Top games from around the state for May 5-11 Arizona has cut a deal to sell the shuttered private prison it owns north of Tucson to the Utah-based company that ran it until the state closed it at the end of 2023 The development comes as the state House overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to lease the facility for $1 a year to the federal government to house people accused of immigration violations The prison is being sold to Utah-based Management and Training Corp spokesman for the Arizona Department of Administration There are no strings on how the company known as MTC could operate the prison confirmed it was buying the 500-bed facility to use as a detention facility but declined to provide details including when it would reopen and whether it would house federal prisoners or those from other states but Tait said he could not determine when escrow would close The former Arizona State Prison-Marana was operated by MTC since it was built in the mid-1990s as the first private prison in the state Arizona bought the prison in 2013 for $150,000 under a contract provision that allowed it to buy it when contracts expired MTC continued operating the minimum security facility until December 2023 when it was closed under a plan approved by Gov Katie Hobbs because it would save money and the state no longer needed the beds to house a dipping prison population a town about 20 miles north of Tucson with a population of nearly 60,000 it held less than half its capacity and employed about 100 guards and other staff Town Manager Terry Rozema said town officials had talked to two companies who were interested in the facility but was unaware Friday that a deal had been reached to sell it Neither planned to use it to house federal immigration prisoners Rehabilitation and Reentry said it had no involvement with the sale and had no plans to again house state prisoners there Thursday’s 48-10 vote rejecting the proposal to lease the prison to the federal government came after the two lawmakers who represent the Marana area — one Democrat and one Republican — blasted the bill sponsored by Sen State officials have a deal to sell Arizona State Prison-Marana to the Utah-based company that ran the facility before it closed in 2023 said there was concern locally about housing criminal immigrants in the prison And she criticized Kavanagh for failing to talk with her Kevin Volk or town officials about his proposal I do agree that something needs to happen with it instead of it just sitting there But why was I not consulted with?’’ Keshel asked and figure out what their desires were for their community?’’ Senate Bill 1294 would have allowed the state to end any deal with the federal government if it found a buyer During testimony in the Senate earlier in the session Kavanagh said that with increased federal immigration-related detentions it made sense to make the facility available for immigration detainees the federal government is ramping up the enforcement of our immigration laws and consequentially there is an anticipated need for detention facilities,’’ he said Volk also wondered why town officials weren’t consulted but was also concerned that Kavanagh’s bill limited the use to only federal prisoners for a minimum price while the property was for sale “This is political theater in the form of a bill that has not been done in consultation with the community said he and other town officials had received no information from Kavanagh on his plan “Nobody’s reached out to us and said this is what the bill is about and this is why it’s good for Marana,’’ he said The town does want to see the prison reopened and Rozema said MTC was a good partner over the years The town also gets increased state shared revenue because prisoners are counted as residents And they also are used to do roadside cleanup and other projects that help keep the town “pristine,’’ he said “One of the big benefits for us was being able to utilize some of the folks there in our workforce doing a lot of the landscaping along the freeways and along the big thoroughfares,’’ Rozema said “So having that again is something we’d really like to see,’’ he said I don’t know if that’s even possible’’ to use the inmates because of the security level of the detainees MTC operates detention or correctional centers in the U.S plus Job Corps training centers and prison medical facilities It also runs five Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency detention centers Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community John Kavanagh continues to churn out bills on "culture war" issues — like bathroom and birth-certificate… For Star subscribers: Arizona lawmakers are voting on a measure to force public school districts to let private school students compete on the… State lawmakers approved a $122 million compromise package to fund services for tens of thousands of disabled Arizonans The Arizona Commerce Authority wants a judge to rule there's nothing unconstitutional about giving away up to $125 million in state tax credit… Katie Hobbs late Friday vetoed the anti-DEI measure to take money away from universities and colleges that offer DEI courses alon… travelers will need Real ID or other documents to get on a commercial flight Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device MARANA, Ariz. (KGUN) — Engines roared and dirt flew as engineering students from across the world gathered this weekend at the Marana Pumpkin Patch for the SAE Baja International Design Competition The four-day event saw college teams race off-road recreational vehicles they spent the past year designing and building combining innovation with hands-on learning This included teams from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University the Baja SAE International is more than just a race It challenges students to solve real-world engineering problems while fostering collaboration and technical skill and then race their cars,” said Josh Spivey learning how to do some real-world skills and having some fun.” that they have to adhere so that no team is given an advantage by simply adding a larger motor They are tasked with finding creative solutions to make their vehicles faster and more agile The competition also serves as a unique networking opportunity giving participants the chance to connect with fellow students and industry professionals a graduate student from Case Western Reserve University the event was a chance to share insights and overcome challenges with like-minded peers you get to talk to like-minded peers about their cars what challenges they’ve overcome and the problems they’ve faced,” Khot said Khot says the team experienced a “few hiccups” at the start of the race but that their vehicle was placing first in the race at the time we spoke with the endurance race lasting four hours another member of Case Western Reserve University team described seeing the team’s car in action as “cathartic” after nearly a year designing and building the vehicle adjusting and innovating the design each time around Khot said the team spent June through December designing the vehicle figuring out issues with the drive train and frame geometry Syed then took the lead on adding electrical components to boost the vehicle’s capabilities Khot says the vehicle was equipped with 23-inch tires a wider diameter than previous years to allow for more control on the desert track Khot says the desert conditions differed from the mud-laced tracks back home but they got practice during a competition in California the previous month Students from McMaster University in Hamilton emphasizing the importance of testing their vehicles in competition and applying lessons learned in future designs “The competition itself is a great way to test out your car and learn from it for the next year,” said Mayam Asad “It’s hard to get an experience like this before you actually enter the workforce,” added teammate Zac Velchi “To have this opportunity as a student to learn good engineering practices and to learn from a bunch of teams and have sponsors—it’s just a great experience.” Velchi also says that the Baja