ARIZONA NEWS The Apache Junction Police Department arrested 14 alleged online predators for 39 sexual-related felony crimes after a two-day operation BY DAVID VEENSTRA PHOENIX — The Apache Junction Police Department arrested 14 alleged online predators for 39 felony crimes during a two-day operation this month, authorities announced on Tuesday The suspects allegedly were trying to take part in sexual activities with children in Apache Junction None of the 14 suspects are from Apache Junction and each one traveled to the East Valley city before they were arrested Authorities said illegal drugs and guns were also seized during the operation that took place Jan The Apache Junction Police Department worked in tandem with the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and police departments from Mesa the Department of Public Safety Gang & Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission Arizona Anti Trafficking Network and The F3 Foundation contributed to the operation Follow @veenstra_david Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here will succeed retiring Apache Junction Chief Thomas E BY KEVIN STONE PHOENIX – The Apache Junction Police Department is replacing its chief with a high-ranking veteran of the Tempe Police Department Michael Pooley was chosen to succeed Thomas E who is retiring after eight years as Apache Junction’s police chief and nearly 50 years in public safety who spent the last two years as an assistant chief in Tempe will take over in Apache Junction in January “We are so excited to see Chief Pooley join our department,” Apache Junction Mayor Chip Wilson said in a press release “He brings two decades of experience from one of our neighboring communities that will serve him so well in leading our department.” Pooley spent 11 years as an officer and detective in Tempe before moving up the ranks to sergeant in 2012 His Tempe tenure included overseeing the department’s criminal investigations and special investigations bureaus and its data and technology unit “I believe my background and experience working for the Tempe Police Department in a variety of positions for over 20 years meets all the essential criteria for this important role,” Pooley wrote in the cover letter of his application “I know I can make an effective and immediate contribution to the City of Apache Junction as Chief of Police.” Follow @kstonezone Not on My Account? 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We always notify our customers before planned outages and minimize downtime as much as possible. To stay in the know, sign up for outage alerts SRP Privacy Policy SRP Website Terms & Conditions The 19-year-old’s body was found washed up in Apache Junction after a storm on Aug A month and a half before that she was declared missing on Father’s Day by her dad.  ABC15 spoke exclusively with the lead investigator in the case "When you have a case like this there will be nights and nights and nights that you don't sleep what could we do and what should we have done," Akey said Akey met with us outside Salinas’ old apartment It’s where she was last seen alive the morning of June 15 There was a party at Salinas’ apartment that night She initially left with her boyfriend after the two got into a fight But she was seen leaving the party again — this time in her own car.  Detective Akey believes she then walked home changed her clothes and proceeded to walk outside She was headed to a nearby gas station after she called a cab to pick her up or was it something a little more involved where somebody who had a little more interest in her was paying a little more attention to her and took that opportunity?" asked Detective Akey A month and a half later her body washed up in Apache Junction Detective Akey told ABC15 that they have no suspects at this time But they believe there are witnesses out there that could help them bolster their timeline If you know anything about Salinas and the night in question Report a typo Scattered thunderstorms developed to the south and west of the Phoenix metro area during the late afternoon hours of 31 August 2015 While these initial storms weren't particularly strong they intensified rapidly as they moved into the west valley The first storms to affect the metro area occurred near the I-10/I-17 "stack" interchange but quickly moved east and swept through Sky Harbor Airport Considerable tree damage and power outages were noted in Tempe as a result of these storms Likewise several locations saw heavy rainfall with gauges reporting over an inch of rain north and west of Sky Harbor Airport showing the evolution of storms from approximately 6:45pm - 10:45pm Monday night showing strong outflow winds originating near downtown Phoenix and rapidly moving through Tempe into the east valley Green colors indicate winds moving toward the radar (located at Mesa-Gateway Airport) Red colors indicate winds moving away from the radar Loop is from approximately 6:45pm - 10:45pm Monday night Storm total rainfall - gauge data courtesy Flood Control District of Maricopa County Storm over South Mountain at approximately 730pm Storm damage near Scottsdale Rd and Weber Dr Here are all the Arizona businesses that have been featured on the show: Arizona restaurants on 'Bar Rescue': One closed before the season premiere Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Tiffany.Acosta@gannett.com. Follow @tiffsario on Instagram Mark Hovanec doesn't ride his cherry-red Harley-Davidson from his home in Chandler to his job in north Scottsdale just to look cool or because he's a big motorcycle enthusiast Hovanec says he rides the Harley for a much more practical reason: He gets to use the HOV