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Neighbors
Wells Fargo, Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa donating vehicle to retired U.S. Army specialist
News
Man, child found dead in Mesa home in likely murder-suicide
sports
Pickleball tournament Saturday in Mesa to benefit Superstition Community Food Bank
VALLEY OF THE SUN
Entertainment

Gila River Music Festival May 21-22

The inaugural Gila River Music Festival is May 21-22 in Kearny, a small town on the Gila River an hour from the Valley just down the road from Superior. “The music festival will feature a …
entertainment

‘The Sound of Music’ continues Friday-Saturday at Zao Theatre

"The Sound of Music," the world’s most beloved musical, graces the Zao Theatre stage March 26-April 17, featuring the music of Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard …
entertainment

Classical music makes its grand return at Mesa Arts Center

The series Classical Music Inside Out returns for the 2021-22 season at Mesa Arts Center, kicking off with Shelly Watson in October and culminating with an all-star performance featuring Zuill …
entertainment

Salt River Tubing opens Saturday, May 1

Salt River Tubing and Recreation will be open 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. seven days a week, weather and water flow conditions permitting, beginning Saturday, May 1, with safety protocols in …
entertainment

National Geographic Live Virtual Speaker Series ends April 14

Mesa Arts Center is hosting a live virtual speaker series with stunning imagery and stories from National Geographic’s world-renowned photographers, scientists, authors, filmmakers, …

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MESA NEWS & OPINION
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Preliminary plat change proposed for Mercado Fiesta Condominiums

Modifying a preliminary plat to redevelop the one-story Mercado Fiesta Condominiums west of Alma School Road on the south side of Southern Avenue should be approved by Mesa City Council, the …
News

Progress is in the pavement with SR 24 construction project

A project to add 5 miles of travel lanes to the Phoenix area’s newest freeway is advancing in the southeast Valley with some of State Route 24’s concrete pavement already in place. The …
By ZIP code

68,210 total coronavirus cases in Mesa as of April 14

The Arizona Department of Health Services on April 14 reported the number of coronavirus cases in Mesa is 68,210 in ZIP codes 85201-85210, 85212, 85213 and 85215. It is an increase of 343 from a week …
News

Funding available in Mesa for emergency rental and utility assistance

The city of Mesa continues to accept applications for the 2021 emergency rental and utility assistance program in response to COVID-19’s financial impact to Mesa residents. Funded through …
Subscriber exclusive

Casa Ramos restaurant planned at site destroyed by fire in Mesa

A Casa Ramos restaurant may be constructed at the site of a building that burned at 1526 E. Main St. with a substantial conformance improvement permit, the Mesa Board of Adjustment decided …

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OPINION

My daughter was 10 years old when she first attended Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day at my office At the time, I was working in a role sourcing large contracts, leveraging all of the …

Sorry Ralph Fales (who wrote “Historic horse racing could be a win for Arizona,” page 8, April 1, 2021, issue of the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent), you may love your horses but …
Rep. Paul Gosar pulls teeth but now he’s pulling one over on his constituents. He has been Tweeting and putting out information on how he’s so pleased to inform us that municipalities and …
Neighbors
Canned food donated at the tournament is to be given to the Superstition Community Food Bank, 575 N. Idaho Road No. 701 in Apache Junction.

April 17 pickleball tournament in Mesa to benefit Superstition Community Food Bank

Local health agencies are partnering with Superstition Community Food Bank to sponsor a pickleball benefit tournament to feed the hungry. The tournament is 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at the …
Wes Foster

Foster president-elect of national certification board

Charles “Wes” Foster, Mesa Community College nursing faculty, is president-elect of the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board's board of directors. Mr. Foster has been on the …
Carlos Grandela

Meet Your Neighbor: Optometrist Grandela owns ViewFinder Low Vision Resource Center in Mesa

Your Name: ​Carlos Grandela Age: 32 Business Name: ViewFinder Low Vision Resource Center Town/Neighborhood: Mesa Hours of operation: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. …
The Hometown Heroes Banner applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis by the city of Mesa Community Engagement Office. After one year, the banner will be permanently removed and given to the service person or family member.