experience gives aspiring engineers a leg up in the auto industry “You find when you have the Baja tag on your resume companies tend to perk because they know what that means,” he said “They know that we have a bit of engineering experience and not starting from the ground up.” the event also helps reshape perceptions of what engineering involves “Everyone thinks of engineering as math and numbers and being stuck behind a computer,” Spivey explained This shows there’s a lot more to engineering than what you think.” This year marked the first time Marana hosted the competition and organizers say the event provided an economic boost to the local community with hotels and restaurants seeing increased business They hope to bring the event back to Marana in future years Spivey says past competitions were located in more remote areas but that Marana offered hotels and other accommodations making the process easier without having to set up tents for the competitors He says the event also provides students with access to professionals in the auto industry “We’re bringing in companies from across the country and local so they can meet with these companies and potentially get job opportunities,” he said “All these students’ skills go back to the automotive industry So it’s a great way to expose them to what careers could look like and all the aspects of engineering.” More information about the Baja SAE International Design Competition is available on the organization’s website Report a typo An official website of the United States government Open Search  Mobile Menu The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking good homes for wild burros during three Wild Horse and Burro Awareness Week “Burro Palooza” adoption and sale events The events will be focused on the placement of burros primarily gathered from the deserts of central and western Arizona.   The Marana and Willcox events will feature training demonstrations with inmate trainers from Arizona Corrections Industries at 11 a.m Trained animals in those demonstrations will also be available for sale and auctioned at those events The pickup of burros purchased from previous Online Corral events can also be coordinated to coincide with these events.    Most burros available at these events will be untrained. Untrained animals are $125 on a first come, first served basis. Trained horses start at $1,000 and trained burros start at $500, increasing depending on interest. More information about the trained animals which will be available can be found ahead of the events on BLM Arizona Facebook The BLM offers wild horses and burros gathered from public lands in the west to qualified individuals who must demonstrate humane care for the animal Wild horses are known for their sure-footedness these animals can be trained for many uses All animals available have been examined by a veterinarian Wild Horse and Burro Awareness Week, March 1 through March 8, is centered around the March 5 birthday of Velma Bronn Johnston, also known as “Wild Horse Annie”, who was instrumental in the enactment of the “Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act” (Public Law 92-195).   Learn more about BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro program by visiting, https://www.blm.gov/whb The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations An official website of the Department of the Interior MARANA, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Marana Aquatic and Recreation Center (MARC) will officially open its doors to the community this Saturday just down the street from the Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex the MARC is approximately 120,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space Marana Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Wayne Barnett said the town’s residents have expressed a want for an indoor recreation center “Everything that we did was outside at our parks and we did the best we could but we just weren’t able to offer everything that our residents deserved and wanted,” Barnett said “They told us pretty loud and pretty clearly that this is something that would impact their lives and this is something that would raise the quality of life for the residents of Marana.” is funded by a temporary half-cent sales tax approved in 2021 Construction on the project began in the fall of 2023 Barnett said it’s incredible knowing the impact this will have on the community.“We can’t wait to see the smiling faces as they walk in the door as they swim in the pool — it’s a pretty special feeling and we’re excited and ready to welcome the community to the center,” he said The town is still hiring for positions including lifeguards recreation aides and group fitness instructors an individual must live in zip codes: 85653 (KGUN) — A man who pleaded guilty for a string of burglaries at residential construction locations in Marana was sentenced to four years in the Arizona Department of Corrections Sergio Lino Sandoval will also serve a consecutive sentence of seven years probation and pay more than $21,000 in restitution according to a news release from Attorney General Marana Police Officers identified Sandoval as a suspect in April of 2023 after his vehicle was seen leaving a construction site early in the morning MPD obtained a search warrant for Sandoval's vehicle and two homes to which he was connected cabinets and other items that were reported stolen from construction sites from October of 2022 through April of 2023 Sandoval pleaded guilty to three class three felonies: One county of theft greater than $25,000; and two counts of theft greater than $4,000 and less the $25,000 Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInTUCSON (13 News) - The man arrested in connection with Tuesday’s school bus crash on Interstate 10 near Tangerine Road made his first court appearance early Wednesday faces three felony counts of aggravated assault which was higher than the recommended amount by prosecutors His next court appearance was set for April 14 You can watch the video of his court appearance below The interim complaint shows that Rodriguez was heading east when he changed lanes suddenly and hit the bus from the Kingman Unified School District and the roadway was closed until Wednesday morning The document shows the impact knocked the bus out of its lane and onto the shoulder The probable cause statement shows Rodriguez tested positive for marijuana and provided blood samples via a search warrant Those tests are still awaiting lab analysis The results could lead to more serious charges The interim complaint also states that three people were the most seriously hurt According to GoFundMe drives started by families, two of the students involved in the crash are Bobby Liberto and Caden Wilson. Goran Mitic told 13 News he was headed back up to Phoenix when he saw the traffic slow and dust go up everywhere He said that was when he pulled over and got out He and others immediately started to help the victims out of the bus Mitic explained many of the students were in shock - others he said He said he called 911 and offered his phone to students to call their parents but I think some people figure they can’t help,” Mitic said “Maybe moving on is the best way so that first responders can get through.” Michael Mireles was on her way home to Austin when she saw the arrest “I did see them arresting somebody in a red shirt,” Mireles said “And they did take him to the other side of the freeway The bus was carrying at least 35 students and five adults -- the bus driver and four chaperones Three students and one adult from the bus were transported to a local hospital in critical condition Tim Wiedemann told 13 News that major incidents like Tuesday’s are always difficult it doesn’t make it any better,” Wiedemann said “Whenever you come to these types of calls The Kingman USD said the students are members of its Future Business Leaders of America. According to the Arizona FBLA website, the state leadership conference is April 1-3 in Tucson “There are no life-threatening injuries; however some serious injuries have been reported,” the district