By Michael CooperPublished: Apr 2025 at 8:41 PM MSTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInTUCSON (13 News) - A 28-year-old Sahuarita man has been arrested on several child porn charges The Sahuarita Police Department said officers served a search warrant at the home of Domenic Olson early Wednesday The SPD said investigators seized several electronic devices Olson is facing seven counts of sexual exploitation of a minor Olson appeared in court Wednesday night and is being held on a $25,000 bond Video of his court appearance can be watched below Olson would be released to pretrial services The judge said he cannot take any illegal drugs or alcohol and must have a substance abuse assessment He cannot have any contact with minors without approval from the county or state and cannot go within 1,000 feet of schools Olson was also ordered to stay off the internet Anyone with information about Olson or the case can call 520-351-4900 Be sure to subscribe to the 13 News YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@13newskold (KGUN) — A Sahuarita man arrested on child porn charges after search warrant served according to the Sahuarita Police Department 28-year-old Domenic Olson was arrested after several of his electronic devices were seized probable cause was found to arrest Olson for seven counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Report a typo We recognise you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore cannot grant you access at this time e-mail us at customerservice@gvnews.com or call us at 520-625-5511 The unnamed project likely will be named after a future major donor Castro said they have about $10 million in commitments to the project the Tucson Sentinel publishes our stories without a paywall We believe a healthy community depends on everyone having access to quality independent journalism we're committed to providing real reporting to all Southern Arizona residents A single story can cost us thousands of dollars to report – some take months & months of dogged digging others require paying for tall stacks of records that officials don't want to provide Some mean driving to remote corners of Pima County & some see our reporters sitting through endless government meetings to make sure they get the whole story & not just a quick headline Our award-winning newsroom has some of the best reporters and we're dedicated to getting the story right Our pioneering effort (we were one of the very first local nonprofit news outlets in the entire country) to rebuild local journalism will only work if enough people join our Watchdog Club community of paying members Please join today for as little as $15/month For those who can't afford to contribute right now, please sign up for our free Watchdog Update newsletters & help the spread word about the Sentinel to your friends Your contributions help the Sentinel sustain & grow our nonprofit newsroom & bolster our commitment to delivering the important independent news our community needs to thrive The Tucson Sentinel is published by Tucson Investigative Reporting Center Inc. we're committed to providing real reporting to everyone in Southern Arizona But a single story can cost us thousands of dollars to report – some take months and months of dogged digging and some see our reporters sitting through endless government meetings to make sure they get the whole story and not just a quick headline Our pioneering effort to rebuild local news will only work if enough people join our Watchdog Club community of paying members For those who can't afford to contribute right now, please sign up for one of our free Watchdog Update newsletters and help the spread word about the Sentinel to your friends A smarter Tucson is a better Tucson — and the Sentinel shines a light on this town because we love it Tucson Sentinel's independent nonprofit newsroom is an award-winning journalism pioneer that learns from & informs Southern Arizonans about the community challenges & unique culture of our Borderlands. © 2009-2025 TucsonSentinel.com Tucson Sentinel's independent nonprofit newsroom learns from & informs Southern Arizonans about the community challenges & unique culture of our Borderlands. Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInTUCSON (13 News) - A former Sahuarita employee and a local business owner have been arrested following a “comprehensive investigation” into theft and fraud the town of Sahuarita said former employee Joe Marti was arrested twice during the investigation while Mikey’s Concrete owner Mike Felix was arrested once Marti allegedly used his town-issued fuel card to buy gas for his personal vehicles the Sahuarita Police Chief ordered an investigation Marti has also been accused of getting kickbacks from Felix for making sure Mikey’s Concrete got the contract for construction projects in town Marti also allegedly used his town credit card to buy landscaping equipment and sold it to Felix at reduced prices Marti also allegedly used that card to buy several items (power tools Marti is facing two counts of trafficking in stolen property Felix is facing two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud two counts of trafficking in stolen property (KGUN) — While Easter officially lands this Sunday the celebration starts early in Sahuarita with a festive family-friendly event set to take place at Quail Creek Veterans Municipal Park The annual Bunny Bonanza will be held Saturday and promises a morning filled with activities for kids and adults alike families can enjoy Easter egg hunts with prize-filled surprises hidden throughout the park the event will feature craft tents showcasing work by local artisans offering a chance to support community talent and pick up one-of-a-kind seasonal gifts And no Easter event would be complete without the guest of honor— the Easter Bunny himself will be available for photo opportunities during the event The Bunny Bonanza is free and open to the public (KGUN) — A new disc golf course is set to open soon in Sahuarita promising to bring recreational opportunities to both seasoned players and beginners alike The course is under construction at a 120-acre plot of land generously donated by mining company Freeport McMoRan The facility will feature a total of 27 holes including an 18-hole professional-level course and a 9-hole beginner course