both nationally and across the state.
GOP facing tough choices, including leaders
Holiday DUI taskforce nets nearly 2,000 arrests so far
While many Southeast Valley residents prepare for a raucous, alcohol-induced celebration into the New Year, area police are asking them to avoid nursing a hangover in jail by not driving drunk.
New Year's Eve options for the whole family
Staying in on New Year's Eve can be good for your family and your budget.
Small farms on rise in Arizona; families find new way of life
The number of small farms in Arizona has risen in recent years, a trend that seems to defy economics.
Minimum wage rises Thursday
Wage rises 5 percent to $7.25 an hour in Ariz.
3 men burned in corn dust explosion
Workers were offloading corn into a Maricopa silo pit when something ignited the dust, official says.
Pinal deputies fatally shoot gunman
Deputies fatally shot a man who opened fire on them as they responded to a domestic violence call just east of Queen Creek, Pinal County officials said.
2 new dorms for ASU West, Poly in 2010
The number of students living on Arizona State University's east and west campuses is expected to more than double by the 2010 academic year, thanks to new residence halls.
Man helps winners of Lottery claim cash
Mesa resident Mark LaVoy's Web site helps connect lottery winnings and ticket holders.
No employers busted by sanctions law yet
The law is difficult to enforce, authorities say.
Panel: Stop Arpaio from immigration enforcement
Animal rescue site opens kids eyes
Dozens of kids with the Boys & Girls Club visit a Gilbert petting zoo owned by former pro baseball player.
Higley getting a GPS principal who's battled with parents
Parents, staff members warn Higley district it could get more than it bargained for.
DUI Taskforce officers on hunt for drunken drivers
While many Southeast Valley residents prepare for a raucous, alcohol-induced celebration into the New Year, area police are asking them to avoid nursing a hangover in jail by not driving drunk.
Sunshine returning to Valley, but cold nights
Clear skies are finally expected to stick around this weekend, but nighttime temperatures could drop below freezing as clouds leave the Valley Friday.
Churches stress hope in Christmas story
With just about everything seeming unbalanced in the world today from job loss to recession and Wall Street to our streets, pastors are using the original Christmas story to regenerate hope in people.
Police-led toy drive ends; Gift wrapping begins
Gilbert police are literally wrapping up a community-wide toy drive, ''Blue Line of Love'' to gather gifts for needy kids in town. Thursday marked the final day of toy collections led by the department's Crime Prevention Unit.
Mother, son team for toy donations
Higley school's chief resigns
The Higley Unified School District and the district's superintendent have reached a mutual parting of the ways.
DUI task force arrests more than 150 statewide
Members of a holiday task force targeting drunken driving on Saturday arrested more than 150 drivers across the state.
Christmas tree industry seems immune to poor economy
The real Christmas tree industry hasn't been affected by the struggling economy and continues to bring families together
Arrests made in Gold Canyon Candle scheme
Police arrested two men Thursday suspected defrauding Gold Canyon Candle Company of more than $800,000 by billing it for computer equipment that was never delivered.
Police: Driver rammed into house, took off
Police arrested Queen Creek resident Mike Stotts, 27, two and a half hours later.
Clubhouse in works at QC development
Among the features: A spa, wine bar, gym with personal trainers, indoor and outdoor pools, and a barbershop.
Horse class turns barn into classroom
CGCC students head to the farm to learn about horse care.
Pinal County employee accused of ID theft
Authorities have arrested a Pinal County employee accused of stealing a resident's identity through his access to public records.
ASU Polytechnic dean to push for technological creativity
Keith Hjelmstad took over in July as vice president at the Arizona State University Polytechnic campus in east Mesa. He is also dean of the College of Technology and Innovation.
Southern Arizona grasslands to be preserved
Pima County will close on the first installment of its purchase of the Sands Ranch, the site of tall and lush grasslands near where Pima, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties meet.
Remains in freezer are those of woman
Camper made grisly discovery in middle of the desert.
Dazzling future foreseen for Gateway Airport
Airport director Lynn Kusy said the master plan forecasts 270,000passengers in 2009 and 2.2 million by 2027.
Casa Grande teen a shooting star in marksmanship
At age 15, Taran Homol has fired thousands of rounds of trapshooting ammunition, participated in dozens of competitions and taken home assorted prizes. And the sport ''isn't as scary as it looks,'' she assures others.
Mercy Gilbert starts heart-repair trials
Three clinical trials launched to fix damaged hearts.
State-budget cuts to wait for new governor, Legislature
With no prospect of cutting the state budget deficit this year, the task most likely falls to a new Legislature and a new governor.