said in a post have been transported to Tucson Medical Center and Banner University Medical Center for evaluation and medical treatment as needed Those who are uninjured and medically cleared will be released from the hospital today.” DPS said it does not appear that anyone suffered life-threatening injuries and the students and adults with minor injuries were taken to the hospital to be checked out Banner confirmed 21 students and four adults were transported to its hospital following the accident two adults and two pediatric patients remained in their care One of the pediatric patients was listed in serious condition all of the patients it received were discharged “Conditions of those patients range from good to serious and none are considered life-threatening,” Banner said in a statement to 13 News “We are prioritizing the care and privacy of our patients and their families at this time.” Troopers and officers from the Marana Police Department arrived on the scene first followed by firefighters and other first responders KUSD can confirm that the majority of students involved in yesterday’s bus accident in Marana have been discharged from the hospital and are now able to go home Our district is coordinating with staff and families to assist any students who may need transportation back to Kingman we currently have two students and two staff members who remain hospitalized and will continue their treatment in medical facilities in Tucson Our thoughts remain with them and their families during this time We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Tucson and Marana hospitals and their community for their exceptional support and assistance provided to our students and staff We are so incredibly thankful for our compassionate community that has been offering support and assistance during this time KUSD would like to assemble care baskets for the students and their families who were involved in the accident we would be thankful for contributions of the following items for the families: Your donation not only helps with recovery but also serves as a reminder of the incredible strength and compassion in our community If you would like to donate any of these items please drop them off to the Kingman Unified District Office by 3:00 PM on Thursday at the following address: 3033 McDonald Ave please reach out to the District Office at 928-753-5678 Be sure to subscribe to the 13 News YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@13newskold (13 News) - Interstate 10 has reopened following a deadly pedestrian crash early Monday The Arizona Department of Public Safety said the crash happened at 4:06 a.m on I-10 westbound between Cortaro Farms and Tangerine roads DPS said a driver stopped their vehicle in the eastbound emergency shoulder and ran across the eastbound lanes and the median and was hit by several vehicles after entering the westbound lanes The pedestrian was identified as 36-year-old Lauren Diane Walker Meuth of Casa Grande (13 News) - Authorities are investigating after a body was found in a vehicle in a Marana parking lot on Wednesday The Marana Police Department confirmed the body was located near Ina Road and Old Father Drive around 8:15 a.m The MPD said that while the investigation is ongoing (13 News) - A Marana team is facing a host of charges after bringing a gun to school and showing it off The Marana Police Department said the 13-year-old was arrested on charges of minor in possession of a firearm The Marana PD said the investigation began early Monday morning when a parent called after finding a firearm in their child’s backpack The student admitted to stealing the gun from someone else and bringing it to the Gladden Farms Elementary campus on Friday The teen allegedly showed the firearm to other students both on and off campus following school hours “The safety of our community is our top priority,” the MPD said in a release “MPD has a zero-tolerance policy for weapons on school grounds and we are committed to working with MUSD schools to keep our children safe “We urge parents to talk to their children about the seriousness of these actions and their legal consequences MPD takes all threats to the safety of our schools seriously If you become aware of any potential threats to school safety Below is the statement sent to parents of students at Gladden Farms We value communication and collaborating with our families to ensure everyone in our community remains safe We were contacted by the Marana Police Department about an incident that had been reported to them early this morning which was investigated immediately and resulted in the student facing significant criminal charges and school discipline the Marana Police Department received a call from a parent who found a weapon in their child’s backpack admitted to bringing the stolen weapon to school last Friday It was also determined that the student showed the weapon to fellow students both on and off-campus this information was never communicated to anyone at the school and was only reported to authorities early this morning The safety of students and staff is our top priority Our district and school emphasize “See something These critical actions help keep our entire campus and community safe Please talk to your child(ren) about our zero-tolerance for weapons on campus If they become aware of any potential threats to school safety please report concerns immediately to a trusted adult We encourage anyone to call or text the Speakup Safety Tip Line (520) 518-4181 to report any concerns of threats All students are encouraged to report anything concerning they see or hear immediately to school administration Thank you for your partnership and ongoing support in keeping our school community safe - Gladden Farms Elementary School Administration Be sure to subscribe to the 13 News YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@13newskold (13 News) - An online threat against Marana Middle has launched an investigation but authorities do not believe it is a credible threat The Marana Police Department said “concerning content from an unknown source (has been) circulating on social media.” along with the Marana Unified School District Parents and students are asked to call 520-382-2000 if they see any new information related to the incident There will be additional police at the school on Wednesday “Please speak with your child or children and ask that they do not share concerning/threatening posts on social media,” the MPD said.”Please advise them to report concerning information to school administration or the police.” An arrest has been made in the arson fire that gutted the Living Word Baptist Church in Marana last October The church was fully engulfed by the time Marana Police and Northwest Fire arrived at the scene according to a news release from Marana PD Evidence at the scene was recovered and submitted for forensic analysis The analysis produced DNA evidence that allegedly linked the fire to 22-year-old Amarion Person Person was already in the Pima County Jail on an unrelated matter Marana Police investigators conducted an interview with Person on April 11 at the Pima County Jail the news release said officers determined enough probable cause to establish charges against Person for arson of an occupied structure; criminal damage exceeding $10,000 and criminal trespass The church was targeted as a crime of opportunity and not for religious reasons (13 News) - The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report into the deadly mid-air collision at the Marana airport February 19 The report states the flight instructor on the Cessna announced over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency they “were going to do stop and go on the runway to perform a short field landing and a short field takeoff.” The report shows the instructor stated that “they landed uneventfully and while in the process of taking off they heard the Lancair pilot announce on the CTAF that he was going around again The flight instructor stated that she looked at ADS-B information displayed on her iPad and saw the Lancair converging towards their airplane