Tolleson students sent home after parking lot floods
Classes were canceled at a Tolleson elementary school after a water main burst and flooded the school's parking lot.

Runners gearing up for West Valley's first marathon
Formula racecar driver Paul Marciano is not letting a brain injury from a horrific crash three months ago keep him idle on the couch. The 37-year-old Surprise resident is lacing up his running shoes for the West Valley's first marathon, debuting in February.

Avondale offers variety of classes
Avondale is offering the following classes.

UltraStar Cinemas to show BCS on big screen in Surprise
Your weekly guide to shopping, dining and small business news: Surprise's UltraStar Cinemas will show the FedEx BCS National Championship Game between the University of Oklahoma and University of Florida football teams live in its theater.

Southwest Valley growing 3 times faster than Maricopa County
New Arizona population estimates show the Southwest Valley has grown more than three times as fast as all of Maricopa County in recent years.

Avondale man, 90, drowns in backyard pool
A 90-year-old Avondale man who enjoyed gardening and doing small tasks inside and outside his home drowned in his backyard pool Monday afternoon, police said.

Sisters close out '08, ring in '09 with babies at West Valley Hospital
Two sisters spent New Year's Eve at West Valley Hospital, making the last birth of 2008 and the first of '09 at the Goodyear hospital. Elsewhere in the Southwest Valley, Banner Estrella Medical Center delivered a record 313 babies in December.

Ariz. gas prices on rise, unclear where they're headed
Tuesday average for regular unleaded gas: $1.609.
Find the cheapest gas | Track gas price history

School redistricting all but dead following another court ruling
After suffering one of its first blows in the Southwest Valley, unification is now dead in most of Arizona. A judge ruled last week that unification failed in Cochise County, essentially ending the three-year battle for school district restructuring. The ruling came after a Maricopa County judge sided with the Southwest Valley districts that challenged voter approval of a unification plan.

West Valley park becomes shrine to 2 slain boys
Jesse Ramirez, 7, and Edwin Pellecier, 10, died in the hospital after being beaten to death at a park inside a housing development at 91st Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.

Warmer temps ahead; chance for weekend rain
Warmer temps, possible rain Saturday

SW Valley businesses will help you get fit
If your New Year's resolution includes losing weight and getting fit during 2009, the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce has several member businesses that can help.

I-10 freeway widening makes noticeable progress
Southwest Valley commuters can't help but notice progress on the widening of Interstate 10 as that project heads toward completion sometime in the fall.

HOA bills headed to Legislature
Every year the number of bills involving homeowners associations grows in the state Legislature. And as the session draws near those involved in crafting the bills are beginning to cobble together ideas.

Spotlight: Jo Adkins, new CEO of West Valley Hospital
Jo Adkins, the new chief executive officer of West Valley Hospital, will lead the 164-bed Goodyear facility as it strives to improve programs such as cardiovascular care and orthopedics. She replaces Phil Gustafson, who left to head St. Mary's Good Samaritan Inc. in Illinois.

New parks, rec chief starts Feb. 2
Goodyear's newly hired parks and recreation director will have his hands full as the opening date of the city's spring-training facility approaches.

K-8 or middle schools? Expert opinions vary
Southwest Valley educators join the debate on whether middle schools or K-8 schools are better. Of the 159 new schools awarded by the Arizona School Facilities Board since 1999, 82 have been K-8 schools.

West Valley author publishes essay collection
West Valley author Vincent Vinci has worked for a year on his book A Single Raindrop. At Barnes & Noble in Goodyear on Jan. 10, Vinci will be reading selected passages and signing copies of his book of essays.

Program keeps kids occupied during break
While schools were on winter break, more than two dozen children filled a classroom at Sundance Elementary School in Buckeye.

6th-grade cheerleader a role model for many people
The Firebirds win yet another basketball game. This sixth-grade team is one of the best in its conference.

State opens emissions test site in West Valley
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality opens its first vehicle emissions testing facility in the Southwest Valley today.

West Valley cities have reason for optimism in '09
A flailing economy dominates most end-of-year stories, yet Southwest Valley cities have entered 2009 with a sense of accomplishment, even optimism.

3 ways to enjoy Fiesta Bowl Gridiron Jam
If you can't wait for the coin toss at the 2009 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Championship, consider this event.

Wildlife World Zoo's new aquarium marks first week
Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium owner Mickey Ollson said more than 21,000 people have visited the venue since its soft opening on Dec. 20.
Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium

Top recent home sales in SW Valley
The top recent sale prices for homes in the Southwest Valley:

Frequent bathroom trips at night can lower productivity, cause depression
Nocturia is a common problem defined as waking at night to void - a completely separate issue from urinary frequency throughout the day. These nighttime wakings can cause sleep disturbances and have been linked to depression and decreased productivity.

