The road to Florence isn’t long when country music stars are in town. People flock from the East Valley to the Country Thunder music festival, spurring the question: What else is there to see in Florence? It didn’t take long to find an answer — alpacas.

Charles Robinson passed away peacefully on Monday, April 15. He was 82 years old. He was born in Hamburg, Iowa, to Charles and Ruth Robinson. He was married to Sylvia for 58 years before she passed in 2010.

While Thursday's opening day at Country Thunder was the shortest day concert-wise, there was no disappointment in the four acts that took the stage – especially not when it came to headliner Brantley Gilbert.

She may have grown up in Michigan, but Jana Kramer is country at heart. The former “One Tree Hill” actress entered into the music scene in 2012 with the release of her self-titled debut album. She has since been enjoying success in the genre — gearing up for a tour with Blake Shelton, planning her wedding with fellow country music star Brantley Gilbert, and heading to Arizona for a performance at Country Thunder, the annual music festival in Florence. In between it all, she chatted briefly with the Tribune about her career and what fans will experience this weekend at her show.

Arizona’s biggest country music festival brings big names Kip Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Jana Kramer, Eric Church, pictured, Lee Brice, Toby Keith and Lady Antebellum to the Valley.

Tucked away in the heart of San Tan Valley, The Good Life Festival – a multi-event, season-long gathering at Encanterra Country Club – regularly puts a focus on food, wine and music.

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Arizona is an ideal place to utilize solar electricity. But the decision to invest in a solar installation on your home can be complicated.

Drivers should anticipate lengthy delays on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande through the afternoon commute because of a serious crash involving hazardous materials, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The highway’s westbound lanes are closed north of Casa Grande, but significant backups have been observed in both directions on this major travel corridor.

Now that schools are allowed to appeal up and down a division in high school sports in Arizona, even when we get answers it often leads to more questions.

A look at key Apache Junction and Gold Canyon facts and figures

What if I told you that a fundamental component of our success is the ability to “unlearn” various things that we’ve already learned? I know. I know. You’d probably say I was crazy, right? Let me explain.

What if I told you that a fundamental component of our success is the ability to “unlearn” various things that we’ve already learned? I know. I know. You’d probably say I was crazy, right? Let me explain.

On May 20, 1980 an angel was brought onto this Earth in Phoenix — his name was Scott Michael Drew. On Aug. 30, 2012 our Lord returned him to Heaven peacefully after a long courageous fight with Cystic Fibrosis.

Joe Toni Gerhardus Eberson, a 30-year resident of Ahwatukee Foothills, flew west on Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 5:15 p.m. to join his heavenly father. Joe was born on Nov. 26, 1931 in Bilthoven, Holland, to Joseph M.A. Eberson and Catharine J.E. Eberson. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Florence N. Laurens-Eberson. They shared 29 years of happy marriage together. Joe has five children from his first marriage; Joe M.T. (Sue) Eberson, Marianne M.E. (Ron) Riales, Sven J. (Sandra) Eberson, Anitra D. (David) Bryant and Cole E. (Ann) Eberson. Florence has four children; Janine F. Weber, Marjan M. (Tom) Polek, Charlotte E. (Kelly) Loomer and J. Eric Weber. Together they have 24 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Joe is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Marjorie H. Wolf, and his only brother, Sirocco J. Eberson.

The Lantern Award recognizes an emergency room’s commitment to quality, safety, a healthy work environment and innovation in nursing practice and emergency care.

Services for Clifton “Cliff” LeRoy Iverson, an Ahwatukee Foothills resident since 1974, will take place on Tuesday, April 24 at Resthaven Park Mortuary and Cemetery, 4310 E. Southern Ave. in Phoenix, beginning with a visitation at 10 a.m. Iverson’s funeral service and interment will follow beginning at 11 a.m. He passed away on April 11 in Ahwatukee, he was 93 years old. Iverson was born on Dec. 24, 1918 to Sever and Florence (Barker) Iverson of Parkers Prairie, MN. He attended grade school and high school in Parkers Prairie and in 1941 he married Marion Eddy in Moorhead, Minn. He married Marion 57 years before her death in 1998. He served in the Army in the South Pacific for 3.5 years and after returning from World War II in 1945 the family lived in the cities of Glenwood and Fergus Falls, Minn. The family moved to Chicago, where they resided for 10 years before moving to Phoenix in 1965. Iverson was employed as a parts manager for a Massey-Ferguson dealership in Mesa. After he retired, he and Marion traveled, while enjoying time at home and spending time with their family. Iverson is survived by his daughter, Suzanne Toutloff of Ahwatukee; and his sister, Violet Lien of Moorhead, Minn. He is also survived by his son, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Marion; his parents, Sever and Florence; and by four brothers and one sister. Arrangements will take place under the direction of Resthaven Park Mortuary and Cemetery, www.resthavenpark.com, in Phoenix.

Ventriloquist Wilma Swartz doesn’t want anyone to refer to her characters as the “D” word. “Vent pals” would be a more appropriate term since the “Dummies” books own the copyrights to the word, she said.

It's that time of year again -- time for the annual gridiron spectacle.

It's that time of year again -- time for the annual gridiron spectacle.

When you think of Salt River Project, chances are you think no further than the light switch or utility bill. But behind the curtain there's a lot that goes into ensuring the lights come on when you flip that switch.

More than 320 sets of new pajamas were collected this holiday season by St. John Bosco Catholic School students for "Jamma Jingles," an annual pajama drive to benefit children from newborn to 17 years of age.