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Why a Trail Runner Was Trying to Help With a Wildfire in Arizona Don’t fight fires with running gear. Let the pros handle it. BY ANDREW DAWSON Runners World AUG 28, 2020

COURTESY OF TREVOR MURPHY Trevor Murphy rolled out of bed for his run around 8 a.m. on August 22. His first 100 miler, the Javelina Jundred, was nearing, so he got up for some early morning miles in the McDowell Mountains of Arizona. When driving there, he hadn’t heard on the news that a series of lightning strikes had ignited a few wildfires during the night. When he arrived to a closed gate at the trailhead, he assumed it was because of the park still being closed in the morning. He parked before the gate on the side of the road, and took off for 20 miles. About two miles in, he saw a glow in the distance that made it clear a fire had started. At five miles, he was right on top of a small section of brush that was on fire, burning in the morning air. He immediately called 911. The fire was burning on one side of the trail, having stopped because of the fire line the trail created. Still,

Murphy feared it might cross and enter the nature preserve on the other side. He decided to act. “The trail was the only thing stopping the fire from moving to the nature preserve; it was the only chance of stopping it,” Murphy told Runner’s World. “It would’ve been pointless to try and stop the fire if there wasn’t already a fire break built-in. I was just trying to make sure it held. I was working on the trail for hours at first, trying to widen it.” Doing what he could with only the his running gear on him, he slowly chipped away. “I stayed on the perimeter of the fire and I worked on stomping out the flames that were small enough to do that with my feet,’” Murphy said. “I started doing that hours before the TV helicopter arrived. I was out there maybe two to two and half hours before that.” When he figured he could do no more, Murphy ran out of Fort McDowell Mountain Regional Park and went home. That wasn’t without achieving minor internet fame when a live TV chopper captured him stomping out smaller fires. His actions in the viral video have received mixed review since it happened and has spread around the internet. “Honestly, I didn’t think twice about it,” Murphy said. “My adrenaline was going, and I never felt like my life was in danger. A lot of people think I went up there with the intention of fighting the fire. I just happened to run into it on my run.”

COURTESY OF TREVOR MURPHY The fire itself in the McDowell Mountains has remained, but is 90 percent contained at this point thanks to local fire-rescue efforts. The fire has burned more than 615 acres. Though this will be a run that Murphy will likely never forget, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Officer John Truett recommends a different approach if you ever encounter a similar situation. “This was careless behavior and frankly, not logical,” Truett told Runner’s World. “Most people who would find themselves in a situation like this would have turned around. Fire managers on the McDowell fire were actively monitoring the fire and had strategies and tactics in place on how to suppress the fire safely. His actions simply put his life and those who would be required to save him in peril. His actions were irresponsible and so is promoting this type of behavior.” In addition, Truett warned that aircraft could’ve been doing bucket work or retardant drops, and the fire could’ve increased in size, putting anyone nearby in potential danger.

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Student-cyclists to hit the trails again on Sept. 18-20 Staff report White Mountain Independent Aug 28, 2020 The Arizona Interscholastic Cycling League will compete beginning in late September with three new venues announced on its fall schedule. A new time-trial race format this season allows cyclists to visit venues that wouldn’t normally be viable for league events. On Aug. 17 teams began in-person practices in the safest way possible. The AICL consists of approximately 80 teams from Arizona and New Mexico, consisting of school, community, independent and regional teams in two divisions as well as a middle school specific division, within three conferences (North, Central and South). That list includes the North Conference’s White Mountains Composite, guided by team director Katie Fernau and head coach Christy Church, which competes in Division 2 (for teams with less than 12 riders). With the state having made great progress in the fight against COVID-19 during the time since league action was cut short a couple of months ago, public health and safety challenges persist. The league will keep following social distancing and symptom screening protocols. Mask up whenever you're not pedaling, and ride in small groups and keep the groups consistent from practice to practice. And of course, stay home if you're not feeling well. After following the lead of medical experts and public health officials, the league has developed a playbook for the return of interscholastic

mountain biking. Safety continues to be the first priority; that commitment will remain paramount as student-athletes return to the trails. The plan for racing this season utilizes the individual time trial format. In a time trial, riders set off on a circuit at staggered intervals in a race against the clock. The elapsed time from start to finish, plus any time penalties, is used as the rider’s total time for the event and determines placement relative to other riders in the same category. Only one team will race at a time – boys and girls, high school and middle school together. Riders will be started at a constant interval and the order will be determined by the team's coaches. The goal is to minimize passing and where passing occurs, for it to take place within a team that has already been practicing together. Events will still be held over two days on scheduled weekends, however entire teams will compete on a single day. On race weekend, teams will have a designated arrival time at the event site, allowing for a warm-up period, a staging time and a start time. Teams that are closest to the venue will be scheduled earlier in the day, while teams that have further to travel will race later in the day. For more information on the league, visit: www.arizonamtb.org Arizona Interscholastic Cycling League Updated race schedule • Sept. 18-20 — Arizona Nordic Village, Flagstaff • Oct. 10-11 — Pioneer Park, Prescott • Oct. 24-25 — McKenzie Ranch Trails Park, Vail

• Nov. 7-8 — McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fountain Hills • Nov. 21-22 — Estrella Mountain Regional Park, Goodyear

Wooden Companions Begins Development on Latest Scottsdale Neighborhood August 26, 2020 FINTECH ZOOM

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Alta Raintree. Picture courtesy of Wooden PartnersAfter having earlier success in Scottsdale, Ariz., Wooden Companions has begun development on one other multifamily neighborhood, Alta Raintree, within the metropolis. The multifamily developer is scheduled to open its newest 385,000-square-foot challenge within the fall of 2021. Alta Raintree may have 330 items in one-, two- and three-bedroom floorplans that common 960 sq. ft and are outfitted with self-closing cabinetry, keyless entry and in-unit washer and dryers with some items providing double ovens. Tenants may even get entry to a health heart with yoga house and pool space, sport room, speakeasy, rooftop deck and clubhouse. Clay Richardson, managing director at Wooden Companions, stated in ready remarks that Alta Raintree will attraction to these on the lookout

