Latest from Sierra Alvarez
‘It’s so joyful’: Chandler Symphony Orchestra relishes return to in-person performances
TEMPE – The Chandler Symphony Orchestra kicked off its 29th season in October after a pandemic-induced hiatus with masks, distancing and an audience.
‘I was struggling to survive’: Event raises awareness for suicide prevention
PHOENIX – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks suicide as the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. – responsible for more than 47,500 deaths in 2019.
Hope and resilience in action: Navajo Nation continues battle against COVID
TUBA CITY – Residents of Tuba City on the Navajo Nation remain active in battling COVID-19, and they reflect on the hardships and hope that accompanied them for the past year and a half.
Cindy McCain, Charles Barkley, others celebrate ‘extraordinary life’ of Grant Woods
PHOENIX – Cindy McCain, Charles Barkley and others spoke at a memorial service celebrating the life of former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, who died Oct. 23 at age 67.
A history of the British WWII pilots who learned to fight Nazis in Arizona
MESA – An inside look at the history and significance of the No. 4 British flight training school located at Falcon Field in Mesa.
A pound for an ounce: Cave Creek stamp mill celebrates Arizona’s gold mining history
CAVE CREEK – Cave Creek Museum is home to a fully operational stamp mill that was used to extract gold more than a century ago. The Arizona Gold Mining Experience offers a glimpse into what it was like to be an Arizona miner in 1910.
The pandemic blew up home gardening, but will the trend wither on the vine?
PHOENIX – The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Americans to take on new hobbies. Gardening was one of the hottest trends of the year.
On Halloween, real witches set the record straight
PHOENIX – The stereotype of warty noses, black-brimmed hats and cauldrons of evil spells come to mind when thinking about witchcraft, but for real-life practitioners this is far from the truth.
New law prohibits vehicles blocking sidewalks, punishable by a $250 fine
PHOENIX – A new law makes blocking sidewalks with vehicles a crime, meant to keep walkways clear for all pedestrians. It was one of 12 laws that took effect Wednesday.
Maricopa election probe is complete, but fight may just be starting
WASHINGTON - After months of work and millions of dollars, the contractors investigating Maricopa County's elections were able to answer one question Friday - President Joe Biden did win. Otherwise, they spent hours raising questions and calling for more investigation.
Expanded Child Tax Credit program did a ‘world of good,’ politicians say
PHOENIX – Since its rollout in July, the expanded Child Tax Credit program has received praise from government officials and advocates who call it a solution to “combating economic hardship and poverty in Arizona.”
Valley traffic returns, carbon emissions rise as COVID-19 restrictions ease
PHOENIX – COVID-19 reduced road traffic to unknown lows, but now it’s returning in full force. After carbon emissions dropped during a year of less travel, will they return to problematic levels?
Tempe Healing Field returns for 20th anniversary of 9/11
TEMPE – The Tempe Healing Field 9/11 memorial is being held at Tempe Beach Park, to remember the nearly 3,000 people lost during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
On the crawl: Why so many caterpillars are wriggling around Arizona
PHOENIX — Arizona’s wet monsoon season helped spawn thousands of plump yellow caterpillars around the state. The caterpillars now are looking for a place to become white-lined sphinx moths.
