Neighbors

EV teachers’ innovative program to be shown on world stage

By Jim Fickess Contributing Writer Instruction strategies born in an East Valley classroom will take a big step onto the global stage this month during the International Literacy Association Conference in Austin, Texas. The idea...

Cielo Elementary kids helped, enchanted by huge mural

By PAUL MARYNIAK, Executive Editor Suzanne Whitaker is a kind of 21st-century Michelangelo. Only instead of ceilings, she paints walls. But just as Michelangelo’s famed work on the ceiling of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel...

Basha High teacher earns fellowship to Harvard

By COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor A Basha High School history teacher is the only educator in Arizona chosen for a prestigious fellowship that will help him pay for a master’s degree from Harvard University. Christopher Evans...

Chandler dad takes volunteerism seriously

By Abbie S. Fink, Guest Writer   Michael Kintner likes to joke that he plays games for a living. As director of marketing and operations at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa, the Chandler man is responsible for all...

Frank Leutz gives back, supports daughters

By Sherry L. Butler, Guest Writer   If you own or love a car or attended this year’s Ostrich Festival and met a man who looked like he walked right out of a German Oktoberfest celebration, you may have met Frank Leutz,...

Community-minded father likes giving back

By Alison Walsh, Guest Writer A business owner and father of two, David Ralls works and lives in Chandler. He moved his 21-year-old advertising agency, Commit Agency, to downtown Chandler three years ago and has lived in the...

Local students carrying a tune all the way to Australia

By Lee Shappell, Staff   Natalie Garrett of Chandler says she is still in disbelief that she gets to fly more than 20 hours to perform in a world-famous venue. Emily Baxter of Gilbert just hopes to hug a koala. The two are...

Chandler man and son explore The Holocaust’s horrors

By Colleen Sparks, Managing Editor   As a Jewish boy growing up in Brooklyn during World War II, Bill Stone heard many stories about the Holocaust. But a trip to Poland with his son, Daniel, in April gave Chandler man a...

Ducey disputes school chief’s war on evolution

By Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services   Gov. Doug Ducey said earlier this week that he believes evolution should remain part of the science standards for public high schools, despite efforts by the state’s top school...

2 popular parks to get major upgrade

By Colleen Sparks, Managing Editor   Two popular parks in Chandler are getting upgrades that experts say will provide more polished, safer areas for children and adults to play and participate in sports. The Chandler City...