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for a handy location in Scottsdale that’s near employers, retail, nightlife and outside actions. Situated at 8688 E. Raintree Drive, the neighborhood may have entry to North Scottsdale’s employment base that has greater than 86,000 jobs with main employers within the space like Nationwide, GoDaddy, Vanguard, JDA Software program, Mayo Clinic, HonorHealth, Prudential, American Categorical and CVS Well being. Alta Raintree may even be positioned close to outside leisure areas like Camelback Mountain, McDowell Mountain Regional Park and native golf programs. Previous to Alta Raintree, Wooden Companions accomplished its Alta Drinkwater neighborhood in 2019 that was additionally positioned in Scottsdale. The developer offered the multifamily property for $96.2 million to Starwood Actual Property Earnings Belief in December of that yr. Elsewhere within the state, Wooden Companions was additionally in a position to promote its 223-unit neighborhood in Phoenix to Weidner Condominium Houses in January. The developer accomplished the property in 2019 earlier than promoting it for $61.1 million.

St. J Native Fights Wildfire In Viral Video Paul Hayes Aug 24, 2020 Updated Aug 26, 2020 Caledonian Record

St. Johnsbury native Trevor Murphy slows the progress of a fire at McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Friday morning. Murphy was jogging when he came across a wildfire and began to stomp out the blaze. (Lyons Roofing News Chopper Photo/KPHO)

St. Johnsbury native Trevor Murphy slows the progress of a fire at McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Friday morning. Murphy was jogging when he came across a wildfire and began to stomp out the blaze. (Lyons Roofing News Chopper Photo/KPHO) It began as a routine run. It ended with a viral video. St. Johnsbury native Trevor Murphy was jogging in McDowell Mountain Regional Park near his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Friday morning when he came across a wildfire and began to stomp out the blaze. His actions were captured by a news helicopter and the video — which showed him darting between flames and creating a firebreak with his feet — quickly spread across social media.

Murphy wasn’t looking for the attention. He had been there for two hours before the helicopter arrived. His only goal was to slow the fire’s progress. “I just wanted to help,” he said. Murphy goes to McDowell Mountain “three to four days a week” to run a 15-mile section of trail in preparation for a 100-mile ultra-marathon in October. The 35-year-old father of two typically arrives at dawn, before the gates are opened, so when they were closed on Friday it seemed normal. Two miles into his jog he noticed a light. “I see flames out in the distance. But it didn’t look like a huge wildfire,” he said. Around mile five he encountered burning brush along the trailside. “The fire is literally burning right up to the trail that I’m running on,” he said. “I was five miles from the trailhead, kind of in the middle of the desert. So then I called 911, I called the fire department, and then I just started trying to put out the perimeter of the fire where the flames were smaller.” Two hours later the helicopter arrived. He didn’t think much of it at the time. Then he was contacted by his wife, Amanda, who had watched the video live on the local news broadcast. “My wife texted me while I was out there and was like ‘What are you doing? I just saw you on the news,’” Murphy said. “I guess all of her friends were messaging her ‘Trevor’s on the news, he’s fighting a fire.’ She was like ‘What the hell?’”

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That set of a chain reaction. He was featured in a two-minute news segment that ran on CNN and was interviewed by Inside Edition and Runners World. The story ran on TMZ and in newspapers across the country and around the world “It’s crazy. I had no idea that it would get that much traction,” he said. Murphy is no stranger to attention. He was a top-ranked alpine skier at Burke Mountain Academy before a knee injury ended his racing career. He switched to golf and found great success. He is a three-time winner of the Vermont Amateur, a former Vermont Open champion, and he made the cut at the 2009 U.S. Open. But social media fame was something different. “It’s amazing how many angry people there are on social media. You try to do something good and you get kind of abused,” he said. “I feel like some people think I went out of my way to get on the news but that wasn’t the case.” In the course of fighting the fire, Murphy melted the soles of his Hoka Speedgoat shoes, cracked the screen of his phone and singed the hair on his arms and legs. When he returned to his car, he found a parking ticket. He said “it wasn’t smart” to fight the fire the way he did. But he feels good about his actions. In an interview with CNN affiliate KPHO, he said, “It’s a positive thing. If we can all to our part and help each other, yeah, it’s for the greater good.”

Wood Partners Begins Construction on Newest

Scottsdale Community The developer is planning to open the 330-unit project in fall 2021. AUG262020 Multi-Housing News

Alta Raintree. Image courtesy of Wood Partners After having previous success in Scottsdale, Ariz., Wood Partners has begun construction on another multifamily community, Alta Raintree, in the city. The multifamily developer is scheduled to open its latest 385,000-square-foot project in the fall of 2021. Alta Raintree will have 330 units in one-, two- and three-bedroom floorplans that average 960 square feet and are equipped with self-closing cabinetry, keyless entry and in-unit washer and dryers with some units offering double ovens. Tenants will also get access to a fitness center with yoga space and pool area, game room, speakeasy, rooftop deck and clubhouse. Clay Richardson, managing director at Wood Partners, said in prepared remarks that Alta Raintree will appeal to those looking for a convenient location in Scottsdale that’s close to employers, retail, nightlife and outdoor activities. Located at 8688 E. Raintree Drive, the community will have access to North Scottsdale’s employment base

that has more than 86,000 jobs with major employers in the area like Nationwide, GoDaddy, Vanguard, JDA Software, Mayo Clinic, HonorHealth, Prudential, American Express and CVS Health. Alta Raintree will also be located near outdoor recreational areas like Camelback Mountain, McDowell Mountain Regional Park and local golf courses. Prior to Alta Raintree, Wood Partners completed its Alta Drinkwater community in 2019 that was also located in Scottsdale. The developer sold the multifamily property for $96.2 million to Starwood Real Estate Income Trust in December of that year. Elsewhere in the state, Wood Partners was also able to sell its 223-unit community in Phoenix to Weidner Apartment Homes in January. The developer completed the property in 2019 before selling it for $61.1 million.

McDowell Mtn. Park blaze scorches 615 acres Bob Burns, Reporter Fountain Hills Times Aug 26, 2020

A lightning strike from a dry monsoon storm ignited a wildfire in McDowell Mountain Park about 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20. Flames against the dark sky on Thursday evening created some alarm among Fountain Hills residents.

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The area of the blaze was somewhat inaccessible for fire apparatus and it was Friday morning that Arizona State Forestry began an aerial assault of the flames. On Sunday, Aug. 22, Arizona State Forestry reported the fire had burned through 615 acres and was declared extinguished. The Town of Fountain Hills used its Code Red alert system to send a message to residents just before noon on Friday. “The weather cooperated during the night and conditions look good for Friday so far. The fire is about 1.5 miles from the north Town border,” the alert stated. “State Fire has multiple jurisdictions providing ground support as well as air support. Work continues to extinguish the fire on the perimeter.” In a statement released Sunday, town officials announced they had been told the fire was out. “The Town of Fountain Hills appreciates the concerns of residents about the town not notifying them sooner about the fire,” the statement said. “Fire Department management and town management had planned on notifying residents with the Code Red emergency alert system if the fire situation escalated and posed an imminent threat to nearby neighborhoods. “In light of the concerns raised by residents, the Fire Department and town management are committed to being more proactive in the future by notifying residents considerably earlier about such situations.” A TV news helicopter captured on video a lone desert jogger attempting to scratch a fire line with his feet and kick dirt on flames early Friday morning. He was identified as Trevor Murphy, who was running 10 to 20 miles per day into the park in training for an upcoming ultra-marathon race. Murphy told the TV

news that he ended up with the soles of his shoes melted and some singed hair for his effort. McDowell Mountain Regional Park, the Fountain Hills and Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve trails were closed due to the fire. All access was reopened by Sunday afternoon.

ARIZONA: JOGGER TRIES TO PUT OUT FIRE AT MCDOWELL REGIONAL PARK The Daily Star August 25, 2020 A jogger has been filmed trying to put out wildfires with his feet on a live television broadcast. Marathon runner Trevor Murphy was out for his routine morning run at McDowell Mountain Regional Park near his Scottsdale home in Arizona on Friday when he was caught by a local news channel trying to put out the flames on the fire-ravaged trail. Footage captured from a news helicopter shows Trevor, who is in black running shorts and trekking shoes, running dangerously in and out of the burning bush. With no fire extinguishing gear, Trevor is trying to put out the fire and contain it in an area by building a fire break.

Trevor Murphy was spotted running through the ashes and the fire in McDowell Mountain Regional Park (Image: 3TV/CBS)

A live news commentary says: "We believe this is a lightning-caused fire and we're out here shooting video for the news. "And we look down and we see this guy running around. He's basically down there trying to build a fire break with his trail running shoes. "We saw him running through the ashes and the hot part, I can't imagine how tired that guy is." Trevor kicks the dirt into the fire in bids to put out the flames and steps on the fire to stop it spreading.

He stepped on the flames in bids to create a fire break to stop the spread (Image: 3TV/CBS) A news anchor comments: "This guy has no idea he is the star of the show this morning." In an interview with CBS-affiliated channel 3TV, Trevor said: "I'm out on that trail mostly every day. "It was kind of working in one direction and I felt like it was already pretty under control. "I just wanted to make sure it didn't cross the trail and head north towards Tom's Thumb.

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What's happening where you live? Find out with In Your Area. "No one was out there and I felt like I could do my part, what little help maybe I did." Trevor said he had been putting out the flames for two hours before the news helicopter spotted him, but his heroic effort came with a price. "The soles of my shoes are melted [and I have] lots of singed hair," he explained. The fire in the McDowell region burned through some 600 acres of land and is 80% contained.

Maricopa County offering camping promotion beginning Oct. 1 BY MICHAEL LUCIE AUGUST 25, 2020 AT 4:15 AM

(Facebook Photo/McDowell Mountain Regional Park) PHOENIX — A buy one, get one camping promotion will be available for outdoor enthusiasts at four Maricopa County parks from Oct. 1 until Nov. 10. Participating parks include Cave Creek Regional Park, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Usery Mountain Regional Park and White Tank Mountain Regional Park, according to a press release. During the duration of the promotion, park visitors who pay a camping fee for one night or more

will receive one night of equal or lesser value for free during that same stay. “More than ever, our residents are seeking outdoor recreation activities they can enjoy with their families,” Maricopa County Board of Supervisors District 4 Chairman Clint Hickman said. “The county’s regional park system provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities such as trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, wildlife viewing, stargazing and camping in the beautiful Sonoran Desert.” Reservations made online or booked prior to Sept. 1 are ineligible for the promotion. To qualify for the promotion, reservations must be made by calling: (602) 506-2930.

Video: Jogger Tries To Put Out Wildfire With Feet, Netizens Call Him 'Superhero' An Arizona jogger, later identified as Trevor Murphy of Scottsdale posted photos of his bold efforts in the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Written By Zaini Majeed August 25, 2020

