Log in
LOCAL NEWS
From the left, Jacob D. Martinez, Lorena Austin and Kiana Sears celebrated wins late last week as they remained ahead while the last Arizona Legislative District 9 votes were being counted.
elections 2026

LD9 Democrats celebrate election to legislature

All of the Arizona Secretary of State’s releases of new batches of reported votes in the Nov. 3 election showed the same three candidates ahead in Legislative District 9 races. In the lone LD9 …
(MetroCreative Connection)
DATA DRIVEN

Phoenix, Tucson among U.S. cities with highest motorcycle death rates

New data shows Phoenix is one of the nation's most dangerous cities in which to ride a motorcycle. Motorcycle crashes claimed 424 lives in Phoenix between 2015 and 2024, giving the city the …
MOTHER AND SON

Mesa PD identifies victims in fatal school bus crash

A mother and her son died Friday afternoon after the vehicle they were in collided with a school bus near Southern Avenue and 80 th Street, Mesa police said. Monday. Rachel Hughes-Lopez, 49, and …
The East Mesa studio is at Medina Station, 1453 S. Signal Butte Road Suite 103, and includes seating for over 60 guests, a birthday party area, and hundreds of pottery items for guests to choose from.
Business

As You Wish Pottery opens in Medina Station in East Mesa

As You Wish Pottery is celebrating the grand opening of its ninth location Nov. 13-15 in East Mesa. The studio opened Oct. 2 and joins the lineup of locations in Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Glendale, …
The propane company has commercial and residential customers.
Development

Design to be reviewed for new Arizona Propane site in Mesa

Arizona Propane is planning a 16,000-square-foot industrial office and shop building in Mesa. The look and landscaping of the development on the northeast corner of East Pecos Road and South …
The planned facility expansion is to accommodate the installation of approximately 16 new Computer Numerical Control machines.
Development

Design to be reviewed for Monogram Aerospace expansion in Mesa

Monogram Aerospace — a division of PennAero that specializes in the manufacturing of externally threaded structural fasteners — is planning a 57,857-square-foot industrial development addition to …
2 DEAD

Speed appears factor in deadly East Valley school bus crash: Mesa PD

Mesa police are investigating Friday’s deadly two-vehicle collision that involved a Mesa public schools bus, and authorities said Saturday speed may have been a factor in the crash. The …
COLLISION

2 die in Southern Avenue school bus crash

Two adults died Friday afternoon after their vehicle collided with a school bus, Mesa police said. The crash occurred about 4:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at East Southern Avenue and South 80 th Street. …
Modifications to a comprehensive sign plan were sought for the Target on 7.7 acres at 1135 S. Gilbert Road (above) and for the Target on 10.5 acres at 1525 S. Power Road.
Signs

Sign permits approved for 2 Target stores in Mesa

Special-use permits have been approved for sign plans for two remodeled Target stores in Mesa. The Mesa Board of Adjustment voted 4-0 Nov. 4 to approve a consent agenda with other items …
An investigation is underway after shots were fired Thursday night at Skyline High School in Mesa.
INVESTIGATION

Shots fired Thursday night at Skyline High School during baseball game

Mesa police are investigating a shooting Thursday night at Skyline High School where a juvenile may have been struck by a “ricocheting projectile,” authorities said. Police received a report …
From left are Alicia Goforth and Aleks Vranicic, candidates for District 5 Mesa City Council.
Election 2026

Mesa ballot questions passing, Goforth ahead in council District 5 early results

Mesa voters Nov. 3 considered four city ballot questions and residents in District 5 voted on a council member runoff between incumbent Alicia Goforth and Aleks Vranicic. Results for city ballot …
Early results are coming in for the general elections in Arizona's 8th Legislative District.
ELECTIONS 2026

Democrats appear to secure victory in Arizona's 8th Legislative District

Democrats appear poised for victory in Arizona's 8th Legislative District in the 2026 midterm elections, which encompasses parts of Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa a nd the entirety of the Salt …
After the assault, the suspect began texting messages threatening to physically harm the victim, burn her house down, burn her car, harm her family, and post a partially nude image of her if she did not have sex with him.
Sentenced

