queen-creek-independent logo
Log in
(MetroCreative Connection)
DATA DRIVEN
Phoenix among best markets for small business expansion
Jett Courtright, 15, measures the location where his team will install a flagpole at San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Veterans Day
Queen Creek teen’s Eagle Scout project benefits veterans
The PCSO's K-9 unit conducted a sweep of the Pinal County Elections Office at the request of Pinal County Recorder Dana Lewis in response to a powdery substance that was sent to the Arizona Secretary of State's office.
Election 2026
Pinal County officials warn against threats to election workers
View all
Local Business directory
Destinie Hamby, 17, has been found.
Missing

Teen girl missing in Queen Creek located

A 17-year-old girl missing from Queen Creek since Oct. 11 has been found. The Queen Creek Police Department reports that Destinie Hamby has been located and is safe. Eight other teens remain …
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland, top, is congratulated by teammates after kicking the game winning field goal against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.
Sports

Cardinals stun rival Rams on walk off field goal 18-16

NFL teams don’t typically win games exclusively scoring points via the field goal, but that’s exactly what the Arizona Cardinals (2-4) just did, as they took down the Super Bowl favorite and …
Postino will be opening its 3,800-square-foot space at The Switchyard at the end of the month.
Development

Two businesses opening soon at The Switchyard in downtown Queen Creek

Phase one of construction on The Switchyard in downtown Queen Creek is nearing completion. “We’re going to be complete with construction in the next two weeks for our site and shell,” Jagger …
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Mike LaFleur speaks to the media following a preseason to the Dallas Cowboys.
Cardinals Notebook

Nearly a third through, Cardinals season hangs in the balance

The Arizona Cardinals are through roughly a third of their games and, sitting at 1-4, are also a third of the way towards their preseason projected win total of 3.5, according to DraftKings. The …
The Homewood Suites at the southwest corner of Ellsworth and Rittenhouse roads is expected to open in early 2027.
Development

Queen Creek P&Z allows town’s second hotel to add monument sign

The still under construction Homewood Suites at the southwest corner of Ellsworth and Rittenhouse roads will be able to put a personal touch on one of its signs. The Queen Creek Planning & Zoning …
Latest issue

Latest edition of the Queen Creek Independent pdf eedition

Latest edition of the Queen Creek Independent

View this issue

Browse other issues

Queen Creek's Own Daily Nonpartisan News
Gas prices are seen at the Circle K located at 59th Avenue and Olive Road on Oct. 16, 2026. While the national average remains at record highs, the price of gas in the Valley fell 9 cents a gallon this week according to AAA Arizona.
GAS

Find the cheapest gas prices in Queen Creek

Despite the continued volatility in the crude oil market, gas prices dropped 9 cents this week in the Valley according to AAA Arizona.
The Teen Fall Fest takes place on Saturday and Frontier Family Park.
Halloween

Fun and chills at Queen Creek’s Teen Fall Fest

Teens can celebrate the fall season and Halloween at this weekend’s Teen Fall Fest. This new, free, teens-only event is sponsored by the Mayor’s Teen Advisory Committee. It is aimed at …
This list shows how many competitors the Chandler Unified district has in the East Valley that are educating the 10,500 students living in the district who don’t attend a CUSD school. An Oct. 7 presentation by the firm Applied Economics was when demographer Rick Brammer said he believes the district enrollment will drop by about 7,500 students over the next 10 years.
EDUCATION

East Valley school district shrink factors moderate, demographer says

Decreasing birth rates, high housing costs and the growth of charter and private schools have all been mentioned and discussed as reasons Chandler Unified and some other Arizona public school …
The proposed Circle K would be located on Germann and Meridian roads within the Barney Farms Commercial corner.
Development

Queen Creek P&Z recommends conditional-use permit for proposed Circle K

The Queen Creek Planning & Zoning Commission is recommending the approval of a conditional-use permit and site plan for a proposed Circle K service station, car wash and convenience store on the …
Queen Creek’s Planning & Zoning Commission is recommending that a portion of the mixed-use development, the Union at Ellsworth, be rezoned to allow a 250-unit apartment complex,
Development

