Residents of Laveen are ready for the South Mountain Loop 202 Freeway to be built.

Phoenix is great because of our strong communities where neighbors work together and take pride in the place they call home.

As I see it, the voters rejected Kyrene School District’s bond override, the Legislature has reduced school funding, the Goldwater Institute threatens lawsuits to municipalities that provide services that can be provided by the commercial market.

An anonymous donation is keeping the Phoenix gun buyback program going for one final Saturday, May 18.

Mini and Smokey are a bonded pair of 12-year-old pure bred Pomeranians who were surrendered by their owners who could no longer care for them. Mini is a very outgoing girl who likes to play with toys and do twirls and jump into your arms. Smokey is more reserved and timid and depends on Mini for everything. He follows her wherever she goes, lays where she lays and really needs her. Smokey has alopecia, a skin condition that is common for Poms which causes them to lose their hair, but otherwise he is healthy. Both babies are snuggle bunnies and love to be held. Both are kennel and leash trained. Even though they are approximately 12 they do not act their age. They MUST go to the same home.

Summer School … these two words can sound like a one- to two-month jail sentence for students in school.

Using their talents for hilarious, family-friendly improvisational comedy, Jef and Shurlin Rawls of Mesa hope to lift spirits while lightening the load for a family in their neighborhood with an event they are calling a “FUN-draiser.”

Travelers accustomed to chain eateries like Chili’s and Paradise Bakery now have a chance to experience local offerings such as Cowboy Ciao, La Grande Orange and Barrio Cafe at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Sun Devil and Wildcat fans will get to show their school pride at Florencia Pizza Bistro in Ahwatukee tomorrow during the “Duel in the Desert” fundraiser.

A zoning adjustment hearing to discuss allowing a medical marijuana dispensary to go into a location at 48th Street and Warner Road was postponed due to an application error.

Brown is a sweet and quiet Sealpoint Siamese. He’s a beautiful and affectionate middle-aged male who loves to be petted, and craves a stress-free household after the passing of his owner. He is fixed, tested, and has all his shots.

By the time a client parks their car and walks up to the front doors of Harvest of Tempe, the southeast Valley’s only medical marijuana dispensary, he or she, their license plate, and their car have all been caught on camera.

Attorney General Tom Horne paid a $300 fine Wednesday -- $582 with surcharges -- to settle a criminal misdemeanor charge he left the scene of an accident without leaving a note.

After months of waiting The Lakes Golf Course has closed its doors, but the future of the course still remains unknown.

It’s no secret to Realtors that fabulous kitchens sell homes. Improve the room used primarily for food preparation, and the entire house will feel homier to residents, guests and prospective buyers alike.

No one can deny the Great Recession left a permanent mark on our nation and its economy. But what effect did it have on the American Dream of home ownership? That’s the question we set out to answer by asking Phoenix-based Benchmark Research Technologies to survey nearly 1,700 Arizona new home shoppers about their attitudes surrounding home ownership in the post-recession era.

Another Italian eatery is preparing to open in the recently closed Anzio Landing restaurant space in Mesa.

I sympathize with Ben Holt (president of Save The Lakes) and the owners of homes along The Lakes Golf Course, they have been given the “proverbial screw” by the owners. Hopefully, it can be turned into a “park-like” area, then with the money he saves by closing this course, Wilson Gee (golf course owner) can improve the Ahwatukee Country Club course back to what it was when I purchased my home in 1999. Mr. Gee, go take a look at the Whirlwinds just south of Ahwatukee to see what a golf course should look like.

Doria MeChelle is a teacher by day, salon owner by night, and once a month she flies across the country to do the hair of faithful clients. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

For the first time ever, drivers of taxi cabs and limousines in Arizona will soon be subject to random drug testing.

After 20 years, life-long runner and local coach David Allison returned to his alma mater recently to compete in the Penn Relays.