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MONDAY MORNING TRAVEL
Gilbert Road bridge work requires another lane shift
Things to do
Special Olympics Coca-Cola Sun Games Monday at ASU Polytechnic Campus
Construction
19 commercial building permits issued Jan. 5-11 in Mesa
Business News
The city approved a $25 fee for the Mesa business license, with an introductory cost of $10 for 2022. With the creation of this license, Mesa joined several municipalities in Arizona — including Scottsdale, Chandler and Gilbert — requiring businesses to be licensed or registered in their respective communities.

Mesa business license special introductory pricing continues in 2023

In an effort to encourage registrations for the city of Mesa’s general business license, the application fee will remain $10 through the end of 2023. The application is available at …
Risas Dental will give free dental exams and x-rays to children at all 15 of its Valley offices throughout the month of February and host a special Kids Day event.

Risas Dental to give children free exams, x-rays in Mesa

In recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month, all 15 Risas Dental offices in the Phoenix Metro area — including at 1928 E. Main St. in Mesa — will offer free exams and …

Whataburger opens on Mesa-Gilbert border

Whataburger opened a location in December at 5427 S. Power Road, Mesa, on the Gilbert border.
Cider Corps is closing in Gilbert after just five months of operation in town.

Cider Corps closing Gilbert location

Cider Corps, the veteran-owned and family-operated craft cider company, announced on social media Dec. 22 that it is closing its taproom 685 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, at year’s end. …
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, built on the foundation of a former U.S. Air Force base, is a key in the region to bringing in various technology companies to the region.

East Valley riding wave of technology growth in region

The East Valley has been reaping the benefits of the technology sector’s growth in Arizona and Greater Phoenix. The area has seen growth through several corridors across the region, making it a major player in Arizona’s designation as the “Silicon Desert,” a term that has hovered over the area for decades.
Ken Kotchenreuther has created a new product and business called the Bugger Plugger.

Meet Your Business: Kotchenreuther invents device to keep lights bright, clean

Your Name: Ken Kotchenreuther Age: 57 Town/Neighborhood: Sun City and Valleywide Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Personal background highlights: My wife and I relocated to …

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MESA NEWS & OPINION
Local news
SCHOOL LOCKDOWN

PD: Student with gun at Red Mountain High School arrested near Mesa park

Mesa police arrested a student Thursday after he was seen with a gun on the Red Mountain High School campus, authorities said. Police received a call from staff at the school at about 2:50 p.m. …
County education funding

Maricopa County is allocating $7.5 million towards career education programs

On Jan, 26 Maricopa County announced they have allocated more than $7.5 million in federal funding for the county’s community college system and Mesa public education.
Public transit

Arizona garners $179M in federal transit funds

An estimated $179 million will be invested in the states public transit from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law.
BIPARTISAN

Mesa, Tempe senators cite threats, back limiting access to lawmakers’ addresses

PHOENIX - State lawmakers voted Wednesday to make it more difficult to find out where they live. But they said that threats they face make the move necessary. Without dissent, members of the …
First responders

3 robberies, 6 burglaries reported in Mesa

The Mesa Police Department took the following reports of robberies and burglaries Jan. 12-18: Robbery of an individual at an air/bus/train terminal Jan. 12 in the 10 block of North Greenfield …
COVID-19

203 new coronavirus cases in a week in Mesa

The Arizona Department of Health Services on Feb. 1 reported the number of coronavirus cases in Mesa is 194,062 in ZIP codes 85201-85210, 85212, 85213 and 85215. That’s an increase of 203 …
Transportation

4 Valley cities receive federal funding to improve local roads

The cities of Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix and Scottsdale have been named recipients of a federal grant program aimed at implementing roadway safety plans. Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete …

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OPINION

When a new year arrives so do new trends and people are always trying to upgrade their homes with the newest style. East Valley homeowners are no exception. Whether they are looking to upgrade the …

My father is a World War II veteran and the most decorated veteran of the county where we lived in Georgia. His two brothers also served in World War II. I am a longtime resident of Gold Canyon …
Arizonans face a uniquely high risk from the respiratory infection known as Valley fever. Contracted from airborne particles of the coccidioides fungus, which normally lives in the soil, the disease …
Neighbors
Charles Santa Cruz has retired after 48 years in public education.

Charles Santa Cruz reflects on 48 years in public education

Charles Santa Cruz cannot possibly pick a favorite memory in 48 years of public education. There are too many to count. But there is one special piece that encapsulates all those memories: a ring Santa Cruz wears.
Developmental Education Endowed Teaching Award recipients for 2022 include Craig Jacobsen, Leanna Hall, Amelia Rodriguez and Mike Callaway. Not pictured is Annah McMahon.

Mesa Community College faculty receive award

A team of faculty members from the Mesa Community College Reading and English Departments is the recipient of the 2022 Developmental Education Endowed Teaching Award. The award provides …
Troy Kotsur

Mesa native Kotsur to sign national anthem at Super Bowl

Actor and Mesa native Troy Kotsur will perform the national anthem in American Sign Language at the Super Bowl on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf. Kotsur’s signing will be …
The Native American Fatherhood and Families Association’s Wellness Center offers a family-focused program combining positive parenting, anger management and healthy relationship life skill development.

