December 28, 2023, 4:25 am
Zion William Teasley is charged with the murder of Lauren Heike. This is one of the most read Arizona stories in KTAR. com in 2023. (Photos via Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Phoenix Police Department)
(Photos: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Phoenix Police Department)
BY KTAR. COM
PHOENIX — With 2023 coming to an end, it’s time to look back on what interested readers throughout the year.
Here are the most-read stories in KTAR. com for 2023:
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Files Two Orders on Homelessness and Elections
Katie Hobbs continued her First 100 Days Initiative with a pair of executive orders.
The first, and the one signed since Hobbs took office, re-established a commission on homelessness and housing that was abolished in 2020. The other order has established a bipartisan task force on elections.
Roads close around Arizona as storms pummel high country, Valley
For the first time in the new year, the Valley and much of the upper country were hit by rain and snow, respectively, prompting highway closures across the state.
Here’s why eggs, groceries are more expensive in Arizona and what to do
Eggs in Arizona were popping up at the same time that grocery expenses were getting more expensive.
The average value of eggs is about 50% higher than it was a year ago, according to Julie Murphree, director of extension for the Arizona Farm Bureau.
Arizona to Unveil New Driver’s License Design with Updated Safety Features
Arizona has opted for a new driver’s license whose design has been updated to prevent counterfeiting and other potential security issues.
Suspect Arrested for Theft of $100,000 Production Equipment for NFL Experience in Phoenix
A suspect accused of stealing $100,000 worth of production equipment for NFL Experience in downtown Phoenix has been arrested.
George Rodriguez, 36, accused of stealing the parts from a third-party vendor in a parking lot at Second and Washington streets.
Congregation buys 50-year-old church in Phoenix for $1 million
A Phoenix congregation has a new home after buying a 50-year-old Baptist church for $1 million.
NAI Horizon’s Church Realty Solutions represented buyer Phoenix Chin Bethel Church in the transaction. First Southern Baptist Church of Phoenix was the seller.
Sen. Mark Kelly on possible Colorado River accident: ‘It’s not happening’
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly said he will not let the Colorado River crash amid water shortages.
In an exclusive interview with KTAR News 92.3 FM, Kelly said the nation can’t allow the water levels in Lake Mead to get to a level where water cannot be released from the Hoover Dam.
“Because if that happens, we’re going to have water in California, Arizona and Mexico. That’s going to happen,” Kelly said.
Valley snakebite victim receives historic treatment while being airlifted
For the first time in Arizona, a snakebite victim obtained an antidote outdoors at a hospital.
Daniel Steininger, 77, was walking with his wife on Mesa’s Hawes Trail System when a rattlesnake bit his left ankle.
Mountain lion attacks man camping along Salt River in Gila County
A 64-year-old man who was rafting attacked a mountain lion while camping on the banks of the Salt River.
A group of 10 rafters tried to fight the feline with their oars and managed to reach protection on their rafts.
Here’s what we know about Glendale’s successful VAI Resort project
The developers have revealed new takeaways about VAI Resort, the successful hotel and entertainment destination taking shape in Glendale.
After several delays and a replacement on the property, the 60 acres just south of State Farm Stadium and the Westgate Entertainment District will now open in 2024.
Authorities warn Arizonans about bears when they are in the southern part of the state
The Arizona Game and Fish Break is warning the public to watch out for fires following its first reported showing of a black for 2023 in the southeastern part of the state.
Arizona revokes water intake to Saudi-owned alfalfa farm
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that drill permits for a Saudi Arabia-owned alfalfa farm in La Paz County have been revoked.
Two deepwater wells were approved for Fondomonte Arizona LLC eight months ago, which Mayes called “unconscionable” given the state’s desire to keep the water.
Here are the 12 richest people in Arizona in 2023, according to Forbes
Arizona once had double-digit reps on Forbes’ annual list of the world’s billionaires and this time, a new, richer person.
Mat Ishbia, the new owner of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, tops the Grand Canyon State’s list with a net profit of $5. 4 billion.
With suspect in custody, new details emerge about murder of Lauren Heike in Phoenix
The man accused of killing Lauren Heike while she was walking near her home north of Phoenix was known as 22-year-old Zion William Teasley.
Mesa Sports Park Owner Files for Bankruptcy, Seeks to Sell 320-Acre Site
The owner of formerly known as Bell Bank Park filed for bankruptcy protection Monday, just 16 months after Mesa’s sprawling sports park opened to wonderful fanfare.
Legacy Cares Inc. , the nonprofit organization that owns and operates Legacy Park – Arizona’s premier sports and entertainment complex, also announced that it has an investment banking company to facilitate the sale of the 320-acre indoor and outdoor facilities.
Buckeye police release new information on missing geologist Daniel Robinson
Buckeye police have released new findings in the case of missing Daniel Robinson.
Robinson, a geologist who lives in Phoenix, has been missing since June 23, 2021, when he left a remote control in Buckeye.
Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announces his future plans
Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s long-term is transparent five months into his eight years on the ninth floor.
The Republican announced on social media he was set to become the CEO of Citizens For Free Enterprise, which says it “exists to act against threats to economic freedom and to tell the story of free enterprise’s importance in achieving the American Dream.”
