When Sean Jun learned at the end of March that his son's child-care center would be shutting down he hoped that maybe it was all a misunderstanding “I thought at first that it was some kind of sick April Fool’s joke,” Jun said But leaders at Mesa Community College had approved the closure of the long-standing service effective at the end of next week the center provided affordable and convenient care for their son allowing Na to study for a computer science degree staff and other community members for close to 50 years "It going away is just so sad to me," said Andrea Osteen-Chinn whose children had attended the programs for several years "I hate that I'm one of the last people who got to benefit from it." She has worked as a faculty member at MCC for more than a decade parents have been scrambling to find another option for their children only to learn that many programs are already full Many of the available options also run at close to triple the price of the subsidized options at MCC district saysDistrict officials said that was the main reason they chose to close the center saying it was operating at a “significant annual loss.” Mesa Community College (MCC) regularly evaluates programs and services to ensure long-term sustainability and alignment with institutional goals,” a district spokesperson said in an email to The Republic the college's executive team made the difficult decision to close the Children's Center to coincide with the end of the spring semester.” The program served about 22 children and was operating at a loss of around $500,000 annually This month’s closure marks the end of an era for the community college district which offered similar services at Gateway Community College that ended this semester as well Millions of students across the country are parents to children under the age of 18 with a higher share of those represented among community colleges Far fewer leave school with a degree. Studies show that only 37% of them graduate within six years of enrollment. Lack of access to child care is cited as one of the commonly cited barriers, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research and I can take my son to school with me'Having access to an affordable child care center was one of the main reasons Janet Grom decided to start her studies She said she opted to leave her full-time job as a child life specialist only working a few times a month to make sure she had time to study and take care of her two young children She expects to graduate with an associate’s degree in nursing in 2026 combined with a bachelor’s degree program at Grand Canyon University “It was kind of just like this win-win,” Grom said of the center The center is housed in a building on campus and offered services at flexible hours based on students' needs Grom and her husband paid about $1,500 for child care compared with $600 a month for the family at MCC’s center Grom said she and other parents were provided with a list of other day-care alternatives from the school but she said she didn’t believe the programs had been vetted as some were no longer taking new clients for the upcoming year has a shrinking number of affordable child-care options Even fewer are available for parents who work outside a traditional 9 a.m Center-based providers typically do not offer services then. While home-based providers do, they only make up about 2% of Arizona’s market, according to the 2024 Arizona Child Care Market Rate Survey The center was available to parents outside of the community college system whose daughter had attended for a little under a year whose work schedule falls later in the evening said she’ll likely have to enroll her daughter in a traditional program starting in the morning "It's OK in the sense that we have found a place that we would be OK settling with but nothing compares to where we're at," Lang said Helen Rummel covers higher education for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at hrummel@azcentral.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @helenrummel ARIZONA NEWS 10:00 AM | Updated: 10:03 am BY BAILEY LEASURE PHOENIX — A suspect was arrested Saturday morning in connection with a Mesa shooting in April that left one man dead On April 9 around 7 p.m., police responded to a shooting near Power Road and Main Street Davis was taken to the hospital where he later died due to his injuries was identified as the suspect in the shooting from witness accounts and video surveillance footage had agreed to turn himself into police on April 11 called police and said he wanted to turn himself in was booked into jail and charged with second-degree murder Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here At least three Mesa park rangers were placed on paid administrative leave and one was fired following a police investigation that found allegations of misconduct, including targeting Black or homeless people with violence which they called "gooning," the city confirmed to The Arizona Republic The city has put the entire park ranger program under the supervision of the police department until it can complete a thorough review of what happened and why That all stems from a 60-page police report found a group of park rangers had a stolen firearm used racial slurs and inappropriate use of force and shared a “Goon Squad” patch It also detailed incidents of rangers targeting homeless individuals seizing drugs and coining the phrase "gooning" to mean "dealing with the homeless problem." Other rangers told police this group had gone “rogue.” the city was praised for its unit with an award from "The Park Law Enforcement Association for their efforts in improving safety and engagement in parks experiencing pressure from negative behaviors in the downtown area," it states in the city's latest annual report But who are Mesa's park rangers and what do they do at the city's more than 200 parks Mesa has employed park rangers since 1987 and has been under the supervision of the Parks and Recreation Department since then The size of the unit has shifted over the years the city had 24 part-time park rangers who largely moved around with bikes according to previous reporting by The Arizona Republic How many park rangers are there in Mesa now?In 2024 the team had grown to 16 full-time members according to the department’s latest annual report That number could change now that the city has moved the unit under Mesa police and the fate of the various members who are on leave is undetermined Apart from the park ranger who was arrested on April 22 and fired "at least three other park rangers" are on paid administrative leave The current park rangers will undergo a rigorous background investigation that is required of all new Mesa police personnel Mesa’s city background check consists of a state and federal criminal history records check through the Department of Public Safety and the FBI Police employees undergo a more extensive Police Department background check and clearance which may include an Arizona Criminal Justice Information System criminal history search The park rangers’ unit was created to enforce city park rules and for public relations and education Rangers weren’t given citation authority until the mid-1990s according to previous reporting from The Republic Rangers' duties have only changed with adjustments to the rules and codes for city parks The park rangers' mission includes demonstrating respect and acting as a liaison to local law enforcement They also carry handcuffs that can only be used in self-defense or