Passport schedule change in Buckeye
Walk-in applications are accepted from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays. Applications will be accepted by appointment only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Services Friday in Tucson for boys killed at west Valley park
A rosary for cousins Jesse Michael Casillas Ramirez, Jr., and Edwin Anthony Pellecier, Jr., will be held from 6-9 p.m. Friday at Martinez Funeral Chapels in Tucson.

Economy takes toll in West Valley cities
No story was bigger in 2008 in the Southwest Valley than the economy, as municipalities big and small were caught in a downward financial spiral that has laid waste to jobs and revenues, threatening services to residents. But not everything has been doom and gloom.

Cactus League hopes still high for upcoming spring training season
What kind of success will Goodyear enjoy in its inaugural spring-training season? A robust retail season is usually the precursor to a strong-performing season. But given poor sales-tax revenue in cities across the Valley, the chance that people will dole out their dollars on entertainment is fuzzy.

Grant funds will aid seniors in Buckeye
The Arizona Department of Transportation has approved a grant of nearly $73,000 to help Buckeye provide transportation for seniors.

New hospital in Goodyear focuses on cancer, community
It could be a boost for the state's frail economy.
Trials at Valley hospitals target heart disease
Hospital staff guided by 'mother', hope

Phoenix man charged in bat-beating deaths of 2 boys
A criminal complaint filed Monday accuses a 36-year-old Phoenix man of murder. Joe Sauceda Gallegos was arrested by police within hours of the apparently random attack. | Talk about it

Appeals court stalls Transwestern's plan to build gas pipeline near Buckeye
A federal appeals court has rejected a Texas-based energy company's legal challenge to take immediate possession of private property in Buckeye.

Hospital staff guided by 'mother', hope
Cancer Treatment Centers of America's local board members say the hospital's unique brand of care impressed them after their own experience with cancer care.

Town rolls out red carpet for 'Buckeyes in Buckeye Day'
For the third time in four years, Buckeye residents will join with Ohio State University alumni and fans to celebrate the football team's appearance in a Valley bowl game and the town's connection to the Buckeye State.

Palo Verde trains prospective plant operators
Palo Verde's nuclear-reactor simulator prepares operators for worst-case scenarios.
Photos | Trainees at Palo Verde pushed

Goodyear resident, judge had passion for law - and fun
Larry Cronin's life seemed to be falling into place. Cronin couldn't have known that it would all end so suddenly. A motorcycle accident landed him in the hospital and just when it appeared he might recover, he was gone. | The Life of Larry Cronin

Mortgage lender fights to keep rural designation
A loan officer has made it his mission to slow the growing home vacancies by working to keep Rural Development mortgage loan guarantees available in the Southwest Valley. At stake is lenders' ability to offer no-down-payment loans to moderate- and low-income people.

On Jan. 1, let's all stay positive, fix our economy
If you have been along with us the past few weeks, you know we have been talking about starting 2009 out in a positive way, ready and eager to fix our economy. So I ask all of you, governor, senators, city mayors, council, staff, CEO's, religious leaders, teachers, moms and dads . . . are we all ready? The first day of the new year starts Thursday. Send this e-mail to everyone you know. As a state, just think what we can do if all of us work hard at finding solutions to our challenges. Soon the media and other states will ask . . . ''What happened in Arizona?''

Wildflower 3rd-grade teachers get creative
Wildflower Elementary School teachers Christine Miller, Margo Nuno and Elizabeth Ellis have found a creative way to help students learn concepts in all subjects.

Southwest Valley home-price drops sharpest in metro Phoenix
Once again, home prices are down year to year, with Southwest Valley homes suffering the biggest losses. Data from the Arizona State University-Repeat Sales Index shows average prices dropped 28 percent between September 2007 and September 2008 throughout the Valley. Southwest Valley home values posted above-average declines, though, down 38.3 percent.

Avondale food bank struggling to fill need
Food bank donations in the Southwest Valley are lagging behind demand as more residents seek help to stay afloat. During the holiday season, the Agua Fria Food Bank in Avondale receives donations that normally can stretch until April. But the shelves are sparse and may not last as long as in previous years.

Boys die after brutal beating at Valley park
Jesse Ramirez, 7, and Edwin Pellecier, his 10-year-old cousin, suffered extensive head trauma when they were beaten with what appeared to be a baseball bat Tuesday as they played at a west Phoenix park.
Fund set up | Guestbooks: Ramirez | Pellecier

Council dislikes Goodyear Palms Plaza project's signs
The Goodyear City Council likes the office, retail and hotel project planned southwest of Interstate 10 and Litchfield Road, but it doesn't care for its signs.