NAFFA Wellness Center offers individualized treatment programs

Native American Fatherhood and Families Association’s Wellness Center, 525 W. Southern Ave. Suite No. 124 in Mesa, offers 12- and 24-week intensive outpatient programs. The individualized …
From left are Denny Walter, chairman of the Lost Dutchman Days Committee; Darian Phillips, 2023 Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo junior teen queen; Tyra Hughes, 2022 and 2023 Lost Dutchman Days queen; and Taylor Ballard, 2023 Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo senior teen queen.

Mesa resident Hughes selected 2023 Lost Dutchman Days rodeo queen

Competitors came from across Arizona to vie for a spot on the 2023 Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo royalty court. Cities and towns represented included Tucson, Young, Snowflake, Mesa and Apache …
Mesa Education & Business Reporting
Education
Education

Queen Creek school district students learning about careers

Students throughout Queen Creek Unified School District are participating in numerous career exploration events and activities provided by their schools. Some of these events include an invited …
Celebration

Mesa Community College celebrates 25th anniversary of Rose Garden

A celebration was held in December commemorating the 25th anniversary of The Rose Garden at Mesa Community College, 1833 W. Southern Ave. Attending the event were Mesa City Council members; …
Education

$1.29M given to Mesa school district to expand career, technical education

The Maricopa County Supervisors recently approved $1.29 million in funding to help provide career and technical educational opportunities to high school students in Mesa Public Schools. The …
EDUCATION

Education savings art contest open to statewide students

The second-annual AZ529 Future Career Art Contest, which launches Monday, Jan. 30, asks students from across Arizona to draw, paint or find a creative way to make an art piece representing their dream job.
Education

Gilbert Public Schools board re-elects leadership 

The Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board re-elected its 2022 leadership for the coming year at its annual organizational meeting Tuesday, Jan. 10.  Lori Wood will continue to serve as …
Education

Queen Creek schools prepare future kindergarteners

The Queen Creek Unified School District is gearing up to get children ready for kindergarten. QCUSD will be holding its annual “Kindergarten Round-Up!” from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. …
Education

Mesa Community College nursing program ranked among top 10 in Arizona

Mesa Community College’s nursing program is ranked among the top 10 in Arizona for 2023 by the national nursing advocacy organization RegisteredNursing.org. MCC ranked fifth, out of the 34 …

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Entertainment
The event is hosted by the Apache Junction NJROTC Anchor Club and all proceeds go to support the local Naval Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.

Apache Junction NJROTC students host vehicle show Saturday

Car, truck, motorcycle and military vehicle lovers — as well as anyone interested in helping patriotic high school students — are invited to attend the 25th annual Navy Junior ROTC …
Teacher John Jay Pelletier is a former Army Green Beret survival instructor and an active outdoorsman.

Desert survival class Saturday at Superstition Mountain Museum

A desert survival and safety class being offered at the Superstition Mountain Museum might be one of the most important classes that you have ever taken. Anyone who hikes or camps should be …
Vehicle entry at the park costs $7. Usery Mountain Regional Park is open 5 a.m.-9 p.m. May 1-Oct. 31 and 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 1-April 30

Cactus hike Feb. 8 at Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa

Join Ranger Nikki on an easy/moderate 3-mile walk 9-11 a.m. Feb. 8 at Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N. Usery Pass Road in Mesa, to learn all about cacti from saguaros to cholla, prickly pear, …
The live jousting tournaments are one of the festival’s most popular attractions. Armored nights on charging steeds take up their lances and battle for the queen’s honor. Cheer on your favorite armored knight at one of the three daily jousting tournaments in the 5,000-seat arena.

Arizona Renaissance Festival serves up fun starting Saturday

Take a unique trip back in time to the Arizona Renaissance Festival in Gold Canyon near the Superstition Mountains. One of the largest events of its kind in the U.S., this special event is a place …
Mesa-Phoenix Marathon on Feb. 25, 2017, in Mesa. Founded in 2012, the Mesa Marathon includes a marathon, half marathon, 10K, and a Kids 1K Fun Run. The race is USA Track & Field sanctioned and is certified as a Boston Qualifier.

Road closures Saturday because of Mesa Marathon

The 11th annual Mesa Marathon will return to Mesa on Saturday, Feb. 4. The race presented by Mountain Vista Medical Center has a new finish line ending at Riverview Park this year, bringing some …

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Obituaries

Shirley Ann Metz Beyer

Shirley passed away at age 90 on January 14, 2023, in Sun City West after a brief illness.Shirley was born in Mitchell, South Dakota, and raised in Chicago. She attended Hirsch High School there and …

Ruby May Reynolds Csuy

Ruby was born in Andersonville, Tennessee, January 18, 1928 to Louis Alcain Reynolds and Lelia Mae Jones Reynolds. She is preceded in death by her brothers, Conda Lee Reynolds, William Carl Reynolds, …

Deacon Paul E. Csuy

Paul was born in Antigo, Wisconsin, June 22, 1937 to John and Ann Csuy. He is preceded in death by his wife Ruby, brother Jack and sister Joanne (Fassbender). He is survived by brothers David Csuy …

Thomas “Tom” Eugene Smiley

Thomas “Tom” Eugene Smiley 89, of Sun City, Arizona passed away on January 20, 2023.

William “Bill” Lee Van Helden

Beloved Father and Grandfather William Lee Van Helden passed away peacefully in his sleep

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