Arizona-based DG Course Development began construction in January and has been working to bring the project to completion Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy highlighted the significance of the development noting that it will be the largest disc golf course in Southern Arizona "This course will be a major addition to our community providing a unique outdoor space for both locals and visitors to enjoy," Mayor Murphy said The project has already received accolades, earning the Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Award for Best Site Development on March 8th utilizing repurposed materials like the tires that will serve as obstacles on the course Disc golf has seen growing popularity in the area. In fact, the Quail Creek Homeowners Association recently formed the Quail Creek Disc Golf Club (QCDGC) in 2024 fostering a community for enthusiasts of the sport Mayor Murphy expects the course to be completed and open for play sometime in April KGUN9 will continue to provide updates as the opening date approaches An 18-year-old driver flipped his car in Sahuarita after attempting to avoid a squadron of javelina Monday night According to a social media post from Santa Rita Fire District units were dispatched to the area of Quail Cross Blvd and Old Nogales Highway where they found the driver's car on its top The driver said he lost control of his vehicle after seeing the javelina and veered off the roadway rolling his car into the brush and mesquite trees The driver had a minor scratch on his arm and refused treatment and transport after being evaluated by emergency crews The Sahuarita Town Council will vote Monday on a tiny land exchange and a town-initiated rezoning The Oro Valley Town Council will discuss long-term capital budgets during a Wednesday study session The investment plan is part of the fiscal year 2025-26 budget These are the only two meetings to follow this week because months with five Tuesdays are like that Councils and county boards (except Sahuarita) usually meet the first and third weeks of the month while school boards usually meet the second and/or fourth weeks The rezoning in question is sizeable the rezoning is a specific plan and they establish (or I guess re-establish) multiple zoning designations on a parcel The property is designated Rural Residential and Rural Homestead The new designation will provide for mixed-use development It could be businesses on the first floor and offices above and apartments next door The town is initiating this rezoning so there's no big plan attached Developers would have to submit full proposals before building on the land Sahuarita's zoning has long been a relic of the time before the town incorporated zoning matched the needs of county land remote from Tucson's Downtown core So the land was deemed more suited for ranches and other rural uses.  Then Sahuarita happened A town sprung up. Incorporated in 1994, the population in 2000 stood at 3,400. It's now more than 10 times as big Communities like that need businesses and businesses need workers So higher-density development naturally follows The Town Council has been supportive of such growth for a of couple years now The town gives up a quarter-acre and gets 186 square feet of land owned by the Edilia Tariori Revocable Trust That primary-bedroom-sized parcel is needed for drainage work Governments try to think long term when putting together capital investment plans that that year and a whole bunch of those a few years from now If a roof was replaced 14 years ago and is built to last 20 So if a government has a bunch of stuff needed in 2031/32 it might want to prioritize some work earlier and some later Maybe there are a couple major subdivisions being built near a certain intersection Stop lights and crosswalks will be needed in the near term but not today The thing is, the Oro Valley Town Council will review next fiscal year's budget component only The council has approved the long-term plan so it's not being ignored The capital work order will cost $45.3 million The priciest components of the plan – and more than a third of the total capital injection – has been slated to move Central Arizona Project water from a booster station pump to a reservoir near North Shannon Road and West Naranja Drive The Water Impact Fee fund will be tapped (no pun intended) to pay for the project The plan is to spend another $3.3 million to replace an aging fleet of town vehicles. $2.1 million will come from the Capital Fund and an Arizona Department of Transportation grant will provide another $1.2 million Another $2 million will be spent to resurface and refill a 2.5-acre pond at Vistoso Trails The rest of of the capital program consists of six-figure projects like the Steam Pump Ranch Farmer's Market upgrade or the Lambert Lane multi-use path The council will also vote on a union contract for employees The new deals will be finalized during a closed-door executive session so public details are still non-existent Tucson and Pima County have been bolstering their benefits packages putting pressure on other Southern Arizona local governments That will provide an incentive to hold the line  Local and state governments are having to flip coins and read chicken entrails to divine revenue expectations in the latest age of uncertainty Local government meetings around Tucson this week: (13 News) - The Sahuarita Police Department is investigating after skeletal remains were found over the weekend The Sahuarita Police Department said the remains were found Saturday morning by a church group picking up trash on a stretch of Interstate 19 Police said that after thinking the remains may be a Halloween decoration the church members sought the advice of another church member who works as a federal agent upon viewing the remains determined them to be human The Sahuarita Police Department was contacted the following day Sahuarita Police Department officers arrived on the scene and determined the remains had been in the location for quite some time The scene was secured by patrol personnel and Sahuarita Police Detectives were contacted Detectives and Crimes Scene Specialists arrived on scene and examined the area and remains and found no suspicious circumstances The Office of the Medical Examiner was also contacted Upon their arrival, and upon closer investigation of the