A University of Arizona Health Sciences student led a team of students focused on bridging the gap between classroom learning and community health needs in rural Arizona Ken Coit College of Pharmacy doctoral student Diyana Ahmad organized the Apache Junction Health and Dental Fair at Horizon Health and Wellness as part of her Arizona AHEC Scholars project U of A Health Sciences Office of Communications A group of 16 students from the U of A Health Sciences Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University Arizona AHEC Scholars program at the Central Arizona Area Health Education Center collaborated to create an outreach project to benefit the Apache Junction who grew up in Kurdistan in northern Iraq and has worked for the United Nations in many countries and saw a man on horseback in the drive-thru line at Starbucks It was a memorable introduction to the uniqueness of working in rural health care in Arizona For the past two years, Ahmad has led a team of future health care professionals on a mission to improve health care access in Apache Junction through the Arizona AHEC Scholars Program, part of the Arizona Area Health Education Centers Arizona AHEC, administered by  University of Arizona Health Sciences is part of a national AHEC program that was developed by Congress in 1971 to recruit train and retain a health professions workforce committed to underserved populations The AHEC program helps bring the resources of academic medicine to address local community health needs “When we visited and told people in the Apache Junction community that we were students there to find out what they needed, they were very excited,” said Ahmad, who is in her third-year as a Doctor of Pharmacy student at the U of A R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy “They told us that people usually come to take something from them We felt proud to know that they truly valued what we were there to do.” The Arizona AHEC Scholars program brings together students from Arizona public universities — the U of A Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University – who are pursuing health care degrees They form teams and are assigned to a specific community to gain practical experience and address local health care needs a medical student at the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson a physical therapy student at Northern Arizona University provided tips and information for preventing falls Ahmad’s journey into the AHEC Scholars Program was driven by her passion for serving communities in need The program provided her with the opportunity to participate in a project that would have a tangible impact on the community “Our first immersions in Apache Junction were about learning the community,” Ahmad said speaking with residents to understand their most pressing health concerns we heard about the lack of dental care and the financial barriers preventing people from getting the treatment they needed.” the team utilized resources such as the latest U.S Census data to better understand the community They found Apache Junction to be a growing city with a large elderly population and limited access to essential health care services lack of affordable services and a high percentage of uninsured residents Falls among older adults and chronic health conditions were also prevalent concerns Dental health was not an area of expertise for many on the team “It was very unique for dental care to stand out as a critical need because I’m trying to be a physician, I don’t really do much with teeth,” said Kevin Ball, who is in the MD/MPH program offered jointly by the U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix and the U of A Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus who discussed affordable dental care options available through their university The presentation provided valuable insights into potential resources and strategies for addressing the dental care gap identified in the community assessment (From left ): Kevin Ball and Diyana Ahmad gained valuable insights into the expertise of other health professions including a hands-on tutorial from NAU physician assistant student Ruben Puha who showed them how people can monitor glucose levels In addition to the in-person immersions that brought the team from across the state together in Apache Junction they met monthly via Zoom to plan and problem solve both nurse practitioners and faculty members at Arizona State University.  the students decided to incorporate screenings and educational resources on fall prevention chronic disease management and substance abuse recovery by collaborating with Horizon Health and Wellness the Apache Junction Health and Dental Fair at Horizon Health and Wellness took place in January 2025 “We set up booths covering various health topics,” Ahmad explained “Pharmacy and physician assistant students provided blood pressure and glucose checks physical therapy students led fall prevention education medical and nursing students offered general health information and dental students educated attendees on oral health and provided referrals for affordable treatment We also had a pharmacist available at a pharmacy booth.” The event featured resources from recovery programs “One of the most meaningful moments for me was hearing from the chief of police,” Ahmad said “He told us this was the first time he had seen something like this in Apache Junction and that he was proud of what we were doing.” Diyana Ahmad’s team leaned on the experitise of dental students from A.T to provide dental health screenings for community members in Apache Junction the fair underscored the importance of interprofessional collaboration The event provided him with a hands-on learning opportunity that highlighted how different health disciplines must work together to address community needs “Interprofessional education is something we talk about a lot in medical school but AHEC gave me the chance to truly experience it,” Ball said but we leveraged each other’s knowledge and skills to put on this clinic and dental students showed me just how much we rely on one another.” Beyond the immediate impact on the community the fair provided students with practical experience that will shape their future careers.  “It’s one thing to read about health disparities and seeing the direct impact of your work,” Ball said The team’s work is set to be presented at the upcoming AHEC conference in April where they will share their findings and encourage future cohorts to build on their efforts “This experience has changed how I see my future in pharmacy,” Ahmad said I want to be involved in public health efforts that address gaps in care and make a difference in all communities the AHEC Scholars not only provided valuable health resources to Apache Junction residents but also demonstrated the lasting impact of interprofessional education Their work exemplifies the mission of the AHEC program: training the next generation of health professionals to serve where they are needed most Arizona AHEC: Filling a need for health care professionals Blair WillisU of A Health Sciences Office of Communications520-419-2979, bmw23@arizona.edu We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui The University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings University Information Security and Privacy © 2025 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona ARIZONA NEWS 4:45 AM | Updated: 12:07 pm BY DAVID VEENSTRA PHOENIX — The city of Apache Junction has launched a new mapping tool allowing residents to track improvement projects across the city The map showcases every capital improvement project approved by the Apache Junction City Council for the fiscal year Updates will be added as new projects are approved Detailed information including the number of projects in a specific area and detailed breakdowns of the number of projects by department are all features the tool offers Of the currently active 69 capital improvement projects, 34 fall into the public works sector, while 21 involve parks and recreation Funding sources include contributions from developers Users are also able to click on individual projects for more precise information Every capital improvement project includes a description the project number and the estimated completion date “This new interactive tool is a great resource for anyone wanting to stay informed about how the city is investing in long-term improvements,” Trina Harrison, capital improvement plan program manager, said in a press release “It offers transparency while helping residents better understand the scope and progress of the projects happening around them.” Follow @veenstra_david Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInAPACHE JUNCTION AZ (AZFamily) — Two young men are accused of scamming an elderly woman out of tens of thousands of dollars according to the Apache Junction Police Department officers began investigating a fraud case involving an 86-year-old woman The woman told police that she received an email about a payment she didn’t recognize and responded to dispute the false charge investigators say she got a call from a man who claimed he would issue her a refund but only after she clicked a link that would allow him to access her computer remotely The scammer then told the woman that he had refunded too much money pressuring her to withdraw cash to return the overpayment the man went to the victim’s home to collect two payments totaling over $82,000 in cash the department’s Criminal Enforcement and Research Unit (CREU) and detectives arrested one of the men as he arrived at the victim’s home to collect more cash A second suspect was also located and taken into custody The suspects identified as Mingxuan Yang and Junxing Ma were booked into jail on charges of conspiracy The department is working to determine if others may have fallen victim to this scam If you believe you are a victim of a similar scheme residents are asked to contact their local police department Authorities advise residents to never give remote computer access to someone they don’t know Legitimate companies and government agencies will never request refunds or payments in cash If you receive a suspicious email that you believe is fraudulent, report it to local police departments or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description AZ (AZFamily) — Firefighters from Mesa and Apache Junction worked to battle a fire at a housing development in the East Valley late Tuesday night Just before 11:30 p.m., six engine crews from Superstition Fire & Medical District, along with Mesa firefighters, were called to a massive fire near Idaho Road and Tepee Street Two crews arrived on scene first and found a new-build construction site engulfed in flames Crews went defensive and began to aggressively attack the fire since homes were still under construction Video from fire crews showed flames pouring from the site and heavy smoke in the area Officials say firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to other homes Investigators are working to determine what sparked the fire Help host the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly\u2014Sign up to volunteer today a vital ministry dedicated to supporting the hungry and homeless has relocated to a new home at the Epiphany of Christ Lutheran Church campus in Apache Junction This move represents a significant milestone in their ongoing mission to provide essential services to those in need within the community The Genesis Project has long been committed to serving the most vulnerable by offering hot meals and hydration to individuals and families facing hardship Their new location at Epiphany of Christ Lutheran Church allows them to continue this crucial work in a space that is both welcoming and equipped to meet the growing needs of the community Genesis Project operates as a Soup Kitchen and Resource Center providing not only meals but also a place of refuge and support for those experiencing difficult times Their dedication to serving with dignity and compassion remains unwavering and this new space reflects the warmth and care at the heart of their mission The move to this new location enhances their ability to reach more people in need ensuring that no one in the community goes hungry or without basic necessities The partnership with Epiphany of Christ Lutheran Church has provided them with a space that will serve as a central hub for their vital services The Genesis Project welcomes all who are interested in seeing firsthand the impact they are making at their new location Whether individuals are in need of services or looking to support their mission The community’s continued support is appreciated as Genesis Project embarks on this new journey at Epiphany of Christ Lutheran Church BlogFind a ChurchNavajo Lutheran MissionWomen of the GCS Greater ELCAWomen of the ELCALutheran Men in MissionGlobal Engagement ContactEmail: office@gcsynod.orgPhone: 602-957-3223 Grand Canyon Synod Office1819 East Morten Avenue Sexual Misconduct Policy Two adolescents have been arrested in connection with vandalism at an under-construction home development in Apache Junction the Apache Junction police department said the two juveniles smashed windows In a statement The Apache Junction police department said "We appreciate the community's cooperation in reporting suspicious behaviors in our city The collaboration allows us to hold individuals accountable [...] and keeps our city safe." The identities