if another ranger is the victim of an assault Can Mesa rangers arrest people?Mesa park rangers do not have the power to arrest individuals and "can only seize an item of contraband" if its possessor gives consent or if the item "was abandoned by the owner," according to the city's policies City park rangers do not carry firearms and don't have the right to detain individuals Mesa rangers issued 1,037 total citations and cleared 237 warrants The report also states rangers made referrals to the city’s “Off the Streets Program.” It also stated rangers helped over 150 individuals experiencing homelessness find housing and job-related resources through agency partners That unit supervisor has four shift leads underneath him The unit supervisor reports to the department’s deputy director in charge of recreation according to the department's organizational chart the city’s Parks and Recreation and Community Facilities Department director A park ranger gets paid between $47,000 and $69,000 A park ranger supervisor gets paid between $63,000 and $92,000 the minimum qualifications include training and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or GED The description also states the city prefers applicants who have one to three years of public contact experience and qualify on a taser within 90 days of their hire date Rangers also must obtain pepper spray and CRP certifications within six months of the date of hire What comes next for Mesa's embattled ranger unit?The unit has been moved under the Mesa police department Beyond the additional backgrounding the rangers will undergo the city said it was developing “a comprehensive tailored training program” to equip rangers with a deep understanding of police’s policies The rangers will also be introduced to technologies used by the department The city stated the rangers will continue with their community engagement Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman and Councilmembers Jenn Duff and Francisco Heredia all released statements condemning the actions of the individuals under investigation Heredia called for a broad review of the management practices of the entire Mesa Parks Recreation and Community Facilities Department Community members and activists also called for a thorough investigation into the actions of the rangers and a diligent search for victims the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona described the actions detailed in the report as "incredibly disturbing The NAACP Arizona chapter president, Sarah Tyree, sent a letter to the City Council expressing the organization's "profound outrage and deep concern" about the report's findings and demanding immediate accountability The organization asked for changes to the city's policy and the termination of employees who had knowledge or were involved in the described acts "The NAACP will not accept anything less than decisive action and meaningful change," Tyree wrote Like this story? Get more East Valley news straight into your email inbox by signing up for our free weekly East Valley Newsletter Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek and can be reached at maritza.dominguez@arizonarepublic.com or 480-271-0646. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @maritzacdom An official website of the United States government Archived News a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a five-count indictment against Ian William Moses Arizona for Maliciously Damaging Property and Vehicles in Interstate Commerce by Means of Fire The charging documents filed in the case allege that Moses was at the Tesla dealership in Mesa shortly before 2 a.m He also carried a red plastic gas can and a black backpack Moses was captured on video as he placed fire starter logs next to the dealership building Moses then poured gasoline onto the starter logs causing a fire that destroyed a silver Tesla Cybertruck Video shows Moses leaving the dealership on a dark colored bicycle shortly thereafter Mesa police officers arrested Moses approximately a quarter mile from the Tesla dealership at around 3 a.m. still dressed in the same clothes as he was seen wearing at the scene officers found a hand drawn map of the area in Moses’ pocket which included a box with the letter “T” marking the dealership’s location and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi “ATF’s Special Agents and forensic investigators quickly recovered and analyzed critical evidence following this deliberate attack,” said ATF Acting Director Dan Driscoll “This attack poses a serious threat to public safety and the ATF remains committed to aggressively pursuing anyone who endangers our communities through violence or destruction.” “There is nothing American about burning down someone else’s business because you disagree with them politically,” said U.S Attorney Timothy Courchaine for the District of Arizona “These ongoing attacks against Tesla are not protests they are acts of violence that have no place in Arizona or anywhere else. If someone targets Tesla with violence they will be found and confronted with the full force of the law.” “I would like to recognize the dedicated work of the Mesa Police and Mesa Fire Departments on this case,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Brendan Iber “Cooperation with our law enforcement partners acts as a multiplier in our efforts to remove violent criminals from the streets and make our communities safer The professionalism and extensive investigative knowledge of the police and fire investigators within our arson taskforce cannot be overstated.” “My office will be engaged in this investigation and I’m pleased to be able to share our expertise,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell “We have a high level of success in prosecuting these types of crimes My office stands ready to assist our federal law enforcement partners in the prosecution of this individual.” “I would like to recognize the outstanding efforts of the Superstition District Patrol officers who played a crucial role in this investigation Their swift action in identifying and monitoring the suspicious van parked near the dealership was critical to the success of this operation I am truly grateful for their diligent police work,” said Mesa Police Chief Ken Cost “Special thanks also go to the Mesa Police specialty units and the partnering agencies involved Your collaboration was instrumental in bringing this suspect to justice and enhancing the safety of our community.” Each count of conviction for Malicious Damage to Property in Interstate Commerce carries a minimum penalty of five years and up to a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 The investigation in this case is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law has been charged by federal criminal complaint with making threats to assault and murder President Donald J Following tonight’s ruling in Department of Education v Attorney General Pamela Bondi released the following statement: Department of Justice950 Pennsylvania Avenue Office of Public Affairs Direct Line202-514-2007 Department of Justice Main Switchboard202-514-2000 Signup for Email Updates Social Media Multilingual Resources-->Have a question about Government Services and Brody McDonald earn Individual Omnium Titles. welcomed student-athletes from across the country to their headquarters in Waterloo for the 2025 USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships p/b Trek Riders faced cooler weather and challenging courses in hopes of being crowned National Champion. Riders raced into the weekend with a 24-kilometer Team Time Trial on Friday once again posting the fastest time at 33:42.26 to earn gold Colorado State University and the University of Arizona rounded out the podium with times of 34:56.76 and 35:54.37 Colorado Mesa University clocked a 32:37.78 to win the Stars and Stripes with Marian University close behind for silver Fort Lewis College secured bronze with a strong time of 33:13.50. with Princeton University racing to the win in 29:11.61 Colorado State University earned silver only six seconds back and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill rode strong to take bronze stopping the clock at 27:51.87 to take the National Championship title Marian University was the only other team to break the 28-minute mark Belmont Abbey College put in a strong ride to secure third. riders met at Trek’s headquarters in Waterloo for the road race The first race of the day was the Varsity Women who completed five laps of the 13.1-mile rolling course A touch of wheels early on caused a crash that took a fair number of riders out of contention A 10 person breakaway formed shortly after and stayed together for most of the race attacking out of the break and gained a sizeable gap over the chasers The chase group finished nearly three minutes back Colo.; Colorado Mesa University) and Ella Sabo (Redlands Calif.; Colorado Mesa University) sprinting to second and third. the field stayed together until the finish Mass.; University of Colorado Boulder) outsprinted her competition to win the Stars and Stripes jersey Charles Composite) sprinted to bronze. the Varsity Men rolled out for seven intense laps with multiple teams trying to establish a break in the opening laps The break hovered around a 35-second lead for much of the race N.C.; Lees-McRae College) surged to the finish to take the national title Kan.; Fort Lewis College) grabbing silver and Luke Arens (Indianapolis Ind.; Marian University) earning bronze. with a 14-man lead group forming at the front Calif.; California Polytechnic – San Luis Obispo) came out on top in the sprint to claim the win Ind.; Indiana University – Bloomington) took second N.M.; University of Colorado Boulder) rounding out the podium. The final day of the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships p/b Trek took riders to downtown Madison for the criterium events Riders navigated the four-corner course with long headwind and tailwind straights The first race of the day was the Club Women where multiple teams tried to animate the race Mass.; University of Colorado Boulder) controlled much of the action taking three of the four-point primes and winning the field sprint to earn her third Stars and Stripes jersey of the weekend She also secured the top spot in the Individual Omnium and helped her team claim the coveted Team Omnium title Charles Composite) had another strong ride Fla.; University of Michigan – Flint) held on for third. The pace was high for the first 30 minutes until Satchel Kim (Bethesda Md.; Georgetown University) and Boden Gentile (Great Falls The duo held a 10- to 15-second advantage until 11 laps to go Teams kept the pace high to deter further attacks Md.; UVM Cycling) took the sprint to win gold N.C.; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) sprinted to silver Calif.; Cal Poly Cycling) secured bronze. Colorado Mesa University controlled most of the race keeping things in check and setting up their sprinters for the finish Colo.; Colorado Mesa University) to the line for the win and earning her the Individual Omnium title Ky.; Milligan University) finishing third. The final race of the day was the Varsity Men but none stuck as the field stayed active and aggressive Colo.; Colorado Mesa University) coming out on top to earn the national title Ga.; SCAD Atlanta) rounded out the podium. Mass.; University of Colorado Boulder) N.C.; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) Colo.; University of California – Santa Cruz) University of Colorado Boulder – 442 points Colorado State University – 388 points Colorado Mesa University – 425 points Full results for the 2025 USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships p/b Trek can be found here. Team USA Recap: Ruth Edwards Wins Pan Am Time Trial; Kate Courtney Silver at Pan Am MTB Recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States View Children's Online Privacy Protection Policy is leading the world in the development and deployment of autonomous driving technology Waymo One provides more than 250,000 paid trips each week across Phoenix and we’re preparing to bring our fully autonomous ride-hailing to Atlanta We’re proud to bring this technology – once thought to be the stuff of science fiction – to more and more riders across this country Scaling Waymo One and meeting the increasing demand of our riders requires a growing fleet of vehicles integrated with our generalizable Waymo Driver we’re investing in our American manufacturing operation with a new autonomous vehicle factory in Metro Phoenix with our partners at Magna The Waymo Driver integration plant will build thousands of Jaguar I-PACEs equipped with our fully autonomous technology this factory is a multi-million dollar investment and has created hundreds of jobs in Mesa "The new Waymo and Magna manufacturing facility in Mesa is the latest example of Arizona being the new home for technology to innovate and grow,” said Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs “I’m proud to see autonomous vehicles on our streets every day helping get people where they need to be safely The new manufacturing facility will enhance this presence and the local jobs it's creating will help Arizona’s tech economy continue to rise on the world stage.” Waymo One has grown substantially in the last couple of years We’ve also incrementally grown our commercial fleet as we’ve welcomed more riders with over 1,500 vehicles across San Francisco we received our final delivery from Jaguar we will build over 2,000 more fully autonomous I-PACE vehicles for our fleet “The Waymo Driver integration plant in Mesa is the epicenter of our future growth plans,” said Ryan McNamara we’ve opened a manufacturing site that enables the cost efficiency and capacity to scale our fleet to new heights.” This facility’s flexible design also enables us to integrate the 6th-generation Waymo Driver on new vehicle platforms With the need to build multiple platforms simultaneously and at higher volumes the plant will introduce an automated assembly line and other efficiencies over time When the facility is operating at full capacity it will be capable of building tens of thousands of fully autonomous Waymo vehicles per year the system needs to be validated and commissioned before carrying riders we recently implemented new processes and efficiencies at the end of line that significantly reduce the time and cost required to enable a vehicle to carry riders This new strategic capability allows vehicles assigned to our Phoenix fleet to drive themselves out of the facility and directly into service these vehicles can pick up their first public passengers less than 30 minutes after leaving the factory they can be deployed into public service in a matter of hours after being shipped to their local depot This new manufacturing plant, combined with more efficient vehicle launch processes, means we can serve more riders faster. If you’re interested in experiencing a ride for yourself, download the Waymo One app today. A ballot drop box outside the Mesa County Elections Clerk and Recorder’s office in Grand Junction 2022.One of the women accused of stealing and fraudulently casting more than a dozen ballots ahead of last November’s election pleaded guilty Monday Vicki Stuart was charged with 34 counts related to the ballot theft scheme which occurred in the lead-up to last year’s presidential election She pleaded guilty to one count of identity theft and one count of forgery in the 21st Judicial District Court she answered Judge Brian Flynn’s questions with a simple “yes,” but when asked why she was willing to accept the plea agreement she responded because “I feel like I am guilty for the part that I played in it.” Stuart was charged in November with counts that included forgery, identity theft and attempts to influence a public servant. According to the arrest affidavit, Stuart and another woman stole more than a dozen ballots from Mesa County residents before they could be delivered to the intended voters The scheme was uncovered when some voters alerted authorities after the Colorado Ballot tracking system informed them their ballots were being processed, even though they hadn’t received their ballots yet. State officials said three of the stolen ballots that were cast fraudulently did make it through the signature verification process and were counted as legitimate votes. Postal Service employee in Grand Junction with direct access to ballots that had been sent in the mail in October of 2024 She is friends with the other woman charged in the case Sally Jane Maxedone (also known as Sally Jane Smith) Maxedone is due in court Thursday for a review hearing. Stuart will next appear in court for sentencing Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. Listen now. © 2025 Colorado Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy MESA, Ariz., May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Visit Mesa, the destination marketing organization for Mesa, Arizona, is proud to announce the launch of its new digital Accessibility Travel Guide a comprehensive resource designed to make planning accessible and inclusive trips to Mesa easier than ever As the first Autism Certified City in the world this guide supports Mesa's dedication to welcoming all visitors This launch coincides with Autism Acceptance Month, held annually in April, as a nationwide effort to raise awareness and promote inclusion. The user-friendly guide, available on Visit Mesa's website provides valuable information and authentic insights on accessible attractions accommodations and sensory-friendly experiences for visitors and residents alike Featuring firsthand content from autistic individuals and their families the guide highlights Mesa's Certified Autism Centers and details various programs and technologies designed to remove barriers for individuals with disabilities These include Mesa's destination verification as a Wheel the World city Threshold 360 and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program showcasing the community's commitment to serving those with diverse needs "This Accessibility Travel Guide demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that everyone can experience Mesa," said Marc Garcia "We are incredibly proud of our designation as the world's first Autism Certified City and are on a mission to become one of the most accessible cities in the nation This collaborative spirit with our local partners is key to making Mesa truly welcoming for all." MEDIA CONTACTS: Zoey Shircel, Communications Manager, Visit Mesa, [email protected] Alicia Boe, Communications Director, Visit Mesa, [email protected] is "going blue" for Autism Acceptance Month in April with Visit Mesa's fourth annual release .. November 2024 marks the five-year anniversary of Mesa receiving the designation as the first-ever Autism Certified City in the nation Health Care & Hospitals Travel New Products & Services Do not sell or share my personal information: How to watch California high school girls lacrosse: Valhalla vs May 6Data SkriveValhalla High School will host Mira Mesa High School on Tuesday How to watch Mira Mesa vs. Valhalla girls lacrosseMira Mesa and Valhalla will take the field on Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. PT. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network The NFHS Network gives you access to live high school sports around the country Follow your favorite team and never miss a game Want to track your alma mater, local team or family member's school throughout the playoffs? NFHS Network has high school lacrosse streaming live plus on-demand replays and highlights of all the action from thousands of schools across America Watch Valhalla vs. Mira Mesa on NFHS Network! All NFHS Network events are available to watch online at and through the NFHS Network Mobile Apps for iOS and Android and TV Apps for ROKU Pete or Red Mesa Mercado in the Edge District to try the exclusive Sancho Reyes cocktail Don’t miss out on the festivities and visit the Original Red Mesa Restaurant on 4th Street For more details and to plan your visit, head to RedMesaGroup.com Report a typo Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend is an original, local lifestyle show focused on providing our audience with informative, useful and entertaining content. It features a variety of community organizations, businesses and happenings in the Bay area. It is a marketing-friendly program dedicated to offering businesses the opportunity to showcase their company/products, reach potential customers and gain results. Grow Your Business With Us!For Sponsor Information:TBMorningBlend@wfts.com He emphasizes the importance of supporting Cuban musical talent across all genres By Deneb González The Cuban singer and songwriter Lenier Mesa once again showed his unconditional support for Oniel Bebeshito this weekend during the reggaeton artist's concert in Naples, Florida. Lenier seized his moment on stage to deliver a strong hint at other Cuban artists: "The kid deserves it, there are many envious artists, a lot of people talking trash, but the truth is he has earned it. Applause for Bebeshito!" he expressed, provoking an ovation from the audience. Lenier, who was one of the special guests of the show along with Alex Duvall, took to the stage to perform his hit "Papita frita," a song he shares with Tekashi 6ix9ine and Bebeshito himself, igniting the excitement of the attendees. The most talked-about moment of the night was not just the song, but the unfiltered public support given to Bebeshito, one of the most popular figures in the current Cuban urban genre, as well as for reggaeton as a genre and part of Cuban music. Lenier took the opportunity to deliver a broader message about the importance of supporting the talent from the island, regardless of musical style. "I believe that what we should do is support Cuban music, whether it's reggaeton or anything else; what matters is achieving great things. Congratulations to my people in Cuba who are supporting Cuban music tonight," he added. Bebeshito's concert in Naples was another outstanding success, with sold-out tickets and an atmosphere filled with energy, where the Cuban cast proved their strength both on and off the island once again. Lenier Mesa supports Oniel Bebeshito because he believes that the young reggaeton artist has earned the success he is experiencing. During a concert in Naples, Florida, Lenier emphasized that Bebeshito deserves his triumph despite the criticisms and envy he faces from other artists. Lenier sees in