When the community was asked to identify priorities to take to voters in a potential November 2014 Pima County bond election, the result was approximately $1.3 billion worth of projects.

(BPT) - Indoors or outdoors, your home decor needs some TLC to look its best. Replacing worn or dated furniture or flooring inside your home is considered fairly easy. But when outdoor spaces start to appear shabby, do you decide to live with the tired look because you think freshening the space will be too time-consuming or costly?

(BPT) - Most of us view lawns, porches, decks and gardens as extensions of our homes and look forward to enjoying these spaces during warm weather. Unfortunately, rising temperatures also bring invasive insects that can lay their claim to these spaces and cause hefty damage.

(BPT) - Whether you own a cozy cottage or mega mansion, as a homeowner, you likely embrace the outdoor living trend. But when you look at your deck or patio, does it leave something to be desired? By taking a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach, you can affordably create outdoor spaces that enhance the style and functionality of your home, plus add to the overall value of the property.

(BPT) - Americans are facing a growing epidemic: an equal opportunity disease, affecting individuals of all ages, genders, races and socioeconomic status. Opioid prescription painkiller addiction, a form of opioid dependence, is a chronic disease that affects the brain. Although many believe it is a result of a moral failing or lack of control, research shows opioid prescription painkiller addiction is a long-term medical condition that alters the brain’s chemistry, making it difficult for someone to stop. This means the brain has been affected by the disease.

(NAPSI)—It may not be what most people think about when they consider technological innovations, but science has turned its attention toward the floor and come up with some pretty clever ideas.

Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry is calling on local business leaders to assist the county in devising a comprehensive funding plan to address failing and deteriorating roads. 

(BPT) - “The bathroom sink drain is clogged!”

(BPT) - Summer means deck time for many Americans. A deck is an ideal spot for relaxation and entertaining. Imagine a cook-out with friends, snoozing in the sun on a hot day, snuggling with your sweetheart watching shooting stars, or having a backyard camp-out with the kids.

(BPT) - As you hit the road for this year’s vacation, you may see an increasing number of vehicles on the sides of the highway broken down either with mechanical problems or flat tires. Don’t derail your travel fun by being one of them. A few simple steps will help you avoid being stuck on the side of the road – or at least be prepared in the event it happens.

Q: What is better for a computer, leaving it on all the time or shutting it down every night? — Justin

(BPT) - Most Americans over 50 want to stay in their home as they age, but few are making the renovations they need to ensure easy and comfortable living for years to come.

By a 2-to-1 margin, Marana voters approved the Home Rule Option in the May 21 General Election. It was an all mail election for the second time.

Social media is a long-term commitment and most business owners and builders don’t have time to sit down at the computer for more than six hours a week to focus on social networking and web maintenance.

(BPT) - If current oil prices, motorist demand and refinery production trends continue, gas prices should drop to between $3.20 and $3.40 per gallon by mid-summer, according to AAA. This is good news for everyone, as the height of travel season quickly approaches. With the majority of travel being done using cars, there will be lots of rubber hitting the road.

(StatePoint) Making the most of your home’s outdoor spaces can do wonders for a property’s overall value. What’s more, some updates can also potentially lower your home’s energy bills while increasing its efficiency.

(BPT) - Sprucing up your home’s curb appeal brings new energy and life, not only to your property, but also to the entire neighborhood. It creates a welcoming and appealing environment, while also making it a better candidate for resale, if that’s in your near future.

(NAPSI)—Proper vehicle maintenance doesn’t only mean you and your car can spend many happy years together. It can also mean that when the time comes to sell, you may get a better price.

(NAPSI)—Investing a little time and effort to make sure your tires are road worthy can pay dividends when it comes to safety. Experts say the first step is to make sure your tires are properly inflated.

(NAPSI)—With more than 5 million car crashes every year in the U.S., it’s important that drivers understand what they can do to avoid a collision and also what automakers are doing to help them should they be involved in an accident.

(BPT) - There’s no better way to enjoy the summer than by lounging by the pool. Unfortunately, this backyard family oasis requires regular maintenance throughout the summer that can include expensive and sometimes unhealthy chemicals. Have you ever wished there was an easier way you could clean your pool, that was also more eco-friendly?

Our lawns and gardens seem to be all about the “green.” We spend a lot of green on our lawns and gardens – nearly $30 billion a year. We grow a lot of greens – nearly a third of us grow food in our gardens. And many companies now make outdoor gardening products with recycled materials, such as plastics – which contribute to sustainability and make our lawns and gardens a bit greener.

Summer heat is hard on automobiles.  Just when you need your air conditioning to relieve our triple digit temperatures is when it fails or worse, your cooling system fails, and you find yourself on the side of the road in the heat.  Windshield wipers dry out and belts that drive your pumps and fan break along with hoses that feed your windshield washer and radiator.  Without your radiator working properly, your engine will overheat and ultimately ruin the engine.

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.