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Banner Estrella discharges 900th COVID-19 patient

When Charles Vanmarter, 77, went home Friday, Aug. 14 after two stays at Banner Estrella Medical Center over the past three weeks, he became the 900th COVID-19 patient discharged from the medical center.

Rocky Mountain Emmys names local Silver Circle Society inductees

Local communications professionals are among five invited to join the Silver Circle Society of the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

East Valley housing: An Independent examination of single-family ARMLS data

While the world was turned upside down and economic engines came to a grinding halt as the COVID-19 outbreak unfolded, the Phoenix metropolitan housing market has remained steady.

Just won't quit: Arizona farming families persist as development gobbles up land

The Rayner and Gladden families’ multigenerational Southwest Valley farming operations have weathered just about everything the world has thrown at them for the better part of 100 years, from drought and pests to extreme price swings and two pandemics, but there are two modern threats that are unrelenting — development and water availability.

Phoenix police arrest suspect in abuse of puppy

A man was arrested following an investigation into the abuse of a 6-month-old dog.

IN THE KNOW

Money

ADOR returns more than $42M in unclaimed property

The Arizona Department of Revenue’s unclaimed property program returned $42.5 million to rightful owners in the fiscal year July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020.

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Phoenix police report uptick in violent crimes

Numbers from the Phoenix Police Department’s Crime Analysis and Research Unit show significant changes in January to June 2020 numbers compared to the same time period in 2019.

An Independent examination of law enforcement data across the Valley of the Sun

If you ask Chief Paul Marzocca, you’ll never hear police departments say they have enough officers because they are always establishing needs and wants.

MCSO locates missing Anthem girl in Glendale

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says detectives followed up on numerous leads and Thursday night and were able to locate Kahlan Diehl in Glendale.

Efforts to cool Phoenix include pale pavement coating to reflect sunlight

An atypical coating was applied to a parking lot at Esteban Park in southeast Phoenix last month, topping gray, cracked asphalt with a smooth, off-white sealant. The fresh look is more …

Arizona public school community weighs pros, cons, COVID-19 as return looms

As droves of Valley students start the 2020-21 school year this fall among the global pandemic of 2020, Arizona school districts move forward independently with no two plans alike.

Phoenix Metroplitan News

God Bless America: An Independent examination of ‘Old Glory’

In June 1777, the Continental Congress established its official flag --- a beacon of hope for a young nation born in defiance of an oppressive regime.

IRS unveils ‘Dirty Dozen’ tax scams list

The Internal Revenue Service announces its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams involving aggressive and evolving schemes related to coronavirus tax relief, including economic impact payments.

Dr. Nicholas Banovich, an assistant professor in TGen’s Integrated Cancer Genomics Division, was the senior author of a new study submitted to PLOS Genetics regarding the first characterizations of genes in the DNA of healthy individuals from geographically and genetically distinct populations in Indonesia.

TGen aids in study examining ancient DNA in prehistoric human subspecies

An international study represents the first characterizations of genes in the DNA of healthy individuals from geographically and genetically distinct populations in Indonesia.

If you’re concerned about voting by mail: USPS assures federal protections in place

If you question the safety of your ballot going through the mail without being tampered with, the United States Postal Service and the county elections office assures protection, tracking and peace …

The county, working with its partner, the Human Services Campus, has made a county-owned location at Madison Street and Central Avenue available to dozens of people.

Maricopa County secures additional nighttime heat relief location for homeless

Maricopa County has secured a recently vacated building in downtown Phoenix to provide nighttime heat relief for people experiencing homelessness.

Area Agency on Aging's #AmeriCorps members in a photo at facebook.com/AreaAgencyAging.

Area Agency on Aging, Phoenix create 'Hi Neighbor' phone program

A new partnership between the Area Agency on Aging and the City of Phoenix called "Hi Neighbor" will offer weekly telephone reassurance calls for emotional and social support for older adults who may be isolated, feeling anxious and alone and unable to connect with regular visitors.

District schools adjust during the pandemic by enforcing hygiene practices including students and staff staying home if sick or if anyone in their household is ill; washing hands, practicing social distancing, wearing masks; putting extra hand washing stations such as portable equipment on campuses; keeping personal and shared spaces clean.

Maricopa County equips Valley schools with PPE kits

The Maricopa County Public Health Department will equip schools with a personal protective equipment “starter kit” to prepare for when students and staff eventually return to campus.

What will the future of Arizona dining become in a post-pandemic world?

The first six months of calendar year 2020 has been more devastating to the Arizona restaurant industry than any other event that came before it, industry experts agree. “I have been in …

Roundabouts at Interstate 17 interchange close to ending

The end of the line is nearing for the roundabouts at the Interstate 17 interchange at Happy Valley Road in north Phoenix.

