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Willow Canyon volleyball seniors Shia Chancellor, left, and Emory Scogin smile outside the Ironwood High School gym in Glendale Oct. 21. The Wildcats played the Eagles that night.

WEST VALLEY PREPS

Volleyball duo leads program revival in Surprise

The city’s busiest fire station, Fire Station 305 will resume free blood pressure checks, community visits and station tours in the renovated facility.

public safety

Surprise Fire-Medical crews resume services at Fire Station 305

William Coniam, Dawn Densmore and Lisa Everett are vying for two spots on the Dysart Unified School District Governing Board. Densmore has been in the position since 2018, while the other two are seeking their first terms on the school board.

education

Be informed on Dysart Schools’ bond and board candidates on Nov. 3 ballot

America 250

Surprise storytelling event to extend 250th celebration into November

The three annexations currently in various stages of completion that would add to the city of Glendale. The 160-acre parcel containing Project Eagle and Project Baccara is colored red on the map. The Glendale City Council will vote on the annexation.

GOVERNMENT

Glendale council will vote on annexation of Project Eagle, Project Baccara

Your new internet and mobile provider Spectrum says ‘hi!’

Spectrum is now the Internet, Mobile, and TV provider for former Cox customers in the Valley. “We’re now part of your community in all of the Phoenix metro area, and we couldn’t be more …

health

Sun Health staff ride with Surprise Fire-Medical Station 302 for heart health

Nearly two dozen people participated from the local Surprise Fire-Medical Station 302 and Sun Health personnel for a ride-along to support the American Heart Association’s inaugural West Valley Torch Journey.

NEIGHBORS

West Valley songwriting contest crowns 3 winners

Winners have emerged in the West Valley Country Music Association’s 9th Annual Songwriters Contest.

COMMUNITY

Shepherd of the Hills makes 200 kindness kits

Members of the Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church helped to pack 200 kindness kits to support Circle the City.

government

Surprise mayor, council hear about Rinchem, ICE Detention facility concerns

A presentation and discussion on possible hazards in the community blew up about the Rinchem chemical storage facility and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement warehouse, after a presentation to the Surprise City Council.

BUSINESS

Soft opening for Smoothie King in Surprise

Smoothie King held a soft opening Oct. 4 at 15557 W. Bell Road, Suite 403, and is now open ahead of its official public grand opening Saturday, Nov. 14. Co-owners Dawn and Dennis Grzebien …

MISSING

Search continues for missing teen last seen in Surprise

It has been more than five months since 16-year-old Marisa Lara went missing, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is asking for the public’s help to locate the teen. …

COMMUNITY

Surprise Police Department recognizes officers

Eight Surprise police officers crossed the finish line at the West Valley Law Enforcement Training Academy. Their journey started long before the academy, with many participating in programs like …

COMMUNITY

Church celebrates Catholic daughters

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court #2278 Our Lady of Lourdes celebrated the group Oct. 18.

Countryside Recreation Center is transforming into a festive destination for this year’s city of Surprise Monster Bash event.

Things To Do

Monster Bash returns to scare Surprise this weekend

Countryside Recreation Center is transforming into a festive destination for this year’s city of Surprise Monster Bash event.

Founder’s Day Committee members Carla Maggio, Marcy Girard, Eileen Nelson, Barbara Krehl McKendall and Peggy Robbins.

CLUBS

Surprise PEO chapter slates annual luncheon

The Reciprocity Committee of the Sun City West/Surprise PEO chapter will host the annual Founder’s Day luncheon Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027, at The Colonnade 19116 N. Colonnade Way, Surprise. A …

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OPINIONS WITH CIVILITY

Reader ponders north Peoria roadway projects

OPINION — The El Mirage Road extension north from Loop 303 to Jomax Road has been a top priority to ease traffic congestion in north Peoria. Certainly, the Happy Valley Parkway and Vistancia Boulevard intersection is in need of change to accommodate rush-hour traffic.

Arizona’s fentanyl overdose statistics are alarming; free Narcan training can help

OPINION — While deaths from drug overdoses across the United States declined during each of the last three years, they have surged in Arizona. From September 2024 to September 2025, our state recorded a 17% increase in overdose deaths — twice the national average — according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What a coyote might say to its neighbors

OPINION — If a coyote could have a cordial conversation with its neighbors in The Grand, I imagine that this is what it might say: My name is Wyly, and I would like you to know that I have as much right to be here as any of you, perhaps more.

Prospective students entering high school in the 2027-2028 academic year, and their parents, are invited to the Future Freshman Week, Nov. 16-19, at the Dysart Unified School District high school campuses on designated nights.

education

Dysart to host Future Freshman Week Nov. 16-19

Dysart students and their families can explore the district’s four high schools during Future Freshman Week, Nov. 16-19.

DATA DRIVEN

Phoenix among best markets for small business expansion

Phoenix is one of the nation’s stronger markets for small-business expansion, but Tucson is facing a more challenging economic outlook, according to a new study comparing 56 major U.S. metropolitan areas.

BANNER HEALTH

Volunteers log more than 31,000 hours at Banner Del E. Webb, Boswell

Banner Health Boswell and Del E. Webb Medical Center officials are focused on serving the community utilizing everyone who steps inside.

From left, Bernard Ott, Donna Rice and Omar Lopez are among the staff members ready to provide help at the Surprise Community & Resource Center, the new building that opened in September.

NEIGHBORS

New Surprise resource center welcomes Corte Bella residents

A new community gathering place about 15 minutes from Corte Bella is welcoming its neighbors from beyond Surprise. The Surprise Community & Resource Center, which opened in September at …

COMMUNITY

Dinner, show at Desert Garden United Church of Christ

The Sun Seekers dinner and entertainment is coming up. The event is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Desert Garden United Church of Christ, 18818 N. 128th Ave.