At 97, Sun Lakes author pens novel on flamboyant opera icon

By Srianthi Perera, Contributor Many biographies have been written about Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, but none read like a thriller. Sun Lakes playwright, teacher and novelist Mel Weiser’s “Viva Puccini,” a new...

EV plumbing firm’s business plan includes charity

By Melody Birkett, Contributor Some people might think Wayne Decker’s business plan makes no sense. But Decker, president of PlumbSmart Heating and Air, says it not only makes sense but a lot of cents. “We charge less than...

Chandler native now explores the world’s oceans

By Ken Sain, Staff Writer Chandler native Mattie Rodrigue says she’s seen more than a few raised eyebrows when she tells them a kid from the desert is now a marine biologist. “They say, ‘What?!’” Rodrigue said. “More...

Skate team, moving firm team up to help Hopi tribe

By Ken Sain, Staff Writer Figure skating is not an inexpensive sport. Most young people who participate come from families that can afford it. “They have a lot of stuff, they’re very fortunate,” said Jaime Kalnicky, the...

Lockboxes can help Chandler seniors in emergencies

By Ken Sain, Staff Writer Mary Poindexter’s daughter was getting worried. She was in Detroit and had tried calling her mother in Chandler multiple times, but was not getting an answer or a return call. And that was definitely...

Chandler Council OKs 4 new housing projects

By Ken Sain, Staff Writer More new housing is coming to Chandler. City Council approved four housing projects that will bring more than 200 new homes to the city. The median price of a home sold in Chandler was $472,500 last...

Ocotillo opens its heart to Zzeeks’ pet food drive

Santan Sun News Staff  Two weeks ago, Zzeeks Pizza & Wings co-owner Mark Pectol said he hoped to double the 10,000 pounds of food his drive reaped last year for two pet food banks. Over the weekend, his wife Jody announced...

Massively upgraded Pollack Tempe Cinemas reopens

By Ken Sain, Staff Writer When you walk into the newly renovated Pollack Tempe Cinemas, Michael Pollack will be there to greet you himself, wearing his traditional black shirt. Only it will be a hologram of the Chandler shopping...

Chandler show celebrates quilts’ story magic

By Srianthi Perera, Contributor Linda McCurry’s art quilt depicts adversity. Years ago, her Gilbert home caught fire around the chimney; the fire burnt downstairs near the fireplace and upstairs through the master bedroom. Her...

Chandler opts into $10M Bartlett Dam study

By Ken Sain, Staff Writer Chandler has joined nearly two dozen communities that are beginning to look at climate change’s impact on future water availability in their backyards. “We are on the cusp of the first-ever Colorado...