News from December 2017


CORRECTION: Developers aim to attract students to renovated apartments near Grand Canyon University

Calib​er and it subsidiaries have embarked on a renovation project that will transform a nearly 45-year-old off-campus apartment community near Grand Canyon University into a gated community with resort-style amenities.

SPARK Game Jam brings students together for coding competition

Junior high and high school students from throughout the state recently gathered to share their interests and knowledge of the tech world for the SPARK Game Jam coding competition.

ADOT receives $389,520 grant for Crash Records Unit

The Arizona Department of Transportation has received a $389,520 grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to support the department’s Crash Records Unit and its Traffic and Criminal Software data management.

Smith to manage Pinal County's Regional Transportation Plan

The Pinal County Regional Transportation Authority has appointed public works principal planner Andy Smith to lead the county’s recent voter-approved Regional Transportation Plan.

ADOT installs 'wrong way' signs along Interstate 17 stretch

Drivers traveling along Interstate 17 between the Interstate 10 “stack” interchange and Loop 101 will see new “wrong way” signs that were recently installed by the Arizona Department of Transportation as part of the state’s pilot alert system.

Square One founder, chef receive culinary honors

Scottsdale-based hospitality management company Square One Concepts has had two employees earn top recognition from the culinary industry.

Avondale to replace street lights with energy-efficient LEDs

The Avondale City Council recently approved an energy-savings agreement to replace 8,002 of the city’s street lights with LEDs, a project the city says will save taxpayers over $2.14 million over the next 20 years.

Pima County supervisors approve allocation for memorial

The Pima County Board of Supervisors has approved a $25,000 appropriation for a living memorial to be built in the Oro Valley.

Cochise County participates in public emergency response exercise

Cochise County representatives recently joined several other local, state and federal agencies during a public health emergency response exercise with a mock scenario of a measles outbreak.

Avondale city employees top $100,000 in United Way campaign

City of Avondale employees have pledged $104,436 to the Valley of the Sun United Way, with nearly 70 percent employee participation in this year’s campaign earning the top spot as a giving municipality.

Veterans center opens near Luke Air Force Base

A new military and veterans success center has opened near Luke Air Force Base as part of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation’s Veteran Success Project, a program that establishes centers to help some of the estimated 532,000 veterans living in Arizona.

Scottsdale recognized with national honor for economic standing

Having received exemplary ratings on its economy from its residents, the city of Scottsdale has been named winner of the 2017 Voice of The People Award.

Greater Phoenix Chamber honors 2017 ATHENA award recipients

The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has recognized its 2017 ATHENA award recipients, marking the 30th year for the awards that honor women who serve as pioneer leaders in the community.

Coconino County confirms Hantavirus case

The Coconino County Public Health Services District has confirmed this year’s first case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome coming from a traveler to the county from outside the state.

Cochise County tower to enhance NPR broadcasts, emergency communications

Cochise County has entered into a partnership with Arizona Public Media to share the cost of constructing a new communications tower that will bring the National Public Radio (NPR) broadcast to the area as well as improve emergency communications.

Executive order to expand job opportunities for Arizonans with disabilities

Gov. Doug Ducey has signed an executive order that requires state agencies to expand job opportunities for the estimated 418,000 Arizonans with disabilities.

Volunteers sought for tax preparation training

The City of Surprise is looking for volunteers to be trained in tax preparation and become part of its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

Cochise County receives federal grant to curb substance abuse

Cochise County has received a $100,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its health and social staff to address substance abuse issues across the region.

Pima County agencies participate in crime scene preservation training

Over 60 agencies from throughout Pima County recently joined other local, state and federal emergency response agencies for a special training session on crime scene preservation and safety techniques.

Library launches holiday drive to help Pima County's homeless pets

The Pima County Public Library has launched a collection drive for donations to help the Pima Animal Care Center (PACC), which cares for nearly 20,000 pets each year.