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LOCAL NEWS
Business

Remodeled Walmart Supercenter in Mesa hosts community celebration Friday

Walmart will welcome customers Friday to the newly transformed Mesa Walmart Supercenter at 1606 S. Signal Butte Road. An 8 a.m. Oct. 30 ribbon-cutting ceremony and community event immediately …
The Terrible’s will be built near the southwest corner of South Crismon Road and East Hampton Avenue.
Development

Mesa council approves first Terrible’s convenience store in the East Valley

A Terrible’s convenience store with a fuel station has received the OK from the Mesa City Council to go up near the southwest corner of South Crismon Road and East Hampton Avenue in Council …
The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board meets for a work session at 3 p.m. and a meeting at 4 p.m. Oct. 28 to make a recommendation to the Mesa City Council on rezoning the property from employment opportunity to light industrial with a planned area development overlay.
Development

Mesa Planning and Zoning Board to consider industrial development rezoning

Modifications are being sought to an existing industrial development on 35 acres at the northeast corner of East Pecos and South Sossaman roads in Mesa. The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board meets …
A teenager has been indicted on attempted murder charges in connection with two shootings Oct. 10 at the Versalles Reception Hall in Mesa.
Grand jury

Teen indicted on attempted murder charges for Mesa reception hall shooting

A 16-year-old who authorities said shot at an off-duty Mesa police officer working security and at a private security guard during an Oct. 10 altercation at the Versalles Reception Hall in Mesa has …
(MetroCreative Connection)
DATA DRIVEN

Arizona schools face tough choices over education spending

Arizona ranks near the bottom nationally in per-student education spending, while just over half of school districts’ operating budgets go directly toward classroom instruction.
TUESDAY MORNING

Mesa officers shoot, kill armed suspect during traffic stop

A man, who has not been identified, died at the scene of an officer-involved shooting early Tuesday after he fled during a traffic stop, Mesa police said. Officers conducted the stop about 1:42 …
The free two-day celebration features cultural performances, live music, food and drinks, a community altar, a colorful Mercado and more.
Things to do

Día de los Muertos event in Mesa Oct. 24-25

The 20th anniversary celebration of the Día de los Muertos Festival is Oct. 24-25 at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. The free two-day celebration features cultural performances, live music, …
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 …
Hundreds of protesters lined Stapley Drive, from U.S. 60 to Inverness Avenue, on Oct. 17, in the latest“No Kings” pushback against what they view as monarchical actions by President Trump.
ELECTIONS 2026

Hundreds rally at latest 'No Kings' protest near Mesa freeway

Hundreds of protestors were along Stapley Drive, from U.S. 60 to Inverness Avenue, Oct. 17 in the latest”No Kings” pushback of what they view as monarchy-like actions by President Trump. …
INVESTIGATION

Mesa police ID road-rage shooting victim

The 33-year-old man who died in a shooting Wednesday morning near Alma School Road and the U.S. 60 has been identified as Miguel Rodriguez of Mesa, police said Investigators have determined the …
At the board’s last meeting on Aug. 27, the policy to reduce the screen time in classrooms was proposed by board member Rachel Walden. She said they are reducing technology use in the classroom and keep any technology use strictly educational.
Education

Daily screen-time limits approved for Mesa school district classrooms

Mesa Public School Board member Marcie Hutchinson raised the most concerns when it came to the board’s technology policy procedures in classrooms. Technology Policy 3-403 went into its second …
Tree debris obstructs part of a street as storms caused damage at a Mesa apartment complex Wednesday.
'UNUSUAL'

Wind topples trees in Mesa, golf-ball size hail pummels parts of central Arizona

PHOENIX (AP) — Hail the size of golf balls and damaging wind gusts pounded northern and central Arizona in a rare storm blowing through, bringing with it tornado risks and possible flash floods. …
The Mesa Senior Expo at Mesa Market Place Swap Meet, 10550 E. Baseline Road, will include resource booths and giveaways.
Vendors sought