Bebeshito a talent that deserves to be supported and celebrated within the Cuban urban genre. The concert by Bebeshito in Naples was a resounding success, with tickets sold out and an atmosphere filled with energy. The event showcased the strength of the Cuban talent in international music, attracting an enthusiastic audience that sang along to the songs and celebrated the artist's talent. The support of figures like Lenier Mesa and Alex Duvall added to the excitement of the night. Lenier Mesa took advantage of the concert to deliver a strong message about Cuban music, emphasizing the importance of supporting the island's talent regardless of the musical style. Lenier stated that what matters is achieving great things in Cuban music, whether in the reggaeton genre or any other style. His message was well received by the audience, who shared his enthusiasm for Cuban music. The Mesa County Treasurer’s Office was made aware of a text message scam targeting local residents today The fraudulent messages falsely appear to come from the Treasurer’s Office but are not legitimate The scam messages include a bill amount and instruct recipients to check their email for more information These texts are not from the Mesa County Treasurer’s Office and residents are urged to delete them immediately and not follow any instructions provided in the message or related email The Mesa County Treasurer’s Office does not send property tax bills via text message. Official communications are sent by mail or email from mctreas@mesacounty.us. In some cases, residents may also receive legitimate payment-related emails from AutoAgent via no-reply@municipay.com Anyone with questions about their 2025 property taxes is encouraged to access their account at mesacounty.us/departments-and-services/treasurer/pay-property-taxes or contact the Mesa County Treasurer’s Office directly at mctreas@mesacounty.us or call 970-244-1824 who colleagues said had gone "rogue," have been placed on administrative leave after the city announced that it launched an investigation into "allegations of criminal activity and wrongdoing,” including using racial slurs and targeting homeless people A 60-page police report found a group of park rangers had a stolen firearm The report also detailed incidents of rangers targeting homeless individuals The allegations came to light after a fellow park ranger reported the firearm to Mesa police It entailed several interviews with other members of the unit Police arrested Mesa ranger Joshua Amado April 22 on suspicion of possession of a stolen firearm The city was in the process of firing Amado before he resigned from the position hours before his termination hearing April 28 The Maricopa County Attorney's Office told The Arizona Republic the case was "turned down due to no reasonable likelihood of conviction." Amado received a $750 secured appearance bond The Arizona Republic could not reach Amado for comment The city has launched two separate investigations One will explore the allegations of crimes against homeless people detailed in the Mesa police report and a second will delve into the personnel misconduct claims uncovered by a criminal investigation The city’s outside counsel will take charge of the external independent investigation into the misconduct Other changes made by city officials included transferring the command of the 16-person park rangers unit from the Parks Recreation and Community Facilities Department to the Mesa Police Department “to ensure appropriate oversight and professional standards are maintained.” The report detailed Amado’s and two other rangers’ involvement in what they called the “goon squad.” They were overheard talking about going out “gooning,” which they described as "taking care of the homeless problem" and African Americans whom they referred to using a racial epithet Police were also provided with a “gray colored shield patch” that was created with the words "Ranger," “Goon Squad” and “Mesa “The patch also had an embroidered black skull and handcuffs creating the two o's in "Goon," the report stated Amado denied having any knowledge of a "Goon Squad" patch or involvement with them he stated in an interview with a Mesa detective Amado had been employed with the city for more than a year and a half It was not immediately clear if the men wore the patch or carried it told detectives Amado would go out in the field in plain clothes without his Mesa Parks Ranger vest including on the day he located a firearm in the backpack of a homeless individual One ranger interviewed by the police called colleagues' actions as "going rogue." That ranger said in his interview the city had released a bulletin outlining what rangers were and weren't allowed to do "Certain rangers were upset over not being able to go hands-on and put people in handcuffs," according to the police report Mesa park rangers do not have the power to arrest individuals and "can only seize an item of contraband" if its possessor gives consent The city also said city park rangers do not carry firearms and don't have the right to detain individuals Rangers are supposed to act as a liaison to Mesa police and fire and also provide educational activities for residents a Mesa police officer spoke with the ranger who reported the handgun according to a police report acquired by The Republic The reporting ranger informed police he found the firearm in Amado’s desk after overhearing he had confiscated the weapon from a homeless man whom Amado and other rangers referred to with a racial slur in March they would drop the pistol” or use it “as a throw down.” The ranger checked Amado’s desk drawer and saw the “tan Canik” inside and said he didn’t immediately report it because “he'd hoped they would do the right thing and turn the pistol in.” when he saw the weapon still in Amado’s desk The firearm had been initially reported missing by a Mesa resident in December the weapon came into Amado’s possession in January after he found it in the backpack of a homeless man According to additional interviews with police incidents of the three rangers included “not reporting drugs they confiscate” and planning on “beating up” homeless people and Black people Other rangers interviewed described “gooning” as a way to “provoke people to take the call to a different level.” In one interview with an uninvolved ranger he described one of the rangers in the squad who stored “drugs and paraphernalia in the backs of their trucks and would periodically show” him The report said all three men had ride-alongs with “very young women” who worked for the city’s parks department The interactions between the women and the rangers were described as “very flirtatious” to the point that it made others in the office “uncomfortable.” One ranger contacted HR about his concerns with the ride-alongs The report also details allegations of "someone having sex on duty” and finding used condoms in the office trash can What’s next in Mesa's handling of the park ranger investigation?The two additional men named in the report have been placed on administrative leave It was not immediately clear if it was paid or unpaid The city has also moved the park ranger program to Mesa police to “allow for enhanced oversight while Mesa conducts a thorough review of the unit's policies and practices.” said it was “deeply disturbed by the preliminary findings” and was “committed to full transparency” through the process wrote the city has “zero tolerance for this type of misconduct.” “The actions uncovered during this investigation