or ages of those arrested were not made available An arson investigation is underway in Apache Junction after two unfinished homes were presumably set on fire A fire involving two new homes under construction occurred on Tuesday night near Tepee Street and Idaho Road and it appeared to be an isolated incident Detectives received leads and were following up Apache Junction police thanked the Gilbert Fire Department; Mesa Fire and Medical Department; Mesa Police Department; and Superstition Fire and Medical District for their collaboration and support Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Apache Junction Police Department at 480-982-8260 Intersection closed for repairs: Road caved in after water line break in Apache Junction Learn about our software built for government World class websites built for governments as your digital city hall Solutions for digital optimization and compliance Software built specifically for government parks and 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technology and other tools to help you meet your community goals Product details for our integrated technology solutions and Power Products Our visual library of advice and technology guidance for local leaders Educational content from our subject matter experts Tech specs and feature details for our Modern Civic Experience Platform solutions Impactful insights and actionable advice from our former government leaders Community advice and product demonstrations from our solution experts Learn how we’re powering and empowering governments We’re a leader in compliance tools for government How CivicPlus became the leader in integrated government technology Empowering Community Growth in Apache Junction Located against the stunning backdrop of Arizona’s Superstition Mountains Apache Junction is a small community with big ambitions Known for its breathtaking natural beauty and a strong sense of community the city thrives on providing top-tier recreational programs for its residents the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to creating exceptional recreational experiences for all ages has proven instrumental in transforming how Apache Junction engages with residents expanding the reach and efficiency of its parks and recreational offerings the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department was struggling with an outdated software solution According to Riley King the previous system “was not user-friendly and training new staff on it was difficult.” The limitations became particularly evident during the pandemic highlighting issues with both usability and customer support Apache Junction needed a platform that could facilitate smoother interactions for both staff and residents and overall management more intuitive and efficient The team realized it was time to switch to a reliable and supportive solution that could keep pace with the community’s growing needs Apache Junction chose CivicPlus for its new recreation management solution largely influenced by positive recommendations from neighboring communities and the city’s existing partnership with CivicPlus CivicPlus’ Recreation Management’s user-friendly interface was a major factor in the decision “Our staff see the same catalog as our customers our staff can easily guide them through the process.” The simplicity and ease of use of Recreation Management stood out during demos The implementation process was smooth and efficient with dedicated support from CivicPlus every step of the way enabling a seamless transition that met the unique needs of Apache Junction Civic Plus’s implementation process was designed to ensure a smooth transition for Apache Junction and they walked us through each step.” By starting fresh without importing outdated customer data Apache Junction was able to make a clean transition setting up a system tailored to current community needs The structured onboarding and training – combined with an easy-to-use interface – enabled staff to quickly adapt reducing the training time from days to just a few hours and saving valuable staff hours across the board Apache Junction has witnessed significant improvements in efficiency and engagement: CivicPlus’ commitment to customer support has been a game-changer for Apache Junction The reliable customer service has alleviated previous frustrations and has streamlined operations allowing the staff to focus on delivering excellent service The unified account management across CivicPlus products further enhances this experience by providing a single point of contact for support and strengthening Apache Junction’s relationship with CivicPlus The return on investment with CivicPlus is evident in the time saved The department has been able to reallocate saved staff hours to expanding programming and community events and we’ve added way more events and programming The Recreation Management solution has not only increased efficiency but also enhanced the community’s access to new and diverse recreational opportunities with new parks and annexed land on the horizon CivicPlus remains central to the city’s strategy for managing and scaling its recreational offerings King is excited about Recreation Management’s upcoming inventory management module which will replace the current Excel-based system and I’m excited for our new residents to see all we offer,” she shared Apache Junction is well-equipped to embrace future growth ensuring that both current and new residents have access to seamless The transition to CivicPlus’ Recreation Management solution has transformed Apache Junction’s Parks and Recreation Department With the CivicPlus user-friendly interface Apache Junction is poised to continue serving its community with excellence The partnership has allowed the department to save time and enhance the quality of life for residents proving that small communities can achieve big results with the right tools Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz Funeral Home Assisting the Montana communities of Helena Services are pending at this time or no services will be held Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist Share your photos Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own. One thing I always remember Jeff did wend you ask him he would turn his head side way and rub his beard,and said we’ll than said something .prayers for a old friend Jeff was quite a guy & always nice to me I went to school at Helena High and Eastern with Zeke He always seemed happy and went with the flow We were once very close and I am sad to hear he is gone Fun person to be around with a unique sense of humor Met him in Freshman year of high school and were instant friends Anywhere I went if he saw me he’d yell I had the privilege of seeing