body, identification was found in a wallet belonging to John Huff, 74 years of age, of Green Valley, AZ. Huff was reported as a missing person on January 11 He was 71 years of age when he was reported missing Huff was described in the report as having dementia and other medical issues The Office of the Medical Examiner took custody of the remains The Pima County Sheriff’s Department was also notified and the death is not considered suspicious If you or someone else may have information associated with this case Anyone with information may contact the SPD by calling 911 or 344-7000 during business hours Monday through Friday or by contacting our TIP Line at 520-445-7847 (13 News) - Green Valley and Sahuarita residents have been frustrated over mine operations in the Santa Rita Mountains During the Sahuarita Town Council meeting on Monday some of those residents made their voices heard Residents living near the Santa Rita Mountains are worried that mine operations at the Hudbay Copper World Mine will impact them Controversy continues to surround proposed copper mine in Santa Ritas Pima County, local organizations voice concerns on proposed Copper World Mine permit Dust from unpaved road in Green Valley causing concern for residents Groups file appeal over air quality permit for Copper World Mine 13 News has been following the story for several months and talking to nearby residents including Christi Moody and Jules Buell “I think they need to be aware of what they’re bringing in the community.” They are still worried about the dust uptick that the heavy trucks will bring as well as the possible pollution in the air and water When will the kids matter over the profits that this company is going to make?” The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality gave the mine’s expected environmental impact a seal of approval by approving a Class II permit. Save the Scenic Santa Ritas and other local groups have filed an appeal against it and they’re going to be breathing all it in every time somebody goes outside,” Buell said Some protestors even went inside the council chambers to express their concerns inviting the council members to listen to the community “Getting a passing grade from the government does not mean our tap water meets the latest health guidelines,” Nina Luxenberg said Anna Darian who works for the Save the Scenic Santa Ritas organization said “It is possible to support this mine and still advocate for the highest level of protection for this community We are talking about air quality for children 13 News reported that Hudbay has been working with the Pima Department of Environmental Quality on a dust mitigation plan to decrease the uptick of trucks on unpaved roads headed to the mountains Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy told 13 News he has no comment since the mine is outside the town’s jurisdiction Hudbay has not replied to 13 News’ requests for comment but they did respond about the environmental concerns when we asked last year “The Copper World Project is consistent with industry standards and will comply with all environmental laws to protect groundwater quality The statements that Pima County has submitted along with those of other interested stakeholders are contributing to a robust public comment period which both ADEQ and Hudbay have encouraged.” Be sure to subscribe to the 13 News YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@13newskold Single-family homes at award-winning development with resort-style amenities  SAHUARITA, Ariz., April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS)—a top national homebuilder and featured among America's Most Trustworthy Companies and World's Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweek—is excited to announce that Entrada Del Toro a new community from the company's Century Complete brand and part of the award-winning Rancho Sahuarita planned community The company will host a Grand Opening event on Saturday Offering a lineup of new construction single-family homes from the $300s Entrada Del Toro delivers incredible value in a prime location about 20 miles south of downtown Tucson and Century Complete's industry-first online homebuying experience—making it easy to purchase a new home completely online Entrada Del Toro at Rancho Sahuarita offers a tight-knit community with an abundance of incredible amenities just beyond residents' doorsteps and multiple recreation centers—including the upcoming Club Del Toro—plus shopping dining and schools located within the community the 3,000-acre Rancho Sahuarita development caters to all lifestyles Learn more and join the interest list at www.CenturyCommunities.com/EntradaDelToro.  Enjoy complimentary lunch and tours of two fully furnished new model homes Attendees will receive a voucher for special savings toward the purchase of a Century Complete home at the community "We're thrilled to introduce Entrada Del Toro as the latest addition to our growing presence in Arizona," said Dave Hodgman Executive Vice President of Field Operations for Century Complete this community offers an exceptional opportunity for homebuyers across the region Join our interest list today to ensure you're among the first to know about available homes and savings opportunities." DISCOVER THE FREEDOM OF ONLINE HOMEBUYING Century Complete is proud to feature its industry-first online homebuying experience on all available homes in Arizona allowing homebuyers to easily find their best fit and purchase when they're ready—all while continuing to work with their local real estate agent of choice Homebuyers can further streamline the homebuying process by financing online with Century Complete's affiliate lender Learn more about the Buy Online experience at www.CenturyCommunities.com/online-homebuying and featured among America's Most Trustworthy .. and featured on America's Most Trustworthy.. Real Estate Residential Real Estate Construction & Building Corporate Expansion Do not sell or share my personal information: (KGUN) — Big changes are coming to the way Sahuarita residents handle their trash and recycling Last week, the Sahuarita Town Council approved a decision to consolidate waste collection under a single provider ending the current system where residents choose from multiple companies offering varied prices and benefits Beginning Sept. 