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.

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.

Arizonans who have to seek protection from creditors in bankruptcy court soon will be able to hang on to more of what they own.

The city of Phoenix is celebrating Valley Bike Month throughout April with a variety of activities intended to get residents out on their bikes to share in the experience of cycling throughout the city. In partnership with Valley Metro, the city is encouraging seasoned cyclists and those new to biking to give it a try at one of these events:

During a recent home remodel, Diane Wright decided the stairway leading to her garage needed some perking up.

Does your outfit blend into the woodwork?

It’s hard to outgrow that wind-in-your-face freedom that bike riding brings. This weekend’s Great Arizona Bicycle Festival in downtown Mesa seeks to re-capture some of that childlike fun with two days of bike-centric activities along with food, games, and live music.

Lane Change is practicing a new song for its set list, Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me.” The manager is coaching the vocalists on the harmonies: “This note needs to be higher.” “This part is too early.” “Let’s start from this part.” Then they start at the recognizable chorus.

Bicyclists will have a chance to speak directly to city staff and offer suggestions for improving biking in Phoenix during the District 6 Bike Summit on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pecos Park Community Center, 17010 S. 48th St., Room 3.

Service clubs in Ahwatukee Foothills are busy year-round working on projects to help kids and families in the community but one project, honoring first responders, was big enough to bring all of them together.

Something needs to be done about the bicyclists on Pecos Road. They are creating hazardous situations for themselves and drivers. Recently, I was heading west on Pecos as I normally do. This time there was a van in the right-hand lane and I was in the left-hand lane. The van slowed down and made a right on to 17th Street. Just then, a bicyclist darted across Pecos Road, I swerved to avoid him, coming within 3 feet and doing 50 mph. Thank goodness there were clouds this evening because the sun is normally in my eyes at this time. Sometimes these folks are in packs of 15 to 20 bikes. And not staying on the shoulder in the bike lane, but riding in the car lane.

The head of the House Judiciary Committee wants to update Arizona's dated and sometimes anachronistic bankruptcy laws.

Around 25 years ago, I was racing bicycles in Southern California. It was mostly local club races and I enjoyed training rides with teammates. We began hearing stories of a talented junior (under 18) in Texas. He had gifts, but tended to be so relentlessly competitive that he wanted to lead a race from start to finish, which often is not the best strategy. That young Texan turned out to be Lance Armstrong.

My view of president Obama’s vision and leadership abilities have continued to decline as his time in office has increased. Here is a man who has had an historic opportunity … nearly of Mount Rushmore proportions … to lead the country to a better place, yet his second inaugural speech confirmed his parochial vision and the likelihood that his legacy will be one of great orator and adept politician … and not that much more.

When a soccer team is more technically sound than their physical opponent a tone has to be set in the early going to let it be known there will be no intimidation factor.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is working on finalizing an update to its Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, which was first established in 2003.

Curbside Cyclery

A quick Google search yields no fewer than six bicycle rental shops with addresses in Phoenix, expanding the search to include neighboring cities brings the total to a couple dozen shops.

United Blood Services has announced an urgent need for donors with O-, A-, B-, AB- and O+ blood types.