America's West Coast has allure to spare: stretches of ocean highway, famously laid-back and inviting cities and beaches galore. But the northern half of the coast, the Pacific Northwest, is arguably one of the richest natural playgrounds in the country. From its soaring peaks to its mysterious forests, this is the place to go if you love the outdoors.

Union Pacific and Ames Construction are closing three roadway crossings next week.

America's West Coast has allure to spare: stretches of ocean highway, famously laid-back and inviting cities and beaches galore. But the northern half of the coast, the Pacific Northwest, is arguably one of the richest natural playgrounds in the country. From its soaring peaks to its mysterious forests, this is the place to go if you love the outdoors.

Union Pacific Railroad's double track effort through Arizona from Los Angeles to El Paso has made an appearance in Northwest Tucson, with two major road crossings closed for several days each while UP crews rebuilt them to accommodate the second set of railroad tracks.

Pacific Pie. The name of this dish is gloriously inappropriate, since there is very little of the ocean in it.

Work on Union Pacific Railroad’s double track effort through Arizona from El Paso to Los Angeles is continuing, with most of the track being laid in Pinal County. However, the railroad’s plans for a larger switch yard near Picacho Peak are now on hold.

Marana police (above) teamed up with Union Pacific to help crack down on violators and raise awareness of the railroad crossing laws in Arizona.

The first Southern Arizona Asian American Pacific Islander conference is being held Saturday, April 25, at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 W. River Road.

The recession has scuttled many plans for commercial and residential projects in Southern Arizona, and it has now claimed another victim — the proposed Union Pacific switching yard near Picacho Peak.

On Friday, the Steam Locomotive No. 844 will be on display in Tucson from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Union Pacific Rail Yard.

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

A report by an economic consultant commissioned by the Arizona State Land Department says that state trust land adjacent to acreage being considered for sale to Union Pacific Railroad (UP) for a switching yard would be affected by the sale and that infrastructure improvements to adjacent land should be paid for by the purchaser of the rail yard property.

The Arizona State Land Department is reviewing two reports of consultants charged with preparing an engineering assessment and an economic assessment of the possible sale of 900 acres of state trust land near Picacho Peak to Union Pacific Railroad for a proposed switching yard.

The second annual Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta, presented by Desert Diamond Casinos and Entertainment, is coming to Kino Stadium October 4-7. The four-day event will bring the enthusiastic atmosphere of the Mexican Pacific League to Tucson. In addition to great baseball, here is some of the other entertainment fans will see: