I did it. Even though it might make me the last person in Ahwatukee over the age of 9 to do so, I have a smartphone. It was not a case of desire; the screen on my “vintage” phone was so scratched I couldn’t see it, and it turned out I could get the smartphone and pay $10 less per month. I suspect the kid that sold it to me was like a seedy, back alley pusher — “come on, its even cheaper” — and that a smartphone is gateway technology.

Public awareness, using the city of Phoenix as a model, system reform, coordinated services and partnerships are all part of a plan to make domestic violence a focus for the city of Phoenix.

Recently, I took one of the most refreshing phone calls I’ve received in a while.

As the percentage of alcohol-related driving under the influence offenses continue to decrease in Phoenix, the number of drug-related driving offenses have increased in recent years.

A series of close calls and years of speeding have finally been enough for one Ahwatukee Foothills neighborhood. A group of neighbors living along the eastern portion of Kachina Drive are working together to get speed humps placed on their street.

A car crashing into an Ahwatukee Foothills backyard is the last straw for a neighborhood girl.

A recent article in another local newspaper about a sub-police station being located on a school campus — in housing provided by the school — reminded me of something I have been advocating for the United States since the 1960s: adopting Japan’s Koban system in all urban areas.

Paula Poundstone’s comedy originates mostly from her home life: raising three adopted children on her own while cleaning waste from 16 cats and two dogs.

Tempe police say speed and alcohol appear to be factors in a serious crash that involved a city bus Sunday night.

Want to monitor the Legislature in your pajamas?

Don’t tell anyone, but I am old enough to remember things like cooking before microwaves, and being excited about really, really slow video games. I remember people smoking on planes and a time before the term “designated driver.”

‘Playing for Keeps’

It’s the holiday season and time for the obligatory “pep talk” to get you through without a lot of weight gain. But I just can’t bring myself to bore you with another “holiday tips and tricks” article. Frankly, we all know pie is a lot of calories, getting drunk usually leads to regret, and no one “deserves” cheese balls on tooth picks.

In an age where multi-tasking is ever more being considered essential to our survival, driving and texting is without doubt the most stupid and dangerous, and yet it continues unabated.

Hey mom and dad: Halloween’s not really all that scary — except when it comes to traffic safety.

Maybe we’ll just end up being a third-world country

Maybe we’ll just end up being a third-world country

Salt River Project is expanding a ban on employees using wireless communication devices while driving on company business to improve its safety measures.

LOS ANGELES — The boozy, blustery Scottish people are getting a Hollywood close-up with "Brave," the latest adventure from the animators who brought you "Toy Story," ''Ratatouille," ''Finding Nemo" and "Up."

LOS ANGELES — The boozy, blustery Scottish people are getting a Hollywood close-up with "Brave," the latest adventure from the animators who brought you "Toy Story," ''Ratatouille," ''Finding Nemo" and "Up."

Last year, Adam Sandler burdened the world with “Jack and Jill,” quite possibly the worst comedy ever conceived. That debacle of humor hit a new low at the Razzies, winning every single award. I myself named “Jack and Jill” the absolute worst picture of 2011, branding it with the irredeemable grade of zero. “That’s My Boy” is another spectacularly awful feature from Sandler and company. As bad as the film is, it doesn’t sink quite as low as “Jack and Jill.” But that’s like saying a solitary shot to the head is better than multiple shots to the head.

Last year, Adam Sandler burdened the world with “Jack and Jill,” quite possibly the worst comedy ever conceived. That debacle of humor hit a new low at the Razzies, winning every single award. I myself named “Jack and Jill” the absolute worst picture of 2011, branding it with the irredeemable grade of zero. “That’s My Boy” is another spectacularly awful feature from Sandler and company. As bad as the film is, it doesn’t sink quite as low as “Jack and Jill.” But that’s like saying a solitary shot to the head is better than multiple shots to the head.

Enjoying good wine in the great outdoors is fun, but toting glass bottles on the trail is no picnic.

The sequel "Piranha 3DD" came out but it wasn't shown to critics before opening day — which is a bummer, because the original "Piranha 3D" from 2010 was just a shamelessly gimmicky blast.

Recently, three competitive bicyclists training in the far East Valley were run into and critically injured by a driver who was reportedly adjusting her GPS device. As a bicycling advocate, I’m very upset by this. But, this story and situation is much larger than cycling. It’s about attitudes and behavior behind the wheel.