from behind.” The report then states “as the instructor was keying up the radio to ask the Lancair pilot if they saw them The NTSB report shows the collision happened over the intersection of two runways The Marana Police Department released a report that showed a witness told an officer he heard the pilots yelling at each other before the accident One of the pilots allegedly told the other “You cut me off.” 70-year-old Michael Reinath and 76-year-old Linda Gifford were in the Lancair and both died The pilot and student in the Cessna survived and did not need medical attention The MPD said several witnesses tried to help at the crash site by grabbing fire extinguishers At least one MPD officer said he saw a large fire coming from the ditch and was told by the witnesses that the two people inside the Lancair were dead The pilot from the Cessna said they were practicing “touch-down maneuvers” when they saw the other plane behind them allegedly said he was going to abort the landing the Cessna pilot said she assumed the other plane was going to veer off The town of Marana had already confirmed that neither plane was based out of the airport told 13 News he was about to fly to Payson and was told just before takeoff that the airport had closed and they called me on the radio saying oh the airports closed,” Traylor said The NTSB’s preliminary report should could out in less than a month the FAA said “A Lancair collided in midair with a Cessna 172 at Marana Regional Airport.. Marana Regional Airport is an uncontrolled field Two people were on board the Lancair and two people were on board the Cessna 172 To provide background information about its statement the FAA said “an uncontrolled field” is an airport that does not have an operating ATC control tower Pilots utilize a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) to regularly announce their position to other pilots who are in the airport vicinity The Pilot-in-Command is responsible for maintaining safe separation from other aircraft Pilots operating into uncontrolled fields are still required to comply with all Federal Aviation Regulations The town of Marana is working to get an airport control tower – however Traylor isn’t sure if that would be a good thing “I don’t know if that would make this airport any safer “It’s just a hindrance to some of us folks.” Federal investigators have arrived and the airport will be closed until further notice It was the second plane crash in the Marana area since October 2024 On Oct. 8, a small plane crashed into two homes following an equipment failure (13 News) - The Arizona Department of Transportation says Interstate 10 has reopened in Marana following a crash The ADOT says the westbound lanes of Interstate 10 were closed due to a crash at milepost 236 near Marana Road The Arizona Department of Public Safety says three vehicles were involved in the crash which was reported a little after 1:30 a.m The DPS says there were serious injuries associated with this crash (KGUN) — After years of working towards making this a reality the Town of Marana is one step closer to getting a new downtown area The town’s Director of Economic Development and Tourism Curtis Woody says if it ends up the way they hope it will “If you’re going through Arizona and you’re driving down Interstate 10 and you see the big iconic sign of ‘Downtown Marana,’ you’ll go The first phase of the project will be on a 20-acre lot It’s located across the street from the Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex on Marana Main St The second plot of land will be developed after the first phase is completed The 40 acres are located just north of the land for the first phase Woody says work is being done to help address traffic concerns in the area through the town’s transportation master plan “We’re in design right now – conceptual design for extending Tangerine Farms loop road all the way to the Marana exit and then also increasing or improving the access to the downtown So once (Marana) Main Street is completed and we’ll also be doing some interchange work as well then that’ll help that traffic considerably.” but the downtown roadway will be cars-free While this has been a project the town has wanted to do for a while because the town now has the population and demographics to support it then you just refurbish buildings as you go along So it’s an expensive endeavor and a challenge to do that but we get to build it the way we want it.” The town will fund the public infrastructure The majority of funding will come from the Downtown Reinvestment Fund and Bed Tax Fund the total cost to the town hasn't been determined yet We’ll do those types of things - the parking lot that the town would ultimately end up owning anyway – pipes in the ground The town is partnering with Scott Stiteler on the project who is responsible for actually building it Stiteler is known for his work developing Downtown Tucson Downtown Tucson was mainly restoring old buildings bringing them back to life,” Stiteler said “Downtown Marana is obviously a ground-up downtown To have that opportunity at this stage of my career is like I’ve said a few times it really is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build something that feels old and that it’s in the right place and ties to the history of Marana.” The design phase of the 20 acres is expected to take 12-18 months Early renderings of the district include an event grove and large Marana archway - which is what Stitler is most excited about “Creating a sense of entry into the downtown is crucial it’s that first impression we all care so much about,” he said (13 News) - The Marana Police Department says officers are still looking for a man following an incident near Twin Peaks and Coachline Wednesday evening Police say the incident started as a report of trespassing The MPD says the man unlawfully entered a home and ran off before police arrived Police say he was known to the residence and this is believed to be an isolated incident MARANA, Ariz. (KGUN) — If you live in Marana, you will soon have a new spot to swim, run and hang out as construction of the Marana Aquatic and Recreation (MARC) is expected to be completed in the next couple of months The town’s multi-million dollar facility is located at 13455 N. Marana Main St., just down the street from the Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex and across the street from the planned downtown district “The Marana Aquatic and Recreation Center is going to allow us to address some of the unmet needs that we had in the field of recreation for Marana,” Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Wayne Barnett said a temporary half-cent sales tax was approved to fund the project budgeted for $64 million Barnett says it's currently coming in under budget the facility will be completely paid off and then the sales tax will go away,” he said The facility will be open seven days a week but hours of operation have not been finalized.During a special meeting on February 25 the Marana town council approved membership fees for the MARC 85742 or 85743A ribbon cutting ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Saturday Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMARANA, AZ (AZFamily) — The southern Arizona airport where two planes collided mid-air over a runway, killing two people on Wednesday according to records reviewed by Arizona’s Family Investigates The records come from pilots who reported being involved in near-mid-air collisions in submissions to the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) The system allows pilots to voluntarily report incidents confidentially to identify possible safety issues and contribute to aviation safety research Pilots at the Marana Regional Airport reported a near mid-air collision in 2017 with two near mid-air collisions reported in 2019 and 2024 a general aviation pilot said they were bringing their plane to Marana for maintenance The pilot noticed several planes in the pattern around the airport The pilot said that they were informed they had “cut in” under another aircraft that was practicing approaching the