In a video captured by the response team helicopter that’s caught the attention of the local US broadcasters, a jogger can be seen dousing the wildfire with his feet as huge flames engulf 200 acres of desert near Phoenix. An Arizona

man, later identified as Trevor Murphy of Scottsdale posted photos of his bold efforts in the McDowell Mountain Regional Park on his Instagram handle. Murphy, an ultra marathon youngster that covers up to 100 miles daily during his routine workout noticed wildfires in his track range commenced by lightening due to the onset of monsoons. The ill-equipped man, unflinching, started to create a fire break despite his phone breaking into several pieces. “Yesterday was quite the day,” he narrated in an Instagram post. “I rolled out of bed around 4 am to do my typical training run. I parked outside of the gate of the trailhead because it doesn’t open until 5:20 am,” Murphy goes on to say alongside the photos of his brave act. “I didn’t realize the trailhead was closed due to wildfires in the area. I was about 2 miles into my run when I saw fire out in the distance (5 miles from the trailhead),” he explained further. “The fire was burning along a trail I run on 3-4 times a week. Coachwhip trail runs from East to West. The fire was burning on the south side of it,” he informed, adding, “the 3-foot wide dirt trail was the only thing preventing the fire from spreading North in the McDowell’s.” Immediately, Murphy started to create hearth break with rocks and using his foot, and jogger’s shoes, he curbed flames. The former golfer’s response to the humongous flames of the fire looked like a scene straight out of a Hollywood flick. Netizens say "superhero" “We all have risks we are willing to take when we feel it’s the right thing to do,” said a user, admiring his efforts. “You look like a superhero jumping through the fire. We need your help here in CA! We’ve got fires in every direction, and the whole Bay area is blanketed in smoke. It’s really terrible,” commented another. Several users

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lauded his intense efforts in being able to contribute to making things better in some way.

Jogger tries to put out wildfire with feet August 24, 2020 Republicworld.com In a video captured by the response team helicopter that’s caught the attention of the local US broadcasters, a jogger can be seen dousing the wildfire with his feet as huge flames engulf 200 acres of desert near Phoenix. An Arizona man, later identified as Trevor Murphy of Scottsdale posted photos of his bold efforts in the McDowell Mountain Regional Park on his Instagram handle. Murphy, an ultra marathon youngster that covers up to 100 miles daily during his routine workout noticed wildfires in his track range commenced by lightening due to the onset of monsoons. The ill-equipped man, unflinching, started to create a fire break despite his phone breaking into several pieces. “Yesterday was quite the day,” he narrated in an Instagram post.

'The right thing to do': Jogger stomped out brush fire for 2 hours before helicopter captured viral video Emily Wilder Arizona Republic August 24, 2020 Trevor Murphy compared his actions on a trail last week to returning his cart to the parking lot corral after he's done his shopping. "I just felt this personal responsibility," the jogger said.

His decision to help stomp out the flames along his regular running trail near Fort McDowell Mountain Regional Park, north of Fountain Hills, was captured by a helicopter in a video that went viral on social media on Thursday. The 30-second clip showed Murphy jogging amid shimmering smoke and smothering lurid orange flames with the soles of his shoes. In reality, Murphy told The Arizona Republic, he was out there battling the blaze solo for more than two hours. He didn't intend to do that when he arrived at the reserve early that morning. The 35-year-old father of two runs 14 miles of that trail several days a week, he shared, training for a 100-mile ultra-marathon in October. To beat the heat, he always arrives before the gates are opened at sunrise, so he didn't think anything of them being closed this time around. Around mile 2, he noticed a hot glow several miles ahead. "I was kind of intrigued by it," explained Murphy, a pro-golfer and an adrenaline junkie, so he continued onward.

As he neared mile 5, Murphy saw that the brush fire butted up against the path, which was the only thing preventing the inferno from moving north into the reserve. His intrigue turned to instinct, and that's when he paused his run to beat down the

burning brush flanking the trail with rocks or his shoes. "It looks crazy, but I figured it could help," Murphy said. "What if I didn't stop, and it crossed and burned? I knew when it got out there were going to be tons of people saying, 'This guy's an idiot.' ... I just did what I thought was the right thing to do." While some have called his actions unwise and dangerous — "rightfully so," he said — he also thinks that he aided in mitigating the fire, putting out more than a hundred yards of flames before the helicopter and cameras showed up. And while his running shoe supplier, Hoka, reached out to replace his melted and ruined kicks for free, he didn't do it for the attention or praise. "Everyone points fingers at people, pointing out what things are wrong instead of taking the initiative to better the world," Murphy said. "That was my personal responsibility, to do what I could." Murphy was back out running the trail on Sunday. Reach the reporter at emily.wilder@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @vv1lder.

Monsoon storms dump rain, blow out power across Phoenix area BY KTAR.COM | AUGUST 21, 2020 AT 7:12 AM UPDATED: AUGUST 21, 2020 AT 9:01 AM

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(Twitter Photo/Arizona Department of Transportation) PHOENIX – Monsoon storms that swept across metro Phoenix on Thursday flooded washes, knocked out power and triggered brush fires. The first measurable rainfall of the season left 0.99 inches at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport but a neighborhood near 40th Street and Camelback Road was hit with 1½ inches. Anthem and Cave Creek also had that much. Wind gusts reached between 40 mph to 50 mph, topping out at 56 mph at the airport. Thousands in the Valley were still without power early Friday. Salt River Project began giving away bags of ice around 1 a.m. at the Circle K near 69th Street and Indian School Road in Scottsdale. An outage map showed about 200 remained without power. Arizona Public Service said about 300 customers were without electricity. The utility said at least 11,000 didn’t have power shortly after the storm landed. Lightning strikes set off fires in McDowell Mountain Regional Park and Tonto National Forest. About 200 acres were burning in a remote area of the McDowell park. No evacuations were necessary yet, Arizona State Forestry said, but utility lines and communications could face a threat.

The Superstition Fire in the Tonto forest had charred about 100 acres and wasn’t a threat to homes in the area, the wildfire agency said. The National Weather Service reported about 90,000 cloud-to-cloud lightning flashes lit up the Arizona skies during the storm. Weather service meteorologists said Friday would be less active. Forecasts called for mostly sunny skies and some wind for the weekend, with highs from 106 degrees Friday to 109 degrees Sunday. An excessive heat watch will go into effect Monday and Tuesday, with predicted highs of at least 112 degrees both days.