lane on Loop 101 during the morning and afternoon rush hour That helps him zip past the unavoidable traffic backups that mark the freeway between the U.S "It's really something on there every day,'' he said while parked outside a QuikTrip convenience store just off Loop 101 Hovanec wouldn't get much of a disagreement from thousands of drivers who commute along that stretch of Loop 101 His observations also are supported by data maintained by the Arizona Department of Transportation A stretch of Loop 101 between Loop 202 and the Broadway Road exit is the most congested portion of Loop 101 and in the entire Valley Loop 101 extends from Loop 202 in Chandler through Tempe connecting with Interstate 10 in the West Valley According to 2015 average daily traffic data reviewed by The Arizona Republic some of the most congested freeway segments in Arizona are located in the southeast Valley The section between Loop 202 and Broadway Road has another dubious distinction: It is the deadliest section on all of Loop 101 five crashes resulted in fatalities in that section The Republic recently published an analysis of all Maricopa County freeway deaths from 2013-15 which showed that most fatal crashes were caused by human choices below is a rundown of southeast Valley hot spots with some explanation from Eric Anderson transportation director for the Maricopa Association of Governments the Valley's regional freeway-planning agency ADOT data breaks the average daily traffic counts into segments based on freeway exits the stretch between Broadway Road and Apache Boulevard/Main Street is the most congested segment on the entire freeway Officials project that number will grow to about 276,000 vehicles in about 20 years The portion between Broadway and the Southern Avenue/Baseline Road exit was second Anderson said that area ranks so high because of its proximity between two other freeways "You see this any time you have freeways coming together.''' Backups can become most prevalent during the afternoon rush hour when traffic coming from Loop 202 merges onto southbound 101 Traffic travels more than a mile before the next exit at Broadway Road traffic begins jockeying for position to reach two lanes that exit to U.S The most congested segment of Interstate 10 It's so infamous that longtime commuters simply know it as "the Broadway Curve,'' an area between U.S 60 and State Route 143 that takes thousands of southeast Valley commuters into central Phoenix and back ADOT data shows that stretch of freeway not only is the busiest along I-10 it's the busiest section of any freeway in the entire state with an average daily traffic count of 307,709 vehicles a day in 2015 "You have these freeways coming together and people wanting to go in all different directions,'' Anderson said traffic on westbound I-10 coming from Chandler and Ahwatukee Foothills merges with commuters from Tempe Gilbert and Apache Junction coming off U.S many drivers make their way to the right lanes to SR 143 which takes traffic to east Phoenix and Sky Harbor International Airport traffic swarms back toward the southeast Valley coming around the curve and jockeying to get to the U.S Anderson said transportation planners at one time considered an ambitious plan to greatly expand the number of lanes at the curve to improve traffic flow an updated plan calls for a series of shorter-term projects designed to better place traffic in lanes that will take them to off-ramps they need sooner while limiting the impact of disruptions during construction construction of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway from Ahwatukee to west Phoenix will help alleviate the congestion This route through Arizona includes the major east-west freeway in the southeast Valley that extends from Interstate 10 in Tempe to Apache Junction Commuters probably could engage in a healthy debate about which portion is the worst the stretch between Alma School and Dobson roads was the most congested segment in 2015 with an average daily traffic count of 240,427 vehicles Every segment between Dobson Road and Val Vista Drive in Mesa tallied more than 200,000 cars per day making it one of the longest freeway sections in the Valley with continued congestion you have people getting on and off the 101 and it creates the backups,'' Anderson said commuters heading west of Alma School must jockey for two lanes that go to northbound Loop 101 one lane that heads south on Loop 101 and a Dobson Road exit Banner Desert Medical Center and Mesa Community College traffic coming off the 101 merges with eastbound traffic already on U.S ADOT figures show the count drops significantly in the area between Dobson and McClintock Drive but jumps up to more than 197,000 vehicles per day west of McClintock where Tempe commuters are entering and exiting the freeway Loop 202 in the southeast Valley spans Tempe But the busiest stretch in the region — and the busiest on all of Loop 202 — was between the Rural Road and Priest Drive/Center Parkway exits was the southeast Valley's second-most congested on that freeway Loop 202 has only an eastbound McClintock exit Loop 202 in Tempe connects with Loop 101 and the SR 143 exit that leads to Sky Harbor Airport and east Phoenix The southern portion of Loop 202 in the southeast Valley becomes most congested where it intersects with Loop 101 in Chandler The area between Dobson Road and Loop 101 handles more than 160,000 cars a day An official website of the United States government Watch Live at 11:30 a.m. ET: Results of Nationwide Law Enforcement Effort Press Conference View the latest ICE guidance on COVID-19 Get information about how to check in with your local ICE Office here