Scottsdale, Phoenix make slight amendment to backup water agreement

An emergency backup water delivery agreement between Phoenix and Scottsdale will undergo some changes thanks to the third amendment to the formal agreement.

PHOENIX BUSINESS REPORTING

Q&A: Greg Hague offers insight into the Phoenix metropolitan luxury housing market

Bashas’, First Fruits fund 42,000 emergency meals for Navajo Nation

Erica Missicano becomes SB&H leader

Thinnes joins Kidder Mathews Phoenix office

Revenue department’s live chat assists 31,000 taxpayers in first year

Spadaro joins SmithGroup business development team in Phoenix

EDUCATION

Valley Voices abound as concerns swirl around return to classrooms in Arizona

ENTERTAINMENT

Arizona Theatre Company launches the first of its series of creative digital performances with Alma.

ATC launches digital play lineup with “Alma”

Arizona Theatre Company will launch the first of its series of creative digital performance offerings with Alma, the story of a daughter and her mother pursuing the American dream.

Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship to host 1st virtual Starry Knights benefit

Instead of an in-person gala, Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship 11th Annual Starry Knights fundraising event will be virtual.

"Away From Home: American Indian Boarding School Stories" award-winning exhibit.

Heard Museum’s Away From Home: American Indian Boarding School Stories wins AASLH award

The American Association for State and Local History announces the Heard Museum as the recipient of an Award of Excellence for its exhibition Away From Home: American Indian Boarding School Stories.

Arizona Science Center launches CONNECT, which is an innovative learning experience.

CONNECT @ Arizona Science Center offers supplemental science experiences

With a growing consumer and educator demand for more science learning resources, Arizona Science Center is launching CONNECT @ Arizona Science Center. The fun and engaging, standards-based science …

"The Compass Collection," is the solo exhibition showcasing the paintings of longtime Phoenix-based artist, Lucretia Torva.

‘The Compass Collection’ opens at Walter Art Gallery on July 17

Walter Art Gallery will present “The Compass Collection,” the solo exhibition showcasing the latest paintings of Lucretia Torva.

Motivational speaker and author Lisa Nichols will be the headliner at the Ninth Annual Phenomenal Woman Empowerment Network Experience on Aug. 15 in Scottsdale.

Lisa Nichols to headline women’s empowerment conference in Scottsdale

Motivational speaker Lisa Nichols, a New York Times best-selling author, joins other presenters at the Ninth Annual Phenomenal Woman Empowerment Experience, Vision 2 Victory.

Baseball is back and the Arizona D-backs will start their season in San Diego against the Padres before returning to Chase Field to host the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 30.

Arizona Diamondbacks gear up for 60-game season

Major League Baseball announced the 2020 60-game D-backs schedule which will consist of 10 games against the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants plus interleague matchups against all five American League West teams.

Scottsdale artist Casey Cheuvront joins The Great American Paint In.

Pandemic inspires Cheuvront for ‘The Great American Paint In’

Scottsdale artist Casey Cheuvront, who describes herself as “too young for Medicare and too old for carpools,” joins five other Arizona artists for The Great American Paint In.

July Fourth Fireworks begin at about 9 p.m. with a backdrop against the McDowell Mountains.

Freedom Fest 2020 at The Princess - Reimagined begins July 2

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess will celebrate its 10th Annual 4th of July Freedom Fest on Thursday, July 2, culminating with a fireworks display in north Scottsdale on July 4 to honor frontline medical workers, first responders, veterans and active military.

WestWorld of Scottsdale will host Pop Up Events live streaming UFC 251 on Saturday, July 11.

SLE to host Pop Up Events at WestWorld of Scottsdale

WestWorld of Scottsdale will be the venue for live streaming of UFC 251, Pop Up Events hosted by Steve LeVine Entertainment & Public Relations.

Neighbors

Arizona Historical Society license plate gets new look

Abrazo medical staff sponsor ice cream social for hospital employees

Nonprofits

Valley Youth Theatre goes global with virtual telethon

A day in the life of COVID-19 testing from an unsung hero

Philanthropy

Thunderbirds Charities donates $3.8 million to Valley nonprofits

Opinion

In this 2019 file photo, Arizona Department of Transportation Adopt a Highway Program Manager Mary Currie, right, poses with volunteers. Transportation officials are touting the upcoming National CleanUp Day slated for Saturday, Sept. 19. [Courtesy of ADOT]

I have a question for those people who are very upset President Trump has signed four executive orders regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Were you upset with President Obama when he signed DACA, …

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