Fire burns through 290 acres in McDowell Mountain Regional Park near Fountain Hills Arizona Republic August 21, 2020 Crews were working to contain a lightning-caused wildfire north of Fountain Hills Friday. Officials said the 290-acre McDowell Fire was moving northeast through McDowell Mountain Regional Park Friday afternoon with no containment. The fire was not considered a threat to any surrounding communities, according to Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management spokeswoman Tiffany Davila. She warned, however, that could change in the next 24 hours. "We don't want people to get complacent because there is no

threat and there is no evacuation," Davila said. Fire activity decreased Friday morning due to cooler temperatures and an increase in humidity, helping firefighters combat the flames. However, the fire was expected to grow in size as temperatures warmed up throughout the day. Crews were unable to access the fire by road, forcing them to hike into the fire area to get to the blaze from the ground in addition to air support. Available resources were low due to multiple fires burning throughout neighboring states that put a strain on resources, specifically with the numerous blazes in both New Mexico and California.

Property damage reported after monsoon storm rolls through Phoenix area Crews were working Friday morning to clean up the damage caused by monsoon storms in the Valley the night before. Author: 12 News Published: 6:15 PM MST August 20, 2020 Updated: 11:26 AM MST August 21, 2020 PHOENIX — Crews were working Friday morning to clean up the damage caused by monsoon storms in the Valley the night before. 9 a.m. Sky 12 captured footage of an overturned truck in the Valley. 7 a.m. Sky 12 flew over the Valley to check out the storm damage. 6:35 a.m.

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Traffic lights were out at Loop 101 and Cave Creek. They were working shortly after. 6 a.m. The National Weather Service in Phoenix says .90” of an inch of rain was measured at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport on Thursday. 5 a.m. 12 News' Jen Wahl was at 32nd Street and Osborn, where a tree was uprooted and fell on a tree. No one was injured. 4 a.m. National Weather Service in Phoenix says about 90,000 lightning flashes were detected across Arizona on Thursday. 3 a.m. A lightning strike sparked a wildfire in McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

The McDowell Fire started around 9 p.m. Thursday after a strong storm system moved through northern Maricopa County. The fire is estimated at 150-200 acres and is sitting in a remote area of the park. It has since decreased in activity due to cooler temperatures and increased humidity, but will become active once it heats up, officials said. There are no structures threatened at this time and no evacuations, but residents should be ready to evacuate. The park is temporarily closed due to the fire. 9:45 p.m. As the storm rolled through Phoenix, firefighters say a 100-foot tree fell on a house near 32nd Street and Osborn Avenue, but no one was hurt. \ 9:21 p.m. 9:00 p.m. San Tan Valley has sustained storm damage to trees, powerlines and power poles. Pinal County Sheriff's Office is advising residents to avoid the areas of Combs Road from Kenworthy Road to Schnepf Road and Hunt Highway south of Oasis. Additional damage is possible so officials ask that unnecessary travel be avoided. 8:47 p.m. Thousands of people lost power in the strong thunderstorm that passed over Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Peoria and Glendale. 8:16 p.m. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Valley until 11:15 p.m. If floods occur they are expected to be minor in low lying areas.

The "stupid motorist law" is in place which states that anyone who becomes barricaded by flooding on a public street or highway is liable for expenses related to emergency response. 8:04 p.m. Strong winds, hail and lighting possible in Maricopa and Pinal Counties in place until 8:45 p.m. 7:33 p.m. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Fountain Hills and Scottsdale for high winds and quarter-sized hail until 8:00 p.m. by the National Weather Service. 7:05 p.m. Team 12 Meteorologist Lindsay Riley says damaging winds are the main threat for the Valley as the storms move in. The thunderstorm moving south into the Valley this evening originated in Payson and it has now made it’s way through Black Canyon City, down the I-17 to Anthem, Carefree and Cave Creek. Up to 50 mph wind gusts and pea-sized hail are both likely with this storm, according to Team 12’s Lindsay Riley. Early in the 7 p.m. hour, the storm was moving south at about 20 miles per hour. Riley says radar projects the storm will hit Phoenix at 7:39 p.m. and Scottsdale at 7:45 p.m. 6:33 p.m. Wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour are possible for New River, Anthem, Cave Creek and Carefree. Storms were expected to ignite in the higher terrain of northern and eastern Arizona and advance in the southwest direction. Storm threats include strong gusty outflow winds, lightning and small hail. The Valley should stay alert for

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a stray storm, outflow winds and blowing dust.

McDowell Fire over 60 acres, hiking trails reopen Sunday David Baker Posted Aug 20, 2020 AZFamily.com

NEAR FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - Crews working the McDowell Fire say they are getting the upper hand on the fire and have reopened both the McDowell Mountain Regional Park and the southern portion of the Scottsdale preserve as of Sunday morning. There is 60 percent containment and crew say there is no visible smoke coming from within the interior of the fire lines. The fire started during monsoon storms Thursday night close to Fountain Hills. It has burned 615 acres.

Because of the rugged terrain, the flames are hard to get to. The fire was completely inacessible by road, therefore aircraft and hand crews were utilized for suppression. Firefighters from Fountain Hills joined other agencies to battle the flames. One Arizona's Family viewer was scared the flames would get close to their home so they started to pack just in case. With all storms, one viewer told Arizona's Family the

fire is pretty much out and that fire crews are putting out hot spots. It's unclear what started the fire.

Earlier on Thursday, a fire broke out at the Superstition Mountains. The Superstition Fire is burning in rugged terrain but not close to homes. (Source: Arizona's Family viewer)

Tres Rios Golf Course to close By West Valley View Staff Aug 19, 2020

Tres Rios Golf Course at Estrella Mountain Regional Park will close temporarily starting Aug. 17, according to Maricopa County. “The current operator, Tres Rios Golf LLC., a division of C-Bon International Golf Group, served notice to Maricopa County on July 6 that they wanted to terminate the contract,” said the release. “The 180-day termination clause in the contract would have meant a closure date in mid-December.” But a month later, CBIGG notified the county it was planning to close the Goodyear course much sooner. “CBIGG has cited an on-going loss of revenue as the reason for their desire to terminate the lease. Throughout the last month, the county and CBIGG have been informally seeking interest from viable golf course operators to take

over without success. The county will now begin a formal process to seek interested parties for a new management agreement,” said the press release. CBIGG has agreed to provide a minimal level of maintenance over the next three months as the county seeks a new operator.