1, all trash and recycling services will be managed by Waste Connections of Arizona Residents will be charged $22.75 per month a rate that is guaranteed for the first four years of service The monthly rate will cover the weekly removal of one 96-gallon capacity trash cart and one 96-gallon capacity mixed recycling cart Those with a waste volume over the allotted 96-gallon bins can add an additional bin for $6.46 per bin Quarterly bulk waste pickup is also included in the service Town officials highlight that this shift is not only expected to bring potential cost savings but also reduce the number of trash trucks on the roads, cutting down on wear and tear and helping prevent future road maintenance costs shared his initial confusion when he moved to the area "I noticed the difference in color of cans on my side of the street and on the other side of the street and the neighbors' side of the street,” he said “Why are there 16 different trash companies here Rebecca Perez expressed optimism about the new plan “As long as there are no pickup issues or anything like that Bruce Conley voiced concerns about losing the competitive edge multiple providers bring "I see the positive on it that there’s only going to be one truck coming through the week we can go to another trash company and we can negotiate." Conley also raised concerns about pricing beyond the initial four-year rate lock."They want to fix the price for four years,” he said residents are responsible for canceling their current waste services before the Sept The town is negotiating the removal of existing trash bins and the delivery of new Waste Connections carts For more information about the switch to single-provider trash and recycling services in Sahuarita, visit a FAQ page provided by the Town of Sahuarita Army veteran is getting a fresh start thanks to a life-changing gift—a brand-new wheelchair-accessible home built to meet his unique mobility needs Sergeant Tanner House was officially welcomed into his new home in Sahuarita Monday as part of Helping a Hero’s 100-Home Challenge. The project is a national initiative by the nonprofit Helping a Hero in partnership with Lennar Homes and Bass Pro Shops to build 100 adaptive homes for wounded veterans across the country House sustained a spinal cord injury during a 2016 helicopter loading accident involving a CH-47 Chinook House’s injuries forced him into medical retirement in 2018 he has struggled with the limitations of his previous home—where everyday tasks “I’ve fallen so many times in the shower and literally knocked myself out,” House shared thanks to the generosity of the community and the dedication of Helping a Hero and its partners two-bath home in Sahuarita offers him a safer and clear pathways to accommodate his wheelchair and ensure accessibility throughout “And Morty has his own little bed—they hooked him up That’s probably the next favorite spot in the house.” The project broke ground in October, with House and his family advising Lennar on the specific needs as a result of his injury a fellow wounded veteran and volunteer with Helping a Hero Cox knows firsthand the importance of adaptive design having faced his own challenges following a leg reamputation “One of the most dangerous parts of my day is when I take a shower,” Cox said A recent AARP study found that nearly half of veterans nationwide 45 and over needed bathroom modifications to successfully age in place Cox has nominated five veterans for homes so far House’s home is the ninth completed by Lennar under the 100-Home Challenge with four more homes currently in development Bass Pro Shops is covering 25% of the cost for all 100 homes amplifying the impact across the veteran community “There’s not many words that can describe the amount of sacrifice and energy these people have put in to bettering my life,” said House PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Sahuarita community breaks ground on injured army sergeant’s new home (KGUN) — Ten sports fields across three parks in Sahuarita have been closed indefinitely after hazardous materials The town of Sahuarita is working with the compost manufacturer responsible for the materials to address the situation As KGUN 9 continues to take our newscast on the road this month Heidi Alagha and Green Valley/Sahuarita reporter Joel Foster bring you live reports from Sahuarita Tuesday evening: The issue came to light when a concerned resident brought a handful of glass fragments to the Parks and Recreation Department Further investigation revealed that the materials originated from a shipment of compost applied during the overseeding process at Anamax Park “It got through any kind of quality control check they have,” said Devin Stalder but a lot of the contaminants were difficult to detect initially.” sports leagues reported that cleats were uncovering additional debris The town halted play and intensified cleanup operations expressed confidence in the resolution process “We’re in the process of testing new methods to ensure the fields are thoroughly cleaned The town will be made whole through this process,” Pruitt stated The compost manufacturer has taken responsibility and is assisting in the cleanup It has notified the Town that they are currently investigating how the unsafe material made its way into the supplied compost as well as how the product passed their quality control checks Officials hope the fields will be safe for use within the next two weeks the town and local sports leagues will conduct inspections to ensure safety before reopening residents and sports organizations have shown support despite the disruptions Stalder expressed gratitude for the community’s patience and understanding during this unexpected challenge (KGUN) — One of Sahuarita’s largest annual events returns this weekend as Fiesta Sahuarita takes place on Saturday the event is expected to draw thousands of attendees with a mix of live entertainment food vendors and family-focused activities the event is free to the public and is aimed at bringing the community together through cultural celebration and local engagement This year’s event features more than 100 vendors and a Kids Zone that includes carnival rides where young participants will showcase their business ideas In addition to a variety of local and regional food trucks the event will also offer beer