do not reflect Mesa's values or the standards we expect from public servants," Brady said in the statement A city statement also said it was committed to “implementing enhanced training programs and developing clear policies to ensure this behavior is never repeated.” Mesa police will continue to investigate the criminal allegations into the use of force and is seeking to speak with victims said the behavior described in the police report violated the city's core values and trust of the residents He said the actions of the few individuals did not reflect the city's values but that "one case of misconduct is one too many" and that the city owed residents to "take a hard look at our systems." Councilmember Francisco Heredia released a statement condemning the actions of the park rangers in question and said the "behavior described in recent reports represents a profound violation of that trust." He also requested a broad review of the management practices of the Mesa Parks we must be accountable and address these systematic issues immediately to restore public confidence," Heredia said in his statement How is the Mesa community reacting?Jared Keenan described the actions detailed in the report as "incredibly disturbing." "I understand that these park rangers are park rangers and not actual police officers but they clearly have in some ways adopted this sort of violent police mindset," Keenan said He also condemned the County Attorney’s Office for not taking on the charges a Mesa pastor and vice president of the NAACP Arizona chapter "It's sad because people still have the mindset that they can target individuals who are vulnerable people who are unhoused or people who don't look like them," he said He said the entire unit of rangers "failed the city" and "the community as a whole." Miller said he viewed it as a systematic issue that needed to be addressed because there were individuals who may not have been part of the group but did not speak up "They don't deserve to wear any particular type of uniform," Miller said He commended the city's action to reassign park rangers to Mesa police for additional oversight he said the city has work to do to regain trust Miller called for a "diligent search for those who have been victimized" by the actions of this group "There needs to be some heavy lifting to find the victims of these individuals," he said Federal grant funding that helps employ 30 mental health professionals across the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District and six in the Lemon Grove School District will be terminated early by the Trump administration The districts were notified Tuesday in letters from the U.S Department of Education that their school-based mental health grants will be terminated two years early signed by Murray Bessette with the Department's Office of Planning state that the grant "provides funding for programs that reflect the prior administration's priorities and policy preferences and conflict with those of the current administration" and is "inconsistent with the best interest of the federal government and will not be continued." The La Mesa-Spring Valley School District grant was for $11 million through 2027 Superintendent David Feliciano said the loss of funding that supports employment of social workers and counselors will likely impact a variety of district services that aid students receiving mental health and special education services Those services address student mental health crises social skill development and outreach efforts to help families with housing "We were shocked to learn that the Trump administration doesn't consider school-based mental health and special education services to be in 'the best interest of the federal government,'" Feliciano said said the funding allowed the district to hire six additional mental health staff The district was set to receive more than $2.5 million through 2027 Ending the grant in December means a loss of more than $1 million The letters to the districts said the programs "violate the letter or purpose of Federal civil rights law; conflict with the Department's policy of prioritizing merit and excellence in education; undermine the well-being of the students these programs are intended to help; or constitute an inappropriate use of federal funds." The Associated Press reported that the grant recipients nationwide received similar notifications on Tuesday which will result in $1 billion in grant funding canceled Madi Biedermann is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications for the U.S she wrote that grant recipients were using the funds to “implement race-based actions like recruiting quotas.” Department of Education officials wrote in a notice to members of Congress that it "plans to re-envision and re-compete its mental health program funds to more effectively support students' behavioral health needs." Both districts said they plan to request that the department reconsider district leaders said they’ll look for other sources of funding to keep the staff on through at least the end of next school year Arizona's largest privately-owned primary care provider proudly announces the grand opening of its newest Family Medicine clinic in Mesa Located conveniently at 1863 North Stapley Drive Suite 103 on the bustling southeast corner of Stapley and McKellips in the Fry's Marketplace shopping center this location is set to enhance healthcare accessibility and convenience for local families and residents The clinic will officially open its doors on Monday continuing MY DR NOW's commitment to providing convenient patient-focused care designed for community needs the new clinic ensures that high-quality healthcare is readily available even for the busiest schedules Patients at the new Mesa clinic will benefit from flexible same-day appointments and convenient walk-in services allowing them to receive timely medical attention without unnecessary delays MY DR NOW's experienced healthcare professionals will provide comprehensive family medicine and ongoing management of chronic conditions "We're excited to bring MY DR NOW's personalized patient-centered healthcare model to the Mesa community," said Dr "Our goal is to simplify healthcare access so patients can easily fit essential medical care into their daily lives ensuring healthier and happier communities." MY DR NOW continues to lead in transforming primary care by prioritizing convenience The Mesa clinic marks another significant milestone in the organization's dedication to delivering exceptional healthcare across the country Patients can schedule appointments online at www.MYDRNOW.com MY DR NOW is dedicated to transforming the way primary care is delivered by offering both scheduled appointments and walk-in services at all its clinics With a strong focus on accessibility and convenience MY DR NOW provides comprehensive healthcare services The company's innovative approach ensures that everyone in the community can receive high-quality medical care at their convenience whether at any of its numerous clinic locations Media Contact:Glenn JonesBusiness DevelopmentMY DR NOW(480) 677-8282[email protected] Arizona's largest privately owned primary care provider continuing its mission to make healthcare.. a leading provider of accessible healthcare services is excited to announce the opening of a new clinic in Gilbert Medical Pharmaceuticals Corporate Expansion It turns out that the “Gilbert Goons” are not only a predator gang of mostly well-off teens who attacked innocent victims in the