Jeff often at the library where I work and kindness left an indelible mark on everyone he encountered I always looked forward to our conversations—his playful teasing about my lunch choices and my gentle scolding about his candy breakfasts became a daily ritual that brought a smile to my face Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" © 2025 · Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz Funeral Home · Website by Luci's Office A water line break on Thursday evening in Apache Junction caused the road to cave in The city said a fiber contractor accidentally struck an unmarked water line in the area resulting in "a lot of flooding." According to a statement from the Apache Junction Police Department the entire intersection of Idaho Road and Superstition Boulevard was closed as water crews worked to resolve the issue Detour northbound using Apache Trail or Tomahawk Road and use Superstition Boulevard or Thunderbird Road to travel in other directions The city of Apache Junction posted on X that the intersection will remain closed in all directions for the rest of the weekend 9:46 AM | Updated: 10:09 am Apache Junction is seeking developers to fulfill the vision of its Downtown Revitalization Master Plan (Facebook Photo/City of Apache Junction Government) BY KEVIN STONE PHOENIX — Apache Junction is seeking developers to transform a historic piece of property in the East Valley suburb’s downtown district The city wants to turn the centrally located site into a shopping and dining destination after buying it for $2.9 million in May The goal is to build “a dynamic hub that fosters community connection and creates vibrant spaces for residents, businesses and visitors,” City Manager Bryant Powell said in a press release Thursday The 10-acre parcel includes the land where the iconic Grand Hotel once stood at the intersection of W A residential project to be built nearby is in the planning stage Apache Junction’s downtown district is about 36 miles east of downtown Phoenix the City Council adopted an update to the Apache Junction Downtown Revitalization Master Plan that establishes a vision for the area The city then opened the request for proposal (RFP) process for developers interested in buying or leasing some of the land “We invite developers to bring forward innovative proposals that will enhance economic growth while honoring the unique character of Apache Junction,” Powell said Follow @kstonezone The Apache Junction Police Department arrested 14 alleged online predators for 39 sexual-related felony crimes after a two-day operation PHOENIX — The Apache Junction Police Department arrested 14 alleged online predators for 39 felony crimes during a two-day operation this month, authorities announced on Tuesday The suspects allegedly were trying to take part in sexual activities with children in Apache Junction None of the 14 suspects are from Apache Junction and each one traveled to the East Valley city before they were arrested Authorities said illegal drugs and guns were also seized during the operation that took place Jan The Apache Junction Police Department worked in tandem with the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and police departments from Mesa the Department of Public Safety Gang & Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission Arizona Anti Trafficking Network and The F3 Foundation contributed to the operation AZ — One person is dead and an Apache Junction police officer is in the hospital after a crash Tuesday Police say the officer was responding to a "high-priority call for service" when he collided with the other vehicle The officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries but was taken to a hospital for an evaluation Officials say the driver of the other car died from their injuries The identity of the driver has not been revealed Report a typo BY DAVE NEIL PHOENIX — The City of Apache Junction and Salt River Project (SRP) are teaming to remove/replace trees that are positioned too close to power lines Right Place” program addresses these trees because they are considered a threat to critical infrastructure SRP will begin removing trees adjacent to Apache Junction’s city hall complex along E Southern Avenue near the Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center SRP has identified approximately 30 trees in the publicly-owned right-of-way that are eligible for this program at no cost to the city SRP will replace every tree it removes with three 24-inch box trees The trees being removed along the power lines will be replaced with power line-friendly trees The project is expected to be finished by mid-February Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInQUEEN VALLEY AZ (AZFamily) — Eastbound lanes of the U.S 60 have reopened after a deadly crash near the community of Queen Valley The Arizona Department of Public Safety told Arizona’s Family that the single-vehicle rollover crash happened at milepost 215 not far from the Queen Valley Road intersection At least one person has been confirmed dead from the wreck but it’s unclear if there are any other injuries The road was closed most of the day as crews investigated the crash and cleared the scene Corrections & Clarifications: The headline for a previous version of this article gave an incorrect gender for the victim A driver who died after a collision with an Apache Junction Police Department officer on Tuesday afternoon has been identified as Kaja Pendic Rayna Steffen with the Apache Junction police said in a statement on Wednesday a 3-year veteran with the Apache Junction Police Department was responding to a road rage incident when they collided with the driver," Steffen said Steffen said Pendic's next of kin have been notified as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision "Our thoughts are with the families of those involved during this difficult time," the statement said The collision occurred at approximately 4:20 p.m while the crash resulted in the officer going to the hospital A crash investigation was opened and was taken over by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (This story was updated to add new information.) Fire crews have held the Siphon Fire to more than half containment since the blaze started raging near the Superstition Wilderness a week ago the fire northeast of Apache Junction was at 58% containment and burned at 15,527 acres "Crews continue to patrol and monitor the fire’s perimeter and improve existing firelines," read a post by the Tonto National Forest on X "Dry conditions along with cooler temperatures are expected through midweek." An evacuation order for Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flat was lifted Saturday 10 and its source remains under investigation