Mesa sexual assault, sextortion case ends with prison time

Raymond Rukonwitz, 35, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman and sextorting her afterward. During the summer of 2024, the Maricopa Community Colleges Police …
Cirba Solutions, a local battery recycling company, is opening its Mesa facility 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at 618 E. Auto Center Drive Suite No. 111, to the public for a one-day battery recycling collection event in recognition of America Recycles Day.
Environment

Free battery-recycling collection event Nov. 12 at Mesa business

Old cellphones, power tools, laptops and other devices have something in common — batteries that shouldn’t end up in household trash. Mesa-area residents have an opportunity in November to …
In early results, incumbent Jake Hoffman is leading Democrat Jayme Accalia in the Legislative District 15 senate race.
Election 2026

Update: Hoffman keeps lead in LD 15 senate race

In the latest election results update,  incumbent Republican Rep. Jake Hoffman had widened his lead over Democrat Jayme Accalia in the Legislative District 15 senate race. Hoffman holds …
The Terrible’s will be built near the southwest corner of South Crismon Road and East Hampton Avenue.
Development

Mesa council action brings first ‘Terrible’s’ to East Valley

A Terrible’s convenience store with a fuel station has received the green light from the Mesa City Council to go up near the southwest corner of South Crismon Road and East Hampton Avenue in …

Register for our free newsletter

Simply submit your e-mail address below, click on the opt-in email link and watch your inbox for news from the Daily Independent at YourValley.net. Thank you for reading!

OPINION
OPINION — A reader recently wrote to thank us for emphasizing the importance of fact-checking information that you may read on social media or hear in conversation. We recommended actions to …
OPINION — After serving in their nation’s military, they’re now serving in America’s economy. Veteran-owned businesses generate $1.3 trillion in annual sales and employ 4 million workers ... leaders of veterans service organizations say some of the men and women behind that economic success are still struggling to find stable housing, get mental health care or translate military experience into a civilian career.
OPINION — Every year, we pause on Veterans Day to celebrate our veterans for their service. But for decades now, many returning veterans have asked us for more than platitudes.
ENTERTAINMENT & THINGS TO DO
East Valley Pops Orchestra cello players (in foreground, left to right) are Barbara Headley of Timnath, Colorado; Rita Dilenno of Mesa; and Gary Glascom of Gilbert.

East Valley Pops opens 45th season with free holiday concert in Mesa

The East Valley Pops Orchestra will open its 45th season with a free holiday concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mesa. The 70-member orchestra will follow the …
The fair will feature books for young adults and adults.

Local author book fair Saturday at Red Mountain Library in Mesa

A local author book fair will be held Saturday at Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road in Mesa. The event is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 14 in the program room Primary tabs The fair will feature …
The expo to celebrate healthy, active living for today’s seniors will be at Mesa Market Place Swap Meet’s Building No. 4, 10550 E. Baseline Road in Mesa. The venue is covered with misted breezeways with free parking and free admission. Park in front of building No. 4 — near the exit.

Mesa Senior Expo Nov. 13

The Mesa Senior Expo is 9 a.m.-noon Friday, Nov. 13, hosted by Independent Newsmedia for seniors and families from Mesa and neighboring communities. The expo to celebrate healthy, active living …
The light display, which is free of charge and open to the public, will begin Friday, Nov. 27 and run through Wednesday, Dec. 30. Lights are turned on nightly at 5 p.m. and turned off at 10 p.m.

Mesa Temple Christmas lights return Nov. 27 with free holiday display

The Mesa Arizona Temple gardens will welcome visitors for the 2026 Christmas lights display Nov. 27 through Dec. 30, continuing a Valley holiday tradition that began in 1979. The free event runs …
After the ribbon cutting ceremony, professional BMX riders will show off their skills on the pump track, which is the middle of the three tracks. The bike and tot tracks will officially be open to the public and the walking loops will also be open between phases one and two of Signal Butte Park.

Grand opening Saturday for Phase 2 of Signal Butte Park in Mesa

The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Phase 2 of Signal Butte Park, 3355 S. Signal Butte Road, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. The new park includes 1.5 miles of new LED-lighted …
Calendar of events
Thank You For Supporting Local Journalism