Community

Pedestrian deaths growing, family mourns Chandler woman killed

By Jim Walsh Minutes before a pickup truck ran a red light and killed her, Pamela Hesselbacher sent a message to her husband, Matt, saying that she and their two small children had left a nearby park and would be home soon. “We...

Fitness center evolves into community workout hub

By Alison Bailin Batz   Though best-known for helping to transform others, StudioFIT in Chandler recently did a little transformation of its own. Now located across the street from its former digs – and more than twice its...

New gym offers fitness at ‘basketball heaven’

By Melody Birkett   A new gym that just opened in Chandler offers a fitness program like none other in the East Valley. “This is the first basketball-focused fitness center,” said Jay Bhakta, the Gilbert man who owns...

Learn about the duties of a lifeguard in preparation program

By SanTan Sun News Staff   Enrollment is now open for Chandler’s Junior Lifeguarding program, designed to give swimmers a head start on certification as a lifeguard. Training is limited to 20 participants and is for...

Overstreet development to add great energy to downtown core

COMMENTARY BY CHANDLER MAYOR JAY TIBSHRAENY     In late March, Overstreet Chandler officially broke ground at the corner of Chandler Boulevard and Arizona Avenue. This project will be a game-changer for our downtown,...

Seton girls basketball coach marks 25 years with big award

By Paul Maryniak   Karen Self marked her 25th year as the head coach of Seton Catholic Prep girls basketball in high style. Or rather, the Arizona Interscholastic Association did by inducting her into the Arizona High School...

Dad, golf lover, restaurant owner helps children get in the swing of sports

By Alison Bailin Batz   Mark Roden loves golf. In fact, it was high school friend Rick Duffey’s promise of sunny, golf-filled college days that brought Minnesota native Roden to Arizona State University in the late 1970s....

Former ‘SanTan Sun News’ owner to hit stage with friends in ‘Boa Babes’

By Colleen Sparks Chandler resident Laurie Fagen, former owner and publisher emeritus of “SanTan Sun News,” is taking the stage with four other experienced actresses in a musical about their friendship, which has spanned four...

Santan Elementary School student named Pop Warner All-American Scholar

By Becky Bracken   Jacob Slater, a 12-year-old member of the Chandler Gilbert Assassins Pop Warner team, has been selected as one of 35 football players and 35 cheerleaders in his grade from across the country as a Pop...

Chandler/Gilbert Family YMCA reopens during Healthy Kids Day

By SanTan Sun News Staff The Valley of the Sun YMCA is making a splash in Chandler while trying to educate youths about water safety. As part of the 26th annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, 10 out of 14 Valley YMCA branch swimming...