Republican Steve Kaiser submits resignation from Arizona Senate
Republican Steve Kaiser submitted his resignation from the Arizona Senate.
Kaiser approved his resignation letter after the Senate voted on its final bills, a spokesperson for the Arizona Senate Republican Caucus told KTAR News 92. 3 FM.
Phoenix sets daily heat record for fourth time this week
Arizona’s capital broke a daily heat record on July 22, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures reached 118 degrees Fahrenheit around 3:16 p. m. , according to NWS weather reports. The last day reached 116 degrees in 2006.
Attorney General sues solar company over illegal phone calls, dishonest savings claims
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced a lawsuit against a sunscreen company.
Mayes said Vision Solar, which sells and installs solar panels, harasses citizens with illegal sales calls and outright lies.
Alicia Navarro, a missing Glendale woman discovered in Montana four years after her disappearance
Alicia Navarro, Glendale’s daughter who disappeared 4 years ago, has been found safe and sound in Montana.
The Glendale Police Department said Navarro, now 18, was found healthy in a town about 40 miles from the Canadian border after reporting to a police station and asking to be removed from the missing persons list.
California Woman Arrested on Suspicion of Trafficking More Than Pounds of Drugs in Arizona
Deputies with the Arizona Department of Public Safety caught a California woman driving with over 100 pounds of drugs in late June.
Rescue team rescues teen who fell 70 feet into Grand Canyon
A 13-year-old boy fell at least 70 feet into the Grand Canyon, the National Park Service reported.
It fell to the edge of the north shore, between 70 and 100 feet below Bright Angel Point.
Arizona Woman Missing While Walking Found Dead
Authorities confirmed they found the dead body of Jessica Lindstrom.
Lindstrom, 34, was last seen at the domain of 51st Parkway and Deem Hills Parkway.
Say Cheese: Rare Jaguar Sighting Filmed in Southern Arizona Mountain Range
Surveillance cameras on the trail captured two rare images of a wild jaguar on a southern Arizona mountain earlier this year.
The photographs, taken in March and May, show the time a jaguar was spotted in the Huachuca Mountains as early as 2016, according to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s database. U. S.
Arizona drug trafficking ring spanning multiple counties shut down
Authorities have shut down a drug trafficking ring that was operation in multiple Arizona counties.
Partners Against Narcotics detectives conducted an operation that resulted in the recovery of more than 10,500 fentanyl pills, 81 pounds of methamphetamine, 2 pounds of fentanyl powder, a pound of cocaine and 17 pounds of marijuana.
Arizona Senate President Plans to Sue Biden’s Grand Canyon Memorial
The Republican president of the Arizona Senate is preparing to sue the Biden administration over the recently created Grand Canyon-area national monument.
Sen. Warren Petersen announced he has directed attorneys to identify citizens, industries and local governments impacted by the monument’s designation last month as part of fact-finding phase. He aims to file a lawsuit by the end of the year or in early 2024.
Tempe’s Eighth Street Project Moves Forward After Discovery of Archaeological Site
A Tempe Street improvement task is back underway after operations were halted for several years following the discovery of a 1200-year-old Native American in the area of the structure.
Work on the Calle Ocho urban progression task was scheduled to begin in 2019 but was put on hold after the first prehistoric archaeological discovery.
Arizona hospital becomes first in state to implant new device to reduce stroke risk
Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital in Phoenix has the first fitness center in the state to implant a new device designed to reduce the risk of stroke.
Victims of fatal crash in Surprise identified as 2 sisters
The victims of the fatal crash in Surprise were known as two sisters, the government said.
Bea Cueto, 19, and Althea Cueto, 20, both of Surprise were killed in the crash on Deer Valley Road near the intersection of Williams Road.
Phoenix finishes cleaning up the last few blocks of the area’s homeless encampment
The city of Phoenix successfully finished cleaning up The Zone, where people experiencing homelessness have lived in tents and for years.
The move came after an October ruling imposed a Nov. 4 deadline to remove tents and other makeshift structures.
Arizona Police Officer Arrested in Fatal Hit-and-Run
Josh Anderson is accused of striking and killing Iris Billy with his White Mountain Apache Police Department patrol vehicle on State Route 73 south of Pinetop.
Arizona mostly holds ground, but plant hardiness zones get major national adjustments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “plant hardiness zone map” was updated for the first time in a decade, depicting the impact climate change will have on gardens and yards across the country.
Community activist believes closure of Lukeville Port of Entry could result in border town deaths
A community activist who works with border towns believes there could be deaths if the Lukeville Port of Entry in Arizona doesn’t reopen soon.
Here’s why Arizona National Guard sent to border by Gov. Katie Hobbs will be limited
Arizona National Guard members deployed to the border through Gov. Katie Hobbs will have more authority than if they had been sent by federal order, according to a former Border Patrol official.
Wildlife officials on alert after 3 people bitten by coyotes in north Phoenix
Three other people were bitten by coyotes recently in separate incidents in the same North Phoenix domain, authorities said.
Two other people were bitten Saturday, a 4-year-old boy who was walking with relatives and a man jogging, the Arizona Department of Fish and Game said Monday.
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