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Residents look at art.
Things To Do
Art Night comes to Carefree
Visitors browse artwork and vendor booths during a previous Thunderbird Artists Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival. The 33rd annual Carefree Garden Art Experience returns Nov. 7-8 in the Carefree Desert Gardens.
THINGS TO DO
Art blooms in the Carefree Desert Gardens
The Cave Creek Town Council debated whether to hear a presentation on possible tax impacts to the town at its meeting on Oct. 6, 2026.
TOWN COUNCIL
Cave Creek Council has heated discussion over tabled tax impact presentation
A map showing the five parcels of land that are being re-designated open space by the Cave Creek Town Council on Oct. 6, 2026.
TOWN COUNCIL
Cave Creek Council approves land designation to open space
The town of Carefree town council listens to Town Administrator Kristen Krey present.
Community News
Carefree town council helps fund EV chargers
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The Cave Creek Visitor Center welcomes locals and visitors to a mini-gallery open house on Nov. 6.
EVENT

Cave Creek Visitor Center to host mini-gallery open house

The Cave Creek Visitor Center welcomes locals and visitors to a mini-gallery open house on Nov. 6.
Speaker Gary Owens Jr. will talk about the gathering and farming of indigenous foods of the Salt River People on Nov. 21 at the Cave Creek Museum.
EVENT

Cave Creek Museum presents speaker on ‘Life and Foodways of the Salt River People’

The Cave Creek Museum is hosting Gary Owens Jr. to talk about “Life and Foodways of the Salt River People.”
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur watches against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game in Glendale on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026.
Sports

Cardinals fade after fast start in 45-21 loss to Lions

The Arizona Cardinals (1-4) couldn’t carry a strong first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions (3-2) through the remaining three, losing 45-21 for their fourth straight loss. Lions …
Election

Where to vote in Carefree

As Election Day quickly approaches, Sun City voters have several places nearby to cast ballots in person. Opening dates vary by location. Registered Maricopa County voters may use any location …
Cave Creek Finance Director Cherie White, left, and Finance Services Director Bridget Black present the new Lifeline Water Assistance Policy to the Cave Creek Town Council on Oct. 6.
TOWN COUNCIL

Cave Creek council approves modified water assistance program

The Cave Creek Town Council approved a modified Lifeline Water Assistance Program Policy during the Oct. 6 meeting.
Items that were up for sale at a recent Winter Artisan Gift Market at the Holland Center in Scottsdale. This year's event will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 4-5 at the Holland Center in Scottsdale.
EVENT

Holland Center to host winter market

The Holland Center along with the Sonoran Arts League will be hosting the sixth annual Winter Artisan Gift Market on Dec. 4-5 in north Scottsdale.
A concept photo of lane reduction/traffic calming lanes are seen along Cave Creek Road at Rancho Manana, bottom left, and at Spur Cross Road, top right, which the Cave Creek Town Council voted in favor of at its Oct. 6 meeting.
TOWN COUNCIL

Cave Creek council reverses course, adopts traffic calming lanes at Rancho Manana, Spur Cross

The Cave Creek Town Council adopted a new traffic pattern for Spur Cross Road and Cave Creek Road at the council meeting Tuesday night, reversing course on what they voted on Sept. 1.
Residents look at art.
Things To Do

Art Night comes to Carefree

The town of Carefree invites Valley residents to stroll through the heart of the Carefree Town Center 4–7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, October through May. With more than a dozen …
Communication Lab ARA Therapy is holding a Grand Opening on Oct. 8 in North Phoenix.
HEALTH

New ABA therapy provider to open Thursday in north Phoenix

The Communication Lab ABA Therapy is set to open on Oct. 8 at its new location in north Phoenix, according to a release Monday.
E-newspaper

The latest issue of the Cave Creek/ Carefree Independent pdf eedition

The latest issue of the Cave Creek/ Carefree Independent

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Cave Creek Unified School District bus fleet supervisor Ken Doss looks on near the bus lot diesel pumps on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Cave Creek, Ariz.
Education

Diesel price spike pushes Arizona school districts to rethink transportation costs

CAVE CREEK – On a typical early weekday morning, the bus lot at Cave Creek Unified School District comes to life with drivers positioning their vehicles at diesel fuel pumps and patiently waiting …
Cave Creek Utilities Director Shawn Kreuzwiesner addresses the Town Council on Cave Creek's Drought Management Plan at its Oct. 6 meeting.
TOWN COUNCIL

Cave Creek council approves water drought status, water-sharing initiative

The Cave Creek Town Council approved its water drought status for 2027 along with a water-sharing initiative during its meeting Tuesday night.
The Cave Creek Town Council will discuss a trio of water issues at its upcoming council meeting on Tuesday night.
TOWN COUNCIL

Cave Creek to discuss multiple water issues at upcoming council meeting

The Cave Creek Town Council will discuss a trio of water issues at its upcoming council meeting on Tuesday night.
Julie Augenstein, MD
SPONSORED CONTENT

What Happens from the House to the Hospital?

