The year is about to come to an end, so here’s a look at the Top 10 Litchfield Park and Goodyear stories of 2025, according to which stories local readers were most interested in.
From long-awaited grocery stores and expanding retail corridors to debates over inclusion, education leadership and major transportation investments, 2025 marked a year of rapid growth across Goodyear, Litchfield Park and the surrounding Southwest Valley, those themes defined the year’s most-read stories.
Beloved local café Ground Control Coffee announced the closure of its Litchfield Park location after its lease was not renewed, while owners signaled plans for a future reopening elsewhere in the West Valley.
The Agua Fria Union High School District selected “The Hilltop School for the Arts” as the name of its new $50 million arts-focused high school, set to open in 2026 and serve students across the region.
The election of Bryan Parks as Liberty Elementary School District board president sparked public controversy, highlighting divisions over leadership, accountability and the district’s direction that carried on throughout the year.
Bacchus Wine & Debauchery opened in GSQ, bringing a story-driven wine experience and locally focused gathering space to the city’s growing downtown core.
State and local officials launched construction on a major Loop 303 extension in Goodyear, a four-year project designed to ease congestion and support continued growth in the West Valley.
Residents called on Goodyear leaders to relocate the city’s Hanukkah menorah to a more prominent location, saying its placement apart from other holiday displays raised concerns about equity and representation.
After nearly a decade of community requests, Goodyear opened its first Trader Joe’s in the GSQ downtown district, drawing hundreds of early-morning shoppers and marking a milestone in the city’s redevelopment efforts.
In-N-Out, Raising Cane’s and Oregano’s were confirmed as incoming tenants at Buckeye Commons West, underscoring continued demand for dining and retail development along the Interstate 10 corridor.
Developers announced more than 10,000 square feet of new retailers for Verrado Marketplace, adding to a growing lineup of national brands and restaurants slated to open in 2026 at one of Buckeye’s most visible commercial hubs.
A proposal to build a nonprofit, man-made whitewater adventure park at Estrella Mountain Regional Park advanced into the county’s master planning process, promising year-round recreation, training facilities and major outdoor events if approved.
James Goldmeer Reporter | Goodyear & Litchfield Park
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
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