Vendors, sponsors sought for Mesa Senior Expo Nov. 13

The premier senior health and lifestyle expo will be hosted by Independent Newsmedia. (Independent Newsmedia file) Vendors and sponsorships are being sought for the Mesa Senior Expo 9 …
(MetroCreative Connection)
DATA DRIVEN

Phoenix among best markets for small business expansion

Phoenix is one of the nation’s stronger markets for small-business expansion, but Tucson is facing a more challenging economic outlook, according to a new study comparing 56 major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Ballet Etudes brings The Nutcracker back to East Valley stages this holiday season, celebrating 40 years of the production with performances Nov. 27-Dec. 6 at the Chandler Center for the Arts and Dec. 12-20 at the Mesa Arts Center.
THINGS TO DO

'Nutcracker' 40th production celebrated at Chandler, Mesa venues this holiday season

Ballet Etudes brings The Nutcracker back to East Valley stages this holiday season, celebrating 40 years of the production with performances Nov. 27-Dec. 6 at Chandler Center for the Arts and Dec. …
The Mesa Design Review Board discussed the look and landscaping for the Val Vista Oil development during an Oct. 13 meeting.
Development

Oil-change business planned at Val Vista, Southern in Mesa

A 3,356-square-foot automobile service facility is to be constructed north of the northeast corner of South Val Vista Drive and East Southern Avenue in Mesa. The Mesa Design Review Board …

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OPINION
OPINION — For first responders, what most of us would consider an extraordinary crisis can simply be part of a Tuesday. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, correctional officers and paramedics routinely face circumstances many people may experience only once, if ever, in their lifetime.
OPINION — Arizona’s election system doesn’t rely on blind trust. It’s built on transparency. Ballot processing and other activities at the Maricopa County Tabulation & Election Center are livestreamed 24 hours a day. Teams of political observers from the various political parties monitor ballot verification procedures, tabulator checks and other operations.
OPINION — Online dating used to mean wondering whether someone’s profile photo was 10 years old. Now there’s a more fundamental question: Does this person even exist?
ENTERTAINMENT & THINGS TO DO
Vertuccio Farms’ 5-acre corn maze gets a patriotic makeover for America’s 250th.

Vertuccio Farms in Mesa celebrates America’s 250th with corn maze, fall festival

Vertuccio Farms in Mesa is welcoming families back for its 28th Annual Fall Festival, a month-long celebration of America’s 250th birthday running through Oct. 31. This year’s theme, …
The horror attraction will be held for 22 select nights through Halloween weekend at the Scarizona Scaregrounds, 1901 N. Alma School Road off Loops 101 and 202 in Mesa.

Scarizona Halloween park attraction in Mesa

Scarizona, a haunted attraction, invites all thrill-seekers to its 2026 Halloween season for six weekends of terror. Located at 1901 N. Alma School Road, off Loops 101 and 202 in Mesa, the East …
Designed for preschool-aged children, Halloween Boo features trick-or-treat stations run by library staff, festive activities and visits from City departments and community organizations. Siblings are welcome, and children attending will receive a book from Kids Need to Read, while supplies last.

‘Halloween Boo’ slated at Mesa Public Library

Mesa Public Library is bringing Halloween fun to families with its annual Halloween Boo event at all five library branches. Designed for preschool-aged children, Halloween Boo features …
“A Slice of Gratitude” will be held at 11 a.m. after worship Sunday, Nov. 23, at the Fellowship Hall at First Christian Church of Mesa, 805 N. Country Club Drive.

‘A Slice of Gratitude’ pie social at First Christian Church in November

First Christian Church of Mesa is hosting a pie social in November to celebrate love, laughter and faith. “A Slice of Gratitude” will be held at 11 a.m. after worship Sunday, Nov. 23, at the …
The Halloween edition of Cockpit Close-Up is 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at a hangar at Falcon Field Airport, 4626 E. Fighter Aces Drive in Mesa.

Haunted hangar at Falcon Field Airport Oct. 31

The Halloween edition of Cockpit Close-Up, a free event perfect for families and kids in costume, is to be held 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at a historic World War II hangar at Falcon Field Airport, …
Calendar of events
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