Firefighters contain fertilizer plant fire in Maricopa
About 25 firefighter responded to the blaze at Hyponex Corp, near state route 238 and White and Parker Road, which began around 2:30 a.m.
26 immigrants say they were kidnapped, left in desert
Group, which included four children, said it was left without food or water for eight days, authorities say.
Inmate found hanged in shower at Florence prison
Convicted child sex offender had been in prison since Jan. 19, 2007.
Higley board to decide fate of schools boss
The Higley Unified School District governing board is weighing whether to release its embattled superintendent, Joyce Lutrey, from her contract.
Parachutist found dead on golf course
The body of a Navy SEAL parachutist was found Wednesday on a golf course near Casa Grande.
Navy SEAL falls to death
Late filings add 5 hopefuls to Gilbert races
Gilbert's spring elections for mayor and two other council positions suddenly are as crowded as the early months of the 2008 presidential primaries.
Pinal school unification plan remains alive
Judges overturn two others approved by voters.
Camper finds human remains in freezer
Authorities are investigating after grisly discovery.
Gilbert man may have had heart attack before plane crash
A Gilbert couple and three of their children died in a plane small-plane crash on June 29.
Daughter: "I was supposed to go with them"
10 to vie for Goodyear council, 2 for mayor
An unprecedented field of candidates seeks to represent Goodyear on the City Council next year.
Missing Florence man, 82, found alive
Pinal County Sheriff's Deputies have located an 82-year-old man who had been missing since Friday.
Truck with suspected illegal immigrants crashes; 2 deadad
Police say two people died when a pickup truck carrying 13 undocumented aliens rolled over in Pinal County on Sunday morning.
House leaders: Drop Renzi charges
If politics creates strange bedfellows, there may be no better example than the federal corruption case known as U.S. vs. Rick Renzi.
Renzi's lawyers accuse feds of press leaks
GOP lawmakers eye cuts, deregulation
Buoyed by the likelihood of a new governor from their party in a matter of weeks, the Southeast Valley's largely Republican legislative delegation is poised to push massive spending cuts and sweeping deregulation when they take their seats for a new session next month.
Pinal sheriff applied for Buckeye chief job day after losing re-election
Documents show that Chris Vasquez applied for the Buckeye police chief post a day after he lost his re-election bid as Pinal County sheriff last month. Vasquez is one of three finalists for the job, vacated when Dan Saban retired to run for Maricopa County sheriff.
Man accused of providing gun boy took to QC school
Maricopa County sheriff's deputies arrested a man accused of providing the gun a 12-year-old boy took to Queen Creek Middle School on Wednesday.
CGCC student battling cancer gets 2nd chance
Five years ago, Jason Longoria, 19, was planning his life day by day as he battled brain cancer. Now, he's attending college and working toward becoming an attorney.
SEAL killed in parachute jump is identified
The Navy has identified the SEAL who died Wednesday during a parachute exercise. Thomas J. Valentine, 37, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, died during operations in Casa Grande.
Send condolences
Corrections officer accused of having sex with teen
A Queen Creek woman who was a state youth corrections officer has been charged with engaging in a sexual relationship with a teenager enrolled in the facility where she worked.
Nightlife hot spots for holiday guests
Chances are you've got family coming to town, looking to don shorts in December. They're also going to want great places to party, and we've got you covered.
Sharapova, Leinart treat kids to barbecue, carnival
World tennis ace Maria Sharapova and a half-dozen Arizona Cardinals spread holiday cheer among more than 200 children who live in transitional housing run by Save the Family Foundation of Arizona.
Shares go public for truck-tracking device builder
Care for a share of a Gilbert-based GPS tracking company? The company grew 73 percent in 2008, and it is predicting even further growth.
San Manuel man arrested after wife shot to death
William Swink was arrested early Thursday morning at his home in San Manuel, about 140 miles southeast of Phoenix, on suspicion of killing his wife, Mary Ellen.
Southeast Valley moms chronicle families' lives through blogs
Some local women are a part of an emerging group in the blogosphere called Mom Bloggers. The women, usually stay-at-home moms, journal about their daily lives.
Professional pet-sitters trade rat race for dogtrot
In his past life, Mike Harvey was an executive chef at Sophie's Bistro in Phoenix.
2 accused of assault, trying to steal liquor at Albertson's
During struggle, one suspect threatened employee with a bottle.
Gilbert community on edge after alleged break-in, shooting
Country Shadows had been the kind of neighborhood where you could leave garage doors open, neighbors said.
Experts meet in Valley, say 2009 may be start of recovery
Although they offered some hope for the economy, they noted that the slide hasn't stopped yet..