Nominations being accepted for Mesa Hometown Heroes banner program

Nominations are being accepted through April 15 for the city of Mesa Hometown Heroes Banner Program. The program is a tribute to recognize and honor Mesa residents and their family members who are …
Teresa Bitler

Local author and travel expert reveals Mesa’s most iconic and unique destinations

Reedy Press has announced the release of its new guidebook, “100 Things to Do in Mesa Before You Die,” by Mesa resident Teresa Bitler. The comprehensive list celebrates the top ways to …
Mesa Education & Business Reporting
Education
education

Toastmasters host virtual impact education, career fair Friday

Due to the pandemic, many great highly qualified Arizonans have been laid off and Arizona Toastmasters wants to help them. Arizona Toastmasters (District 3) is hosting its second Toastmasters …
education

Mesa high school graduates can apply for 'Mesa College Promise' funds

Mesa Mayor John Giles and Mesa Community College Interim President Lori M. Berquam recently announced that the first Mesa College Promise eligible high school graduates will receive funding to attend …
education

Toastmasters host virtual impact education, career fair Friday, April 9

Due to the pandemic, many great highly qualified Arizonans have been laid off and Arizona Toastmasters wants to help them. Arizona Toastmasters (District 3) is hosting its second Toastmasters …
education

Students at Stevenson Elementary participate in Move One Million movements

Mesa Public Schools has launched a new partnership to improve social and emotional wellness among students, staff and the community. The goal of Move One Mesa is to ignite a culture of learning …
education

Toastmasters host virtual impact education, career fair April 9

Due to the pandemic, many great highly qualified Arizonans have been laid off and Arizona Toastmasters wants to help them. Arizona Toastmasters (District 3) is hosting its second Toastmasters …
education

Virtual skilled trades expo Thursday

Are you interested in a career in the fast-growing fields of energy, construction, advanced manufacturing or distribution but don’t know where to start? Register for a virtual skilled trades …
education

California Aeronautical University opens at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa

California Aeronautical University recently opened a campus at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa. “CAU’s approvals to operate provide educational pursuits in a number of fast-paced, …

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Business

The Mint Dispensary plans to celebrate 4/20 in a big way, from April 16-20, at its Tempe, Mesa and Phoenix locations about three months after Arizona dispensaries received the green light to serve …

Recent deals in Mesa closed by NAI Horizon professionals include property sold by a family trust and a 10-year lease. They were: Mark Wilcke negotiated the sale of 5.18 acres, representing the …
CBRE Completes Sale of Multifamily Community in Tempe, Ariz. for $32 MillionCBRE has announced the sale of The Porter, a 165-unit multifamily community in Tempe to a private investor for $32 …
Pair Coffee & Tea, a downtown Mesa coffee spot tucked inside a cidery taproom, is offering its take on a Vietnamese coffee. Inspired by the Asian drink that is typically served hot, co-owner …

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Entertainment
The Sound of Music will be performed March 26-April 17 at the Zao Theatre stage, 550 S. Ironwood Drive in Apache Junction.

‘The Sound of Music’ continues Friday at Zao Theatre

"The Sound of Music," the world’s most beloved musical, graces the Zao Theatre stage March 26-April 17, featuring the music of Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard …
The film will be streamed virtually in six showings the week of April 2-10 and two drive-in movie showings for the premier April 2 and 3.

Mesa Community College premieres first feature film: Antigone

Mesa Community College’s first feature film, Antigone, premieres April 2. The film, featuring more than 30 theatre artisans including MCC students, faculty and alumni, is based on the Greek …
Kids can compete in either the baseball or softball division and have the opportunity to advance through three levels based on their competition scores.

MLB’s Pitch, Hit and Run returns to Mesa

After being canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Major League Baseball’s Pitch, Hit and Run competition returns to Mesa and numerous sites nationwide. This year’s free event …
The Sound of Music will be performed March 26-April 17 at the Zao Theatre stage, 550 S. Ironwood Drive in Apache Junction.

‘The Sound of Music’ continues Friday at Zao Theatre

"The Sound of Music," the world’s most beloved musical, graces the Zao Theatre stage March 26-April 17, featuring the music of Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard …
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 …

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Obituaries

Harold Eddie Siddy Jr.

Heaven received a kind, gentle soul on January 26, 2021. Harold fought dementia for years until he passed peacefully at Hospice of the Valley in Peoria, Arizona.Eddie was born in Pottsville, …

Esther Lygre Holte

Esther, completed her earthly life on January 12, 2021, at the age of 103. Born in Minneapolis, MN, she became an excellent student and accompanist, graduating second both in her large high school …

Douglas Randall (Randy) Smith

Douglas, age 93, of Sun City West, AZ, passed away February 5, 2021. Randy was born in February, 1928 in Oakland, California. He loved his country and served in the US Army. He attended University of …

Joyce Marlene Raygor

Joyce, wife, mother, school secretary, potter and traveler — died February 5, 2021.Joyce Marlene Brady was born September 24, 1938, in Guthrie Center, Iowa. She attended Guthrie Center High …

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