Avondale considers condemning water company
Avondale's negotiations to buy the Rigby Water Co. aren't bearing fruit, so the city is considering condemning the Rigby property in Avondale in hopes that a fair settlement can be determined.

Semi overturns on I-10 in Southwest Valley
Traffic on eastbound Interstate 10 in the Southwest Valley came to a stand still following an accident that left a semitruck overturned Friday morning.
Video

Larger shelter in Goodyear still struggling to meet needs
The domestic violence shelter in Goodyear provides more than basic amenities. But the recession is making it hard for the shelter, which receives funds from Season for Sharing, to meet the demand for services.

Ruling blocks energy firm from taking Buckeye land
A federal appeals court has rejected a Texas-based energy company's legal challenge to take immediate possession of private property in Buckeye.

Goodyear to buy street-lighting system from APS
Goodyear will buy its street-lighting system from Arizona Public Service Co. The City Council recently authorized spending $318,000 to buy the system and hire APS for maintenance.

Winter soccer camp upcoming
A soccer camp is planned for residents of Goodyear, Buckeye, Tolleson and Avondale.

Boy's enthusiasm should be lesson for all
Hey, why is that guy wearing those red, white and blue goggles, raising his arms in celebration? He didn't win the race; he didn't even place in the top three. As a matter of fact, he came in seventh place, out of eight swimmers.

Centennial back chosen top player in W. Valley
West Valley Player of the Year

Glendale lands high-security transport HQ
In Glendale, the company would rank among its 10 largest private employers.

New program aids emergency response
A 7-month-old crime-analysis program is helping Goodyear police fight crime more effectively and bring down response times.

Center helps seniors get through holidays
The Avondale and Cashion community centers offer seniors a valuable service: a hedge against loneliness.

Priciest home sales in SW Valley
The top recent sale prices for homes in the Southwest Valley

Homework has value, extends the school day
Homework gets a bad rap. When you think of it, homework has very few supporters. Teachers assign work that many students simply don't do.

'El Diablito Loco' caught; carjacking victim OK
''El Diablito Loco'' is Avondale's new Grinch, but modern-technology got the best of him.

Boys found beaten remain 'extremely critical'
Two cousins, ages 10 and 7, bludgeoned with bat while playing in park. Boys found injured at park in West Phoenix

Buckeye officials to travel in search for chief
The next - and perhaps final - phase of Buckeye's police chief search may take town officials across the country.

Tolleson man suspected of brutally shaking infant son
Robert Rivera, Jr., 23, has been indicted on charges that he shook his 1-month-old son so hard that he caused permanent brain damage.

Standard Pacific, Engle discuss merging
Two homebuilders with a significant Valley presence say they are in talks about a possible merger.

Maryvale officer who shot boy under investigation
A Maryvale precinct officer who shot a teen after a late-night incident near a convenience store will remain under investigation as officials determine how the boy died.

Tolleson gifted students take steps vs. homelessness, hunger
With many children facing hard times and even homelessness, the gifted students at Tolleson Elementary School District are doing their part to give back.

Mobile faces police, fire cuts
The beefed-up police presence that has made Mobile safer since Goodyear annexed the community is slated for cutbacks.

In hard times, some Valley kids have humble wishes
With millions of Americans out of work and grim economic news abundant this holiday season, people who work with children are noticing a tiny glimmer of hope in the malaise. Some kids are showing a little more altruism.

Holiday School Spirit Food Drive contest
Avondale's Youth Advisory Commission and Neighborhood and Family Services Department sponsored a School Spirit Holiday Food Drive to address the increasing demand for food while local food banks struggle to help those in need.

Unfinished subdivisions stuck with underfunded HOAs
Valley subdivisions in growing numbers are stuck with critically underfunded homeowners associations in the wake of home-builder bankruptcies.
HOA seeks more fees from residents

Rain moves out, expected to return by Christmas
The wet start to winter is taking a break Tuesday, but rain should return to the Valley just in time for Christmas.

New Wildlife World Zoo aquarium aims to boost tourism in the West Valley
Wildlife World Zoo is preparing to open Arizona's largest public aquarium at the end of the year.
Zoo aquarium | Construction | Map

Goodyear has $130 million stimulus-funds wish list
Goodyear has compiled a list of nearly $130 million worth of projects that could receive federal infrastructure-stimulus funding.

7 vie for 3 Tolleson City Council seats in March election
Tolleson's March 10 primary race for three City Council seats has drawn plenty of interest, with seven candidates vying for those seats.