East Valley culminating in the killing of 16-year-old Preston Lord and leading to seven murder charges being filed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office It turns out that the goons are also — heaven help us — an inspiration An article by The Arizona Republic’s Maritza Dominguez describes an ugly, 60-page police report detailing how park rangers in Mesa formed their own “Goon Squad,” complete with embroidered patches was arrested on April 22 on suspicion of possession of a stolen firearm which the report said he found in the backpack of a homeless man said they were “deeply disturbed by the preliminary findings." added that the city has “zero tolerance for this type of misconduct.” “The actions uncovered during this investigation do not reflect Mesa’s values or the standards we expect from public servants.” They do say something about society’s values and standards Opinion: 'Gilbert Goons' problem is much wider than we think The behavior of this particular batch of goons wasn’t deemed to be prosecutable by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office The prosecutor’s office told The Republic that the case was “turned down due to no reasonable likelihood of conviction.” the city is conducting an independent investigation of misconduct And it has decided as well to transfer command of the 16-person park rangers unit from the Parks Recreation and Community Facilities Department to the Mesa Police Department in order “to ensure appropriate oversight and professional standards are maintained.” Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com Like this column? Get more opinions in your email inbox by signing up for our free opinions newsletter, which publishes Monday through Friday. Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application passed away on April 22nd peacefully surrounded by her family after a 3-year battle with cancer she taught those around her what it looks like to live bravely 1976 and they shared nearly 50 magical years together Lanette is the loving & devoted mother of Krista (Aaron) Cannon of Olathe Kansas; Andrea (Chris) Leathers of Bethalto Illinois; Brittany (Nathan) Algarra of Portland She cherished her children and she embraced every moment with them Her most memorable adventures included nature hikes in the mountains with waterfalls She especially loved her role as Nana to her grandchildren Jakoby & Dylan Sundahl of Great Bend Her favorite pastimes with her grandchildren included cooking scenic walks and countless trips to the movie theater One of her treasured annual traditions was flower shopping with her family & friends She also discovered a love for acrylic artwork She made many beautiful pieces for her home Lanette loved reading books and her favorite holiday was Halloween Watching scary movies and decorating for her beloved holiday was enjoyed well beyond the month of October Kansas for 46 years as an Inpatient Coder in Medical Records One of her career highlights was getting to work alongside her daughters when they volunteered in Medical Records She spent the rest of her years traveling to beaches collecting seashells and visiting castles in the United Kingdom all while spending quality time with her family and creating the most beautiful memories Andrea & Brittany; grandchildren Jakoby Kansas); Alex & Beatrice Gallardo (Garden City Kansas); Carolyn & Kenny Kornelson (Newton Lanette’s radiant spirit is carried on by her beloved daughters and her grandchildren She spread love and light to all who knew her She was often complimented on her beautiful smile and her unique way with words She embodied the best qualities: unconditional love strength of spirit and unending positivity in spite of the challenges placed in her way She taught her family how to dance in the rain and to look for the rainbows after the thunderstorm Lanette will forever be a bright guiding light to her family and loved ones There will be a viewing for family & friends at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Olathe Her family plans to host a beautiful Celebration of Life ceremony for Lanette this summer in Garden City the family asks for donations to a memorial garden that will be planted in Lanette’s memory The garden will be full of all her favorite flowers where loved ones can gather together and be surrounded by the beauty of nature Donations should be made to the Lanette Mesa Memorial Garden Fund in care of Golden Plains Credit Union To leave a special message for her family or to share a memory of Lanette Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors At this week’s April 29 administrative public hearing the commissioners took a short break from regular business to join the Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Bobbie Gross in congratulating four outstanding students for their creativity and civic engagement that led them to become winners of the Mesa County Elections’ second “I Voted” Sticker Contest. Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Bobbie Gross presented each student with a special plaque and gift basket to commemorate their achievement and expressed gratitude and pride for their creative contributions that made the contest a great success thanked the clerk and recorder for her part in helping students recognize the importance of voting the commissioners for honoring the students and exceptional students who participated to make this year’s contest inspiring. “It is an honor to see the talent and passion showcased by the youth in the Grand Valley for the second year in a row,” said Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Bobbie Gross the amazing students whose enthusiasm and hard work made this contest such a memorable celebration of civic pride!” the 2025 “I Voted” Sticker Contest winners are: Kate from Messiah Lutheran Church and School Jessica from Thunder Mountain Elementary School Jacob from Independence Academy Charter School We look forward to wearing the impressive “I Voted” stickers showcasing Mesa County’s unique beauty during the 2025 election season Congratulations again to the talented winners Colorado Mesa University will join schools across Mesa County in marking Decision Day—a milestone moment for high school seniors across the country as they embark on a new chapter CMU is bringing the Maverick spirit directly to students at Palisade and Fruita Monument High Schools with a visit from CMU leadership the Rowdy mascot and a clear message: you belong here Whether pursuing a four-year degree at CMU or a place in the trades at CMU Tech local students are making decisions that will shape their lives—and CMU is showing up to celebrate and support them every step of the way The celebration includes performances by CMU’s Mesa Brass Band and Maverick Opera & Lyric Theatre motivational remarks from university leaders and check presentations showcasing the total scholarship dollars awarded to each school’s senior class As part of CMU’s deep and ongoing investment in local students the university will award a combined $10.7 million in scholarships to graduates from five District 51 schools The tour also serves as a local contribution to the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s Decision Day initiative which recognizes the importance of postsecondary education Decision Day is more than a celebration—it’s a declaration that every student has the opportunity for a better life Do you have a story you would like to share with Colorado Mesa University? Please share your good news by contacting Katlin Birdsall