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Matt Paxton, known for his appearances on “Hoarders,” speaks during Sun Health’s “Treasures & Tales” event Oct. 21, 2026, at the Hilltop Theatre and Concert Hall in Litchfield Park. Paxton shared advice on downsizing and preserving family stories.
Memories
Matt Paxton gives lessons on legacy in Litchfield Park
Lauren Trippeer, left, and Aiden Jaffe pose inside the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile during a stop at Fry’s in Goodyear on Oct. 21, 2026. The two have been traveling through the western United States since June.
Out & About
Wienermobile rolls into Goodyear
Litchfield Park City Hall at 214 W. Wigwam Blvd. Applications for a vacant seat on the city’s Recreation and Public Grounds Commission are due at City Hall by 5 p.m. Nov. 6.
Commission vacancy
Litchfield Park seeks applicants for parks commission
Rachel Gross, Chief Innovation Officer at Agua Fria High School District.
Education

Agua Fria reports meeting all annual strategic plan goals

During the Oct. 14 governing board meeting, district officials reviewed progress on the strategic plan, which was developed through community workshops, listening tours and surveys beginning in 2021.
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 …
Placing first, second and third, respectively, at the 9th Annual Songwriters Contest in Glendale were, from left, Michelangelo Caggiano, Jerry Scarsbrook and Dianna Garbers.
NEIGHBORS

West Valley songwriting contest crowns 3 winners

Winners have emerged in the West Valley Country Music Association’s 9th Annual Songwriters Contest.
Education

Agua Fria board seeks updates on security, ACT and FAFSA

Agua Fria UHSD governing board members requested future discussions on campus security, block scheduling and student achievement during their Oct. 14 meeting.
Tom Huffman, deputy superintendent of operations, said the current override, approved by voters in November 2022, provided $11.4 million in fiscal year 2026.
Education

Agua Fria reports nearly $80 million in bond funds remaining ahead of override vote

Agua Fria Union High School District has nearly $80 million remaining from its voter-approved 2024 bond, even as construction projects move forward and voters prepare to decide whether to continue a separate funding measure that supports teachers, school safety and classroom programs.
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Education

Goodyear High School proposes two booster clubs

Two new booster organizations were included in the Agua Fria Union High School District governing board's Oct. 14 consent agenda. The Cheer Booster Association and Goodyear Spikes Track and …
Energy and manufacturing students pose in front of their “Monster House” display during Trunk or Treat at West-MEC’s Southwest Campus in Buckeye on Oct. 16, 2026. Students expanded this year’s attraction with mazes.
Halloween

West-MEC students put skills to work for Trunk or Treat

West-MEC students put their career training to work on a different kind of project Oct. 16: transforming their school into a Halloween event for the community.
Meet Verrado Elementary School's principal Sarah Fantazia.
Education

Inside Litchfield Elementary School District: Meet Principal Fantazia

Meet Verrado Elementary School's principal Sarah Fantazia.
A late two-tire gamble gave Tyler Reddick the win in the NASCAR Cup Series Freeway Insurance 500 at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday. With three races remaining in the NASCAR Chase, seven drivers are separated by just 56 points at the top of the standings.
Sports

Phoenix Raceway goes into first year not being NASCAR finale

AVONDALE — For six consecutive years, NASCAR's championship road ended in the Arizona desert. On Sunday, Phoenix Raceway instead became another stop on the road to a title. The championship …
From left, Chris Kienlen and Nicole Spinato-Kienlen join Jaime and Anthony Spinato in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen in 2024. The family-owned Arizona restaurant is known for its longtime Valley roots and Chicago-style pizza.
Development

Goodyear’s dining scene finds its flavor

For years, Goodyear residents have asked for more dining options closer to home. Now, many of those requests are starting to show up in actual restaurant announcements.
West-MEC’s career academy at Agua Fria. The district received a grant from AES Corp. to help launch its Electrical Trades Innovation Challenge, which will allow students to showcase their skills in the electrical trades.
Community grants

AES awards $50,000 in West Valley grants

AES Corp. has awarded $50,000 in grants to West-MEC, Valley View Community Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona to support workforce training, food assistance and emergency home repairs.

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This month's issue

The latest edition of the Goodyear & Litchfield Park Independent pdf eedition

The latest edition of the Goodyear & Litchfield Park Independent

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OPINIONS WITH CIVILITY
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.
There was a time when nothing signaled the onset of autumn like Halloween, the annual cultural celebration observed on Oct. 31, which features trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and carving …
OPINION — When parents think about bullying, they may picture a confrontation in a school hallway or a cruel comment at lunch. Those situations still happen, but social media and messaging apps have extended bullying well beyond the school day. A child can be home, sitting beside a parent, while classmates target them on their phone.

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ENTERTAINMENT & THINGS TO DO
In this March 13, 2016, file photo, the crowd watches drivers through the first two turns during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway, in Avondale, Ariz.

NASCAR brings championship Chase to Avondale

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Avondale on Sunday, Oct. 18, with the Freeway Insurance 500 scheduled to begin at noon at Phoenix Raceway.
A “Beetlejuice” themed display fills the bed of a pickup truck during a previous trunk-or-treat event.

Avondale Toyota to host free trunk-or-treat

Avondale Toyota will host a free trunk-or-treat from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at 10005 Papago Freeway.
Matt Paxton, a downsizing expert known for appearances on “Hoarders” and “Filthy Fortunes,” will headline Sun Health Foundation’s “Treasures & Tales” fundraiser Oct. 21, 2026, at the Hilltop Theatre and Concert Hall in Litchfield Park.

Matt Paxton to headline Litchfield Park fundraiser

Downsizing expert and television personality Matt Paxton will discuss preserving family memories during a Sun Health Foundation fundraiser Oct. 21 in Litchfield Park.
Couples dance in an undated photo. A Night to Remember will feature big band music and swing dancing Nov. 14 at Flite Goodyear. The World War II-themed fundraiser will benefit the P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center and West Valley Arts Council.

Goodyear gala to benefit West Valley arts, history

A World War II-themed fundraiser Nov. 14 in Goodyear will benefit the P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center and West Valley Arts Council.
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Hilltop Theatre and Concert Hall opens in West Valley

The new Hilltop Theatre and Concert Hall has opened in the West Valley, bringing concerts, symphonies, dance and other performances to the Litchfield Road and Camelback Road area.

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