Dust storms converge on Valley, briefly close I-10 south of Phoenix Chelsea CurtisHelen Wieffering Arizona Republic August 16, 2020

Two walls of dust converged over metro Phoenix on Sunday hours after Phoenix broke yet another heat record with a high temperature of 115 degrees. The action began approaching the Valley around 5:30 p.m., when the area along Interstate 10 south of Phoenix was slammed with blowing dust. Thick, red-brown dust cloaked the air around Picacho Peak, causing low visibility on I-10. A semi truck was reportedly blown over on its side during the storm, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Luckily, no one was injured, but I-10 westbound was closed due to the crash and the storm, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

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Just before 6 p.m., the weather service issued a dust advisory warning of "a wall of dust" moving south at 40 mph across a large swath of the West and Northwest Valley as a storm approached north of Surprise. Blowing dust was also approaching the southern Phoenix area. More than 300 people in Surprise lost power due to storm activity, according to APS.

Moments later, the weather service issued a dust storm warning for parts of Maricopa and Pinal counties, warning of wind over 50 mph and visibility as low as a quarter mile. The dust blew in quickly. By 6:30 p.m., the Arizona Department of Transportation warned of blowing bust in Tempe along Loop 202. A strong thunderstorm approached Buckeye and White Tank Mountain Regional Park. I-10 reopened near Picacho Peak around 7 p.m., but rain and dust continued to affect drivers on the freeway west of Phoenix.

At one point, visibility at Phoenix Sky harbor International Airport fell to nothing: It was exactly zero miles, the weather service said. Lightning from the storms started several wildfires east of Interstate 17 and north of the Valley, but rain kept the fires small, according to the

Bureau of Land Management Arizona Fire. The storms left the Valley by 8 p.m., and weather warnings expired, according to the weather service. One dust storm moved west, affecting drivers on Interstate 9 between Gila Bend and Yuma. Meanwhile, Phoenix also broke yet another heat record Sunday. With a high of 115, Sunday broke the previous record of 113 degrees set in 1992 by two degrees, according to the weather service. Phoenix's low temperature of 91 degrees on Sunday morning marked the 21st day this year with low temperatures of 90 degrees or warmer, weather service meteorologist Jaret Rogers said. The city's previous record was set at 15 days in 2013. High temperatures in Phoenix throughout the first half of the week were forecast to be near 115 degrees. An excessive heat warning was in effect Monday through Wednesday, and could possibly be extended into Thursday, according to Rogers. Friday would cool down to just under 110 degrees, he said.

Tres Rios Golf Course In West Valley To Temporarily Close Starting Monday By Rocio Hernandez Published: Saturday, August 15, 2020 - 4:56pm The Tres Rios Golf Course at Estrella Mountain Regional Park in the West Valley is closing temporarily starting Monday. Its current operator cited an ongoing loss of revenue as it reason to seek

to terminate its lease, Maricopa County said in a Friday statement. The operator, Tres Rios Golf LLC, a division of C-Bon International Golf Group (CBIGG), broke the news to the county last month. CBIGG has operated the Goodyear property since 2012, and its current contract runs through April 30, 2037. Last week, CBIGG told the county it intended to close the golf course effective Monday. "Over the past several years, many golf courses around the valley have been financially strained, and Tres Rios Golf Course is no exception," the county said. "CBIGG has kept the county informed about its difficulty generating enough income, despite efforts to market the property." In July, the county and the operator began informally searching for a new operator who can take over, but those efforts weren’t successful. The county will now begin the formal process to seek interested parties for a new managerial agreement. CBIGG has agreed to provide a minimal level of maintenance over the next three months to maintain the integrity of the turf for a future operator.

MCSO: Missing hiker in White Tank Mountains found dead Published August 14 Updated August 15 Missing Persons FOX 10 Phoenix Missing hiker found dead in the White Tank Mountains

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Crews located the body of Quincy Egwu after he went for a hike by himself on Aug. 13. His family notified law enforcement after he didn't return home. BUCKEYE, Ariz. - A search for a hiker who went missing in the White Tank Mountains has ended on a tragic note. According to a statement released by the Maricopa County Sheriff's office on the night of August 14, 29-year-old Quincy Egwu was found dead at White Tank Regional Park.

Goodyear golf course to close temporarily Posted Friday, August 14, 2020 5:17 pm Independent Newsmedia

Tres Rios Golf Course at Estrella Mountain Regional Park will close temporarily starting Monday, Aug. 17, according to a release. The closure comes after the current operator, Tres Rios Golf LLC., a division of C-Bon International Golf Group, served notice to Maricopa County on July 6 it wanted to terminate the contract, the release states. The 180-day termination clause in the contract would have meant a closure date in mid-December. As the operator since 2012, the terms of

their current contract run through April 30, 2037. Last week, CBIGG notified the county that it was planning to close Tres Rios Golf Course effective Monday, Aug. 17. CBIGG has cited an ongoing loss of revenue as the reason for its desire to terminate the lease, according to the release. Throughout the past month, the county and CBIGG have informally sought interest from viable golf course operators to take over without success. The county will now begin a formal process to seek interested parties for a new management agreement. During the past several years, many golf courses around the Valley have been financially strained, and Tres Rios Golf Course is no exception, the release states. CBIGG has kept the county informed about its difficulty generating enough income, despite efforts to market the property. CBIGG has agreed to provide a minimal level of maintenance over the next three months to maintain the integrity of the turf for a future operator, the release states. Although Tres Rios Golf Course will be closed, Maricopa County's two other golf courses, The 500 Club and Paradise Valley Golf Course, remain open to the public. "Tres Rios on Monday the 17th will be closing the doors for golf indefinitely," CBIGG states on the golf course's website. "The golf course will be maintained until the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation can decide on any future interested parties. Tres Rios thanks all the local and supportive players and groups that have visited with us over the years and we wish you

continued success in your future golfing endeavors." According to its website, Tres Rios Golf Course originally was designed by course architect Red Lawrence. It first opened in 1962 and was renovated in 1998.