airport and they were doing a “go around.” The reporting pilot reviewed online records and saw the two aircraft were 500 feet apart “I’ve heard that combining straight in and pattern work at uncontrolled airports is dangerous but now have first-hand experience to verify.” a flight instructor reported a near-miss with another plane after a takeoff from Marana Regional Airport “I estimated we were at the same altitude less than 100 feet away,” the instructor said The report said the second aircraft made no radio calls and said “When I saw them in the left window they were same altitude less than a quarter mile turning towards us fast.” The instructor said they cut power and made an emergency descent “to avoid getting hit.” The instructor raised concerns about the traffic in and around the airport “Standard practice from AVQ [Marana Regional] is to enter and exit the pattern over the cement plant to remain clear of housing This practice however adds another layer of safety conflicts as more traffic is being funneled into one location Increased operations with landings in-between taxiways midfield The instructor noted that “more awareness needs to be brought to AVQ [Marana Regional] for the heavy training and additional traffic that frequents the airport daily and the nonstandard practices for the airport.” The Marana Regional Airport does not have an air traffic control tower leaving it up to pilots to manage traffic as they maneuver in and out of one of the busiest regional airports in the state In a statement given to our sister station KOLD 13 News by an instructor with the Marana Flight School they said: “Marana airport is a busier airport that is non-towered so there are more near misses than there should be They don’t have the staffing to monitor the radios and assist traffic control.” An air traffic control tower is in the works for the busy Marana Regional Airport 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 Do you have a story you want us to investigate? Tell us about it by contacting us (KGUN) — The two plane crash victims inside the Lancair 3600 that crashed at the Marana Regional Airport Wednesday morning according to a press release from the town of Marana The Lancair was one of two single-engine fixed-wing planes that collided midair at the Marana Regional Airport last month approached from behind and hit a Cessna 172 as it was climbing from a touch-and-go landing FAA records show Reinath registered his plane in Rio Vista The Lancair 3800 was built from a kit in 2001 — 24 years ago FAA records indicate Reinath owned the plane for all of that time KGUN 9 found he had an additional address in a small town in northwest Maricopa County His home there was in a flight-oriented community that had its own runway Radar tracks from the day of the accident appear to show Reinath’s flight began from that area Reinath was an aeronautical engineer who worked for NASA at its Ames Research Center in Mountain View The Ames Research Center develops advanced technology for aircraft on Earth and spacecraft in space Reinath was the author of many articles on advanced aeronautical research The investigation is ongoing and is being led by the National Transportation Safety Board PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Two dead in midair plane crash at Marana airport PREVIOUS COVERAGE | FAA documents confirm tail numbers, crash details in Marana plane crash Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPHOENIX (AZFamily/13 News) — Arizona’s Family has obtained new video from the Town of Marana showing moments leading to a deadly mid-air collision composite photos were released through the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report revealing more details on the Feb it states the flight instructor on the Cessna announced over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency that they “were going to stop and go on the runway to perform a short field landing and a short field takeoff.” “As the instructor was keying up the radio to ask the Lancair pilot if they saw them both airplanes collided,” federal investigators wrote in the reported the NTSB report shows the collision was over the intersection of two runways Marana police released a report days prior.stating that a witness told an officer he heard the pilots yelling at each other before the accident One of the pilots allegedly told the other Authorities say 70-year-old Michael Reinath and 76-year-old Linda Gifford were in the Lancair Police in Marana said several witnesses tried to help at the crash site by grabbing fire extinguishers At least one police officer said he saw a large fire coming from the ditch and was told by the witnesses that the two people inside the Lancair were dead The Cessna pilot said they were practicing “touch-down maneuvers” when they saw the other plane behind them The town of Marana confirmed that neither plane was based out of the airport “A Lancair collided in mid-air with a Cessna 172 at Marana Regional Airport.. The FAA said “an uncontrolled field” is an airport that does not have an operating ATC control tower They say pilots operating in uncontrolled fields are still required to comply with all Federal Aviation Regulations It was the second plane crash in the Marana area since October. On Oct. 8, a small plane crashed into two homes following an equipment failure The Town of Marana is moving forward with developing a Downtown Marana district on 20 acres right across from the Marana Municipal Complex "People can expect a one-of-a-kind destination," Town Manager Terry Rozema said on the town's podcast "Real Talk with the Town of Marana." "A gathering place for our community that is really going to be second-to-none in the state of Arizona." Rozema said on the podcast that the downtown development will be on the town's land They are instead partnering with Scott Stiteler who is best known for his work developing Downtown Tucson Rozema said the town is working on a lease agreement now There will be a design period of 12-18 months before work will begin on the first two buildings: a "nice restaurant and a brewery," according to Rozema The new downtown district will have parking lots surrounding it Early renderings also include a dance barn The district's design is inspired by Mule Alley, described on the Mule Alley website as a "curated collection of restaurants Rozema said on the pod that Stiteler also owns 40 acres just north of the new district "We are just continuing to look for ways to feed this synergy that will make this a vibrant place where there is just always people there," Rozema said "Whether they are coming from the (Marana Aquatic & Recreation Center) or Ora Mae Harn Park (13 News) - A Customs and Border Protection civilian employee is facing a host of charges after several shots were fired during a domestic dispute in Marana late Wednesday The Marana Police Department said Timothy Sullivan was arrested at his home in the 7900 block of West Moonfire Court That area is near Twin Peaks and Silverbell CBP confirmed he was assigned to the Tucson Border Patrol Sector and was not a law enforcement officer “CBP stresses honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission and the overwhelming majority of CBP employees and officers perform their duties with honor and distinction working tirelessly every day to keep our country safe,” CBP said in a release to 13 News “We do not tolerate corruption or abuse within our ranks and we cooperate fully with all criminal or administrative investigations of alleged misconduct by any of our personnel Sullivan allegedly fired several shots before officers got to the home People in the home (Sullivan’s wife and their young son) were able to get out safely but Sullivan allegedly shot several more times when officers were at the scene Sullivan was then taken into custody and is being held on a $250,000 He is facing eight counts of aggravated assault Sullivan’s wife called 911 and claimed he slapped her She also said Sullivan said he was going to get his gun and kill her Officers said Sullivan came out of the home with two guns in his hands -- a handgun and a