Northwest Fire District’s governing board approved a contract for Michael J. Brandt to become its fire chief, dropping the “interim” from his current title when the two-year contract kicks in on May 28.

For over 35 years, the Golder Ranch Fire District has been proudly providing fire and emergency medical services to the communities of Oro Valley, Catalina, and SaddleBrooke. Operating from seven fire stations, the men and women of Golder Ranch Fire stand ready to respond 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  But we are much more than a fire department.

Last week, local author Patty Vallance dropped off 28 copies of the book she wrote for the classes at Copper Creek Elementary School.

In what is suspected to be a road rage incident, Oro Valley police continue to investigate the death of a 22-year-old Tucson resident, while charging 21-year-old David Arnoldo Mota with first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

After being shot in an apparent road-rage incident, 22-year-old Joshua Stephen Switalski was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital Thursday night. A 21-year-old suspect is being held on first degree murder charges

Nov. 8, 2012, was a regular day for both Chuck Boreman and Golder Ranch Fire District Captain Steve Drury.  While they did not know each other, a workout at a local gym would change that forever.  That morning, Boreman experienced a sudden cardiac arrest, brought on by a clogged artery that he did not know he had.  That is when Drury and a group of other off duty first responders came to his aid.

For over 35 years, the Golder Ranch Fire District has been proudly providing fire and emergency medical services to the communities of Oro Valley, Catalina, and SaddleBrooke. Operating from seven fire stations, the men and women of Golder Ranch Fire stand ready to respond 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. But we are much more than a fire department.

Mountain Vista Fire District has surpassed the number of signatures of owners and the amount of property value required to annex nearly four square miles of Northwest Tucson into its district for fire protection.

This morning around 11 A.M. Golder Ranch Fire District Units responded to a reported house fire in the 60,000 block of Alpine way in Eagle Crest. When units arrived on scene they found smoke coming from the structure and made an aggressive attack on the fire.

Scientists believe that the drive to make New Year’s resolutions may be ingrained in human nature. According to clinical psychologist and author John Duffy, many of us have a natural slant towards self-improvement, and although January 1 is an arbitrary date to make changes, it gives us a start date to set and meet our goals.

Through the Toys for Kids program, Golder Ranch Fire District distributes holiday gifts to the families of our Fire District and the Tri-Community area of Oracle, San Manuel, and Mammoth.  Each of the fire stations serves as a drop off point for new and unwrapped toys.  

A counter about CF annexations

The Golder Ranch Fire District was created in 1977 by a vote of the residents in the area. The homeowners wanted to have a voice in their fire and medical care and at the same time, monitor costs. Today, the district serves a 210 square mile area with a population of nearly 65,000 residents. Included in the district are the communities of Oro Valley, Catalina, SaddleBrooke and southern Pinal County.

Picture Rocks Fire District firefighter Scott Lackey hunkers low in the doorway with his fire attack team as Golder Ranch Fire District Battalion Chief Bill Foss twists a doorknob and opens a steel door. Blackish-brown smoke billows out of the entrance as the Picture Rocks firefighters start a ventilation fan to help clear the smoke, then crawl into the room, pulling a charged 1-3/4-inch hose line to extinguish the fire.

When it comes to delivering an address, and stressing that the State of the Town of Oro Valley is strong, no one does it better than Mayor Satish Hiremath.  One might say it’s in his nature.

Today many ceremonies will be held to honor those lost 11 years ago on Sept. 11 when terrorists hijacked planes, flying them at the World Trade Center in New York.

Last week, crews from the Northwest Fire District’s Technical Rescue Team participated in a rescue drill off the Cortaro Bridge.