Local News

To recognize local veterans, there will be a lot of dining deals and patriotic events going on this Veterans Day week. Here's a roundup of what we've found to honor our veterans.

Two-thirds of all Valley fever cases in the nation are reported in Arizona and the number of cases in the state has been noticeably increasing since 2016. In 2022, more than 9,500 Arizonans contracted Valley fever and 75 died from the disease. The late fall and winter months, specifically from November to January, have historically had a higher number of cases.

During the month of November, As You Wish Pottery is inviting the community to paint with purpose at any of its seven Valley locations, including the new one in Queen Creek, at 25166 S. Ellsworth Road, Suite A-105. Donations will be made to United Food Bank, and every dollar donated helps provide five meals to hungry people in the community.

Early voting results are showing that the Queen Creek Unified School District bond issue is failing for a third time with voters, with only 40% approving the $98 million school bond issue and 60% voting against it. In addition, the local school district's budget override continuation is also failing, with 44% voting yes and 56% voting no.

To recognize veterans, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors issued a formal proclamation in 2005, resolving that each Veterans Day from that point forward would be observed as Military Service Appreciation Day at all Maricopa County regional parks. As a result, the $7 per vehicle day-use entry fee will be waived for all active and inactive military personnel on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Residents are invited to show off their creativity and appreciation for local veterans by painting rocks with supportive messages on them. All rocks can be dropped off at San Tan Memorial Gardens in Queen Creek in the red, white and blue buckets near the office. Rocks can also be given directly to a veteran during the Veterans Day event at San Tan Memorial Gardens on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 9 a.m.

At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8 Janine Hernbrode, a retired science administrator and curriculum writer, will present "Petroglyph Patterns and Bell Rocks at Ancestral O'odham Sites." Hernbrode has spent 16 years recording rock art within 30 miles of Tucson, primarily among the sacred sites of the Ancestral O’odham people.

On Saturday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the local car community will come together as one to raise $8,000 in donations that will help support the mission of United Food Bank, based in Mesa. The event will be at United Food Bank’s volunteer center, at 358 E. Javelina Ave. 

Both Mesa Community College campus Empty Bowls events are set for Nov. 8 and Nov. 15. For a $10 donation, patrons receive a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted ceramic bowl along with a meal of soup and bread. There will also be a silent auction featuring ceramics by some of the Valley’s most talented artists.

As the Preston Lord GoFundMe account nears $95,000, his funeral services have been announced for Nov. 10-11. The Combs High School junior died Oct. 30 from "a severe brain injury" after being assaulted Oct. 28 outside of a Halloween house party near 194th Street and East Via Del Rancho Road in Queen Creek.