6 Easy Hikes Around Phoenix That Are Perfect If You Hate Hiking Rachel Pasche 3 weeks ago Summer might be in full swing in Arizona, but that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy the great outdoors. These easy hikes around Phoenix are perfect year-round, and even manageable in the summer heat. The best way to enjoy these hikes is in the early morning before the temperatures soar, arriving at trails between 5:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. is recommended to get the most out of your climb. Even better, the sun is just starting to rise around then, so you get to enjoy all the gorgeous pinks and reds of the sunrise in the mountains. Uh, yes, please. Be sure to take plenty of water and appropriate shoes to be safe and have the best hiking experience possible! Don't forget to have a full phone or camera battery, because we promise there will be some serious photo opportunities. Merkle Trail Difficulty: Easy Length: 1-mile roundtrip Location: Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ Why You Need To Go: Soak in gorgeous views of the Superstition Mountains plus tons of cacti along this easy trail.

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Pima East Loop Difficulty: Easy Length: 2.2-mile loop Location: South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ Why You Need To Go: This loop takes you through the mountains without getting too sweaty while doing it!

Big Butte Loop Trail Difficulty: Easy Length: 2.2 Miles Location: Tempe, AZ Why You Need To Go: Take in views of some super cool rock formations on this easy hike.

Pinnacle Peak Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Length: 1.75 Miles Each Way Location: 26802 N. 102nd Way., Scottsdale, AZ

Why You Need To Go: You'll get to see the whole Valley on your way down!

Maxine Lakin Nature Trail Difficulty: Easy Length: 1.2 Miles Each Way Location: 9901 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ Why You Need To Go: This easy trail winds through the mountains and is pet-friendly!

Apache Wash Loop Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Length: 5.6-mile loop Location: 1600 E. Sonoran Desert Dr., Phoenix, AZ Why You Need To Go: This hike has stunning views of the surrounding mountains, plus tons of cool cacti and flowers.

Fill up those water bottles and set the alarm to get outside and enjoy these spectacular hikes!

We're using Arizona parks more than ever, without the revenue to keep them open Opinion: Most park departments have struggled financially since the 2008 recession and now COVID-19 has harmed them even more. They must be treated as essential and supported as such. Stephanie Sklar, Ken Schutz and Aireona Raschke Opinion contributors AZCentral.com August 13, 2020 Do you remember when Arizonans from all walks of life flocked to their local desert parks and trails in response to COVID-19? Cars lined up at park entrances to gain access, their passengers seeking respite from the harsh realities of the pandemic. Visits to Maricopa County’s regional parks rose 26% in the last week in March. From March through May, Phoenix Mountain Parks trail use doubled from the previous year.

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The stream of visitors to open spaces and trails indicates how desperately we need natural open spaces, especially when personal budgets are thin. Parks have been cash-strapped for years Park managers welcomed residents until capacity limits became necessary. Though it was sad to turn visitors away, we're thankful for those who followed requests to not overwhelm parks — allowing for appropriate social distancing and landscapes to be preserved at a time when resources to protect them are increasingly limited. How limited are our park departments’ resources? The truth is, most park departments have struggled financially since the 2008 recession and now COVID-19 has harmed them even more. Sonoran Institute, in partnership with Central Arizona Conservation Alliance, researched the needs of our park systems and found grave funding gaps. Critical needs include increasing accessibility of parks to residents, ongoing maintenance and major infrastructure. Now, as governments face massive revenue shortfalls, most park departments are experiencing additional 3% to 10% reductions to already tight budgets. The backlog of projects will only grow Many park systems adapted to the 2008 economic collapse by relying on self-generated revenue over tax dollars. Today, many local parks fund 20% to 90% of their day-to-day operations through activities such as reservations, permits, concessionaires, summer programs, volunteers and donations. While there’s been a surge in park use (and

associated expenses), it’s mostly not in these revenue-generating areas. Equally concerning, most park systems have worn-out infrastructure. Funding for renovations has been limited since 2008, and several urgent multiyear plans have been pulled from next year’s budgets. The backlog of deferred projects continues to grow, and many new projects are scrapped. Our park department leaders have pioneered many solutions. It begs the question, "how much longer can they provide essential relief with limited revenue and additional cuts?" Parks are not the only critical public service needing a fair a share of limited government funding at this time. However, increased visits demonstrate that parks are at the core of our well-being and must be treated as essential. Investing in parks helps Arizona's bottom line Protecting our parks is a wise economic investment. Multiple studies demonstrate the value added from parks, open spaces and trails on tourism revenue and that they are critical in retaining and attracting quality businesses to Arizona. How can you help? Get involved by:

• Donating to local parks and conservancy groups.

• Volunteering (when safe to do so again).

• Communicating to your representatives how much you value parks and preserves.

Wellik Foundation offers grocery card program Aug 12, 2020 8:56 AM Wickenburg Sun Wellik Foundation Offers a Helping Hand The Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce is assisting the Wellik Foundation, a Supporting Organization of the Arizona Community Foundation, with a $100 Grocery Card Program to benefit employees of Wickenburg-based businesses who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crises, due to job loss, furlough or layoffs. Applications must be made by the employer on behalf of the employee to verify accuracy. The first distribution of $7,700 to 16 businesses were made last week. These grocery gift cards will be available on a first-requested basis. For additional information call chamber staff at (928) 684-5479. Member Benefits To keep in touch with our members more frequently, we have been sending out bi-weekly communications via email. “Chamber Connection” content includes resources for businesses, event updates, and special highlights around Wickenburg. Additionally, you will find regional webinar links, along with SBA & SBDC Business information. If you would like to be added to this email list, please contact Chamber Staff. At graphics@wickenburgchamber.com Business after Hours Mixer Join us on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 5:30 a.m. for our virtual Business after Hours Mixer, featuring a cocktail recipe and demonstration by Cowboy Cookin’ our mixer sponsor. Great opportunity to connect with other members, share news, and win prizes. Contact Sheila Goode for Zoom ink to the mixer.