on tap and a wide selection of kid-friendly options and free t-shirt giveaway (while supplies last) are also scheduled adding to the event’s appeal for families and residents of all ages the town is providing park-and-ride shuttle services Shuttles will run continuously between Anamax Park and designated lots at Town Hall and Sahuarita Unified School District facilities throughout the day Fiesta Sahuarita has become a hallmark of the town’s event calendar Organizers say the event is designed to highlight Sahuarita’s growing community and cultural diversity Additional event information can be found on the Town of Sahuarita’s website. (13 News) - A Sahuarita woman died following a single-vehicle crash on Tuesday The Sahuarita Police Department said Marcia Jones crashed on Nogales Highway near Sahuarita Road The SPD said Jones may have had a medical issue that caused the crash A resident tried to save the woman by performing CPR before officers arrived on the scene but Jones died at the scene lost control and hit a tree off to the side of the road Anyone with information should call 520-351-4900 SAHUARITA, Ariz. (KGUN) — As the demand for skilled welders continues to rise, with approximately 84,000 positions needing to be filled each year according to the American Welding Society a local initiative is providing hope and opportunity to aspiring tradespeople The Sahuarita Food Bank and Community Resource Center has launched a hands-on welding program that aims to equip students with the certifications and skills required to thrive in a growing industry At the heart of the program is a unique blend of technology and practical experience Students first practice their welding techniques using augmented reality machines which simulate real-world welding conditions without the safety risks This innovative approach allows students to build confidence and hone their skills before transitioning to actual welding booths. Successful graduates earn national certifications through NC3 driven by the center’s mission to break cycles of poverty through sustainable career development recalled a construction project that sparked the idea “We were looking at putting some wrought iron fencing on the property,” he explained “We were told there would be a 9 to 12-month wait because there weren’t enough skilled welders in the area.” Recognizing the opportunity to address both a labor shortage and a community need Valles and his team developed a training pipeline to produce qualified welders After briefly pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Arizona “I realized I wanted to get back into welding,” Frazzell shared He recently secured a position in the field emphasizes the diversity and security of welding careers “There’s tons of welding in robotics,” Hanson said human hands are always needed to guide and supervise the process.” From pipeline construction to advanced manufacturing the demand for skilled welders remains robust have been equally inspired by the program’s impact Antonio is motivated by a desire to master his craft “I like to be good at something,” Antonio said spurred on by a friend who was a certified welder He says that he loves manipulating metal into different objects He says he enjoys the mutual camaraderie of the students “We’re able to help each other out too,” Gates said but this school taught me there’s so much more to learn.” The program has received critical support from grants provided by local organizations With the current cohort set to graduate in early July, the next round of classes will begin shortly after. Interested individuals can find more information about registration and program details by visiting the Sahuarita Food Bank and Resource Center website Flowing Wells and Sahuarita join the list of Tucson-area school districts that have decided to revert to online-only learning starting in January because of the virus’s spread Flowing Wells and Sahuarita are the latest Tucson school districts to announce a return to remote learning due to rising COVID-19 numbers Both districts will remain in hybrid mode next week to finish out the semester The districts cited three public health measures — the number of viral infections in the community and the number of COVID-like symptoms seen in hospital — all being in substantial transmission in the county as the reason why they are temporarily stopping in-person learning Both districts will offer fully remote learning starting Jan with the hope of returning to hybrid on Jan “We will work in consultation with the Pima County Health Department in making the decision and we will try to provide as much advance notice as possible,” Flowing Wells Superintendent David Baker wrote in a Dec Sunnyside School District returned to remote-only after Thanksgiving The sixth-ranked Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team routed rival Arizona State 65-37 Thursday night at McKale Center Arizona has now won three straight over the Sun Devils for the first time since 1999-2000 Sahuarita Unified shut down in-person learning at its high schools on Dec TUSD announced it would be staying in remote-only as the second semester begins in January And numerous other district schools and charter schools have recently been forced to close due to COVID-19 cases and related staffing issues The pause of in-person learning is also intended to provide a buffer for the post-holiday surge of positive cases predicted by health experts and to support management of local cases said a news release from Sahuarita Unified Both districts will continue to offer on-site services during the remote learning period I know we had to reconsider activities to protect against COVID-19 spread in our homes and community,” Baker said the pandemic has required us all to modify time with family and friends to create a safer environment the spread continues and requires us to be vigilant in our efforts to reduce transmission and exposure.” In a series of stories I helped spotlight many of the athletes who had their seasons cut short including Canyon del Oro senior pitcher Amya Legarra protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against law enforcement abuses a protestor dares Tucson Police to hit him with pepper bullets as a few hundred confront law enforcement along 7th Street between 5th and 6th in the early morning hours on May 31 The