Doggy day care under construction in Avondale
In February, Avondale will have a new 5,000-square-foot dog day care and resort called Camp Bow Wow. Owner Heather Frane said she has a prime location for the facility. She also will have competition.

Goodyear appoints 9 students to new youth commission
A new youth commission is taking shape in Goodyear. The City Council has appointed nine high school students to the commission, the first since Goodyear incorporated in 1946

Landowners along river give recreation corridor a push
The West Valley Recreation Corridor project took at step forward Thursday after landowners verbally committed to the project.

Goodyear employees, volunteers Fill-a-Need
Goodyear employees and volunteers cap off their annual Fill-a-Need program today when they deliver Christmas trees, clothes, toys and other gifts to nearly 70 local families. .

Volunteers' generosity helps hospital, patients
Though volunteers at Banner Estrella Medical Center's gift shop are far from the front lines of patient care, they're making a difference in patient safety.

City-imposed repair orders add cost to school building
With blueprints approved and construction completed, school administrators thought the new Copper Trails Elementary School in Goodyear had passed all city inspections.

Police find missing truck in Avondale murder case
Police late Thursday located the missing truck of an 18-year-old Avondale man found shot dead a day earlier.

Seniors make 1,000 tamales to pay for programs
Members of the Avondale and Cashion community centers came together last week to engage in the time-honored task of constructing and steaming the tasty morsels of spicy meat wrapped in masa, then wrapped in a corn husk.

LP city manager demands pay cut, narrowly gets it
The Litchfield Park City Council reluctantly agreed to cut its city manager's pay by 2 percent, the amount of a raise he recently got from the council.

Your heart needs good night's sleep
Many lifestyle choices are associated with heart disease. Poor quality sleep is one of them.

Flush memory of game that brought out worst
Both teams gather at midfield to pray for fun and safety. For this church, this game brings a bigger crowd than the Easter Sunday service.

Top home sales in the Southwest
The top recent sale prices for homes in the Southwest Valley:

Students spend night on wild side at Phoeniz Zoo
More than 30 students at Eliseo C. Felix Elementary School in Goodyear were chosen for night camp at the Phoenix Zoo from three fourth-grade classrooms as part of a scholarship program with the zoo.

Goodyear will share U.S. foreclosure funding
Goodyear, Buckeye and El Mirage have some of the Valley's ''greatest need'' of foreclosure assistance, according to a Maricopa County assessment that will guide how the county will spend nearly $10 million in federal funds.

Disappointed Westview waits for next year
The expression on Joe Lauer's eyes said it all.

Southwest Valley's top online stories of 2008
Ever wonder what everyone else was reading on southwestvalley.azcentral.com this year? We wrap up the most-viewed stories of the year. Find out which stories got the most clicks in 2008.

Avondale City Council taps Earp to fill vacancy
Former Avondale City Councilman Jason Earp is the council's choice to fill the seat being vacated by Charles Wolf.

New Goodyear hospital's board contains prominent names
''The members of this board are representative of the best Arizona has to offer,'' CEO David Veillette says.

Goodyear tries home-detention program for DUI offenders
Goodyear becomes the first Southwest Valley city to use home-detention under a pilot program aimed at expediting booking and allowing equal access to work release for DUI offenders.

School notes
Teen self-esteem to be addressed

3 partners from diverse backgrounds create food-delivery service
You Buy and We Fly started almost a year ago and is now making a dent in the Southwest Valley food-delivery industry. For $5.99 to $7.99, plus the cost of the food, the family-run, home-based business will deliver orders from 25 restaurants, located primarily around Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Avondale.

Shop SW Valley businesses for last-minute gifts
Looking for a last-minute gift for someone special? The Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce has hundreds of member businesses, many with unique and interesting gifts for your convenience.

Candidate list filling up for Avondale council seat
There is no shortage of residents who want to be appointed to fill the Avondale City Council seat being vacated by Councilman Charles Wolf. Eight residents expressed interest. The council is expected to interview the candidates tonight.

Grijalva turns down Ways and Means panel post
One day after losing out on a possible Cabinet post, Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., has turned down an appointment to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

Iranian engineer gets 15 months in Palo Verde plant case
Palo Verde engineer sentenced for taking computer software that he obtained at the plant to Iran.

Avondale boy gets $1,000 shopping spree, but gifts are for other kids
One Avondale fifth-grader has some serious bragging rights at school this week. Ten-year-old Zachary Franke spent Saturday afternoon hanging out with the mayor, spending $1,000 of someone else's money on toys. He won an essay contest and the right to pick out the gifts that will benefit Duck Downtown Urban Community Kids, an organization that helps children develop life skills.