How will Arizona weather the recession? | Video
Valley foreclosures | Search foreclosures by ZIP
Maricopa, Pima school districts try to stop unification
School districts in Maricopa and Pima counties are going to court to try to stop unification approved by voters last month.
Registered sex offender was driving fake police car
A discovery that a registered sex offender was working an interstate highway in a car that looked like a police vehicle has sparked controversy about state policy.
AJ man gets more than 18 years for child porn
A federal judge sentenced an Apache Junction man to more than 18 years in federal prison on multiple counts of child pornography.
Man arrested a day after being Tasered twice
A Stanfield man who was able to flee from a Pinal County deputy after being Tasered twice was arrested.
Pinal County sheriff named finalist for Buckeye chief
On Wednesday, the town named the three candidates who made the cut and returned for a second round of interviews.
Arrest made in double killing
Sheriff's detectives have arrested a suspect in connection with the killings of two men who were found shot to death Saturday in a park near the Tucson Mountains.
Marana food bank hit by thief - again
Police are looking for a Scrooge who stole food intended for the needy this holiday season. The robbery is the second at the food bank in the past three months
Arizona's readiness for disasters rated low
A report says we are tied for last among U.S. states.
City population estimates | Search FBI crime statistics
Law targets license-plate frames that obscure 'Arizona'
Starting Jan. 1, police can stop you if "Arizona" isn't clearly visible at the top of the plate. Violators will be fined an average of $135, plus court fees, depending on the city where the violation is discovered.
Returning migrants find Mexico, themselves unready to adapt
As jobs dry up, a small but growing number of illegal immigrants are returning to Mexico.
Photos | Views from the border | 
Border fence
State's population growth now at a crawl
It experienced the smallest gain since 1990 last year.
Population estimates | Growth by race and ethnicity
Boy takes Cards star to class in Gilbert
Larry Fitzgerald arrives at Higley student's home in a limo. The boy, 8, was among just 34 kids nationwide to win contest.
A day at school with Fitzgerald
Graham County sheriff survived shotgun blast
Officer stopped man, woman near Safford.
Valley foreclosures down
More lenders are finally working with borrowers.
Gilbert police get high marks at public forum
Accreditation panel doesn't usually find unanimous praise of a police agency.
15 involved in Gilbert bar fight, police say
Police arrest three in connection with brawl.
Higley Park residents cleaning up again
Some 500 volunteers - including landscape teams, a local church and pest-control companies - joined homeowners to clean up unfinished subdivision.
Man gets 5 years for child porn case
A Queen Creek-area man convicted of receiving child porn will serve five years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Ariz. lawmakers cite disagreement on budget action
Work on a proposed December special session on Arizona's budget crisis fell apart when Republicans disagreed on how much of the problem to tackle.
Deputies continue investigating slayings
The deaths of two men found in a Pima County park west of the Tucson Mountains remains under investigation Monday.
Horses for rent for weekend, daylong rides
Owner of Super Gentle Horses in Gilbert is striving to meet the needs of horse lovers as they ride out the tough economy.
Sour economy sending professionals back to school
Professionals are heading back to class, either to broaden their skill sets or to start new careers.
Farmer seeks compensation from Gilbert for loss of crop
Alfalfa ruined after Gilbert worker broke pipe for irrigation, man says.
Arizona Museum of Youth turning 30
The Arizona Museum for Youth is celebrating its 30th anniversary today with a birthday party with all the trimmings: balloons, cupcake decorating and gift bags, all open to the public.
Reception to fete Morrison as she exits board
Public reception will be held Tuesday for longtime member of the Gilbert Public Schools governing board.
Volunteers make hospital's Festival of Trees a success
Residents can enjoy the fruits of their labor Saturday at the second annual Banner Gateway Festival of Trees. Proceeds from the festival will benefit childhood injury prevention programs at the hospital.
Renzi's lawyers accuse feds of press leaks
A prosecutor said the government investigated the leaks but couldn't find a source.
Gilbert teen's project helps train police K-9s
To get the Girl Scouts' highest honor, Brenna Carpenter was looking to do a project that would help animals. She ended up with a project that helps the police and community as well.
Man arrested after allegedly masturbating in public
Suspect also charged with possession of marijuana after afternoon arrest.
Boys avoid charges in stoning, hanging of kitten
A pair of young boys will avoid animal abuse charges after killing a 4-month-old kitten at their east Mesa home, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.
Family of Mesa man killed in chase sues police
Today marks the first anniversary of a collision that ended the lives of Alexander Ahmad, 24, and Richard Schwartz, 25.
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