Bighorn wildfire became the largest blaze to sweep the Santa Catalinas and entailed more than month of fire fighting including scores of aerial retardant drops like this nape-of-the-earth run by a DC-10 VLAT over Catalina State Park The lock-down and subsequent restrictions led to the resurgence of drive in theaters like a showing of Grease at the Cactus Drive-In at Medella Vina Ranch and nearly a dozen girls from the North and Sabel families piled into the bed of a borrowed pick-up with rented headsets used to hear the audio from the night's feature returned to the fields and the University of Arizona finally got back on the field November 14 in a loss to USC where UA defensive back Lorenzo Burns (2) took wide USC receiver Drake London (15) out of mid-air after he tried to leap for extra yardage at Arizona Stadium Contact reporter Danyelle Khmara at dkhmara@tucson.com or 573-4223 Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter health officials implored people living across metro Tucson to do as much as they can to fight the spread of the cor… Arizona's rate of COVID-19 spread was the highest in the nation Thursday The University of Arizona's "freezer farm" can store COVID-19 doses at sub-zero temperatures as low as minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit TUSD is sticking with remote learning on Jan 4 because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases and the challenges that come with large numbers o… Tucson schools face numerous challenges to staying open while the COVID-19 pandemic But low rates of transmission inside schools show they m… Sahuarita Unified is returning high schools to remote-only learning due to the rising number of coronavirus cases in schools Cara Christ says not enough Arizonans may be willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine to achieve some sort of "herd immunity." She says the st… In Tucson Unified School District — with more than 42,000 children — the number of failing grades up by nearly 50% over last year in its secon… With substantial community spread of COVID-19 Tucson schools told to consider closing classrooms despite low transmission rates on campus staff and our entire community in many ways," Sahuarita Superint… While trying to balance academics and students' emotional needs teachers and school counselors work overtime with access to limited resources Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device (KGUN 9) — Santa Rita Fire crews put out a fire off the 16000 block of South Delgado Road Thursday Fire officials say they found a large pile of debris on fire generating a lot of smoke in the area of East Sahuarita Road and South Country Club Road at around 2:20 p.m Crews were able to control the fire within 15 minutes of arriving and spent several hours handling debris to make sure the fire was put out Corona De Tucson Firefighters also assisted The Sahuarita Town Council wants a single trash provider that the vast majority of residents must use Failure to comply could cost up to $2,500 and a Class 1 misdemeanor conviction That would be on the third offense in a 24-month period The first offense would be a $350 civil penalty The council will vote Monday on awarding Waste Connections of Arizona a contract to run a town-wide collection service The program would begin September 1 and would require homeowners and those who own rental developments with more than four units to take part in the program. Homeowners associations that already provide trash service as part of their codes and restrictions will be exempt from the rule They just have to have an agreement in place before the contract with Waste Connections begins on Jan A lot of people already are going to have a service A lot of people isn't enough for the town's leaders who are trying to address gaps in the system Will they pay more or less than they are paying now is a volume business so it's likely a universal system will cost less the council is not voting on a fee schedule It's simply giving itself the authority to impose one Sahuarita was incorporated in 1994. So it's been around for a while. Only in the last few years has the town ventured into areas like universal solid waste collection and establishing a water system The latter was contracted out to Global Water Resources Now the town is going the private route again which makes sense for Sahuarita because the capital involved in buying trucks and establishing routes would be prohibitive Councilmembers will just have to pay attention to the costs the company says it costs to provide the service so rates don't triple someday Once the whole town gets hooked on one company People pissed that they have to use a specific contractor now will be pissed they have to find their own later The Tucson Unified School District will review an annual desegregation report for the 2023-24 school year The overall thrust of the report: Steady as she goes We'll see what the people say during a public hearing on the report to be held during the Governing Board's meeting on Tuesday The federal courts placed the district under desegregation orders in 1974 and then lifted them in 2022. A federal appeals court judge upheld the order earlier in January. A desegregation tax is still in place to pay for continuing the programs that got the district out from under control of the federal courts TUSD reports 10 of the 12 magnet schools are integrated and half of those schools are "fully integrated." That would be hard not to do because TUSD is 62 percent Latino A common refrain starting the report's headings reads "the district continued to" meaning nothing really changed Administrators and educators are following up with the programs already at work There's really no ground-breaking headline news the district wants to discuss A new landing page was created for the district website called "Discover TUSD." Seven of the 12 magnet schools in the district were certified by Magnet Schools of America Applicants to work for the district have undergone a bit of a change in racial composition 45.8% of all applicants were Hispanic while 32.2 percent were white That's the highest rate of Latinos since at least 2015 and white applicants have fallen 10 percentage points as a portion of the whole Another interesting thing in the report is that the discipline rates have soared from 3% in 2015-16 to 