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First responders
22 shoplifting incidents reported Nov. 15-21 in Mesa
new coronavirus
21,466 COVID-19 cases in Mesa as of Nov. 25
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Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers offers bright spot to challenging 2020
VALLEY OF THE SUN
racing

5th Annual Copper Classic Nov. 27-28 at Arizona Speedway

The Fifth Annual Copper Classic Nov. 27-28 is set to have the largest field of stars in its five-year history and wraps up the Arizona Speedway racing season. Don’t miss your chance to see …
fundraiser

Fifth Annual Trolls Teddy Bear Run Dec. 5

The Fifth Annual Trolls Teddy Bear Run, benefiting the Mesa Family Resource Center and Mesa’s first responders, takes place Saturday, Dec. 5, in Gilbert. The entry fee is $10 plus the …

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Daily Independent
MESA NEWS & OPINION
Local news
development

Live virtual meeting Jan. 14 on Harris Basin drainage and playground

A live online virtual public meeting to learn about the Harris Basin Park, 2421 N. Harris Drive, is 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14. A short presentation will be given followed by a question-and-answer …
business

Recreational marijuana sales regulations before Mesa council Dec. 1

Prohibiting recreational marijuana retail establishments except for retail sales by a state dual licensee at a shared location will be considered at the Dec. 1 meeting of the Mesa City …

Mesa funeral home develops holiday program for families

Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery are putting together a special program allowing families to celebrate the holidays with their departed loved ones

No change for holiday for Mesa trash/recycle barrel collection service

Trash and recycle barrel collection service in Mesa will be provided as regularly scheduled throughout the entire Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Residents should have their barrels at the curb by 6 …

Dignity Health Arizona General Hospital offers free flu shots

Dignity Health Arizona General Hospital is offering free flu shots at three locations in the East Valley in an effort to build healthier communities. It’s especially important to get the …

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OPINION

Newly elected Arizona Corporation Commissioner Lea Marquez Peterson wants APS to slash its rates, but she is dreaming if she thinks she can accomplish this, even with her eight suggestions for the …

For countless Arizona voters, this presidential election is not a referendum on President Trump and his political beliefs — it is a vote to preserve our economic prosperity. Arizona voters …
Arizona seniors deserve to enjoy a future of economic security and prosperity for many years to come — and it’s imperative that we elect political leaders who have what it takes to build …
Neighbors
TruWest employees donated enough food items to provide 50 food boxes that will give Mesa Community College students the opportunity to have a nice holiday meal.

TruWest Credit Union supports MCC Mesa Market with Thanksgiving food drive

TruWest Credit Union employees are feeding Mesa Community College students this holiday season by hosting a food drive. TruWest employees donated enough food items to provide 50 food boxes that …
Mesa Community College has campuses at 1833 W. Southern Ave. and 7110 E. McKellips Road.

Alumni, community members inducted into Mesa Community College Hall of Fame

Eleven alumni, employees and community members have been inducted into Mesa Community College’s Hall of Fame in recognition of their professional and personal accomplishments, and notable …
Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona welcomed six volunteers from ABI Multifamily on Saturday to help kick off the project with a morning of demolition followed by and a signing ceremony.

ABI Multifamily partners with Habitat for Humanity for home project in Mesa

Volunteers from ABI Multifamily on Nov. 14 joined Habitat for Humanity to work on a home renovation project for a deserving Mesa family. Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona welcomed six …
The sale of the books will help the museum enhance its exhibits and programming.

Mesa Historical Museum book fair in December

The Mesa Historical Museum, 2345 N. Horne, is holding a fundraising book fair 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 6, with all books half-price on Sunday. “We have over 10,000 books, …
Turkeys and other items are donated to an area charity. Turkey donations will be accepted 7 a.m.-noon Nov. 17 at the Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St.