rifle They said Sullivan then said something to the effect of “just shoot me.” Sullivan was taken into custody after he dropped the weapons and was tased one of Sullivan’s neighbors said he found three bullet holes in his home Sullivan allegedly told investigators that he considered fighting with the officers but decided to surrender Sullivan also alleged admitted to texting his wife’s older son saying he was going to kill her During his initial court appearance Thursday morning it was revealed Sullivan works for Homeland Security 13 News has reached out to Homeland Security for a statement and an update on Sullivan’s employment status he must turn over all weapons to law enforcement and cannot go to the home or his wife’s workplace The judge also called Sullivan a danger to the community (KGUN) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the preliminary report of the mid-air collision between two small aircraft near Marana Regional Airport (AVQ) left two people dead and one seriously injured It involved a Lancair 360 Mk II and a Cessna 172S The pilot and passenger aboard the Lancair 360 were killed as a result of the crash while the flight instructor and student pilot in the Cessna 172 survived departed Chandler Municipal Airport earlier that morning for a cross-country training session the aircraft entered the traffic pattern and performed a touch-and-go landing on runway 12 before remaining in the pattern but performed a go-around due to traffic congestion the flight instructor announced over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) that they were planning a stop-and-go landing they heard the Lancair pilot announce another go-around the Lancair converged on the Cessna from behind Previous witness reports said arguing was heard on the radio There was no mention of this in the report Airport surveillance footage and ADS-B tracking data confirmed that the crash occurred approximately 150 feet above ground at the intersection of runways 12/30 and 3/21 the flight instructor managed to regain control of the Cessna and landed safely The Lancair crashed near a taxiway and was engulfed in flames upon impact Debris from the Lancair was found scattered across a 300-by-100-foot area on runway 12 Investigators reported that the wreckage was recovered for further examination The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are continuing their investigation into the cause of the collision Officials will examine communication records and pilot decision-making leading up to the crash Stay with KGUN 9 for updates as more information becomes available An uneasiness swept over Shelley Liberto the night before the trip her 16-year-old son took to a competition at University of Arizona for Future Business Leaders of America a national student development organization "Why do you have to go to another FBLA meeting sweetheart?" 49-year-old Shelley said she asked her son A drive to a competition that he and other Kingman high schoolers expected would further their long-term goals has instead derailed some of them after the school bus they were traveling on crashed Nicolas Luis Rodriguez, 31, was charged on suspicion of aggravated assault and serious physical injury according to the Pima County Attorney's Office while 17-year-old Lee Williams High School junior Katie Holmes had soft tissue from her right arm removed down to the bone "It's been horrific with the pain," said Julie Holmes Bobby was seated in the middle of the bus when it was hit my arm," the boy shouted as he found himself trapped The accident meant reconstructive surgery on his left arm while his elbow required a skin graft to heal it doctors were operating on him to try and save his left thumb after the right-handed boy lost his fingers on that same hand who will be his primary caregiver as he recovers said she was hospitalized the same day as his surgery after an infection she got resulting from a surgery she previously underwent To cover her son’s expenses, Shelley Liberto has started a GoFundMe college-level Cambridge AICE or the Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma program he was still pondering on what he wanted to do as a career But while he lay in a hospital bed shortly after the crash all Bobby cared about was his mother’s well-being she is planning on completing an associate’s degree in business management through Mohave Community College When Katie woke up from the first of four surgeries "Does this mean we don't get to compete at the FBLA?" Katie was trying to earn an athletic scholarship but her injuries will keep her from swimming competitively A GoFundMe to benefit her daughter’s medical expenses was active Glass burst through the bus window following impact Katie fell out of one of the window frames The doctors have been clearing out damaged flesh and even some ligaments Caden Wilson was on the bus with Katie and Bobby said the 16-year-old sophomore at Kingman High had been "super eager" for the FBLA competition and was expecting to get his driver’s license April 7 pointing to how he may have a 103 in a class but will bring her in for a parent-teacher conference to net extra credit Caden Wilson is taking a course at Mohave Community College "He wants to eventually own his own business and then on the side The boy suffered a severe concussion that has left him stuttering and forgetting what happened only a few minutes prior and he has been dizzy and lightheaded with a difficulty concentrating Medical visits have led Cristal to miss work and left the family with financial instability, prompting her to also set up a GoFundMe "I’ve been losing myself for the past few days," she said A 35,000-square-foot former urgent care center purchased by Marana Unified School District in 2020 will open this fall as a high school Marana Unified School District purchased a 35,000-square-foot building that once housed an urgent care facility it housed the district’s custodial supplies Marana Unified School District is transforming it into a high school that utilizes student-centered learning Marana officials began brainstorming ways to utilize the building Both of the district’s comprehensive high schools are at or near capacity Adding to the two high school campuses wouldn’t be effective “When you start thinking about what the future of new school construction could look like .. we’re seeing a lot of vacant big box store buildings out there,” Streeter said “This was an opportunity to really completely redefine what teaching and learning could look like at the high school level.” Streeter’s dissertation was on personalized learning spaces and had applied that to a middle school he was at before he became superintendent A banner advertises the future home of Marana Vista Academy The school is slated to be operating for the 2025-2026 school year The school will offer in-depth learning to serve a variety of learning styles It zeroed in on “student centered approaches — tailoring educational experiences to individual students learning styles — incorporating more voice and choice.” The school wouldn’t be like an online school “A traditional model of education that is very standardized very time block focused,” Streeter explained then you turn it off and you learn about science,” “This was an opportunity to really change some of those ideas.” Laura Goligoski is the new high school’s Personalized Learning Coordinator — a little different from a principal “I have been tasked with just learning and building a school researching and collaborating with people all over the country and taking a look at personalized learning programs.” Goligoski described student-centered learning “It’s not just about the content that they’re learning,” she said It’s also about methods and experiential learning when they are more engaged and passionate about what they’re learning they tend to be more willing to stick with it The interior of what was once an urgent care clinic doesn’t look like a high school – yet Marana Unified School District officials plan on their new high school finished by Fall 2025 The project cost $12 million in grant funding from the state college admissions requirements and other elements that can’t do without those building blocks There are things I really want to know and I want to know more about,” Streeter said “Some of the qualitative measures were just much improved … feelings about school feelings about relationships with teachers feelings about what their school experience We saw returns where the students in the personalized learning environment were outperforming students in a more traditional setting Transforming the urgent care clinic into a cutting-edge high school costs money Streeter said $12 million is covered by a state grant “We anticipate not needing any of our capital dollars for furniture and exterior fencing,” he added Arizona had never approved school building grants for an existing facility before so MUSD made their case — and received the $12 million Marana Vista Academy — new in so many ways — is slated to open in Fall 2025 educating anywhere from 100 to 200 students to start with The district hopes to eventually have 400 students Marana Vista has been — and will be — on a lot of people’s radars “It’s a project that people around the state are watching closely.” Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox many Pima County school districts have remained mostly mum about how they would handle mass deportations promise… The latest ruling closes a half-century-long chapter in the district’s history of desegregation efforts Marana USD is hosting information sessions about its new high school, Tucson Values Teachers teams up with Pima County School Superintendent,… The cost to make repairs for the building Tucson Unified School District jump from an estimated $3.3 million to $7.2 million Pima County Schools Superintendent Dustin Williams made the announcement the same day Tucson Unified School District provided more details abo… "The Queen of Spotland," is an Amazon bestseller A Tucson police officer’s heroism dealing with an armed man at a charter school last month was recognized Thursday by the Arizona State School… Seven Pima County schools are among 53 across Arizona to earn an A+ School of Excellence Award Get your morning recap of today's local news and read the full stories here: tucne.ws/morning Opportunities for growth have retailers and construction companies purchasing land and submitting plans with a competitive frenzy in Marana’s Gladden Farms master-planned community Bulldozers and tractors are tearing up the fields behind the Circle K at 11403 W Tangerine Road to create the interior loop road But it could be nearly two years before any of the businesses planned for that area are up and running Brian Harpel of Velocity Retail has been working on this property since 2005 when Walgreens and Fry’s were expected to build Those plans were stalled by the 2008 recession The site where Walgreens was supposed to be is now the Circle K Rio West Development & Construction Inc bought the 14-acre property around the Circle K for $3.8 million in early April 2024 Marana Planning Manager Matthew Taylor said the development has been named Heritage Park Shoppes and is zoned as village commercial A new road will connect a retail center being built to West Tangerine Road in Marana some of which have had companies submit applications of interest including Dunkin’ Donuts and a daycare canter He said the arrival of Fry’s “made the market right” for this development to come in describing it as “an epiphany” that brought back interest to serve the master-planned community of nearly 40,000 residents “This has emerged as a hub of growth that’ll serve Marana for many years,” Harpel said some of which have had companies submit applications of interest Rio West broke ground March 14 and began forming the layout for the interior loop road that will connect to Tangerine Road Both Harpel and Taylor confirmed that there would be several businesses including: dental Brakes Plus and Lightbridge Academy daycare center “People are anticipating these new businesses coming in,” said Taylor who said he believes the developments will bring more jobs to the area and will make the Gladden Farms community more attractive and easier to get around “It’s going to serve the town as a whole and benefit the residents.” Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly Business leadership in the Tucson region was fractured instead of working together leaving companies interested in moving here unsure who to … Tucson continues to shine a light on the Southern Arizona region The growth of industrial projects around town may not be visible to most but its impact has big meaning for Tucson’s workforce For Star Subscribers: Live Nation is bringing a Punch Line Comedy Club to downtown Tucson For Subscribers: The New York-based burger chain will open its first Tucson location on North Campbell Avenue near East Fort Lowell Road a major crash on Interstate 10 in Marana was causing traffic delays late Tuesday The Marana Police Department confirmed there was a new crash on I-10 near Twin Peaks Road and that Arizona DPS was responding Drivers are urged to avoid the area if possible The Northwest Fire District said it was a single-vehicle crash and the vehicle ended up on its side Earlier in the day, a school bus from the Kingman Unified School District was involved in an accident on I-10 eastbound in the area. The bus ended up on its side and several students were taken to the hospital In the video above: KGUN 9's reporter team looks at Tuesday's school bus crash that shut down I-10 in both directions in Marana The students were on their way to the Tucson Convention Center for a statewide Future Business Leaders of America conference the suspect arrested in the bus crash is a a 31-year-old male from Marana An Arizona Highway Patrol official provided new details Tuesday afternoon regarding a school bus crash that shut down both directions of Interstate 10 in Marana approximately 40 people were on board the bus when it collided with a silver SUV in a two-vehicle crash though officials said charges would be announced at a later time Emergency responders transported three students and one adult to nearby medical centers for treatment all remaining bus passengers were later taken for medical evaluation via another bus Interstate 10 is closed in both directions at Tangerine Road (milepost 240) in Marana due to a crash according to the Arizona Department of Transportation Kingman Unified School District confirmed the bus was from their district carrying Future Business Leaders of America students and chaperones Bart Graves from the Arizona Department of Public Safety said a school bus was involved The bus is from Kingman Unified School District and was carrying students and chaperones from Kingman High School and Lee Williams High School according to communications from the school district several students and a staff member are being taken for medical evaluation the Marana High School teacher arrested on suspicion of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor said Main allegedly sent multiple explicit photos to a student during the student's Sophomore and Junior year Main was the student's teacher his Freshman year The student told Marana Police that Main helped him through some emotional times The two began talking on the social platform Discord They would talk daily and the student would go to his class during lunch hours with other friends The student said Main continued to talk to him moving to the social media platform Snapchat Main allegedly began asking the student for explicit photos during that time He would ask the student to stand up or sit down or to get into other positions where the student's privates were exposed Main also allegedly sent explicit photos of himself to the student The student told investigators that the requests continued through the student's Junior year The student said he did not have any communication with Main on Snapchat after January of 2024 He did not have any explicit photos or chats with Main saved Main said he and the student were just friends when he spoke to investigators Main said he asked for explicit photos of the student Main said the