Keyword: Hometown Hero

Community Entrepreneur: Perry Rea is September’s …

9/19/2023
Perry Rea, his family and his Queen Creek Olive Mill have become a fixture in Queen Creek. Hailing from Ontario and Detroit, Rea started his business in Queen Creek in 2005 “out of a …

Leading with empathy: Snidecore named Peoria Hometown …

9/13/2023
Marine Tad Snidecor was working in the Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma on April 19, 1995 when ex-Army soldier and security guard Timothy McVeigh parked a rented Ryder truck in front it. …

Community Cheerleader: Kelly Crandall is August’s …

8/8/2023
From the first cool days in fall to the eve of the summer heat, the Queen Creek Family Market is open for business. For years, the Queen Creek Family Market has offered residents a place where they …

Educator: Leilani Wilcox is July’s Queen Creek …

7/12/2023
Leilani Wilcox is a special-education specialist for the Chandler Unified School District and supports and coaches special-education teachers across the district. Prior to becoming a specialist, …

Lifetime Achievement: Gary L. Power is June’s Queen …

6/16/2023
Gary L. Power is a third-generation Arizonan who strives to use his faith to make his hometown of Queen Creek a positive place for everyone. He hails from a ranching family, and as a small …

VIDEO: Peoria family fights for children with …

6/2/2023
Reagan Norris was born May 2, 2019 and diagnosed with a cleft lip and a critical Congenital Heart Defect known as right-dominant Unbalanced Atrioventricular Canal defect.

VIDEO: Peoria-based Hope Effect bringing foster care …

5/15/2023
It’s not uncommon to hear the echoes of an overburdened foster care system in the United States. But some might not know that many developing countries do not even offer a foster care option at all, mired in a system of institutional orphanages that often cause more harm than help.

Trailblazer: Mark Leonard is May’s Queen Creek …

5/11/2023

Mark Leonard has only lived in Queen Creek for almost six years but he already has embedded himself into the life of the community.

He and his wife, Becky,  …

Spiritual Leader: Mark Ward is April's Hometown Hero

4/19/2023
After a long career in the pharmaceutical insurance business, Mark Ward heeded a call and is now pastor of the Chandler Heights Community Church. The Queen Creek resident relocated from California …

Peoria Heroes honored for exemplary work in the …

2/22/2023
The second annual Peoria Hometown Heroes luncheon took center stage, Feb. 21, as 12 individuals who either work or live in the city were honored for their service to the community.

Honoring the Peoria Hometown Heroes

2/20/2023
An amazing group of community stand-outs are scheduled to be honored in February.

VIDEO: Farming the future of Peoria

2/16/2023
The centerpiece of the Peoria city logo is farmland in lines flanked by a Saguaro Cactus and the sun, with rays in lines extending the farmland into the sky.

Support your Peoria Hometown Heroes with a sponsorship …

2/6/2023
Here is a great opportunity to make a difference and support those who give back to your Peoria community.

VIDEO: Palmer drops historical knowledge

2/4/2023
Norman Palmer weaves a yarn.

Get to know Peoria veteran Norman Palmer

2/3/2023
For his work in the Peoria and beyond, Norman Palmer has been named the 2022 Peoria Independent Hometown Hero in the Veteran category.

VIDEO: Spreading the modern language of code

1/16/2023
Nick Suwyn has been spreading the good word from Peoria for a while now.

Get to know Peoria-based Promineo Tech founder Nick …

1/16/2023
For his work in the Peoria and surrounding communities, Nick Suwyn has been named the 2022 Peoria Independent Hometown Hero in the Entrepreneur category.

Coaching: David Leavitt is January’s Hometown Hero

1/16/2023
David Leavitt is the athletic director at Heritage Academy Gateway, but a student doesn’t have to be in sports to get on his radar. Leavitt sees and knows students as individuals, whether they …

VIDEO: Bringing today’s youth in-step with …

1/9/2023
Mike Chavez first met Joe Eriquez at the age of 13 when his mom was in prison and his father was not in his life.

Get to know Heart For The City founder Joe Eriquez

1/9/2023
For his work in the Peoria and surrounding communities, Joe Eriquez has been named the 2022 Peoria Independent Hometown Hero in the Spiritual category.

VIDEO: Building self-confidence in Peoria students

12/26/2022
When David Hill started teaching at Peoria High 40 years ago, the only high schools serving the city were his and Cactus High.

Get to know Peoria educator David 'Skinny' Hill

12/26/2022
For his work in the Peoria community, David "Skinny" Hill has been named the 2022 Peoria Independent Hometown Hero in the Educator category.

A year later, Peoria family of deceased son waits for …

12/20/2022
It has been about a year since the Brandon Act was signed into law — giving military personnel the option to anonymously request mental health help, a key that many say could be the difference between life and death.