Old Navy in the Ahwatukee Foothills Towne Center will be closing at the end of this month to relocate to the new Phoenix Premium Outlets on the Gila River Indian Community.

There’s no denying that Richard Donner set the bar for the “Superman” franchise with his 1978 film. The icy landscapes of Planet Krypton, John Williams’ vigorous musical score, Christopher Reeve’s iconic performance, every aspect of Donner’s movie remains definitive. Since then, most interpretations of Superman have either drawn inspiration from or paid homage to the original classic. One has to give director Zack Snyder and producer Christopher Nolan credit for taking “Man of Steel” in the complete opposite direction. Where Donner’s “Superman” was light, funny, and colorful, “Man of Steel” is dark, serious, and brooding. The film presents a vision of Superman that’s new and bold with a satisfying payoff.

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.

A Phoenix Fire Department spokesperson said the reasons people get stuck on local mountains is failing to stay on the hiking path and not being prepared.

A report issued by the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University indicates the recent upswing in home prices has come at a steady, sustainable pace, meaning homeowners should not expect another bubble to burst.

The Phoenix City Council has approved a sweeping ethics reform package for elected officials that Mayor Greg Stanton says gives the city some of the toughest ethics rules in the nation.

With the monsoon season officially beginning tomorrow, June 15, Arizonans should be aware of the possible dangers the monsoon can bring both on the road and at home. Thunderstorms, flash floods, heavy rain

I received a postcard in the mail several weeks ago announcing a public hearing on May 21 to provide an opportunity for the public to provide comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Study on the proposed South Mountain Freeway. None of my neighbors received the same postcard when I talked to them. Why were some of the public left out of the mailing? They may not have been informed of this public hearing, but I have comments to make.

Not waiting for formal gubernatorial approval, foes of her Medicaid expansion already are moving to undo at the ballot box and in court what they could not block at the Legislature.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to a frozen berry mix sold at Costco has grown to 87 people with illnesses in eight states.

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.

In an attempt to get as much public input as possible, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is hosting additional community forums to gather comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) of the South Mountain Freeway.

Going to need hospital care?

State Farm recently announced its role as the anchor tenant in the Marina Heights development on Tempe Town Lake. The company will be hosting a career fair in Phoenix June 11-12 to fill 900 positions in many departments in the Papago Buttes and Gateway facilities, where the company expects continued hiring throughout 2013. The job openings include full- and part-time positions and some bilingual opportunities.

The 25th Advantage Basketball Camp events near Ahwatukee will be at the East Valley YMCA, 1807 S. Sunview, July 15-19.

The Thunder Basketball Academy, featuring Desert Vista boy basketball coach Dave Williams, will host three sessions for third through eighth grade at Desert Vista, 16440 S. 32nd St.

In a unanimous decision this week, the Tempe Union High School District will be asking voters to continue its current level of funding from a maintenance and operations override previously approved by voters.

The First Tee of Phoenix will host the ninth annual Splish Splash Golf Bash at its South Mountain facility, 9510 S. 7th St., on June 8 from 9 a.m. to noon.

It’s only been a week since the 1-cent sales tax went off the books, but area economists and businesses do not expect to see much if any increase in retail sales in the foreseeable future due in part to consumers having little idea the increase ended.

My Gym Ahwatukee • 4142 E. Chandler Blvd.

Phoenix police arrested several people over the weekend accused of stealing purses, IDs and various other valuables from cars left at Phoenix trailheads.

The Ahwatukee Foothills PONY Baseball League won State Championships in both the Shetland Division (ages 4-6) and the Pinto Kid Pitch Division (ages 7-8) this past weekend at the Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School baseball fields.

All quarterbacks and receivers in sixth to 10th grade are invited to attend a specialized instructional camp June 24-27 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Mountain Pointe High School, 4201 E. Knox Road.

The state's more than 38,000 medical marijuana users are in no danger of losing their medication, at least not at the ballot box.

Gov. Jan Brewer today celebrated news that Arizona has been ranked the sixth best state in the nation in which to do business. That’s according to the 2013 report from Chief Executive Magazine, which surveyed more than 700 CEOs nationwide. Arizona’s ranking reflects a four-spot climb from last year’s report.
“This is exciting news for Arizona, and a true testament to the work we have been doing to attract businesses to our State,” Brewer said. “It is fitting that this report was released on the same day Arizona welcomed the major expansion of GoDaddy – a move that will create 300 quality jobs for our citizens and pump nearly $30 million into the state economy.
For its 9th annual report, Chief Executive Magazine surveyed 736 business leaders – the largest response to date – and asked them to grade states based on taxation and regulation, quality of workforce and living environment. 
Texas ranked first in the nation while California, for the ninth consecutive year, ranked last. 
To view the report, visit: http://chiefexecutive.net/best-worst-states-for-business-2013.