My eighteen-year-old daughter’s beloved first car broke down on the side of I-10 about a month ago. In order to buy that little green Volkswagen Beetle in the first place, she’d saved for well over a year, stashing away every penny she earned from her part-time job, as well as cash birthday and Christmas gifts. So when the temperature gauge somersaulted and grey smoke poured from the exhaust pipe that day, my daughter’s dream car quite literally went up in smoke. And, unfortunately, there were no affordable options to get it back up and running. There was a grieving process to be sure, but perhaps the heaviest burden fell on the shoulders of my husband. Used car shopping, you see, is like the kryptonite to his Superman.

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.

It is now that time of year, the dreaded (or maybe loved) summer. In Tucson, we will be expecting temperatures well into the one-hundred plus region. We will go through sweltering heat, little to no cloud coverage, and burning winds, now this just seems awful. Many people may think to themselves, “Why would anyone want to do anything out in this heat?” Luckily for those of us who are a little braver to the summer heat, there is plenty fun to be had and entertainment to find. Tucson has a hidden little secret that may take some time for non-natives to realize, we have some of the best outdoor events you could ask for. If you take a drive out to Houghton and I-10, you may be surprised to see a growing figure out in the distance. No, that’s not a mirage; this small oasis of fun is real. Starting April 18 and running until April 28, the Pima County Fair graces us with droves of rides, entertainment, food, and fun for your whole family to enjoy, a place to “Get Your Fun On!” .

Visitors traveling along I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson can’t miss the prominent 1,500-foot peak at Picacho Peak State Park. The park and surrounding area are known for its unique geological significance, outstanding and varied desert growth, and historical importance. The unique shape has been used as a landmark by travelers since prehistoric times.

Northwest Fire District crews were called to Interstate 10 at the Ruthrauff overpass just after 11:30 p.m. Saturday night, after a passer-by noticed a vehicle off the roadway and damage to some of the guardrail in the area.

With the unofficial election results flowing in for the Town of Marana's all-mail election.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising drivers that plan to travel overnight on Interstate 10 between Tucson and Benson on Friday, March 8 to consider altering their travel plans or prepare for a 67-mile detour due to a bridge demolition project.

Pima Community College Chorale and College Singers, under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Ng, present a mid-semester concert featuring the Chorale singing “Wayfaring ” by Merle J. Isaac, “O Mistress Mine” and “The Turtle Dove” by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The Tucson Quarter Midgets Association and the North Tucson Fire Fighter Community Outreach Corporation are holding the second annual Charity Race and Touch a Truck event on March 9, 2013, from 9am – 4pm at the Quarter Midget racetrack located south of Avra Valley Road on the Westside I-10 frontage road. Suggested donation of $5 for adults and kids under 12 are free. Funds raised will benefit Project Trident, a drowning prevention and awareness program.

Water is and always will be our most precious natural resource. We live in a state where acquiring water is challenging, expensive and, sometimes, almost impossible.

The Tucson Padres and the Pima County Sports & Tourism Authority have announced the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres will play a split-squad Spring Training game at Kino Stadium on Sunday, March 17 at 1:05 pm. The game pairs the Tucson Padres Major League affiliate against the Major League team closest to Tucson. Both teams have a second Spring Training game that day in the Phoenix area.

Train track road crossing at Cochie Canyon Trail is closing next weekend for improvements.

Train tracks at Tangerine Road are closing the first weekend in January for improvements.

Move your body into the New Year with family, friends and neighbors at BEYOND, a community-wide outdoor festival. Join us for a full day of fun and fitness at some of the most spectacular outdoor settings in our region.

Train tracks at Cortaro Road will be closed for 12 hours next weekend for construction.

Mata Ortiz Pottery demonstrations will be held at Kartchner Caverns State Park on December 15, 2012 and January 28, 2013. Demonstrations will take place at 11am and 1pm in the park theater on the event days. Learn more about Mata Ortiz pottery and see examples during the demonstrations.

Ames Construction Inc. will close the train track crossing at Massingale Road to perform construction for Union Pacific Railroad.

Imagine if a company wanted to start a project in Arizona that would help our economy by offering:

Ames Construction Inc. will be closing the train track crossing at Cortaro Road to perform construction for Union Pacific Railroad.

Ames Construction Inc. will be closing Ina Road, east of the westbound I-10 frontage road, to construct a second crossing for the Union Pacific Railroad. The closure begins Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. and lasts until Nov. 11 at 4 p.m. All traffic will be detoured on to Thornydale or Oldfather road when approaching from the east side of the crossing and either Orange Grove or Cortaro road when approaching from the westbound I-10 frontage road or west of the crossing.