Community

A non-injury accident just before 8 a.m. this morning backed up southbound traffic on John Wayne Parkway.

Thanksgiving preparations are in full swing in many Maricopa homes. Thursday will be a day to eat, eat some more and remember all the things Maricopa residents have to be thankful for.

As of late there have been a number of articles written about myself and the company for which I serve as general counsel. Although, these slanderous articles do not bother me anymore, I'd like to set the record straight since that will never happen in certain publications.

They put their lives on the line every day - some paying the ultimate price - so that the places we live, work and play are safer for all. A monument paying tribute to law enforcement officers from agencies within Pinal County, who died in the line of duty, will be unveiled at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, in front of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office in Florence.

At a recent Parks, Recreation and Libraries special advisory committee meeting, J2 Engineering, the firm hired by the city to develop a parks and open space master plan, revealed the results of a survey soliciting the top recreational priorities from residents.

A plethora of local businesses closed up shop in Maricopa this year including Fashions by Cexi, Trax Cafe, Ramsey's American Grill, Gifts, Games & Gadgets, Wireless Central, Maricopa Home Loans, Austin's Gifts, Fidelity National Title, First American Title and two Century 21 offices. I think everyone agrees that such a fate is not only devastating for business owners, it's also a bad omen for our city.

Spending months or years in a combat situation is unimaginable to most Americans, but the soldiers who risk their lives to protect the United States often return home needing help once they return to civilian life.

Pinal County's Library District has added a new online investing research tool, Morningstar Library Edition, to its online reference collection.

Saturday's Province Arts and Crafts Fair featured something for anyone and everyone.

Underage alcohol consumption is currently the number one substance abuse problem facing Arizona youth.

The annual Province Arts and Crafts Fair, the second round of the school district's elementary Academic Bowl and Maricopa's celebration of its heritage, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, are all scheduled for Maricopa this week.

Are you looking for the perfect opportunity to clean out the garage, backyard or just get rid of some unwanted items?

I'd like to spend this month's column talking about another November holiday that doesn't generate nearly enough attention even though the special day I'm thinking of honors all those Americans who have provided us with the freedom to enjoy all of these other holidays.

Maricopa's history is rich and varied, beginning in 1857 with the first transcontinental mail line from San Antonio to San Diego and the 1879 railroad junction era up to its incorporation as Arizona's 88th city. What better way to learn about that history than from the people who lived it?

A City Council meeting, the middle school band concert and the second annual Province Arts and Crafts Fair are all scheduled for Maricopa this week.

The holidays are just around the corner, and the City of Maricopa is looking for 15 vendors to participate in the 1st Annual Holidays of the World event.

The leaders of Calvary Chapel Maricopa knew the end was near - they just didn't realize how near.

Pinal County Board of Supervisors Chairman David Snider will be holding his monthly Maricopa office hours on Tuesday, November 6.

Leadership is difficult to describe. It is said to be the ability to influence others, but most people today would agree that leadership is much more.

Friends of the Maricopa Community Library met with their neighbors at the Ak-Chin Indian Community Monday to tour the various buildings and enterprises there.

Pinal County Animal Care and Control urges pet owners to spay and neuter all companion animals, especially cats and dogs.

Funeral services will be held for Casa Grande Police Sgt. Tate Lynch on Thursday, Nov. 1, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 1100 E. Trinity Place in Casa Grande.

Witches, goblins and super-heroes will be knocking on doors and ringing doorbells in Maricopa Wednesday. In order to ensure that it is a "happy" Halloween, parents need to prepare children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treating experience.

At the end of last month I had the opportunity at the annual Border Governors Conference to come together with leaders from both the U.S. and Mexico to make important progress on issues where Arizonans demand results.

The Pinal County Public Health Services District will begin providing flu shots to the public on Monday Oct. 22 by appointment only.

A member of the Pinal County SWAT Team was seriously injured yesterday during a training exercise at the Pinal County Detention Center in Florence....

First Baptist Church of Maricopa is sponsoring a Harvest Festival from 6 - 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

The City of Casa Grande Police Department lost one of its finest with the untimely death of Sgt. Tate Lynch.

Very soon City Council will be considering implementing a sign kiosk program. The original intent of the sign kiosk program started more than a year ago and was solely developer focused.

A donation account was set-up today at Wells Fargo bank for Maricopa Police Officer Andrew J. Leach and his family.