Jen Duff News Today

City leaders made it crystal clear at a study session last week that they want a post office to remain in downtown Mesa at Center and 1st Streets.

Four Phoenix City Council seats and Peoria mayor are among the local contests in the Nov. 8 election. Heres a rundown of city and town races.

Mesa business owners have seen an increase in the number of unsheltered people on downtown streets and now they’re coming together to find a solution.

Among the contests are a competitive mayoral race in Chandler and four of six council seats up for grabs in Peoria.

Mesa City Council hopes this is the year to finally turn a downtown boondoggle into a boon for downtown.

If this was a movie shoot, it might be “take 17.” Back in the mid-1980s, the City of Mesa was so eager to flip a single-family neighborhood into a commercial development that it used eminent domain to forcefully purchase the properties, clearing the way for an eagerly-anticipated resort, conference and water park project.  Thirty-five years later … nada. Near the busy corner of Mesa and University drives, a chunk of ugly, dirt lots sit behind the office of Maricopa Adult Proba...

One out of two wasn’t bad, she’ll tell you ... The college graduate landed here in early September, figuring schools in Mesa start as they do in most of the country – after Labor Day. Negative: “I was too late. They start school here in August, and everyone had their hiring done by the time I got here,” she said with a laugh. Her brother, Gil Damiani, worked for the Mesa Fire and Medical Department. He told his sister they were hiring. “He said, ‘You have to b...

On a pleasant Saturday afternoon during what experts call the tail end of the pandemic, downtown Mesa shows signs of vibrancy.  The “restaurant row” strip of Main Street between Center and Robson is percolating, with locals hitting the coffee shops or having lunch-and-drinks at places like Mangos, Tacos Chiwas and Margaritas Mexican restaurants and 12 West Brewing. A half-dozen blocks east, groups gather for picnics at Pioneer Park. Next door, more folks chow down on the patio at H...

They were the elected officials who approved, by a 5-2 vote, Mesa’s new non-discrimination ordinance. After two hours of public comments Monday – with supporters arguing it protected groups from discrimination and attackers contending it puts women and children at risk – Council had its chance to comment on the NDO, arguably the most controversial issue it has tackled in years. Mayor John Giles said he appreciated the extensive comments, then he shot down one of the main complain...

Some will be upset if the city excludes smaller businesses. The first draft included all businesses.  Later study sessions adjusted that, first up to businesses with 15 employees or more, then back down to include all but those with five or fewer employees. Others are furious that the city is even considering the regulation. David Land said he was outraged over language in the proposed ordinance that “Gender identity means the actual or perceived gender-related identity, expression, app...