Reportándose con ICE: Obtenga información sobre cómo reportarse a su oficina local de ICE aquí View in other languages Call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activityReport Crime Learn More About ICE ICE's ERO officers uphold United States immigration laws by focusing on individuals who present the greatest risk to national security View the annual report Media Inquiries the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated This information is archived and not reflective of current practice PHOENIX - A Tempe man accused of running a weapons smuggling ring in Arizona was arrested along with three of his co-conspirators Thursday in a joint operation by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol is facing federal charges for fraudulently purchasing a variety of firearms from licensed dealers in Glendale Hossa is also charged with illegally attempting to export the weapons to Mexico and with being an unlicensed dealer of firearms "Weapons traffickers seek profits built on the bloodshed in Mexico," said Matt Allen special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Arizona "ICE is standing firm with our partners from the ATF and the U.S Attorney's Office to stop the flow of weapons south of the border." of Tempe are each facing charges of fraudulently purchasing firearms on Edward Hossa's behalf "Weapon smuggling rings fuel the violence south of the border," said U.S "Straw purchasers disregard the consequences for the allure of the quick cash They can't claim ignorance to their direct contribution to the bloodshed These arrests are proof that our office along with ICE and ATF are committed to shutting down these organizations and interdicting southbound weapons." According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S Edward Hossa induced the three other suspects to act as "straw purchasers" of firearms Valenzuela is accused of buying five handguns in July and November at two different stores in Glendale Though Valenzuela claimed he was buying the weapons for himself he is accused of buying them for Edward Hossa Both Jeremy Ray Hossa and Yarrow face similar charges: Hossa for four rifles and one handgun purchased in Apache Junction in September and Yarrow for two handguns purchased in Mesa in November HSI and ATF agents arrested the suspects while serving six federal search warrants in the Phoenix metropolitan area at properties related to the case "This investigation is further proof of the relentless efforts by Mexican drug cartels to illegally acquire large quantities of firearms in the U.S for use in the ongoing Mexican drug war," said Bill Newell Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Phoenix Field Division "This investigation is also further proof that the 'straw purchase' of firearms continues to be a significant problem Those individuals that knowingly falsify ATF firearms forms to supply Mexican drug cartels with firearms have as much blood on their hands as the criminals that use them." A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt For media inquiries about ICE activities, operations, or policies, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at ICEMedia@ice.dhs.gov This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Visitors often are impressed by the art along Arizona's freeways 60 or colorful handmade tiles near Loop 202 The Arizona Department of Transportation pays for much of the basic architectural and landscape features but cities can provide extra funds to add more elaborate freeway art used local funding while Apache Junction obtained federal grants to enhance its freeways aesthetics Mesa chose to forgo spending any city funds on freeway beautification while Tempe spent over $1 million to construct a pedestrian bridge with artistic flair Background: Apache Junction obtained four grants through the federal Transportation Enhancement Program to apply landscape art to four exits on the U.S Description: The city had landscaping art of Gila monsters added to the freeway exit at Ironwood Drive roadrunners at the Tomahawk Road exit and quail at the Goldfield Road exit Cost: Each landscape installation cost between $600,000 and $1 million to build Federal grants paid for the entire project Completion date: The final addition at Idaho Road was completed in 2013 Description: Chandler commissioned ADOT to enhance freeway aesthetics on its portion of Loop 202 and Loop 101 Bridges were adorned with graphics that reflect Arizona culture The Loop 202 enhancements cost about $1.5 million and Loop 101 enhancements cost about $720,000 Background: Gilbert enlisted J2 Engineering and Environmental Design to "enhance architectural features" on bridges and stepped-drop structures along its stretch of Loop 202 Description: The art reflects Gilbert's history as an agricultural community and a key railroad stop between Phoenix and Florence line the freeway bridge crossings at Williams Field Road Background: The Tempe Municipal Arts Fund paid $25,000 for environmental artist Laurie Lundquist to design a concrete and steel pedestrian bridge over the U.S Description: "With a shape and color designed to blend with the surrounding area the box-truss style bridge has a 'wing-inspired' design that creates a play of light and movement reminiscent of a bird's wing in flight,"' according to the city website Cost: $3.7 million split evenly between Tempe Background: Michael Maglich created the artwork on the freeway walls at U.S Description: The art is influenced by how Tempe got its name a picturesque spot where the gods would go to rest The art consists of 180 concrete casts of sirens The artist modeled the face of the sirens after Tempe