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Surprise's own daily newspaper

Upcoming city meetings in Surprise

Here are upcoming public meetings held in Surprise.

THOMPSON RANCH

El Mirage PD: School lockdown 'worked to a T' despite tasing, arrest of parents

Police arrested three parents, shocking two of them with stun guns, as they tried to force their way into a school that police locked down Friday after an armed man was seen trying to get on …

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Infill housing starts vertical march in West Valley

Residential infill development in the West Valley is tilting from single-family communities toward more vertical apartment- or condo-style dwellings. The speed of the changeover in three suburbs west of Phoenix depends on the degree new housing units are truly “infill”

Subscriber Exclusive

A look back at this week in Surprise history

Here is a look at Surprise history through the years on this week, compiled from archives of Independent Newsmedia, Newspapers.com and the city of Surprise historical records.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Group opposing Dominium plan will pack Surprise council meeting

The Voice of Surprise group in opposition of the Dominium Inc. Truman Ranch Marketplace plans to show up in force Aug. 16 when the Surprise City Council decides on the affordable housing …

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

West Valley shelter aims to raise funds with pet fashion show

People who adore pets have a chance to share the spotlight.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Grim thanks Surprise voters after primary election

Businessman Raymond Grim released the following statement regarding the Surprise City Council election results.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Haney thanks Surprise voters for his win

Firefighter paramedic Nick Haney released the following statement regarding the Surprise City Council election results.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Haney wraps up District 1 win for Surprise City Council

Surprise voters have elected Nick Haney to serve on the Surprise City Council in the northern District 1.

transportation

VIDEO: Deer Valley Road connection completed

Northwest Valley residents joined Maricopa County and city of Peoria officials to celebrate the opening of the new Deer Valley Road Bridge in the Northwest Valley, Aug. 6.

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SURPRISE SCHOOLS & COMMERCE NEWS

Education

First responders collaborate with Dysart district

School is back in session and the student and staff safety is a priority.Dysart Unified School District communications director Renee Ryon said school safety is embedded in everything district …

Dysart's Grieshaber earns state CTE leadership honor

Jim Grieshaber, director of career and technical education at Dysart Schools, was named the CTE Administrator of the Year by the Association for Career and Technical Education of Arizona.

West-MEC resumes CTE programs in Surprise, Glendale

West-MEC, a career and technical education public school district in the West Valley, begin most programs Aug. 3, after a two-month long summer break. Culinary, EMT and fire science programs start …

Dysart wants to hear from community on superintendent search

The first day of school is complete for the Dysart Unified School District. There were 22,901 students filling the seats through the district Aug. 3. Enrollment numbers typically fluctuate …

Peoria nonprofit sends kudos to back-to-school donors

Volunteers of Peoria-based Hart Pantry packed 350 backpacks for at-risk high school students in their programs at Peoria, Dysart and Glendale school districts.

Surprise Police step up enforcement with school returning

With school returning in Surprise, the city's Police Department is sharing some back-to-school safety tips for drivers and for students.

Business

Permits

Several projects active in Surprise

Here are active projects under review with the Surprise City Council with hearing dates listed.

Auctions

More Surprise city items up for auction

The city of Surprise has some surplus equipment up for acution at PublicSurplus.com.

GROWTH

Surprise development meeting set for zoning change

A development project neighborhood meeting has been called for a possible zone change to allow a multi-family residential project at the southwest corner of Mountain View Boulevard and White Horse Trail.

Things To Do

Surprise to host blood drive with Vitalant

The city of Surprise is partnering with Vitalant Blood Donation to host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6 at City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza.

Permits

Hundreds of permits issued in Surprise in June

Here are permits the city of Surprise issued for construction in June.

Awards

Westmarc seeking nominations for Best of the West

Westmarc, the West Valley's economic development and government group, is again looking to recognize the region's best projects and is seeking nominations for the 30th annual Best of the West Awards.

Auctions

More Surprise city items up for auction

The city of Surprise has some surplus equipment up for acution at PublicSurplus.com.

SPORTS & RECREATION

2022 Preps football preview: Dysart High

While much of the West Valley has been more recently established with continuous population influx, small pockets of the region saw their roots planted many years ago.

2022 Preps football preview: Highland Prep

Technically, 2022 is Highland Prep’s second season of AIA football. In reality, the young program from the charter school in Surprise hit the reset button. The Honey Badgers have a full 10-game schedule and play in a region for the first time. A new coach will lead a largely new roster onto the field.

2022 Preps football preview: Paradise Honors

Paradise Honors football enters the 2022 season well aware of what it has, and what is has to prove. Much like last season, the Panthers are overflowing with talent in space — a quarterback …

Surprise, Michael Phelps Foundation conclude swim lessons

The city of Surprise Parks and Recreation Department and the Michael Phelps Foundation teamed up this summer to teach children ages 6-12 about water safety, conduct swim lessons and teach overall life skills

Youth sports try to find officials for hostile environments

The dilemma stares back at Paul Frie, Brian Gessner and anyone charged with finding officials for youth sports leagues. Retailing and recruiting referees has never been more difficult and the …