(NAPSI)—Seven months after joining the Army, Sgt. Ryan McIntosh stepped on an improvised explosive device during a routine orchard-clearing mission in Afghanistan. He came home with a deeper commitment to the uniform, despite losing his right leg below the knee.

In a classroom in Tucson, young mothers all gathered together, taking a moment to relax while their babies played on the floor with employees from Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services.

This Friday, from 5 to 10 p.m., the Town of Oro Valley will host a Community Pool Party in honor of the Aquatic Center Grand Opening. The free festivities will include admission, giveaways, games and prize drawings, music and the Tucson Food Truck Roundup.

The news is out, the Town of Oro Valley is moving forward with a $3.4 million aquatic center that will bring Olympic-caliber recognition to the facility, but in the meantime, the pool will be closed this summer.

Canyon del Oro High School’s Maggie McCord set a new meet record over the weekend in the 50-yard freestyle, while leading her team to an overall third-place finish.

Seven artists have won honors in the 2010 Art in Oro Valley Competition and Exhibition, arranged by the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance.

Drs. Bob and Debbie Oro want Healthiest Town in America to be more than a slogan, more than an annual celebration, more than this Saturday's second annual kick-off event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oro Valley Marketplace.

Olympians are joining this Saturday, March 6, to help motivate young people to lead healthy lifestyles.

Explorer staff report

Cage wishes Melvin a fast, full recovery

Explorer staff report

An Oro Valley preschool is reaching the 25-year mark, and it is hosting a reunion on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The busy pace of coordinating 14 different WIC program locations throughout the greater Tucson area keeps Arlene Nehls energized.

Each year across America, newspapers generate year-end reviews during the news-thin holiday season. We are no exception. Reporters Laura Marble and Patrick McNamara, and photographer Randy Metcalf, have combed archives and memories to reflect some — and only some — of the events affecting Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson in 2008.

In her first term in Congress, 8th District Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has been “surprised by the deep rancor” of “deep-rooted partisanship” in Washington.

The Marana Unified School District Governing Board recognized Lacey Nymeyer, 2008 Olympic silver medalist, at its Sept. 25 meeting.

Sometimes you can go back. It just helps if you’ve recently won a silver medal.

About 425 students from Richardson Elementary School spelled out “Go Lacey” Tuesday afternoon to show their support for the Olympic athlete and school’s alumnus Lacey Nymeyer.