at [email protected] A document key must be provided in the url to view document News | May 1 If you hand Aaron Hermiller a 1,000-piece jigsaw he’ll dive right in — because for this self-described “puzzle nerd,” he enjoys seeing every piece click into place Hermiller will bring his talents for solving complex challenges to a brand-new puzzle: guiding the students and staff of Graham Mesa Elementary to even higher levels of success Hermiller will take the reins from the current Principal Currently a fourth-grade teacher and instructional coach at Wamsley Elementary Hermiller has spent 11 years in Garfield Re-2 in various roles including classroom teacher and academic coach He holds a Bachelor of Science from Ohio State University a Master of Science in Education from the University of Findlay and his Principal Certification is from Western Colorado University Hermiller has always seen building leadership in his future “A leader is there to help people succeed I think that my life’s work is to help other people get to where they want to be whether it’s kids or adults,” he explained Growing from an elementary teacher to an academic coach and building leader Hermiller said that becoming a Principal was the next logical step “I think being a principal is where you can make the most impact with kids,” he explained. “It’s not the direct impact that teachers make teachers–that’s where you make the most impact with the most amount of kids but a principal gets to impact 430.” Although he is committed to his students at Wamsley Elementary he is eager to embark on the next adventure and build upon the excellent existing structure at Graham Mesa “GME already has a strong foundation of family engagement and positive culture Families are in the school to support their students The staff is amazing and wants to see every child succeed,” he explained and he would like to expand on that success “The vision for me is that (Graham Mesa) becomes a school that other schools look at and say look at the things that they’re doing Look at how the teachers have moved into leadership positions on their own so if we see something that other schools are doing that’s really great how can we make that in the Graham Mesa way?” Hermiller says hard work is part of his DNA and he is ready for the next challenge in his educational career You will see me at the baseball and soccer games supporting our students I like seeing the kids outside of school so they know that they are supported.” three Principal finalists went through an extensive interview process that included an interview with outgoing Superintendent Heather Grumley and interviews with 2 teams consisting of staff The day was capped with a meet-and-greet reception and community members asked questions of and provided feedback about the candidates “We had three exceptional candidates for the Graham Mesa Elementary position,” Grumley said Hermiller has a deep understanding of best practices in education and is an emerging leader in Garfield Re-2 I am confident that his experiences and commitment to meeting every child where they are will help Graham Mesa Elementary find even more success in the future.” Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage Colorado has seen five known cases of measles this year View Results Monday - Friday 9am-12pm / 2pm-6pm GMT + 1 All financial news and data tailored to specific country editions Benedictine Mesa has now played all of its pool play matches and will wait for the result of tomorrow's Pool B match featuring Saint Xavier (Ill.) and Grand View they will advance out of pool play to the semifinals If Grand View wins tomorrow's match, all three teams will have won a match, creating a three-way tie. Teams will be re-seeded and play according to the tie break procedures HERE We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy & Terms of Service by DIANA GOMEZ Texas (KFOX14) — Frustration over incomplete road repairs on Mesa Hills Drive That's what's driving one viewer crazy this week KFOX14 received an email from viewer Jessica J asking why only a portion of Mesa Hills was resurfaced and nothing done particularly between Cabaret Drive and Wallenberg Drive in west El Paso the Street and Maintenance Director for the City of El Paso explained the delay in completing the repairs is due to ongoing pipeline replacements by El Paso Water "So we avoided that area so when we actually do the work we try to coordinate with El Paso Water to know what's coming up so we can know what areas to avoid so we don't resurface it and have them come back and tear up the road and us have to go back and resurface it," Garcia said Garcia assured that plans are in place to finish the repairs once the water project is complete "What we’ve gotten from the water company is it's really up on depending on them is it won't be done until early next year so we don't have a definite timeline for their project but we'll be coordinated with them in the future," he said "As soon as they're done we'll go ahead and start coordinating with them so we can make sure and go and do any missing work as far as resurfacing projects." more streets in El Paso will be resurfaced throughout the year View City of El Paso street projects here RECOMMENDED: What's Driving You Crazy: Ongoing construction on Loop 375 RECOMMENDED: Judge's ruling revives stalled Pellicano Drive widening project in far east El Paso If you have a question or want to share a concern about our roadways and would like Diana to feature in her "What's Driving You Crazy?" segment send her an email at dgomez@kfoxtv.com Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox 7 Grand View (Iowa) vs 10 Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.) 2 Saint Xavier (Ill.) vs 10 Grand View (Iowa) The Crime Stoppers of Mesa County are excited to brig back their Car Show The 3rd Annual Car Show will take place from 10am to 3pm on April 19 The annual car show became one of the biggest fundraisers to support the work that Crime Stoppers of Mesa County does to keep our community safe This family-friendly event will host food trucks There are several ways to get involved in the event Interested? Register now at this car show registration form MESA supports students in grades 3-12 to spark their interest in STEM education and STEM careers teams could select from the following challenges: students have the opportunity to answer questions about their projects as well as explore the work of other teams. “The event is a great opportunity for students to get inspiration and interact with other students,” said Erin Radebe resource teacher at Kennedy High School. Teams must place first at both the regional and state competitions to compete in the MESA National Engineering Design Competition Call: 240-740-3000 | Spanish Hotline: 240-740-2845 Email: ASKMCPS@mcpsmd.org Email: ersc@mcpsmd.org ©1995–2025 Montgomery County Public Schools The Co-response Program sends mental health clinicians alongside Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies to 911 calls involving mental health or substance use crises This team-based approach helps individuals in crisis receive the support they need often preventing unnecessary arrests or hospital visits The new funding will keep two full-time and one part-time clinician positions in place These professionals are crucial in ensuring that people in crisis receive timely and appropriate care from trained mental health staff the Co-response has improved public safety and expanded access to mental health services in Mesa County