9.3% in 2023-24 involvement in extracurricular activities rose sharply over the previous year 12,269 students were in at least one program those numbers are below what they were before the pandemic TUSD began experimenting with K-6 elementary schools rather than K-8 programs or putting 6th graders in middle school The board will get a review of what happened with the plan's first year Sixth graders did three to four percentage points better on English Language Arts benchmark exams and one to five points better in Math (though the higher scores are in the second quarter) TUSD administrators are looking to expand the K-6 model if the parents want it the cost justifies it and there's enough sixth graders in a school to merit the change Two quarters of testing does not a track record make The Amphitheater Unified School District Governing Board will get a review of their projected annual enrollment and how it could lose nearly $4 million as a result State law requires district's to budget based on the current year enrollment which means the district plans its spending without knowing how many students it will have that next year Amphi projected a daily membership of 11,212 students and now expects to have an average daily membership that is 600 less than that (it's not the same as student enrollment because lawyers and accountants are involved) The district gets state aid based on those membership numbers. So it's getting $3.6 million less Amphi has a $116 million operational budget No it's not a meat cleaver but universal vouchers continue to chop away at public school budgets which are already funded at lower levels than just about every other state in the country Something in the Amphi agenda also caught my eye because it's a line that just reads "births." Huh they need to know how many kids are being born every year to know how many they have to teach The number of live births has dropped since 2005 from more than 80 per 1,000 to the mid-70s per 1,000 Maybe if they were born somewhere else and came here .. Gotta love the Vail Unified School District I kid it from time to time because it's so .. But it has added some new books to its reading list for high school students and they include the "Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual," by Jocko Willink and "They Called Us the Enemy" by George Takei Anyone who's never seen Jocko Willink on YouTube He's a former Navy Seal who advises corporate America The man believes discipline is the key to life Everyone has seen George Takei. If you don't know who Mr. Sulu is Takei has emerged as a "Resistance" fighter for all kinds of issues some might call woke He was also imprisoned as a child in a camp right here in the United States of America because he committed the crime of being born Japanese-American at the wrong time in history "They Called Us the Enemy" is his first-hand account of that experience Another relatively classic work for Vail students is Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning," which chronicles the author's time in a Nazi concentration came and how he found that focusing on the things that have meaning helped him keep his wits Willin and Takei's books tell completely different stories from completely different points of view (the point of education) and Frankl's seems to tell a story down the middle between the two The reading list also includes "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allen Poe and "Runaway at Sea" by Margreit Maitland The Flowing Wells Unified School District Governing Board will vote to add a few new courses to the junior high school curriculum Two beginning choir courses will be added to the 2025-26 school year There's one course for tenor and bass singers and another for those who sing in the higher registers Also there will be a beginning STEAM course. STEAM is STEM (science engineering and math) with the "A" for arts The idea being to bring more creative thought into what could otherwise be rote instruction and thought the Rio Nuevo Multipurpose Facilities District Board will discuss a number of projects underway the man behind the expansion of the old Crescent Smoke Shop Gibson's Market and the establishment of the Grand Event Center will update the board on his plans and progress The Friedman Block along the Sunshine Mile will also be up for discussion with Grant Krueger explaining what's up with 16 properties along East Broadway and the board will hear about what's going on between Euclid and Campbell avenues The downtown redevelopment board really wants to turn the Mile into an ode to post-World War II arching style and angled flash who is expanding Empire Pizza into the old Hydra building at 137 E will discuss his progress during the meeting Nate Ares will provide renderings and other updates about the Country Home Block I have to close with an apology to cheerleaders, especially the ones at Catalina Foothills High School Earlier this month I irked some progressives (and probably some conservatives Grownups involved in politics can take some criticism However, a couple weeks ago I snarked about how cheerleaders were going to competition in California and the price was pretty steep. That's fine, I smirked in text. Cheerleaders have never been catty or petty about other girls not being able to afford something. My experience as the weird writer guy in high school was that the cheerleaders were always pretty damned nice to me One of them (homecoming queen nonetheless) stayed with me on a frigid winter day while I called AAA because my car broke down She let me hang out with her in car because she didn't want me to get cold 'cuz Sue Linder was like that I guess I was going off how they were treated in popular culture – almost as badly as journalists So I mouthed off about cheerleaders being catty for a cheap chuckle without knowing a damned thing about the Catalina Foothills High School squad And I should point out that the district held a fundraiser and sales to help the other girls go to the competition I'm a little less contrite about a wisecrack about sending boys to a volleyball tournament in Las Vegas It's not a suggestion that the school is sending boys to wrack and ruin the CatFoot district board will also vote for a second time to approve standards for "Silver" and "Blue" awards to students earning grade point averages above 3.5 Is there