residents involved in the project Background: Tempe worked with artists Rebecca Ross and Jeff East to create a 545-foot long mural along the Loop 202 freeway wall facing Tempe Town Lake Description: The artwork consists of 15,000 handmade tiles decorated by 3,500 residents The Tempe Historical Museum and the Southwest Center for Education in the Natural Environment were also involved Old Town Scottsdale’s Tom’s Incredible Ice Cream has closed after a short run but the owners plan to reopen at a later date in the Central Phoenix area and designers have captured all sides of the Valley with award-winning and insightful writing and investigative features keep our 385,000 readers in touch with the Valley's latest trends Reward increased in disappearance of Tempe college studentTempe police and the FBI have increased the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the death of a 19-year-old college student who disappeared two years ago from a neighborhood west of Mill Avenue The mysterious disappearance of Adrienne Salinas resulted in a massive search that ended with a tragic discovery when her remains were found about two months later in a desert wash near State Route 88 and Lost Dutchman's Boulevard just west of Lost Dutchman State Park and the Superstition Mountains said the reward has been increased to $20,000 from $1,000 He said anyone with information about Adrienne's disappearance or death can call Tempe police at (480) 350-8311 Police searched Tempe Town Lake and numerous other locations before Adrienne Salinas' remains were found the Phoenix police and the Apache Junction police Although police have conducted more than 500 interviews and pursued hundreds of leads the case remains unsolved and there have been no arrests Adrienne had argued with her boyfriend at a party at her apartment on the night of June 14 Police said previously that Adrienne had complained that the boyfriend was not paying enough attention to her the boyfriend drove Adrienne to his home in Scottsdale but he told police that they continued to argue there so he drove her back to Tempe Adrienne's roommates reported seeing her early in the morning of June 15 packing an overnight bag The boyfriend told police that he received a text from Adrienne at 4:43 a.m "I'm coming over,'' but he told police that Adrienne never arrived Pooley said police received a 911 call from a driver early that morning who reported seeing Adrienne's car hit a curb Police also learned that she had called a cab company for a ride But a cab driver told police that he never found Adrienne Police that said police believe something must have happened to Adrienne between 4:30 and 5 a.m Adrienne disappeared in the area along Hardy Drive He said it is the sort of case that is never far from the minds of homicide detectives who desperately want to solve it and that police would greatly appreciate phone calls from anyone who saw something even remotely suspicious that someone from the public will come forward and help us solve this case,'' Pooley said "This is one of those cases where they want to solve so they can call the family and give them some closure.'' It will have been a year on Sunday since 19-year-old Adrienne Salinas' disappearance Tempe police reiterated to reporters that they are still pursuing the case Her decomposed body was found in a desert wash in Apache Junction nearly two months after she was reported missing by her father Apache Junction police and the FBI continue to investigate the homicide which has had leads on occasion though continues to baffle officials after leaving a party on her way to her boyfriend's apartment hitting a median at Ash Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway She then left the vehicle and walked to her nearby apartment Police received a 911 call regarding Salinas' driving shortly after the incident Salinas called a taxi service to pick her up from a convenience store a quarter mile from her apartment though she never entered the taxi or made it to her boyfriend's apartment where she told her roommates she was going Rick Salinas said he called police about his daughter's disappearance last Father's Day a holiday the close-knit family had planned to spend together Pooley said officials have repeatedly canvassed Adrienne Salinas' neighborhood near Jaycee Park for clues to her disappearance as well as miles of Apache Junction near where her body was found such as the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and Phoenix Police Department police have conducted 500 interviews in connection with the case Tempe detectives have worked closely with the Gateway Community College student's family for insight into her life vigil for Salinas on Sunday at Jaycee Park Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article gave an incorrect location for The Roost (formerly True Grit Tavern) "Bar Rescue," a reality television series that follows hospitality industry expert Jon Taffer as he attempts to revitalize struggling bars and restaurants across the United States, has featured Arizona restaurants in the past — in Season 9 alone he visited three — one of which was an ill-fated Tucson sports bar called High Five Grille The show aims to help struggling bars improve their operations but success isn't guaranteed and various factors can contribute to a bar's eventual failure While some bars thrive and find success after being featured on "Bar Rescue," others face ongoing challenges that ultimately lead to closure What happened to Cinco Cantina on Bar Rescue?In Season 9 episode 5: "Low Five Dive," High Five Grille needed assistance after the establishment faced several challenges including a malfunctioning walk-in