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Retail Shopping Video Members may request a one-minute video shoot in your place of business. A video helps create a special human connection that pictures and text cannot. It is an invitation for people to see the human side of your business, which creates trust. Trust is what creates more customers. Here’s How: Create a short one-minute video that introduces you, your business, what makes your business unique, and why people should visit your business. Chamber staff will edit the videos and connect them together to make one short video to be published to the Chamber’s social media platforms. Each video published will include the relevant links to the posted businesses’ social media pages. Before filming, please contact Sheila at events@wickenburgchamber.com or call 928-684-0977 for further details about being part of this fun business community project. Business of the Month Congratulations to Wickenburg Custom Painting & Wall Textures, owned by Paul Rather. Contact Paul at (928) 231-3888 for detailed information about his products and services. Tip of the Stetson to our Reinvestments We sincerely appreciate our members who renewed their membership: A-1 Shredding Inc., Arizona Broadway Theatre, Arizona State University, Arizona Steamboat Cruises, BART International LLC, Calvary Paving & Grading LLC, Century 21 Arizona West, Sammie Home, Champion Physical Therapy, Double H Custom Hat Company, Farmers Insurance, Ferrellgas, Foam Experts Roofing Inc., Freeport McMoRan, Grantham Fence & Supply, Hospice of the West, Humane Society of Wickenburg,

Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Long horn Complex, Los Viajeros Inn, Madden Media, nr design+build LLC, Outlaw Septic Pumping & Portable Toilets, Pioneer Title Agency, Inc., Radiant Roofing LLC, Select Glass Inc., Shumway Contracting, tractor Supply Company, Turtleback Mountain Ranch, Vern Lewis Welding Supply, Inc., West Valley Star, Wickenburg Marine LLC, Your Secretary & Shipping. Congratulations! We want to recognize and congratulate the recent anniversaries of these great member businesses: Jones Ford, 50 years; Wildlife World Zoo, 35 years; Shumway Contracting, 35 years; Sizzling Wok, 30 years; and Arizona Drive Guide, 25 years

Goodyear City Council approves funding By Allen Awfe, West Valley View Staff Writer Aug 6, 2020

lev dolgachov On July 13, Goodyear City Council unanimously approved fiscal year 2020-21 community funding support to nonprofit organizations. Community support includes helping people find employment and housing.

The total funding of $114,000 will be allocated to several nonprofits, including Big Brothers and Sisters of Central Arizona, All Faith Community Services and Phoenix Rescue Mission. “We don’t do all those social services in our city; we’re not big enough,” Councilman Brannon Hampton said. “So being able to partner with nonprofits that provide those services to our residents is great.” Goodyear City Council also approved a grant from the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) to complete a Bullard Wash multiuse bicycle and pedestrian trail. With a budget of $198,000, the trail will be built between southern Bullard Wash Park and northern Estrella Mountain Regional Park. “The Bullard Wash really is the jewel of our city,” Councilwoman Wally Campbell said. “It’s going to absolutely define us as a destination place.” A request to extend a property of Christopher Todd Communities (also a part of the request is to change the name to Hancock Communities) on the southwest corner of Van Buren Street and Loop 303 into a vacant area south to Lilac Street was approved by a 5-2 vote. Council members Brannon Hampton and Laura Kaino raised concerns about the new request and voted against it. “My big concern is the density. The 46 acres of the same type of product, the multifamily type of thing, and it’s on one of our major gateways into the city,” Kaino said. Hampton added that it may be difficult for future residents to make a left turn from Lilac Street onto Loop 303 because of the little space

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between the future development and the freeway. “I drive that road every day, and that’s a very tight turn between the (Loop) 303,” Hampton said. A permit request for a drive-thru at a Starbucks at Litchfield Road and I-10 was unanimously approved. For homes in historic Goodyear, Litchfield Manor and northern subdivisions, zoning ordinances were unanimously approved for subdivisions built before 1975 for the use of chain-link fences and projections into yards. Another resolution was one which clarified that a residential driveway (non-pervious surface) can only take up 50% of the front yard or have a 30-foot maximum. This clarification was in response to the discovery that several residential homes in Goodyear had fully paved front yards. Another drive-thru permit for a future restaurant on the corner of North Estrella Parkway and West Roosevelt Street in Goodyear was also unanimously approved. In addition, the following items were unanimously adopted without council discussion: • Maintenance of drainage

easements on Elwood Street. • A second amendment to an

agreement between Goodyear and Maricopa County for animal care and control services. This second amendment reduces the original term of the agreement by one year from 2018-22 down to 2021 and adds the position of “enforcement agent,” who is responsible for the enforcement of animal control statutes.

• Appointments and the reappointments to the Youth Commission and the

reappointment to the Self-Insured Healthcare Trust Board. The following were reappointed: Noah Caraway, Lorenzo Castro, Raymond Gue, Victoria Lauritano and Madison See. The following were newly appointed: Patrick Bednarz, Makayla Bradley, Lucy Castro, Teriah Cortez-Beasley, Ivan Diaz, Clarissa Garza, Mariana Glass, Marissa Kutt, Elias Linn, Paulina Magallanes, Kirby Maitra, Sidney Phillips, Harrison Rice, Paloma Sanchez, Allen Tat and Alan TorresArroyo. Wade Foster was reappointed to the Self-Insured Healthcare Trust Board.

• A final plat, subdividing roughly 27 acres into 120 lots and 12 tracts at the southeast corner of North 158th Avenue and West Van Buren Street.