requests were foggy and he didn't know how many times he might have asked but could not recall when or how many times DNA evidence helped lead to the arrest of a 22-year-old in connection with a 2024 arson fire at a small Marana church who already was at the Pima County jail on an unrelated burglary case has been charged with suspicion of arson of an occupied structure The building was engulfed with flames by the time help arrived Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email A 19-year-old man is jailed on suspicion of murder in the weekend killing of a man at a Tucson park when authorities say she tried to run across Interstate 10 north of Tucson A 72-year-old woman was killed Friday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on Tucson's southeast side Kristen Couch says her husband is not expected to survive the hatchet attack last weekend in Tucson a stop the couple made on their way to Alabama The March discovery of a skull on Sentinel Peak have been linked to the death of a Tucson woman in 2023 The incident involving a construction crew happened shortly after 8 a.m near North Thornydale Road and West Lambert Lane A man was killed near a Tucson intersection Wednesday when he was struck by an out-of-control car An ATV driver on Monday lost control and crashed while riding in the area of East Old Vail Connection and South Nogales Highway (KGUN) — Kids ages 10 to 17 are invited to participate in a teen paint night hosted by Marana Parks and Recreation on Friday Whether your child is a skilled painter or doesn’t have much experience they’re all invited to participate in the class parents wanting to participate with their children are welcome to register Registration is $20 for Marana residents and $25 for non-residents Registration includes a canvas and painting supplies AZ — Multiple teenagers were hurt in a school bus crash along Interstate 10 near Marana Arizona Department of Public Safety officials say troopers responded to a school bus crash along eastbound Interstate 10 at the Tangerine Road off-ramp Investigators say a school bus from Kingman Unified School District and a silver SUV were involved in the crash The impact of the collision caused the bus driver to lose control DPS says approximately 40 people were on the bus One adult and three students were taken to a hospital for treatment of various injuries via ambulances The remaining occupants were taken to a hospital via Marana school buses as a precaution to get checked out DPS officials did not provide the exact extent of the injuries but none of them are believed to be life-threatening Kingman USD announced most of the students were released from the hospital although two students and two staff members were still being treated for their injuries was arrested at the scene and taken to a local DPS office DPS has not provided the possible charges against the driver and declined to comment on the reason for the arrest the man faces three counts of aggravated assault including a hand amputation to one of the victims District officials provided the following statement to the community and families: We want to inform our families that a bus carrying Kingman Unified School District #20 FBLA students and three chaperones was involved in an accident on I-10 near Tucson but several students and a staff member have been transported for medical evaluation Kingman High School and Lee Williams High School administration are actively reaching out to the families of those involved Please know that we are gathering information and will provide updates as soon as possible and we appreciate your patience and support during this time." Marana’s Gladden Farms area has been growing along the stretch of Tangerine and Lon Adams Roads the Chandler-based Thai Chili 2 Go will open this summer at the Gladden Farms Commercial Center The fast-casual concept started back in 2015 in Chandler and has since opened 15 other locations in the Phoenix area The Marana location will be its first to branch down south to the Tucson area Thai Chili 2 Go will be located in the plaza anchored by the shiny new 125,000-square-foot Fry’s Marketplace that opened last winter at 11350 W — nearly 20 years after it was first proposed it’s all about bold Thai flavors — five different curries (including the go-to red Here’s a bonus: everything on the menu is dairy-free and most entrées are between $4 and $15 each we believe there is nothing more intimate than the food we put into our bodies our chefs craft each dish with precision and care ensuring every bite bursts with authentic flavors.” the team behind the restaurant is aiming to open its doors in July Thai Chili 2 Go will be located at the Gladden Farms Commercial Center, at 11350 W. Tangerine Rd. For more information, visit tc2go.com and follow Thai Chili 2 Go on Instagram. A post shared by Thai Chili 2go (@eattc2go) Love Tucson food? So do we. That’s why our stories are free to read — and focused on the chefs, farmers, and restaurants that make Tucson so delicious.👉 Get exclusive perks & support local with the Foodie Insiders Club and learn how to eat local year-round Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego If you’re in the mood for strange stories Flight instructor Erwin Castillo was in the air teaching a student to fly when Castillo looked out the window of his aircraft and saw smoke billowing from the Marana Regional Airport Two people were killed Wednesday in the midair collision involving two small planes The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were investigating the collision The two people who died in the crash had not yet been identified by authorities Castillo described the harrowing radio call he heard and the conversation he had with the pilot of the Cessna which landed safely after the midair collision The collision occurred about 8:28 a.m. Wednesday, the NTSB said. The weather was clear Castillo said he was giving a flying lesson over the Silver Bell practice area west of the Marana airport when he heard a radio call from the Lancair saying he was "going to go around again." Castillo said the tone of the man's voice on the radio call caught his attention He sounds pretty upset," Castillo recalls thinking Castillo said he heard someone "screaming" over the radio We are going to turn around and land on runway 3-0." Castillo said he radioed the pilot of the Cessna and asked if help was needed The pilot radioed back that she had the plane under control a spokesperson confirmed to The Arizona Republic Castillo said he spoke with the Cessna's pilot after landing Castillo said the Cessna's pilot told him she was practicing "touch and go's" with a student when the Lancair approached from behind the Cessna and attempted to land. A touch and go is an aviation maneuver in which a pilot lands and takes off without stopping When the Lancair‘s pilot saw the Cessna below the Cessna's propeller "hit the Lancair's tail," Castillo said Castillo said he saw the Cessna's propeller was bent after landing The FAA posted on its website Thursday the Cessna was on approach when it was struck from behind by the Lancair "Everybody says the Lancair hit that plane and that is what caused the Lancair to crash," Castillo said Castillo said because the pilot of the Cessna was taking off It should have either slowed down or climbed higher Castillo has been a pilot for 16 years and a flight instructor for four. He works for IFLY Flight School Castillo said he was shaken up by the two deaths Castillo believes the midair collision showed the airport needs a staffed air traffic control tower Castillo said the protocol is for pilots to "self-announce" their position to other pilots Pilots are supposed to shift to the right if they see another plane to keep the other plane in view from the left window the Marana airport logged 85,000 operations A crewed tower was supposed to be in place by the end of 2024 to accommodate an increase in traffic and improve safety The completion of the tower was pushed back because of supply chain and other problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic communications manager for the town of Marana