Local activists with Free the Children Coalition, consisting of people from at least a dozen activist groups and nonprofits, gathered right outside the Pima County Board of Supervisors’ Aug. 7 meeting to demand the Supervisors deny a $1.2 million federal grant with the Operation Stonegarden …

 In the Republican-leaning Legislative District 11, incumbent Rep. Mark Finchem and City of Maricopa Constable Bret Roberts are running an aligned campaign in the GOP primary for two available House seats. Bridger Kimball, a former Maricopa City Councilman, entered the race but dropped out i…

Three Democrats are vying for two House of Representative seats in Arizona’s Legislative District 11 in the upcoming Aug. 28 primary, with the two Democrats who come out ahead set to face the winners of a GOP primary.

The second-quarter campaign finance reports for this year’s Oro Valley mayor and council election show that Mayor Satish Hiremath and council members Lou Waters, Mary Snider and Joe Hornat have raised more than two-and-a-half times as much money as their challengers.

A number of upset residents blasted the Marana Town Council, last week, about reports of water contamination in parts of town.

Gun legislation in Arizona remains a hot-button issue going into election season. Gov. Doug Ducey’s proposed school safety plan, which was unveiled in March, was a contentious bill since Arizona lawmakers can’t agree whether “school safety” and “gun reform” are synonymous.

We are officially two months into the new fiscal year and we are excited about what’s to come. Just as last year provided the Town with a number of milestones and accomplishments, fiscal year 2019 is already promising to be a great one for exciting projects in our community. By the end of th…

Registration is now open for the Dirt Dash at The Wild Burro races on the Tortolita Trails presented by the Town of Marana. 

Four candidates are battling for the Republican nomination for Martha McSally’s seat in Congress, and they are all new to the campaign trail. One of them could end up representing the residents of Congressional District 2, which covers the eastern half of Tucson, Green Valley, Catalina Footh…

Nearly two centuries ago, astronomers witnessed the explosive death of one of the brightest star in our galaxy—or so they thought.

Although Estes Elementary employs a fleet of seven school buses, they become a primarily walk-in school for one day out of the year: The first day of school. 

At a forum last week, the challengers in this month’s Oro Valley mayoral and council races accused the incumbents of being in the pocket of campaign contributors, while the incumbents accused the challengers of being anti-growth.

In the world of modern banking, it takes a team of talented minds to run a successful credit union. Credit unions, which are non-profit, member-owned banking institutions, have sprung up around the country, with 5,757 nationwide in 2018 serving 103.992 million people, according to data colle…

Environmental conservation has always ranked high as a community value in Oro Valley. Community surveys conducted as part of the last two state-mandated general plan updates positioned public safety and the environment as the two highest priorities. 

Help local veterans in need

What could be better than a day of ziplining? Ziplining during Cowboy Day, of course!

Police officers, firefighters, other emergency first responders and public safety officers will now qualify for a special award from Gov. Doug Ducey’s office— the Arizona Medal of Valor.

On Saturday, August 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Marana Police Department Volunteers, in partnership with the Marana-Foothills Optimist Club and Marana Prevention Alliance, will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous …

The Tucson VA will begin a large roadway and parking lot re-surfacing project that is scheduled to be completed in several phases. The project is expected to be completed in mid-2019. During the re-surfacing project various parking lots and roadways within the Tucson VA will be closed and tr…

Water on Mars 

The Tucson Metro Chamber recently announced the 45 businesses and five business leaders selected as finalists for the Tucson Metro Chamber Copper Cactus Awards. Held this year Friday, Oct. 12 at Casino Del Sol Resort, the annual event celebrates the accomplishments and innovation of Southern…

Around 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, a Pima County Sheriff’s Departments Search and Rescue team located Donald Williams unharmed near the 6300 block of west Orange Grove Road.

If you drive around north Marana, you’ll see clusters of campaign signs promoting Marana Town Council candidates. Some signs are small, with a name and simple slogan. Others are larger, flashier, with a photo. 

Alongside incumbent mayor Satish Hiremath, three other members of Oro Valley’s Town Council are seeking re-election this year.

While Joe Winfield faces off with Satish Hiremath for the fate of Oro Valley’s top spot, three town residents are on a mission to bring a new vision to the dais. Josh Nicolson, Melanie Barrett and Joyce Jones-Ivey are in the midst of their campaigns to unseat the incumbents and believe they …

Last Monday, July 23, construction crews began hacking away at the tile roof of the Oro Valley Police Department’s southern substation. The building, located at 500 W. Magee Road, will receive a $5.3 million expansion extending to the south and the east, along with a brand new second story.

Last week, the Tucson Local Media family spent a few hours on the green whacking golf balls with abandon at Topgolf in Marana. While that alone constitutes a good time, we were there for a good cause: Supporting our local nonprofits.

For the past five years, Pima Federal Credit Union has sponsored a golf tournament to raise money for teachers in the Tucson area. The annual Pima Federal Golf Classic is held in partnership with Tucson Values Teachers, an organization focused on supporting and retaining our K-12 teachers.

The buzz of jackhammers and circular saws is the sound of progress for University of Arizona Athletic Director Dave Heeke. 

Over 200 residents of Pinal County have been hit with power outages after the recent storm. 

Gordon Downs, an undergraduate student from the University of Arizona, is part of a team of international researchers working on the NASA Curiosity rover mission. Downs is the only undergraduate at the UA assigned by the Mars Science Laboratory science team as a collaborator. 

The summer will get a little more enjoyable on Aug. 10 at the Hilton El Conquistador, because dozens of the best local cooks and bartenders are joining forces for one awesome evening. No matter who is awarded as the margarita champion, the real winners are the tasters. 

Oro Valley Police Department is looking for any information regarding arrows that were intentionally shot into saguaro cacti in Naranja Park.

If you’ve been looking to expand your family with a new pet, you’re in luck: Pima Animal Care Center is offering a chance to bring a four-legged friend home sans adoption fee.   

Almost 20 years ago, Tyler Drury attended his father’s graduation ceremony from fire academy. Now a captain with Golder Ranch Fire District, Steve Drury returned the favor—pinning the badge on his son’s chest.

Known for his top-notch tracking, apprehension and drug detection skills, Oro Valley Police Department Officer Emerson is quiet, well-mannered and follows directions well. According to his supervising officer, he also works well with kids, and has a knack for informative group demonstrations.

Though they just rolled into our office in May, it’s nearly time to say goodbye to our current team of interns. By the time you read this, they’ll be off on their final assignments under the Tucson Local Media banner—a sad moment indeed. 

Marana’s newest hospital broke ground earlier this month, and plenty of dignitaries attended the ceremony.