Parents and caregivers spend every day working to keep their children safe. They buckle car seats, put helmets on little heads, supervise swimming, lock away medications and teach children how to …
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) makes a touchdown catch against New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (2) during an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sports

Cardinals fall to Giants 36-24 after late interception

The Arizona Cardinals (1-3) came up just short against the Giants (3-1), 36-24, Sunday in East Rutherford. This was the third straight game in which the Cardinals have given up 30 or more points. …
Carefree Mayor John Crane.
Mayor Message

It Rained! Is the Drought Over?

On a recent mid-September afternoon, a wonderful thunderstorm, the kind of storm monsoon-lovers dream of, dumped about 3” of much needed rain in Carefree. Leaves glistened, the aroma of wet …
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif. on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
NFL

Late push not enough as Cardinals fall to 49ers 36-30

The Arizona Cardinals (1-2) fought back against their division rival, but ultimately fell to the undefeated San Francisco 49ers (3-0), 36-30, Sunday in Santa Clara. First-half penalties hurt the …
Intake pumps that draw water from the Central Arizona Project canal, which is then pumped 12.5 miles to Cave Creek.
WATER

Cave Creek navigates Colorado River cuts with proactive water management strategy

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.
The town of Carefree Planning and Zoning Commission talks about HB 2447.
Community News

Carefree officials voice concerns over HB 2447

Earlier this year, on Jan. 1, House Bill 2447, or A.R.S. § 9-500.49, went into law, requiring municipalities like the Town of Carefree to designate an official to review and approve plans without …
Gas prices are seen at the Circle K located at 59th Ave. and Olive Road in Glendale on Sept. 25, 2026. Gas prices jumped 18 cents a gallon this week to settle at $4.87 a gallon, according to AAA Arizona on Friday.
GAS

Cave Creek gas prices spike at the pumps, also jump valleywide

Gas prices saw a huge increase this week, as prices at the pumps raised 18 cents a gallon this week to settle at $4.87 a gallon according to AAA Arizona on Friday.
Cactus Shadows' Homecoming week featured a parade as one of the main events.
Schools

Cactus Shadows rings in Homecoming with events

Cactus Shadows High School’s Homecoming week this year took place Sept. 14-19. The theme was “Keeping Up with the Falcons.” The festivities kicked off at school Monday with an “Amazing …

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High School Sports
Pinnacle volleyball gathers during the match against Liberty earlier this season. (Az Newsmedia/Brittany Bowyer)

Updated volleyball rankings released

PHOENIX — The Arizona Interscholastic Association has released the updated volleyball rankings, and a number of North Valley teams find themselves towards the top. Starting out in 2A, Phoenix …
Quarterback Sydney Puma gets ready to take a snap in the game against McClintock on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Az Newsmedia/Brittany Bowyer)

Weekly sports round-up 10/12-10/16

PHOENIX — It’s been a slower week of sports competition, as many schools and districts across Arizona are out on fall break. Here’s a look at some of the results from teams in the North Valley …
The captains of the Desert Mountain Wolves Flag Football team go out for a coin toss. (Courtesy Photo/DMGirlsFlagFB Instagram account)

New flag football rankings released

PHOENIX — The AIA has released the new flag football rankings for this week. In 6A, Pinnacle sits towards the top at no. 6 with a record of 6-1 so far on the season. After a rough loss for …

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Opinions with Civility
The captains of the Desert Mountain Wolves Flag Football team go out for a coin toss. (Courtesy Photo/DMGirlsFlagFB Instagram account)
OPINION — When most people think about hunger, they picture an empty pantry or fridge. Yet, for families struggling to make ends meet, the challenge is often more complicated than simply having enough food to eat.
The captains of the Desert Mountain Wolves Flag Football team go out for a coin toss. (Courtesy Photo/DMGirlsFlagFB Instagram account)
Former Army Medical Corps psychiatrist Nidal Hasan is scheduled to be executed by firing squad Dec. 3 at Fort Hood, Texas, for the 2009 mass shooting that claimed the lives of 13 soldiers and wounded …
The captains of the Desert Mountain Wolves Flag Football team go out for a coin toss. (Courtesy Photo/DMGirlsFlagFB Instagram account)
OPINION — Concerns about possible dangers of artificial intelligence are everywhere — from fear of costly data centers, to chatbots that devastate users’ mental health, to the industrial-scale theft of creative works that made these products possible. What’s less clear is how to address them.
The captains of the Desert Mountain Wolves Flag Football team go out for a coin toss. (Courtesy Photo/DMGirlsFlagFB Instagram account)
There has been plenty of bluster about mail-in voting, some of the negative coming from President Trump  — who votes by mail himself. Do you believe in the integrity of voting by mail through …
The captains of the Desert Mountain Wolves Flag Football team go out for a coin toss. (Courtesy Photo/DMGirlsFlagFB Instagram account)
OPINION — In 2024, nearly two million Arizonans voted for Proposition 139, amending our state Constitution to protect the fundamental right to abortion. It passed with nearly 62 percent of the …

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