Community

We are a family. Granted, quite the dysfunctional one at this point, but a family nonetheless.

On Aug. 1 the Pinal County Board of Supervisors approved the Five-Year Transportation Plan for the Half-Cent Transportation Excise Tax (FY 2007-2012).

Here's what's coming up this week. Maricopa children go back to school on Monday, so drive carefully and watch out for them as they head back to their classrooms.

The month of August is starting with a bang: not only is school back in session (parents are happy while many children are not sure!), but there are several other events that are also worthy of mention.

Building upon hundreds of ideas created by residents, a series of Visioning Workshops are being planned to discuss, prioritize and craft a Pinal County Vision Statement.

"I have a pool fence around my pool; I'm safe." "It can't happen to me; I watch my kids." These phrases are signs of complacency, and everyone needs reminding that safety is an evolving mentality that must change and that everyone must constantly adjust to their surroundings.

State and local police generally have stayed out of immigration enforcement, which is considered federal jurisdiction, in the past. Now, however, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office is training its deputies to make immigration arrests and speed up deportations.

The City of Maricopa is looking for community input in regards to the executive search for a new City Manager.

When the Maricopa City Council meets tonight at the Global Water facility at 7 p.m. with a work session at 6 p.m., approvals for police vehicles and equipment will be on the table.

Councilman Joseph Estes responds to recent conflict of interest allegations and submission of a recall petition.

Two familiar faces in Maricopa and Pinal County have been selected for the Dodie Londen Excellence in Public Service Series, class of 2008.

Maricopa's Teen Focus Group, sponsored by the city's Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department, was in front of Fry's Marketplace Saturday morning collecting school supplies for needy children.

Here's what's coming up this week. You are invited to attend some of these local, scheduled events:

Maricopa weekend happenings from the Maricopa Chamber

It's been quite a summer, huh? There's a lot going on in the city and lots of attention on your City Council and staff. You joked last week that 85239 was keeping you guys busy; rest assured, your folks are keeping us hopping as well.

Learning and practicing water safety is as easy as A, B, C... Adult Supervision, Barriers, Classes.

As the county continues to grow, methods of patrol need to evolve to increase the effectiveness and diversity that higher populations demand.

Chaplain Chris Ward is asking Maricopans for their help in providing for a family in crisis. According to Ward, these are the circumstances:

Not so long ago the biggest problem kids faced was getting a flat tire on their bikes or having a mean teacher assign homework...

With the arrival of the monsoon rains, Pinal County's Air Quality Division will resume issuing burn permits beginning Wednesday, Aug. 1.

The Teen Focus Group, sponsored by the city's Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department, is asking Maricopans to "Stuff a Pack and High Tail it to Our Trailer" on Saturday, Aug. 4, to help local families in need.

Maricopans, here's what's coming up this week. Take advantage of some exciting and varied activities in your city.

Maricopa Boy Scout Troop 993 commemorated the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouting worldwide on Thursday with its first ever Court of Honor.

The reason that there are differing opinions on this topic is usually because everyone has a different reason for either leaving the computer on or turning it off.

Children for the first time will have the chance to be part of KidSplash, the children's ministry of Oasis Life Church's summer Kids Kamp.

The Maricopa High School Football Program, with the help of the Ram cheerleading squad, held a benefit car wash for seven-year-old Maricopa resident Zachary Schumann at Ramsey's American Grill last Saturday.

With August, National Drowning Impact Awareness Month, approaching, I wanted to take this time to bring attention to a national campaign that involves drowning awareness.

How to write a column for inmaricopa.com.

The blood drive held by the Knights of Columbus at Our Lady of Grace on Saturday provided 46 pints of blood to help Valley hospitals.

Twelve kids got an inside look at Fire Station 574 Saturday morning at a fire safety course held by the Maricopa Fire Department and sponsored by the city's Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department.