Donate turkeys Nov. 17 to help the less fortunate this holiday season

The city of Mesa is partnering with United Food Bank for Great Turkey Tuesday 7 a.m.-noon Nov. 17 at the Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St. The goal is to collect 1,700 turkeys to help the …
Mesa Education & Business Reporting
Education
education

Mesa announces launch of 'Learning ReimaginED'

The Mesa Arts and Culture Department has a new Learning ReimaginED, a virtual portal to the educational community providing one-stop, easy-to-use access to learning resources in STEAM education …
sports

Mesa student to participate in NCAA Division II football at Bemidji State University

A student from Mesa will participate in NCAA Division II football for Bemidji State University during the 2020-21 season. Aaron Castillo, a junior majoring in criminal justice, is a long snapper …
education

Fiesta Bowl awards Mesa teachers $2,500 for classroom wish

The Fiesta Bowl Charities on Nov. 18 announced their fifth annual Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers grant recipients, with 22 of the selected 200 teachers from Mesa. The …
Election 2020

O’Reilly, Sears, Ellingson wins seats on Mesa school board

With fewer than 226,100 votes counted by the Maricopa County Elections Department, Joe O’Reilly, Kiana Maria Sears and Lara Salmon Ellingson appear to be the top vote-getters for three open …

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Business

A virtual tour of southeast Mesa with Economic Development Director Bill Jabjiniak as a guide is planned at the Dec. 1 meeting of the city’s Economic Development Advisory Board. Also on the …

Nov. 19 marks Women’s Entrepreneurship Day and two Phoenix-area businesses run by women have found hope despite the fear of suffering financial impacts of COVID-19. Before the pandemic hit, …

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Entertainment
The sale of the books will help the museum enhance its exhibits and programming.

Mesa Historical Museum book fair in December

The Mesa Historical Museum, 2345 N. Horne, is holding a fundraising book fair 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 6, with all books half-price on Sunday. “We have over 10,000 books, …
Even though it might look a little different, the city of Mesa is keeping with the 18-year tradition and offering a drive-thru breakfast with Santa event.

Breakfast with Santa Drive-Thru Dec. 12

Registration is being accepted for the Mesa Parks and Recreation’s “Breakfast with Santa Drive-Thru” event. “Even though it might look a little different, we are keeping …
Winter exhibitions include “A Murmuration of Found Feathers in Flight,” an immortalization in wood of 1,000 feather photographs by Arizona artist Alexandra Bowers.

Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum reopening to the public Dec. 22

Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, 1 E. Main St., will celebrate its reopening with new exhibitions — three in December, one in January and two in February. Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum has …
Merry Main Street will again feature the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink with more than 5,000 square feet that will attract skaters taking to the ice under the stars.

Save the dates for Merry Main Street in downtown Mesa

For the sixth consecutive year, Merry Main Street will bring holiday revelry to downtown Mesa. The celebration of the season will be held Nov. 27-Jan. 2. Mesa’s Christmas Tree will be …
A variety of shops and food vendors are to be at the Mesa Farmers Market Saturdays.

Mesa Farmers Market Saturdays

Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main St., continues to host the Mesa Farmers Market and Flea on Saturdays during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is open 8 a.m.-noon for the fall. “You are strongly …

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Obituaries

Susan Storer Smith

Susan, 74, passed away peacefully, November 5, 2020, surrounded by her loving daughters and longtime friend and companion, Larry Taylor. Susan was born In Idaho Falls, Idaho on June 19, 1946, the …

Janet Trisler

To quote Shakespeare, Janet Trisler “shuffled off this mortal coil” on November 14, 2020. The family left grieving for their loss consists of a husband, four daughters, four …

Helen Dorothy Teichman

Helen was peacefully called home to God on October 6, 2020 at age 100. Born in Detroit, Michigan to Anthony and Anne Paszkiewicz, Helen graduated from Pershing High School where she was a member of …

Sandra Lee Goldman

Sandra, 90, of Sun City West, AZ, passed away November 14, 2020. She was born May 8, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York. God blessed her with great strength, a good heart and a positive attitude to endure an …

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