On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 3:08 a.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s 9-1-1 Communications Center received a call from a mother reporting that her son, James Herbert (age 16) was intoxicated and just took her vehicle without her permission.

In Pinal County, there are currently more than 1,000 children in the foster care system due to abuse and neglect. As a CASA volunteer in Colorado, Laura Pelletier knows the challenges these children face, and is taking action to raise awareness of their plight. On March 6th, Laura embarked on a coast-to-coast bike ride to shine a light on the physical and emotional struggles faced by foster youth. As she rides from California to Florida, Laura will encourage the public to learn about the needs of foster youth in their communities, and to get involved with their local CASA program.

On Thursday, July 23rd, 2015 at 9:27 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s 9-1-1 Communications Center received a call regarding shots fired in the 1100 block of North Justice Drive, Oracle.

PCSO Deputy Ed Muszala received a lifesaving award this morning for his heroic efforts last month in saving a man who was under attack from a swarm of angry bees. Congratulations Ed for going beyond the call of duty. 

Do you have boxes of old photos that are sitting the closet gathering dust and beginning to fade away?

State Senator Barbara McGuire, D-Legislative District 8, announced today that she is opening a committee to explore running for Congressional District 1.

All interested citizens are invited to attend the public hearing on the tax increase that is scheduled to be held at 9:30 AM on June 24, 2015, in the Pinal County Board of Supervisors' Hearing Room located at Pinal County Administrative Complex, 135 North Pinal Street, Florence, Arizona.

In 2013 the Governing Board for Central Arizona College voted to increase their primary tax rate by almost 34% from the previous year's rate. After strong community backlash, the board decided to cut the tax increase in half. While the original increase would have added $55 to the property tax for a $100,000 home, the final increase was a $28 jump.

On Monday, June 08, 2015, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Kevin White sentenced 44-year old Richard Summers to 56 years behind bars for sexually abusing his daughter back in 2008.

A vote by the Central Arizona College Governing Board last month, to increase property taxes by 45.4%, has received backlash from residents all across Pinal County. So much so, that a political action committee known as Citizens for Fair Taxation has been formed to recall 4 of the 5 Governing board members who voted in favor of the tax increase. Debra Banks, who represents District 2, was the only Governing Board member who voted against the increase.

On a three to two vote, the Board of Supervisors adopted the tentative budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

Nearly 10 years ago, Pinal County began looking at important trails and open space areas from San Manuel to Maricopa. This study is now reflected in the Open Space and Trails Master Plan (OSTMP) adopted in 2007. In 2009 the OSTMP was included in the County's Comprehensive Plan Revision.

Property tax rates are receiving much scrutiny after the Pinal County Board of Supervisors was forced to increase revenues.

In 2004, the Pinal County Jail held an average of 600 to 700 inmates in a facility which was originally built to only hold 472. Then, Sheriff Roger Vanderpool worked with the Pinal County Board of Supervisors to expand the jail. County Supervisors at the time agreed with Sheriff Vanderpool’s plan to offset construction costs by housing ICE detainees. The jail expansion project expanded the jail to hold 1,499 inmates/detainees.

In 2004, the Pinal County Jail held an average of 600 to 700 inmates in a facility which was originally built to only hold 472. Then, Sheriff Roger Vanderpool worked with the Pinal County Board of Supervisors to expand the jail. County Supervisors at the time agreed with Sheriff Vanderpool’s plan to offset construction costs by housing ICE detainees. The jail expansion project expanded the jail to hold 1,499 inmates/detainees.

Due to public response, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office was able to positively identify a missing Casa Grande teen as the deceased male, who on Feb. 21 succumbed to injuries sustained from possibly jumping or falling off of train on Feb. 16.

On Mon., Feb. 23 at approximately 9:46 pm, Pinal County Dispatch received a report that Jennifer Alvarez, 36-year-old female from the Casa Grande-area, was missing.

On Friday, April 24th, 2015 at 6:27 p.m. a Florence Police Officer arrested Skyler Clem (age 22 of Florence) for two outstanding warrants. The first warrant was for Failure to Appear related to a DUI offense issued by the Casa Grande J.P. Court with a bond amount of $3,275 and the second warrant was for Failure to Appear related to a second DUI Offense issued by the Gilbert City Court with a bond amount of $1,000.

The Family Services of Conciliation Court will be hosting a free workshop for those who are looking for information regarding issues related to divorce and separation.

The new administration of the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court in Pinal County, led by Clerk Amanda Stanford is not wasting any time.