Queen Creek P&Z recommends multifamily housing at new mixed use development

A developer is requesting a rezoning  of a 25-acre parcel at the southwest corner of Ellsworth and Queen Creek roads to allow for multifamily housing. The Queen Creek Planning & Zoning …
News
Volunteers, including the Arizona Rangers Pinal Company, will be helping to maintain trails at San Tan Mountain Regional Park that have been affected by the recent rain.
Volunteers

Trail cleanup set for San Tan Mountain Regional Park

Staff and volunteers will be gathering later this month to help maintain trails at San Tan Mountain Regional Park. Also joining the work will be about 15 members of the Arizona Rangers Pinal …
Peyton Lovelady, 17, has been located.
Missing

Queen Creek police report missing teen boy located

A teen boy missing from Queen Creek since Sept. 21 has been located. The Queen Creek Police Department reports that Peyton Lovelady, 17, has been found and is safe. Nine other teens remain missing: …
The proposed Circle K would be located on Germann and Meridian roads within the Barney Farms Commercial corner.
Development

Circle K proposed at Germann and Meridian in Queen Creek

Circle K will go before the Queen Creek Planning & Zoning Commission on Wednesday as it proposes building a service station, car wash and convenience store on the southwest corner of Germann and …
Destinie Hamby, 17, was last seen on Oct. 11.
Missing

Teen girl missing in Queen Creek

Police are searching for a teen girl who went missing in Queen Creek on Sunday. The Queen Creek Police Department reports that Destinie Hamby, 17, was last seen at about 1:50 p.m., Oct. 11. Hamby is …
Rosati's Pizza is opening its new location Queen Creek on Oct. 17.
Business

Rosati’s Pizza coming to Queen Creek

Rosati’s Pizza is opening its new Queen Creek location this week. The eatery’s grand opening celebration runs from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17 at 25166 S. Ellsworth Road, Suite B101. …
Gilbert was the highest-ranking Arizona city in a new report listing the nation's safest cities for new homeowners. (Facebook)
DATA DRIVEN

Arizona cities named among nation’s safest for new homeowners

For people shopping for a home in Arizona, safety is often part of the calculation before the moving truck ever arrives.

Read more

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!

Facebook
ENTERTAINMENT & THINGS TO DO
Residents can learn what's new and what's coming at the town's annual free pancake breakfast on Nov. 7.

Town hosts Pancake Breakfast

Hosted by the Queen Creek Town Council, this free Pancake Breakfast provides an opportunity for residents to meet council members,  staff and learn more about what's happening in the town. …
The Teen Fall Fest takes place on Saturday and Frontier Family Park.

Fun and chills at Queen Creek’s Teen Fall Fest

Teens can celebrate the fall season and Halloween at this weekend’s Teen Fall Fest. This new, free, teens-only event is sponsored by the Mayor’s Teen Advisory Committee. It is aimed at …
The Pumpkin & Chili Party will offer three new rides and two additional classic rides.

Queen Creek’s Schnepf Farms adding new attractions to Pumpkin & Chili Party

For this year’s Pumpkin & Chili Party, Schnepf Farms is adding three new rides, two classic amusement rides and improvements throughout the festival. “Our family has continued to grow, change …
The Queen Creek Recreation & Aquatic Center will be hosting three Halloween events in October.

Find spooky fun in Queen Creek

Families can enjoy spooky fun with the town of Queen Creek this Halloween. The Queen Creek Recreation & Aquatic Center, 22343 E. Ryan Road, hosts three family-oriented events just before the …
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa announces the resort debut of ice! featuring Elf, a Christmas attraction that will anchor the resort’s lineup of Christmas activities running Nov. 18-Jan. 3, 2027.

Jingle at JW Desert Ridge announces debut of ice! featuring Elf

A frozen world is coming to the desert this holiday season. JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa announces the resort debut of ice! featuring Elf. The signature frozen Christmas …

Read more

Calendar of events
Thank You For Supporting Local Journalism