Dear Mikey: I just turned 25 years old and I got myself in a situation where I had to file bankruptcy a week before my birthday. This is not at all where I expected myself to be when I turned 25. I thought I would have my career launched already (just got laid off), have my bachelor’s degree by now (still have 21 more credits to go), be married by now (girlfriend and I just broke up a month ago), having kids (not even close), and a house (can barely afford the rent in my apartment).

Affectionately playing with their Miniature Dachshunds, Joey, Lisa Stapp and her son, Billy, praised the family pet after he rolled over on command.

Humorist Dave Barry has said, “the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. The wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.”

Editor’s Note: Phoenix police remind all residents to leave nothing in your car when it is parked outside. If something must be left in the car make sure it is in the trunk or out of sight. Never leave your car doors unlocked even while leaving the car momentarily. Police have seen a string of these quick crimes of opportunity and say they are preventable.

Some GOP lawmakers are threatening to torpedo the budget being pushed by their own leaders if $400 million in planned spending is not cut across the board.

Construction is under way at the new Lennar Homes subdivision near Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee Foothills and because of a significant amount of interest, the company is allowing people to purchase homes before the models are even built.

Ziggy is one of the most polite and happy boys you will ever meet. Unfortunately, he has not had the best start to life, it appears that this precious little boy has been injured (probably hit by a car) and was never given the proper care. Ziggy has only one eye that he can see out of and his little legs are out of whack, but fortunately he is in no pain. Just kinda walks funny. But you would never know it by the way Ziggy moves and shakes. He runs with the rest of the pack in his foster home and has no problem making his way around the house and backyard. His true joy in life is snuggling with his human or other canines in his foster family. He is always wagging his little stub of a tail and has a smile that is contagious and never leaves his face. Ziggy has been the prefect house guest in his foster home and has quickly become a favorite to all that meet him. He is so calm and easy going that he will fit into any home that promises to give him the love and affection that he so deserves. His perfect home would be one with someone around most of the time and another canine friend or two. Your days will be filled with joy and smiles with Ziggy by your side.


• On May 19 at 8 a.m. police took a report of a stolen license plate near the 4400 block of East Agave. Between 6 p.m. May 18 and 6 a.m. May 19 a license plate was stolen from 2010 Toyota Corolla.

• On May 19 at 12:46 p.m. police took a report of a natural death near the 3200 block of East Chandler Boulevard. Officers received a call from an out-of-town relative who said they hadn’t heard from their relative living in Ahwatukee. Officers made entry into the apartment and found the 55-year-old resident deceased. All indications are it was a natural death.

• On May 19 at 12:40 a.m. near the 4700 block of East Warner Road police recovered a vehicle taken from another jurisdiction. A 1994 Honda Accord was recovered in parking lot.

• On May 19 at 4 a.m. police took a report of an aggravated assault near the 1400 block of East Chandler Boulevard. A juvenile male had an BB-gun pistol and pointed it at other juveniles who thought it was a real gun. Police were called and he was arrested.

• On May 19 at approximately 4 a.m. police responded an armed robbery near the 4400 block of East Ray Road. Unknown suspects pointed a hand gun at a victim and demanded money. The robber received an unknown amount of cash and fled on foot.

• On May 20 at 9:10 p.m. police took a report of an aggravated assault near the 15400 block of South 24th Street. The victim claimed someone had attempted to run over them on sidewalk while they were walking on East Mountain Sky Boulevard. The victim and suspect knew each other.

7. On May 21 at 3:20 a.m. police took a report of a domestic violence incident near the 12800 block of South 46th Street. The suspect, who was known but fled prior to police arrival, broke vehicle windows and committed assault by punching their brother.

• On May 22 at 6 a.m. police arrested a man near the 11000 block of South 51st Street. An adult male was arrested for domestic violence criminal damage and outstanding warrants.


Editor’s note: This is part two of a continuing summer series on the proposed South Mountain Loop 202 Freeway.

She: "Baby, you are gonna miss that plane."

• On Tuesday, May 14 around 12:30 p.m. police arrested a man near the 4400 block of East Elliot Road. The adult male was stopped at a traffic stop. Police discovered he had an outstanding warrant. He was arrested.

The quote taken out of context is a bit condescending, but at the same time defines Ian Moses.

After years in the doldrums, the housing market appears back on track. Home sales and prices are up, and mortgage rates remain near historic lows, reinvigorating the appeal of homeownership.

Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1. On May 9 police took a report of criminal damage in the 13600 block of south 44th Street. The victim told police he had a 2001 two-door Honda that his son usually drives parked on the street overnight. When his son went to go to work in the morning he noticed a scratch down the side of the car.

The end of the school year is upon us and now the inevitable question is: “What are we going to do ALL summer long?” or the infamous: “I’m bored,” yes it is summer break! Parents are frantically searching for camps, activities, play dates, swimming lessons, movie days, etc. to fill their kid’s days to avoid the “I’m bored” trap.

Q: My son’s laptop was stolen from his college dorm during a party and he had the Find My Mac system setup on it, so he was able to track it to an apartment complex nearby. The problem is that the police said that they need more information to go on as they can’t just start knocking on all the apartment doors. What else can we do? — B

1. On April 29 at 8:52 a.m. police responded to a residential burglary in the 4200 block of East South Fork Drive. Between Sunday and Monday morning the victim had his or her vehicle parked in the driveway. Entry was made into the 2007 Hummer and sunglasses and a garage door opener were taken. There were no signs of forced entry.

They aren't close to going home.

The scenes were about 20 miles and three hours apart on Thursday, but nonetheless felt much the same.

With the onslaught of Oscar contenders that debuted last November, there’s a good chance that a little-seen indie gem, “Starlet,” managed to fall off your radar during its short, theatrical run. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2011 SXSW film festival, “Starlet” explores the unlikely friendship between a cheerful, aspiring actress (played by the winsome Dree Hemingway) and a cantankerous, elderly widow (the late Besedka Johnson).

Ahwatukee resident Michael Feyrer subscribes to the philosophy that his life is like a pair of shoes — to be worn out in service.

Now that the Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) for the proposed South Mountain Loop 202 Freeway expansion has been released, local environmentalists are planning to use the 90-day comment period to tear it apart.

1. On April 22 around 8:30 p.m. police responded to a call of graffiti at a park in the 13200 block of South 48th Street. Unknown suspects, two adult males between the ages of 20 and 25, were seen spraying paint in the park. An officer located the pavilion and found a can of black spray paint, which was impounded for evidence and DNA analysis.

"Had I known about the crime problems around Arizona State University I would have never let Kyleigh move to Tempe.” Those are the words of Karen Montenegro, the mother of murdered ASU student Kyleigh Sousa.