fridge and financial losses amounting to approximately $8,000 per month With Whaley's lack of experience in running a bar or restaurant these issues led to a significant accumulation of debt leaving the business struggling to stay afloat The bar faced not only significant financial issues but Taffer felt it also lacked distinguishing features redesigned the interior with a Southern Arizona theme and renamed the bar signaling a fresh start and a rebranding effort aimed at attracting more customers But even after remodeling the bar in November 2023 Cinco Cantina closed its doors permanently due to financial difficulties with the landlord repossessing the building Whaley went on Facebook to announce the news: “It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I must inform you that Cinco Cantina has closed its doors as of January 3rd I want to thank all of my loyal customers for your patronage and support over the last few years I have met so many great people and made some wonderful and lasting friendships I will miss all of you but I know I will see some of you around town Please continue to support all local area businesses They rely on you to keep their doors open.” Several bars in Arizona have been featured on the television show "Bar Rescue," including: Support local journalism and subscribe to azcentral.com Kipp Nichols doesn’t remember the moment of impact.  “I didn’t see any lights I didn’t see the car,” he told ABC15.  Nichols was driving home to Wittmann after visiting with friends in Apache Junction.  He was in the westbound HOV lane on Loop 202 near McClintock Drive when DPS officials said 25-year-old Angela Gutierrez was driving the wrong direction and crashed into him.  Nichols’ SUV rolled three times before landing upside down.  moments before first responders pulled him out through the window.   “The whole time I couldn’t really see that well cause I had some glass in my eyes Doctors told him it would be several months before he can walk without crutches.  A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with medical expenses The Loose Cannons Motorcycle Club is hosting a benefit car and bike wash at The Monastery Bar & Grill in Mesa on Sunday Money raised will go to help with Nichols’ medical expenses and the group's effort to raise awareness about wrong-way drivers.   APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. — Skeletal remains found in this area might be those of a 19-year-old college student missing since June 15 the 19-year-old college student who has been missing from Tempe since June 15 authorities announced early Thursday morning police are working with Apache Junction police and the FBI to search an area where a property owner found the remains Aug Several homes are near where the body was found Apache Junction officers did an initial investigation but called Tempe police the following day because the remains were similar in size and stature to GateWay Community College student Adrienne Salinas "We don't know where the body came from," said Sgt a spokesman for the Tempe Police Department concentrating on 6 miles of a wash and private property around the streambed that is dry except after heavy rains Apache Junction with a population of almost 37,000 is about 30 miles east of Phoenix and 20 miles east of Tempe Salinas' family was informed last week about the discovery but police didn't release any information because of concerns about evidence The remains were sent to the Pima County medical examiner Salinas attended a party in Tempe with her boyfriend the night of June 14 and had been drinking She and her boyfriend got into an argument at the party The boyfriend drove her to his home in Scottsdale The last time anyone reported seeing Salinas was early the morning of June 15 Her roommates told police that she had packed an overnight bag and said she was driving back to her boyfriend's home But the boyfriend told police that Salinas never arrived A witness reported seeing her car hit a median near her apartment found the car two blocks away with two flat tires and reported his daughter missing to police Adrienne Salinas repeatedly called the boyfriend but was unable to reach him She eventually sent him a text message at 4:43 a.m. The boyfriend told police that Adrienne Salinas never arrived Tempe police have said the boyfriend is not considered a suspect and has been very cooperative in the investigation No one has seen or heard from her since 5:05 a.m there are many ways to beat the heat: stay inside and crank the air conditioning bowling or an arcade — basically anywhere that is air-conditioned — or spend a couple of hours splashing around in the water water parks and splash pads with water fountains swizzle sticks and slides to keep cool and have fun NOTE: We recommend you double-check the specific schedules before you head out to avoid any unexpected closures due to weather MESAThe City of Mesa's pools open on May 28 14 of Phoenix's 28 pools will be open this summer Perry and Sunnyslope pools will be open on weekends from 12 p.m Splash Pads/Spray Pads - City splash pads open seasonally the last Saturday in May through Oct QUEEN CREEKThe splash pads are open from March - October 2022 at 7.45 pm local time (America/Phoenix GMT -7) The quake had a very shallow depth of 5 km (3.1 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so) Tempe has had 12 quakes of magnitude 3.0 or above and 4 quakes between 2.0 and 3.0 2023 at around 9.58 am local time (America/Phoenix GMT -7) Details of the quake (if it is one) are so far unkown until confirmed by a seismic agency We will update the status of the event on this page as soon as more information becomes available.