a college admission's person at some Ivy League Institution who says "Jimmy got a 4.0 and that's fine and all but he received a Silver Award so I'm not as uplifted by them getting awards The district took issue with me making that point Prior to the CFUSD board's regular meeting a study session will focus on the upcoming school finance situation The Arizona Legislature and Gov. Katie Hobbs are again dealing with the annual vote to override the state spending cap and continued loss of funding to universal vouchers Century Communities (NYSE: CCS) announces the upcoming launch of Entrada Del Toro a new single-family home community in Sahuarita part of the award-winning Rancho Sahuarita planned community will offer new homes starting from the $300s The community is part of the 3,000-acre Rancho Sahuarita development offering residents access to 25 miles of trails Entrada Del Toro will feature Century Complete's online homebuying platform allowing customers to purchase homes entirely online The development includes the upcoming Club Del Toro and provides access to extensive community amenities Century Communities (NYSE: CCS) annuncia il prossimo lancio di Entrada Del Toro una nuova comunità di case unifamiliari a Sahuarita parte della premiata comunità pianificata Rancho Sahuarita offrirà nuove abitazioni a partire dai 300 mila dollari L'azienda organizzerà un evento di Grande Inaugurazione sabato 10 maggio con due case modello visite guidate e voucher per sconti speciali La comunità fa parte del progetto Rancho Sahuarita di 3.000 acri che offre ai residenti accesso a 40 km di sentieri Entrada Del Toro includerà la piattaforma online Century Complete per l'acquisto della casa consentendo ai clienti di acquistare completamente online Lo sviluppo comprende il futuro Club Del Toro e offre accesso a numerosi servizi comunitari Century Communities (NYSE: CCS) anuncia el próximo lanzamiento de Entrada Del Toro una nueva comunidad de viviendas unifamiliares en Sahuarita parte de la galardonada comunidad planificada Rancho Sahuarita La compañía organizará un evento de Gran Apertura el sábado 10 de mayo con dos casas modelo La comunidad forma parte del desarrollo Rancho Sahuarita de 3,000 acres que brinda a los residentes acceso a 40 km de senderos Entrada Del Toro contará con la plataforma de compra de viviendas en línea Century Complete que permite a los clientes adquirir su casa completamente en línea El desarrollo incluye el próximo Club Del Toro y ofrece acceso a amplias comodidades comunitarias Century Communities (NYSE: CCS)는 애리조나 주 사후아리타에 위치한 새로운 단독 주택 커뮤니티 Entrada Del Toro의 출시를 곧 발표합니다 이 개발 프로젝트는 수상 경력이 있는 Rancho Sahuarita 계획 커뮤니티의 일부로 이 커뮤니티는 3,000에이커 규모의 Rancho Sahuarita 개발지 내에 있으며 Entrada Del Toro는 고객이 온라인으로 주택을 완전히 구매할 수 있는 Century Complete의 온라인 주택 구매 플랫폼을 특징으로 합니다 이 개발에는 향후 Club Del Toro가 포함되며 광범위한 커뮤니티 편의시설 이용이 가능합니다 Century Communities (NYSE : CCS) annonce le lancement prochain de Entrada Del Toro une nouvelle communauté de maisons individuelles à Sahuarita faisant partie de la communauté planifiée primée Rancho Sahuarita proposera des maisons neuves à partir de 300 000 $ L'entreprise organisera un événement d'inauguration grandiose le samedi 10 mai avec deux maisons témoins des visites guidées et des bons de réduction spéciaux La communauté fait partie du développement Rancho Sahuarita de 3 000 acres offrant aux résidents l'accès à 40 km de sentiers Entrada Del Toro intégrera la plateforme d'achat en ligne Century Complete permettant aux clients d'acheter leur maison entièrement en ligne Le développement comprend le futur Club Del Toro et donne accès à de nombreuses commodités communautaires Century Communities (NYSE: CCS) kündigt die bevorstehende Einführung von Entrada Del Toro an einer neuen Einfamilienhaus-Siedlung in Sahuarita Die Entwicklung ist Teil der preisgekrönten geplanten Gemeinde Rancho Sahuarita und bietet neue Häuser ab etwa 300.000 US-Dollar eine große Eröffnungsveranstaltung mit zwei Musterhäusern Führungen und speziellen Rabattgutscheinen Die Gemeinde ist Teil des 3.000 Hektar großen Rancho Sahuarita Entwicklungsgebiets und bietet den Bewohnern Zugang zu 40 km Wanderwegen Entrada Del Toro wird die Online-Hauskaufplattform Century Complete integrieren Die Entwicklung umfasst den zukünftigen Club Del Toro und bietet Zugang zu umfangreichen Gemeinschaftseinrichtungen Single-family homes at award-winning development with resort-style amenities  Learn more and join the interest list at www.CenturyCommunities.com/EntradaDelToro Learn more about the Buy Online experience at www.CenturyCommunities.com/online-homebuying View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/century-complete-announces-new-homes-coming-soon-to-sahuarita-az-302433517.html Already have an account? Login SAHUARITA, Ariz. (KGUN) — With its population skyrocketing from 3,200 residents in 2000 to over 26,000 today Sahuarita is grappling with the challenges of rapid growth To address safety concerns stemming from increased traffic, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has awarded the Sahuarita Police Department a $58,000 grant aimed at improving road safety and reducing collisions along with strengthening pedestrian and bicycle safety programs A portion of the funding will also provide advanced training for officers to analyze traffic collisions and determine their causes Public Information Officer for the Sahuarita Police Department “We always have to find additional funding sources to ensure that we’re providing the safety that our community members expect.” residents like Greg Miller and Laura Nastase have noticed a rise in dangerous driving behaviors “My spouse gets onto me all the time because I set my cruise control,” Miller said describing her experiences while walking her dog in her neighborhood and sometimes I get a little nervous,” Nastase said She says the town’s growth is largely the cause Falquez explained that certain intersections such as Nogales Highway and Sahuarita Road The department plans to use the grant to increase patrols in these areas aiming to reduce accidents and create a safer environment for the community over $20,000 is designated for DUI enforcement and investigations while $12,000 will fund speeding and safe driving initiatives An additional $15,000 is allocated to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety programs